Scrooged (1988)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jacob E

  
  Charles Dicken's classic has gotten more than a few treatments over the years. I'm willing to be that there's a statistic out there that in some way shape or form, "A Christmas Carol" is the most adapted to television and film novel of all time. There are an… More
  Charles Dicken's classic has gotten more than a few treatments over the years. I'm willing to be that there's a statistic out there that in some way shape or form, "A Christmas Carol" is the most adapted to television and film novel of all time. There are an ungodly number of these films. So, why would an obscure Bill Murray comedy adaption of the story earn 5 stars from me? Easy. Because it's one of the best (if not the best) modernization of the tale, with a darkly cynical edge. The story involves a TV exec named Frank Cross who is in charge of a live TV performance of "A Christmas Carol". Cross is a modern day Scrooge, with no compassion of any kind and a hatred for Christmas as a concept. But his dead business associate- I think you know where this is going. But what makes this so much fun is the fact that the events of the film (the ghosts visits) are timed with the performances of "A Christmas Carol" for television. Plus, the humor is usually really funny, with a particular standout being Bobcat Goldthwaith. This tale has been done to death, but I enjoy this version the most, along with "A Muppet's Christmas Carol."

• Melvin W

  
  Lew Hayward: I don't mind you shooting at me, Frank, but take it easy on the Bacardi. "The spirits will move you in odd and hysterical ways." Scrooged is at times funny, but not as funny as it needs to be, or as funny as I expected it to be. Still I managed to get a… More
  Lew Hayward: I don't mind you shooting at me, Frank, but take it easy on the Bacardi. "The spirits will move you in odd and hysterical ways." Scrooged is at times funny, but not as funny as it needs to be, or as funny as I expected it to be. Still I managed to get a certain satisfaction out of watching Bill Murray play the "Scrooge" character of Frank Cross. With anyone else in that role, I don't think I would have been able to like the film at all. With Murray, the movie is at least entertaining because watching Murray is always entertaining. The film follows the same plot as A Christmas Carol, just modernizing it and switching the characters to fit into the modern storyline a little better. Frank Cross is a selfish TV executive. He is a jerk in every way possible; forcing a mother to stay late when she has to take her mute son to the doctor and declining his brothers Christmas dinner invitation yearly. He then is met by the ghost of his old boss that tells him that three ghosts are going to visit him. The two ghosts that talk are pretty annoying and in no way help the movie at all, which they should have. You could do a lot worse when it comes to Christmas movies and this one deserves a look. It merits a watch ever two or three Christmas's, but in no way is it ever going to become a holiday tradition in my household. It's a decent retelling of a story that, I guess, needs to be told a million times. This isn't the best version of it, but it certainly isn't the worst either.

• Jeff "

  
  Scrooged is a fun comedy starring Bill Murray. This is along with Christ Vacation and Planes, Trains and Automobiles the best holiday film. Director Richard Donner directs a great cast here, and with a cast like this, it makes Scrooged a very good film. The film is one of the must see… More
  Scrooged is a fun comedy starring Bill Murray. This is along with Christ Vacation and Planes, Trains and Automobiles the best holiday film. Director Richard Donner directs a great cast here, and with a cast like this, it makes Scrooged a very good film. The film is one of the must see holiday films and with the antics of Bill Murray, your sure to be amused. I really thought the cast was the best part about the film, that and the fact that Donner directed this cast and made a memorable holiday film, one that belongs on the short list of classics. Over the years, there have been countless holiday comedies, but very rarely do they succeed at being very funny, and entertaining. Scrooged on the other hand, though far from perfect, is a memorable film with plenty of jokes that are quite memorable. Scrooged may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy Billy Murray, this is a film worth seeing. This is a good film that lots of great performances, and though it's imperfect, the film does manage at being nonetheless an entertaining holiday film that the entire family can enjoy. If you forgive its imperfection, you're sure going to enjoy Scrooged for what it is. I very much liked it and it one of the few holiday films that's pretty smart in its conception. The film uses a man's dark side for its gags, and it works well enough to make this worth watching.

• AJ V

  
  A fantastic modern take on the old Christmas Carol story. Murray is brilliant in this movie, and I loved the rest of the cast as well. There are a few dull scenes, but overall, it's hilarious and a lot of fun. I highly recommend it.

• Cassie H

  
  A great update of A Christmas Carol :) Bill Murray is hilarious & wonderfully odd as Frank Cross, the heartless television executive :) Love this movie :)

• Jani H

  
  "All day long, I listen to people give me excuses why they can't work... 'My back hurts,' 'my legs ache,' 'I'm only four!' The sooner he learns life isn't handed to him on a silver platter, the better!" Richard Donner is known… More
  "All day long, I listen to people give me excuses why they can't work... 'My back hurts,' 'my legs ache,' 'I'm only four!' The sooner he learns life isn't handed to him on a silver platter, the better!" Richard Donner is known most of his 'Lethal Weapon' and 'Superman' films. High level actions films in other words. So I was a bit surprised when the end credits started to roll and there came Donner's name out. Director and producer. Well, this tale of Charles Dickens' novel 'A Christmas Carol' has been adapted sooo many times on film and television. Donner's outlook is a bit more "modern" (the film was released back in '88) with Bill Murray in the lead. But Murray is not the one that caught my attention and high praise... I'll reveal the name later on. Francis Cross (Murray) is a egotistical executive at a television company. He's got everything a man wants. Fame and fortune. But along with that he has become cold-hearted and cruel. His concentration on his work has made him lose his "one true love" and alienated him from his family. He overworks his staff and fires people on Christmas day. So he ain't such a nice guy. It's time for three ghosts (well four if you count his former boss) to appear and teach him a lesson. 'Scrooged' has not aged well, that's for sure. The effects and the makeup ain't that good looking anymore but in my opinion, this movie don't need 'em that much per se. It' more about the story. And the basic idea hasn't changed a bit since Dickens wrote his last words for the novel. Bill Murray, who was in his (first) prime in the 80's ('Stripes', 'Ghostbusters'), lost himself in the 90's (with the exception of 'Groundhog Day') and made a comeback in 2001 ('The Royal Tenenbaums'), is acting a bit on overdrive here. I've seen this film maybe 3-4 times by now and on this last viewing, I found him a bit annoying at times. But there are several scenes where he gives good performances, funny or dramatic. BUT (and that's a big but) the one performer that steals the show, eventhough she's seen for maybe 1 minute in total, is Anne Ramsay. I've loved her performances in 'The Goonies' and 'Throw Momma From the Train'. This film was one of her last, as she died of throat cancer in 1989. Her unusual speech is caused by the fact, that some parts of her tongue and jawbone had to be removed in eary 80's when she had cancer for the first time. What a wonderful momma she was. As a curiosity, I saw that this film also had "Free South Africa" posters on some locations. I'm a fan of the 'Lethal Weapon' series and I remember from the 2nd film that there were similar posters shown there. The film had a South African baddy so I'm starting to think that Donner wanted to give his own part in the fight against apartheid. In 1991 it ended in South Africa... Well back to the film. 'Scrooged' still guaranteed several laughs, eventhough my multiple viewings. Dickens' novels story will never die and this is a somewhat different adaptation and in my opinion, a successful one. Now when Christmas is just behind the corner, I'd recommend 'Scrooged' as a Christmas film for the more mature audience.

• Jeremy S

  
  Corny

• Conner R

  
  The greatest interpretation of Scrooge to ever exist. It's slightly modified to fit the 80s yuppie lifestyle, but it even becomes more powerful in doing so. Bill Murray is at the top of his game, giving Scrooge a very humanistic and sadistically charming feel. The sarcasm works… More
  The greatest interpretation of Scrooge to ever exist. It's slightly modified to fit the 80s yuppie lifestyle, but it even becomes more powerful in doing so. Bill Murray is at the top of his game, giving Scrooge a very humanistic and sadistically charming feel. The sarcasm works so well with all the bizarre elements. Richard Donner really made this into a gothic epic with some incredible visuals and oddball lighting. It's also kind've more powerful than every other adaption because you actually care about the character and want to see him succeed instead of just learning his lesson. The supporting characters work well with this too because you have such sympathy for their tragic lives.

• Tsubaki S

  
  My favorite movie version of the story, mostly for Bill, but the rest of the cast is quite good too.

• Anthony L

  
  It's one of Murray's funnier films and certainly one of the better Christmas movies around (not that that's a hard thing to achieve!)

• danny d

  
  a hilarious retelling of the classic story. sometimes the retelling of this same tale gets repetitive, but this film re-energized this tale in humor and creativity that is not possible to dislike. bobcat was a nice touch and obviously murray was solid as always, a christmas comedy… More
  a hilarious retelling of the classic story. sometimes the retelling of this same tale gets repetitive, but this film re-energized this tale in humor and creativity that is not possible to dislike. bobcat was a nice touch and obviously murray was solid as always, a christmas comedy classic.

• Jon L

  
  Although you would not think of it as one of your typical Christmas movies, it is one of my favorites ones for the Christmas holidays.

• xGary X

  
  Dickens' ubiquitous seasonal tale gets yet another re-telling in this amiably dated 80s comedy. Bill Murray stars as a tyrannical TV network president who goes through the usual learning the "true spirit of Christmas"motions via ghostly visitation. As is always the case… More
  Dickens' ubiquitous seasonal tale gets yet another re-telling in this amiably dated 80s comedy. Bill Murray stars as a tyrannical TV network president who goes through the usual learning the "true spirit of Christmas"motions via ghostly visitation. As is always the case with this type of thing, it's reliant on saccharine drenched sentimentality, but Richard Donner actually manages for the most part to temper it with some post modern slapstick and Murray's deadpan wit. It gets a little nauseating towards the end, the subplot featuring his secretary's son left me feeling particularly bilious. But the first half of the film is classic Murray and the ghosts are all good fun. One of the few Christmas films that I can watch without having to reach for the sick bucket.

• Curtis L

  
  Funny rendition of a christmas carol with a dark side.

• Tim S

  
  THIS is a holiday classic worth watching.

• Jason S

  
  This is a great adaptation of the Scrooge story and the comedy in it works very well. Bill Murray fills the screen with his energy and with every crazy situation he finds himself in he makes you believe that it could actually happen. Plus as funny as it is, it's really heart felt… More
  This is a great adaptation of the Scrooge story and the comedy in it works very well. Bill Murray fills the screen with his energy and with every crazy situation he finds himself in he makes you believe that it could actually happen. Plus as funny as it is, it's really heart felt in the end. This is a holiday classic.

• Candy R

  
  Modern day interpretation of the Christmas Carol.

• Lafe F

  
  A nice comedy twist on the traditional Christmas Carol tale, with Scrooge being a heartless television exec (Bill Murray) visited by some ghosts trying to install some Christmas spirit in him. The effects and set pieces are interesting. Bill Murray plays a convincing role. The whole… More
  A nice comedy twist on the traditional Christmas Carol tale, with Scrooge being a heartless television exec (Bill Murray) visited by some ghosts trying to install some Christmas spirit in him. The effects and set pieces are interesting. Bill Murray plays a convincing role. The whole movie felt cold and uninvolving because some plot elements were simply stark translations of the classic tale to a modern setting.

• jay n

  
  dreadful film, what is poor carol kane doing marooned in this piece of drivel.

• Dean M

  
  Good comedy in updating of Christmas Carol, with Murray the Scrooge-like head of a TV company.

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