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What's After the Movie?
Fantasy comedy

The Claus Family (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Claus Family (2021) movie poster

The Claus Family is a 2021 fantasy comedy directed by Matthias Temmermans, starring Mo Bakker as Jules Claus, Jan Decleir and Pommelien Thijs. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $847,236 worldwide. IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
worldwide gross
$847.2K
Echo Score
54
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The Claus Family (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Genres
Fantasy , Comedy , Family
Original language
Dutch
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Claus Family About?

The premise of The Claus Family without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When Jules discovers his grandfather is the real Santa Claus, he’s forced to confront his own skepticism and embrace the magic of Christmas. Joining forces with the legendary toymaker, Jules must overcome his doubts and help Santa ensure presents are delivered to children worldwide. Together, they face unexpected challenges and work to preserve the spirit of the holidays.

The Claus Family Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • christmas
  • santa claus
  • holiday
  • children
  • family relationships
  • work
  • father
  • biscuit
  • factory
  • grandfather
  • character name as title
  • snow
+2 more
  • toy
  • exploration
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Cast & crew

The Claus Family Cast & Characters

Mo Bakker leads the cast as Jules Claus, with Jan Decleir as Noël Claus and Pommelien Thijs as Ella. Directed by Matthias Temmermans; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Claus Family

· 6 more
From the director

More from Matthias Temmermans

More films directed by Matthias Temmermans: Mia and Me: The Hero of Centopia, H.I.T. - De Romeo’s, Mega Mindy: Reis in de Tijd and K3: The Cat Prince.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Claus Family Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Claus Family 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 54/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (40).

54 /100

The Claus Family Echo Score Breakdown

The Claus Family presents a mixed reception, with its holiday charm offset by noticeable shortcomings in narrative depth and production quality. While the visual palette and soundtrack earn modest praise, the film's pacing, originality, and character work draw consistent criticism. Audience reactions range from affectionate family enjoyment to remarks of blandness and low-budget execution. Consequently, the movie offers a modestly enjoyable seasonal experience but lacks the cohesion and originality to stand out.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film displays a pleasantly crisp aesthetic, with certain scenes highlighted by attractive set pieces and a clear color palette. However, critics note a pervasive low‑budget feel, with occasional static composition and editing that contributes to a sluggish rhythm. While the production design occasionally charms, the overall art execution remains uneven, resulting in a modest visual impression.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotional depth, performances are generally serviceable but lack distinction. Reviewers point out that lead actors convey limited nuance, with some voices appearing expressionless after dubbing, and iconic figures such as Santa failing to meet audience expectations. Though the narrative includes a heartfelt message for children, the overall emotional resonance remains muted, yielding a modest character impression.

  • Story & Flow 40

    Regarding story and flow, the plot is perceived as formulaic and predictable, relying on familiar holiday tropes without offering fresh twists. Critics highlight a sluggish pacing that can hinder engagement, and several reviewers note a lack of originality, with some accusing the film of borrowing its title. While the central moral is clear, the overall narrative cohesion feels thin, leading to a lukewarm story rating.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In the sensory domain, the film’s soundtrack receives notable commendation, with the score praised for its warm, whimsical tone reminiscent of classic holiday scores. Visuals are described as pleasant and occasionally striking, benefiting from appealing set locations. Nevertheless, technical flaws such as unsynced lip movements and occasional low‑budget sound mixing detract slightly. Overall, the sensory experience is modestly engaging, anchoring the film’s holiday atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch potential, the movie’s straightforward, heartwarming premise makes it an easy choice for casual family viewings, and several viewers cite nostalgic appeal. However, the predictable plot and limited depth reduce its incentive for multiple viewings, with some audiences labeling it forgettable. Consequently, while it serves as a pleasant seasonal option, its lasting replay value remains moderate.

Plot

The Claus Family Plot Summary

What happens in The Claus Family from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Suzanne relocates to Belgium with her two children, Jules and Noor, as she secures employment at a local biscuit factory. During her shifts, her father-in-law, Noël Claus, takes on the role of caretaker for the kids. One day, Jules stumbles upon a magical snow globe among his grandfather’s belongings, which grants him the ability to travel anywhere in the world. To his surprise, he discovers that his grandfather is none other than the real Santa Claus, who operates a secret workshop in the North Pole with the assistance of elves.

Full summary

The whole story of The Claus Family, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Claus Family Box Office

The Claus Family grossed $847,236 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$847.2K

International
$847.2K
Videos

The Claus Family Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Claus Family.

The Claus Family | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Claus Family?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Where does Suzanne and her family move to?

Cars

Cars in The Claus Family

7 cars on screen, including the 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 and the Ford F-Series.

All 7 cars
  • 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 in The Claus Family 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role
  • Ford F-Series in The Claus Family Ford F-Series Minor role
  • 1986 Ford Taurus in The Claus Family 1986 Ford Taurus Minor role
  • Harley-Davidson Custom Chopper in The Claus Family Harley-Davidson Custom Chopper Minor role
Details

The Claus Family Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “คริสต์มาสตระกูลคลอส” and “La Famille Claus”.

Also known as
  • คริสต์มาสตระกูลคลอส
  • La Famille Claus
  • La Familia Claus
  • 클라우스 패밀리
  • A Família Noel
  • La famiglia Claus
  • Сім’я Клаусів
  • Die Familie Claus
  • 圣诞家族
  • Rodzina Clausów
  • Claus Ailesi
  • Clausovi
+7 more
  • Familjen Claus
  • משפחת קלאוס
  • Οικογένεια Κλάους
  • おじいちゃんはサンタクロース
  • Obitelj Claus
  • Familien Claus
  • Mikulás család

Seen The Claus Family?

FAQ

The Claus Family FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Claus Family, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Claus Family?

The Claus Family runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was The Claus Family released?

The Claus Family was released on November 1, 2021.

Who directed The Claus Family?

The Claus Family was directed by Matthias Temmermans.

More films by Matthias Temmermans

Who is in the cast of The Claus Family?

The Claus Family stars Mo Bakker as Jules Claus, Jan Decleir as Noël Claus and Pommelien Thijs as Ella, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Claus Family make at the box office?

The Claus Family grossed $847,236 worldwide.

How is The Claus Family rated?

The Claus Family has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 60% on TMDB and 2.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Claus Family have a post-credit scene?

No. The Claus Family has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Claus Family in?

The original language of The Claus Family is Dutch.

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