Rewatching The Santa Clause 1 & 2 — Do They Still Hold Up?

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The older I get, the more Christmas turns into a return to the same familiar movies. The ones I watched as a kid or ones I watched with my son when he was small. These are the movies that somehow feel like Christmas before anything in the house is decorated. This year I ended up rewatching The Santa Clause and The Santa Clause 2. I still haven’t seen the third one, but judging by the reviews, I’m preparing myself for… let’s just call it an experience. (Author note: I have since watched it, see below)

Either way, nostalgia gets the better of me every December, and this felt like the perfect time to revisit where the whole thing began. Check out my other Christmas movie post 5 Essential Family Films for Christmas and see if you remember those titles too.

Santa Claus movie review image featuring a festive Santa figure and title text for The Santa Clause 1 and 2 review

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The Santa Clause (1994)

Scott Calvin accidentally becoming Santa, the North Pole unfolding in that magical 90s way, and Tim Allen right in his comedic prime — it’s a film that’s hard not to enjoy on some level. It’s funny, warm, and genuinely charming in a way that modern Christmas films often aren’t. Everything is practical, everything feels real, and the whole movie has this grounded-but-magical vibe that just works.

Even the jokes land surprisingly well for a film that’s now over 30 years old.

My 2 Cents:

This was a great movie back in the day, and it still holds up. We even had a running joke on the building site where I worked about the “Veronica, very nice” line from Scott Calvin. It cracked us up every time. It’s definitely a kids’ Christmas film, but like most good ones, there are a few jokes clearly aimed at adults too. Heartwarming, funny, and a proper Christmas classic.

Buy The Santa Clause on Amazon UK.

Buy The Santa Clause on Amazon Ireland.

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The Santa Clause 2 (2002)

The sequel leans more into the family-friendly side of things. The whole “find a wife by Christmas Eve” plot is a bit silly, but it somehow fits the tone of the world they created. The North Pole looks even better this time around, the elves get more screen time, and Tim Allen still carries the whole thing with the same mix of sarcasm and heart.

It’s not as strong as the original, but it’s still a solid Christmas film and an easy watch.

My 2 Cents:

A good follow-up sequel, but it doesn’t hold up quite as well as the first. I’ll be honest, I remember the original perfectly, but the second film had faded in my mind until I watched it again recently. It probably made an impression at the time, just not a lasting one. I reckoned that I’d only be five minutes in before the whole plot came flooding back and I was right. Definitely not as good as the first movie but still very much worth a watch.

Buy The Santa Clause 2 on Amazon UK.

Buy The Santa Clause 2 on Amazon Ireland.

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Should I Watch The Santa Clause 3?

When I first drafted this post, I hadn’t seen the third film in the series. I've left the title as originally written. I’ve since watched The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, and here’s the quick rundown.

The film brings Jack Frost (played by Martin Short) into the mix as he tries to take over Christmas by exploiting a loophole in the Santa Clause itself. Things spiral into a much more chaotic, comedic adventure than the first two films, with plenty of slapstick, frosty mischief, and an alternate-timeline twist that sends Scott Calvin back to a world where he never became Santa. It’s lighter, louder, and more exaggerated than the earlier entries, but it still ties the trilogy together and delivers a festive enough finale.

My 2 Cents:

Now that I’ve actually watched it, I’d say it feels a little jaded in places, but I still enjoyed the nods back to the original film. The first movie is still the standout of the trilogy in my opinion, nothing quite matches its charm.

Martin Short is great fun as Jack Frost, even if the film leans more into silliness than the warmth of the earlier entries. It’s not a bad watch at all, just different. A “switch your brain off and enjoy the Christmas vibes” kind of film rather than a meaningful follow-up.

I’m still glad I completed the trilogy, and if you’ve come this far, it’s worth watching — just keep expectations modest.

If you’ve seen it, I’d genuinely love to know what you thought. Did it land for you? Or does the trilogy peak with the first film, like it does for me?

Buy The Santa Clause 3 on Amazon UK.

Buy The Santa Clause 3 on Amazon Ireland.

Affiliate links – I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Final Thoughts

Rewatching these and other films reminds me how comforting Christmas movies can be, even when they’re a bit cheesy or predictable. The first two Santa Clause films still have that cosy, warm, old-school charm that a lot of newer Christmas films are missing.

If you haven’t watched them in years, they’re worth putting back on your list. Pick up a DVD or Blu Ray and enjoy them forever more.

Thanks for Reading,

David

👉 What do you think? Did I get them right or have you something to add? Drop a comment below and share your views. 💬

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About the Author

I’m David Condon, a movie enthusiast from Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been collecting VHS, DVDs and now Blu-rays for years, and along the way my shelves have become a mix of favourites, hidden gems, and titles I occasionally decide to resell.

I’m not a professional critic, just someone who enjoys good films, well-made discs, and the odd rant about the quirks of collecting. This blog is where I share my thoughts, reviews, and experiences as a fan.

💬 Note from the Author
This blog is a hobby project where I write about DVDs, Blu-rays, and the ups and downs of being a collector. If you enjoyed this post, you might also like my other writing:

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Original content © Phoenix DVD Blog — Written by David Condon. Please credit and link if shared.

Location: Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 W2H4, Ireland

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