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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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Mystikal N I have watched this movie every year since it came out! This is the first movie that starts the Christmas Season! The memories of my family and I sitting together watching this is priceless. It explains how Santa became. I will forever love this movie!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/21/24 Full Review Paige D My favourite Christmas film full of cheesy nostalgia and Christmas magic. ❤️❤️ Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/12/24 Full Review Stu H The best Christmas film ever made. Full of heart and humour. The soundtrack is absolutely beautiful Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/04/24 Full Review Dave C It's a firm favourite of my partner, and it's one I've watched myself and with her a number of times. Overall, it isn't one of my favourite Festive films, but I do still enjoy it, and see its appeal. However, it hasn't stood the test of time particularly well Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/29/23 Full Review Frank V Such a sweet and innocent movie. This movie shows you how being selfless can be rewarding. One of my traditions every Christmas Season is to watch this. Cheesy, yes! However, that's the draw to it for me. It's message for me is that you don't need to be related to be family. Most of the Santa movies are not how Santa begins if you think about it. This is a sweet take on how the Christmas spirit created the idea of giving and transcended into the character of Santa Claus. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/26/23 Full Review Michael G This is one of the greatest Christmas movies. It's just magical and highly underrated. Classic 1980's feel. Great soundtrack. I watch it every year. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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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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