Prancer

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Prancer

G

Released Nov 17, 1989

1h 43m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

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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Martin F. Kohn

Detroit Free Press

While Prancer comes across as E.T. with antlers, its performances are good and its atmosphere authentic.

Rated: 6/10

Dec 13, 2024

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Michael H. Price

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

The picture has enough good-heartedness to work despite the simplistic conceits of Greg Taylor's screenplay.

Rated: 4/10

Dec 13, 2024

Full Review

Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

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

Rated: 2/4

Dec 14, 2014

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Joanna Connors

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Though the film doesn't inspire awe visually, it does offer a heartwarming, unabashedly family-oriented story.

Dec 13, 2024

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Steve Warren

Bay Area Reporter

Not exactly rapid-fire to begin with, Prancer slows to a crawl toward the end. Maurice Jarre's syrupy score, suggesting a majesty not present in the visuals, drags it down further.

Dec 13, 2024

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

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Amanda B

Loved this movie as a kid!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/26/24

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Juliet W

I adored this movie, I can't believe I had not seen it before. The little actress that plays Jessica is absolutely darling. I think it's a wonderful holiday movie and a timeless story. And, Sam Elliot...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

Full Review

Jay W

"Prancer" was a film my 3rd grade teacher put on for the class before Christmas Break. We were only able to get through the first 20 minutes of the movie, and we didn't ever finish the film. It says something, that 25 years later, I was still curious enough to see how the film ended. It was by no means a pressing concern, but it was satisfactory to finally finish it. This film is sort of like "Miracle on 34th Street", but instead of proving that it's Santa, it's about proving the reindeer is Prancer. Combine that with Cloris Leachman playing the old man Marley from Home Alone type character. Speaking of, this film has a crazy cast. There are 2 Oscar Nominees and an Oscar Winner in the cast. Something interesting about the film is the dynamic they demonstrate between the mother, father and aunt. The father, played by Sam Elliot, is seen as very cold and terse with his daughter, Jessica. The aunt, on the other hand, shows nothing but kindness to Jessica. But throughout the film, Jessica is adamant that she wants to live with her dad and not her aunt. I actually give this film a lot of credit for not villainizing the aunt. For the most part this is a film without a villain, and I don't think it needs one. The movie is very sweet, but sometimes too cheesy even for me. The acting, even by the kids, is great. Some of the "kid logic" of the movie is frustrating, but without it I guess the story wouldn't have happened. Now I want 7 movie sequels following adventures of the other reindeer. Come on Hallmark, you got nothing better to do.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/21/24

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Koi P

Innocence and Christmas magic.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

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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

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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

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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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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
Producer: Raffaella De Laurentiis
Screenwriter: Greg Taylor
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Cineplex-Odeon Films, Raffaella Productions, Nelson Entertainment
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
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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