The Success of Superman Resulted in One of the Weirdest Christmas Movies Ever

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• Santa Claus: The Movie was a 1985 Christmas film that bore striking similarities to Richard Donner's 1978 Superman: The Movie, including an origin story, a villain trying to profit off the hero, and even flying scenes - a case of blatant formula replication that audiences rejected.
• Despite Santa and Superman both being symbols of hope, the attempt to replicate the Hero's Journey formula that made Superman a hit backfired, as Santa Claus: The Movie lacked the focus and cultural relevance to pull off such an ambitious blend of genres. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of innovation without understanding the right timing and creative investment.