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Poster for Santa Claus: The Movie

Santa Claus: The Movie

Seen it?

1985 | 108 min | Family, Fantasy, Adventure

Monday Morning Maybe

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With just 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, a lukewarm 6.3 out of 10 from audiences and a box office loss, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for fantasy fans, adventure fans and families. If you loved Elf, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
The mood
Feel-good.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 48 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Critics were cooler on it than audiences.

In ancient times, a man named Claus, who delivers toys in his small village, fulfils his destiny to become Santa Claus after meeting an expert toy-making elf, Patch, in the North Pole. In the present day, Santa Claus has become overwhelmed by his workload, and the disgruntled Patch flees the workshop to New York City. There, Patch unknowingly threatens the fate of Christmas by taking a job at a failing toy company run by a scheming businessman.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsWeak

    22% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.3 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $24 million worldwide on a $50 million budget

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 182K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Jeannot Szwarc

  • Dudley MoorePatch
  • John LithgowB.Z.
  • David HuddlestonSanta Claus
  • Burgess MeredithAncient Elf
  • Judy CornwellAnya Claus
  • Jeffrey KramerTowzer
  • Christian FitzpatrickJoe
  • Carrie Kei HeimCornelia
  • John BarrardDooley
  • Anthony O'DonnellPuffy