The Christmas Chronicles

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The Christmas Chronicles

TV-PG

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1h 44m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

Fantasy

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

67%

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61 Reviews

76%

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1,000+ Ratings

Siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce hatch a scheme to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. When the plan goes awry, the kids join forces with a somewhat jolly Saint Nick and his loyal elves to save the holiday before it's too late.

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Critics Consensus

Viewers seeking a fresh holiday viewing option -- or those simply in the mood for Santa Kurt Russell -- should find The Christmas Chronicles well worth a yuletide stream.

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Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

In the end, the film succumbs to the tropes and emotional contrivances of the family melodrama at its core, ending up as a serviceable yet mostly forgettable addition to the already overstuffed genre of holiday-themed films.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 5, 2019

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Charles Bramesco

AV Club

The film doesn't know how to get out of its own way and foreground what's working, namely the dynamo of screen presence placed more prominently in the advertising than the feature itself.

Rated: C+

Nov 5, 2019

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Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

The film's no great shakes, but Russell's star power in "The Christmas Chronicles" is a gift anyone should be happy to claim.

Dec 18, 2018

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Dallas King

Flick Feast

With a plot as old as the jokes you find in a Christmas cracker... The Christmas Chronicles, would find itself firmly on the naughty list.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 10, 2022

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Russell plays Santa with absolute integrity, which in this context means he plays Santa as Kurt Russell playing Santa, which is the only reason most people of legal age would want to watch this.

Rated: C

Aug 24, 2022

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

A fun, spry holiday movie that should fit nicely onto your Christmastime watchlist.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 19, 2022

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Greyson P

Best movie i really liked it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/17/24

Full Review

Karah C

The best family Christmas movie! My boys love it. Lots of life lessons to learn, like losing loved ones, depression, sibling relationships, believing in yourself, believing in something greater than yourself and the world, being respectful, treating others with kindness, etc etc!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

Full Review

David N

The best ever Christmas movie.It is enjoyable even without being a Christmas movie the part where Santa is in jail is one of the most entertaining scene I have ever seen if it’s Christmas watch it now

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/24

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Jeremy A

Great family christmas movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

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Idan Charles L

An fine Christmas movie for da kids

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

Forged S

Next up on my list, The Christmas Chronicles. Whew, okay... I know these are supposed to be "quick reviews, " but, man, do I have a lot to say about this movie. My favorite part of any movie or show growing up was the mystery, magic and intrigue I felt experiencing it for the first time. Magic I haven't felt in a long time. Thankfully, this movie brings it in spades. It's Santa's ever-positive attitude and his ability to know exactly what to say to whomever he encounters that lends itself so perfectly to the Santa Claus mythos and lore. Plus, Kurt Russell's take as Santa is so pitch perfect here, I'm not even sure if I can think of a better portrayal. But any lead's only as good as their supporting cast, so how'd they do? Perfect. Honestly, they carried the movie for me and I felt emotionally invested in their story from the beginning. However, this movie isn't perfect. There were a few moments that felt so out of place, it took me out of the movie entirely. For example, there was a song number by Russell's Claus. While, I understand why the scene exists and it definitely felt like a Hocus Pocus call back, in ernest, I feel the same message could've been given in a different, maybe better, but equally intriguing way. There was also a scene involving a group of monsters/gangsters that felt so stereotypical and cliché I had to check out for a sec, or at least until the scene ended. Again, I understand the message (an homage to A Christmas Carol and the Ghost of Christmas' yet to come) but it has been done better in so many other movies. Besides that, this movie was heartwarming and filled with the GENUINE Christmas spirit. I highly recommend if you're looking for something a little more wholesome to watch with the family.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

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Clay Kaytis

Director

Kurt Russell

Santa Claus

Darby Camp

Kate Pierce

Judah Lewis

Teddy Pierce

Kimberly Williams-Paisley

Claire Pierce

Oliver Hudson

Doug Pierce

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The Christmas Chronicles: Movie Clip - Kate and Teddy Catch Santa

2:04

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The Christmas Chronicles: Trailer 1

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The Christmas Chronicles: Teaser Trailer 1

1:38

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Synopsis

Siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce hatch a scheme to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. When the plan goes awry, the kids join forces with a somewhat jolly Saint Nick and his loyal elves to save the holiday before it's too late.

Director: Clay Kaytis
Producer: Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, David Guggenheim, Adam Kolbrenner, Mark Radcliffe
Screenwriter: Matt Lieberman
Production Co: Cinesite Animation, 1492 Pictures, Ocean Blue Entertainment, Madhouse Entertainment
Rating: TV-PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 22, 2018
Runtime: 1h 44m

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