...there isn’t all that much to Genie, save for a lot of McCarthy mugging and some tired platitudes about how actions speak louder than wishes (or some such nonsense).

| Dec 25, 2023

It's not bad enough to make you wish for your time back, but you won't be adding it to your list of favourite Christmas movies any time soon.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 21, 2023

Those looking for some Christmas charm that’s not too challenging could do a whole lot worse than this.

| Dec 12, 2023

Bland, predictable and seemingly chucked together with minimal effort at the last minute from the most basic ingredients.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 4, 2023

It ultimately has a nice message about being present and putting your loved ones first, but Bernard’s journey feels like it is missing some depth. Genie is a pleasant, albeit forgettable, holiday movie.

| Dec 2, 2023

A film-maker whose movies pivot around acts of altruism has reached into the archives, gussied up a dead dog and flung it into the faces of viewers with something approaching contempt. So no, alas, not a Christmas classic.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Dec 1, 2023

It's hard to imagine anybody having strong feelings about Genie either way, but that's no bad thing. If you're in the mood, Genie is a slight but sweet festive watch — and, sometimes, that's all you need from a Christmas movie.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 1, 2023

Well, maybe Ben Falcone wasn't the problem after all.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Dec 1, 2023

Genie is a sugar-only zone. But then, it is Christmas. Or near enough.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 1, 2023

It feels ironic that a movie about magic and wishing doesn't feel all that magical.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Nov 30, 2023

Genie's messages of valuing your loved ones and being unselfish are on point for the holiday season, and this film should have no trouble finding an audience year-round. But, it could have been so much more.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 29, 2023

Genie just didn’t have enough left in the bottle to make it a successful holiday hit.

| Nov 28, 2023

It's unlikely to become a holiday classic. But the performances are engaging and often even amusing. And while the story feels badly contrived, is cheerful enough to lift the spirits.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 28, 2023

Richard Curtis returns to heap further cinematic misery on Christmas movie fans with Genie.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Nov 28, 2023

C-

| Original Score: C- | Nov 28, 2023

Unfortunately, this Peacock original contains few laughs, little Christmas spirit, and a complete lack of originality.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Nov 27, 2023

While Curtis’ original 1991 film was a commentary on the commercialization of Christmas, this Genie does not have anything to say other than to make sure you are not late for important moments in your life. And don’t eat hand sanitizer.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Nov 27, 2023

Alan Cumming brings the right touch as Bernard’s awful and vain boss, but this is Essiedu’s opportunity to shine, and does he ever take full advantage of it.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 27, 2023

Critiquing the very thing it also sets out to do, Genie is the movie equivalent of a dog chasing its own tail, but is (barely) saved from the wrapping-paper pile by the amiable chemistry of its stars.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 27, 2023

What a pleasant surprise with a very funny script from Richard Curtis and charming performance from McCarthy

| Original Score: 4.75/5 | Nov 25, 2023