The Santa Clause

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1:42

The Santa Clause

PG

Released Nov 11, 1994

1h 37m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

59 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) has custody of his son (Eric Lloyd) on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa's place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he's dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn't a dream after all -- and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do.

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Critics Consensus

The Santa Clause is utterly undemanding, but it's firmly rooted in the sort of good old-fashioned holiday spirit missing from too many modern yuletide films.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

A genial, lightweight entertainment.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 23, 2017

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Jeff Shannon

Seattle Times

This is Allen's movie debut, and it's easy to see why his show is a ratings smash. There's an effortless quality to his humor, but it's also got a quietly urgent edge to it.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 6, 2013

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

I was surprised to find The Santa Clause rather easier to take than anticipated.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 6, 2013

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

There's a laughable edge that makes it all entertaining - not hilarious, just chuckle kind of chuckles...

Rated: 3/4

Mar 2, 2022

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Jim Rohner

Battleship Pretension

The original is actually quite entertaining, with Allen's sardonic wit standing in gleeful contrast to his surroundings...

Apr 14, 2021

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a perfectly watchable yet entirely unmemorable family-friendly...

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 12, 2020

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Julian S

An absurdly ridiculous story that somehow succeeds—probably Allen’s best performance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

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Mateo C

Alta gilada. Le hace caca la cabeza a lo pibe

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/09/24

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Audience Member

Tim Allen does a fantastic job in Christmas films. This one can kind of start off boring and slow - but by the time he's jolly ole' saint Nick - it can have memorable scenes and even shed a tear. Looking forward to watching all the other Clause films and series. This movie by itself? Not a classic in the top 20.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

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Ryland C

A very underrated Christmas movie with a ton of heart. Lets just not talk about its terrible sequels.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

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Audience Member

One of our family favorites!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

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Mark J

I mean in the grand scheme of things this is terrible, pacing off, many plot holes, some questionable acting. I just can’t help but love it though.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

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John Pasquin

Director

Tim Allen

Scott Calvin

Judge Reinhold

Dr. Neal Miller, the Psychiatrist

Wendy Crewson

Laura Miller

Eric Lloyd

Charlie Calvin

David Krumholtz

Bernard, the Arch-Elf

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The Santa Clause: Trailer 1

1:42

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Synopsis

Divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) has custody of his son (Eric Lloyd) on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa's place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he's dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn't a dream after all -- and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do.

Director: John Pasquin
Producer: Bobby Newmyer, Brian Reilly, Jeffrey Silver
Screenwriter: Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Buena Vista International [us]
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Outlaw Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $145.5M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Dolby Digital

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