'Twas two months before Christmas and D-Works offered this 'fleck flick with glee, but not a consumer was caring, not even that one fan of Gigli.
Comment
10/22/04
Rate this Movie 
Surviving Christmas (2004)
7
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work
Reviews Counted:108
Fresh:8
Rotten:100
Average Rating:3/10
Consensus: Surviving Christmas is unpleasant characters attacking each other for 90 minutes before delivering a typical, hollow anti-consumerist message
Theatrical Release:Oct 22, 2004 Wide
Box Office: $11,198,345
Synopsis: Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck ("Good Will Hunting"), Emmy winner James Gandolfini (TV’s "The Sopranos") and Christina Applegate ("View From the Top," TV’s "Married With Children") star in the... [More]
Starring: Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate, Catherine O'Hara
Director: Mike Mitchell
Get This Movie
Reviews for Surviving Christmas
Despite the talent involved, this fails to raise so much as a smile, let alone laughs and Christmas cheer.
04/01/06
Watching this holiday dud is like opening a fantastic Christmas present -- a gift that is exactly what you wanted and that, shortly thereafter, unravels, breaks, or otherwise falls apart.
10/30/04
Just like many real-life holiday get-togethers with the family, this comedy starts out pleasantly enough but degenerates into awkwardness and furtive watch-checking to see how much longer you have to suffer before you can leave.
10/22/04
Despite the obvious chemistry between the actors, yuletide comedy can’t overcome the innate nastiness and miserable spirit of its premise. **
10/27/04
This is a dump job worthy of Tony Soprano.
10/21/04
Top CriticSurvive this movie and Christmas will be a breeze.
10/30/04
It is, from conception to execution, an unalloyed, unqualified, unmitigated disaster.
10/21/04
Top CriticHO, Ho, hhhm. If you like your Eggnog spiked with drivel this is your holiday movie, otherwise I suggest you leave this package under the tree 'til later, much later.
10/22/04
Ben Affleck's latest loser is chronologically short (less than 90 minutes) and psychologically eternal.
10/21/04
Some screwball moments elicit a chuckle or two, but the script is weak and the characterizations clichéd.
10/21/04
The desperation apparent in Affleck's bug-eyed attempts at whimsy may be the most uncomfortable aspect of Surviving Christmas.
10/30/04
...the result is little more than an early candidate for the title of holiday turkey.
10/25/04
If you thought the Ron Howard Grinch movie was the worst excuse for a holiday movie in recent memory, then look out: this one’s worse.
01/15/05
The movie is dead from the outset given the artificiality of the premise about a lonely rich guy who hires the folks living in his boyhood home to be his family for the holidays.
03/05/07
Top CriticDespite opening to the tune of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” the timing of Surviving Christmas could not feel worse
10/21/04
There are a few amusing moments, helped by subdued performances from Affleck and Gandolfini, but this is no Bad Santa despite its obvious ambition to play similar holiday tricks.
10/21/04
This latest movie is absolutely awesome in its relentless mediocrity.
10/21/04
Top CriticAffleck is so outrageously miscast as goofball Drew Latham that it's like watching Jennifer Lopez taking on the role of Lady Macbeth at the Scottish National Theatre.
10/23/04
Has its respective merits, but this is one festive occasion that desperately needed another rewrite.
10/20/04
Latest News for Surviving Christmas
October 17, 2007:
Total Recall: Ben (Affleck's) Bits
In Gone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck directs younger brother Casey in a mystery surrounding the case of a missing Boston girl. In the spirit of Total Recall, we decided to take a look... More...
March 12, 2007:
Ben Affleck Goes Straight to Video With "Man About Town"
Okay, we all knew Ben Affleck was having some problems, and earned a few Razzie nominations several years in a row, but he's still a movie star. Could it really have gotten to... More...
December 15, 2005:
Critical Consensus: A Sly "Family Stone," A Towering "Kong"
This week at the movies, we have a giant ape {"King Kong"} and some yuletide dramedy ("The Family Stone"). Will the critics go bananas for these flicks? More...
October 25, 2005:
"Sky High" Director to Helm "Claus" Comedy
The Hollywood Reporter brings news of a new holiday-themed comedy from Mike Mitchell, director of "Sky High." It's about Santa's disgruntled older brother, and it's... More...
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Fresh Links
Featured
Wes Anderson on Fox 
The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Animated Oscar?
Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.
TIME's Holiday Movie Preview
Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.
Scenic Routes
The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!
IGN RSS Feeds