Rate Jingle All the Way (1996)

[HotTastyChili]

This movie is far from a masterpiece, but I'd stop very far before calling it one of the worst movies of all time like its reputation seems to suggest. I don't know how much of the comedy is intentional, but seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger playing an every-man searching for a toy is just an inherently funny circumstance. Phil Hartman is pretty funny as the slimy neighbor, and even Sinbad is tolerable in this one.

A lot of the criticism seems to be lobbed at the film's perceived "consumerism", but I don't see it either. In fact, the whole thing is a farce, a satire of the materialistic view of Christmas, with the film ending with Arnie realizing that he can't buy his son's love. He just needs to be there for him. It's pretty contrived, and not very inventive, but the critics would have you believe this film is a pessimistic drag.

The ending does seem a little misplaced where we totally leave the realm of reality, but it doesn't totally sink the picture for me. Obviously it's not fine cinema, but as far as family-orientated holiday comedies go, I've seen much worse.

The concept of a forum deeply analyzing a kid's movie from twenty-three years ago also makes me chuckle, so chime in if you care to! Happy holidays!

[Wildcat2000]

It’s a cool movie. I rated it 4 since there a few unbelievable elements like the jet pack scene. Still very entertaining.

I saw the sequel with Larry the Cable Guy. Not too bad but it has nothing to do with the first. Just the name.

[Bumblefeet]

I rented this on VHS way back and found it ok; not as good as Twins, but better than Junior. I watched it again two years ago around X-mas when watching tv with my brother and due to lack of anything else to watch, we stuck with it till the end, mainly for Arnie's laughable acting skills. And to my surprise the David Newman score, which was excellent throughout, especially during the over the top finale. If not for the ending, I would have rated it 4 stars, but the jetpack scene downgrades it to 3 stars. Sometimes less is better.

[therealjondoe]

Underrated imo

[thecooldud]

Originally Posted by HotTastyChili

This movie is far from a masterpiece, but I'd stop very far before calling it one of the worst movies of all time like its reputation seems to suggest.

Where exactly is this reputation from? Because I hated it at the cinema, but was actually persuaded to see it again recently because many, many people (esp on YouTube) seem to absolutely love it and regard it as a Christmas classic.
And, seeing it again... it's actually pretty fun.

[Jay H.]

I saw it for the first time 2 years ago (I was 44). I certainly appreciate that this was made for kids, and I may have even liked it as a kid. As an adult, I found it to be quite bad. It isn't funny, the little boy is a brat so I didn't want his father to succeed, and it completely wastes Phil Hartman.

[Lefthandedcherry]

Ahhh, one of my favorite fun Christmas movies, it's over the top hilarious and still makes me chuckle.

I still want a Turbo Man for Christmas.

[drush9999]

Really enjoy it 4/5
Christmas Cheese and Arnie Cheese make cheese-city, great combo

[Prog5000]

Rewatched it this week. Sinbad was extremely annoying.

1/5.

[Ben_UK]

Its grown on me massively. Hated it when I was younger, but now I consider it to be a must-watch. Just leave your brain at the door.

[NARMAK]

It's one of my Christmas movies from childhood. Home Alone, Jinge All the Way, Jack Frost and so on during the 90s. Hell, maybe even Die Hard as an adult eh

I feel like its a fun little movie. I kinda like The Last Action Hero too in a similar vein. It's not a movie to be taken seriously with the set pieces and so on, but it has a genuine message of spending time with loved ones. Not trying to buy it.

[imsounoriginal]

I remember seeing this movie back in the day as a kid, and I liked it. Never knew it had a reputation of being so bad.

[ben6543]

One of my all time favorite X-mas movies I watch it every year.

Arnold is so great in this and gives the best line ever "who said you could eat my cookies" and "Put the cookie down now"

Also love Phil Hartman as the sleazy neighbor ted.

[MattJ1991]

I love Jingle All the Way. My love of it is at a 4/5, but the actual quality of the movie is a 2/5. So let's go with 3.

[filmbuffTX]

Jingle All the Way is excellent. I’ve personally liked it since the 90s and I think it’s Schwarzenegger’s best comedy. Sinbad steals every scene he’s in and the rivalry between him and Arnie is hilarious. Also, Phil Hartman in a smaller role as the neighbor and “perfect dad” that’s munching on Arnie’s wife’s cookies while he’s out searching for Turbo Man.

The movie also captures a bygone era where parents had to hit the pavement to find that hot special toy for their kid. No Amazon Prime two day delivery or eBay then.

[Thomas Veil]

Gave it a 3...it's ok but there are parts like Hartman hitting on Arnie's wife that just kinda kill it for me as a kids flick. I don't really care for the kid in it either. As far as Sinbad goes I actually thought the movie with him and Hartman where he pretends to be someone else was a better effort (Houseguest was the movie, had to look it up).

[Leonidas King]

Originally Posted by Prog5000

Rewatched it this week. Sinbad was extremely annoying.

1/5.

[Mikezilla3k]

Absolute fun, even if the message is terrible. Better than Home Alone IMO. Schwarzenegger's great.

"Dashar, Prancar, Donnar, Blizthan..."

[Blu-21]

Everyone stay away from the Extended Cut. It just reinserts a lot of material that was cut for a reason.

[ArrestedDevelopment]

A timeless Christmas classic.