Deck the Halls (2006)

6% of critics liked it
(82 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(54,134 ratings)

When the spirit of Christmas compels a small-town New Englander to decorate his home with enough lights to make it visible from space, much more is set to be decked than just the halls in this holiday comedy featuring Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick as two warring neighbors determined to outdo… More When the spirit of Christmas compels a small-town New Englander to decorate his home with enough lights to make it visible from space, much more is set to be decked than just the halls in this holiday comedy featuring Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick as two warring neighbors determined to outdo each other in creating the best lighting display on the planet. Christmas is without question the most wonderful time of the year for Cloverdale, MA optometrist Steve Finch (Broderick). Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Steve's wife, Kelly (Kristin Davis), and the pair's two children, Madison (Alia Shawkat) and Carter (Dylan Blue). Despite Steve's annual holiday zeal, the rest of the Carters have grown to resent the seemingly endless family rituals leading up the Winterfest carnival over which their terminally cheerful patriarch presides. Though it seems that nothing in the world could dampen the spirits of the local "King of Christmas," Steve soon finds his royal status challenged when used-car salesman Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito) moves in next door and covers his house with enough festive lights to make it visible from the deepest crater of the moon. His Yuletide thunder effectively stolen, Steve resorts to desperate measures in regaining his crown when Buddy's lavish decorations make him a local celebrity, his wife strikes up a warm friendship with the neighbor's outspoken better half, Tia (Kristin Chenoweth), and even the kids seem to warm to the car salesman's air-headed twin daughters, Ashley and Emily (Sabrina and Kelly Aldridge). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: John Whitesell
Written By: Matt Corman, Chris Ord
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 22, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Nov 6, 2007
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
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.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
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.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
It's a holiday ritual: Each year, American moviegoers get the misanthropically stupid, plastic-satire-of- a-plastic-society Christmas comedy they deserve.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
I literally did not count a single laugh in the whole aimless schlep, except for the hucksters who made it, on their way to the bank.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
As long as atrocious, fake-pine duds like this keep making their money back, there's no such thing as a Christmas that's too commercial.
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
The raw ingredients of this crass holiday comedy include an inept stab at Home Alone-style slapstick, sitcom-thin characters, a snickering attitude about tacky yuletide decorations and a good helping of smarmy sentimentality. Merry Christmas!
Jane Boursaw, Common Sense Media
Makes us miss those Home Alone days...
Tom Meek, Boston Phoenix
The gags land like lumps of coal, but at least the unnatural mounds of fluffy white snow remain unsullied in the dreck.
Kit Bowen, Hollywood.com
Ah, another lifeless comedy for the holidays. It's just super to be reminded how mean-spirited and grotesquely commercial the Christmas season can be, isn't it?
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
The distasteful formula is even more sour and ham-handed than usual; Broderick's and DeVito's natural likeability never stands a chance.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
a bit too faux-humbug for me
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
banal
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
When Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito team up for a comedy that can't even deliver one well-oiled joke, that's a big problem.
Joshua Land, Time Out New York
Laden with false climaxes, the overstuffed plot leaves you exhausted well before the movie ends, and the amiable actors sleepwalk through their uninspired roles.
Josh Rosenblatt, Austin Chronicle
What's interesting about typical Hollywood Christmas movies is that regardless of how crass, vulgar, or mean-spirited they may be, by the last scene they will inevitably try to wrap viewers in a blanket of warm seasonal cheer.
Sam Toy, Empire Magazine
Got any kids who've been naughty this year? Here's their present.
Neil Smith, BBC
'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.
Angela Baldassarre, Sympatico.ca
Not that we expect much from a Holiday movie about neighbours competing over Christmas lights (how familiar is that?), but John Whitesell's film is so lacking in any plausible plot that I squirmed in my seat throughout the entire duration of the screening
Sean McBride, Sean the Movie Guy
seems to have only been greenlit because producers know that families need PG-rated dreck to occupy the kiddies while mom is out shopping for Christmas presents.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Deck the screenwriter, deck the director--then go and deck your own halls.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Directors C

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.
Sophie B

the only part i really liked was when he said "jesus!....christ the lord was born" hehe the rest was ok
Brad W

A movie that is too terrible for words, come on Danny DeVito, get back in the game.
Bently L

Christmas Movie Review Mania Episode #5: Deck the Halls Welcome to the first negative review in the Christmas Movie Review Mania series! Deck the Halls is a predictable Christmas movie with a very stupid plot. The acting is mediorce. The humor is both funny and unfunny. This is… More
Christmas Movie Review Mania Episode #5: Deck the Halls Welcome to the first negative review in the Christmas Movie Review Mania series! Deck the Halls is a predictable Christmas movie with a very stupid plot. The acting is mediorce. The humor is both funny and unfunny. This is nowhere close to all those funny Christmas comedies like "The Santa Clause" or "A Christmas Story". Did I mention that the movie has a bit of offensive humor? Anyways, don't watch unless you're in the mood for a bad comedy.
Dean !

A so-so comedy about rival neighbours overdoing the Christmas celebrations. Good cast and it has funny moments, one to watch over the festive season if nothing much else is on.
Coxxie M

this movie sucks. dont argue with me. and it has the breathtakingly (his breath, not mine) obese obese fat sweaty guy from "Lost". THIS MAN IS FAT.
Bruce B

Outstanding Christmas film, I my option for the whole family. Enjoyable and fun. Danny DiVito does what he does best. the kid star played his part well, showing what young teen agers feel about twin girls and naked paintings of Dannys Wife. Alia Shawkat stole my heart, great actress.… More
Outstanding Christmas film, I my option for the whole family. Enjoyable and fun. Danny DiVito does what he does best. the kid star played his part well, showing what young teen agers feel about twin girls and naked paintings of Dannys Wife. Alia Shawkat stole my heart, great actress. Enjoyed the Christmas lighting, best house I have ever seen. 5 Star Film. Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy
Phil H

Whats the point of this? there's no real plot, its not funny and the cast are naff. Broderick is soooo wet these days and Devito needs better material. Its yr typical Xmas movie, all the same cliches and outcomes, trying to be a 'National Lampoons' beater maybe? its… More
Whats the point of this? there's no real plot, its not funny and the cast are naff. Broderick is soooo wet these days and Devito needs better material. Its yr typical Xmas movie, all the same cliches and outcomes, trying to be a 'National Lampoons' beater maybe? its looks nice and very festive and the kids may like it but there's no Xmas magic there for them, its just a pointless film. The three young teen girls in the film make it better haha WOW!
Lorenzo v

"There glows the neighborhood" Two neighbors have it out after one of them decorates his house for the holidays so brightly that it can be seen from space. <center>"There glows the neighborhood" Two neighbors have it out after one of them decorates his house for the holidays so brightly that it can be seen from space. <center>REVIEW</center> The movie begins with some promise, building characters and presenting a conflict. However, the last half hour is a joke (and a bad one at that). There is no acting, no plot, and no comedy. The worst part of the film is when the family is walking down a holiday lane that DeVito builds in efforts to make amends to everyone. My jaw dropped as I watched the movie get worse by the minute. I like Danny DeVito. He has an interesting character for the first half of the film. But as the character changes toward the end the interesting aspect quickly wears off. I would only suggest that anyone watch this film if they want to see some terrible film-making.
Luke B

It may not be great but you can't be mad at a Christmas movie. That's like punching Baby Jesus. Despite being October I watched this whilst kitted out in my Christmas jumper and drinking from a Christmas mug with penguins on so I was clearly in the mood. Awful plot and tired… More
It may not be great but you can't be mad at a Christmas movie. That's like punching Baby Jesus. Despite being October I watched this whilst kitted out in my Christmas jumper and drinking from a Christmas mug with penguins on so I was clearly in the mood. Awful plot and tired lessons to teach, at least it was slightly fun and seeing Danny DeVito is always a gas. The jokes and twists are as predictable as Santa wokring on the 24th of December. Could those sexy dancers that DeVito and Broderick are heckling possibly be their daughters? I'll never tell. Kal Penn brightened up the screen with a great English accent and the word "Biscuits". Light hearted crap for the holiday season.
Roy G

Deck the Halls muddles along with rote characters and unimaginative gags that will amuse very few.
Dann M

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… More
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 clichÃ (C)s, 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.
Bradley W

A movie that is too terrible for words, come on Danny DeVito, get back in the game.
Fascade F

it was an okay movie...A Sleepy Christmas treat.
Christopher O

A true study of very talented actors given sub-par material and can't save the film. Devito has been much better as the lovable lout and Broderick comes off as a jerk. Had potential but is poorly directed and written. Enough to make you say Bah Humbug!
Joseph E

Oh, what a damn stupid lame ass comedy that somehow warms your heart..for about a quarter of the film.
John M

A comedy with no humor...
Quinto W

Well... at least it doesn't star Tim Allen. That has to count for something... right?
Andrew P

I am a sucker for christmas films, they just suit the time of year so much...this really deserves a one star rating like most of them (not including Elf or Santa claus) but a nice holiday film to enjoy...however corny it may be
Janice :

Horrible! The jokes are so pathetic they made me wanna cry, the whole story in general is SO STUPID, and the acting is awful (trying to act like the perfect American family ultimately ends up being a fiasco). It seems the director couldn't focus on a solid and decent plot for a… More
Horrible! The jokes are so pathetic they made me wanna cry, the whole story in general is SO STUPID, and the acting is awful (trying to act like the perfect American family ultimately ends up being a fiasco). It seems the director couldn't focus on a solid and decent plot for a cute little christmas movie. This is over-the-top nonsense! Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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

            Kelly Aldridge as Ashley Hall

            Sabrina Aldridge as Emily Hall

            Jorge Garcia as Wallace

            Fred Armisen as Gustave

            Gillian Vigman as Gerta

            Ryan Devlin as Bob Murray

            Sean O'Bryan as Mayor Young

            SuChin Pak as Herself

            Jackie Burroughs as Mrs. Ryor

            Garry Chalk as Sheriff Dave

            Nicola Peltz as Mackenzie

            Zak Santiago as Fireworks Guy

            David Lewis as Ted

            Daniel Bacon as Ed

            Ken Kramer as Mr. Murray

            Jill Morrison as Gail

            Alfred E. Humphreys as Hardware Store Employee

            Brenda Crichlow as New Reporter #1

            Jill Krop as News Reporter #2

            Agam Darshi as News Producer

            David Stuart as Oblivious Dad

            Quinn Lord as Santa Kid

            Nathaniel De Veaux 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

            Stephen Holmes as UPS Guy

            Andrew Hedge as City Employee

            Cory Monteith as Madison's Date
See full cast