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Parents' Guide to

The Claus Family

By Jennifer Green, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Pleasant Santa tale has some emotional intensity.

Movie NR 2021 97 minutes
The Claus Family Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • The Claus Family Movie: Scene #1
  • The Claus Family Movie: Scene #2
  • The Claus Family Movie: Scene #3
  • The Claus Family Movie: Scene #4
  • The Claus Family Movie: Scene #5

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 1 parent review

salty.purple.seacats
salty.purple.seacats Parent
December 23, 2021
age 7+

Slow movie with a lot of underlying details packed in

The Clause Family is a slow Christmas film. It just moseys along with an amusing moment every now and again. For the most part, it was wholesome. The Christian origins of Christmas were removed from the movie. Instead, there was a subtle slip that Christmas was about worshiping the sun in the beginning. Cultural/political aspects included in the children's movie were: -Santa delivered cookies to Madam President, pushing for the first female president -The angry boss portrayed the "Karen" persona -The single mother (widowed) was "frowned" upon. -Disability inclusion efforts were incorporated within the film as one of the main characters has a prosthetic leg. -Fatherlessness was noted on One thing to note within the movie is the kids father died. This is a central theme. The mother is moving forward and beginning to date again while the main character is still struggling with the loss.
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What's the Story?

Following the death of her husband, Suzanne (Bracha van Doesburgh) has relocated with her two young children to be closer to her aging father-in-law, Noel Claus (Jan Decleir) in THE CLAUS FAMILY. Her moody tween son, Jules (Mo Bakker), doesn't feel like celebrating Christmas this year, but a surprise awaits him when he discovers his grandpa plays an essential role in the holiday. Jules will have to set aside his own feelings to help his family and save Christmas.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (2 ):

This Belgian Christmas tale is pleasant without being exceptionally entertaining, and heartwarming without igniting any particularly strong feelings. Some humor falls flat in The Claus Family, especially involving elves meant to be goofy but who border on irritating. The drama in the family dynamics of a working widow and her two kids, who are still grieving their dad's accidental death, is more convincing. But the film is uneven, some dialogue and performances land awkwardly, and a subplot involving the mom's cookie-factory job feels superfluous. Special effects on miniature elves and a magical snow globe that transports Santa around the world look surprisingly old-fashioned, but the cobblestoned town setting is very pretty.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Jules is struggling as the anniversary of his father's death approaches in The Claus Family. Why didn't he want to read the letter?

  • What do you know about the setting and original language of this film? Where could you go for more information?

  • How does this compare to other holiday movies you've seen?

Movie Details

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