Arthur Christmas: The Modern Holiday Classic That Keeps on Giving
Why Arthur Christmas Remains a Holiday Favourite
As the festive season approaches, families across the UK are rediscovering Arthur Christmas, a 2011 animated Christmas comedy film produced by Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and Aardman Features. The film boasts an impressive certified fresh 92% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, as well as an audience score of 77%, cementing its status as a modern holiday classic.
The film tells the heartwarming story of Santa Claus’ youngest son, Arthur, as he works to deliver a bicycle to a little girl in Trelew, England before Christmas morning. Arthur Christmas has been one of the beloved animated holiday films in the last several years due to its heartfelt message, witty humor, and creative modern take on the Santa Claus mythology. It follows Santa’s clumsy son, Arthur, who sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a misplaced present to a young girl in less than two hours on Christmas Day.
Streaming Availability This Christmas
Good news for viewers seeking festive entertainment: you are able to watch “Arthur Christmas” streaming on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Freeform, Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Additionally, Arthur Christmas became available on Paramount+ on December 1, giving audiences multiple ways to enjoy this cherished film during the holiday season.
In the UK, Arthur Christmas is streaming on Sky Go and Now TV Cinema, ensuring British families can easily access this home-grown animated gem featuring an all-star British cast.
The Film’s Lasting Impact
Despite making its box office debut in 2011 to mixed success, earning just shy of $150 million worldwide on a reported budget of $100 million, Arthur Christmas has found enduring success through streaming platforms and television broadcasts.
The film’s appeal lies in its unique approach to Christmas storytelling. Arthur Christmas takes a very different approach when it comes to telling the story of what goes down on Christmas Eve, but it does so in a creative way that really gets you invested. The movie cleverly balances modern technology with traditional Christmas magic, exploring family dynamics whilst delivering a powerful message about ensuring every child experiences the joy of Christmas morning.
What Makes It Special
Featuring voices from James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, and Ashley Jensen, the film showcases quintessentially British humour combined with universal themes of family, belief, and the true spirit of Christmas. Aardman Animations broadens their humor a bit for Arthur Christmas, a clever and earnest holiday film with surprising emotional strength.
As families gather this Christmas, Arthur Christmas continues to prove that modern animated films can stand alongside traditional holiday classics, offering entertainment and heartfelt messages for viewers of all ages.