Ernest Saves Christmas

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Ernest Saves Christmas

PG

Released Nov 11, 1988

1h 26m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

40%

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15 Reviews

43%

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25,000+ Ratings

Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) is looking for his successor, and hapless taxi driver Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) is just the man to help him out. Traveling to Florida to pass his mantle on to children's show host Joe Carruthers (Oliver Clark), Santa gets into unexpected trouble, and it's up to Ernest, along with a teen girl named Harmony (Noelle Parker), to assist Saint Nick with his important mission, or the future of Christmas could be in jeopardy.

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Only marginally insufferable, the Ernest movie is...a big-screen example of the TV-sitcom tendency to go broad and sappy with a token Yuletide show each December.

Nov 29, 2018

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a predictably larger-than-life (and relentlessly silly) endeavor that just squeaks by on charm and earnestness...

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 26, 2024

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Steve Crum

Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

Typical yet frequently goofy fun Ernest flick.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 25, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Oct 16, 2005

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 2/5

May 19, 2005

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Luke Y. Thompson

New Times

A Christmas classic. Jim Varney is sorely missed in my heart.

Rated: 5/5

May 22, 2004

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Randy O

Ernest Saves Christmas is an enchanting, funny, and optimistic movie. It makes me feel good every year when I watch it. Ernest breaks the fourth wall with his best friend Verne, who represents the audience and shows that Ernest is self-critical of his behavior. This means the character Ernest is in complete control of how annoying, outlandish, and random his acting seems. Everything Ernest does is done to make us laugh. Ernest also does something seldom seen in movies: he delivers a comedic soliloquy. So just relax and prepare to laugh as Ernest saves Christmas.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/09/25

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Audience Member

My of the childhood favorites of Jim. A very special Christmas movie with comedy, hopes and anything is possible.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/20/24

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Julian S

Much like Chevy Chase’s VACATION series shines as a holiday staple, ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS perfects the festive formula with Jim Varney’s infectious energy and a generous dose of clever humor for all ages.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/06/24

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Micah P

A Christmas Classic!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

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Koi P

Silly laughs with nostalgic heart.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

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Heather C

Jim Varney’s absolute best movie. This movie deserves so much more recognition and love. It’s truly family friendly, it has an independent film feel I suspect because of its smaller budget, and because of that it feels so sincere. Every actor gives their all. The writing is superb. So many funny parts, along with Christmas spirit. Give it a try with an open heart, you’ll be surprised.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

Full Review

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John R. Cherry III

Director

Jim Varney

Ernest P. Worrel

Douglas Seale

Santa Claus, aka 'Seth Applegate'

Oliver Clark

Joe Curruthers

Noelle Parker

Harmony Star, aka 'Pamela Trenton'

Robert Lesser

Martin 'Marty' Brock, Joe's agent

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Synopsis

Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) is looking for his successor, and hapless taxi driver Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) is just the man to help him out. Traveling to Florida to pass his mantle on to children's show host Joe Carruthers (Oliver Clark), Santa gets into unexpected trouble, and it's up to Ernest, along with a teen girl named Harmony (Noelle Parker), to assist Saint Nick with his important mission, or the future of Christmas could be in jeopardy.

Director: John R. Cherry III
Producer: Doug Claybourne, Stacy Williams
Screenwriter: B. Kline, Ed Turner
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $28.1M
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Surround

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