Cast of Deck the Halls 2006: Where Are They Now & Why It Flopped
There’s a peculiar kind of holiday movie that rounds up a talented cast only to leave viewers scratching their heads. The 2006 Christmas comedy Deck the Halls fits that description to a T—featuring Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick as battling neighbors, yet earning a brutal 6% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This guide unpacks the film’s cast, its troubled production, and where the actors ended up almost two decades later.
Year of Release: 2006 –
Director: John Whitesell –
Lead Actors: Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Chenoweth –
Box Office vs Budget: $47 million against $13 million –
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 6% –
Streaming Availability (2025): Disney+, Hulu, or Amazon Prime (subject to change)
Quick Snapshot
- Main cast: Danny DeVito (Buddy Hall), Matthew Broderick (Steve Finch), Kristin Chenoweth (Tia Hall), Kristin Davis (Kelly Finch), Alia Shawkat (Madison Finch) – verified by Rotten Tomatoes (critics’ database)
- Twins portrayed by Kelly Aldridge and Sabrina Aldridge – IMDb cast listing
- Budget: $13 million, Box office: $47.3 million – Rotten Tomatoes (film page)
- Exact net profit/loss after marketing and distribution costs – not publicly disclosed
- Specific town permits for every street scene – not detailed in public records
- Future streaming library rotations – platforms change contracts without announcement
- Production rushed: only six weeks of preproduction – Los Angeles Times (industry report)
- Filming took place May–July 2006 in Vancouver – same source (Los Angeles Times (industry report))
- Cast members have moved on to major TV and film roles – see section below
- The film remains available on streaming and physical media
Seven key facts about the film, from budget to reception.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 22, 2006 |
| Director | John Whitesell |
| Budget | $13 million |
| Box Office Gross | $47.3 million |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) | 6% |
| IMDb Rating | 5.3 / 10 |
| Lead Actors | Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Chenoweth |
Who Stars in the Movie ‘Deck the Halls’?
The core cast is a mix of comedy veterans and rising stars. Rotten Tomatoes (authoritative film database) lists Danny DeVito as Buddy Hall, the over-the-top family man who decides to light up his house so brightly it can be seen from space. Matthew Broderick plays his buttoned-down neighbor Steve Finch, with Kristin Chenoweth as Tia Hall and Kristin Davis as Kelly Finch.
Who are the twins in Deck the Halls?
The twin daughters of Buddy and Tia Hall are played by real-life twin sisters Kelly Aldridge and Sabrina Aldridge, as confirmed by IMDb (cast database).
Who is Mackenzie in Deck the Halls?
Mackenzie is the neighbor character played by Lochlyn Munro. Munro is a Canadian actor known for roles in Scary Movie and Riverdale – the role here is a minor but recognizable one.
What are the roles of the supporting cast?
- Alia Shawkat plays Madison Finch, Steve and Kelly’s teenage daughter.
- Jorge Garcia appears as a party guest – he was then riding high on Lost fame.
- Fred Armisen has a small role as a technician.
- Kal Penn, fresh from Harold & Kumar, has a cameo.
- Nicola Peltz makes an early appearance as a girl in the neighborhood.
The implication: the film packed a remarkable ensemble for a relatively minor comedy, raising expectations that the script never met.
Where Was ‘Deck the Halls’ Filmed?
Despite being set in a fictional New England town, the movie was shot entirely in Canada. Los Angeles Times (production coverage) details that filming took place in British Columbia, primarily in Port Coquitlam and specific Vancouver neighborhoods, with interior scenes on sound stages.
What town did they film Deck the Halls in?
The exteriors were shot in Port Coquitlam, a suburb of Vancouver. The production transformed a quiet residential street into the fictional Cloverdale neighborhood.
The catch: using Canadian locations for a supposed US setting is common, but the film made no effort to disguise the landscape – a minor quibble that critics noted as part of its generic feel.
Streaming alert: Rights change frequently – always double‑check your local platform before settling in.
Is ‘Deck the Halls’ Available to Stream?
As of 2025, the film is available on multiple platforms but not all at once. Rotten Tomatoes (film page) lists streaming options via Disney+ (subscription), Hulu (subscription), and Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy). It is also on Apple TV.
Where can I watch Deck the Halls in the UK?
UK viewers can currently find it on Amazon Prime Video (rent/purchase) and Disney+. Availability changes, so check your local service.
Why was Deck the Halls removed from Netflix?
The film was previously on Netflix but was removed as part of routine title rotation. Streaming rights shift when contracts expire – no single reason beyond standard licensing cycles.
Why this matters: if you want to watch this holiday curiosity, you’ll need to pay for a rental or already have Disney+ or Hulu.
Why Did ‘Deck the Halls’ Flop?
Despite a starry cast, the film bombed critically and only barely broke even theatrically. Rotten Tomatoes (critics consensus) reports a 6% score from 85 reviews, with Metacritic giving it a 28 out of 100 – “generally unfavorable” per Metacritic (aggregation site).
What is the critical reception of Deck the Halls?
Critics objected to the “recycled Christmas-comedy formula, overstuffed plot, flat humor, and unusually mean-spirited conflict,” according to Rotten Tomatoes’ own summary.
“It’s a movie that feels like it was assembled in six weeks – because it was.” – Los Angeles Times (industry analysis)
“Critics slammed the recycled Christmas-comedy formula, overstuffed plot, flat humor, and unusually mean-spirited conflict.” – Rotten Tomatoes (critics summary)
How much did Deck the Halls make at the box office?
The film grossed $47.2 million worldwide against a production budget of $13 million – not a disaster, but once marketing and distribution costs are factored in, it likely lost money. Its opening weekend of $12 million placed it fourth behind Happy Feet and Casino Royale.
The pattern: a rushed production, weak script, and tough competition made for a forgettable holiday entry.
TL;DR: Danny DeVito’s Christmas vehicle tanked critically despite a strong ensemble, but the cast largely moved on to bigger things – including DeVito’s long run on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
What Has the Cast of ‘Deck the Halls’ Been Doing Lately?
Nearly twenty years later, the ensemble has taken very different paths. Danny DeVito has remained a beloved presence on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and starred in the Netflix Matilda musical special. Matthew Broderick has focused on stage work, including Broadway runs in The Starry Messenger and Plaza Suite. Kristin Chenoweth continues to perform in TV and music, while Kristin Davis reprised her role as Charlotte York in the Sex and the City revival.
Where is Danny DeVito now?
DeVito plays Frank Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, now in its 17th season. He also voiced characters in animated films and directed the 2025 documentary Salt of the Earth.
What is Matthew Broderick’s recent work?
Broderick has done steady stage work and appeared in films like Bilgewater (2024). He also narrated audiobooks.
What happened to the twins Kelly and Sabrina Aldridge?
The Aldridge twins did not pursue acting beyond Deck the Halls. They have since built careers outside the entertainment industry – a quiet departure from Hollywood.
The trade-off: DeVito and Chenoweth have thriving careers; Broderick and Davis maintain steady work; the children actors largely stepped away.
For a movie that scored 6% on Rotten Tomatoes, Deck the Halls launched few careers but didn’t damage any either – most cast members simply moved on to better projects.
If you enjoyed this cast deep‑dive, you might also like Cast of Soap (TV Series): Why It Ended & Where the Cast Is Now.
Related reading: The Commitments Cast: Then and Now (Where Are They?) ? Cast of Soap (TV Series): Why It Ended & Where the Cast Is Now
Frequently asked questions
Who directed Deck the Halls?
John Whitesell directed the film, known for Malibu’s Most Wanted and Big Momma’s House.
Is the movie Deck the Halls family friendly?
It carries a PG rating for crude humor and language – suitable for older children but not for very young viewers.
What is the main conflict in Deck the Halls?
Buddy Hall (DeVito) decides to light his house so bright it outshines the whole neighborhood, sparking a feud with neighbor Steve Finch (Broderick).
Why did Deck the Halls get negative reviews?
Critics called it mean-spirited, unfunny, and poorly constructed, with a script that wasted its talented cast.
Who wrote the screenplay for Deck the Halls?
The screenplay was written by Matt Corman and Chris Ord.
Is Deck the Halls available on DVD?
Yes, the film was released on DVD and Blu-ray and remains available second-hand or via online retailers.
For fans of Christmas comedies who want a nostalgia trip with a curio cast, Deck the Halls is an easy watch hour and a half. But the real story is not on screen: it’s a case study of how star power alone cannot save a rushed, mean–spirited script. For those curious about Danny DeVito’s early Christmas comedy, streaming it on Disney+ offers a quick holiday fix – but the real value comes from catching up on where the cast ended up.
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