Why Rudolph Doesn’t Appear in More Christmas Movies

Rudolph is one of the most popular Christmas characters, but the beloved reindeer hasn’t appeared in as many holiday films. The song “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” narrates how Rudolph was ridiculed and ostracized by Santa’s other reindeer for having a bright red nose. However, Rudolph saved Christmas Day by using his light to guide Santa’s sleigh through the bad weather. After that, Rudolph was accepted by the other reindeer, and children all over the world sang his song every December.

However, although “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is one of the most popular Christmas songs, Rudolph is not necessarily one of the most popular characters in Christmas movies. This isn’t because Rudolph isn’t a fun character that people wouldn’t want to see in their favorite Christmas movies, but rather because of copyright issues. Rudolph has appeared in a surprisingly small number of Christmas films due to these issues, and it will be a while before it becomes easier for films to use the character.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is not in the public domain like Santa’s other reindeer

The character Rudolph was created in 1939

Santa’s other reindeer, like Dasher, Prancer, and Comet, are all in the public domain. Therefore, they can be included in any Christmas movie. However, Because of Rudolph’s unique origin, he is not yet in the public domain. According to Creative Law CenterIn 1939, Chicago-based department store Montgomery Ward commissioned one of its employees, Robert L. May, to create a children’s story. He wrote Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and the copyright was initially owned by Montgomery Ward, as May worked for the company.

The president of Montgomery Ward returned the copyright to May in 1947, and the children’s book Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was published that same year. May renewed Rudolph’s rights in 1967 and founded The Rudolph Company before his passing in 1976. The Rudolph Company currently owns the rights to Rudolph, and the current copyright has not yet expired. That’s why it’s much easier to include all the other reindeer than Rudolph.

Rudolph’s royalties have limited his film appearances over the years

Many of the best Christmas movies didn’t include Rudolph

Because of Rudolph’s complicated copyright issues, many films were unable to include him, which is a shame since he is arguably Santa’s most famous reindeer. Tom Allen Santa Claus films, for example, have seen Santa working with all of his reindeer except Rudolph. While this has allowed other reindeer like Comet to shine, it is still disappointing as Rudolph has such an inspiring Christmas story. A more recent example of Rudolph being written out of a Christmas movie is Red. Rudolph did not appear in Red alongside other famous Christmas characters due to copyright issues.

Rudolph is the star of the 1964 animated television special Rudolph the red-nosed reindeerhowever, it is considered one of the best Christmas specials to revisit every year. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer expands the Christmas carol and sees Rudolph traveling to the North Pole and meeting other Christmas characterssuch as Yukon Cornelius, Hermey the Elf, and Sam the Snowman. So while Rudolph doesn’t appear in many Christmas movies, the adorable reindeer stands out in the 1964 Christmas classic. Rudolph not being in many movies makes Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer even more special.

Rudolph’s Movie Future Will Change in 2034

Rudolph enters the public domain in 2034

The copyright on the 1939 version of Rudolph expires in 2034, meaning Rudolph will finally enter the public domain. Therefore, from 2034 there will likely be an increase in Christmas movies featuring Rudolph. Many studios will probably want to tell Rudolph’s story and make the reindeer the main character, just as he did in the 1964 Christmas special. Additionally, Rudolph will undoubtedly be included as a supporting character in other Christmas films as well.

The aforementioned Tim Allen Santa Claus films and the recently released Redamong countless other Christmas films, I simply wouldn’t have been able to use Rudolph without reaching an agreement with the right owners. However, starting in 2034, studios will not need permission to include the more recognizable version of the reindeer in films. As such, it is safe to assume that Christmas films made after 2034 will include Rudolph alongside Santa’s other classic reindeer, not to mention all the solo projects that could be made centering on him.

Source: Creative Law Center