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That Christmas

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That Christmas
Promotional poster
Directed bySimon Otto
Written by
Based onThat Christmas
by Richard Curtis
Produced by
  • Nicole P. Hearon
  • Adam Tandy
Starring
Edited bySim Evan-Jones
Music byJohn Powell
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix[1]
Release dates
  • October 19, 2024 (2024-10-19) (BFI)
  • December 4, 2024 (2024-12-04) (Netflix)
Running time
92 minutes
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

That Christmas is a 2024 animated Christmas fantasy comedy film produced by Locksmith Animation, animated by DNEG Animation and distributed by Netflix. Directed by Simon Otto in his directorial debut and based on a series of children's books by Richard Curtis, it stars the voices of Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy.

The film had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival in the Southbank Centre on October 19, 2024, and is scheduled for release on Netflix on December 4, 2024.[2]

Premise

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That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!

— Locksmith Animation and Netflix

Cast

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Production

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In November 2019, it was announced that Locksmith Animation was developing The Empty Stocking, an animated feature based on a series of children's books by Richard Curtis.[5] In June 2021, Locksmith announced that Simon Otto will be directing the film as his directorial debut, which had been retitled That Christmas.[6][7][8][9] In May 2022, Locksmith Animation confirmed that it awarded the digital production of its second movie, That Christmas, to DNEG Animation, following their collaboration on Locksmith’s debut film, Ron's Gone Wrong.[10] In June 2022, That Christmas was unveiled as part of Netflix's slate of animated films with the first look of the film.[1] On March 20, 2024, Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy were announced to star in the film.[11]

Music

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In November 2023, it was announced that John Powell would compose the film's score.[12][13] In August 2024, it was announced that English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran will write a song for the film and its soundtrack, titled "Under the Tree".[14][15] The soundtrack also features the instrumental track "Thin Ice" by composer Rhian Sheehan.[16]

Release

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That Christmas is scheduled to be released on Netflix on December 4, 2024.[2][17][15] It was originally set to be released by 20th Century Fox as part of their deal with Locksmith until Disney's acquisition of the studio in 2019. After leaving Fox and announcing a new deal with Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (formerly Warner Animation Group) in October 2019, the film was expected to be released by the studio,[18] however, in June 2022, Netflix acquired the distribution rights to the film with Netflix Animation under its label.[1]

Reception

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Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 15 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10.[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 73 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Milligan, Mercedes (June 9, 2022). "Netflix Sets Bold Slate of Animation from Europe Ahead of Annecy". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Schimautz, Julia (August 28, 2024). "The New Netflix Movies You Can Watch This Fall". Netflix. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Milligan, Mercedes (March 20, 2024). "'That Christmas' Unwraps Voice Cast Starring Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy". Animation Magazine. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  4. ^ "Jordan North issues huge career update and will star in festive Netflix film". Lancashire Telegraph. October 23, 2024. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Clarke, Stewart (November 6, 2019). "Richard Curtis Kids' Books Being Adapted as Animated Feature 'The Empty Stocking'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  6. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (June 8, 2021). "Locksmith's Debut 'Ron's Gone Wrong' Boots Up with Trailer, Cast Reveal". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  7. ^ Motayor, Rafael (June 14, 2021). "Simon Otto to Helm Animated 'That Christmas' Adaptation, Based on Books by 'Love Actually' Writer". Collider. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  8. ^ Yossman, K. J. (June 14, 2021). "Locksmith Animation Taps Simon Otto to Direct Adaptation of Richard Curtis' 'That Christmas'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  9. ^ "That Christmas | Locksmith Animation". locksmithanimation.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  10. ^ Sarto, Debbie (May 19, 2022). "Locksmith Taps DNEG Animation for 'That Christmas'". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  11. ^ Ntim, Zac (March 20, 2024). "'That Christmas': Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker & Bill Nighy To Voice Netflix Animated Feature Penned By Richard Curtis". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  12. ^ Powell, John (November 30, 2023). "Scoring my 25th animated film and my first Xmas movie at Abbey Road Studios this week 🎶 Coming next winter! ❄️ #JohnPowell #soundtrack…". Instagram. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  13. ^ "John Powell Scoring Locksmith Animation's 'That Christmas'". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (August 7, 2024). "Animated Feature 'That Christmas' Unwraps Ed Sheeran Original on Dec. 6". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Ramachandran, Naman (August 7, 2024). "Ed Sheeran Records Original Song for Netflix's Richard Curtis Film 'That Christmas' – Global Bulletin". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  16. ^ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14855468/soundtrack/?ref_=tt_dyk_snd
  17. ^ Tasha Robinson (April 25, 2023). "Netflix reveals every original animated movie set for release in the next two years". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Clarke, Stewart (October 31, 2019). "Warner Signs Multi-Picture Deal With Elisabeth Murdoch's Locksmith Animation". Variety. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  19. ^ "That Christmas". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  20. ^ "That Christmas". Metacritic. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
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