The 20 best animated movies on Netflix - Entertainment Weekly
The 20 best animated movies on Netflix · Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022) · Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017) · Guillermo ...
Klaus
Regardless of whether or not 'tis the season, <anchor>Klaus</anchor> is a Santa Claus origin story that's enjoyable any time of the year. Starring J.K. Simmons as the film's eponymous hero, Klaus tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian lumberman who is recruited by the town's new postman Jesper ( Jason Schwartzman) to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his father, the postmaster general, wrong. But, when Klaus' toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself.
Klaus trailer shows Netflix's first original animated film with J.K. Simmons​
Klaus trailer shows Netflix's first original animated film with J.K. Simmons​[Skip to content](#main)

[Entertainment Weekly](/)

- Search






Please fill out this field.

- Newsletters
- [Sweepstakes](/sweepstakes)

Search

Please fill out this field.

- [TV](https://ew.com/tv/)


TV



- [TV Reviews](https://ew.com/tv/tv-reviews/)
- [TV Reunions](https://ew.com/tv/tv-reunions/)
- [TV Recaps](https://ew.com/tv/recaps/)
- [Comedy](https://ew.com/genre/comedy/)
- [Crime](https://ew.com/genre/crime/)
- [Drama](https://ew.com/genre/drama/)
- [Family](https://ew.com/genre/family/)
- [Horror](https://ew.com/genre/horror/)
- [Reality](https://ew.com/genre/reality/)
- [Sci-Fi](https://ew.com/genre/sci-fi/)
- [Thriller](https://ew.com/genre/thriller/)

- [Movies](https://ew.com/movies/)


Movies



- [Movie Reviews](https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/)
- [Trailers](https://ew.com/trailers/)
- [Film Festivals](https://ew.com/movies/film-festivals/)
- [Movie Reunions](https://ew.com/movies/movie-reunions/)
- [Movie Previews](https://ew.com/movies/movie-previews/)

- [Music](https://ew.com/music/)


Music



- [Music Reviews](https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/)
- [Music Festivals](https://ew.com/music/music-festivals/)

- [What To Watch](https://ew.com/what-to-watch/)


What To Watch



- [What To Watch Podcast Episodes](https://ew.com/what-to-watch-podcast/)
- [TV Reviews](https://ew.com/tv/tv-reviews/)
- [Movie Reviews](https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/)

- [Binge](https://ew.com/binge/)


Binge



- [EW's Binge Podcast Episodes](https://ew.com/ew-binge-podcast/)
- [The Challenge](https://ew.com/the-challenge/)
- [The Golden Bachelor](https://ew.com/the-golden-bachelor/)
- [The Masked Singer](https://ew.com/the-masked-singer/)
- [RuPaul's Drag Race](https://ew.com/rupauls-drag-race/)
- [Survivor](https://ew.com/survivor/)
- [Virgin River](https://ew.com/virgin-river/)
- [The Voice](https://ew.com/the-voice/)
- [Yellowstone](https://ew.com/yellowstone/)

- [Celebrity](https://ew.com/celebrity/)
- [The Awardist](https://ew.com/awards/)


The Awardist



- [The Awardist Podcast Episodes](https://ew.com/the-awardist-podcast/)
- [Golden Globes](https://ew.com/awards/golden-globes/)
- [Grammys](https://ew.com/awards/grammys/)
- [Emmys](https://ew.com/awards/emmys/)
- [SAG Awards](https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/)
- [Tony Awards](https://ew.com/awards/tony-awards/)
- [Oscars](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/)

- [Books](https://ew.com/books/)


Books



- [Book Reviews](https://ew.com/books/book-reviews/)
- [Author Interviews](https://ew.com/books/author-interviews/)

- [Fall TV Preview](https://ew.com/fall-tv-preview/)

- Newsletters
- [Sweepstakes](/sweepstakes)

Follow Us

- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/entertainmentweekly)
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/entertainmentweekly/)
- [X](https://twitter.com/EW)
- [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/ewmagazine/)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/entertainmentweekly)
- [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@entertainment_weekly)
- [Flipboard](https://flipboard.com/@ew)

- [TV](https://ew.com/tv/)  - [TV Reviews](https://ew.com/tv/tv-reviews/)
  - [TV Reunions](https://ew.com/tv/tv-reunions/)
  - [TV Recaps](https://ew.com/tv/recaps/)
  - [Comedy](https://ew.com/genre/comedy/)
  - [Crime](https://ew.com/genre/crime/)
  - [Drama](https://ew.com/genre/drama/)
  - [Family](https://ew.com/genre/family/)
  - [Horror](https://ew.com/genre/horror/)
  - [Reality](https://ew.com/genre/reality/)
  - [Sci-Fi](https://ew.com/genre/sci-fi/)
  - [Thriller](https://ew.com/genre/thriller/)
- [Movies](https://ew.com/movies/)  - [Movie Reviews](https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/)
  - [Trailers](https://ew.com/trailers/)
  - [Film Festivals](https://ew.com/movies/film-festivals/)
  - [Movie Reunions](https://ew.com/movies/movie-reunions/)
  - [Movie Previews](https://ew.com/movies/movie-previews/)
- [Music](https://ew.com/music/)  - [Music Reviews](https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/)
  - [Music Festivals](https://ew.com/music/music-festivals/)
- [What To Watch](https://ew.com/what-to-watch/)  - [What To Watch Podcast Episodes](https://ew.com/what-to-watch-podcast/)
  - [TV Reviews](https://ew.com/tv/tv-reviews/)
  - [Movie Reviews](https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/)
- [Binge](https://ew.com/binge/)  - [EW's Binge Podcast Episodes](https://ew.com/ew-binge-podcast/)
  - [The Challenge](https://ew.com/the-challenge/)
  - [The Golden Bachelor](https://ew.com/the-golden-bachelor/)
  - [The Masked Signer](https://ew.com/the-masked-singer/)
  - [RuPaul's Drag Race](https://ew.com/rupauls-drag-race/)
  - [Survivor](https://ew.com/survivor/)
  - [Virgin River](https://ew.com/virgin-river/)
  - [The Voice](https://ew.com/the-voice/)
  - [Yellowstone](https://ew.com/yellowstone/)
- [Celebrity](https://ew.com/celebrity/)
- [The Awardist](https://ew.com/awards/)  - [The Awardist Podcast Episodes](https://ew.com/the-awardist-podcast/)
  - [Golden Globes](https://ew.com/awards/golden-globes/)
  - [Grammys](https://ew.com/awards/grammys/)
  - [Emmys](https://ew.com/awards/emmys/)
  - [SAG Awards](https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/)
  - [Tony Awards](https://ew.com/awards/tony-awards/)
  - [Oscars](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/)
- [Books](https://ew.com/books/)  - [Book Reviews](https://ew.com/books/book-reviews/)
  - [Author Interviews](https://ew.com/books/author-interviews/)
- [Fall TV Preview](https://ew.com/fall-tv-preview/)

- [Movies](https://ew.com/movies/)

# Netflix's first original animated film, _Klaus_, brings holiday cheer with first trailer

J.K. Simmons voices Santa in this origin story for the jolly bringer of toys.

By

[Nick Romano](https://ew.com/author/nick-romano/)

[Nick Romano](https://ew.com/author/nick-romano/)

- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nickarbocker/)
- [X](https://twitter.com/NickARomano)

Nick is an entertainment journalist based in New York, NY. If you like pugs and the occasional blurry photo of an action figure, follow him on Twitter @NickARomano.

[EW's editorial guidelines](/about-us-7966374#toc-editorial-guidelines)

Published on October 7, 2019 10:09AM EDT

Netflix released animated films on its streaming platform in the past, but _Klaus_ marks the studio’s first original animated movie.

The first trailer, released Monday, sets up an origin story for Santa Claus with _Whiplash_ Oscar winner [J.K. Simmons](https://ew.com/tag/j-k-simmons/) voicing the title role of Klaus. [Jason Schwartzman](https://ew.com/tag/jason-schwartzman/) voices Jesper, his silent partner who stumbles upon this isolated carpenter living in a cabin with loads of handmade toys.

A postal academy student stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, Jesper makes a proposition to Klaus: “If you donate your old toys, I’ll deliver them for free.”

Word quickly spreads among the children that if they write letters to Mr. Klaus, he’ll make them toys. The problem is that the locals are used to their day-to-day lives of not speaking to one another on “the unhappiest place on earth.” The Grinch would fit right in here.

Rashida Jones, Joan Cusack, Will Sasso, and Norm Macdonald also voice roles in _Klaus_, which is directed by Sergio Pablos, the co-creator of _Despicable Me_. Netflix developed the film with SPA Studios and Artesmedia Cine.

_Klaus_ will arrive in time for the holidays Nov. 15, but Netflix has a number of other original animated films in the works. That includes [Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion _Pinocchio_](https://ew.com/movies/2018/10/22/guillermo-del-toro-pinocchio-netflix/).

**Related content:**

- [_She-Ra_ cast and creator tease new roles for Glimmer, Catra in season 4](https://ew.com/comic-con/2019/10/06/she-ra-cast-and-creator-tease-season-4-interview/)
- [_Big Mouth_ cast tease season 3 and the show’s (live-action?) future](https://ew.com/comic-con/2019/10/03/big-mouth-interview-season-3/)
- [Aaron Paul says Netflix decided ‘it was time’ to end _BoJack Horseman_](https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/28/aaron-paul-says-netflix-decided-end-bojack-horseman/)

## Related Articles

[The 20 best animated movies on Netflix](https://ew.com/movies/best-animated-movies-netflix/) [The 20 best kids' movies on Netflix](https://ew.com/best-kids-movies-on-netflix-8681043) [Game night devolves into body-switching nightmare in trippy _It's What's Inside_ trailer](https://ew.com/game-night-turns-body-switching-nightmare-its-whats-inside-trailer-8707372) [Naomi Watts still waiting for _The Watcher_ season 2 update nearly 2 years after renewal: 'I wish'](https://ew.com/the-watcher-season-2-update-reunion-bobby-cannavale-tiff-8708128) [Naomi Watts says BFF Nicole Kidman checked in before making _The Perfect Couple_ with her ex Liev Schreiber: 'Very kind of her'](https://ew.com/naomi-watts-bff-nicole-kidman-the-perfect-couple-ex-liev-schreiber-8708122) [Kevin Hart's _Fight Night_, Michael Keaton's _Beetlejuice_ return, and Netflix's _Outlast_ top this week's Must List](https://ew.com/kevin-hart-fight-night-michael-keaton-beetlejuice-return-netflix-outlast-must-list-sept-6-8706744) [Mike Flanagan calls his _Exorcist_ 'the scariest movie I've ever made'](https://ew.com/mike-flanagan-the-exorcist-scariest-movie-ive-ever-made-8707280) [Charles Deetz's fate in _Beetlejuice Beetlejuice_ inspired by Tim Burton's worst nightmare (exclusive)](https://ew.com/charles-deetz-beetlejuice-beetlejuice-fate-inspired-by-tim-burton-nightmare-exclusive-8706530)

[Why _The Talented Mr. Ripley_ star Jude Law 'loved' Netflix's _Ripley_: 'A completely different mood'](https://ew.com/the-talented-mr-ripley-star-jude-law-loved-netflix-series-ripley-8709346) [How _Beetlejuice Beetlejuice_ made 'MacArthur Park' scene a sequel to 'Day-O' (exclusive)](https://ew.com/beetlejuice-beetlejuice-macarthur-park-day-o-exclusive-8708800) [The 28 best movies on Netflix](https://ew.com/best-movies-on-netflix-8406290) [How _The Penguin_ remixes Batman comics to create an original Gotham crime drama](https://ew.com/the-penguin-remixes-batman-comics-exclusive-photos-8709550) [_Shang-Chi_ filmmaker is leading candidate to direct _Spider-Man 4_ with Tom Holland](https://ew.com/spider-man-4-tom-holland-director-shang-chi-destin-daniel-cretton-8709302) [The 20 best PG-13 movies streaming on Netflix in August 2024](https://ew.com/best-pg-13-movies-on-netflix-8692282) [Beyond the sea: _Moana 2_'s Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reflect on the unexpected path to their surprise sequel](https://ew.com/moana-2-disney-aulii-cravalho-dwayne-johnson-cover-story-8710022) [Polarized _Joker: Folie à Deux_ reviews range from 'brilliant musical' to 'collective punishment'](https://ew.com/joker-2-reviews-venice-film-festival-premiere-8706207)

[Entertainment Weekly](/)

Newsletters

## Follow Us

- [Visit Entertainment Weekly's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/entertainmentweekly)
- [Visit Entertainment Weekly's Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/entertainmentweekly/)
- [Visit Entertainment Weekly's X](https://twitter.com/EW)
- [Visit Entertainment Weekly's Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/ewmagazine/)
- [Visit Entertainment Weekly's YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/entertainmentweekly)
- [Visit Entertainment Weekly's TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@entertainment_weekly)
- [Visit Entertainment Weekly's Flipboard](https://flipboard.com/@ew)

- [TV](https://ew.com/tv/)
- [Movies](https://ew.com/movies/)
- [Music](https://ew.com/music/)
- [What To Watch](https://ew.com/what-to-watch/)
- [Binge](https://ew.com/binge/)
- [Celebrity](https://ew.com/celebrity/)
- [The Awardist](https://ew.com/awards/)
- [Books](https://ew.com/books/)
- [Theater](https://ew.com/theater/)

- [About Us](/about-us-7966374)
- [Terms of Service](https://www.dotdashmeredith.com/brands-termsofservice)
- [Subscribe](https://www.magazines.com/entertainment-weekly-magazine.html)
- [Advertise](https://www.dotdashmeredith.com/advertising)
- [Diversity & Inclusion Pledge](/about-us-7966374#toc-diversity--inclusion)
- [Careers](https://www.dotdashmeredith.com/careers)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.dotdashmeredith.com/brands-privacy)
- Your Privacy Choices

Entertainment Weekly
is part of the [Dotdash Meredith](https://www.dotdashmeredith.com) publishing family.

Newsletter Sign Up

Newsletter Sign Up

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies