Santa Claws: A Complete Filmography

I can't stop myself. Here's a filmography for all the Santa Claws films, the chilling chronicle of Weresanta, the werewolf who only comes out on Christmas Eve and even then only if there's a full moon. They were all directed by the same man, that veteran shock-schlock director Victor Cancini, except for number four, which was directed by Gene Kaplan as Cancini was busy due to scheduling conflicts filming Hot Tub Murders 4. Cancini has personally called Santa Claws IV his favourite, but most independent observers agree he is lying.

Santa Claws (1986)
The movie that started it all. Santa is bitten by a werewolf on Christmas Eve and terrorizes the helpless Pound family. The Pound children, Brian, age 11, and Brittney, age 7, are rescued by their oldest brother, US Marine Jacob Pound. They kill Weresanta by loading the air gun Brian was to receive for Christmas with the solid silver star from atop the tree. They should have known of course, you can't kill Santa Claus.

Santa Claws II (1987)
Little, spoiled Bridgette Fitz-Hughes, asks her parents for a pony for Christmas. The pony would not be the only animal under her tree. Was poorly received by the direct to Beta market. The common complaint is that there is too much Santa and not enough Weresanta and that the movie is too much a tirade on the over-commercialization of Christmas and not enough a bloody werewolf movie.

Santa Claws III (1990)
Delayed after the poor response to number two, Santa Claws III sees a return to form and the introduction of the now famous flying Werereindeer. The story centres around young, disillusioned Jack McPluck (played by a young Leonardo di Caprio) who works as an elf in the mall's Santa display. He befriends an old out of work Santa who is, of course, none other than Weresanta and Jack must spend a harrowing night in the South Anaheim Mall fighting for his life against both Weresanta and his ferocious pack of werereindeer. The movie ends with Weresanta riding his sleigh into the night.

Santa Claws IV (1991)
Sees the return of Jack McPluck (played by different actor) one year later as he travels North searching for Weresanta. Largely set in Santa's workshop, long time fans called this particular werewolf story the hardest to believe and implausible addition to the series. Sees the introduction of Mrs. Wereclaus, and (unfortunately) the only ever instance of the were-elves.

Santa Claws V (1993)
Brings back the characters of Brian and Brittney Pound who have aged significantly in the seven real years between movies. Brittney is now 18, and spends much of her screen time topless. Brian sells insurance. Both have converted to Judaism after their traumatic Christmas experiences and have gathered to spend a quiet Hanukkah together. The only problem is this year, Hanukkah and Christmas fall on the same day, and Weresanta doesn't discriminate creed. The highlight of the movie is when a topless Brittney uses the menorah to set Weresanta on fire.

Santa Claws VI(1995)
Generally considered the turning point in the franchise. Santa and Mrs. Claus are in New York City and while visiting a young boy in the hospital, hit in the spinal chord by a stray bullet from a gang fight, he asks Santa if for Christmas, there can be no more gangs in his neighbourhood. Santa agrees, and come Christmas Eve he and Mrs. Wereclaus wipe out the gangs with their fangs. Many fans were confused and even angered to see Weresanta as a protagonist. The only Santa Claws in which Wereclaus actually saves Christmas.

Santa Claws VII (1996)
Santa Claus finds himself transported back in time by gamma rays or whatever. He arrives in a medieval Bavarian town that is ruled by a cruel burghermeister. Weresanta does battle with him on Christmas Eve and in the morning when Santa presents his ravaged body to the townspeople, the Christmas tradition of gift giving is born. The only Santa Claws in which Weresanta actually invents Christmas. Cancini had his named removed from the project, and almost every one involved considers the events in the movie to be strictly non-canon.

Santa Claws VIII (2000)
Wereclaws returns after a lengthy absence from the screen, only to find himself being hunted by Government agents on Christmas Eve. Can the hunted become the hunter? The scene in which the werereindeer attack a government helicopter surely deserves a place in B-Movie history. Currently the final installment in the Santa Claws series, though there are always rumours that Cancini is trying to revive his baby.