Christmas with the Kranks Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Couple tries to ditch Christmas for a cruise, but their neighborhood is a festive cult and won’t let them escape the holiday cheer, until their daughter ruins everything by wanting a traditional Christmas.

🍿 Christmas with the Kranks: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Empty Nest and a Radical Idea

Luther and Nora Krank are facing their first Christmas as empty-nesters, as their daughter Blair is away in Peru with the Peace Corps. Feeling the sting of her absence, Luther proposes a radical idea: skip Christmas altogether and use the money they would have spent on decorations, gifts, and a party to take a Caribbean cruise. Nora is hesitant, but Luther convinces her that it’s a way to avoid the usual holiday stress and do something for themselves.

The Neighborhood Uproar

The Kranks’ decision sends shockwaves through their Christmas-obsessed suburban neighborhood. Vic Frohmeyer, the self-appointed leader of the community’s holiday celebrations, along with other neighbors, are appalled by the idea of skipping Christmas. They pressure the Kranks to participate in the annual traditions, especially putting ‘Frosty,’ the large snowman decoration, on their roof. The Kranks resist, leading to a series of comedic confrontations and escalating tensions with their neighbors.

Resisting the Christmas Machine

As Christmas Eve approaches, the Kranks face relentless pressure from their neighbors to conform. They endure caroling ambushes, passive-aggressive gift-giving, and social ostracization. Luther even gets a disastrous Botox injection and a painful tanning session in an attempt to avoid the usual holiday preparations. Despite the pressure, the Kranks remain steadfast in their decision to skip Christmas and enjoy their cruise.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Luther Krank (Tim Allen): A pragmatic accountant who decides to skip Christmas to save money and go on a Caribbean cruise.
• Nora Krank (Jamie Lee Curtis): Luther’s wife, who initially agrees to skip Christmas but wavers under pressure from neighbors and her daughter’s unexpected visit.
• Vic Frohmeyer (Dan Aykroyd): The Kranks’ overzealous neighbor who leads the charge in pressuring them to conform to Christmas traditions.
• Blair Krank (Julie Gonzalo): The Kranks’ daughter, whose unexpected call home for Christmas throws their plans into disarray.
• Walt Scheel (M. Emmet Walsh): A neighbor whose wife is ill and is the recipient of the Krank’s generosity at the end of the film.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Luther Krank: “No more Christmas! We’re taking a cruise!” – Luther declares his intention to skip Christmas after calculating the exorbitant costs of the previous year’s celebrations.
• Nora Krank: “You forgot the white chocolate!” – Nora expresses her exasperation when Luther fails to buy a specific ingredient for the Christmas party.
• Vic Frohmeyer: “You can’t just skip Christmas, Krank! What kind of message does that send?” – Vic, representing the neighborhood’s traditional values, confronts Luther about his decision to forgo Christmas festivities.
• Luther Krank: “Skipping Christmas. What a stupid idea.” – Luther says this at the very end of the movie, after having fully embraced the Christmas spirit again. Showing he learned a lesson.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $73,780,539
• Worldwide Gross: $96,593,018

💥 Christmas with the Kranks Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie as a kid and finding it hilarious, especially Tim Allen’s antics. As an adult, it’s definitely a mixed bag. The neighbors’ obsession with Christmas is over the top, and it makes the movie feel a bit mean-spirited at times. However, there are still moments that made me laugh, like the tanning salon scene and the whole Botox fiasco. It’s not a Christmas classic, but it’s a fun, mindless watch if you don’t take it too seriously. I probably won’t be watching it again though, but I’d still rate it better than some modern remakes!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis”
  • “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted Christmas comedies”
  • “Families looking for a simple holiday movie”
  • “Fans of John Grisham’s books (though this is very different from his usual work)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Some slapstick violence”
  • “Thematic elements related to societal pressure and conformity”

Professional Reviews

• Screen Rant: “Despite its talented cast, Christmas with the Kranks fails to deliver genuine laughs or a heartwarming message, resulting in a predictable and forgettable holiday movie experience.
• Common Sense Media: “For a movie about Christmas, this one lacks any real holiday spirit. It’s mostly about the superficial aspects and conformity, which makes it feel empty and not very enjoyable.
• CinemaBlend: “Christmas With the Kranks has moments of slapstick humor, but the overall story feels forced and lacks genuine warmth. The talented cast tries, but can’t save it from being a mediocre Christmas comedy.

Audience Reactions

Tim Allen’s physical comedy and Jamie Lee Curtis’ over-the-top reactions were the highlights.: Viewers generally found the movie funny, but many criticized the film’s lack of depth.

Overall Consensus: Christmas with the Kranks is a divisive Christmas comedy with some funny moments but ultimately feels shallow and lacks the warmth and depth expected of a holiday movie.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on John Grisham’s novel ‘Skipping Christmas,’ but the title was changed to avoid confusion with another holiday film, ‘Surviving Christmas,’ released the same year.”
• “Many exterior shots were filmed in and around Chicago, Illinois, capturing the quintessential American suburban Christmas atmosphere.”
• “The scene where Nora Krank gets a tanning treatment was intended to be much longer and more elaborate, but some gags were cut for pacing.”

🖥️ How to Watch Christmas with the Kranks?

Christmas with the Kranks is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check local listings for availability as streaming options may vary by region. You can also purchase the DVD or Blu-ray on Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Christmas with the Kranks, you might like these similar films:

• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): Shares the comedic chaos of preparing for Christmas, with over-the-top situations and family antics.
• Elf (2003): Features a humorous clash between a character’s unusual perspective and traditional Christmas expectations.
• Jingle All the Way (1996): A comedic portrayal of the lengths a parent will go to get the perfect Christmas gift for their child, reflecting holiday consumerism.
• Bad Moms Christmas (2017): Modern comedy about moms rebelling against the pressures of creating the perfect Christmas, offering a similar theme of holiday stress.
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987): While not Christmas themed, this comedy explores the lengths someone goes to get home for Thanksgiving, making it a cult classic for fans of holiday stress comedies.

🛒 Christmas with the Kranks Related Products

• Skipping Christmas: A Novel by John Grisham: The original novel that inspired the movie, offering a different perspective on the Kranks’ decision and the neighborhood’s reaction. Dive deeper into the story and explore the themes of conformity and tradition. It’s a fun book that is an easy read.
• Hallmark Christmas Movie Collection: If you’re a big fan of light-hearted holiday movies, this collection has plenty of options for you. Perfect for cozy nights in during the festive season. There are a variety of movies to choose from and all very wholesome.
• Christmas Inflatable – Giant Christmas Snowman: Giant Christmas Inflatables are the staple of Christmas lights. These large decorations really help you get into the Christmas spirit. Get ready for Frosty.
• Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas Movie Cookbook: Cozy up to the TV and make some of your favorite snacks from Christmas movies. Make the entire Holiday an edible tradition.

🎧 Soundtrack

Christmas with the Kranks features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Christmas Song” – performed by The Raveonettes

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Christmas with the Kranks is Satanic Communist Propaganda

Ever thought a Christmas movie could be secretly subversive? Wendigoon’s deep dive into ‘Christmas with the Kranks’ is hilarious and thought-provoking. I never looked at this movie the same way again, and you probably won’t either!

Did You Miss the Most Shocking Film in Years?

Nostalgia Critic asks a bold question: Is ‘Christmas with the Kranks’ secretly shocking? I was surprised by his take on it, and you might be too! This video will definitely change how you see this festive flick.

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