Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Kevin Spacey

Fred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother, is forced to move to the North Pole.

Flixster Users

50% liked it

351,573 ratings

Critics

21% liked it

134 critics

PG, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: David Dobkin

Release Date: November 9, 2007

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DVD Release Date: November 25, 2008

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Stats: 13,567 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (13,567)


  • August 21, 2009
    I thought it would be a lot funnier than it was. I was disappointed.
  • August 9, 2009
    Was'nt really fuss about this but took a looky and wow i loved it.Very funny and loved the two lead in this,rest of the cast is good to in there supporting roles.
    Yes it still has a christmas message to be good and all that crap but not really rubbed in your face that much.
    All...( read more) in all great movie and worth checking out now or at christmas time..
  • June 19, 2009
    in june?
  • April 7, 2009
    Great film, probably the best Xmas movie for years. It works mainly cos of Vaughn, his deadpan, sarcastic deliveries are soooo good and being an average joe is his forties, it makes you feel good not because of the Xmas factor but because Vaughn makes you feel happy and alright a...( read more)bout being an average joe, the everyman who has to put up with life's crap haha Spacey and Giamatti are also very good in their roles. It does look and play out like ALL other Xmas films but a slight twist on the plot, afew neat visual gags and some good verbal make the difference, the legal side with Spacey is quite special :) sloppy ending kinda almost spoils it...but its a nice flick.
  • January 16, 2009
    this was honestly a very not so good movie. I know it should have been better but this was a big let down. The best part of the movie was when he was fighting in the snow with his brother.
  • November 17, 2009
    Wow I can't believe that people such as Paul Giamatti and Vince Vaughn accepted to play in this piece of crap. I was so disappointed, oh my god, you can't believe it. Usually I really love Christmas movies , but that one really sucks, not funny at all, the story goes in every way...( read more)s and it makes no sense, the special effetcs were so bad I could not believe it. Well I liked the little Santa Claus village it was cute. USELESS MOVIE NOT ENTERTAINING AT ALL .VINCE VAUGHN IN HIS WORST PERFORMANCE.
  • November 8, 2009
    not horrible for a x-mas movie...
  • November 5, 2009
    its ok...kinda funny
  • October 23, 2009
    A funny film, not just for xmas or the kids
  • October 22, 2009
    Cute and funny. Def going in my fave Christmassy films. The Siblings Anonymous support group scene was hilarious. Love it! ♥

    ** review to be continued **

Critic Reviews


November 30, 2007
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

An archly mirthless comedy. full review

November 9, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

A ho-ho-hum yuletide comedy trying to shoehorn Vaughn's fast talking wise-guy brand into a warm and fuzzy Christmas confection that seems like it has been focus-grouped to smithereens. full review

November 9, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

As derivative and predictable as any of the holiday comedies of the past few years, providing audiences with at best a handful of laughs. Most of it is uninspired. full review

November 9, 2007
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A complete bust, derivative and uninspired, boring and dull, not funny, not moving and about a half hour too long. full review

November 9, 2007
Kyle Smith, New York Post

There is more plot in the average Geico commercial, so the movie pads itself with detours into sketch ideas that don't develop past the basic concept. full review

November 9, 2007
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

The movie's constantly shifting timbre takes some getting used to, and it's hard to escape the feeling that a whole lot of actors (Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates, Miranda Richardson) are wasted in a whole ... full review

November 9, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

[Fred Claus] has apparently studied Elf and figured out everything that could have gone wrong with its fish-out-of-water Christmas fable. full review

November 8, 2007
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Even though Vaughn knows how to build a pretty good performance out of little more than exasperated eye-rolling, he's just coasting here, and his scenes with Giamatti have no weight and no energy. full review

November 6, 2007
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

A holiday fable far too safe and toothless to take advantage of Vince Vaughn's ribald strengths. full review

View more Fred Claus reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • johngill145
    December 2, 2007
    My friend maggie wuz in this movie!! sweet i no isnt it???
  • KateBushFan
    December 1, 2007
    Who does Mirana Richardson play in this film??
    I cant wait to see it!!
    :D
    T 3 r i i . . . x
  • ShimmerMePretty
    November 21, 2007
    Thought this might be a tacky christmas movie so wasnt quite sure what to expect.
    But its was really good absolutely loved the whole thing !
    Beautiful set .. great story & had a good message :)
    Brilliant christmas movie!
    Terrific .. I was very impressed .
  • armageddon31
    November 19, 2007
    Really a kids movie. But always enjoy anything where Vince Vaughn is dancing around. Not one of his better movies.
  • sexycat18
    November 16, 2007
    it was funny.
  • milliefilly
    November 9, 2007
    where is the kid in you and make believe? Its a time for God and Jesus's birthday and the miracles of christmas. Take awe in everything god created and watch the movie in a childs eyes. it's beautiful. Ever see tim allen in the santa clause? Or when tim allen has to take a wife in mrs santa clause. I may be a grandma ,but I still love the way children see make believe and still believe in magic.
  • ruhena93
    November 7, 2007
    i think this movie is really crap!!!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Fred Claus Trivia


  • Paul Giamatti starred in Saving Private Ryan, Big Fat Liar, and Fred Claus. What new movie will he be starring in with Clive Owen and Monica Bellucci?   Answer »
  • In Fred Claus which actor played Nick (Santa)  Answer »
  • MOVIE JUMBLE: DERF LAUSC  Answer »
  • Another correction... Who does Bruce Willis play as in Live Free or Die Hard? You Chose: c. Shaun McClane (Correct - 10 pts) Correct Answer: a. Matt Farrel (1%) b. Cliff Curtis (1%) c. Shaun McClane (7%) d. Jack Frost (0%) e. Fred Claus (0%) Is the Correct Answer?  Answer »

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