X

2021
PG
Netflix
1 h 46 m

2021
PG
Netflix
1 h 46 m

Summary This is the story of Father Christmas, the tale of a young boy named Nikolas (Henry Lawfull) as he goes on his adventures. This is a Christmas movie based on a book of the same title by Matt Haig and will include snow, elves, kidnapping, more snow, and Dame Maggie Smith. What more could you want in a holiday movie?

Directed By: Gil Kenan

Written By: Ol Parker, Matt Haig, Surbhi Sehgal, Gil Kenan

2021
PG
Netflix
1 h 46 m

2021
PG
Netflix
1 h 46 m

A Boy Called Christmas

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews

61

User Score Mixed or Average Based on 15 User Ratings

5.9

My Score

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Where to Watch

Summary This is the story of Father Christmas, the tale of a young boy named Nikolas (Henry Lawfull) as he goes on his adventures. This is a Christmas movie based on a book of the same title by Matt Haig and will include snow, elves, kidnapping, more snow, and Dame Maggie Smith. What more could you want in a holiday movie?

Directed By: Gil Kenan

Written By: Ol Parker, Matt Haig, Surbhi Sehgal, Gil Kenan

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews

56% Positive
5 Reviews

44% Mixed
4 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews

56% Positive
5 Reviews

44% Mixed
4 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Nov 24, 2021

A Boy Called Christmas is a resplendent Santa Claus origin story with a star-filled cast, sumptuous visuals, and some melancholy details to keep it from being too sugary.

By Nell Minow FULL REVIEW

The Independent

Dec 3, 2021

It’s surprising how much the film can flit between clangingly obvious bits of exposition – aha! The source of the floppy red hat! A reindeer that happens to be named Blitzen! – and more mature perspectives on the holidays.

By Clarisse Loughrey FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

User Score

Mixed or Average Based on 15 User Ratings

47% Positive
7 Ratings

27% Mixed
4 Ratings

27% Negative
4 Ratings

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

User Reviews

User Score

Mixed or Average Based on 15 User Ratings

47% Positive
7 Ratings

27% Mixed
4 Ratings

27% Negative
4 Ratings

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Dec 23, 2023

It looks nice enough, but the story is pretty boring. There are no strong messages, it is just a formulaic movie. It has some neat little moments, but on the whole it is just a lot of filler. Kinda pointless. This is mean, but I'd call it "paint by the numbers dredge."

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Dec 3, 2022

This is a very entertaining and enjoyable film that's quite family friendly and features a decent cast including Jim Broadbent, Maggie Smith, Toby Jones and Sally Hawkins. It features some decent visual effects and good cinematography of a snow covered landscape. I remember reading the book its based on (I like the authors work, though if the film was no good, I was (honest, guv!) say so) and I enjoyed this film version of it. It does well at portraying childlike fascination with myths/folk tales and the power of magic, that sort of seasonal stuff and I wouldn't say it talks down to any kids watching, in a patronising kind of a way, which is always refreshing. A nice festive film, I would recommend this, yes.

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Nov 24, 2021

“Christmas” is a cut above the usual holiday dross.

By Michael Nordine FULL REVIEW

Nov 29, 2021

In a winter of dull holiday romances and seriously unimaginative seasonal slop, this one tickles and delights and is at least good enough to put off that “Christmas Story” rerun you know you’re getting around to, because that after-all is a tradition.

By Roger Moore FULL REVIEW

Nov 29, 2021

A Boy Called Christmas is by-the-numbers Yuletide storytelling buoyed by a strong Brit cast, inventive filmmaking and a heart in the right place.

By Ian Freer FULL REVIEW

Los Angeles Times

Nov 24, 2021

Fascinatingly muddled.

By Michael Ordoña FULL REVIEW

Dec 9, 2021

At a glance, A Boy Called Christmas looks delightful enough, with its snowy landscapes, cosy knitwear, and scenes of Jim Broadbent larking around in a periwig and frock coat. But beneath its Paddington-meets-Potter storybook exterior, its bloodstream runs with purest gloop.

By Robbie Collin FULL REVIEW

See All 9 Critic Reviews

Dec 23, 2021

Beautiful film. It could have done without the wokish "the evil character is evil because she wants to preserve her culture" thingy, but everything else is magic.

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Dec 8, 2021

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

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Dec 22, 2021

Dreadful film. Terrible acting, weak plot and low budget effects. Lacks real emotion and any trace of originality. Stephen Merchant as the mouse pretty much sums this film up, a disaster.

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Dec 25, 2021

My problem with this movie (as a Finn) is the apparent disregard for actual Finnish culture, replaced with your standard modernist take on traditional British/Germanic storytelling.. It doesn’t represent Finnish culture at all.. It seems to me like the writers assumed Finnish culture/history were the same as other European cultures, even though in reality there are a lot of differences..

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meydianarizki21

Nov 10, 2022

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

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See All 7 User Reviews

Details

Production Company StudioCanal, Netflix, Canal+, Ciné+, Blueprint Pictures

Release Date Nov 24, 2021

Duration 1 h 46 m

Rating PG

Genres

Website https://www.netflix.com/title/81029733/

View All Details

Awards

Music + Sound Awards, International

• 1 Nomination

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