The Twelve Days of Christmas Movies 2018: Day Ten

Surviving Christmas (2004)
Directed b y Mike Mitchell. Starring Ben Affleck, Christina Applegate, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Josh Zuckerman, Bill Macy, Stephen Root, Jennifer Morrison, Tom Kenny and Sy Richardson.

Wealthy advertising executive Drew Latham get’s dumped by his girlfriend, horrified that Drew would rather spend Christmas in Fiji than with her family. Desperate not to be alone at Christmas he frantically rings everyone he knows fishing for an invite…the problem is he’s pretty obnoxious. After a conversation with his therapist Drew decides to revisit the home he grew up in, but now it’s occupied by the Valco family…Drew then offers The Valco’s $250,000 if he can join them for Christmas. Hard-up the Valcos except.

Originally meant to hit screens in 2003 the film’s release was pushed back to 22nd October the following year, so as not to clash with Affleck sci-fi stinker Paycheck which was due to be released at the same time. The film was a critical and commercial flop, making just $15.1 million at the box office…worldwide, not even scratching it’s $45 million budget. But then again who goes to watch a Christmas movie in October?

Have you seen Surviving Christmas? How does it rank against the Christmas classic? Let me know in the comments below.