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Parents' Guide to

Santa Claws

By Grace Montgomery, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Animal-centric holiday flick has jumbled plot, bad acting.

Movie NR 2014 87 minutes
Santa Claws Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 7+

Based on 13 parent reviews

Ari_of_3
Ari_of_3 Adult
December 18, 2021
age 8+

It's an Asylum Christmas movie

The Asylum deliberately make low budget, low effect movies in the "so bad they're almost good" genre. Santa Claws is one of them. There are many things wrong with it, but the kittens are fun, it all works out in the end, and Santa is still real.
Sara's Mom
Sara's Mom Adult
October 2, 2021
age 4+

Why do people hate this movie?

I dont't understand why parents are so harsh about this movie! It is for your KIDS, and my 8-year old daughter thinks it is adorable. Of course it is silly and the acting isn't great, but it has kittens and Santa. It is fun for kids and not too painful for parents. My only actual complaint is it could have used some festive music.
See all 13 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Tommy (Ezra James Colbert) isn't having a jolly holiday season. His mom, Julia (Nicola Lambo), refuses to let him keep his litter of kittens (too much responsibility) or to celebrate Christmas (you need to be self-sufficient and work for what you want). Hoping Santa will come anyway, Tommy leaves him the litter of kittens so he can deliver them to good homes. Unbeknownst to him, Santa (John P. Fowler) is allergic to cats and has a severe reaction to the kittens, making him unable to deliver the presents. In a bid to save Christmas, the kittens jump in Santa's tricked-out sleigh -- which is complete with GPS -- and head out to deliver the presents. Meanwhile, Tommy, along with his Santa-loving neighbor Mr. Bramble (Evan Boymel), have to convince Tommy's mom that Santa really exists.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (13 ):
Kids say (5 ):

SANTA CLAWS is pretty much a big mess right from the start of the movie. The plot is jumbled, the characters are unlikable, the special effects are terrible, and there are obvious mistakes, such as seeing the cameraman in some of the shots. The reason for the mom's lack of Christmas spirit seems to change throughout the movie, making her come across as simply cruel and unlikable. Mr. Bramble is more creepy than bumbling, and Santa is the creepiest of all, with his innuendo and an un-Santa-like whine. There's also a random scene wherein the kittens end up in a little girl's clutches; she beheads dolls and draws scary pictures, which is so brief and bizarre it feels jarringly unnecessary.

The technology in Santa's sleigh is fun and entertaining, but with so many good Christmas flicks out there, this is one that even animal lovers can safely skip.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the spirit of Christmas. How can you celebrate the holidays without focusing on consumerism?

  • What's your favorite Christmas movie? Why is it your favorite?

  • Santa's sleigh has a lot of modern technology in it to help him deliver presents. What other tools could Santa use to make present delivery even easier? Use your imagination!

Movie Details

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