Annabell und die fliegenden Rentiere

Let me just put into words the premise of this film:

Every year on Christmas, Santa throws magic dust onto animals. This dust gives the animals the ability to speak to humans for 3 days, but the animals are expressly forbidden to speak to any humans during that time. Why would he do this? Just to have a brief conversation with animals once a year? Why would he allow them to speak for 3 days, is that just the smallest amount of dust he could use? The animals can already communicate with each other fine. This isn't a gift; it is a curse. Being given a gift whose only purpose is prohibited from being used...that is torture.

Going on with the premise, the villain, Aunt Agnes, wants Billy to live with her instead of his uncle. She wants Billy to live with her because... she thinks he would make Christmas more fun.

There are other villains who are just bullies. Bullies who love to make fun of mute children. There isn't anything more to their characters, they are just the worst kids.

Oh, and Annabelle is a cow that wants to be one of Santa's reindeer. The payoff for that has an additional twist that makes no sense, but since this world makes no sense, I guess it works.

The rest of the movie is very by the numbers straight to video animated kids' movie. The voice acting is all good and the animation is fine. I'm an easy mark for this animation style. And I am a sucker for some of these Christmas clichés.

Not a perfect Christmas, but also not a complete barn fire.

AnnaBelle's wish is still one of my absolute favorite Christmas Movies. It still makes me tear up! It is just as magical as it was for me as an 8 year old when I saw it the first time in 1997. It is a fun story of sorrow turning into joy, love, and sacrifice. It is an absolute joy to sit down with my children and watch this precious story again as an adult. A wonderful family film!

I remember watching this as a young kid. Nostalgia man. I was born in 98' never knew this came out in 97' that's crazy, I'm glad this film was a piece of my childhood, hopefully Netflix or Disney+ gets their hands on this so it can be more well known, it deserves to, this film is very magical!

This really is such a lovely film and it's not too long so little ones can enjoy it.

I watched this with my first daughter in 1999 when she was 3 and she loved it and watched it over and over. It was such a lovely film and the music just makes it perfect.

She now has 3 little girls of her own and when I sent her a clip she remembered it straight away and the music brought back all the lovely memories. Now they enjoy it too. Why is it not better known? . I never get bored of watching it and it makes me feel warm, fuzzy, nostalgic and very festive.

I'm 52 now and think I'll have to watch it again to get the Christmas feels 🎄 😊

My mom bought this several years ago on VHS. I had never heard of it, but reluctantly watched it with her. Who knew a cartoon could be a tear- jerker? Now, several years later, I always ask if anyone has heard about it when people are talking about their favorite Christmas movies. I have never had someone say they have seen it! Netflix doesn't even carry it in their titles! If you can get your hands on a copy, watch it! It ranks right up there with 'It's a Wonderful Life', 'White Christmas', and 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' on my list! If you love animals it is a sure hit. Kids will love it, Parents will love it even more.

I just don't understand why more people don't know about it!