Prancer

Jessica Riggs is a young girl who still believes in Santa Claus, even as her family struggles on their failing apple farm. When she finds an injured reindeer in the woods, she becomes convinced it is Prancer, one of Santa's team, separated from the sleigh. She hides the animal in the barn, feeds it cookies and nurses its leg, hoping to keep it safe until Christmas. Her father, a gruff widower worn down by money troubles, discovers the reindeer and arranges to sell it to a local butcher, who intends to use it as a promotional display rather than for meat. Jessica and her brother Steve set out to free the animal before the holiday.

The film was directed by John D. Hancock, his second feature after Weeds, from a screenplay by Greg Taylor. Rebecca Harrell Tickell plays Jessica, with Sam Elliott as her father, John Duda as Steve, Rutanya Alda, Cloris Leachman and Ariana Richards in supporting roles. Raffaella De Laurentiis produced, and the production involved Orion Pictures, Nelson Entertainment, Raffaella Productions and Cineplex-Odeon Films across Canada and the United States.

Released in November 1989, the film runs 99 minutes and took in about 19 million dollars worldwide, a modest return for a seasonal family release. On IMDb it holds 6.5 out of 10 from around 7,200 votes, while on TMDB it sits at 6.1 from a much smaller pool of 113. A critics' score of 5.9 from 28 reviews places it close to the audience ratings, suggesting a film received with mild warmth rather than enthusiasm.