The Santa Clause 2 - The Mrs. Clause (2002)

55% of critics liked it
(113 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(184,553 ratings)

Eight years after getting a crash course in the fine art of personifying Christmas, Tim Allen returns as Kris Kringle's replacement in this sequel to the 1994 hit The Santa Clause. While Scott Calvin (Allen) initially had mixed feelings when he became the new Santa Claus, after eight years on the… More Eight years after getting a crash course in the fine art of personifying Christmas, Tim Allen returns as Kris Kringle's replacement in this sequel to the 1994 hit The Santa Clause. While Scott Calvin (Allen) initially had mixed feelings when he became the new Santa Claus, after eight years on the job he's come to enjoy being Father Christmas, and he and the Elves are looking forward to another holiday season when things begin going a bit wrong. Scott finds he's becoming less and less "Santa-like," and his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) has become difficult enough to land on the official "Naughty" list. Scott discovers most of his problems stem from an obscure passage in his contract with the North Pole which decrees that he has to find a Mrs. Claus. Scott has little choice but to start dating, but he soon learns that when you're a big guy from the North Pole who lacks conventional employment, single women do not come running. In order to leave him more time to search for a wife, Scott and the Elves create a duplicate Santa to keep an eye on the shop; however, the "other" Santa turns out to be more Naughty than Nice, and in time Scott has to wrestle control of the North Pole away from his doppelganger. Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, and David Krumholtz also reprise their roles from The Santa Clause. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Michael Lembeck
Written By: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Edward Decter, John J. Strauss, Don Rhymer
Genres: Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 27, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Nov 18, 2003
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

Ben Kenigsberg, Village Voice
The scenes in which Fake Santa torments the elves with a toy soldier army are twisted enough to make it worth sticking around through the mawkish courtship.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
The Santa Clause 2 is a barely adequate babysitter for older kids, but I've got to give it thumbs down.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
A bloated, prefab sequel that gets stuck in the chimney.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Has less charm than coal in a stocking.
Scott Foundas, Variety
A movie conscious, at every waking moment, of trying to out-do its predecessor.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
If you value your time and money, find an escape clause and avoid seeing this trite, predictable rehash.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
This one deserves a "bah humbug."
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Sitcom-level predictability and treacle.
James Plath, Reel.com
The Santa Clause meets Spy Kids. . . with twice the high-tech special effects, twice the hokiness, and half the heart of the original
Boo Allen, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)
The material on the DVD has a light hearted attitude that perfectly matches that of the film.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The movie appears to have been made expressly to capitalize on the first film's popularity rather than establish any credibility of its own.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Mike S

Being the sequel to one of my favourite Christmas movies, I dreaded that this would tarnish my good memories of the original. But as much as I prepared myself for a suck-fest beyond measure, I quickly came to discover that my fears were unfounded. Sure, the script is about as thick as… More
Being the sequel to one of my favourite Christmas movies, I dreaded that this would tarnish my good memories of the original. But as much as I prepared myself for a suck-fest beyond measure, I quickly came to discover that my fears were unfounded. Sure, the script is about as thick as a ginger bread man, and yes, there's an abundance of random goofing around. But the spirit and joy of the original is still pretty much intact. Santa's workshop remains vibrant with fun activity, and although a few ornaments short of an epic Christmas tree, it's sufficiently entertaining and even touching at times. More with kudos to the cast though, than due to any other element. So for a follow-up with such a weak and skeletal plot, this was far from ho-ho-horrible.
Jennifer D

Stupid, but good for completely mindless entertainment. I LOVED the first one as a kid - so strange to see everyone so much older in this one.
Brad W

Sweet movie for kids, but at many times very dumb and childish.
Alexander D

Bad+
Luke B

A rather forced sequel at times. I hated this on my initial viewing 8 years ago, as it spat on the memory I had of the original. This year I watched them back to back and it actually played a lot better. The film still has some major issues. Most of all, it can't balance the… More
A rather forced sequel at times. I hated this on my initial viewing 8 years ago, as it spat on the memory I had of the original. This year I watched them back to back and it actually played a lot better. The film still has some major issues. Most of all, it can't balance the adult and children's views. The tone is very slapstick and childish. Bernard seems less bitter, and Breslin is boy that shouts rather than acts. He seems to try and copy the mannerisms of his favorite actors. Despite the immature tone, we have a love story which isn't all that interesting. There are some great heartwarming bits, such as the Secret Santa scene, but Allen also comes off as desperate (which his character is) and creepy sometimes. The fake Santa is a great comedic villain, and the fun Allen has with him makes up for the slow romance and seriousness he displays elsewhere. A bit disappointing, but worthwhile over Christmas.
Bently L

The first is better but this one is also good. The new characters are fun and the plot is decent. With the holidays coming up, this a reccomendation. Fun for the whole family! "I think Santa feels a little buzz!"
KJ P

Much better than the first, and I said that I would remember the first for every christmas, and now I can say that I think the exact same way and maybe more about this second film!
Lenny M

Disney trying to make an unnecessary franchise out of a Christmas movie. Gots to makes money to give the kids materialz. Not entirely awful and this shiz is Pumpkin Pie compared to Santa Clause 3. I'm not even gonna review that vegetable poop.
Tim S

Meh.
Wahida K

This movie was a sequel worth.
danny d

huge drop off from the first but still better than the third
Coxxie M

the best part is where the little girl asks even though hes santa if she can still get presents!..... the worst part was the rest of the movie
Bobby H

The Santa Clause 2 is clearly more juvenile and kid-oriented, making it less polite then the first one to watch for hardcore movie fans. The plot is a little less developed and it doesnt have that classic taste that the first Santa Clause movie produced but Tim Allen does a great job… More
The Santa Clause 2 is clearly more juvenile and kid-oriented, making it less polite then the first one to watch for hardcore movie fans. The plot is a little less developed and it doesnt have that classic taste that the first Santa Clause movie produced but Tim Allen does a great job as Santa Clause again and it's a great movie for kids. I'd definatly add it to my collection of movies and pop it out around Christmas but it's not something you'd want to see other then, to get in the holiday spirit.
Cassie H

cute
Candy R

The sequel to Santa Claus. He has neglected his son, who ends up on the naughty list. He has to go back to spend time with his son and his magical powers start to weaken, so he needs to find a Mrs Claus to restore his powers.
Jason S

I liked it. A nice continuation of the first story.
Jose Z

the first one was a good family movie, but its sequel was just a movie with a bunch of silly meaningless scenes and a plot with no sense at all
Leigh R

It was not as good as the first, but good.
Sophie B

I watch this one every christmas too! I have both in a box set
Kalel J

A sequel...could of worked....maybe, but in the case of this film with such a ridiculous story it comes off as another cheap money-grabber.