The Santa Clause (1994)
Average Rating: 6.2/10
Reviews Counted: 40
Fresh: 32 | Rotten: 8
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.
Average Rating: 7/10
Critic Reviews: 7
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 2
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.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 346,752
My Rating
Movie Info
Television sitcom star Tim Allen made his big screen debut with this light, family-friendly holiday comedy. Allen stars as Scott Calvin, the divorced dad of Charlie (Eric Lloyd). Scott is distressed to learn that his ex-wife Laura (Wendy Crewson) and Charlie's psychiatrist stepfather Neal (Judge Reinhold) have informed his son that there is no Santa Claus. While a sullen Charlie visits his dad on Christmas Eve, a noise on the roof brings them outside, where Scott startles the intruder, who
Nov 11, 1994 Wide
Oct 13, 1998
Buena Vista Distribution Compa
Watch It Now
Cast
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Tim Allen
Scott Calvin -
Judge Reinhold
Dr.Neal Miller -
Wendy Crewson
Laura Calvin -
Eric Lloyd
Charlie Calvin -
David Krumholtz
Bernard -
Peter Boyle
Mr. Whittle -
Larry Brandenburg
Det. Nunzio -
Mary Gross
Ms. Daniels -
Paige Tamada
Judy -
Chris Benson
Fireman -
Michael Caruana
Officer #1 -
Jayne Eastwood
Waitress -
Gene Mack
Newman -
Kerrigan Maham
Reindeer -
Gordon Masten
Desk Sergeant -
Zachary McLemore
Bobby -
Lachlan Murdoch
Fax Kid -
Lawrence Nakamura
Japanese Businessman -
Jack Newman
Santa In Street -
Judith Scott
Susan -
Steve Vinovich
Dr. Novos -
Scott Wickware
Malone -
Philip Williams
Sharpshooter -
Dennis O'Connor
Mailman -
Brian Reilly
Tinsel Man -
Frank Welker
Reindeers -
John Pasquin
Santa #6 -
Bob Dermer
Puppet Punch -
Jesse Collins
Ad Executive -
Joyce Guy
Principal Compton -
Tabitha Lupien
Ballet Girl -
Ron Hartmann
Judge -
Brian M. Reilly
Tinsel Man
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All Critics (40) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (8) | DVD (14)
This is a hip, likable spin on the seasonal icon told with a deft mixture of comedy and sentimentality.
The movie steers a shrewd course between bracing cynicism and old-fashioned make-believe.
Home Improvement fans will find plenty of laughs and may even consent to going to this movie with their little brothers and sisters.
Kids of most ages will be able to follow -- and enjoy -- this comic fantasy.
Despite its charms, the movie didn't push over the top into true inspiration.
Balances the sugar with the spice, which Allen sprinkles on just right.
Allen's schtick is a jabbermouth know-it-all.
Heartwarming family tale for both kids and adults.
While the film breaks no new ground, it offers the kind of simple, well-crafted, family entertainment that used to be a staple of the Disney studio.
This movie has charm to spare and it's hard to resist.
A fun Christmas tale.
Agreeable family fare that'll please the young 'uns but that adults will find only slightly diverting.
...offering only two language choices, a chapter search, and a trailer on the regular-edition DVD seems plain stingy.
...the closest thing we've had in the last twenty years to a genuine Christmas classic.
Overrated and surprisingly sour.
Audience Reviews for The Santa Clause
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Judy: Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing.
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- Laura Calvin: Here's Neil's mother's number.
- Scott Calvin: 1-800-SPANK-ME? I know that number.
Discussion Forum
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Foreign Titles
- Santa Clause - Eine schöne Bescherung (DE)


Top Critic
This mostly holds up pretty good, and Tim Allen is pretty funny, but the cheesiness of a lot of it wears thin after a while. I do like this movie, and the effects are well done, but this is neither one of the best nor my favorite holiday films. The concept sure is fun, though, and the music is quite swelling and wonderful at times.