<P> Principal photography began on August 11, 2014, in New York City . Good Universe and Point Grey Pictures produced the film, which Columbia Pictures released on November 20, 2015 . The film has a 66% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $52 million . </P> <P> In December 2001, Ethan Miller (Joseph Gordon - Levitt) loses both of his parents in a car accident . Since that time, Isaac Greenberg (Seth Rogen) and Chris Roberts (Anthony Mackie), Ethan's best friends, resolve to spend every Christmas Eve with Ethan . Along the way, the friends learn of the Nutcracker Ball, a tremendous, invite - only Christmas Eve party . Unable to find the party, the friends continue with their tradition . In 2015, the friends decide to end the tradition . Chris has become a famous football player, and Isaac is married, with a baby on the way . Privately, Chris and Isaac worry that Ethan, a struggling musician working at a hotel, is not ready for the tradition to end . </P> <P> At the hotel, Ethan finds and steals invitations to the Nutcracker Ball . Later, the friends meet at Isaac's house before going out on their last Christmas Eve together . Prior to leaving, Isaac's wife Betsy (Jillian Bell) gives him drugs to use during the evening, since he has been so supportive . The friends leave to follow their usual tradition, with the intention to go to the party afterward . Their first stop is the Rockefeller Tree . While at the Tree, Ethan reveals the tickets to the ball . Along the way, Chris, in an attempt to impress his teammates, purchases marijuana from their former high school dealer, Mr. Green (Michael Shannon). While making the purchase, Mr. Green shares the weed with Chris, calling it the present . While at a karaoke bar, the friends run into Diana (Lizzy Caplan), who recently broke up with Ethan for refusing to commit, and Diana's friend Sarah (Mindy Kaling). The friends learn that Diana and Sarah will be at the Nutcracker Ball, as well . While at the bar, Isaac begins to be negatively affected by the drugs he took, resulting in making a video phone message admitting that he's terrified of having a child . Chris also has his marijuana stolen by a supposed fan (Ilana Glazer) who is a Christmas - hating thief . </P> <P> Needing more marijuana, the guys contact Mr. Green again, who meets them at Chris' mother's (Lorraine Toussaint) house . This time, Isaac meets Mr. Green for some marijuana . It shows him the future where his daughter is a stripper, and his wife blames him for it . The friends end up having dinner, cooked by Chris' mother, who encourages Ethan to make up with Diana . During dinner, Isaac realizes that he accidentally switched phones with Sarah . </P>

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