
Feeling unneeded, a disillusioned Santa Claus (Charles Durning) quits Christmas. Through the selflessness of a little girl looking to reunite her parents for Christmas (and the help of his bumbling chief elf, Philpot (Bruce Vilanch), Santa and the child travel across America and Santa discovers that people really do need him and care about other people.
Directed by Burt Brinckerhoff, It Nearly Wasn't Christmas leans on a strong ensemble — Charles Durning, Bruce Vilanch, Wayne Osmond — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1989.
Read More on the Blog
Loading reviews…

DC’s Green Lantern series Lanterns arrives on JioHotstar in India on August 17, 2026. Here is where to watch it, who is in it, and why it is one of the year’s biggest superhero shows.

The Michael Jackson biopic arrives on JioHotstar on August 29, 2026. Here is where to watch it, what you need, and why it is one of the year’s biggest music films.

Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan is headed to ZEE5 for its digital premiere. Here is the latest on its OTT release date and where to watch, updated as news is confirmed.