I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (2001) Poster

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6/10
Film suffers because the leads are 20 years too old for the parts
Christmas-Reviewer3 October 2016
Listen I like Connie Sellecca and Corbin Bernsen. They are good actors but they are both around 50 playing parents to a 7 year old.

This film however also suffers from steeling a few things from "Home Alone" and failing to execute even a minor chuckle from obvious set- ups.

In this film Young Justin Carver (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) is having Thanksgiving dinner with his family, only for it to end with the news that his best friend Bobby's (Hannelius) bickering parents are finally deciding to divorce. When he overhears his own parents, Stephanie and David Carver (Sellecca and Bernsen) having a heated argument, Justin retreats to his bedroom. A few minutes later, Justin peeks downstairs, only to see his mother Stephanie locked in a warm, romantic embrace with none other than Santa Claus (actually his father in a Santa suit). He takes a photo, shows it to Bobby the next day, and then sends it to Mrs. Claus. Fooled by Bobby's own situation with his parents, Justin jumps to the conclusion that his mother is having an affair with Santa. So he decides to behave as badly as possible in an attempt to prevent Santa from coming to his house on Christmas Eve night for him to make off with the Justin's mother. The resulting hi-jinks include Justin setting traps and throwing snowballs at a street Santa, and even getting himself in trouble at school. Then, on Christmas Eve, Justin's mother receives a letter from the post office. Inside was the photo which didn't actually get sent. In the end, Justin finds out that Santa was actually his father and apologizes to the street Santa.

This film might entertain young kids but parents will hate this. It also seems mean to show that Santa can put married people back together if that is child;s Christmas wish.

If you want to watch this and you are over 12 you will be bored!
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4/10
Mediocre but will pass the time on a wintry evening
cosmic_quest11 November 2005
This made-for-TV film centres around a little boy Justin who witnesses his father, clad in a Santa Claus suit, kissing his mother. Fuelled by his best friend's worries over his recently separated parents, Justin jumps to the conclusion that his mother is having an affair with Santa. So, Justin decides to behave as badly as possible in an attempt to prevent Santa coming to his house on Christmas Eve night lest he make off with the boy's mother.

Dylan and Cole Sprouse, the child actors who share the role of Justin, are wooden on occasion but deliver a passable performance. This is a rather predictable, mediocre film and will hardly be a contender for any awards but it's enjoyable enough to pass time on a quiet December evening. I wouldn't really recommend this film for very young children though as they might be confused with why Justin is beating up Santa!
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6/10
" I tried to tell you when you were on the phone with Santa!"
karkalch22 December 2005
E For Effort . I thought the Director forgot it was just a movie and was trying to make you think they thought it was real. The way they tied up the loose ends was too much. Before that, going over and over the premise with the kid and Santa was boring. It would have bored one kid actor to pieces. Good thing they had two to work with. The worst part was that the parents were just too clueless. Even the Grandfather was. They were smart enough to make up their tedious side of the story but: try to really understand the kid's problems! Sure that was the point of the movie, a misunderstanding, but it went to far too many times. Anyways, it's just another Modern Christmas Story. Anything beats the old cartoons. Happy Holidays From MICHIGAN.
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1/10
This is all you need to know about this movie.
davidsonmatthewj10 December 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ofUZAE_SQ Watch this.

This is what really happened when "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."It sums it up in about 3 minutes and is absolutely hilarious. Skip the movie and watch this instead.

Instead of a heart warming tale told best by ABC Family, we get the real account of a little boy who wanders downstairs Christmas Eve and finds his mother and Santa Claus. The little boy decides to run upstairs and tell Dad and then things go down hill from there. Honestly watch this, it is great. Not to mention it saves you about 2 hours that you would spend watching this poor excuse of a film.

If you're reading reviews for made for TV Christmas movies, then you have time to copy and paste this link...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ofUZAE_SQ Watch this.
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3/10
A movie for young kids
hfritz119 November 2005
Yes, it contains elements of themes seen in other movies, but it is a movie for kids with a "feel good" ending. And kids up to age 9 will enjoy it. Parents that are seeking to fine a way to introduce their kids to the concept that the parents are the Santa's will find this movie helpful in setting the scene for their own kids. Some lessons need to be learned and difficult subjects (like divorce) are also tackled. Those familiar with the "Home Alone" series will see elements of a brilliant kid doing similar things, only this time Dad is the victim. And in the end, the movie gives the real Santa one more year of fulfilling the wishes of the kids. Young parents and grandparents ought to rate this movie highly.
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1/10
Terrible acting mixed with clichéd plot = I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
BoredLikeWood20 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The acting of this movie is some of the worst I have seen in recent memory. It was obvious to me that it was rushed out the door to join the rest of the Christmas garbage. Nothing any character says is believable and their facial reactions are so laughably bad that my entire family was making fun of it to keep from falling asleep. I just can't see what even a small child would see in this movie. It's like the poor man's Home Alone (which some ideas were stolen from and not done well). Those ideas are rakes in the yard that fake Santa walks into among other terrible clichéd ideas everyone has seen a hundred times (except better). They even have the boy get a fake Santa excited at working inside at the mall, fired, who then breaks his arm chasing the boy and ends up going door to door for charity money. Is that supposed to be funny? No? Then what is it in there for? The entire plot line can be summarized in two sentences. Little boy sees Mommy kissing daddy in Santa suit and is bad to keep Santa away for Christmas. He finds out it was his dad and makes peace with Santa. Don't bother with this one. Watch Home Alone instead, even if it's for the hundredth time.
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7/10
Flawed, but not that bad
Ismaninb19 December 2009
This movie does not deserve a 2.4. There were a few nice little jokes, the childish imagination is better reflected than in many other comedies with children involved. Sure there are flaws. The acting of the adults was none too convincing and the story dragged now and then. There were several filler scenes. The main trump of I saw Mommy is not mentioned yet. It's the Sprouse twins. Their acting is awesome. Unlike the typical American adultlike youngsters squirting one wisecrack after another their character really is a child. Justin acts like a child, reacts like child and thinks like a child. His facial expressions are great. So I suspect that many critics here simply prefer children behaving like little adults in movies. I don't.
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Ben from Friends takes on Santa!
adamjohns-4257529 October 2020
I should have known when I saw that this film had the youthful Sprouse brothers in it that it would probably not be one for me. It is very childish and silly. As with other films, I tried to get through it in the hopes that the message at the end might be sweet and heart-warming, but it was just not my cup of tea.

I was never going to enjoy a film about a kid who starts pulling pranks to get Santa's attention, but I tried it just in case.

Unrated as unfinished.
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1/10
Horror
sensmanson25 December 2010
Awful! Not funny at all! I don't know how to start... this is not a family movie and obviously not an educational one. The kid is a human misery! The poor old man dressed like Santa is beaten on the street, fired from the mall and all because of this trash. Even when the kid finds out that Santa is innocent, he doesn't felt sorry at all for the old men who is now a beggar on the Christmas day. Another thing: stupid little kid could kill his father when he plants a lot of traps in the front-yard. If your kid watches this movie will become a defiant idiot one. One more thing: why the real Santa Claus bought the Titanium present?? The disgusting kid was naughty all the time... what will the other kids learn from that??
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6/10
Christmas for children
nicole_ward13 December 2011
So this film is not the best film in the world. So what! It's meant to be a Christmas film, aimed at kids for them to enjoy .. and it is. Yes, it could have been made so much better, but it's good enough for the children.

I do think that parents will enjoy it watching it with their children. However, if you don't have children to watch it with then you are probably best finding another to watch. I watched it without children, and I enjoyed it but I can see why others wouldn't. It put me in the Christmas mood and that is all I care about!

It is probably one of those films where you either love it, or hate it. Definitely put it on for you children! If you are willing to give it a go, then I would recommend you do.
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2/10
A sombre warning about the dangers of Santa kinks
benjaminweber11 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
As mentioned in the plot summary of this movie, the basic premise is that a young boy sees his mother kissing his dad, who happens to be dressed as Santa at the time. What it doesn't mention is that this is in November, and that throughout the movie the mother seems to have a thing for Santa, with the dad sending his flowers from 'Santa', and her addressing him as Santa over the phone. It is in fact this prolonged behaviour that causes the boy to become worried. He even discusses with his friend at one point about why the mother would be attracted to Santa. Is it okay to have kinks and fetishes? Yes it is. Is it okay to write a children's film with the kink serving as a central plot point? No! The rest of the movie is also odd and somewhat off-putting, especially the boy's attempts to keep Santa away by misbehaving. This leads to entertaining scenes such as him putting a dead fish in the Christmas grab-bag, or lynching a model Santa from a tree. It funny because a little girl cries over Santa's apparent suicide, get it? The movie also seems me to hate American culture, by showing scenes where the adults make the two main children sit down for a Christian prayer, then unironically have one of the adults say she is thankful for an upcoming divorce. This is instantly resolved in the final scene, where the two seem to be in love again and have decide to have a couple of counselling sessions instead. This doesn't even seem to be done ironically as a social critique, it's hastily thrown in at the start, used to motivate some tension for the main story-line, then forgotten until the end. It actually feels clumsier than the famous 'breast cancer' subplot of The Room, at least that was only forced into a scene once.

Overall, do not show your child this movie. If you are searching for a family film about a small child pranking adults, there are many out there, and many better than this steamer.
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10/10
In one word: Great!
MuttleyNL24 November 2001
It is indeed a basic storyline. You know... everything seems to go wrong, but on the end => Everybody Happy!

I basicly bought it 'cause of the Sprouse Twins. I liked their playing in "Big Daddy" so i figured this ought to be laughing too!

Justin (Dylon & Cole Sprouse) is an angel, atleast he acts like one. His best friend is the opposite. The parents of his best friends are planning to divorce.

One night Justin hears his parents having a fight. Some moment later he sees his mommy kissing Santa Claus - not knowing that it is actually his dad trying to make up. Because of this he is goint to act very badly. He trows snowballs to the Santa Claus at the mall... Several times he does bad stuff to the same Santa... This leads to hillarius situations... those appear multiple times until the ending of the movie... it is a MUSTHAVE ;-)
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3/10
Little boy vs Santa.
michaelRokeefe22 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This film isn't even worth the flimsiest of wrapping paper. Young Justin Carver(Cole & Dylan Sprouse)happens to see his beautiful mother(Connie Sellecca)kissing Santa Claus; not knowing it is really his father. Justin has heard so many stories about divorce from his friends, that he fears his mother is having an affair that might lead to divorce. Justin wanting to keep his family intact...declares war against Santa.

This movie becomes a poor man's HOME ALONE, with Justin putting jolly old St. Nick through hell and high water; determined to keep him away from his mother. This flick is just not funny at all. To be exact, is pretty lame even for a made-for-TV project. Also in the list of players: Corbin Bersen, Sonny Carl Floyd, Jeff Olson, Eric Jacobs and Tony Larimer.
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10/10
Excellent family movie
chastityetheridge7 August 2006
My family and I watched this movie around Christmas and we loved it. I recorded it on my dvr and my kids would watch it everyday. They liked it more than I did. This cute little movie is a great family movie especially if you do have small children. Three of my children still believe in Santa and the movie didn't put any doubt into their little minds whether he exists or not. It lets the children know that it's okay for mom and dad to have their fun at the holidays too and know it won't corrupt their kids mind about Santa. I think it's great that kids believe in Santa even if they are 8 yrs old. It's a great holiday movie to spend any evening with your family. I will make sure it is on our list of movies to watch every Christmas.
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10/10
Terrific, well-acted film
onlyjunkmail24 February 2003
A terrific movie with a fun and fresh plot and wonderful acting! A little boy sneaks downstairs at Christmas time and see Mommy kissing Santa Claus - literally! Not knowing it's his Daddy, he misbehaves and the rest is a series of funny scenes and a cool ending.
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very good
babyz68 December 2001
I saw this film yesterday and i thought it was very sweet and funny it cheered me up and i love that little boy from big daddy he's very sweet its good for all ages i'm 14 and i loved it. the boy (Justin) is trying to keep Santa away from his mum he almost kills him its a very good film.
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9/10
So much hate for so such a warm movie
StevePulaski11 December 2010
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus has been my favorite Christmas movie since the fateful year of 2005 when I first saw it on the PAX Network. Before going to ION, PAX would show movies I believe every Friday night and during the month of December, obviously they would show Christmas films every Friday. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus was one of the movies and tuning into it about fifteen minutes late, I still enjoyed it and it never gets old.

The film may be panned by audiences who call it "cliche", and I don't recall it ever going to theaters in it's release year 2001. I taped it off of TV in 2006, and finally bought a DVD in 2008. Ever since 2005 it has become a ritual that I watch this film at least once in the month of December to not only to commemorate the holidays, but as well as my childhood. Some films can't go one year with out a watch, and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is one of them. Whenever I pop this in the player, or watch it on ABC's 25 Days of Christmas I get a flashback to when I first watched it and even memories of my first Christmas. The four stars not only goes to the film, but it's ability to send me back to the past...

The plot: an eight year old boy named Justin (played by both Cole and Dylan Sprouse, respectively) feels bad for his friend Bobby who's parents are constantly arguing and fighting. The parents announce at the Thanksgiving dinner they will be getting divorce. Justin sneaks out of bed to find his parents arguing with his dad leaving and fears the same events will happen to him. He sees Santa (his father) come in the door and kiss his mother. Justin snaps a picture and now he has the best evidence any eight year old can have.

Justin talks it over with his friend Bobby who says if he behaves badly, Santa won't come to his house and stay away from his mom. The father then goes away on business so the kid can't tell his father about his evidence. The whole film is Justin trying to kick down every mall, Salvation Army, and school Santa there is to prevent him from going near his mother. As well as establishing cleverly inventive traps.

The traps resemble Home Alone to an extent, but they keep them minimal so it's not like a flat out copy. One of my favorite scenes is the chase between the mall Santa and Justin. Somehow I wanted to reenact that scene in real life when I was little - that never worked out too well.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is more than meets the eye. Don't think because it's not as famous as Scrooge, It's a Wonderful Life, and Charlie Brown that it's not as good. To me, it's my favorite Christmas film and one of the few reasons I look forward to the Holiday season. Movies have come a long way, and for this to be one of the few bright sides about the Holidays is a very unusual thing. Nothing but smiles, memories, and laughs when I turn this gem on.

Starring: Connie Sellecca, Corbin Bernsen, and Cole and Dylan Sprouse. Directed by: John Shepphird.
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9/10
So Funny!
Kali19129 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I love Dylan and Cole Sprouse. They are so adorable in this movie. It was pretty funny to watch! In the movie, Justin, played by Dylan and Cole, finds his mother kissing Santa Claus. And as told by his friend, Bobby, he must be EXTRA bad that way Santa wont come and have his parents get a divorce. So Justin plans all these plots in order to stop Santa. Along the way, he finds a man in a Santa Claus suit, thinking its Santa, and warns him to keep away. And everywhere that man goes, he ends up seeing Justin around, too. I loved this movie as a Christmas movie, and i was glad it was something different to see. The twins played an excellent role!
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9/10
Had the potential to out "Home Alone" the original "Home Alone"
StorieLuver7 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I totally LOVE the plot concept for this movie: little boy spies on his mother kissing "Santa" (in reality his costumed father), so he starts a "Home Alone"-style prank war to prevent the jolly big guy from visiting his house on Christmas Eve and threatening his parents' marriage. As a story, I actually like it BETTER than "Home Alone" because it seems like a situation that could actually happen in reality and the boy's pranks are toned-down enough that a real child could probably pull them off. My one complaint (and hence the 9 stars instead of 10) is that this script, with so much potential, was only given the straight-to-television, B-list actor treatment. If this had just been done with a bigger-name cast and given the full big theater-release treatment, it could've ended up on the same mainstream "Christmas classics" list as "A Christmas Story," "Elf," and even possibly replaced "Home Alone." I feel sorry for the writer of this little gem that their script wasn't picked up by a big-time movie company and given the proper production the story deserved.
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10/10
Great Christmas Movie for the Whole Family
erconcordschoolbundoora18 November 2022
When he overhears his own parents, Stephanie and David Carver (Sellecca and Bernsen) having a heated argument, Justin retreats to his bedroom. A few minutes later, Justin peeks downstairs, only to see his mother Stephanie locked in a warm, romantic embrace with none other than Santa Claus

Over the Course of the Movie Justin Decides to Behave badly to prevent Santa from coming to his house on Christmas Eve by setting traps and even getting himself in trouble at school

The real Santa Visits The House Later that Night and leaves Justin the Major Titanium Space Commando Outfit he wanted so Much.
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8/10
Decently Lame
Zoooma1 June 2014
It's tough watching a Christmas movie, or any movie, when the child actor(s) are worse at acting than a fence post. Dylan & Cole Sprouse are horrible! This Made-for-TV movie has a terrible rating on IMDb but it doesn't necessarily deserve it. It's decent enough for Christmastime but the acting isn't the best and the dialogue is just stupid. Bernsen and Selleca are professional TV actors but outside of that we're not left with much. Oh well. At least the scenery is GORGEOUS! I can always appreciate something filmed in my former home state of Utah.

5.7 / 10 stars

--Zoooma, a Kat Pirate Screener
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enjoyable
Kirpianuscus23 December 2016
far to be a good film, it is a smart use of very simple idea. jealousy of a boy, who discover in Santa the great enemy, the moments of revenge and the mix of fondness and smile, the dialogues with his friend and the proportion of the imagined disaster, the last part and the expected gift with the logical source . this is all.details who could does it a kind of Christmas classic because it has the few clues who are useful for be the favorite for public of genre. nothing special. but enjoyable.a kind of version for Home Alone moments, different perspective about a magic moment from childhood and the splendid happy end. so, what expect more ?
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