SEASON’S SCREENINGS

Here’s a breakdown of this season’s Christmas-themed movies, with their rankings on the naughty-and-nice scale:

“The Santa Clause 3” (opened Nov. 3)

What’s it all about? Tim Allen’s third go-round as the reluctant draftee to the North Pole, who must battle Jack Frost (Martin Short). Tired of being the guy blamed for coughs and runny noses, Frost plots to take over Santa’s duties by manipulating the contract that binds Allen to North Pole duties.

With three Clause movies and 2004’s “Christmas With the Kranks,” Allen admits to becoming “the Christmas guy,” adding: “I feel grateful to see this lovely image of Santa. I liked being the cynical adult comedian wrapped up in this mythical hero.”

Naughty or nice? 100 percent nice. Rated G, there’s little here to offend – unless you’re not a Tim Allen fan.

“Deck the Halls” (opened Wednesday)

What’s it all about? Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick play suburban neighbors who go to war over who can decorate their home the brightest.

“I’m hoping that it’s very relatable,” says Sanford Panitch, production chief at New Regency Productions. “You’d have a hard time finding someone who lives in any suburban neighborhood who can’t remember a neighbor who has gone kind of nuts with decorations.”

Naughty or nice? Mostly nice. Some slapstick and risque humor, but rated PG.

“The Nativity Story” (opens Dec. 1)

What’s it about? The familiar story of the birth of Jesus is told with attention to the gritty realities of Jewish life under the oppressive Roman rule. Keisha Castle-Hughes (“Whale Rider”) stars as Mary, a teenager told in an angelic vision she will give birth to the Messiah. She must confront the doubts of her husband, Joseph, and journey with him to Bethlehem. Screenwriter Mike Rich (“Finding Forrester”) blended the accounts of Jesus’ birth from the Bible, but explains: “I had to read between the lines to find what were the doubts, the fears, and where did the characters’ faith come from.”

Naughty or nice? Leaning nice, but some scenes may frighten the littlest viewers.

“The Holiday” (opens Dec. 8)

What’s it about? Kate Winslet plays an Englishwoman and Cameron Diaz plays a Southern Californian who meet online and, unhappy with their lives and loves, agree to swap homes for the holidays. Jack Black and Jude Law co-star.

Nancy Meyers (“Something’s Gotta Give”) set “The Holiday” at Christmas and Hanukkah to contrast with her characters’ loneliness: “A lot of people over the holidays have a more difficult time than others.”

Naughty or nice? A little naughty. At PG-13, it has some adult humor and sexual situations.

“Unaccompanied Minors” (opens Dec. 8)

What’s it about? “Home Alone” at the airport. A group of young kids trying to make their way home for the holidays cause mischief while evading an overzealous security agent played by “Daily Show” ranter Lewis Black. Wilmer Valderrama is another airport worker who tries to help the troublemakers.

Naughty or nice? A touch of naughty. PG rated for mild rude humor and general disobedience.

“Black Christmas” (opens Dec. 25)

What’s it about? Michelle Trachtenberg (“Ice Princess”) stars as one member of a group of sorority girls terrorized by a serial killer who hates Christmas more than the Grinch in this remake of a 1974 cult classic.

The movie has a rich Christmas pedigree: It was co-produced by the director of the original, Bob Clark, who also made the classic comedy “A Christmas Story.” (Look for homages such as the famous “leg lamp” hidden in the new movie.)

Naughty or nice? Totally naughty. Producer Butan says this movie is “sex, violence and happy holidays.”