Prancer

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Prancer

G,

1989,

1h 43m,

Kids & Family/

Holiday/

Fantasy

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68%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, a child, Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harrell), discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods, which she believes to be Prancer. With the help of a sympathetic veterinarian (Abe Vigoda), Jessica takes care of the wounded creature. It's supposed to be a secret, but eventually a store Santa Claus (Michael Constantine), the girl's dad (Sam Elliott) and the entire town find out about Prancer, leading to big problems for Jessica and her family.

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Critics Consensus

Prancer's good-natured holiday cheer -- and a terrific performance from its young star -- are enough to make this yuletide adventure a moderately rewarding watch.

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Martin F. Kohn

Detroit Free Press

Dec 13, 2024

6/10

While Prancer comes across as E.T. with antlers, its performances are good and its atmosphere authentic.

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Michael H. Price

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Dec 13, 2024

4/10

The picture has enough good-heartedness to work despite the simplistic conceits of Greg Taylor's screenplay.

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Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

Dec 14, 2014

2/4

A hodgepodge of Heidi and Meet Me in St. Louis.

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Joanna Connors

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Dec 13, 2024

Though the film doesn't inspire awe visually, it does offer a heartwarming, unabashedly family-oriented story.

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Steve Warren

Bay Area Reporter

Dec 13, 2024

Not exactly rapid-fire to begin with, Prancer slows to a crawl toward the end. Maurice Jarre's syrupy score, suggesting a majesty not present in the visuals, drags it down further.

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Dec 7, 2022

3/5

Scenes with Prancer himself are more realistic than might be expected of a relatively low-budget 1980s film, and a touching relationship develops between the reindeer and young Jessica.

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Han W

Feb 2, 2019

Listen, thereâ(TM)s certainly a story to be told here. The idea of a disenfranchised, precocious child being inspired by a seemingly âmagicalâ? appearance of a reindeer, and in turn inspiring her town, is a unique one. Not to mention, Tickell in the lead role is more than a bit committed and completely enveloping. Such a shame that the movie is such a hot mess of family comedy and jarring tragedy that never finds a good balance between the two.

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Kylo S

Jan 12, 2019

As expected, good-natured with the genre's healing medicine for the heart's blossomy climax in the little magical warmth as the young Harrell maintained with young wondrous innocence, even if things generally tends to get overdone like in any children's film. (B) (Full review TBD)

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Abraham R

Dec 16, 2018

I keep watching it every season & my kids are grown & out of the house,, it feels good

Han S

Oct 24, 2018

She's such a good role model for girls, treats animals with respect, hard worker, never gives up and shows her Dad appreciation. have watched secod time on boxxy software

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John D. Hancock

Director

Sam Elliott

John Riggs

Rebecca Harrell Tickell

Jessica Riggs

Cloris Leachman

Mrs. McFarland

Rutanya Alda

Jessica's Aunt Sarah

John Duda

Steve Riggs

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Synopsis

Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, a child, Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harrell), discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods, which she believes to be Prancer. With the help of a sympathetic veterinarian (Abe Vigoda), Jessica takes care of the wounded creature. It's supposed to be a secret, but eventually a store Santa Claus (Michael Constantine), the girl's dad (Sam Elliott) and the entire town find out about Prancer, leading to big problems for Jessica and her family.

Director: John D. Hancock
Producer: Raffaella De Laurentiis
Screenwriter: Greg Taylor
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Cineplex-Odeon Films, Raffaella Productions, Nelson Entertainment
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.1M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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