Prancer

G

Released Nov 17, 1989

1 hr. 43 min.

Kids & Family

Holiday

Fantasy

List

67%

24 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, a child, Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harrell), discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods, which she believes to be Prancer. With the help of a sympathetic veterinarian (Abe Vigoda), Jessica takes care of the wounded creature. It's supposed to be a secret, but eventually a store Santa Claus (Michael Constantine), the girl's dad (Sam Elliott) and the entire town find out about Prancer, leading to big problems for Jessica and her family.

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Critics Consensus

Prancer's good-natured holiday cheer -- and a terrific performance from its young star -- are enough to make this yuletide adventure a moderately rewarding watch.

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Rick M

Not the best wrong or direction, but Jessica (Rebecca Harrell absolutely makes the film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/09/24

Full Review

Matthew B

A charming, timeless and simple Christmas story. Filled to the brim with thoughtfulness and reminders to care for those around you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

Full Review

Kai E

The ratings on here for this darling melancholiac tearjerker turned heartwarmer is true proof why people don't trust reviews anymore. This is a terrific holiday film that stays with you. The unusual tone, creative story and wonderful performance of the young girl played by Rebecca Harrell Tickell and a rarely sympathetic Sam Elliot—make this a best kept secret. Watch it. But don't expect a cutesy cardboard Christmas movie. It has a realistic, almost haunting feel that is probably the reason it never took off. But this is what makes it stand on its own—a rare gem.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

C B

A personal favorite. Family friendly down to the youngest twinkle - eyed toddler, this is one that keeps me coming back year after year. A genuine love for the season and her mother, the young lead famously carries this film on her shoulders.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/23

Full Review

Abc C

My favorite movie ever <3

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/27/23

Full Review

christopher c. m

This just didn't work for me, maybe as a 30 minute TV special but as feature film running 103 minutes means a lot of needless padding and melodrama. Plus, the reason she comes to the conclusion it's Prancer specifically is because the Prancer street decoration fell from a street light. It takes the bulk of the movie to find out if she's right or crazy. I know they were going for a reindeer version of "Miracle on 34th Street", but it doesn't work as this has none of the charm, whimsy or likable characters. Jessica is such a whiny brat that I wouldn't care if she was hauled off to the loony bin.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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John D. Hancock

Director

Sam Elliott

John Riggs

Rebecca Harrell Tickell

Jessica Riggs

Cloris Leachman

Mrs. McFarland

Rutanya Alda

Jessica's Aunt Sarah

John Duda

Steve Riggs

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Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

A hodgepodge of Heidi and Meet Me in St. Louis.

Rated: 2/4

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

This is a tale about faith and love, but it's also a story of coldness and death. Prancer, you might say, puts the winter solstice back in Christmas/

Rated: 4/5

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Harrell carries the film with an impressive performance for a child whose only previous experience was as a singing litterbug in a school play.

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Scenes with Prancer himself are more realistic than might be expected of a relatively low-budget 1980s film, and a touching relationship develops between the reindeer and young Jessica.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 7, 2022

Full Review

Roger Hurlburt

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

While charming in conception and beautifully photographed in the dead of a Midwestern winter, Prancer is marred by a principal role.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

Ralph Novak

People Magazine

It's a tribute to veteran TV writer Greg Taylor's script and, especially, to the acting of 9-year-old Ms. Harrell that the movie remains engaging and palatably sweet.

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

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Synopsis

Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, a child, Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harrell), discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods, which she believes to be Prancer. With the help of a sympathetic veterinarian (Abe Vigoda), Jessica takes care of the wounded creature. It's supposed to be a secret, but eventually a store Santa Claus (Michael Constantine), the girl's dad (Sam Elliott) and the entire town find out about Prancer, leading to big problems for Jessica and her family.

Director: John D. Hancock
Screenwriter: Greg Taylor
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Raffaella Productions, Nelson Entertainment, Cineplex-Odeon Films
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.1M
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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