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Surviving Christmas

  • 2004
  • PG-13
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
28K
YOUR RATING
Ben Affleck and James Gandolfini in Surviving Christmas (2004)
Home Video Trailer from Dreamworks
Play trailer0:31
2 Videos
50 Photos
Dark ComedyHoliday ComedyHoliday RomanceComedyHolidayRomance

A lonely, obnoxious young millionaire pays a family to spend Christmas with him.A lonely, obnoxious young millionaire pays a family to spend Christmas with him.A lonely, obnoxious young millionaire pays a family to spend Christmas with him.

  • Director
    • Mike Mitchell
  • Writers
    • Deborah Kaplan
    • Harry Elfont
    • Jennifer Ventimilia
  • Stars
    • Ben Affleck
    • Christina Applegate
    • James Gandolfini
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    28K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mike Mitchell
    • Writers
      • Deborah Kaplan
      • Harry Elfont
      • Jennifer Ventimilia
    • Stars
      • Ben Affleck
      • Christina Applegate
      • James Gandolfini
    • 165User reviews
    • 89Critic reviews
    • 19Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos2

    Surviving Christmas
    Trailer 0:31
    Surviving Christmas
    5 Holiday Films That Deserve Another Watch
    Clip 1:01
    5 Holiday Films That Deserve Another Watch
    5 Holiday Films That Deserve Another Watch
    Clip 1:01
    5 Holiday Films That Deserve Another Watch

    Photos50

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    + 43
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    Top cast66

    Edit
    Ben Affleck
    Ben Affleck
    • Drew Latham
    Christina Applegate
    Christina Applegate
    • Alicia Valco
    James Gandolfini
    James Gandolfini
    • Tom Valco
    Catherine O'Hara
    Catherine O'Hara
    • Christine Valco
    Josh Zuckerman
    Josh Zuckerman
    • Brian Valco
    Bill Macy
    Bill Macy
    • Doo-Dah
    Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison
    • Missy Vangilder
    Udo Kier
    Udo Kier
    • Heinrich
    David Selby
    David Selby
    • Horace Vangilder
    Stephanie Faracy
    Stephanie Faracy
    • Letitia Vangilder
    Stephen Root
    Stephen Root
    • Dr. Freeman
    Sy Richardson
    Sy Richardson
    • Doo-Dah Understudy
    Tangie Ambrose
    Tangie Ambrose
    • Kathryn
    John 'B.J.' Bryant
    • Cabbie
    • (as John BJ Bryant)
    Peter Jason
    Peter Jason
    • Suit
    Phill Lewis
    Phill Lewis
    • Levine the Lawyer
    Tumbleweed
    • Santa
    Kate Hendrickson
    Kate Hendrickson
    • Santa's Photographer
    • Director
      • Mike Mitchell
    • Writers
      • Deborah Kaplan
      • Harry Elfont
      • Jennifer Ventimilia
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The production was shot without a completed script. As a result, there were many delays and arguments over what to shoot. James Gandolfini admitted, in a behind the scenes interview, that most of the film was "improvised".
    • Goofs
      There are no mountain ranges, such as the one depicted, within hundreds of miles of Chicago. However, it's possible that Drew, with his resources, "whisked" the family away to Colorado for the day.
    • Quotes

      Drew Latham: Please! Please, let me stay here!

      Tom Valco: No!

      Drew Latham: I'll pay you.

      Tom Valco: My family's not for sale, pal.

      Drew Latham: I'll pay you $250,000!

      Tom Valco: Welcome home, son.

    • Connections
      Featured in HBO First Look: 'Surviving Christmas': Unwrapping the Comedy (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
      Written by Edward Pola & George Wyle
      Performed by Andy Williams
      Courtesy of Barnaby Records, Inc.
      By Arrangement with Celebrity Licensing

    User reviews165

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Hilarious! Home run comedy folks!

    Don't listen to the critics - this film is truly hilarious and, more to the point, touching.

    I am not a real fan of Ben Affleck - I am somewhat ambivalent about hi - but he knocks the comedy ball out of the park in this film. Gandolfini is also excellent, as always.

    Is this a holiday classic? Perhaps not, but in the tradition of Bad Santa, this is going to become part of my DVD collection as soon as possible.

    Do yourself a favor - go see this truly funny movie! The only downside is your sides will hurt from all the laughs!

    Merry Christmas!
    • nyugrd
    • Oct 26, 2004
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Surviving Christmas?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 22, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • DreamWorks (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Giáng Sinh Bất Tận
    • Filming locations
      • Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Tall Trees Productions
      • LivePlanet
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $45,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,663,156
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,441,356
      • Oct 24, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,125,687
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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