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Parents' Guide to

Candy Cane Lane

By Jennifer Green, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Fun holiday action comedy has peril, innuendo, language.

Movie PG 2023 116 minutes
Candy Cane Lane: Eddie Murphy among Christmas lights.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Candy Cane Lane: A family surrounded by Christmas decorations.
  • Candy Cane Lane: Eddie Murphy, Jillian Bell, and Madison Thomas in a Christmas store.
  • Candy Cane Lane: Eddie Murphy and swans.
  • Candy Cane Lane: Glass ornaments come to life.
  • Candy Cane Lane: Eddie Murphy in a Christmas sweater.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 13 parent reviews

monhan5
monhan5 Parent of 7-year-old
December 1, 2023
age 18+

Terrible Do NOT Allow Family to View

Disliked this movie. I would NEVER allow my children/grandchildren to watch it. A child is the first person to use profanity in the movie. One of the children in the movie lies to her parents. Parents tolerance/disregard for disrespectfulness of children. As a Christian household I saw innuendos referencing hell, evil and the devil. Evil elf is kicked out of Santa house. She is now reaking havic on the earth and when caught in the lasso the mother in the movie looks at her and says, is this the little that caused all the trouble (paraphrasing because I refuse to rewind the movie). This reference is found in scripture. This is what scripture says we will say about the devil when we see him as he is...this movie is NOT for children/families. I will NEVER allow my children/grandchildren to watch this movie.
Shametra Y.
Shametra Y. Parent of 15-year-old
December 3, 2023
age 10+

Fun and Funny Feel Good Movie

I liked seeing Eddie and Tracy paired together as a comedic duo. This movie introduced some new up and coming young and talented stars as well. I heard people mention profanity in previous reviews. However, it must've been subtle, because I can't remember hearing any. If you took your kids to see Shrek and thought it was appropriate, then you'll find this movie appropriate enough as well. The message was about remembering what matters the most. Pretty good movie overall.
See all 13 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Chris Carver (Eddie Murphy) is a Christmas-obsessed husband and father who competes with his neighbors each year on CANDY CANE LANE to see who can create the most extravagant holiday lawn decorations. Wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross) and teen children Nick (Thaddeus J. Mixson) and Joy (Genneya Walton) put up with his seasonal mania, while younger daughter Holly (Madison Thomas), who still believes in the magic of Christmas, collaborates with him. When Chris loses his job on the eve of the holidays, winning the year's decorating prize becomes even more important to him. He and Holly discover an out-of-the-way store with seasonal goods called Kringle's, run by an eccentric woman named Pepper (Jillian Bell). What Chris doesn't know is that when he signs the receipt at Kringle's, he's signing over his life to Pepper, who turns out to be a fallen elf with magical powers. He'll have one chance to save himself before he's turned into a glass figurine, like others before him.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (13 ):
Kids say (2 ):

Fast-paced, inventive, and amusing, this film is a memorable holiday-themed movie. That's due principally to gifted performers Murphy and Ellis Ross, who craftily toe the line between the rational and the absurd in Candy Cane Lane. Their droll banter and interactions may be scripted, but it takes two pros to convey the familiarity and mutual understanding of a long-married couple. Likewise, even as wacky events are unfolding all around them, the Carver family members are each experiencing realistic, down-to-earth troubles of their own. These keep the film grounded and allow for a satisfying closure.

In the interim, the action involving shrunken victims (Nick Offerman among them) and aggressive creatures plucked from the "12 Days of Christmas" jingle is entertaining and nimble. Bell brings the fairy-tale embellishment as the maniacal elf (with her similar role in Good Burger 2, she could be getting type-cast). Sure, the film might have tried to squeeze in a few too many ideas and characters (the cable anchors, for starters), but it all happens so fast that there's just not enough time to get annoyed before Holly "hugs the thug" and Black Santa swoops in to save the day.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what the family members take away from their experiences in Candy Cane Lane. What does each learn?

  • What are some of the characters' misconceptions of what Christmas is all about? What do the holidays mean for you and your family?

  • Why is Pepper bitter? Why has she turned into an evil elf? How does Holly treat her in the end?

  • Candy Cane Lane is a real place in El Segundo, California. Where could you find more information about it?

Movie Details

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