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Scrooged

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2:26

Scrooged

PG-13

Released Nov 23, 1988

1h 41m

Holiday

Comedy

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In this modern take on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life, Claire Phillips (Karen Allen). But after firing a staff member, Eliot Loudermilk (Bobcat Goldthwait), on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.

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Critics Consensus

Scrooged gets by with Bill Murray and a dash of holiday spirit, although it's hampered by a markedly conflicted tone and an undercurrent of mean-spiritedness.

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

It's not a bad notion for a satiric comedy and this one begins well, but then veers entirely out of hand until it's as over-inflated as its own Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come and as funny as a mugging.

Nov 19, 2019

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

On balance... Bill Murray's lazy humor carries the movie up until his genuinely sweet relationship with an old girlfriend.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 19, 2019

Full Review

Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Despite the juicy, on-the-edge craziness, Murray is able to layer his outrageous histrionics with an inner sensibility, making his ultimate transformation not only believable but Christmas-cheer uplifting.

Apr 7, 2015

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

If you're feeling a need for something more cynical this holiday season it's a great choice

Dec 7, 2024

Full Review

Kristy Strouse

Film Inquiry

Despite Murray's impeccable portrayal of sneering meanness, the film masterfully strikes a careful balance between heartfelt moments and hilarity.

Jan 12, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It’s the sort of picture where it’s easy to understand the POV of both its fans and its detractors, and I myself have over the decades gone from believing it was slightly underrated to now believing it to be slightly overrated.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 12, 2023

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Kevin P

A very funny and sharp Christmas satire of late-80's TV consumerism and yuppie culture. It’s a fun self-aware twist on the classic Christmas Carol formula that’s elevated by Billy Murray and the rest of the cast’s great comedic timing and just the sheer insanity of everything that plays out in this version of Scrooge’s yuletide redemption. Bill Murray’s character is such an asshole in the best way possible and always keeps me guessing with what kind of horrible sh*t he’s going to say next. The reimagining of the ghosts of Christmas are all pretty creative and are very satisfying to watch them literally knock some sense into Scrooge. Karen Allen is very lovable and charming as Scrooge’s long-lost love, even if she arguably should’ve had a sharper tongue whenever she witnesses Scrooge’s crueler acts towards his coworkers and even her own coworkers. The ending is admittedly a little bizarre even for this story, but it’s still pretty entertaining and heartfelt by the end. Definitely an underrated cult classic for both Bill Murray and Christmas fans alike.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Farah R

Bill Murray’s overacting ruins this ‘modern’ retelling of Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic. Scrooged has enough charm to spread Christmas cheer, but it bites off more than it can chew and verges on annoying by the end.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

Full Review

Audience Member

My favorite Christmas movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

Full Review

Susannah H

I’ve never noticed before how non existent Bill Murray’s acting skill are. He was incapable of wearing anything other than a mildly amused expression, even when sadness, madness or any other emotion was needed. The script it weak and it’s just generally a waste of time! Or maybe it’s just this film, he did it because he needed the money and thought it was terrible too so didn’t put any effort in!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

Full Review

Jonathan O

Dark, funny, kind and different version of The Christmas Carol. Bill Murray is terrific and hilarious and the make-up effects looks splendid and Danny Elfman score is spectacular it really feels like Tim Burton's vision of Scrooged.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

Full Review

Joe F

Really disappointing, unfunny take on Scrooge with Bill Murray screaming and overdoing it throughout. Should have been better. Too forced.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/26/24

Full Review

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Richard Donner

Director

Bill Murray

Francis Xavier Cross

Karen Allen

Claire Phillips

John Forsythe

Lew Hayward

John Glover

Bryce Cummings

Bobcat Goldthwait

Eliot Loudermilk

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Scrooged: Official Clip - Marketing With Terror

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Scrooged: Official Clip - Five Pounds of Veal

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Scrooged: Official Clip - A Visit from Lew

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Scrooged: Official Clip - The Truth is Painful

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Scrooged: Official Clip - Death in an Elevator

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Scrooged: Official Clip - A Christmas Miracle

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Scrooged: Official Clip - I Have to Kill All of You

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Scrooged: Official Clip - Towels for Christmas

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Synopsis

In this modern take on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life, Claire Phillips (Karen Allen). But after firing a staff member, Eliot Loudermilk (Bobcat Goldthwait), on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.

Director: Richard Donner
Producer: Richard Donner, Art Linson
Screenwriter: Mitch Glazer, Michael O'Donoghue
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Holiday, Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 23, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $58.2M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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