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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Released Jun 1, 1964

53m

Animation

Kids & Family

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Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

This stop-motion animagic version of the classic Christmas tale adds a bit of a twist when Rudolph encounters an abominable snowman.

Critics Consensus

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a yule-tide gem that bursts with eye-popping iconography, a spirited soundtrack, and a heart-warming celebration of difference.

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Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

In some sense one might think of it as the mother recipe of the American Christmas special.

Dec 14, 2018

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Time Out Staff

Time Out

This classic tale is still beloved today, as its feel-good story about the most famous reindeer of all wins every kid (and, fine, adult) over.

Nov 27, 2018

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AV Club Staff

AV Club

Rudolph would be nothing without its colorful cast of supporting characters-none of which Marks apparently felt worthy of inclusion in his original song.

Nov 21, 2018

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Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer might not be the best holiday special, but why it has become iconic is rather clear.

Rated: B

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Ryan Voyles

Paste Magazine

Rudolph set the template for dozens of specials to come, from the theme of acceptance to celebrity narrators and original songs, but few ever matched the captivating high of the godfather of Christmas specials.

Dec 4, 2018

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Ethan Lewis

Den of Geek

The characters in this Christmas special really make it... Rudolph and Hermey are wonderful examples of lovable misfits. And the wonderful thing about this special is that neither of these characters changes to fit their surroundings.

Nov 27, 2018

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Aria R

Good Christmas movie though the adult characters are not good role models.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

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David F

What can be said about this movie: it’s a classic with memorable stop motion toy animation, great hummable songs, and an upbeat story about the way a perceived deformity can turn out to be a positive thing of beauty. Santa, misfit toys, reindeer, this film has it all.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/24

Full Review

Audience Member

60 years later and the late Arthur Rankin & late Jules Bass hasn’t lost any of their novelty When it comes to holiday specials and stop motion they are the best This one centers on the most popular reindeer based on the hit song Rudolph is a newborn fawn to Donner, one of Santa’s many reindeer The biggest thing about him is he has a red shiny nose but it makes him an outcast Rudolph desperately wants to belong and make Santa Claus proud Along his journey he comes across a friendly elf Hermey who doesn’t want to make toys but be a dentist, a terrifying abominable snowman, a lion king on the Island of Misfit Toys, and a human explorer Yukon Cornelius Rudolph unknowingly might be the only one who can save Christmas The shirt says a lot about non-conformity, being a misfit, it’s okay to be independent, and celebrating our differences Even an oddball can still fit in anywhere It’s easy to see why this became a classic special for generations but also setting the template for others

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

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Sedale S

Literally just 90% of the time everyone is giving Rudolph a hard time for no reason, so crazy this is a children's Christmas classic haha.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/24

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Audience Member

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a classic Christmas movie that will never get old for me. I love the early stop motion animation and all the musical numbers. I try to watch this movie every time during Christmas

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

Full Review

Leticia q

Rudolph the 🔴👃 reindeer

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/24

Full Review

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Maury Laws

Director

Larry Roemer

Director

Burl Ives

Sam the Snowman

Larry D. Mann

Yukon Cornelius

Billie Mae Richards

Rudolph

Paul Soles

Hermey

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Synopsis

This stop-motion animagic version of the classic Christmas tale adds a bit of a twist when Rudolph encounters an abominable snowman.

Director: Maury Laws, Larry Roemer
Producer: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
Screenwriter: Romeo Muller
Genre: Animation, Kids & Family
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 1, 1964, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Oct 17, 2000
Runtime: 53m