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Parents' Guide to

Disney Animation Collection 7: Mickey's Christmas Carol

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Classic entertaining holiday shorts with perennial lessons.

Movie NR 2009 64 minutes
Disney Animation Collection 7: Mickey's Christmas Carol Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 6+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Amanda C.
Amanda C. Parent of 2 and 4-year-old
November 12, 2014
age 6+

Scary for my 4yo

Mickey's Christmas Carol is a classic; I remember it fondly from my childhood. I checked the age recommendation (4y) before showing it to my fairly sensitive 4yo. He was so scared that he was physically shaking. The scary scene is the one with the Ghost of Christmas Future showing Scrooge his future of burning in a fiery hell--there are flames and it is terrifying. Parents should also be prepared for questions about hell and afterlife. Common Sense Media let me down this time, my son was not nearly ready for this. (On the other hand, the shorts Pluto's Christmas Tree, Goofy Skiing, Donald Duck Corn Chips---all excellent and he laughed and laughed.)
Jessica H.
Jessica H. Parent of 3-year-old
November 20, 2022
age 5+

A Classic that may be scary for young children

A classic! I always enjoyed watching this as a kid. My three year old watched it but didn't get the concept of the show and surprisingly didn't freak out at the scary parts. She said it was a bad movie though because she didn't like Scrooge. Not a terrible show but I'd wait till kids are a little older.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Ebenezer Scrooge is a busy duck when Christmas rolls around. He has to count lots of money in his Counting House. He does have a certain mouse helping him, named Bob Cratchit. And though Bob has a friendly attitude to his miserly boss, he is not duly rewarded for his work and his family doesn't have enough food to go around. Scrooge can't be bothered with other people's misery. That is, until he is visited by three ghosts, who show him the effects of his miserly ways. The other shorts are also related to Christmas, the most religous of which is called "The Small One," which ends with a starlit cross lighting the sky on the eve of Jesus' birth

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (5 ):

MICKEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL takes Dickens' lesson-rich tale of greed and redemption and gives it some light Disney touches, making it a better version to share with younger viewers. The theme of generosity comes up again in the touching cartoon (and most religious of the bunch) called "The Small One," in which a young boy must sell his pet donkey.



Not to be overlooked is the final animated short called "Santa's Workshop" -- an early Disney masterpiece complete with rhyming text and a wonderfully imagined North Pole. There are many funny and deliberate details to behold. All in all, these cartoons will get the whole family in the mood for a cheerful Christmas.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about greed. Does it always have to do with money? Can people be greedy in other ways? What does Scrooge miss out on in his life because of his greedy nature?

  • Getting presents is a big part of Christmas. But should Christmas be ALL about the presents? Can you name three gifts that you can give that are not bought or sold?

  • Parents might like to check out these age-appropriate tips that can help families navigate the consumer blitz during the holidays.

Movie Details

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