Bad Santa

78%

Tomatometer

219 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In this dark comedy, the crotchety Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton) and his partner (Tony Cox) reunite once a year for a holiday con. Posing as a mall Santa and his elf, they rip off shopping outlets on Christmas Eve. This year, however, Willie is falling apart. He's depressed and alcoholic, and his erratic behavior draws the suspicion of mall security (Bernie Mac). But when befriending a small boy brings out his kinder side, Willie begins to wonder if there is still some hope for him.

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Critics Consensus

A gloriously rude and gleefully offensive black comedy, Bad Santa isn't for everyone, but grinches will find it uproariously funny.

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Critics Reviews

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

Climactic uplift is far less important than the bawdy, nasty, inappropriate hilarity peddled by Terry Zwigoff’s 2003 gem, which also benefits from the participation of the late Bernie Mac and John Ritter.

Dec 5, 2022

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

In the annals of movie profanity, this movie would rate an Oscar, but it's actually pretty sweet at heart, although never sentimental. And if you don't believe me, you know what you can do.

Dec 14, 2014

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David Ansen

Newsweek

An antidote to forced holiday cheer, this scabrously funny misanthropic comedy is not for the whole family.

Dec 14, 2014

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

The film contains perhaps 90 seconds of genuine amusement. The rest is forced, juvenile, "off."

Feb 15, 2021

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

His journey of humanization (or the softening of a terribly hardened heart) is sometimes genuinely poignant, even when it's surrounded by preposterously reprehensible conduct.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 25, 2020

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Lauren Graham was wonderful as the sweet, at times horny, bartender with a thing for Santa.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 2, 2020

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Audience Reviews

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Mark J I think with age and the subversive Christmas film becoming more common have aged this a little. It is still, however, an enjoyable film and will remain one I watch each year. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review bad santa himself😘 fucking reco-fucking-mend it fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck duck duck duck duck dic Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/04/24 Full Review Kay M The original that kicked off a new genre, this Bad Santa version is the original and the best. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/15/24 Full Review Chris T The best Christmas movie of all time! And one of the best comedy movies of all time! A conman alcoholic santa and an elf is all you need to make this happen. And the kid who is the star of the show helps bring out the good in Bad Santa. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/17/24 Full Review Jameson S The Funniest Adult Christmas Movie Ever. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/24 Full Review Donald C Funny, sweet, disgusting and tasteless. Billy bob Thornton rules Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/11/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Bad Santa

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Cast & Crew

Terry Zwigoff Director Billy Bob Thornton Willie Tony Cox Marcus Brett Kelly The Kid Lauren Graham Sue Lauren Tom Lois

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Bad Santa

Bad Santa: Official Clip - I'm a Dwarf!