Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Charming family holiday adventure has scenes of peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
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A Boy Called Christmas
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 27 parent reviews
Parents say this movie features beautiful visuals and a magical element but is marred by its frequent dark themes, particularly the death of parental figures, which left many children feeling upset and confused. While some families found it a wonderful opportunity to discuss difficult topics, others felt the intense scenes overshadowed any potential joy, making it unsuitable for sensitive viewers.
- dark themes
- parental death
- mixed reactions
- beautiful visuals
- discussion opportunity
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 12 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS, Aunt Ruth (Maggie Smith) visits her recently bereaved niece and nephews in London on Christmas Eve. There she shares with them a story about a boy called Nikolas (Henry Lawfull), who lives in the woods with his father, Joel (Michiel Huisman) in Finland. During a brutal winter, the king offers a reward to anyone who can restore hope to the kingdom, inspiring Nikolas and his pet mouse Miika (voiced by Stephen Merchant) on a quest to find the fabled world of Elfhelm, where magic is said to exist. Making friends with a reindeer and many others along the way, could Nikolas -- or Christmas as his mother called him -- be the one to save the day?
Is It Any Good?
An ideal Christmas movie to watch as a family, this festive treat really will appeal to all generations. The production values of A Boy Called Christmas are high throughout, with stunning snowy landscapes stretching for days, magical special effects, and slick animation breathing life into its animal buddies -- particularly Merchant's mischievous Miika the mouse. Working as an origins story for Santa, the film intertwines elements such as the red hat, reindeer, and toy workshop seamlessly into the narrative, gradually building to the tradition of Christmas while always maintaining a world of intricacies and intriguing characters around it.
Look closely behind some of the incredible make-up and you'll find the likes of Kristen Wiig, Sally Hawkins, Toby Jones, and Jim Broadbent, as well as Smith and Joel Fry in the "real world" setting. As Nikolas, Lawfull is a revelation in his first major role, his wide-eyed innocence tempered by a strength and steely determination that suggests this won't be the last we'll see of the young actor. His gentle charm is very much at home in a film that, in many ways, harks back to an old-fashioned simplicity, where the true meaning of Christmas can never fully be quashed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the moments of peril in A Boy Called Christmas. How did it compare to other movies in the genre? Did the fantasy element affect its impact? If so, why do you think this was. How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
What role did hope play in the movie? What does hope mean to you? What can help to bring hope to others and why is it necessary?
What does the movie teach about what's important in life? How did it view wealth and belongings, and do you agree?
Discuss the importance of kindness and caring in the movie. Can you think of any examples from your own life when you've shown these traits?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 24, 2021
- Cast : Henry Lawfull , Maggie Smith , Michiel Huisman
- Director : Gil Kenan
- Inclusion Information : Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Animals , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Integrity
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : peril, action and thematic elements
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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