I truly believe that most of the negative reviews are just a result of people jumping on the bandwagon about "the Rankin and Bass special we're not supposed to like." One might ask then, why did it "flop" at the box office? It sounds like it was very poor marketing to have released it in July. Just because the story was set in July does not change the fact that it is a Christmas story in every sense of the word and should be shown at Christmas time. That was a tactical error which caused it to fail, obtain a bad reputation, and now everyone just agrees that it's bad without thinking for themselves. Judged on its content, it's a great story and the complaints against it make little sense. For one thing, it's a major mistake to compare this to the earlier Rankin and Bass specials, as if this movie was somehow made to be in competition with them. It was obviously created to complement them and it does an excellent job of it. Secondly, it is a delightful, heartwarming movie that anyone with a soul should enjoy. Thirdly, the movie does a very clever job of incorporating the many favorite Rankin and Bass specials together and reinforces the idea that it is all in one universe. It provides closure to many aspects of the specials, such as Frosty and Crystal's life and family together, their ongoing friendship with their former advisory Jack Frost, Rudolph's origin, and many other details. It even subtly explains Santa's more idiosyncratic behavior in past specials, such as his grumpiness in Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and self-pity in Year Without A Santa Clause. He says to Mrs. Santa Clause, "I'm not the easiest man to get along with" and she says, "Only when it gets close to Christmas Eve." It's really a very significant special and it's a shame that it's lost on some. So, folks, watch this delightful Christmas movie, don't be influenced by the hate that others have directed towards it, avoid holding it to crazy standards that no other fantasy movie would be held to, just lighten up, sit back, and enjoy Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July with an open mind and a happy heart.

A concept with potential, and it was fun to see these two holiday icons together, but...Rudolph's glowing nose didn't require the "explanation" offered in this film - much like The Force in the Star Wars films didn't need the explanation of "medichlorians in the bloodstream." But mainly, the film left me cold because of Winterbolt's over-complicated plot to destroy Santa. He's got the power to put suggestions into people's minds, so why does he do things in such a roundabout way? Breaking the magic of Rudolph's nose, framing Rudolph, threatening to melt the Frosty family...The comedically exaggerated plots of Pinky and the Brain and "Phineas and Ferb's" Dr. Doofenshmirtz (which are done that way on purpose and played for laughs) seem simple and straightforward compared to Winterbolt's, which we're expected to take somewhat seriously.There is a particularly (and amusingly) strange moment when a character throws her two guns at the bad guy, like boomerangs. I understand if they don't want to have guns being shot in a family film, but then why have guns in the first place?

If you're a Ranken and Bass fan like I am, then you're bound to enjoy this one! As soon as Halloween wraps up, it seems as though Im waiting around with my Tivo at the ready to record each and every R/B stop-motion holiday special. "Christmas in July" is the longest of the group, running at an hour and a half, and was one of the last produced. Sure, its a little ridiculous in that its a Holiday plot in the middle of the summer, but its fun-filled reunion-ensemble show! And it has one of the best R/B villains: Winterbolt. This special is a personal favorite of mine! Anyone who cant enjoy it is either a Scrooge, or not appreciative of the lost art of stop-motion film-making.

May I ask you how old is Rudolph? Is he supposed to be an adult or a kid because I think Rudolph has to be the strangest character with a mysterious age. This story changes from one topic to the other. First we see that Rudolph's nose goes out,then Winterbolt's story, the origin of Rudolph, and all the way back to Rudolph's nose. They also have Christmas topics and July topics at the same time. Another thing, why are Frosty and his family the same size as smurfs because Frosty's short comparing to some other characters.If Winterbolt wants children to love him better than Santa, then why couldn't he kidnap Rudolph and force him to guide him instead of trying to extinguish his nose. It would be easier for Winterbolt's plan to succeed in his goal. That should of been something Winterbolt tried to do. Winterbolt's Genie of the Ice Sceptor seems to be smarter than he is because he comes up with all the ideas and not him. I think Winterbolt's nothing without the Genie of the Ice Sceptor. When Rudolph defeated the snow dragons that Christmas Eve, Winterbolt did nothing to stop him.My favorite part of the movie is Scratcher because he's funny and he's deformed. Won't people find it strange seeing a talking reindeer, live snowmen, and a warlock with snakes for a sleigh team because I do. I love this movie but some of the things make no sense or switching one plot to the other........7/10..........