Common Sense Media Review
By Tracey Petherick
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creative retelling of Dickens' story is intense but festive.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Christmas Carol (2020)
What's the Story?
A CHRISTMAS CAROL follows the story of a miserly old man, Ebenezer Scrooge (Simon Russell Beale), who is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his late business partner Jacob Marley (Andy Serkis). Wanting to help Scrooge to see the error of his ways, Marley reveals that he will be visited by three spirits. Throughout the night he encounters the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, each of whom shows him the impact his mean and selfish behavior has had on others. Will this be enough to convince Scrooge that he must change his ways?
Is It Any Good?
Imaginative, artistic, and compelling, this stylish take on Dickens' classic novella feels powerful and unique. But it's also accessible, beautiful to watch and ultimately very festive. Opening with a Victorian family settling down on Christmas Eve to experience the story of A Christmas Carol inside a children's paper theater, the movie then morphs into a performance of contemporary dance, mime, and art, as illustrated characters come to life and cardboard scenery blends with real sets.
A visual triumph that exudes Victorian nostalgia and theatrical flair, this interpretation of the traditional story is made all the more magical by its quirky, modern format, combining imaginative scenery and professional dancers with a cast of reassuringly familiar voice artists. As you would expect from a story with such profound themes, A Christmas Carol is creepy in places, bleak in others, but the overall takeaway is an elegant, dynamic, and ultimately uplifting festive treat.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what messages A Christmas Carol teaches? What is the movie trying to teach us? Why are those lessons still as relevant today as they were when Dickens first wrote the story in 1843?
Talk about the scarier moments in the movie. Which scenes did you find most frightening? Why do some people like being scared? Did you feel scared after the movie had finished? How much scary stuff can kids handle?
How does Scrooge learn compassion and empathy? What about integrity and gratitude? Why are those important character strengths? Do you think Scrooge should be forgiven for his miserly ways, given that he saw his errors and made the effort to change?
Talk about how this movie compares to other Christmas movies you've seen. Do you recognize similar characters or themes? Which modern Christmas movies might have been inspired by Dickens' story?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 27, 2020
- On DVD or streaming : December 1, 2021
- Cast : Carey Mulligan , Martin Freeman , Andy Serkis
- Director : Jacqui Morris
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Frith Street Films
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Holidays , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Gratitude , Integrity
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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