Parents' Guide to

The Santa Clause

By Charles Cassady Jr., Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Heartwarming holiday tale has some potty humor.

Movie PG 1994 95 minutes
The Santa Clause Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 8+

Based on 28 parent reviews

momstl
momstl Adult
December 24, 2020
age 11+

Not for kiddos that still believe

I foolishly watched with my kids (who aren't even at the maybe doubtful age) and the whole thing is about telling kids not to believe in Santa. It doesn't really matter how it ends up, just constant reminders that people stop believing. On top of that Tim Allen's character is not funny he is mostly just mean. There is humor for adults, but again, not for kids.
1 person found this helpful.
kirstenpejman
kirstenpejman Adult
December 13, 2020
age 11+

DO NOT WATCH IF YOU HAVE BELIEVERS!

There is way to much talk of not believing in Santa and Santa not being real. Made me uncomfortable the whole time.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 28 parent reviews

What's the Story?

It's Christmas Eve. Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), a toy company executive, collects his little son Charlie from his ex-wife. When Santa Claus arrives on his roof, Scott's shout startles Santa into a fatal fall. The body disappears, leaving only the famous red suit. Scott takes over the sleigh and reindeer, completing Santa's annual rounds. At the North Pole, elves tell Scott and Charlie that according to the "Santa Clause" Scott is now required by law to take on Santa's identity. After Charlie tells his mom and child-psychologist stepfather (Judge Reinhold), they're convinced that Charlie has been warped by his dad. Months pass and Scott transforms into Santa until court hearings decide that he's nuts and cut off his visitation rights. Another December 24 approaches, and Scott must convince his employers and ex that he's not crazy.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (28):
Kids say (25):

The jokes in this movie are just as funny for adults as for kids. The really nice thing about THE SANTA CLAUSE is that it takes its far-out premise all the way to a logical conclusion; there are no cheats or easy outs for Scott Calvin when the biggest job in the world is thrust upon him. Aided by excellent special effects, this likable guy has a slow, whimsical change into St. Nick -- persistent in a disbelieving world -- that is supernatural.

For a Disney fantasy, The Santa Clause is forthright about divorce and its aftermath but doesn't dwell too much on the agony of a broken home. There's pathos enough just in the separation of Scott Calvin from a son who still looks up to him. Commendably, Charlie's new stepdad appears not as an ogre to be defeated but as an OK guy who lost his faith in Santa Claus because he never got the Oscar Meyer Wiener whistle he wanted at age 3 (does that foreshadow the ending or what?). Some parents may be disappointed that this movie overlooks the religious significance of Christmas in favor of present-giving and childhood wish-fulfillment, but the movie ends on an appropriate note of good will and reconciliation.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about holiday movies. Why are the same titles -- such as It's a Wonderful Life and Scrooge -- shown each season?

  • How is this film similar to or different from other Christmas movies?

  • How often do holiday-themed movies center on the children of divorced parents? What are some other examples? How accurately do you think this movie conveys the challenges of that holiday for both the kids and the divorced parents?

Movie Details

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