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Santa Claus

  • 1985
  • PG
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
17K
YOUR RATING
David Huddleston in Santa Claus (1985)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer1:09
6 Videos
49 Photos
Holiday FamilyAdventureFamilyFantasyHoliday

The legend of Santa Claus is placed into jeopardy when an unscrupulous toy manufacturer attempts to take over Christmas.The legend of Santa Claus is placed into jeopardy when an unscrupulous toy manufacturer attempts to take over Christmas.The legend of Santa Claus is placed into jeopardy when an unscrupulous toy manufacturer attempts to take over Christmas.

  • Director
    • Jeannot Szwarc
  • Writers
    • David Newman
    • Leslie Newman
  • Stars
    • Dudley Moore
    • John Lithgow
    • David Huddleston
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    17K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jeannot Szwarc
    • Writers
      • David Newman
      • Leslie Newman
    • Stars
      • Dudley Moore
      • John Lithgow
      • David Huddleston
    • 154User reviews
    • 44Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos6

    Santa Claus: The Movie
    Trailer 1:09
    Santa Claus: The Movie
    Santa Claus: The Movie: 20th Anniversary Edition
    Trailer 1:09
    Santa Claus: The Movie: 20th Anniversary Edition
    Santa Claus: The Movie: 20th Anniversary Edition
    Trailer 1:09
    Santa Claus: The Movie: 20th Anniversary Edition
    Santa Claus: The Movie: Welcome To The North Pole! (UK)
    Clip 3:55
    Santa Claus: The Movie: Welcome To The North Pole! (UK)
    Santa Claus: The Movie: The Secret Ingredient (UK)
    Clip 3:57
    Santa Claus: The Movie: The Secret Ingredient (UK)
    Santa Claus: The Movie: Santa Saves The Day (UK)
    Clip 3:30
    Santa Claus: The Movie: Santa Saves The Day (UK)
    Santa Claus: The Movie: A Trip Across New York City (UK)
    Clip 3:12
    Santa Claus: The Movie: A Trip Across New York City (UK)

    Photos49

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    Top cast45

    Edit
    Dudley Moore
    Dudley Moore
    • Patch
    John Lithgow
    John Lithgow
    • B.Z.
    David Huddleston
    David Huddleston
    • Santa Claus
    Burgess Meredith
    Burgess Meredith
    • Ancient Elf
    Judy Cornwell
    Judy Cornwell
    • Anya Claus
    Jeffrey Kramer
    Jeffrey Kramer
    • Towzer
    Christian Fitzpatrick
    • Joe
    Carrie Kei Heim
    Carrie Kei Heim
    • Cornelia
    John Barrard
    John Barrard
    • Dooley
    Anthony O'Donnell
    Anthony O'Donnell
    • Puffy
    Melvyn Hayes
    Melvyn Hayes
    • Goober
    Don Estelle
    Don Estelle
    • Groot
    Tim Stern
    Tim Stern
    • Boog
    Peter O'Farrell
    Peter O'Farrell
    • Honka
    Christopher Ryan
    Christopher Ryan
    • Vout
    Dickie Arnold
    Dickie Arnold
    • Goobler
    Aimée Delamain
    • Storyteller
    • (as Aimee Delamain)
    Dorothea Phillips
    Dorothea Phillips
    • Miss Tucker
    • Director
      • Jeannot Szwarc
    • Writers
      • David Newman
      • Leslie Newman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews154

    6.316.5K
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    Featured reviews

    Minxxxie-2

    A Nice Holiday Memory!

    This has been a holiday memory of mine since I was a little girl. Even now, at 23 years old, I simply love this movie. I'm shocked when I hear of someone that doesn't enjoy this unique and sweet story. I learned about friendship, the holidays, giving, sharing and not being afraid to go for your dreams. If those aren't the kind of lessons we want our youngsters to learn, I don't know what are...
    nigelpaterson

    Something to be proud of

    I played one of the elves in the movie. When Santa & Anya are shown the Elf Village for the first time & watch all the toy-making, Patch (the late Dudley More) & a small group of "elf musicians" are seen "playing" the music. Watch out for me at the top of an "elvish double-bass". The movie was available on DVD in the UK & I purchased a copy, having not seen it since it's release. I think it's a lovely Christmas film that deserved greater critical acclaim than it received. I'm glad to see that it is now becoming something of a cult movie, which should ensure it's existence for many years to come. Having viewed the movie this year (2016), I feel proud to have made a small contribution to a film that tells a timeless story with considerable integrity. David Huddleston who passed away recently was the perfect casting for Santa Claus.
    tfrizzell

    Likeable Film for the Whole Family.

    Under-rated little family film that works due to a couple of over-the-top performances more than anything else. We get a glimpse into the history of the titled character (played by David Huddleston) and his wife (Judy Cornwell) as they make the North Pole their home. Years and years pass and we get to the present-day, but trouble looms as the toys manufactured by elf Dudley Moore (in a wonderful performance) start to fall apart on all the children of the world. Moore feels shame and decides that it would be better to leave. Thus he falls in with evil toy manufacturer John Lithgow (in another fine role) and this is when the fun really starts. Burgess Meredith also has a short, endearing cameo. A production that is tame enough for young children, but is also interesting enough to keep the adults happy as well. Good overall. 4 stars out of 5.
    intriguingub240

    David Huddleston is the greatest Santa in the world ever!

    I've just seen the movie on TV with my kids for the umpteenth time.

    The first hour of the film is great...it really puts me in the Christmas spirit. The rest of the film...well I can take it or leave it! By the way, David Huddleston who played Santa, is for me, the greatest Santa in the world ever, honestly.
    christinedesler

    A terrific movie!

    I've just read another review that says Dudley Moore wasn't an incredibly likable character, and I have to completely disagree! I have watched this movie nearly every single year... as I have the VHS, and it's one of the most terrific X-mas movies out there -- other than "Christmas Story", "A christmas Carol" (any version), and "The Night they Saved Christmas". I've watched this since I was a very little girl, and I always loved the character Joe. I think I might have had the tiniest crush on him, even! The man who plays Santa is amazingly wonderful, and he's definately the type of guy that a kid would just love to leap onto the lap of... and to take comfort and confidence in. As this Santa befriends a young homeless boy who has absolutely nothing and no one else... until both he and Santa meet the daughter of an extrodinarily rich and disasterously greedy culprit of a businessman ... of course he's the grandfatherly figure we all dream of having! He's beyond any other Santa I've ever EVER seen -- he even beats Mickey Rooney (though Granted Mickey was only Santa in those lovely little 'cartoons'.)

    Anyhow, this is a great movie with a beautiful soundtrack, great actors, nice though not particularly wonderful sets, effects that were passable for the year they were made, and most definately a touching and memorable plot. It's for all ages, and I definately reccomend it.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      All the toys made and bought for the Santa's workshop scenes were donated to children's charities for Christmas after shooting was complete.
    • Goofs
      When Joe and Santa first ride in the sleigh, Santa can be seen speaking an entire sentence as they drive off the roof, yet no words are heard.
    • Quotes

      Ancient Elf: The Prophecy has come to pass, that there would come to us a Chosen One, and that he, having no child of his own, would love all children everywhere, and that he himself would be an artisan, and a craftsman, and a skilled maker of toys.

      [to Santa]

      Ancient Elf: And now, Chosen One, come forward. From this day on, now and forever, you will bring all our gifts to all the children in all the world, and all this to be done on Christmas Eve.

      Santa Claus: How can I do so much in just one night?

      Ancient Elf: Oh, yes, well know this: time travels with you. The night of the world is a passage of endless night for you, until your mission is done. This is your legacy, and your gift... as is the gift of flight. 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. And now, everyone, Merry Christmas.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Fever Pitch/One Magic Christmas/Santa Claus: The Movie/Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Every Christmas Eve
      by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse

      Sung by Aled Jones

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Santa Claus?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 27, 1985 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Netherlands
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Santa Claus: The Movie
    • Filming locations
      • Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK(Studio, interiors: Santa's workshop)
    • Production companies
      • GGG
      • Major Studio Partners
      • Calash Corporation N.V.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $50,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $23,717,291
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,647,160
      • Dec 1, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $23,743,145
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 47m(107 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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