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Animated comedy

Klaus (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Klaus (2019) movie poster

Klaus is a 2019 animated comedy directed by Carlos Martínez López, starring J.K. Simmons as Klaus, Jason Schwartzman and Rashida Jones. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and was made on a reported $40 million budget. It won 2 awards from 3 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.2/10.

IMDb rating
8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
awards won
2
Echo Score
86
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Klaus (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Klaus About?

The premise of Klaus without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young postal apprentice, Jesper, is stationed in a cold Arctic town where the residents are unfriendly and rarely exchange letters. Partnering with a local teacher, Alva, he discovers a reclusive toymaker named Klaus. Together, they work to bring the joy of gift-giving and the spirit of Christmas to the isolated community, igniting a heartwarming and festive transformation.

Klaus Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • christmas
  • santa
  • friendship
  • forest
  • snow adventure
  • 2d animation
  • fight
  • dog
  • post office
  • island
  • letter
  • bell
+38 more
  • world map
  • hen
  • mouse
  • post box
  • gift
  • hand drawn animation
  • traditional animation
  • part computer animation
  • liar revealed
  • santa claus
  • present
  • toy
  • teacher
  • fish
  • mountain
  • mail
  • mailman
  • tradition
  • fued
  • father son relationship
  • boat
  • sleigh
  • independent film
  • violence
  • falling from height
  • good versus evil
  • kiss
  • one word title
  • ship
  • love
  • no opening credits
  • training camp
  • cart
  • knife
  • comic relief
  • selfishness
  • part traditional animation
  • sami
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Cast & crew

Klaus Cast & Characters

J.K. Simmons leads the cast as Klaus, with Jason Schwartzman as Jesper and Rashida Jones as Alva. Directed by Carlos Martínez López; 23 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Klaus

· 19 more
Show all 23 cast members
Ratings

Klaus Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Klaus 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 86/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (75).

86 /100

Klaus Echo Score Breakdown

In Klaus, the combination of distinctive animation and heartwarming narrative has garnered broadly affirmative reactions. Users and critics alike highlight the film’s innovative blend of traditional and digital techniques, noting its fluid artistry and clever visual humor. The character dynamics and themes of kindness have been praised for fostering emotional engagement, while the origin story of Santa offers a fresh narrative twist. Overall, Klaus presents a consistently appealing holiday experience with enduring replay value.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of Art & Craft, Klaus’s animation exhibits a distinctive and fluid visual style. Reviews consistently highlight the innovative blend of hand-drawn textures with digital shading and the atmospheric snowy environments that evoke a nostalgic palette. Production design and compositing are praised for their cohesive artistry, resulting in a polished presentation that anchors the film’s aesthetic appeal.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film offers warmly drawn figures complemented by expressive voice performances. Reviews note the chemistry among the ensemble and the genuine portrayal of kindness and transformation. While a few critics felt certain arcs lacked depth, the overall emotional resonance is commendable for its sincerity and uplifting warmth.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of Story & Flow, Klaus presents a novel origin tale that balances whimsy and familiarity. The fresh framing of Santa’s beginnings and moments of clever humor have been praised for engagement. However, several critics point to an uneven middle section with predictable beats and occasional pacing lulls. Ultimately, the narrative is enjoyable but occasionally meanders before reaching its uplifting resolution.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film’s audiovisual elements contribute to an immersive holiday atmosphere. Observers commend the nuanced sound design, lively score, and crisp sound mix that enhance the emotional tone. The interplay of subtle sound cues with the fluid animation style reinforces the whimsical environment, resulting in a cohesive sensory profile.

  • Rewatch Factor 90

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Klaus demonstrates strong repeat appeal as a holiday staple. Many viewers attest to returning annually, citing the film’s comforting themes and family-friendly charm. Critics also acknowledge its potential to become a seasonal tradition despite noting minor narrative unevenness. Overall, the movie sustains enduring enjoyment across multiple viewings.

Plot

Klaus Plot Summary

What happens in Klaus from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jesper, played by Jason Schwartzman, is the indolent son of a Postmaster General who purposely fails to meet expectations at his father’s postal academy. As a last-ditch effort to reform him, Jesper’s father sends him to the remote island town of Smeerensburg. Here, he must fulfill the daunting task of sending out 6,000 letters within a year; failure to do so will result in losing access to the family estate. Upon arrival, Jesper learns from the sardonic ferryman Mogens, voiced by Norm Macdonald, and the disillusioned ex-teacher turned fishmonger, Rashida Jones, who plays Alva, that the town is nearly entirely composed of two opposing families, the Ellingboes and the Krums, who are embroiled in a bitter feud and hardly communicate, let alone send letters.

Full summary

The whole story of Klaus, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

Klaus Awards & Nominations

Klaus won 2 awards from 3 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination.

2 wins3 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Klaus Trailers & Videos

16 videos: 1 trailer, 8 clips and 7 featurettes.

All 16 videos
Netflix Official Trailer
  • Clip Jesper's Performance Report
  • Clip Family Feuds
  • Clip Clans' Tradition
  • Clip Christmas Deliveries
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Klaus?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Jesper Johansson's initial attitude towards his postal duties?

Details

Klaus Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “La Légende de Klaus” and “クロース”.

Also known as
  • La Légende de Klaus
  • クロース
  • Klaus: Sihirli Plan
  • Klaus - Câu Chuyện Giáng Sinh
  • Klaus: I segreti del Natale
  • 클라우스
  • كلاوس
  • Клаус
  • Κλάους: Το Μυστικό των Χριστουγέννων
  • קלאוס
  • Klaus - I segreti del Natale
  • La leyenda de Klaus
+7 more
  • Klaus - A karácsony titkos története
  • 克劳斯:圣诞节的秘密
  • 克勞斯:聖誕節的秘密, კლაუსი
  • Klausas
  • มหัศจรรย์ตำนานคริสต์มาส
  • Klaus: Câu Chuyện Giáng Sinh
  • کلاوس

Seen Klaus?

FAQ

Klaus FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Klaus, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Klaus?

Klaus runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Klaus released?

Klaus was released on November 8, 2019.

Who directed Klaus?

Klaus was directed by Carlos Martínez López.

Who is in the cast of Klaus?

Klaus stars J.K. Simmons as Klaus, Jason Schwartzman as Jesper and Rashida Jones as Alva, among 23 credited actors.

What was the budget of Klaus?

Klaus had a reported budget of $40 million.

How is Klaus rated?

Klaus has 8.2/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 82% on TMDB.

What awards did Klaus win?

Klaus won 2 awards from 3 nominations, including Best Animated Feature at the Annie Awards 2020.

Does Klaus have a post-credit scene?

No. Klaus has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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