5.6/10
34,327
123 user 137 critic

Fred Claus (2007)

Fred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother, is forced to move to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves prepare for Christmas in exchange for cash.

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(screenplay), (story) | 1 more credit »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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DJ Donnie (as Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges)
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Bob Elf
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Linda Elf
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Leon
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Storyline

During childhood, Fred Claus suffered his younger brother Nick's saintliness. Jump ahead: Fred is a fast-talking, genial but self-centered guy in Chicago looking for $50,000 to open an off-track-betting shop. When one scam goes awry, he calls Nick at the North Pole for a loan: Nick will give him the money only if Fred comes up to help a few days with the Christmas rush. After his girlfriend dumps him, Fred heads north. Santa's facing an audit from an efficiency expert, and it's not pleasant. Fred's job is to review charts and determine who's naughty and who's nice. Is there any fraternal feeling left, can either learn from the other, and what about Santa getting fired? Written by <[email protected]>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Santa's brother is coming to town. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and some rude humor | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

9 November 2007 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El hermano de Santa  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,515,473, 2 November 2007, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$72,006,777

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$97,838,349
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The wardrobe department consulted Levi Strauss and Company, and had special 501s created to accommodate Vince Vaughn's sizes exactly. See more »

Goofs

In the end credits, the promotional note for the soundtrack album is misspelled "sountrack." See more »

Quotes

Nick 'Santa' Claus: [to Fred]
Nick 'Santa' Claus: You are the best big brother anybody could ever ask for
Nick 'Santa' Claus: Ho-ho-ho!
See more »

Crazy Credits

The opening logos are covered in snow and Christmas tree lights. See more »

Connections

References Mousehunt (1997) See more »

Soundtracks

Sleigh Ride
Written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish
Performed by The Ronettes
Courtesy of EMI Entertainment World Inc.
Under exclusive license from Phil Spector Records, Inc.
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
It is what it is
25 November 2007 | by – See all my reviews

Every Christmas eve I make my kids endure yet another showing of It's A Wonderful Life. I also thoroughly enjoyed Bad Santa. So sue me. I admit it. I like cheesy, schmaltzy movies. I like excellent, intelligent ones too, but as with so many things, variety is a good thing. What would the Christmas season be without the annual cinematic ka-ching ka-ching of Santa in all his guises, from Edmund Gwenn to Billy Bob Thornton? Fred Claus will make no one forget Bedford Falls, but I do not believe a Christmas film should have to reach iconic stature to succeed. "Fred" is a perfectly OK holiday movie, with enough humor for the adults and sufficient charm for the kids. My wife and I laughed a lot, even if most of the humor was obvious and Vince was just being Vince. Paul Giamatti was a top-notch Santa, which helped a lot. Not a great flick, and unlikely to become must-viewing for anyone's annual Christmas traditions. But my wife and daughter and I enjoyed it for what it was, holiday schmaltz with a small dash of spice. There's nothing wrong with that.


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