Paramount Pictures | Release Date: November 23, 1988
7.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 119 Ratings
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Positive:
90
Mixed:
24
Negative:
5
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10
DavidG.Aug 21, 2009
A 38 rating? Seriously? This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. For the first half of the film, the jokes are fast, sharp, and timeless. It's dark humor at its best, and Bill Murray's best role by a landslide. The A 38 rating? Seriously? This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. For the first half of the film, the jokes are fast, sharp, and timeless. It's dark humor at its best, and Bill Murray's best role by a landslide. The critics were out of their damned minds. Expand
5 of 5 users found this helpful
10
RonnyGJan 28, 2009
This is a Christmas classic. For the millionth time, this only proves that Critics stick their noses so high in the air, they can't even watch the movies the review. I never have, nor never will, have ANY respect for movie Critics. Some This is a Christmas classic. For the millionth time, this only proves that Critics stick their noses so high in the air, they can't even watch the movies the review. I never have, nor never will, have ANY respect for movie Critics. Some of the best movies get the worst reviews, all because the Critics are too busy receiving bribes to give horrible movies great reviews, and great movies horrible reviews. They also lack the ability to say WHY it's a bad movie. New York Times and Los Angeles Times = Epic Fail. Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful
10
mcduckJun 6, 2014
Exceeded expectations, especially given the middling reviews and cheesy trailer. Solid Christmas flick, even though I watched it over the summer. It's hard to say what makes a movie good, but it works. It's not hilariously funny, and youExceeded expectations, especially given the middling reviews and cheesy trailer. Solid Christmas flick, even though I watched it over the summer. It's hard to say what makes a movie good, but it works. It's not hilariously funny, and you shouldn't go into it looking for belly laughs, but it does make you smile and give you a few feels along the way. Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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9
BenKMay 3, 2009
Simply awesome. Fun. Critics expect too much and find too little.
2 of 2 users found this helpful
9
DylanP.Dec 6, 2007
What were the reviewers smoking? Scrooged is one of the true modern Christmas classics. Bill Murray is pitch-perfect as Frank Cross--nasty and Scrooge-like while still charming and hilarious. Great cameos from everyone from Brian Doyle What were the reviewers smoking? Scrooged is one of the true modern Christmas classics. Bill Murray is pitch-perfect as Frank Cross--nasty and Scrooge-like while still charming and hilarious. Great cameos from everyone from Brian Doyle Murray to Lee Majors to Bobcat Goldwait, and a genuine emotional ending make this one to watch every year. Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful
9
kuliddarDec 13, 2016
Disconnected so called "critics"who just didn't get it. This movie has become a classic as one of the best Xmas films of all time. Has become a must during the holidays.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
ERG1008Sep 3, 2010
Late 80s version of A Christmas Carol with Bill Murray as the President of a TV network.
Not as good as some of Murray's other stuff but certainly some funny moments here & there.
I'd also forgot how awful that Annie Lennox/Al Green song was.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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4
Tss5078Jun 7, 2019
A Christmas Carol has been done to death on both television and the big screen. Back in the 80s, Bill Murray teamed up with Richard Donner to make this wildly successful version of the tale. The films these two were a part of, defined theA Christmas Carol has been done to death on both television and the big screen. Back in the 80s, Bill Murray teamed up with Richard Donner to make this wildly successful version of the tale. The films these two were a part of, defined the 1980s, so I was expecting magic. instead I got something that was the definition of overrated. Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a television executive, one that's known for never being happy and quick to the pull the trigger on his employees. While planning a big Christmas spectacle, things aren't going his way and he is on the war path, until he fall asleep in his office and those three ghosts pay him a visit. This film begs to be raunchy, the whole story is designed around this outrageous man, but Scrooged never seems to pull that trigger. The story we know, it's easy to predict what is going to happen, but when you add an uneven performance by Murray, infantile jokes, and a cast that doesn't quite fit their roles, the result is a film that's just lame. Was this supposed to be for adults or children? That question is never answered and we end up with a film that really isn't suitable for either. I like Bill Murray, I love Richard Donner, but the film Scrooged, simply misses the mark on so many different levels. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Compi24Dec 5, 2018
Like the Holiday festivities themselves, adaptations of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" come and go. Some are timeless, stick-to-your-ribs adaptations, while others are fun reinventions of the celebrated material in question. This. .Like the Holiday festivities themselves, adaptations of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" come and go. Some are timeless, stick-to-your-ribs adaptations, while others are fun reinventions of the celebrated material in question. This. . .kind of wants to be both? Born out of the premise that this was going to be a refreshing deconstruction of the classic Dickens tale, "Scrooged" definitely maintains a common streak of self-awareness. But you can't in good conscience have a protagonist -- who's well accustomed to all of the tropes, twists, and turns of the Dickens story -- end up falling for the same tricks in the end. Ultimately, this ended up being more of an adherence to the original story than I preferred. At least Bill Murray is eminently watchable. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Kai82Oct 3, 2021
One of the essential Christmas movies, a great reimagination of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” in modern times with an amazing Bill Murray. I never understood the critics here that hated the movie with passion. They were not that muchOne of the essential Christmas movies, a great reimagination of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” in modern times with an amazing Bill Murray. I never understood the critics here that hated the movie with passion. They were not that much out of touch back then as today.” A Christmas Carol” is one of them most famous works of Charles Dickens and tells the story of the old and cold or lets say life hardened Ebenezer Scrooge and his self discovery journey on Christmas where he is visited by ghosts of past, present and future Christmas. It is a timeless classic, creative and something critics and casual readers will praise together. Instead of playing it safe with a normal adaption they transferred the setting to modern times. Story: Frank Cross is on the top of the world. He is president of IBC Television and pretty ruthless. For Christmas he wants to make big money with a live adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” and even his commercial idea is really messed up. He did not know that he will have a bigger part in this as he will be visited by the ghost of past, present and future Christmas. I truly love this story. It is so hard to screw this up with additions to a classic story and you see how “modernizing” ruined many modern movies, series and characters. Here it works. We get the classics of the old story, a modern take that works well and of cause Bill Murray who positively exceeds at being Bill Murray. Characters: Bill Murray as Frank Cross is awesome and his performance alone is worth watching the movie. Of cause the ghost of Christmas past, present and future with Carol Kane, David Johansen and Robert Hammod. All are amazing and nail their roles. They leave an impact and are truly rememberable. Karen Allen as Claire Phillips is excellent to and I wished she had more screentime. The rest of the cast enhance the movie too and I see no missteps. Visually I say the effects, costumes and make up work well. For make up they were nominated for the Oscars to give some perspective. They made again no missteps here in this category. I nearly forgot the music which would be a shame. It is so sneakingly good that you do not notice how much it enhances the atmosphere. It you pay attention you will recognize a real good soundtrack. Lastly I want to praise director Richard Donner for this movie too. Overall I repeat this is a Christmas classic and if it has not nostalgic value it will certainly get it sooner or later. An easy 10/10. Expand
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5
FilipeNetoMay 1, 2019
A good black comedy ... that will displease a lot of people.

The problem with black humor is that it does not appeal to many people. Maybe that's why this movie is one of the least known of Bill Murray's extensive filmography. In this case,
A good black comedy ... that will displease a lot of people.

The problem with black humor is that it does not appeal to many people. Maybe that's why this movie is one of the least known of Bill Murray's extensive filmography. In this case, the film traces back and updates the story "A Christmas Carol," a timeless classic of every Christmas since Dickens wrote it.

This time the protagonist is a media tycoon who mistreats all the people around him and is deeply materialistic. However, the intervention of three humorous spirits will change the way they are, giving the film a very emotional ending and giving Murray a beautiful and profound monologue. The film has a joke, but being black humor will certainly displease many people. Murray made an excellent interpretation, I can hardly think of an actor more suitable for that character. The remaining cast is limited to give him the indispensable support, giving Murray all the space needed to shine.
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10
DawdlingPoetNov 20, 2021
I'd like to start off by saying that I've always enjoyed Bill Murray movies, since I was a kid and saw him in the Ghostbusters movies and then Groundhog Day, which is one of my favourite movies of all time, plus I enjoyed his appearances inI'd like to start off by saying that I've always enjoyed Bill Murray movies, since I was a kid and saw him in the Ghostbusters movies and then Groundhog Day, which is one of my favourite movies of all time, plus I enjoyed his appearances in Wes Anderons movies and in movies such as Broken Flowers. However, I realised that I'd never seen this movie (that dates from the late 80s!), so I was more than happy when I learnt that it was being shown on TV on Christmas day and it didn't disappoint.

Bill plays Frank with his usual over the top, sarcastic and even biting personality showing through and I think he was a great choice of actor to play Frank, seeming very convincing to me, as his character, somebody you have to love to hate.

The special effects used are pretty imaginative and they do add to the movie, though of course they are rather dated but as this movie is 20 years old, thats to be expected. I still jumped a bit when the first ghost appeared though, who made a rather over the top appearance causing quite a scene that took both Frank and I by surprise! another memorable scene with special effects would be when Frank discovered something rather ghoulish about a presumed actor in the elevator, near the end of the movie.
It is quite funny in parts too, I did laugh out loud at some scenes. I think the humour comes from its absurdity, how the ghosts appear and some of the situations Frank finds himself in.

If there's anything much negative to be said, its that it could be seen as somewhat predictable, particularly at the end, though being based on the classic 'A Christmas Carol', you should expect that too I suppose. Also, of course, if your not too keen on Bill Murray then this isn't for you, as he is quite over the top in this role.

Yes I think its worth watching, I know I enjoyed it and found it funny and entertaining, even though its twenty years old. Bill plays his part well, fans of his will no doubt enjoy, or more by now have enjoyed, this and its interesting to see how its played out, the concept of a twentieth century Ebeneezer Scrooge being visited by the three ghosts. There are some pretty 'interesting' characters which liven it up and the effects used aren't bad for its age either, it is fairly inventive in its own way (I know how can it be inventive and predictable, the predictablity comes from the fact that the basic story behind it is so well known as a Dickens classic though of course), so I'd gladly recommend it and say its worth watching if your interested in it.
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6
r96skDec 22, 2022
Surprisingly, I didn't enjoy 'Scrooged' all that much.

I never really clicked with this 1988 release whilst I was watching it. Bill Murray is fine, the Ghost of Christmas Past is good and the bits of the plot involving Alfre Woodard's
Surprisingly, I didn't enjoy 'Scrooged' all that much.

I never really clicked with this 1988 release whilst I was watching it. Bill Murray is fine, the Ghost of Christmas Past is good and the bits of the plot involving Alfre Woodard's character are decent. That's all I have for noteworthy positives, though. The vibe of the film felt off to me. I didn't connect with Murray's Frank at any point, whether it be the past, the present or the future version of him.

I get, as Scrooge, you're supposed to dislike him, but I've seen a fair few versions of 'A Christmas Carol' and I feel like the Scrooge character is usually moreso cowardly bad, as in he'll be horrid to people behind their back or under his breath - as opposed to Frank Cross, who is in your face, over the top, overtly mean. Perhaps I'm misremembering or it just stuck out to me more here as I didn't like much else from the 100 or so minutes.

For an Xmas flick, also, it doesn't hit the Christmassy spot either. It could've done with more warmth, or at least some entertaining and/or funny moments; I did minorly chuckle a few times, I will say, but not nearly enough. I still wouldn't describe this as a 'bad' film, but it is quite far adrift of being a positive in my books.

I thought this would've be a good'un, many think it is which is fair, but for me I unfortunately didn't particularly like it.
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7
GeraldSprayJan 26, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's refreshing to watch a Christmas movie not on the basis of tradition, but on the basis of actually wanting to see it! The reason that this movie got lukewarm reviews is the same reason I like it - because it deviates from the standard holiday formula. Although I admit that Bill Murray looks uncomfortable when he ad-libs his dialogue, he also delivers lines that highlight his career as a comedy actor. Not enough credit goes to the direction, with creepy visuals and a whimsical score by Danny Elfman. The ending is easily the weakest part of the film, with a wacky alcoholic going on a shotgun rampage. As nonsensical as some of its choices are, the fact that "Scrooged" takes risks makes it one of the most memorable holiday films. Expand
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