After earning a rare 0% score from critics, the audience verdict is in for Christmas at the Kringles on Rotten Tomatoes.
Directed by Kevin Lewis, with a script written by Zack Imbrogno, the new holiday horror-comedy follows the Severson family who move to a suburban neighborhood where their neighbors, the Kringles, celebrate Christmas year-round and harbor sinister intentions to hypnotize and indoctrinate them. The cast includes Ron Livingston, Rachel Bilson, Rob Riggle, Thomas Lennon, Arden Myrin, Donald Faison, Beverly D’Angelo, and David Wain.
Now, following its theatrical release this past Friday, October 30, Christmas at the Kringles has earned a 41% score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, a significant improvement over its 0% critics’ score. It only has 50+ verified ratings at the time of writing, so its audience score could change as more are added. It currently has 28 reviews from critics.
Audience reactions to Christmas at the Kringles are all over the place, though the complaints are hard to miss. Many agree with critics – calling it confusing, poorly made, painfully unfunny, and a waste of time. Still, some viewers embrace its bizarre and unpredictable charm – praising its humor, energetic performances, and sheer entertainment value. A few even think it could become a cult classic Christmas comedy.
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However, the new horror movie debuted with a record box office low, bringing in just $675,000 during its opening weekend while playing in 1,825 theaters nationwide. Its $369 per-theater average ranks as the 132nd-lowest domestic debut of all time. It also set an unfortunate record for 2026, becoming the worst-opening for a horror movie to launch in more than 1,000 theaters.
In ScreenRant‘s Christmas at the Kringles review, Alex Harrison rated it four out of 10 stars and wrote that the movie was “probably more fun to make than to watch… Though this Christmas-themed horror comedy had potential, it’s wasted in just about every phase, with a fun mid-film reveal the only redeeming factor.” He continues:
The film is unable to push its ideas far enough to truly make the most of them. When the spike in enjoyment eventually tapers off, Christmas at the Kringles is left feeling like an underbaked, underwhelming experience.
The film is unable to push its ideas far enough to truly make the most of them. When the spike in enjoyment eventually tapers off, Christmas at the Kringles is left feeling like an underbaked, underwhelming experience.
© Briarcliff Entertainment / courtesy Everett Collection
© Briarcliff Entertainment / courtesy Everett Collection
© Briarcliff Entertainment / courtesy Everett Collection
© Briarcliff Entertainment / courtesy Everett CollectionOverall, critics also dismiss it as a chaotic and unfunny mess with muddled storytelling, unlikable characters, and uninspired scares. Despite its promising premise and comedic cast, Christmas at the Kringles simply fails to deliver.
Christmas at the Kringles
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Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.Ron Livingston
Mark Severson
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Julie Severson
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Rob Riggle
Drunk Santa
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Arden Myrin
Carol Kringle
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