Rudolph and Frosty: Christmas in July

1979

Rudolph and Frosty: Christmas in July

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Rudolph and Frosty: Christmas in July Photos

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Movie Info

Santa, Rudolph and Frosty are pitted against the sinister Winterbolt, who has awaken and plots to reclaim his territory from Santa. Lady Boreal once put Winterbolt into a deep sleep and transferred her powers into Rudolph's glowing red nose, so to prevent history repeating itself, Winterbolt also plots to extinguish Rudolph's nose for good.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Animation, Kids & Family
Directed By:

Arthur Rankin
In Theaters:

Jul 1, 1979 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Oct 5, 2004
Runtime:

72 minutes

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Cast

Mickey Rooney
as Santa

Jackie Vernon
as Frosty

Paul H. Frees
as Winterbolt

Billie Mae Richards
as Rudolph

Ethel Merman
as Lillie

Shelley Winters
as Crystal

Red Buttons
as Milton

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Critic Reviews for Rudolph and Frosty: Christmas in July

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (1) | Rotten (4)

The Rankin-Bass films and holiday specials are generally quite solid, but this one-which you may also encounter around Independence Day-is a bloated, trippy affair, with a helping of holiday skeez.

Dec 3, 2018 | Full Review…

Colin Fleming
Slate
Top Critic
The attempts to turn these corny stories into some sort of epic strain with flopsweat, and the hoped-for Avengers-style team-up of the company's big two mostly results in scenes where you wonder why Frosty's not melting in the middle of July.

Dec 3, 2018 | Full Review…

Emily VanDerWerff
Vox
Overall, it's a quirky special with some of the best Animagic Rankin/Bass ever did, but it's a long 97 minutes... If you're willing to make the time for it, it's worth the view.

Dec 3, 2018 | Full Review…

Ryan Voyles
Paste Magazine
The idea of crossing over Rudolph and Frosty is logical, because they were the company's two most popular character (aside from maybe Santa Claus), but the way it actually happens is just nuts.

Dec 3, 2018 | Full Review…

Matthew Jackson
Syfy Wire
Dark, creepy story lacks Yuletide spirit.

Dec 20, 2010 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

Nancy Davis Kho
Common Sense Media

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for Rudolph and Frosty: Christmas in July

Oct 17, 2017

Rankin/Bass dip into the well once more with the ultimate Christmas team-up, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July. To save the Circus By the Sea Rudolph and Frosty team-up for a special 4th of July performance, but little do they know they are being manipulated by King Winterbolt who has awakened from his long slumber and is trying to ruin Santa Claus. Contrived doesn't even begin to describe the plot, and the songs are bad; they have no charm and aren't catchy. There's even some retconning of Frosty and Santa Claus' backstories. Still, there are some fun characters and it's a treat to see Rudolph and Frosty together. Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July has its moments, but overall it's a disappointing effort that's kind of lacking the spirit of the season (either one of them).

Dann M Super Reviewer
Jul 14, 2007

wha? I didn't quite understand or appreciate this movie. It's long and makes little sense. The idea of having Christmas in July at a big circus parade is very unusual. The songs just aren't very memorable.

Lafe F Super Reviewer