Arthur Christmas is a hugely underrated brilliantly warm and whimsical animated Christmas comedy that for many has become a modern holiday favourite. Blending festive magic with sharp technological satire, it feels like both a snow‑covered fairy‑tale and a high‑tech mission.
The story reveals Santa’s ultra‑sophisticated North Pole HQ, where his youngest son Arthur (James McAvoy) discovers that one child’s gift has been missed. Determined to save Christmas, he embarks on a lightning‑fast sleigh mission with his grumpy Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) to deliver the forgotten present. The animation is vibrant and richly detailed, Aardman’s wonderful CGI sparkles with wit, while the film explores themes of family, duty, love, and the meaning of Christmas. Despite its big scale, there’s genuine heart in Arthur’s gentle earnestness and in the film’s message about caring even when the system gives up.
McAvoy (X‑Men: First Class) brings warmth and sincerity to Arthur, while Hugh Laurie (House) plays Arthur’s high‑efficiency older brother Steve with comedic precision. The film earned critical acclaim with great ratingings and praise as a clever and earnest holiday film with surprising emotional strength. If you have seen it come and enjoy it on the big screen if you have not then you are up for a real Christmas treat.
You might like Arthur Christmas if you enjoyed Flushed Away (2006), The Santa Clause (1994) and Jingle All the Way (1996).
