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Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd, Erik Per Sullivan, Cheech Marin ... see more see more... , Jake Busey , M. Emmet Walsh , Elizabeth Franz , Kevin Chamberlain , Tom Poston , René Lavan , Austin Pendleton , Caroline Rhea , Patrick Breen , Felicity Huffman , Arden Myrin , John Short , Julie Gonzalo , Bonita Friedericy , David Hornsby , David L. Lander , Mark Christopher Lawrence , J.P. Romano , Vernee Watson-Johnson , Doug Cox , Joe Guzaldo , Jan Hoag , Kim Rhodes , Dawn Didawick , Matt Walsh , Patrick O'Connor , Taylor Block , Paul Taylor , Julia Roth , Lyndon Smith , Ryan Pfening , Andrew Daly , Cary Thompson , Eryn Nicole Gonsalves , Chelsea Broussard , Rachel L. Smith , Eric Per Sullivan , Billy Asher , Raymond Braun , Julie Gonzola

Based on John Grisham's novel Skipping Christmas, Christmas With the Kranks revolves around Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Luther Krank's (Tim Allen) decision to put their normally fanatical enthusiasm f... read more read more...or the holidays aside for a tropical cruise. With their daughter in Peru with the Peace Corps, the Kranks believe it just isn't worth it; thus, no presents, Christmas trees, or decorations of any kind will adorn their house to the great consternation of their neighbor Vic (Dan Aykroyd). Just as it looks like Christmas will be successfully skipped, Blair (Julie Gonzalo) throws a major kink into her plans when she suddenly has a change of heart and announces she'll be coming home for Christmas after all. The film ran into troubles early on in production when Ben Affleck's similar sounding bomb Surviving Christmas won the race to the theaters, forcing the filmmakers to depart from the book title in favor of the catchy Kranks one. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Flixster Users

45% liked it

92,393 ratings

Critics

5% liked it

132 critics

PG, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Joe Roth

Release Date: November 24, 2004

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DVD Release Date: November 8, 2005

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Stats: 3,253 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,253)

  • SirPant
    December 12, 2011
    SirPant
    I liked the premise of this film, I think it had huge potential, albeit for an alternative Christmas film. It soon got silly and far-fetched though and gets everything wrong. I expect nothing more from Tim Allen - who actually looks bored throughout, but Jamie Lee Curtis really d... read moreoesn't do herself any favours with this, the worst performance of her career (although she still has a great rack - thank God she got them out, maybe that was only reason she was cast!?). It actually took away all the Christmas spirit I had in me and made me want to pull down the tree I'd just put up. It actually highlights all that is wrong with Christmas (and dare I say it, America) and confuses community with conformity. I guess we're all going to hell then. Was this really written by John Grisham?
  • DreamExtractor
    August 15, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    A terrible christmas film and really boring.
  • coollala0910
    December 21, 2010
    coollala0910
    Christmas Movie Review Mania
    Episode #14: Christmas With the Kranks

    Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis' "Christmas With the Kranks" is indeed cliched and predictable. I'm going to tell you the truth...I LIKE THIS MOVIE. You'll probably never hear me say that again to a movie that... read more has 5% on the Tomatometer.

    Luther and Laura Krank don't know how to spend Christmas with their daughter, Blair, out of the country. Luther insists Laura that they take a vaction on a 10-day cruise across the Carribean. There's just one thing they have to do...SKIP CHRISTMAS. However when the neighbor's hear of the Krank's plan, they strongly urge them to get back in the Yuletide mood. But they better be quick because Blair is unexpectedly coming home for Christmas with her fiance!

    I like this movie because it is funny. Tim Allen can really pull off a Christmas movie. Take the "Santa Clause" movies for an example. Jamie Lee Curtis is also very wackey and hilarious. Dan Ackroyd is funny in the film as well. There are a few children in the film that are poor actors but who cares about them? I DON'T!

    "Christmas With the Kranks" is either a like-it or hate-it. But from my perspective, I like it. I always watch this one during Christmas.

    "But its not even Saturday night."
  • kiriyamakazou
    December 12, 2010
    kiriyamakazou
    This film had a strange effect on me. It was so excruciatingly bad that I turned into an absolute Grinch. Allen was so out of time with his comedic quips, that I had to replay his dialogue in my mind to be sure it was supposed to be a joke. The film has typical holiday mishaps. N... read moreone of these amount to any classic moments. The first half misses out on doing some excellent parody, as the neighbours increase their creepiness. This would have been a great time to send-up some of the horror greats. Unfortunately, as much effort is put into this film, as the Kranks put into Christmas themselves. It's also hard to feel anything for characters used to giving $600 a year to charities. They are obviously financially well-off, so skipping Christmas doesn't seem like much of a sacrifice. The odd part comes at the very end. A moment of pure Christmas bliss, which is so touching my heart grew three times larger. It made me wonder if the film was supposed to be this bad, for the impact of these last scenes. The genuine concern and sorrow as Allen hears about his neighbour unable to walk across the street is rather moving. This film needed more moments such as this, rather than focusing on the mishaps of putting up decorations, and shopping around this time of year. Been there, done that.
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 23, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    C-
  • 3niR
    March 18, 2010
    3niR
    This wasn't funny. Only the botox part was a bit of laugh. But other than that this movie was watchable.
  • fb733768972
    January 13, 2010
    fb733768972
    One of the worst christmas movies I've ever seen!
  • ScoopOnline
    December 9, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    A bunch of Comedians with a Bunch of Troubles coming together in Christmas. This is a good lols flick.
  • SarahG1988
    December 22, 2008
    SarahG1988
    Director:Joe Roth
    Released: 2004
    Stars: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee-Curtis and Dan Aykroyd
    Genre: Comedy
    Country: USA

    When Luther and Nora Krank's only daughter leaves and goes to another country they both decide to skip Christmas this year a... read morend spend it on a cruise. Now they must survive, facing their neighbors, a house decorations contest and carolers. But when their daughter calls on Christmas eve and says shes coming home for Christmas, the Kranks really get into the meaning of Holiday Rush when they have 12 hours to get Christmas set up for their daughter and her fiancée.

    I only really sat and watched this because it was on TV and because it's christmas after all. With hundreds of films on I couldn't really care less about the quality of the film around this holiday season, as long as I am enjoying what I've seeing-even if the story is pretty predicatble. Despite the blow par plot and several rushed scenes I did sit and enjoy this one.

    You'd think that having a screenplay written by the great crime writer, John Grisham, would make the director keep to the script. Well not exactly. It seems like it's been written with the assumption that every audience member has read the book, which was something I noticed. For examples he characters aren't developed and scenes seem to move on very quickly.

    Having said all that the film still maintains that christmas feeling that just keep you watching. For instance characters expressing their love for christmas clearly is something that will speak to audiences and keep them watching. You feeling what the character feels is something that I think is the heart of this christmas film. Considering it wasn't that great of a film, which is something!

    The film contains a pretty good cast. with the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis, Tim-I've been in way too many christmas films Allen, Dan Akroyd and M.Emmet Walsh. The cast I think is another thing that will keep ou watching. Like I said before, dring the christmas season, I will pretty much any christmas related film that's on the televison-regardless of quality. I'm sure you are the same.

    Overall, not the greatest of films but will keep you watching if you watch it during the Christmas season and no other time in the year. Look out for a scene in a tanning parlour, which I must admit I did laugh at.

    5/10
  • matertenebraum
    December 21, 2008
    matertenebraum
    I saw the film Christmas with the Kranks for the first time in theatres. I now own it. I really liked it, Based on John Grisham´s "Skipping Christmas", I´d prefer the book but the movie it´s great too, It was a light, funny, laid back movie. I don't know why so many people disli... read moreked it. I think that you have to have a certain sense of humour to think it was funny. I thought the plot was very entertaining and yes heartwarming. What's wrong with a heartwarming film about spreading Christmas joy. Why is it so unrealistic? Is it really impossible anymore for people to be nice to one another? To be thoughtful. I think this film portrays the values of enjoying the little things and simple things in life and perhaps this is why people automatically think this movie is clumsy because they don't enjoy and embrace the little things and therefore they are quick to say these certain situations are unrealistic. All films are a little unrealistic. So what. Like ?Lord of the Rings? is realistic? come on folks. lighten up.

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Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones
January 6, 2007
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

In any normal year this dire comedy would be the undisputed lump of coal in our psychic stocking, but coming on the heels of Surviving Christmas, it's a close second. Full Review

Richard Roeper
November 30, 2004
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

I'm making my list of the worst movies of the year and I'm checking it twice, and I hope to find room for this frantically unfunny disaster. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
November 27, 2004
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Purports to kindle the warm glow of love for humankind in our hearts but actually reaffirms that the trappings of the holiday season are all that really matter. Full Review

Susan Walker
November 27, 2004
Susan Walker, Toronto Star

Hollywood's version of the annual Hallmark Ho-ho-ho card. It's made to order: just slot in the perennial Mr. Santa Claus himself, Tim Allen, and stir. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
November 24, 2004
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Stinks like the unrefrigerated ham its studio sent me as a promotion several months ago. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
November 24, 2004
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

A leaden whimsy so heavy it threatens to crash through the multiplex floor. Full Review

Claudia Puig
November 24, 2004
Claudia Puig, USA Today

One of the worst Christmas movies in years. Full Review

Carla Meyer
November 24, 2004
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle

Filled with overly processed situations it tries to sell with manic energy, Kranks is canned, hammy and rolling as fast as it can. Full Review

Joe Baltake
November 24, 2004
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

This one is a veritable celebration of intolerance, disguised as a joyous holiday film. Full Review

Steven Rea
November 24, 2004
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Avoid this lump o' coal.

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Christmas with the Kranks Trivia

  • Name The Movie Using The Missing Words; ____ Lion King ____ On Elm Street The Land ____ Time ____ With The Kranks  Answer »
  • Which two christmas movies feature tim allen?  Answer »
  • Jamie Lee Curtin and Tim Allen cause uproar when they give the christmas festivities a miss this year. Name the movie?  Answer »
  • Who Plays "Luther" In Christmas With The Kranks?   Answer »
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