The Ref: A Holiday Cult Classic Worth Watching Every Christmas Eve

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Most holidays have a few go-to movies that people love to watch each year. Some, like Easter, offer a wide range of choices – from serious films like The Passion of the Christ to fun, family options like Hop. Other holidays have a clear favorite, such as Planes, Trains and Automobiles for Thanksgiving.

Christmas offers a huge variety of movies, from heartwarming dramas like It’s A Wonderful Life to comedies such as A Christmas Story, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and Elf. There’s even something for horror fans (Gremlins) or those who prefer more adult humor (Bad Santa), not to mention the many Christmas films made for channels like Hallmark.

Those movies are just a small sample of all the Christmas films available, and there are truly tons to choose from for anyone wanting to get into the holiday spirit before or on December 25th. I’ve personally had a holiday movie tradition for over twenty years, and I keep it up even when I’m not with my family.

Every Christmas Eve, before midnight, I watch the funny 1994 movie The Ref, and it still makes me laugh after all these years.

What Is The Ref?

Buena Vista Pictures

I have a feeling if you grew up in a certain era – especially if you were born in the 2000s – you might not know what I’m talking about when I mention The Ref, or as it was called in some places, Hostile Hostages. Honestly, that second title is way better, but I’m getting off track!

The Ref is a comedy about Lloyd and Caroline Chasseur, a wealthy couple from Connecticut who argue constantly as the holidays approach. Their lives are turned upside down when Gus, a burglar on the run after a robbery, takes them hostage.

After the Christmas Eve robbery, Gus enters a store and kidnaps Caroline, then forces Lloyd to drive them to his house while police are searching for him. It quickly becomes clear to Gus that he’s made a mistake – the couple can’t stop arguing, even during the holidays, and he realizes he grabbed the wrong people.

As Gus nervously awaits news from his clumsy accomplice Murray (Richard Bright), who’s trying to find a way for them to escape the police roadblocks, he’s unexpectedly thrown into a chaotic family dinner with Lloyd and Caroline’s relatives. Predictably, the situation quickly becomes full of comical mishaps and funny moments.

Despite positive reviews, Disney’s Touchstone Pictures had a surprisingly slow start with the film, releasing it in early March instead of closer to Christmas. While it only made $11.4 million at the box office despite a $12 million budget, it later found a dedicated audience on home video and became a beloved, non-traditional holiday favorite.

The Ref Has The Perfect Blend Of Crass Humor And Heart

Touchstone Pictures

Richard LaGravanese and his sister-in-law, Marie Weiss, wrote The Ref after drawing on the lively debates that often happened during their own family holidays. They sold the script to Disney in 1991, but it didn’t get made right away. Years later, comedian Denis Leary and director Ted Demme found the script and decided to bring it to life.

Leary gained recognition through appearances on MTV and his 1992 stand-up special, No Cure For Cancer, directed by Demme. This led to his involvement in the project, alongside producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson. Leary proved to be an ideal choice for the film, which featured a fast-paced, joke-filled script, and he was well-matched by the performances of Spacey and Davis.

As a film buff, there are a few movies I know practically by heart, and The Ref is definitely one of them – right up there with Major League and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. What I love about it is the sheer speed and consistency of the humor; the script just relentlessly throws jokes at you, and they all land. It’s a rapid-fire comedy that never lets up!

Despite its strong language and R-rating, the film’s appeal lies in its realistic portrayal of a chaotic family holiday dinner. The characters feel familiar and relatable, and Gus unexpectedly finds himself right in the middle of it all.

The characters in this story – Jesse, the troubled son of Lloyd and Caroline, Lloyd’s unpleasant but rich mother, Lloyd’s quiet brother Gary, Gary’s assertive wife Connie, and their children Mary and John – are all incredibly well-developed. You instantly understand their personalities and who they are as people.

While the constant comedy in The Ref is sure to entertain, the movie’s true power lies in its authenticity. Writers Richard LaGravenese and Marie Weiss drew on their own family experiences to create characters who are both hilariously over-the-top and surprisingly relatable – a difficult balance they achieve beautifully.

Why Should YOU Watch The Ref This Christmas Eve?

Touchstone Pictures

I genuinely think The Ref is one of the funniest comedies ever made. It’s incredibly hilarious when it’s at its best, but it also has surprisingly touching moments that you don’t usually find in comedies. It perfectly balances laugh-out-loud humor with genuine family drama, and it might have been more popular if Disney hadn’t released it during the wrong season – a Christmas comedy in March doesn’t quite make sense!

I’m aware of the controversies surrounding Kevin Spacey, and I’m not defending his actions. However, that shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying one of his rare comedic performances.

I usually watch this movie with my family – my mom, who doesn’t like swearing but still enjoys it, my younger brothers, and my stepfather – when I’m home for the holidays. It always makes us laugh, in all the same spots it has for the last twenty years.

If you’re tired of the same old Christmas movies, you have to check out The Ref! Seriously, it’s one of those movies that paved the way for comedies like Bad Santa, The Night Before, and Office Christmas Party. And honestly? It’s just as funny today as it was thirty years ago. I can’t recommend it enough!

You can watch The Ref for free on Hoopla, or rent or buy it from Amazon, Apple TV+, and Fandango at Home.

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2025-12-24 16:19