Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated adaptation has positive messages, scary scenes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
What's the Story?
In SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Ebenezer Scrooge (voiced by Luke Evans) is a grumpy, greedy man who has no time for others, until he is visited by a series of ghosts in the lead up to Christmas Day. They remind him of his past, bring attention to his behavior in the present, and warn him of what may come in the future. But, after years of selfishness, can Scrooge be redeemed by this Christmas miracle?
Is It Any Good?
Though there are darker moments and some spooky scares for younger kids, this retelling of Charles Dickens' classic tale is given a more positive, energetic slant than usual. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol shows empathy for our central character early on and fills the screen with colorful sets and lively musical numbers. The animation is full of modern touches, such as time-traveling through sci-fi-style portals and cute alien-looking characters, which will likely position it well with kids of the Pixar generation.
The A-list voice cast doesn't hurt either. Evans makes for a nuanced Scrooge that could close down a business, push over a child, or break into a love song at any second. Add to that Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Jonathan Pryce, Johnny Flynn, Trevor Dion Nicholas, and the rest of the talented cast, and this is a festive offering that certainly hasn't skimped on production values -- and it shows.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of redemption in Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. How did Scrooge change and what are some of the things he learned along the way?
Talk about the scarier moments in the movie. Which scenes did you find most frightening? Did you feel scared after the movie had finished? How much scary stuff can kids handle?
What were some of the positive messages of the film? Were there any themes it had in common with other Christmas movies? How do you think the themes tie in with the holidays?
If you're familiar with the original story that this movie is based on, how did this adaptation compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 18, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : December 2, 2022
- Cast : Luke Evans , Olivia Colman , Jessie Buckley
- Director : Stephen Donnelly
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Holidays , Fantasy , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate