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Disney's A Christmas Carol

Play trailer 2:29 Poster for Disney's A Christmas Carol PG 2009 1h 35m Kids & Family Holiday Fantasy Drama Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
52% Tomatometer 196 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Though London awaits the joyful arrival of Christmas, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) thinks it's all humbug, berating his faithful clerk and cheerful nephew for their view. Later, Scrooge encounters the ghost of his late business partner, who warns that three spirits will visit him this night. The ghosts take Scrooge on a journey through his past, present and future in the hope of transforming his bitterness.
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Disney's A Christmas Carol

Disney's A Christmas Carol

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Critics Consensus

Robert Zemeckis' 3-D animated take on the Dickens classic tries hard, but its dazzling special effects distract from an array of fine performances from Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman.

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Critics Reviews

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Giles Hardie Sydney Morning Herald 02/06/2018
3.5/5
While for some there is something disconcerting about the lifeless eyes of the otherwise life like characters, it certainly lends itself to large 3D cinemas, with rubber faced characters and grand sweeping movement. Go to Full Review
Keith Uhlich Time Out 11/16/2011
4/5
The biggest surprise is that Zemeckis, so often in thrall to his digital palette, here uses it to freshly illuminate a time-honored text. Go to Full Review
Tim Grierson The Simon 11/12/2009
The greatest tension in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol isn't between Scrooge and those pesky ghosts but within writer-director Robert Zemeckis. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 08/30/2023
2/4
Everything poignant and evocative about Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol has been rendered flat by Disney’s latest adaptation. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 11/28/2020
6/10
Morbidly dark and frighteningly realistic - almost as if Tim Burton had a hand in the design. Go to Full Review
Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens 11/06/2019
Christmas magic never fails to touch the heart and spirit and neither will A CHRISTMAS CAROL. God Bless Us Everyone. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Anna N @ASwizzle 4d As a Dickens fan and someone who has read a Christmas Carol over 20 times, this is the most faithful representation I have seen thus far. It deserves 5 stars for that alone. Jim Carey’s performances are masterful and I believe Dickens would have approved. The only slight criticism I have is that some of the parts that lend themselves well to 3d drag a little bit when watched in a 2d format. If you’re looking for a faithful representation of the source material. This is the winner. See more j-dizzle T. @gondorcallsforaid 6d This is a very faithful and extremely well crafted film that is an instant classic even though it was under the radar when it first came out. It takes the story seriously and also adds enough that is new to justify the existence. Jim Carrey gave a phenomenal performance and I think he was snubbed from a best actor nomination for the job he did in this film. And some of the most incredible visuals and beautiful animation ive ever seen in a film. Cant leave without mentioning the score from alan silvestri was amazingly beautiful and some of his best work to date See more Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 25 Funny in 01 hour, 35 minutes, and 48 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Scary Sequences and Scary Images!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $137,900,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Phil H Nov 15 Best Christmas Carol movie I have seen See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Nov 15 The 2009 animated adaptation of A Christmas Carol stands as one of Disney’s most visually striking and emotionally layered interpretations of the classic tale, with Jim Carrey delivering an unexpectedly rich performance as Ebenezer Scrooge. This version brings depth, creativity, and a surprising level of humor to a story audiences have known for generations, proving that even the most familiar material can feel fresh when handled with ambition. From its sweeping visuals to its darker tonal choices, the film manages to capture the spirit of Dickens while adding its own distinctive flair. Jim Carrey’s performance is unquestionably the driving force behind this adaptation. His vocal work brings an emotional complexity to Scrooge, portraying him not just as a cold-hearted miser but as a deeply wounded, conflicted man whose past has shaped every sharp edge of his personality. Carrey gives nuance to a role that is often played with heavy-handed simplicity, making Scrooge feel more human and relatable. His delivery—sometimes somber, sometimes comedic—breathes new life into a character that could easily have felt overdone in a retelling this familiar. Disney’s script contributes greatly to this renewed sense of depth. While staying true to Dickens’ original narrative, the film expands certain emotional beats and highlights moments that help the audience better understand Scrooge’s isolation and regret. The writing feels both respectful and revitalized, offering a classic story wrapped in a modern sensibility. What emerges is a more intimate portrait of Scrooge—one that allows viewers to see beyond the surface and into the emotional core of the character. The direction further supports this vision by embracing a bold, atmospheric style that heightens the film’s emotional stakes. The use of motion capture animation gives the film an eerie, dreamlike quality that perfectly suits a story rooted in ghosts, memory, and redemption. The director’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of Dickens’ darkness—rather than softening it for younger audiences—makes this version stand out among countless adaptations. It’s a visually immersive film that isn’t afraid to lean into the haunting nature of its source material. Unfortunately, the marketing failed to match the ambition of the film itself. Despite its impressive visuals, strong performances, and compelling storytelling, A Christmas Carol (2009) never cemented itself as a go-to holiday classic. Disney seemed oddly hesitant to push the film as a long-term seasonal staple, leaving it to fade into relative obscurity rather than placing it alongside the studio’s more celebrated holiday offerings. As a result, many viewers only discover or revisit it by accident, which is an unfortunate loss given the craftsmanship behind it. Still, for those who do seek it out, the film remains a rewarding and atmospheric retelling of a timeless story. Its unique visual style, emotional depth, and standout performance from Jim Carrey make it a version well worth revisiting, especially for viewers who appreciate a more mature and nuanced approach to Dickens’ classic tale. A Christmas Carol (2009) may not have received the recognition it deserved, but it remains a beautifully crafted, haunting, and surprisingly heartfelt adaptation—one that rewards anyone willing to give it a chance. See more Damon M Nov 11 This movie was a hard watch. Once you get past the terrible character design it still is not a very good movie. A Christmas Carol is a classic story and after seeing the original the muppets version and Mickey's Christmas carol this one is by far the worst See more Read all reviews
Disney's A Christmas Carol

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Movie Info

Synopsis Though London awaits the joyful arrival of Christmas, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) thinks it's all humbug, berating his faithful clerk and cheerful nephew for their view. Later, Scrooge encounters the ghost of his late business partner, who warns that three spirits will visit him this night. The ghosts take Scrooge on a journey through his past, present and future in the hope of transforming his bitterness.
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Producer
Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke
Screenwriter
Robert Zemeckis
Distributor
Walt Disney
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures, Imagemovers Digital
Rating
PG (Scary Sequences|Scary Images)
Genre
Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy, Drama, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 6, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$137.9M
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS
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