The Santa Clause

Name: The Santa Clause
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Comedy, Family
Released: November 11, 1994
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Judge Reinhold, Tim Allen

1994

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: November 11, 1994

Starring: Judge Reinhold, Tim Allen

Summary: Superstar comedian Tim Allen shines bright in Disney's magical, larger-than-life hit holiday comedy. (Disney)

Director: John Pasquin

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 97 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Variety - Leonard Klady

This is a hip, likable spin on the seasonal icon told with a deft mixture of comedy and sentimentality. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine - Staff(not credited)

Nevertheless, The Santa Clause is a charming, if mild, fantasy, distinguished by a gentle directorial touch that strikes a deft balance between dramatic and fantastic elements. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas

All of the film's technical and creative contributions are top-notch, but as it should be, it's the people who win us over. [11 Nov 1994 Pg. F10]

USA Today - Susan Wloszczyna

As holiday heartwarmers go, The Santa Clause is an amusing stocking stuffer, a sitcom-superficial novelty that jingles many of the same bells as last year's "Mrs. Doubtfire". [11 Nov 1994 Pg. 12.D]

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

The Santa Clause isn't an unmitigated disaster, but it's also a whole lot less impressive than it could be. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Hollis Chacona

Actually, this souped-up sled is a perfect vehicle for TV star/comedian Tim Allen and, despite its formulaic chassis, he takes us through a few interesting twists and turns. Read full review

Time - Richard Schickel

The Santa Clause presents us with an Anti-Claus, Tim Allen of Home Improvement, hard-edged, discomfitingly frenetic and spritzing cheerless one-liners. Read full review

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User Reviews

kyle20ellis

Jan 7, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Tim Allen has a certain comedic delivery style; this movie fits him perfectly. I'm surprised at the critics score; it's one of my favorite Christmas movies and I have the DVD. Tim is your stereotype toy designer solely interested in making a buck when "there arose such a clatter." Yup, Tim becomes Santa and his whole world turns upside down. Duh, who wouldn't? Throughout the movie, Tim's low voice comic retorts are hilarious. Maybe the low score Users and the critics didn't like that type of humor.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AmazingWatch

Dec 4, 2011

Love this holiday film, one of the best holiday movies ever made! There is so much laugh-out-load moments for all the family with such a lovely cast, an amazing story line and a warming family movie!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

smiyamot

Nov 29, 2015

Tim Allen has a certain comedic delivery style; this movie fits him perfectly. I'm surprised at the critics score; it's one of my favorite Christmas movies and I have the DVD. Tim is your stereotype toy designer solely interested in making a buck when "there arose such a clatter." Yup,Tim Allen has a certain comedic delivery style; this movie fits him perfectly. I'm surprised at the critics score; it's one of my favorite Christmas movies and I have the DVD. Tim is your stereotype toy designer solely interested in making a buck when "there arose such a clatter." Yup, Tim becomes Santa and his whole world turns upside down. Duh, who wouldn't? Throughout the movie, Tim's low voice comic retorts are hilarious. Maybe the low score Users and the critics didn't like that type of humor.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Futuredirector

Jul 17, 2016

Tim Allen's somehow unforgettable interpretation and the surprisingly entertaining storytelling of this Christmas-classic are enough to make Santa Clause worth a look from family.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Trev29

Dec 26, 2013

A charming Christmas movie that never gets old. It is funny and full of holiday spirit. The other ones aren't very good, but this ones is worth seeing. A delightful movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

FreedomFighters

Oct 31, 2016

"The Santa Clause" is undemanding yet still considerably fun. It's not the greatest Christmas film ever, but it's reasonably fun and merry and features a good performance by Tim Allen. If you're looking for something a little different for Christmas time, "The Santa Clause" is good fun for"The Santa Clause" is undemanding yet still considerably fun. It's not the greatest Christmas film ever, but it's reasonably fun and merry and features a good performance by Tim Allen. If you're looking for something a little different for Christmas time, "The Santa Clause" is good fun for the whole family.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieGuys

Apr 13, 2014

The Santa Clause is a welcome cheer to the holiday season, but ultimately it fails to deliver anything new than what we already know. It's very predictable, superficial slush.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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