A Very Murray Christmas
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 4, 2015
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18

Critic Reviews

  1. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Ted Pigeon
    Nov 30, 2015
    88
    It's a gleeful display of song and dance that conjures a fleeting nostalgia and exhilaration that even the hardest of hearts can fall for in late December.
  2. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Nov 18, 2015
    83
    In the end, A Very Murray Christmas delivers exactly what's been promised all along--a show!
  3. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Molly Eichel
    Dec 3, 2015
    80
    It's profane and funny and totally out of the ordinary. A Very Murray Christmas won't become a classic of the Christmas genre, but it's certainly a nice way to spend the holidays.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jeff Jensen
    Dec 2, 2015
    75
    Murray decides to improvise a boozy party for stranded hotel guests and workers. It’s here, after a sputtery start, that the irony thaws and a warm, lovely spirit takes hold.
  6. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Dec 2, 2015
    75
    Amusing, odd, fascinating, indulgent and not quite as funny as you might expect, or hope.
  7. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Elisabeth Vincentelli
    Dec 1, 2015
    75
    An endearingly oddball tribute to the variety specials of yore.
  8. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Matthew Berlyant
    Dec 8, 2015
    70
    All in all, while not an absolutely great Christmas special since it struggles to find its footing at times plot-wise, it's worth watching for the celebrity cameos and the raucous and at times hilarious singing.
  9. Time
    Reviewed by: Daniel D'Addario
    Dec 7, 2015
    70
    A Very Murray Christmas deserves applause, and not merely because artists like Murray and Coppola getting to do their own thing between movies is good. The special is acting out a pose of woozy self-regard, sure, but it represents a commitment to a point-of-view more sustained than many single hours I’ve seen recently.
  10. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Dec 2, 2015
    70
    This is an old soul's Christmas special. This is also a Christmas special for grown-ups, both because of a scattering of adult language, but also because Coppola's trademark dreamy/languid treatment of the material would bore younger viewers.
  11. Variety
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Dec 1, 2015
    70
    When the special drags a bit, it feels as if Netflix, the anti-Scrooge of this free-spending TV era, has paid Murray and Coppola to film a champagne-infused holiday shindig with their friends. Still, A Very Murray Christmas has a sweetness to it that keeps it from lapsing fully into self-indulgence. At its best, the proceedings keep alive the spirit of the Bob Hope-Bing Crosby road pictures
  12. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Dec 3, 2015
    67
    A Very Murray Christmas is as uneven as a child’s first effort to build and frost a gingerbread house. It’s also different, which sometimes works in its favor.
  13. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Alex McCown
    Nov 30, 2015
    67
    A special that spits and sputters when the star is required to play-act himself, but comes breezily to life when he dispenses with the semi-serious put-on, and goes full raconteur. The ghost of Nick Winters haunts the proceedings of A Very Murray Christmas more than a little.
  14. Salon
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Dec 11, 2015
    60
    A Very Murray Christmas is ruminating over its own mingled loneliness and disillusionment and occasional flights of whimsy; mostly, it’s busy laughing at its own jokes.
  15. The Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Kristi Turnquist
    Dec 2, 2015
    60
    A Very Murray Christmas is an odd concoction, flavored by holiday blues, but topped by a coating of sparkly tinsel.
  16. The Detroit News
    Reviewed by: Tom Long
    Dec 11, 2015
    58
    The show certainly has plenty of diverse star power--Chris Rock, Amy Poehler and Michael Cera also appear along the way--but its shaggy approach wears thin until Cyrus shows up. Then again, save the best gift for last.
  17. Las Vegas Weekly
    Reviewed by: Josh Bell
    Dec 4, 2015
    50
    Like Murray’s endearing real-life antics, the show was probably loads of fun for the people involved, but the feeling doesn’t necessarily carry over to the viewing audience.
  18. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Dec 3, 2015
    50
    The special isn’t as funny or inventive as one might hope. The set-up is cheesily self-aware.
  19. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Dec 2, 2015
    50
    The result is a show that probably isn’t destined for repeat viewings but provides a few wry moments and even a listenable song or two.

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
89
#89 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 59
  3. Negative: 23 out of 59
  1. Mazmorrero47
    Dec 5, 2015
    3
    After a promising start, A Very Murray Christmas devolves into a bunch of pointless musical numbers with no real plot. The dialog is deliveredAfter a promising start, A Very Murray Christmas devolves into a bunch of pointless musical numbers with no real plot. The dialog is delivered in a comical fashion, but the jokes are virtually nonexistent. We're supposed to be amused simply because there are random celebrity cameos that hijack the show from Murray. The whole endeavor feels forced and like it tries way too hard.
    Bottom line: It's an SNL skit stretched for an hour.    … Full Review »
  2. nlefevre
    Dec 26, 2015
    10
    This is a little gem. Those who expected a slickly produced Christmas story will be disappointed. Their loss. It is loose, silly, funny, warmThis is a little gem. Those who expected a slickly produced Christmas story will be disappointed. Their loss. It is loose, silly, funny, warm and moving. Most scenes play like they were shot in a single take. The scene with Chris Rock seems unrehearsed. This is not sloppy direction. This is skilled direction giving the film a loose, comfortable, spontaneous feel. It's like joining a friend for the holiday and other friends keep dropping in until, surprise, it's a great night of music and laughs. There are enough untrained voices that the viewer feels free to sing along. I did during my first viewing, Even more during my second.… Full Review »
  3. NickLikesMovies
    Dec 4, 2015
    8
    This is so much fun. It really is just Bill Murray and his famous buddies singing and celebrating Christmas. And I loved it. Everyone isThis is so much fun. It really is just Bill Murray and his famous buddies singing and celebrating Christmas. And I loved it. Everyone is great, but the standout is actually Miley Cyrus. She comes in at the end and sings some songs and absolutely kills it. I suggest you watch "A Very Murray Christmas" on Netflix. It's a great time, especially if you're as big a Christmas fan as myself.… Full Review »
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