Christmas at the Kringles scores a dismal 3% on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences also underwhelmed at 39%. Discover why the holiday film failed with critics a...
- November 3, 2026
AceShowbiz - Christmas at the Kringles has encountered a notably difficult reception on Rotten Tomatoes since its release in theaters. The film’s Tomatometer rating stands at a strikingly low 3%, marking it as a rare example of overwhelmingly negative critical consensus. This indicates that the vast majority of critics who reviewed the film were largely unfavorable in their assessments.
The audience reception has also been underwhelming, albeit less severe than the critics’ verdict. With an audience score of 39%, Christmas at the Kringles clearly struggles to resonate with viewers, though it has attracted a somewhat larger proportion of moderate or positive responses compared to its critical reviews. Still, this score falls well short of the general audience’s enthusiasm for many theatrical releases, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction.
Rotten Tomatoes categorizes Christmas at the Kringles with a “Rotten” status, which is assigned when the Tomatometer falls below the 60% fresh threshold. This classification indicates that the film has failed to impress most critics and suggests significant issues in execution or appeal. While the audience score is notably higher than the critic score, it remains below the threshold that would suggest broad viewer approval.
The disparity between the critics’ extremely low score and the audience’s somewhat higher but still unimpressive reception highlights a common divide that can occur with certain films. In this case, however, neither group has shown strong support. The critics’ 3% rating is particularly striking as it points to near-unanimous negative reviews, a rarity in mainstream releases.
With Christmas at the Kringles now available in theaters, its performance on Rotten Tomatoes may impact its box office momentum and future audience interest. Films facing such low critical scores often encounter challenges in attracting wider viewership beyond loyal fans or niche audiences. The relatively low audience score further suggests limited word-of-mouth appeal, which can be crucial during the holiday season when competition among new releases is fierce.
While the film’s holiday theme might have offered potential seasonal appeal, the critical and audience reception reflected in the Rotten Tomatoes scores suggests that it has not met expectations. This poor showing on one of the most widely referenced review aggregation sites could influence consumer decisions and the film’s overall cultural footprint during this theatrical window.
As of November 3, 2026, Christmas at the Kringles remains firmly categorized as “Rotten” on Rotten Tomatoes, with a Tomatometer score of 3% and an audience score of 39%. These figures underscore the challenges the film faces in establishing a favorable reputation among both critics and moviegoers alike.
This article is based on reporting originally published by Rotten Tomatoes.