Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Belle's musical holiday tale is unexpectedly dark and scary.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
What's the Story?
Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara) tries to prepare the castle for the Christmas season despite Beast's (Robby Benson) disinterest in holiday cheer. But while most of the enchanted figures are excited to help Belle, a mean-spirited pipe organ named Forte (Tim Curry) enlists his small pal, Fife (Paul Reubens), to foil the possibility that Belle could break the curse. Forte convinces Belle to trek into the dangerous Black Forest to get a Christmas tree, which Belle believes will make Beast happy. Forte, however, pretends that Belle has abandoned Beast.
Is It Any Good?
Nothing could compare to the original Beauty and the Beast's splendor. But once audiences lower their expectations to meet the level of direct-to-DVD films, THE ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS is an amusing if unnecessarily dark installment in the "tale as old as time." The musical numbers are catchy and the story compelling, but it doesn't always feel like an actual Christmas movie.
The focus on Forte's mission to stop Beauty and the Beast from falling in love takes away from the holiday spirit that permeates the rest of the movie. But on the bright side, Curry is always pitch-perfect playing evil characters, and his desperation to remain BFFs with the Beast is upsetting but surprisingly understandable. O'Hara's Belle is lovely to behold, whether she's dancing around with Chip or telling Beast she just wants him to be happy. She's the heart of the story, and her loving charm makes every Beauty and the Beast ultimately enchanting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's message about friendship. Was Forte a true friend to Beast? What motivated him to deceive both Beast and Belle?
What is the movie's Christmas message? Why did Belle risk her safety to retrieve the tree?
How does the movie fit into the story of the original Beauty and the Beast? How do the new characters compare to the ones depicted in the original?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 22, 2011
- Cast : Jerry Orbach , Paige O'Hara , Robby Benson
- Director : Andrew Knight
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Holidays
- Run time : 72 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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