Arthur Christmas

2011, Animation/Drama, 1h 40m

169 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Aardman Animations broadens their humor a bit for Arthur Christmas, a clever and earnest holiday film with surprising emotional strength. Read critic reviews

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Arthur Christmas Videos

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Movie Info

Everyone knows that, each Christmas, Santa Claus delivers presents to every last child on Earth. What everyone doesn't know is that Santa accomplishes the feat with a very high-tech operation beneath the North Pole. But when the unthinkable happens, and Santa misses one child out of hundreds of millions, someone has to save the day. It's up to Arthur (James McAvoy), Santa's youngest son, to deliver a present to the forgotten tyke before Christmas morning dawns.
  • Rating:
    PG (Some Mild Rude Humor)
  • Genre:
    Animation, Drama, Other, Kids & family, Fantasy, Comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Sarah Smith
  • Producer:
    Peter Lord, David Sproxton, Carla Shelley, Steve Pegram
  • Writer:
    Peter Baynham, Sarah Smith
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $46.4M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Sony Pictures Entertainment
  • Sound Mix:
    SDDS, Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

James McAvoy
Arthur
Voice
Hugh Laurie
Steve
Voice
Bill Nighy
Grandsanta
Voice
Jim Broadbent
Santa
Voice
Imelda Staunton
Mrs. Santa
Voice
Ashley Jensen
Bryony
Voice
Marc Wootton
Peter
Voice
Laura Linney
North Pole Computer
Voice
Eva Longoria
Chief De Silva
Voice
Ramona Marquez
Gwen
Voice
Michael Palin
Ernie Clicker
Voice
Sanjeev Bhaskar
Lead Elf
Voice
Robbie Coltrane
Lead Elf
Voice
Joan Cusack
Lead Elf
Voice
Rhys Darby
Lead Elf
Voice
Jane Horrocks
Lead Elf
Voice
Iain McKee
Lead Elf
Voice
Andy Serkis
Lead Elf
Voice
Dominic West
Lead Elf
Voice
Sarah Smith
Director
Peter Baynham
Screenwriter
Sarah Smith
Screenwriter
Peter Lord
Producer
David Sproxton
Producer
Carla Shelley
Producer
Steve Pegram
Producer
James Cooper
Film Editing
John Carnochan
Film Editing
Harry Gregson-Williams
Original Music
Evgeni Tomov
Production Design
Olivier Adam
Art Director
Alexei Nechytaylo
Art Director
Sarah Crowe
Casting
Mary Hidalgo
Casting
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Critic Reviews for Arthur Christmas

All Critics (169) | Top Critics (51) | Fresh (156) | Rotten (13)
Full Review… Jake Wilson Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Wendy Ide Times (UK) Full Review… Scott Marks San Diego Reader Full Review… Nell Minow Beliefnet Full Review… Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Full Review… David Stratton The Australian Full Review… Charlotte Harrison Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Full Review… Leslie Combemale Cinema Siren Full Review… Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News Full Review… Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Full Review… Abbie Bernstein Assignment X
View All Critic Reviews (169)

Audience Reviews for Arthur Christmas

  • Dec 13, 2015
    I am not sure why I have not seen this film until now. A superb Christmas movie full of warmth, humour and festive magic. Check it out.
    Ian W Super Reviewer
  • Nov 17, 2015
    Inventive Brit bit about the life at the North Pole where the Claus family is at odds with one another, each with their own particular and opposing viewpoints. Can they leave their differences and unite to save Christmas? Of course they do, its a Christmas movie f'cryingoutloud. The fun is in the getting there, and there's plenty of that here. You will believe a reindeer can fly. No, really. They can. Its how Santa gets around. Whatta you mean you don't believe?!?
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Dec 31, 2014
    Humor, wit and humanity abound in this bright Christmas gem. It's a wonderfully innovative Christmas story with fantastic animation and great voice talent. I found it quite enjoyable.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
  • Jan 13, 2014
    I personally encourage Sarah Smith to work independently... Sony Pictures Animation is a very uneven studio. Their quality varies throughout the time, and they do not seem to be engaging in the learning curve, that is, which each new project, they do not seem to learn how to adapt themselves to the new times. That means that each new project they release require an act of faith from the audience, given the unpredictability of the final outcome. Some Harry Potter cast actresses and actors along with other some famous names were not enough to make of this something even entertaining. In the end, it comes as an absolutely unforgettable ride with forced humor, failed sentimentalism and the most disturbing features of all: Justin Bieber singing in the ending credits!! Oh, shit! Cover your ears and run! 46/100
    Edgar C Super Reviewer
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