Christmas with the Kranks is the most underrated Christmas movie of all time

Picture the scene: Luther and Nora Krank, played wonderfully by Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, are less than thrilled to spend Christmas without their daughter, and when Luther suggests they treat themselves to a 10-day Caribbean cruise at to spend the money they would otherwise spend on Christmas celebrations, the stage is set.

But this is not without irritation from their neighbors, who simply cannot believe that the Kranks would forgo Christmas celebrations – especially their famous Christmas Eve party.

Now this seems like a pretty basic plot outline for a Christmas movie, but it’s when the neighbors all band together to push the Kranks into the Christmas spirit that the mayhem unfolds that makes it real holiday gold.

When the Kranks get a phone call from their daughter to say she’s at the airport on her way home with her fiance – it’s all systems go to save Christmas!

At the heart of Christmas with the Kranks is Luther and Nora managing to rediscover the true spirit of the season – all while trying to ignore it.

As the couple tries to get everything together to hold their Christmas Eve party, the entire street comes together to help them, shining a light on the community and love that brings people together during the holiday season.

But this movie wouldn’t be what it is without the leads Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. The chaotic and Christmas-mad Nora is so perfectly coupled with the slightly Scrooge-like exterior of Luther, which strikes even more if you are a fan of Santa Claus.

Whether it’s Nora getting into a fight over a can of ham, or Luther getting a fun tan ready for his cruise to the literal Caribbean, there’s really perfect comedy at the heart of this Christmas classic.

Of course, it can be over-the-top at times – but isn’t Christmas itself?

But amongst all the chaos of trying to keep Christmas Eve going, there’s a rather poignant moment that reminds us all that Christmas is also about giving.

Towards the end of the film, Luther and Nora realize that they couldn’t possibly go on the cruise now, but don’t want the tickets to go to waste. Luther donates the cruise tickets to his neighbor Walt and his wife Bev, who are battling cancer. Get some tissues, it’s emotional.

While Christmas with the Kranks may not have the best ratings and received mixed reviews from critics upon its original release, it simply gets better with every watch.

This movie might not be on your list of the best Christmas movies of all time, at least not yet, but there’s something so crazy about it that makes it so good – and it just isn’t talked about enough!

If your Christmas is a bit chaotic, messy, but equally filled with all the people you love around you, give Christmas with Kranks a shot.

And who knows? This could be your new favorite Christmas movie.

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