Trapped in Paradise

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Trapped in Paradise

PG-13

Released Dec 2, 1994

1h 52m

Holiday

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

10%

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20 Reviews

42%

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10,000+ Ratings

Fresh out of prison, Alvin (Dana Carvey) and Dave Firpo (Jon Lovitz) pull their brother Bill (Nicolas Cage) back into a life of crime. But the siblings' foolproof bank heist takes a tailspin when Alvin gets lost in the getaway car. That's how the criminal nitwits wind up trapped in the snowbound burg of Paradise, Pa., on Christmas Eve with a bag full of stolen cash. With suspicious police on one side and hospitable townsfolk on the other, could a change of heart be far away?

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Critics Consensus

Loaded with talent but borderline unwatchable, Trapped in Paradise will leave viewers feeling the first part of the title and pining for the last.

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Todd McCarthy

Variety

Has enough in the way of sentiment and goofy situational predicaments to put it over as a serviceable family holiday attraction.

Sep 16, 2008

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Even the weather seems tailored to the script's shifting needs.

Sep 16, 2008

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Wally Hammond

Time Out

Cage looks cold most of the time, and has retractable stubble. The rest of the cast look like they're waiting for summer.

Jun 24, 2006

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a just-barely watchable endeavor that receives plenty of mileage out of the charming efforts of its various performers...

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 11, 2022

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TV Guide

This silly action comedy mixes brilliant production design -- it looks like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life -- and cloying sentimentality to no good effect.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 16, 2008

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 31, 2005

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Phil S

Written and directed by a cat who used a human director as a stand-in, as evidenced by the scene where Nicholas Cage sees $275,000 and proceeds to cough up a hairball, this movie contains all observation of human behavior and dialect and maimed dogs one would expect from feline cinema. Watch for the Hitchcockian cameo in the mother's apartment early in the film. And if you keep telling yourself this, and picture a housecat saying "This is how humans talk" after every Cagey delivery, you will unlock the full potential of this cult classic currently experiencing a comeback.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/30/25

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Liz A

My family's favorite Christmas movie. A must watch for the holidays.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/23/25

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Sean A

Absolutely over the top. This is a fun romp with loads of memorable characters and wild story. Yes - suspend reality and have a little fun - it's a Christmas movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/16/24

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Glorbo J

I don't know who decided to put the master of disguise in a movie with Nicholas Cage but I DO know why it never happened again because this movie misses pretty much every mark it attempted to hit. Definitely a silly, weird and off the mark film. Still had a few genuinely funny moments even if just for the adsurdity of it, like what even is happening. Probably something to watch with the family at Christmas.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

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Jamey F

Legit one of our faves! Also, everyone I introduce to this movie loves it. We quote this movie year round…it’s a classic! Ignore the bad reviews-it’s a conspiracy!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/17/24

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sammy s

This movie is so underrated! I watch it every Christmas!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

Full Review

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George Gallo

Director

Nicolas Cage

Bill Firpo

Jon Lovitz

Dave Firpo

Dana Carvey

Alvin Firpo

John Ashton

Ed Dawson

Mädchen Amick

Sarah Collins

Mixed Nuts

16%

47%

Mixed Nuts

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Synopsis

Fresh out of prison, Alvin (Dana Carvey) and Dave Firpo (Jon Lovitz) pull their brother Bill (Nicolas Cage) back into a life of crime. But the siblings' foolproof bank heist takes a tailspin when Alvin gets lost in the getaway car. That's how the criminal nitwits wind up trapped in the snowbound burg of Paradise, Pa., on Christmas Eve with a bag full of stolen cash. With suspicious police on one side and hospitable townsfolk on the other, could a change of heart be far away?

Director: George Gallo
Producer: Jon Davison, George Gallo
Screenwriter: George Gallo
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 2, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.8M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

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