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Poster for I'll Be Home for Christmas

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Seen it?

1998 | 86 min | Comedy, Family

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With just 23% on Rotten Tomatoes and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh and families. If you loved Elf, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
The mood
Light and funny, feel-good.
The pace
Breezy, at 1 hr 26 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Critics were cooler on it than audiences.

Estranged from his father, college student Jake is lured home to New York for Christmas with the promise of receiving a classic Porsche as a gift. When the bullying football team dumps him in the desert in a Santa suit, Jake is left without identification or money to help him make the journey. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Allie, does not know where he is, and accepts a cross-country ride from Jake's rival, Eddie.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsWeak

    23% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.0 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 64K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Arlene Sanford

  • Jonathan Taylor ThomasJake
  • Jessica BielAllie
  • Adam LaVorgnaEddie
  • Gary ColeJake's Dad
  • Eve GordonCarolyn
  • Lauren MaltbyTracey
  • Andrew LauerNolan
  • Sean O'BryanMax
  • Lesley BooneMarjorie
  • Amzie StricklandTom Tom Girl Mary