When the usual mall Santa is injured, a grizzled ex-cop with a troubled past is coerced into taking his place. He soon finds himself in a dangerous situation when he uncovers a plot to rob the very mall he's working at, and must put his law enforcement skills to use to protect the holiday spirit and the shoppers within.

Defending Santa received generally lukewarm to negative reviews, often criticized for its predictable plot and uneven tone. While some appreciated its attempt at a holiday-themed action-comedy, many found it to be a forgettable entry in the genre.

• A low-budget holiday film that tries to blend action with festive cheer.
• Lacks the charm and wit expected from a Christmas movie.
• Features a cast that seems somewhat out of place in the material.

Google audience: Audience reception for Defending Santa is sparse, with available comments often noting it as a less-than-memorable holiday viewing experience.

The film was released direct-to-video in many regions, bypassing a theatrical release.