Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Edgy, exciting Santa adventure has iffy behavior, peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Christmas Chronicles
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 72 parent reviews
Parents say the movie garnered mixed reviews, with many praising its entertaining elements and heartwarming messages about family and belief in Santa, while others found it inappropriate for younger audiences due to language, themes of crime, and body shaming. Despite some criticisms about the film's content and storytelling, several families enjoyed the adventurous plot and the performances of the cast, particularly highlighting Kurt Russell's portrayal of Santa.
- adventure theme
- mixed family appeal
- language concerns
- body shaming issues
- positive messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 53 kid reviews
Kids say this holiday film is a delightful and funny family-friendly movie, with many praising Kurt Russell's portrayal of Santa Claus. While some reviews mention mild violence and language that might be inappropriate for very young viewers, the overall message about family and believing in magic resonates positively with audiences.
- family-friendly
- positive message
- mild language
- funny moments
- great character portrayal
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES tells how siblings Teddy (Judah Lewis) and Kate (Darby Camp) sneak onto Santa's (Kurt Russell) sleigh on Christmas Eve, making the sleigh crash and Santa lose his magic hat and sack full of toys. Oh, and to top it all off, the reindeer are also MIA. If Santa doesn't deliver Christmas in time, the world will descend into another Dark Age where violence and chaos rule the day. So the three of them set out to make things right by retrieving the lost items and getting Santa's elves to help repair the sleigh. Along the way, Teddy steals a car (well, borrows a stolen car, really), Santa gets thrown in jail, and Kate finds herself alone in Santa's workshop at the North Pole. Can the three work together to save Christmas?
Is It Any Good?
This Christmas adventure has lots of kid appeal and excitement in a quest to save Christmas, but iffy behavior as well as dealing with parental loss make it best for tweens and up. The Christmas Chronicles features Hollywood veteran Russell playing a gruff Santa who doesn't do "ho, ho, ho!" and who doesn't like being portrayed as fat. But viewers old enough to handle the iffy messages, language, and themes of grieving will enjoy watching Kate and Teddy win him over. Director Clay Kaytis puts his CGI animation experience to good use, especially with the elves. They have a distinct look and sometimes an almost gremlin-like edginess that might be a bit scary for little kids, and some of the scenes seem like a bit of a marketing ploy designed to make kids want to collect them all. But tweens and up can appreciate them as refreshingly distinct from the usual visions.
It's easy to imagine producer Chris Columbus as having an influence over the inventive imagining of Santa's workshop and how to get there. The jailhouse rock-and-roll number feels gratuitous and ineffective as a way to spread Christmas spirit, but you could argue that a rock number like that is logical for something coming out of a holding cell. Parents and grandparents may enjoy looking for familiar faces in the band, as well as the inside-joke actress in a cameo as Mrs. Claus. It may not be an instant classic the whole family can enjoy, but older kids will enjoy the excitement and adventure, with a happy ending that wraps things up nicely.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about holiday messages in The Christmas Chronicles. What's the most important part of any holiday? Is it what you get, or something else?
Lots of people feel sad at holiday times because they miss loved ones who have passed away. If you've lost a loved one, what kinds of things help you feel better?
Is it OK to do something naughty or illegal if it's for a good cause? Why, or why not? How do you know?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 22, 2018
- Cast : Kurt Russell , Judah Lewis , Darby Camp
- Director : Clay Kaytis
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Holidays ( Christmas )
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild action/violence and brief language
- Last updated : January 3, 2026
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