Deck the Halls

2006

Deck the Halls

Critics Consensus

Relying on flat humor and a preposterous plot, Deck the Halls is an unnecessarily mean-spirited holiday movie that does little to put viewers in a holiday mood.

6%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 83

30%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 55,723
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Deck the Halls Photos

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Movie Info

This family comedy is about one-upmanship, jealousy, clashing neighbors, home decoration... and the true spirit of the holidays. Steve, a suburban dad and Christmas enthusiast, leads a well-ordered, well-planned, and well-organized life. His new neighbor, Buddy, is Steve's polar opposite: a big personality with big dreams, which have yet to materialize. But, Buddy's latest dream--to create the biggest holiday light display in the world, visible from outer space--is turning Steve's disciplined world into a nightmare. As Buddy's home explodes with festive lights of incredible design, increasing complexity, and exponentially growing wattage, Steve becomes a man on a mission. At any cost, he will thwart Buddy--or top him.
  • Rating:
    PG (for some crude and suggestive humor, and for language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    John Whitesell
  • Written By:
    Matt Corman, Chris Ord, Don Rhymer
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $35,058,863
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    20th Century Fox

Cast

Danny DeVito
as Buddy Hall
Matthew Broderick
as Steve Finch
Kristin Davis
as Kelly Finch
Kristin Chenoweth
as Tia Hall
Alia Shawkat
as Madison Finch
Dylan Blue
as Carter Finch
Sabrina Aldridge
as Ashley Hall
Kelly Aldridge
as Emily Hall
Jorge Garcia
as Wallace
Fred Armisen
as Gustave
Gillian Vigman
as Gerta
Ryan Devlin
as Bob Murray
Gary Chalk
Sean O'Bryan
as Mayor Young
Jackie Burroughs
as Mrs. Ryor
SuChin Pak
as Herself
Gary Chalk
as Sheriff Dave
Zak Santiago
as Fireworks Guy
David Lewis
as Ted
Nicola Peltz
as Mackenzie
Daniel Bacon
as Ed
Ken Kramer
as Mr. Murray
Jill Morrison
as Gail
Alf Humphreys
as Hardware Store Employee
Lochlyn Munro
as Ted
Brenda Crichlow
as New Reporter #1
Stephen Holmes
as UPS Guy
Jill Krop
as News Reporter #2
Cory Monteith
as Madison's Date
Agam Darshi
as News Producer
David Stuart
as Oblivious Dad
Quinn Lord
as Santa Kid
Nathaniel DeVeaux
as Main Street Passerby #1
Fulvio Cecere
as Town Passerby
Eliza Norbury
as Mary In The Manger
Randi Lynne
as Caroler #1
Dan Joffre
as Caroler #2
Aurora Faulkner-Killam
as Caroler
Melissa Howell
as Caroler
Lori Johnson
as Caroler
David Shaw
as Caroler
Myles Wolfe
as Caroler
Ty Olsson
as Trucker
Andrew Hedge
as City Employee
George S. Clinton
View All

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Critic Reviews for Deck the Halls

All Critics (83) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (78)

  • Laden with false climaxes, the overstuffed plot leaves you exhausted well before the movie ends, and the amiable actors sleepwalk through their uninspired roles.

    April 14, 2007 | Rating: 2/6 | Full Review…

    Joshua Land

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • 'My stupidity astounds me!' chortles Danny DeVito in Deck the Halls, a line that pretty much sums up this tale of warring neighbours with very different ideas about celebrating Christmas.

    December 30, 2006 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

    Neil Smith

    BBC.com
    Top Critic

  • This one follows the depressing pattern of Surviving Christmas and Christmas With the Kranks: enforced holiday cheer gives way to bilious hatred, then hollow forgiveness.

    December 26, 2006 | Full Review…

    J. R. Jones

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • [Deck the Halls] wants to be both naughty and nice, but just ends up feeling deeply confused.

    December 2, 2006 | Rating: D | Full Review…

    Nathan Rabin

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • I love the Christmas season, but there are times when I wish it would go away if only to save audiences from horrific experiences like this.

    November 24, 2006 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…

    James Berardinelli

    ReelViews
    Top Critic

  • There is something about the holiday season that brings lazy filmmakers to pitch meetings with Frank Capra knockoffs clutched in their sweaty paws.

    November 23, 2006

    Ella Taylor

    L.A. Weekly
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (83)

Audience Reviews for Deck the Halls

  • Jan 08, 2020
    Not a film with true purpose or clear comedy intent. The filmmaker expects the set pieces and actors to generate all the humour, or laugh out loud moments. This is a clumsy film designed for the lowest common denominator. Weird and quite mean spirited comedy film, never comes together. The cast is good, but there's no real storyline here and the filmmaker in charge was definitely not the correct choice for the material. Unfunny and definitely one to avoid around the festive season. I could actually see this film triggering violence. It's weird structure and mean storyline is tiresome and would frustrate any audience member. 26/12/2019
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Dec 08, 2011
    Deck the Halls has a lot going for it, but fails to deliver the heartwarming Christmas comedy that it promises. Both Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick are great comedic actors, but they have no chemistry in this film. Broderick's performance is especially poor, giving a halfhearted effort at best. And, the plot opts to go for cheap laughs and cliches instead of giving any real insight on the modern Christmas of the new millennium. There are a few heartwarming moments, but they're disconnected from the rest of the film. Despite a fine cast and some fun moments, Deck the Halls is an altogether disappointing film.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 04, 2011
    Deck the Halls is a very sweet but edgy christmas film thats kept alive by its wonderful cast and witty humour. It's not overly bad as everyone says it is.
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    A movie that is too terrible for words, come on Danny DeVito, get back in the game.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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