Ernest Saves Christmas
Seen it?1988 | 91 min | Comedy, Family
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (36% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 5.4 out of 10 from audiences, 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.
- The mood
- Light and funny, feel-good.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 31 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
When Santa Claus decides to retire and pass on his magic bag of Christmas surprises to a new Saint Nick, he enlists the aid of a hilarious assortment of characters. A perky teen runaway and hapless taxi driver Ernest P. Worrell must convince a skeptical kiddie-show host to take over the post of Father Christmas.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
36% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
5.4 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$28 million worldwide on a $6 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 77K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by John Cherry
- Jim VarneyErnest P. Worrell
- Oliver ClarkJoe Carruthers
- Noelle ParkerHarmony
- Gailard SartainChuck
- Billie BirdMary Morrissey
- Bill ByrgeBobby
- Douglas SealeSanta
- Robert LesserMarty
- Key HowardImmigration Agent
- Jack SwansonBusinessman