In the ever-growing pantheon of holiday movie moments that live rent-free in our heads, few scenes burn as brightly as Kurt Russell’s jailhouse rock rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Santa Claus Is Back in Town” in Netflix’s 2018 gem, The Christmas Chronicles. Even years later – and especially this festive season of 2025, as the film surges back to the top of streaming charts – fans can’t stop buzzing about the legendary actor transforming into the ultimate “Hot Santa.” With his gravelly vocals, hip-shaking dance moves, and that unmistakable Elvis swagger, Russell didn’t just play Saint Nick; he redefined him as a rugged, charismatic rock ‘n’ roll icon who could sleigh any stage. Viewers old and new are declaring it the sexiest, most electrifying Christmas musical number ever committed to film – and they’re not wrong.
Picture this: Santa’s sleigh has crashed, reindeer scattered, and the big guy himself – portrayed with roguish charm by the 67-year-old (at the time) Kurt Russell – ends up in a Chicago jail cell alongside a ragtag band of musicians played by Little Steven Van Zandt and his real-life Disciples of Soul. What could have been a throwaway gag becomes pure cinematic gold when Santa slaps on a pair of shades, grabs the mic, and launches into the sultry blues of “Santa Claus Is Back in Town.” The song, originally penned by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller for Elvis’s 1957 Christmas Album, oozes innuendo and swagger: “Hang up your pretty stockings, turn off the light / Santa Claus is comin’ down your chimney tonight.” But in Russell’s hands – backed by Van Zandt’s blistering guitar and the band’s tight groove – it explodes into a full-blown musical spectacular.
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Russell doesn’t just sing – he performs. His deep, smoky baritone nails Elvis’s playful menace, growling lines like “You gonna see me comin’ in a big black Cadillac” with a wink that could melt snow. The dance moves? Pure Presley homage: knee bends, hip thrusts, that signature sneer. Inmates bang bars in rhythm; guards tap feet despite themselves. Magic instruments appear (Santa’s doing, of course), turning the cell into a makeshift stage. The energy is infectious – high-octane rockabilly with holiday cheer, keeping viewers glued from the first chord to the triumphant finale.
What makes it unforgettable is the connection Russell forges. He’s not phoning it in; he’s all-in, committing to every pelvic swivel and vocal riff with the intensity of his action-hero roles in Escape from New York or The Thing. Director Chris Columbus revealed in interviews that Russell, a longtime Elvis admirer (he even played the King in a 1979 TV biopic and an impersonator in 3000 Miles to Graceland), pushed for the scene. “Kurt said, ‘If I’m Santa, he’s got to have some Elvis in him,'” Columbus recalled. Little Steven Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band guitarist, produced the track and assembled his Disciples of Soul for authenticity – no lip-syncing here. Russell sang live on set, his real vocals layered over the final mix for that raw edge.
The “Hot Santa” phenomenon was immediate. Upon release in November 2018, The Christmas Chronicles drew 20 million streams in its first week, but the jail scene went supernova viral. Clips racked hundreds of millions of views on YouTube, with fans dubbing Russell “DILF Santa” and “the sexiest Kris Kringle ever.” Polygon famously declared: “Casting Kurt Russell as Santa immediately establishes one thing: Santa is hot.” AV Club praised him giving “his all as DILF Santa.” Social media erupted – TikToks of users recreating the hip shakes, memes of Russell’s smirk captioned “When Santa checks if you’ve been naughty,” and endless thirst tweets: “Kurt Russell ruined all other Santas for me.” Even now, in 2025, as families rewatch during holiday marathons, X (Twitter) lights up with fresh adoration. “Hot Santa Kurt Russell singing Elvis is peak Christmas,” one viral post reads, garnering millions of impressions.
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The sequel, The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020), doubled down, pairing Russell with real-life partner Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus and adding another Van Zandt-produced track with Darlene Love. But nothing topped the original’s jailhouse jam. Russell’s Santa – bearded yet buff, wise-cracking yet warm – subverted the jolly old elf trope, infusing him with macho coolness. His red coat (weighing a whopping 50 pounds, per behind-the-scenes tales) billowed dramatically; the white beard framed that iconic squint. He kept the energy high throughout the film – chasing elves, fixing sleighs, saving Christmas – but the song crystallized his charisma.
Why does it endure? In a sea of saccharine holiday fare, Russell’s performance is bold, unapologetic fun. It’s sexy without sleaze, nostalgic yet fresh. Elvis’s original was cheeky; Russell amps the charm, making Santa relatable – a guy who’d rock out in jail rather than ho-ho-ho politely. Fans connect because it’s authentic: Russell, at 74 today, still exudes that timeless appeal, his voice gravelly from decades of iconic roles.
This season, as The Christmas Chronicles trends again on Netflix amid new holiday releases, “Hot Santa” reigns supreme. Playlists feature the track; karaoke versions thrive on Smule; light shows sync to it worldwide. Russell, ever humble, once quipped: “I just tried to make Santa cool.” Mission accomplished – and then some.
Kurt Russell didn’t just steal the show; he gift-wrapped it in red velvet and delivered it with a hip shake. “Santa Claus Is Back in Town” isn’t just a song anymore – it’s a cultural touchstone, proof that Christmas magic can be as hot as it is heartfelt. Fans can’t get enough, and honestly? Neither can we.
