In The Santa Clause, Scott Calvin becomes Santa Claus after Santa falls from his roof.
Scott discovers Santa’s body and finds instructions in a suit pocket. The magical terms of the Santa Clause require the person who puts on the suit to assume Santa’s role. Scott initially treats the event as impossible, but physical changes and the arrival of Christmas responsibilities gradually convince him.
The transformation is the film’s main source of comedy and conflict. Scott must balance his new identity with his work, his changing body, and his relationship with his son Charlie. His former wife and her partner struggle to accept what Charlie believes he has seen.
Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, while David Krumholtz plays Bernard, an elf who explains the rules. John Pasquin directed the 1994 film. It became the first entry in a series that later included The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.