Arthur Christmas
Seen it?2011 | 97 min | Drama, Animation, Family, Comedy
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 15 times its budget. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and families. If you loved The Polar Express, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 37 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title "Santa" to a chosen few of its members, which can be passed down upon retirement. Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in a one-night high-tech operation. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one—Arthur Claus, the current Santa’s misfit son deemed ineligible for the title, who executes an unauthorised rookie mission to get the last present halfway around the globe before dawn on Christmas morning.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$151 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 212K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
That Christmas
Weeknight WatchAlso stars Bill Nighy, in another Christmas animated story, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The Polar Express Saturday SpecialAnother Christmas animated story, and a Saturday Special.
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Sunday Safe BetAnother Christmas animated story, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Sunday Safe BetAnother Christmas animated story, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas Weeknight WatchAnother Christmas animated story, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Sarah Smith
- James McAvoyArthur (voice)
- Hugh LaurieSteve (voice)
- Bill NighyGrandsanta (voice)
- Jim BroadbentSanta (voice)
- Imelda StauntonMrs Santa (voice)
- Ashley JensenBryony (voice)
- Marc WoottonPeter (voice)
- Laura LinneyNorth Pole Computer (voice)
- Eva LongoriaChief De Silva (voice)
- Ramona MarquezGwen (voice)