MovieChat Forums > Scrooged (1988) Discussion > Is this the worst Christmas movie ever?

Is this the worst Christmas movie ever?

posted 9 years ago by drystyx
25 replies | jump to latest

Hard to think of a worse one. It's tedious, dull, and not worth being named after the classic Christmas Carol film or its character.

I think the main problem is that there is no motivation. It's modernism, which means one dimensional characters with zero motivation, just doing what is in a script. Nothing is credible, and it's impossible to give a hoot. The original Ebenezer Scrooge was credibly motivated throughout the short story and each film. There is nothing even remotely motivated about any lead character here.

On the good side, it isn't overly depressing, so I give it 2/10, which I agree is generous, but it still is the worst Christmas movie ever, making the Santa Claus Martian movie look good in comparison, and that's a 3/10 movie.

Nothing against the actors. I agree with you all that it is the script that is pathetic here, and it can't be salvaged, and shouldn't be salvaged.

Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!

[–] Utpe 9 years ago

I wouldn't necessarily classify it as the worst Christmas movie ever but, it's not one of those films that I would look forward to watching around the holiday season every year, even though I grew up watching Scrooged.

Simply put, it's your typical movie from the 1980s; it's suppose to be a bit over-the-top. Some of the characters portrayed are wacky, while others make you feel a bit sympathetic towards the Frank Cross character, especially the ending.

Overall, I think the 7.0/10 IMDb rating is fair, even if it's a bit dated.

[–] Ashaod43 9 years ago

Its a good film except like someone else said. The end when he talks to the audience almost ruins it. The feed me seymor line is hard to watch. Almost like they didnt know how to end it and they told murray to ad lib the end. Ugh

[–] Prismark10 9 years ago

I would rank Scrooged higher than Its a wonderful life!

It's that man again!!

[–] JrnlofEddieDeezenStudies 8 years ago

I would rank Scrooged higher than Its a wonderful life!

Same here, but I've never cared for It's a Wonderful Life, despite the fact that I normally love James Stewart. Meanwhile, I love Scrooged. Would I like Scrooged as much if I were born in 90s or later? Probably not. I was 26 when this film came out, though. I grew up watching Bill Murray on SNL, I loved that whole cast and most of the films they made in the later 70s and throughout the 80s, etc.

[–] Soodinum 8 years ago

It's my favourite Xmas movie and one of my favourite comedies for the 80s.

[–] TheBeardedWonder 8 years ago

There's worse Xmas movies out there. Having said that, this movie is very over rated. It's not that funny, the writing is hack (it's basically just a series of gags), Murry didn't seem to be into it, and the whole thing looks to have been shot at breakneck speed while everyone was on cocaine.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] pritch636 8 years ago

it's an all time classic.

[–] Kotter7579 8 years ago

It is a great movie.
How can you claim that Murray is not into it? These actors are on the big screen, doing their thing .....and there's no way that "not being into it" would trickle down to the average moviegoer or be allowed by the bosses.

He's never been that full of expressions or 'over the top', being animated to show that he would be into something (per your original claim) , so why does it come into question here ?

That would make 3 Christmas' I've saved, vs. 8 that I've ruined; two were kind of a draw..

[–] OverlyOpinionated 8 years ago

Elf was worse

[–] jimprideaux2 8 years ago

No, check out, umm maybe not, "Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure" (2003)

Lowest rating on IMDB of any movie I've watched.