Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- witty
- awkward
- irreverent
- christmas viewing
- couples night
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that the strong cast and occasional comic chemistry could not overcome a hackneyed script and increasingly cheerless, predictable execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Brad and Kate are forced to visit four divorced parents in one Christmas day, creating a chain of distinct family encounters.
As Brad and Kate revisit their childhood homes, each learns more about the other's upbringing and questions their shared future.
The four parental households turn Christmas into a succession of noisy, uncomfortable, and idiosyncratic family confrontations.
Brad and Kate begin satisfied with a child-free, unmarried life, but the family ordeal prompts Kate to reassess what she wants.
Films like Four Christmases, and why
The Family Stone
Both are holiday romantic comedies centered on relationship strain, family expectations, and chaotic seasonal gatherings.
The Holiday
Both combine a committed couple's relationship questions with uncomfortable visits to eccentric or dysfunctional family members during the holidays.
The Big Wedding
Both are relationship comedies driven by clashing families, comic discomfort, and pressure to reconsider conventional ideas of commitment.
Meet the Parents
Both feature a couple navigating an escalating series of comic social and family obstacles while reassessing their future together.
Movie Details
- Director
- Seth Gordon
- Release Date
- 2008-11-26
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (1282)
Cast
- Vince Vaughn
- Reese Witherspoon
- Robert Duvall
- Sissy Spacek
- Mary Steenburgen
- Jon Voight
- Kristin Chenoweth
- Jon Favreau
- Tim McGraw
- Katy Mixon
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Four Christmases about?
- A carefree couple's secret Christmas escape collapses into four revealing family visits that test their commitment and future plans.
- What is Four Christmases like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Four Christmases as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Four Christmases violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Four Christmases.
- What did critics think of Four Christmases?
- Critics broadly agreed that the strong cast and occasional comic chemistry could not overcome a hackneyed script and increasingly cheerless, predictable execution.
- Which films are like Four Christmases?
- Films with a similar feel include The Family Stone, The Holiday, The Big Wedding, and Meet the Parents.
- How long is Four Christmases?
- Four Christmases runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Four Christmases?
- In United States, Four Christmases is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex.
