Original subtitles

Okay, so we have no food, no money,

no credit cards, and no phones.

But at least we made it to a repair shop

before our bus broke down.

That's pretty lucky.

I'd feel luckier if I wasn't carrying

the transmission in a beach bag.

I know Christmas is about believing,

but right now, it's kinda hard to believe

we have any chance to make it toabuela's.

If we can get the repairs done by tonight,

we can drive straight through and still make it for Christmas Eve.

Buddy Burtz. Saw you pull up.

Your rock and roll bus is a whole lotta rock,

and very little roll.

Buddy, can you be a buddy and fix it by Christmas?

Sure.

Just not this Christmas.

I think I've established myself as the expert on giving up,

and in my expert opinion, it's time to call it.

Hey, this family does not give up.

Mess up, yes. Give up, no.

Harley, let's be honest.

We could've already called this game on account of storm.

Fire, doll-napping. Wow, this has been a terrible trip.

I mean, it's not like abuela will be alone.

Uncle Chick's family goes every year.

We all wantabuela to think we have it together,

but this scorched ball of everything we own says otherwise.

- Yeah. And my video game... - [game chimes weakly]

is way less fun this way.

- [phone ringing] - What?

One of the phones is working.

Probably a telemarketer. Don't answer.

[ringing continues]

It'sabuela.

What do we do? I...

Tell her we can't make it.

I'll lean away so I'm not part of that.

Me? Why me?

You've established yourself as the leader,

so leadabuela to disappointment.

[ringing continues]

Abuela, hi.

My Harley. I just realized

this is the first year I'll get my special ornament

delivered by you, not the mailman.

[nervous laugh]

Well, that...

I'm really sorry--

Don't apologize.

Your timing is perfect. Uncle Chick just called.

His whole family is down with the flu.

Without you all, I'd be spending Christmas alone.

So when do I see mis preciosos?

Hang on. Ethan has something he wants to say.

Abuela!

Papi! I hope you brought your guitar.

I told my aqua aerobics class you would play.

Acoustic, though. We are in the water.

Oops. Georgie's grabbing the phone.

My athlete. Exciting news.

I signed us up for a pickle ball tournament.

How's your smack talk?

I... I, um...

Needs some work. I'll coach you when you get here.

My babies!

When do you arrive?

Uh...

Abuela, we can't...

- tell you when. - Oh!

We want it to be a surprise when we get there.

Can't wait.

A surprise if we get there.

♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey ♪

♪ Sometimes it feels like things are outta control ♪

♪ Like you're living in a circus ♪

♪ Tryin' to figure out your way in the world ♪

♪ Where you're at is kinda perfect ♪

♪ So turn it up, turn it up ♪

♪ Do your thing, don't stop ♪

♪ Let the games begin, let's jump right in ♪

♪ I wanna get stuck with you ♪

♪ In the middle of the party ♪

♪ We're just getting started ♪

♪ I wanna get stuck with you ♪

♪ In the eye of the tornado, rowin' in the same boat ♪

♪ I wanna get stuck with you ♪

♪ Get stuck in the middle with you ♪

♪ I wanna get stuck with you ♪

And then our plane got diverted,

and our stuff fell in the fire,

and the ornament I made got smashed.

You ever try squeezing nine figurines

into an ornament that... never mind.

Let's just say this trip hasn't been great.

But you can turn it around, so what do you say?

[sighs]

Buddy, you can lie there and ignore me,

but I'm not leaving till you fix this bus.

Hey, thanks. You found my boots.

I've been sportin' my spiffy Christmas socks.

I gotta show 'em off.

[laughs]

Hey, I found your boots, you fix our bus.

Look at us, working together.

Wish I could.

We're full up.

Vehicles break down left and right this time of year.

Know why Santa uses a sleigh?

Car's in the shop.

[chuckles]

I find humor helps when I'm stressed.

An elf, a reindeer, and a snowman

walk into Santa's workshop.

[forced laughter] Funny. So, about the bus.

I don't know if you're familiar with jokes,

but that's what we call the set-up.

Good to know.

Like I was saying, we're trying to get to ourabuela's for the holiday,

and you're our only hope.

You folks seem like nice people.

Problem is, it's just yours truly on duty.

[sighs] My brothers are training for the Iron Elf.

[forced laugh] Iron Elf.

Uh, that one wasn't a joke.

You really don't get comedy, do you?

The Iron Elf is a Christmas relay race

that's been run in this town for years.

My whole family does it.

And you don't want to?

Oh, I do. More than anything.

And they let me once, years ago,

but I messed up.

After that, they gave my spot

to someone they could count on.

He may be outside the family,

but Mailman Frank does show up every day.

Guy's rain or shine.

Uh, no ding on the awesomeness of Mailman Frank,

but your brothers seem like jerks.

Nah. Just competitive.

It's fine.

I'm good.

Big family.

Used to bein' overlooked.

You know.

Actually, yeah. I do.

Middle kid of seven.

Sometimes I feel like the Wednesday of the family.

You know, that day no one really notices.

I like that. Wednesday.

I'm a Wednesday in a family of Fridays.

[laughs]

I will pay you double if you fix our bus first.

My family is at the bank right now.

I guess I could do that for a fellow Wednesday.

Oh!

Well, consider yourself lucky.

You squeaked in just before I locked up.

[all chuckling]

If you'll just slide your card through the reader.

Of course.

We had a little mishap.

[laughing]

Makes it easier to find the card in my purse though.

Looks like the card reader's broken.

It's okay though. You can just give us the money.

Look, you have no ID,

no functioning bank card,

and you expect me to just hand over some cash?

I'm sorry. You're gonna have to come back after the holidays

with proper ID.

Please don't forget your blob.

[clears throat]

Ma'am, if I may.

What are your plans for the holidays?

You mean after this conversation?

My family is coming over tomorrow night.

I'm cooking a ham.

Have you ever been on a disastrous holiday road trip?

The kind that's so emotionally trying,

it eats your soul.

Makes you wonder if Santa himself is testing you,

but... you keep going,

because you know that somewhere, your loved one

is waiting with open arms.

Yes.

My brother Ted. He lives in Abilene,

and I haven't seen him in over three years.

Christmas just isn't the same.

You know what?

I'm gonna call Corporate. We're gonna work this out.

Here's a withdrawal slip.

Just write in what you need, okay?

Freeze! Nobody move!

Hey, they said the magazines from the airplane were complimentary.

Somebody triggered the silent alarm.

Well, it wasn't me.

How would I know?

I see a button, I push it.

It's who I am.

We'll just take the cash and get outta your hair.

Twenties are fine.

Sorry, but without money, it's a no-can-do.

My brothers have this crazy rule

about workin' for free-- don't do it.

Better being ignored than yelled at.

We'll work off the bill.

Wash the floors, organize the tools.

I once alphabetized all the food in our kitchen.

I could do your box of donuts.

Chocolate, cruller, crumb.

Wait.

He said he'd rather be ignored than yelled at.

That's middle-kid speak.

And being one myself,

I know what every overlooked middle kid wants.

- To be appreciated. - Maple claw...

What if we helped you prove yourself to your family?

You can't help me find a girlfriend.

Not this time of year. People have shopping to do.

By running that race your brothers won't let you do.

That'll be tough without a team.

You've got one.

We win that race, you fix our bus.

You know my sweet spot, Wednesday.

Um... Buddy.

Maybe you could've mentioned that the Iron Elf

is more circus act than race.

What? No. It's a race.

With a high wire and a trapeze and...

Huh. How did I not see that before?

Uh, speaking of circus,

here come the clowns. My brothers.

It's not as bad as it sounds; I like clowns.

What brings you here, Buddy?

Oh, did you lock yourself out again?

At least this time, you've got your boots.

I'm here for the same reason you are, Benny.

To win the Iron Elf.

Well, with what team?

My family.

They asked me.

Really?

Well, all right then.

Good luck.

You're gonna need it after what he did

last time on this course.

We know what he did, and we don't care.

What did you do? Not that we care.

It's not what I did; it's what I didn't do.

Finish my event. It was called...

the leap of faith.

All I had to do was jump from a platform

to a trapeze bar.

Don't be a loser, Buddy. Jump!

My knees turned to jelly.

The only thing that kept me from peeing myself

was the folks standing below.

We lost the race.

Hey, do we have to win this thing,

or does participation count?

If we get points for injuries, we might stand a chance.

Okay, yes, the course is high.

And yes, the others are more prepared.

But the Diazes never prepare for anything.

Flying by the seat of our pants is what we do best,

and here, we're literally flying by the seat of our pants.

Winning this is the only thing standing between us

and our family Christmas.

So let's do this, because our name isn't Di-no.

It's Di-yes!

[all] Di-yes, Di-yes, Di-yes, Di-yes.

[laughs] I'm technically not a Diaz,

but the speech really got me.

Welcome to the 23rd annual Iron Elf competition.

So nice to see everyone here.

Well, almost everyone.

We have four teams of Santa's helpers competing.

One team member must complete each event

in order to get a gift to put in Santa's sleigh.

When all three gifts are wrapped,

and put in the sleigh,

the first team to get from the starting line

to the finish line will be crowned

Iron Elf champions!

So the race begins at sundown, teams.

Enjoy a complimentary glass of eggnog,

and a slice of Kringle, and then suit up,

because you're about to begin the race of your life!

Okay, Kringle!

Okay, Buddy, you're doing the leap of faith.

- But that's the one I couldn't-- - I know.

But today's the day you show your family who you really are.

I have faith in you.

Christmas is the season of believing.

Thanks, kid.

Champions, take your sleighs.

Iron Elves, are you ready?

Hey. May the best elves win.

Oh, we will.

I didn't squeeze into this reindeer suit to lose.

[raucous laughter]

Speaking of which.

What?!

So it's easy for everyone to see the winners.

On your marks.

Get set.

- [rings bells] - Yeah!

Yes, Lewie. Go, Ethan, to the swing.

Let's go. Come on.

Lewie and Beast, come on, guys.

Three Santas in the chimney,

then we grab our gift for Santa's sleigh.

It's okay, Beast. He knows it's part of the game.

- Okay. - Throw it.

- Come on! - Seriously?

You're gonna box out a kid with Santa on Christmas?

Beast, go around them like you're going for the last piece of bacon.

- [Tom] I know you can do it, Beast. - Yes!

Yeah! Stuck the landing, Santa!

Get ready, Georgie. Those challenge gifts are coming your way.

You wrap them, I'll put 'em in here.

I've been coached by a lot of people. Never a reindeer.

We have to win this thing if we want our bus fixed,

so stay on your toes.

Come on, Ethan, swing. It's a swing.

You have to get three ornaments on the tree.

It's okay, it's okay.

You can do it, Ethan.

- Yes! Yes! - Whoo hoo!

You got this. Come on, Ethan.

Oh! Oh! It's okay.

- Just one more. - Ethan's blowing it.

Come on, Ethan. Do you wanna be stuck in this Podunk town forever?

Yes! Yes!

Whoo hoo, we won! We won.

We won, Ethan. Good job!

The Diazes have claimed their first victory,

although clearly, they have never experienced

the joy of our Thursdays farmers market.

Sorry. Had to motivate him.

Sounds adorable.

- Here's the first gift. Hurry. - Go, go, go.

What are you doing?

Do you want it done quick or do you want it done right?

- Quick, quick. - Okay, going into toy drive mode.

[Tom] Come on, Beast, just one more.

- Go, Beast! - Come on, Beast, you got this.

[distorted voice] Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!

- Yeah! - Oh!

That's three. Thank you, delicious crispy bacon.

And you always say don't fight over food.

Thank you for not listening.

Oh, I gotta run this over to Georgie.

Here's the second gift.

Stand back. You might get a paper cut.

Go, go, go!

Yeah! The winner!

One gift left before the reindeer run.

Who are we waiting on?

Buddy.

I can't.

That's what I love about Christmas.

Tradition.

I can't.

Don't be a loser, Buddy.

Jump!

Buddy, show them who you are.

I have faith in you.

Christmas is the season of believing.

[screams]

Whoo!

Yes!

[Buddy laughing]

Well...

The first elves have all three gifts.

They are off to the Reindeer Run.

You have cleats on your shoes to help you push. That's cheating.

Hey, check it out. First timer's trying to tell us what's what.

May I quote from the Iron Elf rule book?

First sleigh over the finish line wins.

Doesn't say how.

Fa-la-later.

[laughing]

Go, go, go.

Oh, they're a lot stronger than us.

There's no way we can catch 'em.

Inventors can do anything, including repurpose.

Dad, hand me my slippery spray.

Let's go, let's go!

- Come on. - Go, go, go!

Looks like the Burtzes are out in front.

Who is gonna get to Santa first?

Go, go, go. Come on, come on.

Come on, come on.

Fa-la-later

[all] Diaz, Diaz, Diaz, Diaz!

Diaz family wins

the Iron Elf!

The winners get all the gifts in Santa's village.

Hang on. That's a lot of gifts.

More than I had for my original toy drive.

You know, the one for really needy kids.

Oh. This is awkward.

As team captain,

I'm giving this to the MVP.

Oh, ho ho ho!

This is the best Christmas gift I ever got.

Normally, I like to match the person to the gift,

but I can't stay. You've got this.

If you're gonna get to Florida by Christmas Eve,

we better get that bus fixed.

It's gonna take me all night.

Not if you have some help.

These people gave you a chance.

We should have, too.

You were great out there.

Thanks.

We better skedaddle.

This family has anabuela to get to.

Okay.

Thanks for believin' in me.

Merry Christmas, Buddy.

Merry Christmas, Harley.

'Twas the day before Christmas,

when all through the bus,

not a Diaz was stirring, not even--

[Tom] Wake up, kids. We're here.

Shake those sugarplums out of your heads.

Abuela's waiting, and no one does Christmas

- like she does. - Whoo!

Harley.

Thanks.

For what?

For always pushing us to try harder,

do more, be better.

And for always being Di-yes!

[doorbell rings]

[all clamoring]

I'm so happy you made it.

I've spent the whole week getting ready.

Totally.

I see some red and green in that dish towel.

Super festive.

You came all this way.

You think I'm gonna celebrate in a tiny condo?

There's a reason I got an extra storage shed

for Christmas decorations.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Against all odds,

we made it in time for Christmas.

It wasn't the trip we planned.

It was better.

Abuelabelieves in us again.

But to get here,

we needed to believe in ourselves.

Good thing Christmas is the season of believing.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪