AceShowbiz - As the festive season fully embraces us, cinephiles worldwide are diving into their annual tradition of rewatching beloved holiday films. While classics like It's a Wonderful Life and modern gems such as Elf dominate watchlists, news recently emerged that an often-debated festive comedy, Christmas with the Kranks, was departing Netflix. Fans of the slapstick yuletide flick can rejoice, as the film has officially found a new streaming home just in time for the holidays.

As of December 1st, Christmas with the Kranks is available to stream on HBO Max, ensuring its unique brand of holiday chaos entertains or bewilders. The movie features Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis and comedian Tim Allen, portraying a couple attempting to eschew traditional Christmas celebrations, only to be drawn back into the spirit by zealous neighbors. Based on John Grisham’s novel Skipping Christmas, the film’s critical standing is contentious; it holds a mere 5% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. This low score might reflect its release before the Hallmark-adjacent Christmas movie boom softened critical perspectives on holiday fare.

The plot of Christmas with the Kranks centers on Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora Krank (Jamie Lee Curtis), who, with their daughter away, decide to forgo all Christmas traditions and embark on a Caribbean cruise. This unconventional plan is met with fierce opposition from their Christmas-obsessed neighbors, particularly Vic Frohmeyer (played by Dan Aykroyd) and Walt Scheel (M. Emmet Walsh), who are determined to win the annual "best decorated street" competition. The Kranks soon find themselves ostracized for their perceived lack of holiday spirit, leading to a series of comedic misadventures as they navigate community pressure.

Despite its cult following and star power, Christmas with the Kranks struggled at the box office upon its November 2004 release. Produced on a reported budget of $60 million, the film needed to earn double that for financial success. It fell short, grossing approximately $96 million globally ($73.7 million domestic, $22.7 million internationally). Its disappointing theatrical run was affected by overwhelmingly negative critical reception, making its streaming platform journey a welcome second chance. Whether you love it or love to hate it, Jamie Lee Curtis' festive flick is now readily accessible for your holiday viewing pleasure on Max.