Likeable 6th grader Liam writes to Santa asking him to prove that he's real. But Liam is dyslexic and accidentally sends his letter to Satan instead, who shows up at Liam's house, excited to have his first fanboy letter and wanting a little of Liam's soul.
Where to Watch Dear Santa
- JkrilinDecember 22, 2024It's a movie with a super original premise, that can't be denied. Mixing the Christmas spirit with such a dark twist is risky, and although it has funny moments and some heart, it doesn't quite gel. There are parts that make you smile and others that make you raise an eyebrow because they simply feel too exaggerated or out of place. The story has good intentions and some interesting messages, but the execution feels somewhat rushed. That said, if you like different proposals, it can be an entertaining option for an afternoon without many expectations.
- Luke EricksonJune 17, 2026Typical Jack black character. It was a little slow but my kids and I laughed a few times.
- NiztradamusMarch 15, 2026That was completely underwhelming. It's a typical christmas kids story but with elements I wouldn't want my kids exposed to either, so this movie just falls apart. Too imature for adults but too mature for kids.
- Erik WellmannDecember 27, 2025Lame story, poor acting, not funny, nothing at all
- jackmeatDecember 25, 2025My quick rating - 5.4/10. Dear Santa starts with one of those concepts that immediately caught my attention. A well-meaning but naive sixth-grade student writes to Santa to show he exists, gets the address wrong due to dyslexia, and ends up summoning Satan instead. Even that, on its own, is a premise that feels like it’s crying out for either dark comedic gold or outright holiday horror mayhem. What it gets instead is something much more mundane, and, for the most part, squandered. Robert Timothy Smith plays the role of Liam, a genuinely pleasant and lovable kid whose innocence and awkwardness are some of the most well-meaning aspects of this movie. He has some good comedic timing that does not cross the line of becoming annoying, and it’s clear that he’s just starting to take Satan’s advice and cut loose, and these are some of the best parts of the movie. Jack Black, though, is the main attraction here. Casting him as Satan is a smart move, and unsurprisingly, he runs with it. His version of the Prince of Darkness is loud, theatrical, needy, and weirdly enthusiastic about finally having a fanboy. Black’s energy injects life into nearly every scene he’s in, and while his antics can’t fully rescue the movie from some questionable plot turns and a rather dreary backstory, they do keep it watchable. A surprise appearance from Ben Stiller as Lucifer is also a fun little bonus, even if it feels more like a novelty cameo than something integral to the story. Another wasted opportunity I saw was Keegan-Michael Key as the child psychologist, and probably the biggest letdown. He’s barely given anything funny or memorable to do, which is baffling considering how much comedic mileage could’ve been squeezed out of that role. Similarly, the Post Malone scene feels completely out of place, stopping the movie dead for a moment that adds little beyond celebrity recognition. The film also plays things very safe. Although IMDb has labeled it horror, there is not an ounce of horror anywhere in it. More macabre or dark notions are honed down in favor of a largely trendy, family-friendly approach, resulting in this movie being stuck in limbo, torn somewhere in between what it could have represented versus what it does. Rooted in an angle like this, going either fully darkly comedic or horror-oriented would have left it far more memorable. Kai Cech, playing Liam’s crush Emma, is sweet and innocent here, especially compared to the ass kicker we saw her play in Marshmallow. The ending, however, is a head-scratcher and ultimately drags the whole experience down a notch. I appreciated that Dear Santa offered something new and interesting, although it didn't quite seem to live up to its own potential. For most of its running time, I was sitting at either a 5 or 6, but that ending pushed it closer to 5. However, Jack Black is definitely worth at least a single viewing during the holidays if you haven't already seen it.
- lewism5December 22, 2025I'm a Jack Black fan so I might be biased but I enjoyed it. It was nice to see an original story for a Christmas film.
- GARY WRIGHTSeptember 5, 2025Very funny. Will be a classic
- Rob Logan | The Geek GenerationJanuary 14, 2025A lot of Jack Black being Jack Black, which isn't a bad thing. The lead kid actor's also pretty great. Story-wise, they introduce a major plotline out of nowhere halfway through the movie which was really shocking and ended up causing some tonal whiplash. Maybe the shock was the point, but it felt like something that could have added a lot of depth and motivation to the characters if it had been there from the beginning.
- BigDumbYakDecember 23, 2024It was kind of a Jack Black take on bedazzled, but not as good.
- CooknWithNapalmDecember 17, 2024I laughed and teared up several times. I doubted this movie but it couldn't get better. The other low reviews must be grinches.
- HakihikoDecember 16, 2024Simple Laughs for the Holiday Season "Dear Santa" is a straightforward holiday comedy that delivers a few good laughs but doesn't venture beyond being merely average. The story is predictable, and the characters lack depth, but it manages to charm with its simple humor and festive atmosphere. The movie's greatest strength lies in its ability to elicit laughter through lighthearted and occasionally silly moments. While it doesn't break new ground in the genre, it fulfills its purpose as an easygoing watch for the holiday season. If you're looking for a no-frills Christmas movie that provides some laughs without demanding too much attention, Dear Santa fits the bill. It's not memorable or groundbreaking, but it's sufficient for what it sets out to do.
- debster253December 13, 2024Won't be watching that again
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Dear Santa was released on November 25, 2024.
Dear Santa was directed by Bobby Farrelly.
Dear Santa has a runtime of 1h 47m.
Dear Santa was produced by Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, Jeremy Kramer.
Likeable 6th grader Liam writes to Santa asking him to prove that he's real. But Liam is dyslexic and accidentally sends his letter to Satan instead, who shows up at Liam's house, excited to have his first fanboy letter and wanting a little of Liam's soul.
The key characters in Dear Santa are Satan (Jack Black), Liam Turner (Robert Timothy Smith), Dr. Finkleman (Keegan-Michael Key).
Dear Santa is rated PG-13.
Dear Santa is a Comedy, Fantasy film.
Dear Santa has an audience rating of 3.9 out of 10.