Common Sense Media Review
Disappointing sequel has potty humor, pratfall violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
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The Santa Clause 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say this sequel fails to capture the charm of the original, feeling generic and lacking humor, though younger viewers might still find interest in the North Pole setting and comedic elements. Many reviewers express disappointment that the focus shifted from Christmas-themed fun to romantic relationships, which they believed detracted from the overall enjoyment of the film.
- poor sequel
- lacks charm
- kids might enjoy
- focuses on relationships
- disappointing humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In this sequel, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) learns there is one more "Santa Clause" in his obligation to fill Santa's shoes. He must marry a Mrs. Claus before Christmas, only 28 days away. He returns home to visit his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) so that he can find out how Charlie got on the "naughty" list and find a Mrs. Claus to bring back to the North Pole. Charlie is in trouble for vandalizing the school with graffiti, protesting the principal's refusal to celebrate Christmas. The principal is very stern and Scrooge-ish, but behind those glasses she might just make a good Mrs. Claus. Meanwhile, back at the North Pole, Santa has left a mechanical substitute (also played by Allen), who gets wired on a couple of gallons of hot cocoa and decides that all the children have been naughty and will get lumps of coal in their stockings this year.
Is It Any Good?
This overstuffed turkey of a movie wraps itself in holly and hot cocoa only to come to the conclusion that the magic of Christmas is ... getting presents. When it comes to the true Christmas spirit, this movie makes Home Alone look like The Gift of the Magi.
Yes, it has Disney's meticulously imaginative art direction, and Allen's comic timing is always a pleasure. But the overall theme that Christmas is about getting the perfect gift, even if you haven't been entirely good, compounded by intrusive product placements for McDonald's and Nestle, will leave the audience feeling like it has just eaten an entire plum pudding. As with the first film, parents should use caution in bringing children who may be grappling with the issue of Santa's existence to see this, and should be prepared to discuss their own traditions and beliefs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Christmas-themed movies. How does this compare to other Christmas movies?
How is teen vandalism addressed in the movie? What are the ways in which parents, stepparents, and the principal try to work together to understand why Charlie is committing acts of vandalism, and try to prevent it from happening again?
Why do some movies have scenes in which commercial items are prominently featured? Does product placement interfere with your enjoyment of a movie, or is it something that doesn't bother you? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 27, 2002
- On DVD or streaming : November 18, 2003
- Cast : David Krumholtz , Elizabeth Mitchell , Tim Allen
- Director : Michael Lembeck
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Holidays
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : general audiences
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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