The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)

The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two earns its milk and cookies by leaning into what made the first film sparkle: Kurt Russell’s Santa, still equal parts swagger and sincerity, now joined more fully by Goldie Hawn’s radiant Mrs. Claus, giving the whole adventure a warmer, more lived-in glow. Director Chris Columbus turns the North Pole into a playful, storybook world with just enough mythology and mischief to feel fresh, while keeping the tone light, funny, and safely PG for family viewing. Beneath the sleigh-bells-and-chase-scenes surface, it’s also gently tuned to that very real holiday feeling of change—new family dynamics, old memories, and the hope that Christmas can stitch things back together. If you’re craving a cozy, high-energy seasonal romp rather than a subtle indie holiday drama, this one delivers the kind of cheerful spectacle that’s easy to watch with everyone on the couch.

The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two is clearly aiming for a bigger, louder holiday adventure, piling on North Pole lore, a revenge-driven villain, and a “save Christmas” quest that keeps the kids in constant motion. The problem is it often feels like a busy sequel trying to out-spectacle the first film, with cluttered action, lots of elf antics, and a story that’s more stuffed than satisfying. Kurt Russell still brings charm and a wink of rock-star Santa energy (and Goldie Hawn is a warm upgrade to the ensemble), but the movie’s “magic” can feel manufactured when the plot won’t slow down and let moments land. If you want a simple, cozy Christmas movie with heart and originality, this may wear you out; if your family likes high-energy fantasy chaos and doesn’t mind a thin story, it’ll do the job.