Tim Allen’s 21-Year-Old Grisham Film Now Tops Streaming Charts
The 2004 holiday film Christmas with the Kranks, starring Tim Allen, has recently surged in popularity on streaming platforms. Based on John Grisham’s novel Skipping Christmas, this comedy diverges from Grisham’s renowned legal thrillers and has gained renewed attention more than two decades after its debut.
Streaming Success
As of December 17, 2023, Christmas with the Kranks ranks second on HBO Max’s Top 10 movies in the United States, according to FlixPatrol. The film trails behind It (2017) and outpaces other holiday favorites such as:
- Elf
- A Christmas Story Christmas
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- The Polar Express
Additionally, it claims the seventh spot on HBO Max’s overall chart, despite competition from popular TV shows and films. Titles like IT: Welcome to Derry and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets round out the list.
Film Details
Directed by Joe Roth and scripted by Chris Columbus, Christmas with the Kranks features Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis as Luther and Nora Krank, a couple who decide to skip holiday celebrations until a surprise visit from their daughter changes their plans.
- Release Date: November 24, 2004
- Runtime: 99 minutes
- Director: Joe Roth
- Writers: Chris Columbus
The ensemble cast includes notable names such as Dan Aykroyd, Erik Per Sullivan, Cheech Marin, and others, further contributing to the film’s appeal.
Critics and Audience Reception
Despite its initial poor reception, with a mere 5% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, the film has found an audience. It garnered a 40% score from general viewers. Financially, it fared well, earning $96.6 million globally against a $60 million budget.
Recently, the film has been reassessed in a more favorable light. Critics have begun to recognize it as an “underrated Christmas movie,” highlighting its comedic take on holiday pressures and emphasizing its themes of familial connection over commercialization.
