Jingle Smells

A perpetually disgruntled department store elf is fired just before Christmas and discovers a magical, but mischievous, reindeer. Together, they embark on a chaotic adventure to save the Christmas spirit and maybe even find a little joy for themselves.

Jingle Smells received a generally mixed to negative reception from critics, who often cited its predictable plot and uninspired humor. However, some found moments of charm, particularly in the performances of its lead actors, and it was seen by some audiences as a lighthearted, if forgettable, holiday diversion.

• Relies too heavily on tired holiday movie tropes.
• Jillian Bell and Jon Heder do their best with thin material.
• A holiday film that is more bland than brilliant.

Google audience: Audience reviews often point to the film being a passable holiday watch for families, with some enjoying the slapstick comedy. However, many viewers felt the story lacked originality and didn't quite capture the magic of classic Christmas films.

The reindeer "Dougal" was brought to life using a combination of CGI and practical puppetry, with animatronics used for close-up interactions with the actors.