Arthur Christmas
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Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 70 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Bill Nighy, James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent
  • Summary: Set on Christmas night, the story of Arthur Christmas at last reveals the incredible, never-before seen answer to every child's question: 'So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?' The answer: Santa's exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole. But at the heart of the film is a story with the ingredients of a Christmas classic – a family in a state of comic dysfunction and an unlikely hero, Arthur, with an urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning dawns. (Sony Pictures)
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    Dec 3, 2011
    91
    The action is swift and witty, and the 3-D effects are imaginative and not simply tacked on as with so many animated movies these days.
  2. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Keith Uhlich
    Nov 22, 2011
    80
    It would be a Christmas miracle save for one lump of coal: an ear-shattering Justin Bieber song over the end credits. Gotta sell something to the kids at Yuletide.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    Nov 22, 2011
    60
    All of the actors' vocal performances are spot-on, including McAvoy's gentle Arthur, Nighy's salty GrandSanta and Ashley Jensen's cute stowaway elf Bryony, a chipper little pixie that would make Rudolph's pal Hermey proud.
  4. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    Nov 23, 2011
    12
    Ho-ho-huh? Arthur Christmas is an animated kiddie comedy that delivers all the wonder you'd expect in a movie about a guy delivering one package. Maybe they should have called it "UPS Man: The Movie."

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. NEEBOND
    10
    Its a joy full ride with santa and specially with arthur who makes the movie funny and adventurous. The movie is very interesting and a very happy family movie. It will make your christmas more magical and watch if something may be left near your christmas tree. Overall a beatifull animated movie. So merry christmas to all of you and wish all a happy and prosperous New year.… Expand
  2. tallmanwriting
    9
    This movie just entered our family's Christmas rotation. Really fun movie that has something for everyone in the family. If you're looking for a lighthearted break from the holiday stress, get lost in this hilarious tale of Arthur, a child-at-heart dreamer who wants every child to experience the magic of Christmas. Well done. One of the few movies I'll actually buy when it's released on DVD. Merry Christmas!… Expand
  3. Jefflyn90
    8
    Aardman have a definite appeal to their audience. It all comes down to the fact that their films are both intelligent and silly in the same time. There are scenes in this movie which revolve around wit and multiple viewings are highly recommended to try and get all the in jokes. This could be the next Christmas classic....its just so happy. It becomes a bit dull during the middle act and some jokes doesn't really work, but the ending much more than compensates to that.… Expand
  4. TVJerry
    5
    The Aardman animators (best know for Wallace & Gromit) usually infuse their films with deadpan whimsy and eccentric personalities. This is an exception. The story takes place on Christmas night when Santa and his team have one last present to deliver. Leave it to the eponymous black-sheep son to come into his own and save the day. While the pacing is frantic and almost every frame is full of activity, the characters aren't especially unique and the writing isn't particularly clever. I really wanted to like it, but found it flat and lacking personality.… Expand

See all 26 User Reviews

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