Santa Claus: The Movie 1985
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc · 108 mins · 2,010 views
Synopsis
Trailers
Reviews (147)
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B
“Santa Claus: The Movie” is a 1985 blend of comedy and drama with heavy fantasy build directed by Jeannot Szwarc. In the context of this film, it is definitely a title that I have seen in situational passing but never a holiday classic that I watched in typical revolving fashion. The film came out the year I was born, and I’m also the oldest child, so probably by the time I was clamoring for some holiday films to watch in a memorable built context, the popularity of this film was pretty far removed. Naturally, my direction of holiday classics growing up is the later 80’s and more into the 90’s, things far earlier that resonate my parent’s experience growing up,…
62 3 -
J
The matte paintings, the reindeer puppets, the wholesome tone and of course John Lithgow giving the same absurd performance as he did in Buckaroo Banzai while bleating about Christmas 2 and chomping cigars ❤️ Now it’s December.
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R
So so so cheesy but AMAZING, Dudley Moore omg. AND THE REINDEER. If you don’t like this you don’t have a heart.
81 3 -
F
Oh boy, you gotta check this movie out, seriously. There’s so much going on, like it keeps losing its train of thought, so it just starts making shit up until somehow everything comes together at the end. Definitely adding to next year’s playlist, curious to see how it fares against a rewatch.
73 1 -
S
The first 54 minutes feel like a completely separate movie than the last 54 minutes. Like a medieval winter fantasy drama smashed into an 80’s corporate Christmas satire in a head-on collision.
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J
(🎄Christmas Movie Fest 2020🎄) Finally checked out this obscure little 80s Christmas gem. “Now, all those within the sound of my voice, and all those on this Earth everywhere know that henceforth you will be called Santa Claus.” 35 years seems like forever ago, I should know that’s how old I am … but this movie feels like it is even older than that. It is funny how the title suggests that Santa Clause being in a movie is this new and wonderful thing, like ‘Superman: The Movie’ from 1978. The film covers a huge chunk of time as we get a unique take on his origin story of being saved from a snowstorm by elves, and taken to their…
83 2 -
B
I can’t believe my dvd player works now YAY, I finally got to watch Santa Claus: The Movie on the big TV! I don’t remember buying this only because I was probably 7 at the time. So we start off with where the elves took Santa to their new home, which was cute. I can’t believe this was done in the 80s, such a time to start a Christmas movie. In the middle of the movie there was Santa just hanging out with some orphanage kids, lollipops that can make you fly and, don’t forget, candy canes that explode. Well, Where’s the turkey? I’m kidding, but it was a good, solid movie, but it was slow at points, but at least we got a Santa backstory.
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G
The director of Jaws 2 and Supergirl brings us a pretty pointless Christmas film. I have no idea what the moral of the story is supposed to be. Maybe to destroy all the automated factories, and to sell things for free so you can make a sequel and start charging. John Lithgow is great as always.
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D
My pick for family movie night. Why is this movie not talked about in the same breath as Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story? Sure, Santa’s human form, Mrs. Claus and two reindeer freeze to death in the first 10 minutes, but then we essentially get an insiders look at Santa’s workshop for a good quarter of the movie, washing that disturbing beginning right out our brains! This is a magical journey into the world of Santa Claus that has some surprisingly good effects for being made in the early 80’s. Also, Elf more or less rips off the storyline. Sure, Dudley Moore is no Will Ferrell but John Lithgow is twice the James Caan, so in the end it is better 😝.
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J
Imagine you’re an elderly woodcutter just trying to do a good deed🧓🏻🪵. You get caught in a snowstorm🌨️, almost die💀, but get rescued by a bunch of creepy little elves🧝. They abduct you to a workshop in the North Pole🪚, tell you you’re going to live forever😱 and will be spending your new eternal life delivering presents🎁 for free around the world🌎. This is a horror movie.👹 Genuinely, this gave me nightmares as a child & I can see why😭. It’s kinda eery. Also, John Lithgow is the villain and he’s hammier than ever😈. It’s a pretty terrible movie though.😑
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T
John Lithgow is hilariously evil, we assume he implodes in the heartless vaccum of space. But when it is basiscally implied that, well if you’d just believed in Santa, you wouldn’t have had to live the sad life of a street urchin, I was like ‘wtf, Santa!?!’ That’s cold even for someone who lives at the North Pole! Got the Media Entertainment VHS at the thrift store (the only black Friday sale I am interested in as hopefully it will involve more VHS tapes and vintage sweater vests) sadly, there were no previews. 🙁 But this was still, while tonally a bit weird, really fun with lots of pretty stuff to look at. I’m not big on xmas but the…
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D
The Ultimate Christmas movie that is thee Classic holiday movie that is dear to me. When I was little I thought this was the most magical thing I’ve ever saw. Always thought every scene with the reindeer were live deer and not puppetry (until late in life). Still to this dat they are the most beautiful puppets ever. And yes I always thought eating the “magical” lollipops/candy canes would make you fly and realized I must have gotten duds cause I never did fly. 😄 🍭 What I love about this movie: ✨ The Story ✨ The Props ✨ The Colorful Costumes ✨ Reindeer (Live and Puppets) ✨ Set Designs ✨ Great fun score ✨ Santa’s bed ✨ Amazing Cast…
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V
This is an iconic Christmas movie, it was part of all the films I would watch at Christmas to set the mood. Some disturbing moments from the perspective of a 5 year old, but overall, a good movie.
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A
A Christmas tradition that melds the old world Santa Claus with the modern times (1980’s).
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K
Lost watch date Sometime in 2025
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S
An underrated Christmas movie but one I have a lot of affection for. Santa Claus: The Movie is definitely a nice one to watch over the holiday period if you get the chance to. Like most Christmas movies though, most of the adults don’t always come across well however.
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JJess_vanhaeften 5 月 12, 2026
This is the story of a master toymaker who discovers a magical kingdom of elves at the North Pole. He is entrusted with special powers to become Santa Claus! He meets Patch (Dudley Moore), an eager-to-please elf who becomes mixed up with a dastardly toy tycoon’s (John Lithgow) plans to take over Christmas.
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C
BEST CHRISTMAS FILM IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS FILMS
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B
I really like how magical this movie is the story of course is not so great but I really don’t hate this movie.
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C
Super underrated super nostalgic 🌟
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M
1985 In Review – November #29 The legend of Santa Claus is placed into jeopardy when an unscrupulous toy manufacturer attempts to take over Christmas. It may have been a total flop on release, but that doesn’t mean this rather oddball telling of Santa’s origins and subsequent adaption to the 20th century is entirely devoid of merit. David Huddlestone makes an agreeable enough Santa, Dudley Moore has his moments as the ambitious elf Patch but the film is arguably stolen…
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T
I kinda wish the salkinds would have made more movies
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T
An American engineered Santa Claus, all cheer sucked out.
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E
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J
It’s Chrisssssssssmasssss All Over The World Tonight.
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J
This is not a great movie, it might not even be a good movie, but few things take me back to 1984 like watching this movie at Christmas. Dudley moore is adorable and John Lithgow is delightfully one dimensional and evil. So much fun and nostalgia.
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B
Somehow I never saw this one when I was a kid. The North Pole sets and colors were good, but I didn’t like it as much when they went to NY. Story was only ok at that point. Wasn’t a fan of the Joe actor.
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G
Ironically lacking a bit of magic. It had promise, good costumes and colours, the emotional tone was right but it just lacked a little magic. Lacked a little likeability. I did like the back story though, not seen that before.
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A
Simply the best movie ever! The opening music, “Every Christmas Eve” sung by fellow Welshie, Aled Jones is like a mug of hot chocolate, Santa’s North Pole home, the old lady reading that story to those kids, Dudley Moore, the bloke with the big long beard in the purple robe, Patch’s car, the sparkly stuff that makes the reindeer fly, Joe burping, BZ… It takes me back to when I was in Roch CP School as a little kid, the…
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S
Maybe bump the rating up a half star if you have small children who might go for this. It’s a very basic Christmas movie with Moore and Lithgow doing their respective things, but Huddleston’s Santa is the weak point and that’s a pretty big role.
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P
Grew up on this film due to it being a family favourite and I still enjoy it very much. I’m surprised by the mixed reviews as despite its evident faults, its feel good nature and magical aspects is a Christmas staple.
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DDelia 1 月 11, 2026
Forgot it features Daily Express and ‘Action TV Inc’
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N
now I have two kids with me soooo… who cares about the xmas?
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F
Just watch the first half. It’s better than Superman 3, Supergirl or that terrible Grinch movie, but really, how much is that saying? Years ago, I had seen the first half and quit. Huddleston (The Big Lebowski!) is a good Santa (although his hair is too dark) and Lithgow is a fun villain, but after telling the origin story, the second Half devolves into a toothless satire of consumerism, despite the endless product placement for McDonalds and Coke. For Gods…
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E
Didn’t get around to seeing this at Christmas, so watched it while taking down the decorations.
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R
Where my boy rudolf at
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T
The best xmas film hands down. Ill fight anyone who disagrees!
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G
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L
Forgot to log this on Christmas Eve. Best Santa clause movie made. Best Christmas movie ever made. It’s a tradition every year since day 1
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P
rented this as a kid & remembered loving it. its not that good, theres something nasty abt coked-up 80s blockbuster production for this material (see SCROOGED) which never melds to oddly named director jeannot szwarc’s earnest/square tone (he made SOMEWHERE IN TIME). dudley moore doing elf puns is norma desmond-level desperation. confusing & miscast but a few odd moments of beauty.
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L
A rewatch. Just a couple of thoughts this time. How much did they get for advertising Coke? And if you have never had a candy cane before, please don’t think you can eat them like John Lithgow, you will break your teeth!
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S
It took me by surprise that this was an 80ies movie. The grittiness of the film stock, the chittychittybangbang look of the effects and kverall design of the movie up until the halfway mark felt more like something out of the 60ies. The second half didn’t work well for me, even if John Litgow is belivable as the villain.
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L
This bad. Like boring repetitive bad. Half the film is the same repetitive song on loop and the elves doing not plot related stuff. I have never connected to this film in the 3 years of watching it solely because how boring it is. It also raises serious questions regarding the creation of Santa Claus like did he and Mrs Claus die in the snow? Is the North Pole hell or purgatory? Too many questions. The ranga child has the most hideous bob wig ever and it’s not even a wig 😭🫠
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M
Strange mixture of folksy fantasy, low-budget effects, B-movie drama and corporate villainy, with a delightfully cheesy John Lithgow. Would make an interesting double feature with Mrs Santa Claus and, despite its clunkiness, it’s not bad.
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B
Has a good Santa Claus
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Q
I truly have no idea what happens in this movie.
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A
As he slowly freezes to death an an ill fated trip to deliver toys to children, a man experiences a DMT hallucination that he and his wife fulfill the Santa Claus prophecy.
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A
I don’t believe Santa is adding kids to the naughty list based on the letters he receives (hearsay), nor do I believe that an elf would help someone on the naughty list (preposterous). On a side note, incredibly dumb, but, honestly, a funny movie
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E
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B
Happy 40th to a movie I’m always convinced I’m going to love more 20 minutes in, and then 20 minutes after that remember why I don’t.
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A
Cuddly dudley meets BZ, guy that should’ve been played by rik mayall if this movie were set in england.
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G
the start of the movie is kind of boring and drags on a bit but the second half is where it definitely picks up and is way better! i love the message it gives, it’s a very moving story. my favourite characters are definitely joe and cornelia, i love their friendship so much. i’m so glad they were able to get away from their toxic environments. there is some funny moments that make me laugh, the lollipops that can make you fly is my favourite. the graphics aren’t the best considering today’s standards but still pretty nonetheless.
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F
Structurally this movie is a mess, with the third act not being given anywhere near enough time. But Moore and Lithgow are both great in their roles in a cheesy kind of way. And it’s Christmas, so sod it. Ho ho ho.
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N
Peak Salkind.
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E
Okay “he just needs a bit of elf control” got me
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S
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L
A film that asks “what if Santa Claus” and absolutely nothing else. At least the matte paintings are nice.
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A
For my entire life, this depiction has been my ultimate image of Father Christmas, the North Pole, elves, reindeer and the vanishing up and down chimneys. As a child this nailed everything and made it all make sense. Now, my own children request it every year without fail. I was unaware it was relatively unknown amongst many, a box office failure and only really finding an audience in Britain for some reason (maybe Dudley Moore). As an adult, it is…
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E
This was way better than I remembered. Still a fever dream, but I at least understand what was happening now lol. I see why this is Abby’s favorite Christmas movie
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T
la cosa più natalizia di questo natale
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C
Longest most unnecessary intro to the movie which lasts about 40 mins. The movie then just starts throwing all sorts of shit at the wall and seeing what sticks before managing to tie it all together and somewhat redeem itself in the end. Cool animatronic reindeer and is enjoyable in small doses but not very well written overall
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J
It’s worse every time I see it, but I love how stupid and 80s it is, plus John Lithgow’s performance is outstanding.
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C
Classic 80s Christmas movie Little dated but holds up really well
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R
I love this sweet 80s film about the holidays. Shame I didn’t grow up on it. Didn’t know about it until maybe high school. It just was never at any video rental stores. But yeah, love the imagery and the vibes this film has.
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S
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A
We should do that to Elon Musk
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E
sorpresa total, me encanta como cuentan el origen de Santa Claus, lo hacen mejor que en A Boy Called Christmas 28 de 31 películas navideñas, 2025.
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S
Finally watched my nostalgic fave Christmas film. The world is right again
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T
“Do my tears surprise you, Rudolph? If you watch this through a Big Lebowski-coded lens (Huddleston’s Santa becomes his character from Lebowski, Dudley Moore is Brandt, the elves are Little Lebowski Urban Achievers, Lithgow is Jackie Treehorn, etc), it’s way more tolerable.
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D
Film abbastanza carino , non il più bel film di natale ma godibile.
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S
Still love everything about this film and so glad it was on TV this Christmas.
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K
Best Christmas film ever made!!!
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F
Mad festive also where can I get those lollies at
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A
“Are you him? Are you Santa Claus?” “Boy… I hate it when this happens.” Confusing editing choices, tonally inconsistent, a movie that makes you ask why at every turn after the first 45 minutes. I did enjoy a lot of the visuals, and John Lithgow, delightfully over the top, is the biggest highlight of this movie. I wish he’d gotten the chance to go full absurdist, dastardly cartoon villain with a tonally mirrored film to back those on point choices, but unfortunately Santa Claus: The Movie is more bemusing than charming. Heckuva one time watch though. 🍭🌎🎅🏻
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H
another rewatch this time with my mom and bebe
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T
That man sure likes his wood
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C
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T
the start of the movie is good with the santa claus origin story but the end is boring unfortunately sorry
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U
IN MEMORY OF JEANNOT SZWARC (1937-2025) It seems that, with the exception of Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale, every traditional fare I cover for this year’s Christmas marathon results in a tribute review, but with all the talented artists we’ve lost there’s just no way around it. Speaking of which, let’s talk about the person we’re honoring today. Jeannot Szwarc was a very prolific filmmaker in the field of television, helming episodes for countless shows throughout his decades-spanning career.…
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🎬
I got more out of this as a kid, but it still has a certain charm. Huddleston as Santa is warm and believable, and Lithgow is always watchable! It’s uneven, yet it’s already ahead of most modern Christmas movies.
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D
Cocaine had done so much for the movie industry, it was only fair to let it direct a movie. And lo, Santa Clause: The Movie was born! I practically wore out my VHS of this when I was a kid. I was obsessed with John Lithgow’s “no line unbellowed” approach to AC-TING and the nifty effects. Haven’t seen it since, but this rewatch did not get off to a promising start when the credits revealed this was the team that…
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A
Dos actos totalmente diferentes. Así si te dormiste viendo la primera mitad, en la segunda te despiertas. Para ser de los 80’s cumple su propósito navideño
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ZZoey 🐍 12 月 26, 2025
john lithgow putting on a 2007 lebron level carry job here
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S
A classic
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J
My mums pick for boxing day 🙂
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C
True happiness is being with dear friends and family on Christmas Eve and convincing them to throw this on.
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M
I tried to watch this when I was really young and couldn’t get 10 minutes in, and never went back to it until now. I stuck with it and it was actually really really fun. Santa just looked confused the entire time which was funny, and he never lost that expression even hundreds of years later. He doesn’t know what the fuck is going on and I respect that
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S
Not a single director could pull this level of nostalgia into a film
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💫
the only thing more wooden than santa’s toys is those two kids’ performances…
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N
I don’t know what was going on
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E
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Z
This movie was on heavy rotation when I was a kid. I remember watching it on TV and it looked awful, then I saw it on VHS and looked awful. Fast forward to 2025 and I see that it is streaming. I figured that a digital version could improve on the weird patina that it was presented in. Nope, it did not. Although improved somewhat, the film just looks awful. With the awful look aside, a cast that has David…
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B
Watched this constantly as a kid and it doesn’t quite hold up. The 1st Act is charming but they had no idea how to transition to the 3rd. Still, the filmmakers showed remarkable amounts of elf-control.
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M
A supercut of just John Lithgow’s scenes would be awesome, but this movie sucks
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T
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G
Only gets two stars cuz John Lithgow was having a blast
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S
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T
Just had this on while Christmas things were happening. Turns out that when you’re not paying total attention to this movie, the charm and the fun bits are all you really notice. Possibly the ideal way to watch it for maximum enjoyment of this 80s Christmas Consumerism Euro-Americana Super-SFX Santa Origin Story Spectacular! 🎅🎁🍭🧨
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A
Anya Claus: [Dooley is reading Twas The Night Before Christmas] What is it? Santa Claus: It’s a poem. A poem about me. They say it’s a big hit. Dooley: He had a broad face, and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. Santa Claus: What was that? That last part. Dooley: [reading with hesitation] He had a broad face. Santa Claus: Yes. Go on. Dooley: [continues reading with hesitation] And a little…
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P
“Santa Claus” durfte Jeannot Szwarc gleich nach “Supergirl” (1984) drehen – seine zweite und letzte Regiearbeit bei einer Big-Budget-Produktion. Das ziellose Drehbuch, die Kapitalismuskritik, die wegen der Fokussierung auf Spielzeuggeschenke auch in weniger kapitalistischen Zeiten verlogen wirkt, und die wie in seinem vorigen Film unfreiwillig komischen Dialoge sorgen für mäßig beglückende Unterhaltung (wer es zu schätzen weiß, wird gerade in den Dialogen das Highlight des Films finden).
2 2 -
T
This has a lot to like. It’s like a Christmas card. The sets are huge and it’s about as Christmas movie as a Christmas movie can get, even to the Dickensian poverty plays. If Charles Dickens drank Coke & ate at McDonald’s he’d have this with a bustier Mrs Claus.
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P
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B
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K
Kidnapped by elves aint the one
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K
Santa Claus: The Movie can be described as one part Santa origin story, one part anti-capitalist/mass production propoganda, and one part John Lithgow. Starring the Big Lebowski as Santa, Dudley Moore as an overeager inventor Elf, and the amazing John Lithgow as B.Z., the evil porprietor of a major toy manufacturer, this is a super fun and bizarre slice of 80s Christmas cinema, and I really enjoy it in its absurdity. The sub plot of street urchin “Joe”, and rich…
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S
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D
Unintentionally the last movie on Christmas Day, the official end of my 2 month marathon. Kinda perfect since this movie is quite divisive, putting viewers in a love it or hate it line but I fall somewhere in the middle. The dedication to making over half the film about Santa’s origin at the North Pole with the elves was pretty wonderful. Dudley Moore’s fine but his appeal has always eluded me, likely because I just haven’t seen much of his…
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G
This film scream 80s blockbuster budget. Do I think it’s excellent casting for both Santa and Mrs. Claus? Yes. Do I love the reindeer puppets? Yes. Is Santa’s workshop peak design? Yes. Do I care about anything regarding the plot? Nope. I think John Lithgow is a fun villain, and the kids are charming, but that ending is so rushed! And the toy economy makes 0 sense. Also tooooo much Dudley Moore elf. But overall, had a fun time 🙂
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R
Found this very magical when i was a kid. Seeing it as an adult i realised i forgot most of the movie. Most memories were from the opening. This makes a lot of sense. The narrative structure of the movie is pretty weird, in kind of a great way. The 1st act is more of a prologue, and this is pretty much the best bit. Might be where most of the budget was spent too. Looks incredible; beautiful effects, lovely…
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J
This movie is just so heartwarming at times
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M
My favourite film OAT i love Christmas
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F
coca cola getting that bag for the sponsorship. also yo.
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G
My fiancée’s favourite Christmas movie of all time. Not my favourite by a long stretch but it’s fun to watch for festive nostalgia.
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N
I don’t know how this movie isn’t talked about more??? I consider it the DEFINITIVE version of Santa Claus. Granted, it’s brought to you by McDonald’s and coca cola but miracle on 34th street is an ad disguised as a movie whereas this one has like one relatively short ad scene crowbarred in. Great cast, excellent performances and a delightful story, once you get past the rather bleak opening.
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F
Here are my string of consciousness notes: Total 80s artifice most 80s looking Xmas mo ie or any movie huddleston is terrific forgettable songs dudley Moores teeth are distracting they died in a blizzard and had their souls k8dnapped by little elves. Product placement with mCD and coke and such. Ignores other children in plight, helps the white kid. My favorite thing was the reindeer. Pure Juice. Should be called Patch the Movie. Why is set in NY? The super duper looper was completely unnecessary.
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L
Every Christmas Eve & I will always be reminded on how the size of Macdonalds has shrunk over time.
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S
It’s kind of wild to feel nostalgia for a movie I watched for the first time in my 20s, yet this one is absolutely seeped with that feeling. I actually look forward to watching it again next yet Scoring: 7.5/10 My investment: 1 Execution of concepts: 1.5 My liking of characters: 1.5 My emotions: 1.5 Likelihood to talk about: 1 Personal bias: 1
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✧
Watched this every Christmas since I was a kid god god it’s SO cute There’s something about 70s-90s colourful Christmas films
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M
Favourite Christmas Movie, Watch every Christmas Eve and crack a can of coke open at same time as Joe every year
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B
2025 #1199 I’ll be the first to admit, 3 stars is probably a little high for this one. There’s not really any metric where you can say that Santa The Claus: The Movie is really any good…the story is pants, the effects goofy even for the mid ’80s, and some of the acting is atrocious…but hey, nostalgia is a powerful drug, and I remember watching and loving this way too much as a kid. And to be fair, John Lithgow is still pretty entertaining in full-on heel mode too.
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A
We love this in our house, and it’s still as magical to me as it was when I saw it for the first time all those years ago.
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S
Obsessed with this as a kid. Always wanted that flying pop
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G
It’s alright, not the best Christmas movie out there and quite forgettable.
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K
Plot: I feel like this is a film of two halves, the first half being Santa’s origin story (a kindly peasant and his wife freeze to death and are reincarnated/made immortal by heaven and the Elves) and the second half being his head elf, Patch, losing his way, and trying his hand at capitalism. I thought it was a fun and charming film, especially the second half. There are once again questions around the physics of how Santa’s powers work,…
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K
One of the best Christmas films.
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P
La vi en el cine en los 80 y con mi hijo esta Navidad. Lloré con Burgess Meredith haciendo de Elfo viejito pasando el mando al nuevo Santa. Genial John Lithgow haciendo de malo corpo y Dudley Moore como pick-me elfo.
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P
First time watch definitely an inspiration for Tim Allen’s of the same name. Loved the villain and the painted look the vibrancy and pastels were magical but probably won’t be a tradition.
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D
The workshop scenes felt like something straight out an old silly symphony, and i love the whole look of this film! John Lithgow was amazing and super funny in this, but i think my favourite was Patch
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A
This movie was fucking weird. What the hell did I think I was getting myself into? Dudley Moore looked fucking confused half the time. John Lithgow however was having a goddamn blast representing the evil that was Reganomics of the 1980s. David Hiddleston is a good Santa Claus however and wish he would have arrived to gove me drugs while watching this movie. Santa Claus: The Movie is available on Peacock.
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E
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D
40 years old this year, Santa Claus: The Movie features just about every festive trope you can imagine, from Santa and elves to greedy businessmen and children who don’t believe in Santa. Though these tropes can be seen in numerous films, the most obvious point of comparison is 2004’s Elf. Dudley Moore’s Patch hits many of the same beats as Will Ferrell’s Buddy – initially failing in his role as an Elf, he travels to New York where he criticises…
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H
Highlights: Adorable deer animatronics, annoying elf puns, John Lithgow deep throating a cigar.
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C
As a 5 year old this movie seemed like magic. I remember seeing the previews on TV and reading the book from my McDonalds happy meal that detailed the story- complete with large color glossy screen stills from the movie. It looked so magical but I never got to actually watch the movie until much later. I didnt realize until I was much older how sorta convoluted and meandering this movie is. Make no mistake, the first 45-60 min of…
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D
So much nostalgia in this one for me, from watching growing up most every year.
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K
This was crazy
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S
My brother-in-law and I have a running joke surrounding this movie where every time we talk about watching it we say “maybe this is the year they don’t die at the beginning.” It’s now a tradition I’ve come to cherish as much as the actual movie, and I hope it’s one that sticks around forever.
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H
Love him in this movie. But you will never be my Dumbledore.
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2
The first hour of this film doesn’t matter, you could basically skip to an hour in and not miss a thing. The first hour is basically getting into the story of who santa is, how he became and what he does. Then it goes on to my goat patch and how he doesn’t feel loved which is very understandable (I mean the man has thousands of elves). Anyway these magic candycanes get the most screentime and coukdve destroyed the entire earth. Most of this film feels pointless and leads to a dead end but yh. So im rating this 2 stars! Cant say id reccomend!
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L
Another absolute classic that we had on VHS (taped from the telly) when I was young & watched a million times.
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O
This is definitely a Christmas movie. The sets are crazy, the 2D special effects are amazing, costumes are good and the actors are too. The only thing that sucks is the script/narrative. It takes about an hour to get to the actual reason for the movie, up to then you don’t really understand the point of the movie, and then it ends up focusing on corporate greed? I don’t know… was very strange and I probably won’t watch it again.
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A
Mums childhood Christmas movie, I approve
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H
robins childhood santa movie. what the fuck is the deal with this psycho movie? they killed the motherfucker in the first few minutes and sent him to hell to make toys forever. and then it just keeps going to places you would never expect – like it forgot to take its meds and just kept rambling. john lithgow was fantastic and it somehow came together in the end but it left my head spinning.
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H
A friend invited me in cinemas to watch this for its 4k re-release so why not and it was a good time. Definitely not my favourite chirstmas film but a good one nonetheless.
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BBränna Mellanstad 12 月 5, 2020
Watched the day that an announcement of lockdown over the Xmas 2020 period in the UK was televised, the Fuckin Tories, meaning no Black Eye Friday night out at a gig. Only more Xmas films. No pre-Christmas gig. Only more films. No gig. Film.
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M
The best on screen North Pole depiction. Then John Lithgow inadvertently kills himself.
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P
Por Jorge Carrasco, 5 de enero de 1986 No es de extrañar que los esforzados distribuidores nacionales hayan aprovechado la época navideña para estrenar películas con tan acorde temporada consumista. Por tal motivo fue estrenada en más de 20 salas de la capital Santa Claus de Jeannot Szwarc, sobre el popular personaje, cuyo máximo atractivo era la presencia del comediante del momento, Dudley Moore. La cinta es una nueva empresa del nefasto Alexander Salkind, el responsable de los “supermanes” y…
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JJVedd 1 月 4, 1986
awful
- Synopsis
- 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.
- Director
- Jeannot Szwarc
- Writer
- David Newman
- Studio
- Calash Corporation, Santa Claus Ltd.
- Country
- USA, UK, Netherlands
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1985
- Runtime
- 108 mins
- USA29 Oct 1985
- UK29 Nov 1985
- Germany04 Dec 1985
- Ireland06 Dec 1985
- Japan14 Dec 1985
- France18 Dec 1985
- UK03 Nov 2017
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