Overview
A heartwarming tale of holiday spirit and family bonds unfolds beneath the North Pole.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- uplifting
- christmas viewing
- family movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film clever, fresh, funny, and emotionally sincere, praising its inventive Santa mythology and surprising warmth while noting some midsection clutter.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Santa's North Pole operation is presented as a vast high-tech delivery organization using advanced vehicles, equipment, and automated processes.
Arthur is the overlooked and emotionally sincere Claus family member who insists that one child's missed present matters.
Arthur, Steve, Santa, and Grandsanta represent clashing attitudes toward tradition, automation, leadership, and personal care.
The film visualizes worldwide present delivery through an enormous North Pole command center, high-speed sleigh technology, elves, and reindeer.
Films like Arthur Christmas, and why
The Santa Clause
family-friendly Christmas comedy built around an inventive Santa mythology, emotional warmth, and comic ensemble dynamics
The Polar Express
stylized holiday animation combining elaborate fantasy world-building, brisk humor, and an earnest family-centered emotional arc
Klaus
warm, visually inventive animated family adventure with eccentric characters and a strong theme of kindness over efficiency
Rise of the Guardians
high-energy family animation balancing slapstick comedy, heartfelt relationships, and an urgent mission involving Christmas magic
Movie Details
- Director
- Sarah Smith
- Release Date
- 2011-11-10
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (1683)
Cast
- James McAvoy
- Hugh Laurie
- Bill Nighy
- Jim Broadbent
- Imelda Staunton
- Ashley Jensen
- Marc Wootton
- Laura Linney
- Eva Longoria
- Ramona Marquez
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Arthur Christmas about?
- An earnest underdog races across a dazzling high-tech North Pole to prove that no child's Christmas wish is merely a technical glitch.
- What is Arthur Christmas like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Arthur Christmas as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Arthur Christmas violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Arthur Christmas.
- What did critics think of Arthur Christmas?
- Critics broadly found the film clever, fresh, funny, and emotionally sincere, praising its inventive Santa mythology and surprising warmth while noting some midsection clutter.
- Which films are like Arthur Christmas?
- Films with a similar feel include The Santa Clause, The Polar Express, Klaus, and Rise of the Guardians.
- How long is Arthur Christmas?
- Arthur Christmas runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Arthur Christmas?
- In United States, Arthur Christmas is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
