Ho, ho, ho! 5 Christmas movies filmed in Ventura County to watch this holiday season

It's beginning to look a lot like Ventura County in Christmas films.

Just ask Dick Van Dyke or Hulk Hogan. They're among the stars of these five movies filmed across the county.

'Santa with Muscles'

Played by actor-wrestler Hulk Hogan, millionaire Blake Thorn is running from the police in Fillmore in this 1996 comedy "Santa with Muscles." As part of his escape, he puts on a Santa Claus suit. Then he gets knocked on the head, loses his memory and, seeing what he’s wearing, believes he really is Santa.

Blake is now a good guy trying to save an orphanage from evil scientist Ebner Frost, played by Ed Begley Jr.

The trailer at the Internet Movie Data Base website, imdb.com, shows some dramatic action around the tower at The Fillmore on Central wedding venue.

'Fitzwilly'

Moorpark became New York City for this 1967 comedy starring Dick Van Dyke as Fitzwilly. He's a butler and con artist whose elaborate heists are intended to help the kind philanthropist who employs him. She isn't as rich as she thinks.

The story is set during the Christmas season in New York City, but some or possibly most of the ground-level exterior scenes featured Moorpark's High Street. Most of the film's scenes were interiors filmed at Samuel Goldwyn Studio in West Hollywood.

A second unit — which usually means no stars — was sent to New York City to film the exterior wide shots of skyscrapers, other tall buildings and a few sites such as the philanthropist's mansion and Gimbels Department Store.

To see "Fitzwilly," go to a free streaming service, Pluto TV.

'Yuletide the Knot'

Moorpark also served as the filming location for the 2023 flick "Yuletide the Knot" about Rachel, a small town planner working on her biggest Christmas wedding. But Rachel, played by Mary Antonini, is surprised when the bride’s manager turns out to be Logan, her high school sweetheart. Will they get back together?

The film is airing on various days on the UPtv cable network. You can also watch it on the UP Faith & Family streaming service. For more information, see uptv.com.

'It Happened One Christmas'

The city in this 1977 gender-bending twist on “It’s a Wonderful Life" may look familiar. It's Santa Paula.

The ABC film stars Marlo Thomas of “That Girl” fame as Mary Bailey Hatch, a young woman who must give up her dream and remain in her hometown to lead her family’s building and loan business. The film also stars Orson Welles as the villain, Henry F. Potter.

Instead of Clarence from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the angel this time is Clara.

'Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus'

The Best Western Posada Royale Hotel & Suites in Simi Valley gets its close-up in this 2004 Hallmark Channel film, which starred Steve Guttenberg as Nick, Santa Claus’ son.

Nick is supposed to follow in his father’s footsteps and become the new Santa on Dec. 26, but that means he must find a wife. Fate leads him to Beth, and helping Santa with his romance is Ernest. There's a trailer at hallmarkchannel.com.

The popular film inspired a 2005 Hallmark Channel sequel, “Meet the Santas.” This time, Guttenberg and fellow cast members were filmed at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills. With the help of some fake snow, the site’s Western Town, seen in CBS’ “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” became the North Pole.

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Christmas movies to watch filmed in Ventura County, California