Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus
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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.
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
You’ve seen this pairing before: Crystal Bernard and Steve Guttenberg have made 2 Hallmark movies together.
Behind the camera
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Directed by
Written by
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.
Time & season3
Characters7
Romance5
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.
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.
- Weirdest Hallmark MoviesScores 8/10 on our weirdness scale — comfortably in the strange end.
- Craziest Hallmark MoviesWild enough in premise to make the all-time list.
- Best Hallmark Christmas MoviesIt is, of course, a Christmas movie.
- Weirdest Hallmark Christmas MoviesA Christmas movie strange enough to make the weird list.
- Hallmark Supernatural MoviesHas a supernatural element.
- Hallmark Wedding MoviesWedding bells are involved.
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
LeadAdvertising Executive
CynicalOverworkedProtectiveLogicalNicholas (Nick)
Love interestHeir to Santa Claus
Romantic interest and future husband
WhimsicalKindHonestMagicalJake Sawtelle
SupportingStudent
Son
HopefulAthletically challengedObservantErnest
SupportingSanta's Advisor
Mentor/Advisor to Nick
StuffyTraditionalPragmaticAndrew West
SupportingAd 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 YouTube TV, UP Faith & Family Apple TV Channel, and UP Faith & Family Amazon Channel . 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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