Ernest Saves Christmas is a 1988 comedy film starring Jim Varney as Ernest P. Worrell, the lovable goofball who was everywhere in the late 80s and early 90s. If you grew up in that era, you probably remember Ernest from commercials, his own TV show, and a string of movies with titles like Ernest Goes to Camp and Ernest Scared Stupid.
This particular Ernest adventure follows our bumbling hero as he helps Santa Claus find a successor before Christmas Eve. Santa's getting too old for the job, and he's chosen a children's TV show host named Joe Carruthers to take over. The problem? Joe doesn't believe in Santa anymore and needs some serious convincing. Ernest, being Ernest, creates chaos while trying to help save Christmas.
The movie is pure slapstick comedy—think pratfalls, silly voices, disguises, and physical gags. It's rated PG and runs about 95 minutes.
Here's the thing: Ernest Saves Christmas is objectively not a cinematic masterpiece. The special effects are dated, the plot is thin, and Jim Varney's comedy style is... an acquired taste. But there's something genuinely sweet at its core that keeps families coming back.
The nostalgia factor is real. If you watched Ernest as a kid, you probably have fond memories of his rubber-faced antics and that signature "KnowhutImean?" catchphrase. Sharing this with your kids can be a fun generational bridge—though be prepared for them to look at you like you've lost your mind.
The heart is authentic. Beneath all the slapstick, there's a genuinely touching story about belief, second chances, and the importance of keeping wonder alive. The movie treats Santa with respect (he's portrayed as a real, tired, kind man doing an important job), and the message about finding purpose and believing in magic is delivered without too much schmaltz.
It's genuinely family-friendly. Unlike some "kids" movies from the 80s that are surprisingly dark or inappropriate by today's standards, Ernest Saves Christmas is remarkably clean. No scary moments, no innuendo, no violence beyond cartoon-level physical comedy.
Ages 4-7: This is probably the sweet spot. Young kids will enjoy Ernest's silly antics at face value, and the Santa storyline works perfectly for believers. The humor is broad enough that they'll get the jokes, and nothing is too scary or intense. Fair warning: they might start imitating Ernest's voices and mannerisms, which will either delight you or drive you absolutely bonkers.
Ages 8-12: Kids in this range can still enjoy it, especially if they're into silly humor or if you're watching it together as a nostalgia trip. But be honest—the comedy is pretty juvenile, and if your kid is more into Home Alone or Elf, they might find Ernest a bit too goofy. The Santa storyline might also feel babyish for kids who've already moved past that phase.
Teens and up: Only if they're in on the joke or genuinely curious about your childhood. This is a "so bad it's good" situation for most teens, or a fun ironic watch. Don't force it.
The humor is VERY 1980s. We're talking mugging for the camera, exaggerated physical comedy, and jokes that land with all the subtlety of a cartoon anvil. If your kids are used to the faster pacing and sharper writing of modern kids' content, Ernest might feel painfully slow and corny. That's okay! It's a different era of comedy, and there's value in showing kids that entertainment styles change over time.
There's one outdated moment worth noting. Ernest briefly disguises himself as a woman (a snake charmer named "Auntie Nelda"), complete with exaggerated makeup and voice. It's played for laughs in that classic 80s way that feels pretty cringey now. It's brief, but if your family is sensitive to gender stereotypes or you're raising trans or gender-nonconforming kids, you might want to skip past it or use it as a teaching moment about how comedy has evolved.
The pacing is S-L-O-W. Modern kids' movies move at lightning speed. This does not. Scenes linger, jokes take their time setting up, and there are actual quiet moments. Some kids will be bored. Others might find it refreshing after the sensory overload of contemporary content.
It's a great conversation starter about belief. The central conflict—a grown man who stopped believing in Santa—can open up really sweet discussions with your kids about imagination, growing up, and what it means to keep wonder alive even as we get older. The movie's message is essentially that believing in something bigger than yourself, whether it's Santa or just the spirit of generosity and kindness, is worth holding onto.
You can stream it easily. As of this writing, Ernest Saves Christmas is available on various streaming platforms and for rent digitally. It's also a staple on cable during the holiday season. The accessibility makes it an easy add to your holiday movie rotation if you're curious.
Ernest Saves Christmas is not going to win any awards for sophisticated storytelling or cutting-edge humor. It's goofy, dated, and absolutely ridiculous. But it's also genuinely kind-hearted, completely family-safe, and might just become a weird little tradition your family looks forward to each year.
If you're looking for a holiday movie that's a break from the slick, high-production Disney fare, this is a fun throwback. Set expectations appropriately with your kids ("This is from when I was little, and the humor is really silly"), make some popcorn, and lean into the absurdity.
And hey, if your kids hate it? At least it's only 95 minutes, and you tried. Parenting is all about introducing your kids to things they might love—or teaching them that not everything from your childhood holds up, and that's okay too.
Worth watching if: You want a silly, harmless holiday movie that's genuinely sweet underneath all the slapstick, or you're feeling nostalgic and want to share a piece of your childhood.
Skip it if: Your kids need fast-paced modern humor to stay engaged, or you have zero patience for Jim Varney's particular brand of comedy.
For more holiday viewing options that might better match your family's taste, check out our guides to the best Christmas movies for kids or holiday shows on Netflix.