That Christmas has the ingredients of a snug animated holiday film: a snowbound seaside town, intersecting family stories and a mistaken Santa. But its crowded plotting and underpowered comedy keep the sentiment from landing as warmly as the detailed animation deserves. It may suit children looking for a gentle Christmas story; viewers hoping for sharper jokes or a more coherent ensemble tale may find it less jolly.
Does That Christmas work as a story?
Set in fictional Wellington-on-Sea, the film brings together several families and friends whose Christmas plans are thrown off by a severe snowstorm. A mistake by Santa adds another strand to the holiday upheaval. The interwoven setup gives the film plenty of characters and seasonal complications, but it also leaves limited room for individual stories to breathe.
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That crowded feeling is the film’s central weakness: it moves among its characters without always making their separate troubles feel like parts of one satisfying whole. The Guardian’s December 1, 2024 review similarly described the story as overstuffed, while its November 27 review found the comedy short on sparkle. Those are individual critical judgments, not a measure of universal reaction, but they capture the tension at the heart of the film: there is a lot happening, without enough comic lift to make every detour feel worthwhile.
Is the humor and sentiment effective?
The comedy is gentler than the premise might promise. With so many characters and crises competing for attention, jokes do not consistently build momentum, and the film’s warm intentions sometimes arrive before the emotional connections have had enough time to develop. Viewers who enjoy mild, family-friendly holiday stories may be more receptive to that tone than those looking for fast, sharply structured comedy.
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The result is not joyless; it is simply less buoyant than its snowstorm-and-Santa setup suggests. Its sentiment works best when the film focuses on the ordinary kindness and family tensions within its small-town Christmas, rather than rushing to manage every strand at once.
How does the animation hold up?
The visual craft is a meaningful counterweight to the uneven storytelling. The Guardian’s December 1 review praised the animation as lovingly detailed. Wellington-on-Sea’s winter setting gives the film a textured seasonal atmosphere, and its visual care helps sustain the cozy mood even when the plot feels overfull.
Rank #2
- Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn't quite understand the concept.
That distinction matters: the animation can be inviting while the narrative remains crowded. The film’s strongest appeal is its holiday world and family tone, rather than a consistently well-paced chain of jokes or a tightly unified ensemble plot.
Is That Christmas good for kids?
It is a family-oriented Christmas animation, and its gentle tone makes it a reasonable option for children who enjoy seasonal stories about families, friends and disrupted plans. Netflix’s catalog labels it family-oriented and sentimental; those are distributor descriptors, not independent age guidance. Parents should use their own judgment about suitability, especially for younger children who may prefer a simpler story with fewer characters.
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For a family watch, the main trade-off is pacing and plot density rather than an expectation of edgy comedy. Adults may find the humor thin, while children drawn to snowy settings and Christmas mishaps may be more content to follow the separate adventures.
What books is the film based on?
That Christmas draws on Richard Curtis’s children’s-book trilogy: The Empty Stocking, Snow Day and That Christmas. Netflix credits Curtis with the books and Rebecca Cobb as illustrator. The film combines stories from that source world into an ensemble feature, so its many characters and intersecting events reflect a different structure from reading one book at a time. Readers interested in the original stories can look for the trilogy under those titles; specific editions and current availability are not established here.
Rank #4
Who made the film, and when did it arrive?
Produced by Locksmith Animation, the 2024 feature was written and executive-produced by Richard Curtis, marking his first animated feature. Simon Otto directed, making it his feature directorial debut. Brian Cox voices Santa; the announced ensemble also includes Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy. Netflix announced select theatrical screenings beginning November 27, 2024, followed by streaming on December 4, 2024. Those are historical US release dates; streaming availability varies by territory.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is That Christmas worth watching?
Watch it if you want a gentle, visually detailed Christmas film for a family audience and do not need every story strand or joke to click. Skip it if you want a tightly focused narrative or a strong run of comic set pieces. Its animation and wintry atmosphere make a pleasant case for a seasonal viewing, but the crowded plot and muted humor keep it from being a standout holiday comedy.
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Sources: Netflix Media Center; About Netflix; Netflix Tudum; Netflix catalog listing; The Guardian, December 1, 2024; The Guardian, November 27, 2024.
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