Genie

Play trailer

2:12

Genie

PG

2023

1h 32m

Holiday

Comedy

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

31%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

After millennia of being summoned to grant wishes of gold doubloons and hot babes for greedy men, Flora is accidentally called to service by Bernard Bottle (Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu; I May Destroy You), whose life is unraveling around him. Bernard's been so busy working that he has lost sight of his marriage to his wife Julie (Tony nominee Denée Benton; The Gilded Age) and the childhood of his young daughter, Eve (Jordyn Mcintosh; Emancipation). When Bernard misses Eve's birthday 12 days before Christmas because of work, Julie decides it's time for a trial separation. And then Bernard's tyrannical boss (Tony winner Alan Cumming; The Good Wife) fires him. Alone in his New York City apartment, a despondent Bernard dusts off a jewelry box he finds in their home and unintentionally releases the one entity who just might be able to help him get his family back. Maybe. Possibly. It's a longshot, frankly. But in the process, Flora and Bernard will discover that love, and an unexpected friendship, can unleash a special holiday magic all its own.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Melissa McCarthy is as hard-working as ever, but her efforts aren't enough to raise Genie past the realm of blandly predictable holiday fare.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

12/04/2023

2/5

Bland, predictable and seemingly chucked together with minimal effort at the last minute from the most basic ingredients.

Go to Full Review

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

12/01/2023

1/5

A film-maker whose movies pivot around acts of altruism has reached into the archives, gussied up a dead dog and flung it into the faces of viewers with something approaching contempt. So no, alas, not a Christmas classic.

Go to Full Review

Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph (UK)

12/01/2023

3/5

Genie is a sugar-only zone. But then, it is Christmas. Or near enough.

Go to Full Review

Steven Warner

In Review Online

12/25/2023

...there isn’t all that much to Genie, save for a lot of McCarthy mugging and some tired platitudes about how actions speak louder than wishes (or some such nonsense).

Go to Full Review

Matt Neal

ABC Radio (Australia)

12/21/2023

2/5

It's not bad enough to make you wish for your time back, but you won't be adding it to your list of favourite Christmas movies any time soon.

Go to Full Review

Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

12/12/2023

Those looking for some Christmas charm that’s not too challenging could do a whole lot worse than this.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Janet D

@DrJanet 1d

Boring and not funny. I gave up halfway through.

See more

Kait .

Nov 25

It’s a cute idea for a movie although it was kinda predictable

See more

Justin G

Sep 7

I have never written a film reviews, but I had to share my two cents about Genie. Honestly, I was skeptical going in — I hadn’t even heard of this movie until it popped up as a suggestion on Peacock. But once I saw Melissa McCarthy’s name attached, I figured I’d give it a shot. She hasn’t let me down yet. The movie itself is definitely on the cheesy side, but in the best possible way. It’s one of those wholesome, lighthearted stories that doesn’t try to be more than it is: a feel-good, family-oriented comedy with a sprinkle of magic. McCarthy brings her usual mix of chaotic energy and warmth, and even when the jokes are a little silly, she makes them land with charm. What surprised me most is how much I actually needed a movie like this. It’s clean, it’s funny, and it has that cozy holiday-season vibe — the kind of film you can watch with your family or just throw on when you need an easy, uplifting escape from everyday stress. So no, it’s not groundbreaking cinema. But if you’re in the mood for something fun, heartwarming, and a little silly, Genie is worth the watch. Sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of magic we need.

See more

Dominic K

Jul 5

I love MM but wow give me some insulin because this Christmas snack is pretty sugary, not to mention more unbelievable than it should have been; nobody really questions the existence of the Genie for long if at all.

See more

Chris M

May 25

The storyline is a bit on the week side and the actors sometimes seem like they're not quite comfortable in their roles. But I have to say that it's about time that someone went back to this feel-good type of movie. It's one to watch at Christmas time or when you need a push away from a scheptical world.

See more

Ziz D

Apr 5

I watched it with my family, and I have to say I am not impressed. It is very underwhelming, and I feel like they just failed at attempting humor for most parts. The music in the beginning doesn't match the theme, and the wife acts as if her husband is just her acquaintance. Overall, I think they could do much better.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Sam Boyd

Director

Melissa McCarthy

Flora

Paapa Essiedu

Bernard Bottle

Denée Benton

Julie Bottle

Marc Maron

Lenny

Jordyn McIntosh

Eve Bottle

Candy Cane Lane

45%

45%

Candy Cane Lane

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Candy Cane Lane

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

48%

37%

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

Nine Lives

14%

41%

Nine Lives

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Nine Lives

Saving Christmas

0%

30%

Saving Christmas

Watchlist

Godmothered

68%

57%

Godmothered

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Godmothered

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Genie: Trailer 1

2:12

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

After millennia of being summoned to grant wishes of gold doubloons and hot babes for greedy men, Flora is accidentally called to service by Bernard Bottle (Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu; I May Destroy You), whose life is unraveling around him. Bernard's been so busy working that he has lost sight of his marriage to his wife Julie (Tony nominee Denée Benton; The Gilded Age) and the childhood of his young daughter, Eve (Jordyn Mcintosh; Emancipation). When Bernard misses Eve's birthday 12 days before Christmas because of work, Julie decides it's time for a trial separation. And then Bernard's tyrannical boss (Tony winner Alan Cumming; The Good Wife) fires him. Alone in his New York City apartment, a despondent Bernard dusts off a jewelry box he finds in their home and unintentionally releases the one entity who just might be able to help him get his family back. Maybe. Possibly. It's a longshot, frankly. But in the process, Flora and Bernard will discover that love, and an unexpected friendship, can unleash a special holiday magic all its own.

Director: Sam Boyd
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Riva Marker, Richard Curtis
Screenwriter: Richard Curtis
Distributor: Peacock
Production Co: Working Title, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG (Suggestive References|Some Language)
Genre: Holiday, Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 22, 2023
Runtime: 1h 32m

Most Popular at Home Now