The Night My Dad Saved Christmas

The Night My Dad Saved Christmas (La Navidad en sus manos) is a 2023 Spanish-Mexican Christmas comedy film directed by Joaquín Mazón from a screenplay by Francisco Arnal and Daniel Monedero which stars Santiago Segura and Ernesto Sevilla.

Plot
Before Christmas, Father Christmas is injured in an accident in Madrid, and his hospital roommate, Salva, steps in to replace Santa so he can save Christmas Day and get his family back.

Production
A Spanish-Mexican co-production, the film was produced by La Navidad en sus manos AIE, Nadie es perfecto, Esto también pasará Producciones and Bowfinger International Pictures alongside SDB Films. It had the association of BTF Media, AF Films and Mogambo, the participation of RTVE, Movistar Plus+, and Crea SGR, and backing from Ayuntamiento de Madrid, the Madrid regional administration, and ICAA.

Release
The film was programmed to have its world premiere in the 'Miniminci' section of the 68th Valladolid International Film Festival. Distributed by A Contracorriente Films, it was released theatrically in Spain on 1 December 2023.

Reception
Enid Román Almansa of Cinemanía rated the film 2½ out of 5 stars, writing in the verdict that the statement "Santiago Segura is Father Christmas" speaks for itself.

Pablo Vázquez of Fotogramas rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, highlighting the honesty that Segura and Sevilla demonstrate at approaching their roles as a positive point, while negatively citing the film's limited appeal to an adult audience.