Arthur Christmas

Name: Arthur Christmas
Genre: Animation
Released: November 23, 2011
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Bill Nighy, James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 139 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 139 Ratings

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Arthur Christmas

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: November 23, 2011 | PG

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 theSet 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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Director: Barry Cook and Sarah Smith

Genre(s): Animation

Rating: PG

Runtime: 100 mins

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Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer

Dec 3, 2011

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. Read full review

Nathan Rabin

Nov 22, 2011

Arthur Christmas gets a little sappy toward the end - it is a Christmas movie, after all - but it otherwise strikes just the right combination of naughty and nice, reverent and irrelevant, holiday-sweet and Aardman dry. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Nov 10, 2011

Arthur Christmas embraces this unconditional faith and rewards it with creative explanations and a brisk computer-animated adventure clever enough to become essential yuletide viewing. Read full review

Jody Mitori

Nov 22, 2011

Arthur Christmas stays sweet without becoming overly sentimental and is filled with sly details and smart action sequences. Read full review

Amy Biancolli

Nov 22, 2011

There's nothing dark about Arthur: It's as bright and twinkling as a Christmas tree, decked with warmth and humor. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

Nov 22, 2011

Watching Arthur Christmas is like doing your holiday shopping on Dec. 23: fun and frantic, exciting and maddening. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Nov 23, 2011

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." Read full review

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User Reviews

Santanilla

Nov 8, 2020

Great movie, I was not expecting it to be so fun and original. Must watch this is highly recommended.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hoops2448

Dec 12, 2011

Despite the fact that Aardman haven't done a proper computer animated feature in a while (Flushed Away, 2006) and it almost crippled the company financially when it bombed, they seem to have pulled off one of the best animations of the year. Arthur Christmas looks fantastic, its got a greatDespite the fact that Aardman haven't done a proper computer animated feature in a while (Flushed Away, 2006) and it almost crippled the company financially when it bombed, they seem to have pulled off one of the best animations of the year. Arthur Christmas looks fantastic, its got a great voice cast, it's genuinely funny and it works as both a kids and a grown up film. The story is one of the people that work in the north pole. Its the tale of the clumsy Arthur (James McAvoy) who discovers that ,despite the well oiled nature of his families present delivering operation, a child has been missed. The rest of his family doesn't think it matters so Arthur heads out with the only two people on his side, his grandfather (Bill Nighy) and a wrapping department elf (Ashley Jensen). Because its a kids film they get into the usual highjinks but the film never loses itself with its message being one of optimism while maintaining the fast pace and quick wit with both visual and spoken gags being used to great effect. Its thoroughly enjoyable because it captures the spirit of the season while also making fun of it slightly. It gets you in the mood for the holidays and that's what its supposed to do.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

tallmanwriting

Nov 26, 2011

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 experienceThis 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

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

MikeRG

Dec 14, 2011

Wonderful family film, lots of laughs, great characters and a nice spin on the Christmas mythology. Animation is decent; a tad too long, but provides more entertainment than the other animated films this year.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rox22

Sep 11, 2013

Pretty much the best animated Christmas movie in recent years. It doesn't do very much that hasn't been tried before, but it does ooze with charm and Christmas spirit.

Overall:
Buy this movie, watch every Christmas morning with the kids.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DukeJon

Dec 30, 2013

Great animation let down by a simple and predictable plot. No villain to speak of so I never felt there was any danger or real point to the story. Looked great, but insubstantial.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

meydianarizki21

Apr 10, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Could have been entertaining
This film had the potential of being entertaining despite the done to death storyline, but fails because of tedious and agonizing length. The characters get on your nerves after a while and nothing much happens as everybody seems to beat about the bush blabbering endlessly. Though it starts off quite well and has some nice moments, by the time you're halfway through the film, the magic is really lost.

I am quite certain that any kid in his right mind would not sit through this. And adults would be forced to cussing and tearing their hair, as the film rolls on and on, utterly lost in a maze of totally unnecessary subplots. If you're planning to entertain your family for Christmas, I'd recommend something else.

Quite disappointed.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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