Christmas with the Kranks

Name: Christmas with the Kranks
Genre: Comedy, Family
Released: November 24, 2004
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 22
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Tim Allen

2004

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 174 Ratings

See All

7.6

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 174 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Christmas With The Kranks

Now Playing: Christmas With The Kranks

Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: November 24, 2004 | PG

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Tim Allen

Summary: Based on John Grisham's best-selling novel Skipping Christmas, this comedy stars Tim Allen as Luther Krank, a man who decides to skip Christmas and all the surrounding trappings and go on a vacation with his wife Nora (Curtis) instead. But when his daughter decides, at the last minute, to come home for the holidays, he is forced to putBased on John Grisham's best-selling novel Skipping Christmas, this comedy stars Tim Allen as Luther Krank, a man who decides to skip Christmas and all the surrounding trappings and go on a vacation with his wife Nora (Curtis) instead. But when his daughter decides, at the last minute, to come home for the holidays, he is forced to put christmas back together. (Sony)… Expand

Director: Joe Roth

Genre(s): Comedy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 99 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Scott Foundas

Ultimately something of a softball satire, its climactic evocation of the "true meaning" of the holidays is surprisingly touching. Read full review

Kirk Honeycutt

A Christmas comedy where laughs and even Christmas joy are in short supply. Read full review

Connie Ogle

They pull it off, but even if you believe in Santa, you'll never believe that this is any sort of holiday classic. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

It's hard to discern exactly whom this holiday tripe is for. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

A loud, coarse and witless family comedy. Read full review

Rick Groen

Ho, ho, horrible. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Egregiously mediocre and flagrantly ill-conceived in every department, this is, truly, the cinematic equivalent of finding a single solitary Saltine in your stocking and a pair of old tube socks beneath the tree. Humbug! Read full review

SEE ALL 33 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Zilcell

Nov 28, 2011

I thought that this was really funny. There were a lot of funny moments in it, such as the part with the holiday ham. To me, it is an unforgetably funny Christmas movie.

8 of 9 users found this helpful81

MonkiReviews

May 28, 2017

I actually thought it was a great Christmas story. I thought it was very funny, with jokes every couple minutes. I find it hard to believe some of these things would happen though. It was very enjoyable anyways.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TheQuietGamer

Dec 25, 2015

As far as Christmas comedies the Kranks leave us a little disappointed. It's a perfectly acceptable watch, but when so many of it's jokes land with a thud it's not hard to notice the better alternatives out there. Some more laughs would have gone a long way to give it the extra neededAs far as Christmas comedies the Kranks leave us a little disappointed. It's a perfectly acceptable watch, but when so many of it's jokes land with a thud it's not hard to notice the better alternatives out there. Some more laughs would have gone a long way to give it the extra needed Christmas magic.

For starters the biggest problem is Tim Allen himself. He's just not playing a likable character. His crotchety demeanor gives a sour tone to the film. Perhaps that was intentional, but it does nothing to bolster the laughs or plot so I don't see the point. The rest of the cast is talented and fairly amusing. It's just a shame they aren't given some genuinely good comedic gags.

Long story short if you enjoyed Tim Allen as Santa and are hoping he will deliver more holiday entertainment then you'll be left wanting. It's missing the charm and sweetness of that movie. That's not to say this movie is all "Bah humbug!" In fact near the end it throws out some of the old Christmas spirit by dishing out some of what the holiday is actually about. It's not a real heart-warmer, but it's enough to let you know that this movie's heart isn't made of ice.

As far as the actual humor goes it could have been a lot funnier. So much of it seems subdued. Things only really start to pick up in the final third of the film. As things get crazier for the characters it gets more amusing. Up until then we are left with a few noteworthy gags scattered around. It makes the movie feels longer than it actually is.

It's slow paced with it's laughs and ultimately I was left wanting more. Yet, this is far from the most offensive movie to watch during the Christmas season. In fact I wouldn't really say it's bad. A perfectly acceptable if not completely worthwhile holiday flick to catch on TV while you're wrapping presents or something. It's watchable and has some good bits, but it's not one I'd gather the gather the family around the TV to watch on Christmas Eve.

I give my stay with the Kranks this Christmas a 6.6/10… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

[Anonymous]

Dec 5, 2005

2 points for one genuinley funny moment that last two seconds. The rest is utter poop.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Spriggangirl

Nov 8, 2005

There's nothing funny about Christmas with the Jerks. It's plain too boring.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ScottC

Feb 12, 2010

This movie was a worthless piece of sh*t.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

heyitsmegrif4

Dec 21, 2011

Stupid, silly and not funny. Great cast that have no chemistry together and it is easily one of the most uncreative experiences I have faced. I give this movie 2%.

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

SEE ALL 26 REVIEWS

59	#59 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
82	#82 Most Shared Movie of 2004