Just needed more laughs and Vince Vaughn's hilarious humor was not used properly, but overall it had a good message, and sex and language were relatively mild at all times.
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Fred Claus
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Holiday comedy's no classic, but it's OK for kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Fred Claus
Parents need to know that since this is the first Christmas-themed movie of the season, kids might be extra interested in seeing it. The trailers and ads feature the comedy's silly elves and slapsticky nature, and that's exactly what you get (along with a heaping sleighful of brand-name toys). This is no serious, high-minded holiday story; it's a simple comedy about Santa's jealous brother. While there's nothing scary or troubling in the movie, there are a few scenes of couples kissing (including Santa and his wife, and two elves) and a sad moment when an orphan says he doesn't believe in Santa. Fred and Santa get into a fight, as do Fred and a group of angry Salvation Army Santas, and there's some relatively mild language ("crap," "hell," etc.).
Read our full review by Sandie Angulo Chen
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the movie's themes: sibling rivalry, naughty behavior, and Christmas greed. Santa's parents, especially his mother, clearly favored him over Fred. How did that make Fred feel and act toward his family? How does he redeem himself? Why does the average Santa letter include a request for 15 toys? Is that a good thing? Are there any toys you want after seeing them in the movie? Why do you want them? What do you think about Fred's comment that no kid is naughty, and that every kid deserves one toy? Do you think that's true? Kids: How can you help a child like Slam receive a gift this holiday season?
Our Members Say
See all 22 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
it really wasn't TOO bad
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!
I hated this movie. It made fun of christmas spirt. Santa was always mad and upset, don't waste 2 hours of your life watching this crap!!!!!!
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
caution fans of Santa!
I took my four year old and my six year old. After seeing it, I wish I had not taken them. It was funny and they laughed. I think I may have been more disturb by the movie than they were. I had a hard time with Santa being mean. it just felt wrong to have my kids see him try to do physical harm to his brother and talk mean.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I walked in the theater with my good friend expecting this to be a good movie but instead it was one of the most boring movies ive ever seen.. it was way to long and boring.. do not waste your life watching this movie its not worth it.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
IT WAS OKAY!
It was OK
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This movie was the best christmas movie i'd ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Fred Claus...more of like Fred Cheese
I went into this film desperately wanting to enjoy it for what it was; a silly Christmas family comedy. But alas, I could not enjoy the film for one simple reason: the film's message of Christmas spirit felt forced upon me. I wish the writer of this film would have stopped trying to make this appeal to just little kids, and more to the whole family. I'll admit, there are some funny moments (a gut-busting scene with Stephen Baldwin, an ironic mention of Superman and Kevin Spacey, etc.), but the whole naughty-nice message was too overbearing to save this film. On a more positive note, if there were an Oscar for 'Most Big-Name Cameos in a Movie', this film would win it, because there were so many huge names in this I got a kick out of it. But all in all, I wouldn't recommend this unless you can stomach all the corny moments in this movie.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Good, but not great.
This was an okay holiday movie. Would be great on a DVD at home on a wet night. I ended up spending $50 for tickets and goodies. Not worth that much. I think it was a little boring for my 6 year old. It would be more entertaining for a 8 years and older audience. Enjoy.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
great family movie
I thought that the movie was great for the whole family I brought my kids ages8-4 and they all enjoyed it. At times it was slow for the 4 year old but overall they all really enjoyed it and it got us all the spirit of Christmas.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Good for veiwers!
This movie was great it had slight tension of bad things but just under were kids could see it.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Not a classic
but still worth seeing. A little long, there are a couple of strong messages in the end. The kids loved it (but even they admitted it's not as good as Elf).
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
Couldn't sit through the whole thing
Looking forward to a good Christmas movie. This wasn't it. Awful! Too long and very boring.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
OK
This was an OK Movie. At the end a couple (not married) move in together. 9 and up.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title off for age 5 and give it
BORING!
My husband and I were bored to death in this movie. It was very slow and not what we expected. Our two boys (ages 5 and 8) tolerated it but they certainly didn't get excited about it. We were all just hoping to go have a good laugh and some light-hearted fun but instead it felt like torture. We thought the movie would never end. What a waste of $40 and two hours.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Klaus and Cleavage for older Kids
Under 11 should not see this film either because they are missing half of it due to the speed of Vaughn's delivery or the material is simply too mature. Unplanned pregnancy is a topic in one of Vaughn's rants at the beginning of the movie, and while I may have found his monologue to be mildly amusing, I was not amused that my under 11 children were sitting there with me. Why does the head elf-lady need to have cleavage showing? While I appreciate that her number-crunching, brilliant mind was emphasized to appease the women of the audience, cleavage in a Santa flick has got to go. While I also agree with the movie's theme that no child is bad, this is a theme that is way over a younger child's head. After seeing this movie, my children ages 6-10 couldn't answer why they liked it except that it had good music and dancing during the workshop dance scene and that the snowball fight was funny. Older children will appreciate this movie more and I would enjoy discussing with them the topics that this movie raises.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
this is my reveiw
fred claues is like a christmas movie but much funnier than a chrismas carol like blue balls by larry the cable guy it is as funny as that hope you like my reveiw thank you hope you like it by!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Cute movie
My husband and I saw this movie without the kids and were pleasantly surprised. This was an easy movie to just sit back and enjoy...no pressure trying to keep up with too much action or too many complications. If you are looking for an easy-going movie, this one should fit the bill.
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