Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus

Name: Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus
Genre: Christmas, Big City, Magic/Wishes, Santa is Real, Supernatural
Released: 2004-01-01
Duration: 1 h 36 min
Rating: 5.9
Cast: Steve Guttenberg, Crystal Bernard, Dominic Scott Kay, Thomas Calabro, Armin Shimerman

5.9/10 · 1,675 ratings20041h 36mChristmasWeirdness 8/10Bingo card

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The premise

Santa's son and successor is looking for a suitable Mrs. Claus before he can take over the family business.

Themes:Faith vs. Logic Family Legacy The Importance of Play Single Parenthood Challenges

How unusual is it?

Very. Magic, santa is real, Santa himself and an actual miracle all turn up in one movie — the strangest 7% of everything we've logged.

Who’s in it

Our Girl

Crystal Bernard

as Beth

Our Guy

Steve Guttenberg

as Nick

You’ve seen this pairing before: Crystal Bernard and Steve Guttenberg have made 2 Hallmark movies together.

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Harvey Frost

Written by

Pamela Wallace

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

The 'magic tinkle sound' that occurs whenever Nick uses minor magic to manipulate reality, like bypassing hotel ID requirements.
Nick's literal explanation of reindeer flight involving 'thrust' and 'wings on the harness'.
A library reading scene where every child hears Nick in their own native language simultaneously.
The protagonist's reaction to a man saying he is Santa is to ask if he is a 'nut ball'.

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 34 to find more movies that do the same thing.

Why we’d put this one on

Weirdness 8 and a slice of early-2000s Hallmark charm. Steve Guttenberg is Nick, the son and would-be successor of Santa Claus, who must find a suitable Mrs. Claus before he can take over, which sends him to Southern California to win over a cynical single-mom ad exec, Beth (Crystal Bernard). The little flourishes make it: a "magic tinkle sound" that plays whenever Nick bends reality to skip hotel ID checks, his earnest engineering-style explanation of reindeer flight involving "thrust," and Beth's first reaction to a man claiming to be Santa being to ask if he is a "nut ball." Sweet, dated in a good way, and pleasantly odd.

How it all plays out

Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.

Full story (spoilers)

The film begins with Beth Sawtelle, a high-powered advertising executive in Southern California, struggling to balance her demanding career with raising her seven-year-old son, Jake. Jake, missing his late father, decides to ask Santa for a new dad for Christmas. At the North Pole, the current Santa Claus is preparing for retirement and informs his son, Nicholas (Nick), that he must find a 'Mrs. Claus' by December 25th to fulfill his destiny. Accompanied by the stiff and traditional advisor Ernest, Nick travels to California with a list of 'ideal candidates,' though he hopes to find a true soulmate. Nick and Beth meet by chance on a commercial set where Nick is hired to replace a difficult actor playing Santa. Nick's natural warmth and 'magic' make him a hit with the production and especially with Jake, whom Nick begins to mentor in basketball. As Nick and Beth spend more time together, he helps her navigate a difficult account with Hennesy Games, convincing the client to split a violent video game into two versions to protect child consumers. Despite their growing romantic connection, Beth remains staunchly cynical about Christmas due to a childhood disappointment. The conflict reaches a head when Nick finally confesses his true identity to Beth. He explains the physics of reindeer flight and his family legacy, but Beth, believing he is mentally ill or playing a cruel joke, demands he leave. On Christmas Eve, Nick prepares to take over the role of Santa alone, heartbroken. However, after a heart-to-heart with Jake about the nature of faith—believing without proof—Beth realizes she loves Nick regardless of his eccentricities. On Christmas morning, Nick arrives at Beth's house in full Santa regalia, having officially succeeded his father. He proves his identity through magical gifts and proposes to Beth. She accepts, agreeing to become the new Mrs. Claus and move to the North Pole with Jake, who is thrilled to finally have Santa as his father.

Beat by beat

Opening
Santa Claus informs his son Nicholas that he must find a wife by Christmas to take over the family business.
Meet Cute
Nick and Beth meet on a commercial set after Nick saves a child from a falling equipment rack and replaces a grumpy actor.
Midpoint
Nick bonds with Beth's son Jake, teaching him basketball and helping Beth save her advertising career by appealing to a client's 'Christmas spirit'.
Climax
Nick reveals his true identity as the heir to the Santa Claus mantle; Beth thinks he is insane and kicks him out.
Resolution
On Christmas morning, Nick returns as the official Santa, Beth chooses to believe, and they get engaged.

Did you know?

A few things that make this one stand out once you stack it up against every other Hallmark movie.

At a weirdness score of 8, it lands among the strangest 7% of Hallmark movies we've scored.

Top 7% weirdest

Out of every Hallmark movie we've scored, this one lands among the strangest 7%.

The backstory

Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus is a 2004 film starring Steve Guttenberg, Crystal Bernard and Dominic Scott Kay.

From Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Among the lower-rated Hallmark movies — the median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOA first impression that turns out completely wrongA big event everyone is preparing forA best friend who has all the answersA love triangleThe two leads are forced to work togetherA walk-and-talk through townSomeone decorates a Christmas treeAn ad exec wrangles a video game clientReindeer flight gets a literal explanationA grumpy actor playing Santa is replacedA heart-to-heart on a porch or benchA boy mentored in basketball★A single parentA shared meal around a crowded tableA change of heart by the final actA second chance worth takingA deadline to marry before ChristmasA prince, princess or royal appearsSomething magical or supernatural happensA scene-stealing cute kidA quiet moment under string lightsSparks fly the moment they meetSanta Claus appearsA happy ending

Hallmark Bingo

Your Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

“Santa Claus without Mrs. Claus beside him is like trying to make the Christmas sleigh ride without reindeer.”
— Santa Claus (Senior)Explaining to Nick why he must find a wife.
“You've got to have faith in me, and faith means believing without proof.”
— NicholasTrying to convince Beth of his identity before she kicks him out.
“I'm gonna steal all the stars from the sky and give each one to you each time you smile.”
— NicholasA romantic moment with Beth before the reveal.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

Beth Sawtelle
Lead
Advertising Executive
CynicalOverworkedProtectiveLogical
Nicholas (Nick)
Love interest
Heir to Santa Claus
Romantic interest and future husband
WhimsicalKindHonestMagical
Jake Sawtelle
Supporting
Student
Son
HopefulAthletically challengedObservant
Ernest
Supporting
Santa's Advisor
Mentor/Advisor to Nick
StuffyTraditionalPragmatic
Andrew West
Supporting
Ad Agency Boss
Employer
DemandingWorkaholicAmbitious

Questions people ask about Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus

Where can I watch Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus?

Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus is available via UP Faith & Family Apple TV channel, UP Faith & Family Amazon Channel, and Xumo Play. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

Is there a sequel to Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus?

Yes. Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus is followed by Meet the Santas.

How long is Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus?

Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus runs about 1 hour and 36 minutes, and was released in 2004.

Is Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus a Christmas movie?

Yes. Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.

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