The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Scott Calvin has embraced his role as Santa Claus and is now happily married to Carol Newman. They are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child, marking a new chapter in their lives filled with joy and excitement.

To celebrate the festive season, Scott invites his in-laws, Sylvia and Bud Newman, along with his ex-wife Laura, her husband Neil, and their daughter Lucy, for a holiday reunion. The atmosphere is filled with warmth and anticipation as they come together for Christmas.

Scott is summoned to a secret meeting of the Council of Legendary Figures, which includes iconic characters like Mother Nature and the Easter Bunny. They convene to discuss the troublesome antics of Jack Frost, who feels unappreciated in the holiday lineup.

During the council meeting, Jack Frost persuades them to give him community service at the North Pole as a punishment for his mischief. He begins his work under the guise of a Canadian toymaker, unbeknownst to Scott's family.

Frost tricks Curtis, the Head Elf, into revealing the Escape Clause. This clause gives Scott the power to erase his identity as Santa and revert to his former self, a secret that Frost plans to exploit for his own gain.

Lucy, Scott's granddaughter, accidentally uncovers Frost's malicious scheme. She finds herself trapped while her parents fall victim to Frost’s magical chaos, highlighting the serious danger posed by Jack Frost's intentions.

In a dramatic turn of events, Scott is inadvertently pushed to activate the Escape Clause, whisking him back to 1994. He relives the moment he took over as Santa after an accident, confronting his past choices.

Upon returning to the present, Scott is shocked to find a world where he has neglected his family in favor of work. His marriage is strained, and Carol has vanished, leading him to confront the consequences of his choices.

Realizing the depth of his family's pain, Scott sets out to find Lucy and Neil at the North Pole's commercial attraction. He witnesses the distorted essence of Christmas, pushing him to reclaim the true spirit of the holiday.

Scott learns from Neil that his obsession with work strained their family dynamics, ultimately leading to the dissolution of Neil and Laura's marriage. This confession deepens Scott's resolve to mend the familial bonds he once overlooked.

Using a clever plan, Scott enlists Lucy's help to reclaim the magical snow globe from Frost. Although they manage to temporarily obtain it, Frost's cunning ultimately thwarts their efforts, intensifying the stakes.

Scott cleverly employs a recorded message of Frost expressing regret for his actions, activating the Escape Clause once more. This pivotal moment sends both Frost and Scott back to the moment Scott first donned the Santa suit.

In a twist of fate, Scott ensures that he wears Santa's coat again, setting the timeline back to its rightful course. This move restores harmony and integrity to the essence of Christmas, allowing Scott to learn from his past.

Confronted by authorities, Frost begins to reflect on his actions and is met with support from Lucy. In a heartwarming moment, she inspires him to embrace the spirit of Christmas, leading to his transformation.

As the Christmas mission commences, a joyous twist occurs when Carol goes into labor, leading to the birth of their child, Buddy Claus. This event symbolizes the culmination of Scott's journey and the renewal of family togetherness.