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The Man Who Invented Christmas

Play trailer 2:21 Poster for The Man Who Invented Christmas PG 2017 1h 44m Holiday History Drama Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 170 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In 1843 London, author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels in a row. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in A Christmas Carol, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today.
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The Man Who Invented Christmas

The Man Who Invented Christmas

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Critics Consensus

The Man Who Invented Christmas adds holiday magic to the writing of A Christmas Carol, putting a sweetly revisionist spin on the story behind a classic yuletide tale.

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Critics Reviews

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Wenlei Ma News.com.au 12/07/2017
3/5
The Man Who Invented Christmas isn't a barnstormer but it's exactly the kind of holiday fare that will cure a bout of humbugness. Bring the family. Go to Full Review
Dan Jolin Empire Magazine 12/03/2017
3/5
A lightweight, tinselly film with some nice touches and appealing performances, though it never lands its darker moments. Go to Full Review
Simran Hans Observer (UK) 12/03/2017
1/5
There are a few bright spots, like Christopher Plummer's Scrooge, but with its too-bright visuals and laboured dialogue, at best, the film belongs on television. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 08/31/2021
3/4
A warm PG-rated feature for families with older kids who won't grow restless with its adult preoccupations and leisurely pace. Go to Full Review
Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site 02/21/2021
The simplistic, unnecessarily slight film makes only insubstantial, passing references to poverty among children-a major issue then as it is today. Go to Full Review
Richard Crouse Richard Crouse 02/03/2021
3.5/5
A festive film, a movie for the holidays that reminds us of the spirit of the season. No "Bah! Humbugs" here. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Patrick 12/13/2022 I’m so glad this was brought back to the big screen for Christmas ‘22! I missed its original run in 2017 and had forgotten all about it. A compelling film based on a true story, and it was such a heartwarming tale. See more Ray S @Rayder757 3d ​A fresh take on a classic. ​I discovered The Man Who Invented Christmas a few years ago, and it quickly became a favorite. It offers a fascinating, heartwarming glimpse into the mind of Charles Dickens as he struggles to write A Christmas Carol. ​The film isn't just about writing a book; it’s about Dickens drawing inspiration from daily interactions and journeying through his own past to find the true meaning of the season—redemption, kindness, and charity. It captures the exact Spirit of Christmas that makes the original story so timeless. ​Strongly recommended. If you want something different yet familiar that will warm your heart (and maybe bring a tear to your eye), add this to your watchlist. See more Bea A @Englishstar 5d I would absolutely highly recommend this fabulous Christmas film. Very clever storyline, engaging, heartwarming and simply the best Christmas film I have watched. Brilliant cast of British actors. We definitely need more films like this. Enjoy! See more Trevor C. @MalcolmintheMetal 5d I didn’t know how transformative Dickens was on Christmas. While I may have hoped for a truer rendition of how the book came about, the execution was true enough and fun for the whole family! Kids nine or under may not get or stay engaged. See more Derek B. @Dawg102015 Dec 14 Not perfect, but an excellent film. Highly entertaining. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 25 Based on a true story in 01 hour, 44 minutes, and 29 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Thematic Elements and Some Mild Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $5,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
The Man Who Invented Christmas

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1843 London, author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels in a row. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in A Christmas Carol, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today.
Director
Bharat Nalluri
Producer
Robert Mickelson, Ian Sharples, Susan Mullen, Niv Fichman, Vadim Jean
Screenwriter
Susan Coyne
Distributor
Bleecker Street Media
Production Co
Parallel Films, Ingenious Media, Rhombus Media
Rating
PG (Thematic Elements|Some Mild Language)
Genre
Holiday, History, Drama, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 22, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 13, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.7M
Runtime
1h 44m
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