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A Boy Called Christmas

Play trailer 2:32 Poster for A Boy Called Christmas 2021 1h 46m Kids & Family Holiday Adventure Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
An ordinary young boy called Nikolas sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical, comic and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible. Adapted from the bestselling book by Matt Haig.
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A Boy Called Christmas

A Boy Called Christmas

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Critics Consensus

A Boy Called Christmas offers few surprises, but makes up for its lack of originality with a heaping helping of winsome holiday spirit.

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Critics Reviews

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Stephen Romei The Australian 12/11/2021
3.5/5
This is a big-hearted movie about kindness, which, as Nikolas reminds his dad, costs nothing but is worth so much. Go to Full Review
Christy Lemire FilmWeek (LAist) 12/01/2021
It's light, playful, and knowingly anachronistic without being obnoxious. Go to Full Review
Clarisse Loughrey Independent (UK) 11/28/2021
4/5
Kenan has done a better job here of mining the comforts of childhood nostalgia than he did on the recent Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which he co-wrote. Go to Full Review
Aaron Phillips But Why Tho? A Geek Community 01/16/2023
8.5/10
A Boy Called Christmas was a surprising hit for me, and I urge you and your families to put this film at the top of your must-watch list. Go to Full Review
Tom Beasley Flickering Myth 12/16/2021
2/5
It's a film that leaves you yearning to delve into the riches of its unknown worlds, but lacks the propulsion to actually get the audience there. Go to Full Review
Edward Porter Sunday Times (UK) 12/08/2021
3/5
The concept strikes me as presumptuous and laboured, but the book is popular and Gil Kenan's film adapts it smoothly in snow-dusted fairytale style. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Nipun S @ns5682 13h This is a perfect Christmas movie, it fills you up with hope, happiness, and wonder. Loved the story and the dialogues. It felt well paced and quite real for an eight year old. I watched it as a Christmas movie with my family. If you’re looking for a movie these holidays, this is a must watch !!!! See more Timothy L 4d Just when you're hoping for a Christmas adventure story that you haven't heard before and without political narrative, this one tricks you into believing you've found one for the first 10 or so minutes if you're gullible enough to "hope" anyone in Hollywood knows what such an endeavor could entail. This movie is like a tweaked out nihilist trying to film a Christmas story with "'believe' and 'hope' messaging" at the request of a corporate office, but they cannot for the life of them come up with any reason to "believe" or "hope", and cannot mentally map why someone might actually have hope or joy about life at all. This is probably why other viewers found it tacitly depressing. Full star for the visuals though. See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Oct 24 A Boy Called Christmas is a charming and heartfelt holiday film that leans heavily into the magic, wonder, and sentimentality that define the Christmas season. It’s visually delightful and emotionally warm, telling the story of a young boy who embodies hope, kindness, and belief in something greater than himself. The director does a remarkable job creating a world that feels both whimsical and deeply emotional, filled with imagination and the spirit of togetherness that Christmas stories so often celebrate. From the start, the film feels like a classic bedtime story brought to life. The young protagonist, “the boy called Christmas,” is portrayed with an innocence and sincerity that make his journey believable and touching. His sense of wonder and determination drive the movie’s heart, and it’s clear the filmmakers wanted to remind audiences of the deeper meanings behind the season — love, generosity, and belief. It’s not so much about Santa Claus or gift-giving, but rather about faith, hope, and the magic that binds people together. The screenplay smartly targets a family-oriented audience, and it achieves what it sets out to do. Every scene feels crafted for children and families who enjoy moral lessons wrapped in adventure and fantasy. That said, this focus also limits the film’s broader appeal. For viewers outside its intended demographic, the movie might come across as overly sentimental or predictable. It’s the type of Christmas film that works perfectly for kids and families looking for cozy seasonal joy, but less so for those seeking something more complex or universal. The production design and cinematography deserve special mention — the world of A Boy Called Christmas is stunningly realized, filled with snow-covered landscapes, warm lights, and small magical details that capture the spirit of the holiday perfectly. The score complements this visual beauty, enhancing both the uplifting and emotional moments in the story. While the film succeeds in creating a magical tone, it doesn’t quite reach the emotional depth or lasting resonance of other Christmas classics. The pacing occasionally drags, and some plot elements feel familiar rather than fresh. Still, the performances are endearing, and the director’s ability to create a sense of wonder makes the movie worth experiencing at least once. Ultimately, A Boy Called Christmas is a sweet, visually enchanting holiday film that knows its audience and delivers exactly what it promises — warmth, magic, and a touch of nostalgia. It’s not groundbreaking or universal, but it’s a well-crafted seasonal story that families will likely treasure during the holidays. For others, it’s a pleasant, well-made film that may not demand a rewatch but still earns respect for its heart and craftsmanship. See more Cade H. @cholton Jun 29 If luke-warm milk was a holiday movie, it would be this movie. Everything is just decent, the mood and theme of the entire movie are pleasant but it doesn’t make up for the sheer blandness of the plot. While being boring isn’t the worst thing a movie can be criticized for, it increases the odds of this movie becoming just another mid tier, forgotten Christmas film. See more Sarah M Dec 29 The beginning is boring, but overall pretty good movie. Would I watch it more than once? No. It's very predictable, but the transitions are AMAZING! See more Rusty R Dec 19 This show is so goofy and doesn't really focus on Christmas. Also, why did they make the kid a ginger, literally goes against everything about Christmas! I just can't recommend this crap. See more Read all reviews
A Boy Called Christmas

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Movie Info

Synopsis An ordinary young boy called Nikolas sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical, comic and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible. Adapted from the bestselling book by Matt Haig.
Director
Gil Kenan
Producer
Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin
Screenwriter
Ol Parker, Gil Kenan, Matt Haig, Ol Parker, Gil Kenan
Production Co
Studio Canal, Netflix, Blueprint Pictures
Genre
Kids & Family, Holiday, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 24, 2021
Runtime
1h 46m
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