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Parents' Guide to

The Christmas Toy

By Charles Cassady Jr., Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

A charming, if familiar, toy story.

Movie NR 1986 50 minutes
The Christmas Toy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 5+

Based on 3 parent reviews

jlaurensn
jlaurensn Parent of 3, 6 and 8-year-old
November 4, 2023
age 4+

Sweet holiday film!

This is such a heartwarming story that kids and adults can both enjoy during the holiday season! Love the message at the end that theres a place and enough love for the old and the new!
Lebron12James3
Lebron12James3 Parent
January 23, 2022
age 7+

RIPOFF OF THE CHRISTMAS PIG

See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE CHRISTMAS TOY, the toys in the Jones house come to life when their owners aren't looking. The playthings are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new Christmas toy for the family's daughter, Jamie. But Rugby, a stuffed tiger who was Jamie's new toy last year, wants to sneak under the tree to be a present for a second time. This trickery is dangerous because a toy "freezes" forever if it's caught by humans in an unnatural position. Rugby chances his luck, and sets out for the Christmas tree. A toy rescue mission follows, and a catnip mouse's quick-thinking saves the holiday for the toys.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (2 ):

It's impossible not to think of Disney's 1995 feature Toy Story while watching this lesser-known -- but still reasonably charming -- Muppet predecessor. The stories are similar, and Jamie's new toy even turns out to be a space action figure much like Buzz Lightyear. Kids will relish both videos, but it's no contest: Disney's Cowboy Woody is more likeable a hero than the boastful Rugby. Not even magical Muppetry can match the digitally animated toy's-eye view of the world of Toy Story.

Aside from Rugby, the supporting Muppet toys are rich and funny. Most are original to this video. The hero turns out to be Mew, a mouse who belongs to the family pet and has to overcome the other toys' prejudices against him. Meanwhile, Rugby must learn to accept that Jamie no longer has eyes only for him. Here's an opportunity to engage children in a discussion of sibling rivalry and tolerance.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the puppetry of this film compares to computer-generated films like Toy Story.

Movie Details

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