The Evolution of Krampus (Animation)
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While Santa rewards the well-behaved, Krampus goes after the depraved. But how has this folklore legend evolved onscreen, you ask? Well, we’re up for the task! Let’s go through the Christmas Demon’s movie and TV show appearances...animated!
warning: spoilers ahead!In The Venture Brothers, Krampus has a green skin tone, and his signature goat legs, tail, horns and long tongue. Plus, he has his classic arm chains and whipping branches!
The film, Rare Exports, showcases feral Santa Claus helpers, all led by an iced giant beast, that’s never defrosted.
Scooby Doo’s Krampus is beefy, with one human foot, and glowing green eyes. But he’s apparently just a costumed Robot.
The League has its own Mall Krampus, with an adorable Muppet-like appearance.
In Krampus: The Christmas Devil, he wears a dark robe, has foot-shaped hooves, and a skeletal face. In the sequel, his face is spikier, his skin is more brown, and he has longer horns. This Demon is Santa’s brother, working alongside him to punish naughty kids.
Grimm feature’s a pale Santa-suited Krampus, with curled horns, a flaming tongue, and an appetite for eating children. But after the Winter Solstice, this Krampus demorphs into a confused dude.
American Dad’s Krampus has a red skin tone, a devilish tail, hairy forearms, and a love of singing!
The Aquabats’ Anti-Claus is fully fur-covered, has added collars and bells, and a long hair curl. This demon becomes the unwanted ruler of a small town, but he’s put in his place by a wrestling Santa.
Lost Girl contains a Jimmy Buffet-Esque Krampus with the power to teleport others.
A gigantic alien Krampus is spotted in Space Dandy, with a red face, and a hula-inspired ensemble. Although, this giant is easy to knock out.
A Christmas Horror Story contains a mostly hairless and buff demon wearing warrior attire. He has an animal-like nose and an atrociously long tongue. When this Krampus is defeated, his spirit then inhabits another bitter soul.
A withered Krampus appears in Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell, he has deer-like antlers, fancy lederhosen, and loves to shake his wooden clog.
Krampus: The Reckoning summons a bald Beast, with a tiny tail, skeletal face, pronounced overbite, and glowing eyes. Plus, he has the ability to set people ablaze.
The 2015 Krampus film showcases a hunched Krampus. His cloak is ragged and spattered in chains, with his hooves poking out. His fingers are elongated, and he wears an old man's face, with only his own goat-like eyes, and mouth visible beneath it. He’s also assisted by many creepy critters, and tosses his victims into eternal damnation!
Robot Chicken’s Krampus loves to play music, has only one goat-like foot, and washboard abs, but he’s no match for Jesus-magic!
In Murdoch Mysteries, Krampus wears a red and black coat, has tiny horns, and fiery eyes...but it turns out he’s just a disguised vengeful accountant.
In Krampus Unleashed, Krampus is – well – unleashed. He has straggly hair, tattered clothing, and thin antlers. While this Kramp is easy to explode, a baby version takes his place.
The Regular Show’s Krampus lacks any pupils and has a hairless torso. He carries laser-proof branches and Christmas grenades, but he’s taken down with dinging handbells!
Inside No. 9 features another costumed demon, with thick thighs, platform shoes, and a long-horned mask. Although a shirtless and more murderous variant also appears.
Mother Krampus presents a Sith-looking Witch and the sequel boasts a lady-Leatherface...but, despite their titles, they’re both not Krampus.
Hotel Transylvania’s robust Krampus has bony appendages on his back, one skeletal hand, and a glass eye. In later episodes, his look is streamlined and he’s given two skeletal hands. Unlike the other Christmas Devils, this demon delivers presents to good ghouls and boils.
A grey Anti-Claus is called on in Krampus Origins. He wears medieval-style armour, has fireball eyes, and yields a staff that steals children! But, he gets beckoned into a magical book...ending his tale.
In Slay Belles, a sparsely-haired Beast appears wearing a furred loincloth. He has a pronounced rib cage, a scrunched face, and is assisted by an army of chomping hairballs! Plus, he’s dating Mrs. Claus. But since their lives are somehow linked, when Santa sacrifices himself, Krampus parishes as well.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina features a mall Santa, who is truly a Darth Maul-looking demon. He rocks a red under suit and brown overalls. This Kramp turns children into wax statues, but a vengeful witch takes him down.
In Pagan Warrior, the Yule-beast wears Viking attire, has a pink skin tone, extended chin, and added tattoos. This Krampus is called upon to wipe out a Norse army.
Danger Force features a sleazebag Krampus, who can both teleport, and turn others into Christmas-hating Krampus-lovers.
In Sister Krampus, the Christmas Devil fashions cheap sheets, and a furred shoal. This beast weds a shunned nun, transforming her into a Krampy Demon!
In Krampus Vs. Bigfoot, a hulking Krampus appears. He has gigantic horns and bio-mechanical parts. This beast is appointed by Lucifer to wipe out humanity, and – despite the title – he never fights Bigfoot.
Krampus: The Return depicts a dark Krampus, with lumpy forearms, a craggy face, and long black hair. But, this version is your typical slasher who mostly goes after adults.
Teen Titans features a Green-coloured Krampus who decides he prefers Halloween over Christmas.
And the latest Krampus had a part in The Santa Clauses’ mini-series. He has curled horns and apparently at one time delivered presents as one of the many Santa Claus’s who took over the role.
Well, and with a never-ending spewing of Krampus appearances yet to release, you’ll never feel safe for the holidays again!
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