Common Sense Media Review
By Grace Montgomery
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animal-centric holiday flick has jumbled plot, bad acting.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Santa Claws
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Parents say this film is a divisive holiday experience, with some enjoying its whimsical portrayal of kittens saving Christmas, while others criticize its handling of themes like Santa's existence and poor production quality. While it can be adorable for younger audiences, many parents express concerns about its inappropriate content and unlikable adult characters, leading to mixed reactions among families.
- kittens appeal
- themes of Santa
- production quality
- inappropriate content
- family friendly
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 5 kid 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?
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
- On DVD or streaming : November 4, 2014
- Cast : Ezra James Colbert , Nicola Lambo , John P. Fowler
- Director : Glenn Miller
- Studio : The Global Asylum
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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