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'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Play trailer Poster for 'Twas the Night Before Christmas 1974 23m Animation Fantasy Holiday Kids & Family Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
71% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
When Santa Claus removes the citizens of a small town from his delivery itinerary after an insulting letter in the newspaper, a clockmaker and his family endeavor to regain his favor.

Critics Reviews

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Henry Hanks CNN.com 12/04/2018
Rankin-Bass was riding high in 1974, because it also put out the hand-drawn "'Twas the Night" the same year. Here, Father Mouse's geeky son, Albert, learns the true meaning of Christmas after writing Santa to tell him he didn't exist. Ouch. Go to Full Review Will Harris AV Club 12/03/2018
In watching 'Twas the Night Before Christmas as an adult, it becomes a little bit easier to see why the special hasn't stuck in the memories of as many kids as its peers. Go to Full Review AV Club Staff AV Club 11/30/2018
[The special's] "even a miracle needs a hand" message ultimately celebrates industriousness, and allows that even intellectuals can find room in their hearts for the spirit of Christmas. Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net 04/17/2019
7/10
It's really adorable. Go to Full Review Ryan Voyles Paste Magazine 12/03/2018
There's a lot of weird stuff going on aside from the premise, including a central theme of "Shut up, nerd! Stop thinking and just believe. Go to Full Review Kevin Carr 7M Pictures 01/05/2014
3/5
a charming adaptation of the original Clement Moore poem Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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CodyZamboni Z 06/27/2024 When the cartoon sticks with the classic story, everything is holiday gold. But they animators shoehorn a lame clock story into it, and that ruins the fun See more Russell H 01/01/2024 It was ok. All the characters, including humans look like mice. See more 12/24/2016 I had a soft spot for this Christmas special as well when I was a child. It doesn't hold up as well as it used to, but the tunes are still catchy! Not one of my favorites, but still one that I like to check out every couple of years for nostalgia. See more 12/24/2015 A retelling of the classic poem interrupted by a story about a family of talking mice... See more 12/03/2013 A sweet little story about how your actions have an impact on more than just yourself. And how sometimes you need to believe in that which you can not see. See more 11/01/2012 I loved this movie growing up. ^_^ I'll see it occasionally on ABC family at Christmas Time. See more Read all reviews
'Twas the Night Before Christmas

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jules Bass

Director

Arthur Rankin Jr.

Director

Patricia Bright

Voice

Scott Firestone

Voice

George Gobel

Father Mouse

Joel Grey

Joshua Trundle
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'Twas the Night Before Christmas

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Santa Claus removes the citizens of a small town from his delivery itinerary after an insulting letter in the newspaper, a clockmaker and his family endeavor to regain his favor.
Director
Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
Producer
Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
Screenwriter
Jerome Coopersmith
Genre
Animation, Fantasy, Holiday, Kids & Family
Original Language
English
Release Date (TV)
Dec 8, 1974
Runtime
23m