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Santa Claus

Play trailer 2:09 Poster for Santa Claus PG 1985 1h 47m Kids & Family Holiday Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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22% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In ancient times, a man named Claus (David Huddleston), who delivers toys in his small village, fulfills his destiny to become Santa Claus after meeting an expert toy-making elf, Patch (Dudley Moore), in the North Pole. In the present day, Santa Claus has become overwhelmed by his workload, and the disgruntled Patch flees the workshop to New York City. There, Patch unknowingly threatens the fate of Christmas by taking a job at a failing toy company run by a scheming businessman (John Lithgow).
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Santa Claus

Critics Reviews

View All (23) Critics Reviews
Kevin Maher Times (UK) ... The core of this spectacular 1980s fantasy from the producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind is a reimagining of their most famous franchise: Superman. Rated: 4/5 Nov 28, 2023 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian This is the filmic equivalent of the uneaten toffee left at the bottom of the Quality Street tin. Rated: 3/5 Nov 25, 2023 Full Review Dolores Barclay Associated Press A holiday honey of a film for the entire family. Oct 22, 2018 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …a traditional, seasonal hate-watch for ironists and bad-movie buffs the world over… Rated: 1/5 Nov 30, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The sets frequently look chintzy and cheap, with Santa's workshop bringing to mind a prison sweat shop as much as a toy factory. Rated: 1.5/4 Dec 29, 2018 Full Review Brian Costello Common Sense Media Dated '80s holiday movie has smoking, product placement. Rated: 2/5 Oct 8, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member I found the movie generally entertaining, just a slight bit confusing though. The timeline felt like it was everywhere, at the beginning you’d think the film was taking place in the 1800’s. Then, seemingly without explanation we are thrust right into the 80’s. I don’t know how to feel about that, but wasn’t that big of a deal to be fair. I love the first 2 Superman movies, and the overall plot structure is here. If you strip it down to its core ideas you’ll see how they are similar. I also found out that Santa is played by the big Lebowski himself, Dudley Moore. I knew I recognized his face from somewhere, it’s just that the beard was in the way. Overall I do think this movie was a bit janky in places, but for a holiday movie it does Santa Claus justice. 3.5/5 stars. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/27/24 Full Review Keaton K So much work put into it and it pays off Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/26/24 Full Review Stephen R This is such an underrated movie. The critics are bland and wrong like usual. Such a great movie and for the date great special effects. Wonderful story and better than most of the “critics” liked movies. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/25/24 Full Review Aidan K one of the very best Christmas movies ever made. stunning set, brilliant effects . by far a must see Christmas movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review Gemma D By far, the greatest Christmas movie of all time. With just the first few bars of the soundtrack, I’m taken back to my childhood days. I absolutely adore this film and watch it several times, every year, leading up to Christmas. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/18/24 Full Review Mark J Whilst alright to watch each year with a few bits to enjoy, overall, not the best film. Production values are low and the story is very uneven and oddly paced. Some of the older actors alright but children are irritating and I’m pretty sure the ending counts as kidnap. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/15/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Santa Claus

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Movie Info

Synopsis In ancient times, a man named Claus (David Huddleston), who delivers toys in his small village, fulfills his destiny to become Santa Claus after meeting an expert toy-making elf, Patch (Dudley Moore), in the North Pole. In the present day, Santa Claus has become overwhelmed by his workload, and the disgruntled Patch flees the workshop to New York City. There, Patch unknowingly threatens the fate of Christmas by taking a job at a failing toy company run by a scheming businessman (John Lithgow).
Director
Jeannot Szwarc
Producer
Ilya Salkind, Pierre Spengler
Screenwriter
David Newman
Production Co
TriStar Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$23.6M
Runtime
1h 47m
Sound Mix
Surround
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