🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: David Zucker
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 23min
- IMDb rating: 4.0/10 (12K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 14%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A chubby filmmaker hates America so ghosts of dead patriots drag him through time to show him explosions and Bill O’Reilly until he cries.
🍿 An American Carol: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction: Michael Malone’s Anti-American Stance
The film introduces Michael Malone, a documentary filmmaker closely resembling Michael Moore, who vehemently opposes American patriotism and seeks to abolish the Fourth of July. This sets the stage for his transformative journey.

The Ghosts of American Values
Malone is visited by three ghosts, mirroring Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’: General Patton, George Washington, and the Angel of Death (portrayed by Trace Adkins). Each ghost attempts to show Malone the importance of patriotism, the necessity of war in certain situations, and the value of American ideals.

Terrorist Propaganda Plot
Meanwhile, a group of inept Arab terrorists approaches Malone, hoping to exploit his anti-American sentiments for a propaganda film. This subplot provides a contrasting perspective, highlighting the dangers America faces.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Michael Malone (Kevin P. Farley): A documentary filmmaker who hates America and wants to abolish the Fourth of July, until visited by three ghosts.
- Patton (Kelsey Grammer): The ghost of General Patton, who shows Michael Malone the importance of just wars and patriotism.
- Osama Bin Nielsen (Leslie Nielsen): Appears in the story being told at the July 4th barbacue.
- Angel of Death (Trace Adkins): A country music star appearing as a ghost who attempts to show Malone the light.
- George Washington (Jon Voight): The ghost of George Washington, who attempts to instill patriotism in Michael Malone.
- Mohammed (Geoffrey Arend): One of the Arab terrorists who wants Malone to help them with a propaganda film.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Mohammed: “It is getting harder and harder to find suicide bombers. And all the really good ones are gone.” – This line highlights the terrorist characters’ ineptitude and frustration with recruitment.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $20,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $7,013,191
- Worldwide Gross: $7,013,191
💥 An American Carol Reviews
Personal Review
I went in hoping for a hilarious spoof, but left feeling like I’d been lectured. The jokes were predictable, and the political jabs felt more like a biased rant than clever satire. It felt like the movie was more interested in making a point than making me laugh. Honestly, I cringed more than I chuckled. The scenes with the ghosts were just bizarre. The whole thing felt heavy-handed and preachy, not the kind of lighthearted fun I was expecting. Overall, it was a forgettable experience.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Viewers interested in political satire”
- “Fans of conservative comedy”
- “Those familiar with Michael Moore’s work and viewpoints”
- “People who enjoy parodies of classic stories like ‘A Christmas Carol'”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Political satire that may be offensive to some viewers”
- “Stereotypical portrayals of certain groups”
- “Crude humor and slapstick violence”
- “Some language may be considered offensive”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “A clumsy attempt at political satire, ‘An American Carol’ fails to deliver on both laughs and insightful commentary. The heavy-handed approach and reliance on stereotypes make it a forgettable experience. It’s more of a misguided rant than a clever spoof. The movie’s jokes feel forced and the script lacks depth, ultimately making it a disappointing watch.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a promising premise, ‘An American Carol’ is a poorly executed parody that resorts to cheap humor and simplistic political messaging. The film lacks the wit and subtlety needed to effectively satirize its targets. The acting feels over-the-top, and the direction is uninspired, leaving viewers with a muddled and unfunny experience. A waste of talent and time.
- Metacritic: “A complete misfire, ‘An American Carol’ offers nothing in the way of comedic value or insightful commentary. The film’s attempts at satire are clumsy and fall flat. The performances are uninspired, and the script is riddled with stereotypes and unoriginal ideas. This is a movie that’s best avoided unless you’re looking for a cinematic train wreck.
Audience Reactions
Some viewers appreciated the movie’s attempt to provide a conservative perspective in Hollywood.: While divisive, some audience members found it refreshing to see a movie that didn’t conform to typical Hollywood narratives.
A small segment of the audience enjoyed the slapstick humor reminiscent of Zucker’s previous work.: Fans of ‘Airplane!’ and ‘The Naked Gun’ found moments of familiar comedic style.
Overall Consensus: “An American Carol” is a polarizing film, poorly-received, with its humor and political messaging failing to resonate with most critics and a wide audience.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Wayne Knight and Frank Caliendo were considered for the role of Michael Malone before Kevin P. Farley was cast.”
- “The film is a parody of Michael Moore and a conservative retelling of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.””
- “Director David Zucker, known for comedies like “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun,” aimed to create a politically charged satire.”
- “The movie includes cameos from conservative figures like Bill O’Reilly.”
🖥️ How to Watch An American Carol?
As a niche, politically-charged comedy, ‘An American Carol’ isn’t widely available on major streaming platforms. Check for rental or purchase options on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can often be found through online retailers like Amazon or at used media stores.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed An American Carol, you might like these similar films:
- Team America: World Police (2004): Both films use satire to address political issues with over-the-top humor and controversial portrayals.
- Death of a Nation (2018): Like “An American Carol,” this is another politically charged movie that uses historical events to promote a conservative message, though in a less comedic way.
- Borat (2006): Uses shock humor and satire to expose cultural and political viewpoints, though from a different perspective.
🛒 An American Carol Related Products
- An American Carol – DVD: Own the movie for a nostalgic and humorous look at American values. This DVD offers a chance to experience the comedy. Perfect for collectors and fans of political satire.
- Kelsey Grammer Signed Photo (as General Patton): A rare autographed photo of Kelsey Grammer in his role as General Patton. A unique collector’s item showcasing the actor’s portrayal. Great for displaying your love for the film.
- American Flag – 3×5 Outdoor: Show your patriotism with a durable American flag. Made with high-quality materials to withstand outdoor conditions. Great for displaying your love for America.
🎧 Soundtrack
An American Carol features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, the character of Michael Malone is a clear parody of filmmaker Michael Moore, known for his controversial documentaries. The film satirizes Moore’s political views and filmmaking style.
The movie is primarily a parody of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ transplanting the story’s themes of redemption and self-discovery to a politically-charged context. It also parodies Michael Moore’s filmmaking and political activism.
Check streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies for rental or purchase options. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) are also available through online retailers.
🔥 Bonus Content
mocumentary Radical Christianity Bill O’Reilly Amercian Carol funny video starring Allen Lee Haff
Check out this hilarious sketch that some say predicted the plot of ‘An American Carol’! It’s a wild take on the movie’s themes, starring Allen Lee Haff, and I think you’ll appreciate the satire.
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