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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Gregory E.

The Santa Clause (1994) This movie is a holiday favorite and one I never get tired of watching. Tim Allen stars as Scott, a man who accidentally becomes Santa Claus after a surprising chain of events. Watching him navigate his new role while trying to maintain his normal life is funny, heartwarming, and full of holiday spirit. One of my favorite moments is the board meeting scene, where Scott meets the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and other magical creatures. The mix of humor, imagination, and Tim Allen’s charm makes it unforgettable and perfectly captures the magic of the North Pole. The story balances magical moments, comedic mishaps, and touching family themes, making it a memorable holiday experience. For me, it’s a Christmas movie I can watch year after year and still feel the magic and warmth of the season.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/25

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Tonya K

It has become a Christmas classic for me as Im not an adult

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

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Cade H.

Wholesome and funny Christmas time movie that I always come back to around the holidays. I couldn’t imagine anyone other than Tim Allen being Santa for this film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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Chris G

A half baked christmas classic that survives on its lighthearted gags and small approach to its story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

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Brady R

The film is good for a couple of laughs.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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James C

It's not necessarily what is told but how it's told that keeps this movie and the talents within it from going to waste. Tim Allen's lack of experience on the widescreen is frankly irrelevant - he does just great. The script is nothing we haven't seen before but for some reason, they keep you interested. Kids still love this movie, despite 1994 now being more than a generation ago. This isn't Miracle on 34th Street, but it's not Jim Carrey's superfluous Grinch retelling, either. It's not quite as clever as Elf, but there would not have been an Elf without this one. So... watch it, especially if you have run out of other stuff to keep the kids happy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/26/24

Full Review

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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: Hollywood Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, Buena Vista International [us], Walt Disney Pictures
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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