Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Holiday romcom is amiable but centers on family dysfunction.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Four Christmases
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is entertaining with plenty of laughs, especially for older teens and adults; however, many reviewers caution that it contains excessive sexual content and adult themes that make it unsuitable for younger audiences. While some found it hilarious, others criticized it for its uncomfortable humor and negative messages regarding divorce.
- funny moments
- inappropriate content
- age restrictions
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
After three years together, Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) have the holidays down pat: Every December, they tell their dysfunctional families that they're performing charity work in some far-flung location -- when they're really vacationing at a swanky resort. But this year, heavy fog shuts down the San Francisco airport, and Brad and Kate are forced to spend Christmas Day in the city. After a local TV crew captures their dilemma for everyone -- relatives included -- to see, they're stuck seeing every one of them, from Brad's disgruntled dad (Robert Duvall), wannabe wrestler brothers (Jon Favreau and Tim McGraw), and cougar therapist mother (Sissy Spacek) to Kate's born-again sexpot mom (Mary Steenburgen), passive-aggressive sister (Kristin Chenoweth), and newly enlightened father (Jon Voight). But as they slog through the four separate celebrations, they begin to discover how little they actually know each other -- and that they might want something different from their relationship.
Is It Any Good?
Though FOUR CHRISTMASES is predictable and sort of comes off like a hybrid episode of Family Feud and Girls Gone Wild, it's hard to resist Vaughn and Witherspoon's appeal. They tap into the humor of one outlandish situation after another (perhaps one too many, actually) without losing their zeal or charisma. And the supporting cast reads like the Hollywood Walk of Fame (who knew Spacek was good for laughs?).
But the high-wattage cameos end up feeling a bit overdone, given that some of them -- especially Voight -- aren't given very much to do. Plus, comic timing aside, for a couple supposedly madly in love, Vaughn and Witherspoon don't have a whole lot of chemistry. We don't so much hope that they find their way back to each other because we believe in them, but rather because it's what we expect of romantic comedies. Overall, Four Christmases isn't a particularly memorable holiday gift, but they can't all be. At least it's not a fruitcake.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why so many holiday movies focus on dysfunctional family relationships.
Are real families really as out there as the ones in movies like this? Does watching their antics make you feel better (or worse) about your own? Do you think that's the point?
In this movie, why do you think Brad and Kate are estranged from their families? Is it justified, or are they being selfish?
What are your own family celebrations like? Why are holiday get-togethers often fraught with tension (both in the media and in reality)?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 26, 2008
- On DVD or streaming : November 23, 2009
- Cast : Reese Witherspoon , Robert Duvall , Vince Vaughn
- Director : Seth Gordon
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : New Line
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Holidays ( Christmas )
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some sexual humor and language
- Last updated : December 4, 2025
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