Even though Warner Bros. is on the verge of merging with Netflix, after the latter made an $82.7B deal, a few of the WB films, or rather holiday classics, are now gracing HBO’s streaming platform before making their way to Netflix. And one among them is Reese Witherspoon’s chaotic holiday comedy Four Christmases, starring Angelina Jolie’s father, Jon Voight.
The 2008 movie is back in the spotlight, now streaming on HBO Max just in time for the festive season. At its core, the film follows Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Witherspoon), a couple who have one rule every Christmas, avoid their families at all costs. But when their tropical holiday plans fall apart, they’re forced to visit all four of their divorced parents in one day, uncovering old wounds and new chaos along the way.
The table contains basic details on Four Christmases:
MovieFour ChristmasesDirectorSeth GordonCastVince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Jon Voight, Sissy Spacek, and Mary SteenburgenRotten Tomatoes Score25% | 47%Runtime 1h 28m
Despite a Low Rating, Four Christmases Became a Box Office Success
Well, now that Four Christmases is streaming on HBO Max and people have turned the movie into a fan-favorite holiday classic, we can’t say the same about the time when it first graced the big screen. Because back in 2008, critics were far from kind. The movie earned an abysmally low 25% Rotten Tomatoes score.
And turns out, part of the blame goes to the awkward chemistry between the two lead actors, Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn. Apparently, their real-life disagreements affected the filming in such a way that it glared through the screen, affecting the film’s reception among fans and critics.
In fact, it was later reported via Decider that the duo loathed each other so much that the actress refused to do a steamy romantic scene with Vaughn, because she reportedly didn’t want to get down and dirty. And so naturally, this off-screen drama only added to the criticism leading to low ratings.
But surprisingly, audiences reacted very differently. While critics disliked the film, regular viewers connected with its messy holiday theme and relatable family drama. This led the film to earn 2.1 times its $80 million budget, which is a total of $168 million worldwide (via The Numbers).
Why Reese Witherspoon’s 2008 Film Still Remains a Holiday Classic
Reese Witherspoon with Vince Vaughn | Credits: New Line Cinema
So now, why exactly does Four Christmases remain a holiday classic, even after decades? Turns out, people really relate to the honesty of the film. Given how the 2008 Christmas movie isn’t typically about dreamy, whimsical charm, and instead shows messy, stressful, and uncomfortable family reunions, people tend to like that about the film.
Unlike sugary-sweet holiday movies, since this one leans into the chaos and still finds humor and warmth in it, viewers relate with it better. Plus, the movie also stays memorable because of its star-studded cast. Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn bring energy, even with their clashing acting styles, and the supporting cast is simply phenomenal.
From Jon Voight, to Sissy Spacek, Robert Duvall, and Mary Steenburgen, the veteran stars just elevate the story. Each parent adds a different kind of disaster to Brad and Kate’s journey, creating four mini holiday movies in one. And most importantly, Four Christmases sneaks in a heartwarming message beneath all the chaos.
As Brad and Kate confront their pasts, they slowly learn what commitment, family, and honesty truly mean. Viewers walk away laughing, but also feeling a touch of holiday warmth. That balance is what makes fans choose Four Christmases as a holiday classic, over and over again, across decades.
Let us know in the comments, what you like best about Four Christmases.
Four Christmases is streaming on HBO Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
