The Santa Clauses Watch Guide: Cast Info, How To Watch & Hot Chocolate

Everything you need to know about The Santa Clause movies and Disney+ show, plus a recipe for a festive treat

Think you’re too old to believe in Santa? Think again. In the holiday classic The Santa Clause, Scott Calvin goes from skeptic to Christmas’s number one guy. The original theatrical release opened a universe that now spans three movies and a Disney+ Original series, making it perfect for extended holiday binge-watching. Here, you’ll find out what you need to know to plan your marathon and cook up a batch of Judy’s legendary hot chocolate.

All Of The Santa Clause Movies & Shows

The One That Started It All: The Santa Clause

After Santa arrives at Scott Calvin’s (Tim Allen) house, the divorced dad becomes subject to the "Santa Clause", leaving him to take on Santa’s duties, whether he wants to or not. Having donned the red suit, Scott and his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) head for the North Pole, where elves Bernard (David Krumholtz) and Judy (Paige Tamada) explain Scott’s predicament and provide guidance. As Scott finds himself transforming into Kris Kringle over the year that passes, he also transforms into a better, jollier version of himself.

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The Sequel: The Santa Clause 2

Scott Calvin, aka Santa, is coming (back) to town. Having embraced his role as Santa, Scott now faces another contractual technicality – he must find himself a Mrs. Claus. What's more, his son Charlie is on the "naughty" list, and Christmas itself is being threatened by the animatronic Santa clone Scott designed to cover for him while he searches for love. This Santa is about to have his hands full.

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A New Villain: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Another clause, the "Escape Clause", is revealed, with the potential to alter the course of history. Jack Frost (Martin Short), jealous of Santa and his adoring public, sees an opportunity to take over Christmas. As Jack’s scheme unfolds, Scott is in a race against time to save the holiday and the life he's learned to love.

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The Series: The Santa Clauses

28 years after he first (literally) stepped into Santa’s boots, we revisit Scott and his family in the North Pole. 

In season 1, Christmas is in crisis as fewer and fewer people believe in Santa, threatening to strip him of his magic abilities. Scott decides to retire, giving his family a taste of ‘normal life’, and passing the torch to a new Santa (Kal Penn). But Scott soon realizes he’s made an error and must return to his post to keep the Christmas spirit from being extinguished forever.

In season 2, Scott decides to bring his kids into the family business of Christmas. However, their plans are interrupted by the appearance of Magnus Antas, aka “Mad Santa” (Eric Stonestreet). As Magnus attempts to retake the North Pole, the Calvin-Claus family must band together to secure their legacy.

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Cast & Characters From The Santa Clause Movies & Series

Tim Allen As Santa Claus (a.k.a Scott Calvin)

Throughout the films and the series, Tim Allen stars as toy executive turned Santa Claus, Scott Clavin. From reluctant successor to fully fledged joy-spreader, we see Scott go on many journeys as he saves Christmas again and again.

More Cast In The Santa Clause

Allen is joined by Eric Lloyd playing his sweet son, Charlie, and David Krumholtz in the role of by-the-book head elf, Bernard. Wendy Crewson plays Scott’s ex-wife, Laura, flanked by her new boyfriend, Neal, played by Judge Reinhold. Paige Tamada stars as Judy, a friendly elf who teaches Scott that “seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing”.

More Cast In The Santa Clause 2

The core cast, including Allen, Lloyd, and Krumholtz, return. Joining them is Elizabeth Mitchell, starring as Scott’s romantic interest Carol. Art LaFleur, Aisha Tyler, Kevin Pollak, Jay Thomas, and Michael Dorn make appearances as members of the Council of Legendary Figures.

More Cast In The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

The gang is back together, with Martin Short joining as antagonist Jack Frost. Alan Arkin and Ann-Margret appear as Bud and Sylvia Newman, Carol’s parents and Scott’s new in-laws.

More Cast In The Santa Clauses Series

Again, Allen and Mitchell return as Mr. and Mrs. Calvin-Claus, joined by their teenage children Buddy "Cal" (Austin Kane) and Sandra (Elizabeth Allen-Dick). Kal Penn plays Simon Choksi, the man Scott picks as his successor in season 1.
In season 2, Eric Stonestreet joins the cast as Magnus Antas, serving as the series’ main antagonist, who wants to reclaim the North Pole. Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias appears as Kris Moreno, the man who frees Magnus Antas from his nutcracker prison. Eric Lloyd and David Krumholtz guest star in their original roles as Charlie Calvin and Bernard the Head Elf.  Last but not least, Paige Tamada makes a cameo appearance as the proprietor of a hot cocoa stand.

The Santa Clause FAQs

How can you watch all of The Santa Clause movies & shows?

All the movies and both seasons of The Santa Clauses series are available to stream on Disney+.

Where were The Santa Clause movies filmed?

Production filmed The Santa Clause at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA. On-location filming took place mostly in Canada, around Toronto, ON. Scott Calvin’s iconic house is located at 17 Chisholm Street in Oakville, ON.

The Santa Clause 2 was also filmed in Canada, this time at various locations in and around Vancouver, BC. Studio filming also took place in Canada, at Mammoth Studios.

Filming for The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause took place on various lots and stages at Downey Studios in California.

How many The Santa Clause movies are there?

There are three movies, released in 1994, 2002, and 2006. In 2022, Tim Allen returned to his role as Santa in the Disney+ Original series The Santa Clauses.

How To Make Judy’s Hot Cocoa From The Santa Clause

When Scott is struggling most with accepting his new identity, Judy serves him a comforting cup of cocoa, the recipe for which she’s perfected over the course of 1,200 years.

We haven’t had quite as much time as Judy to tinker with the recipe, but here’s our version. Not too hot, extra chocolate. Get out your reindeer-footed mugs, and prepare for a deliciously cozy night in.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 10 oz whole milk

• 4 oz evaporated milk

• 2 cups mini marshmallows

• 6 oz of your favorite chocolate chips

Instructions

• Put a small pot on medium heat.

• Whisk the whole milk and evaporated milk together as the pan warms.

• Stir in the marshmallows until they’re melted.  

• Stir in the chocolate chips constantly so the chocolate doesn’t burn.

• When the mixture is smooth, give it a taste to see if it needs more chocolate or a dash more sugar, then remove it from the heat.

 Serve

• Pour the hot chocolate into festive serving mugs — filling about halfway. 

• Top with whipped cream and any fun extras like crushed candy canes, more chocolate sauce, or whatever sounds good to you! 

See all of our holiday streaming picks and tips in the Explore Disney+ Holiday Spotlight page.

Watch This Trailer From The Santa Clauses