20 stunning Christmas movies starring your favorite Marvel actors
By Reed Gaudens
19. J.K. Simmons in Klaus
Release Year: 2019
Directed By: Sergio Pablos
Starring: Jason Schwartzman, J. K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Norm Macdonald, Neda Margrethe Labba, Sergio Pablo, Joan Cusack, Reiulf Aleksandersen, Sara Margrethe Oksal
Of all the actors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, J. K. Simmons might have the most interesting relationship to the vast empire.
Simmons first appeared as J. Jonah Jameson in 2002’s Spider-Man, which isn’t recognized as an MCU film, and has reprised this role throughout the years in various Marvel animated series. He most recently returned as J. Jonah Jameson in a Spider-Man: Far From Home cameo, in a first for a non-MCU role being reprised in an MCU movie. Perhaps he’ll make a bigger comeback in future installments, but for now, fans can catch Simmons in a modern Christmas classic.
In 2019, Netflix premiered its animated Christmas comedy-drama Klaus, which centers on a struggling postman named Jesper Johansson (Jason Schwartzman). When he’s sent to a snowy town to work on posting letters, Jesper discovers Santa Claus a.k.a. Klaus (Simmons) hiding away.
The film landed Netflix its first Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, an accomplishment even if it couldn’t best Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4. It’s a tough task to rise through the beloved ranks and become a time-tested Christmas classic, but Klaus has all the necessary ingredients to evolve into an annual holiday family favorite.