The Santa Clause
Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: November 11, 1994 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
57
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
6
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
VarietyLeonard Klady
This is a hip, likable spin on the seasonal icon told with a deft mixture of comedy and sentimentality. Read full review
88
TV Guide MagazineStaff(not credited)
Nevertheless, The Santa Clause is a charming, if mild, fantasy, distinguished by a gentle directorial touch that strikes a deft balance between dramatic and fantastic elements. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
All of the film's technical and creative contributions are top-notch, but as it should be, it's the people who win us over. [11 Nov 1994 Pg. F10]
80
Washington PostRita Kempley
Aimed at kids, but written with parents in mind, The Santa Clause balances the sugar with the spice, which Allen sprinkles on just right. Read full review
70
Washington PostDesson Thomson
The personable star of the TV series "Home Improvement" turns this Walt Disney film around. He may not be as effervescent as, say, Robin Williams, but he's full of understated, ticklish charm. Read full review
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
The Santa Clause (so named after the clause on Santa's calling card that requires Scott to take over the job) is often a clever and amusing movie, and there's a lot of fresh invention in it. Read full review
63
USA TodaySusan Wloszczyna
As holiday heartwarmers go, The Santa Clause is an amusing stocking stuffer, a sitcom-superficial novelty that jingles many of the same bells as last year's "Mrs. Doubtfire". [11 Nov 1994 Pg. 12.D]
50
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
The Santa Clause isn't an unmitigated disaster, but it's also a whole lot less impressive than it could be. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleHollis Chacona
Actually, this souped-up sled is a perfect vehicle for TV star/comedian Tim Allen and, despite its formulaic chassis, he takes us through a few interesting twists and turns. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Watch for the ''Mrs. Doubtfire'' syndrome: In Santa drag and padded for laughs, Scott demonstrates how to be a more sensitive, more funsy parent than boring old Mom. Read full review
40
EmpireStaff(not credited)
The film drops from obvious comedy into a ready melt slush which no amount of make-up and special effects can rescue. Read full review
40
The New YorkerMichael Sragow
Tim Allen's talent for dry regular-guyness fails to kindle Disney's sappy big-screen Yule log. Read full review
40
TimeRichard Schickel
The Santa Clause presents us with an Anti-Claus, Tim Allen of Home Improvement, hard-edged, discomfitingly frenetic and spritzing cheerless one-liners. Read full review
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