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The majority of classic Christmas movies are American, but Britain has also produced a few holiday heartwarmers over the years. The most obvious example is Love Actually, which often features in conversations about the very best Christmas movies, but there are many more British Christmas movies, even if they don't all have big international audiences. Many of these Christmas movies feature famous faces from Hollywood blockbusters.

The worst Christmas movies are often accused of cheap sentimentality, but this is something that British movies tend to avoid, simply because there isn't the same abundance of Christmas content each year. The few that have any kind of lasting relevance tend to offer something different to American Christmas movies, either because they focus on British holiday traditions or because they have quirky British humor.

That Christmas (2024) Netflix's Christmas Hit Could Have Staying Power

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Richard Curtis has written many holiday films, from Blackadder's Christmas Carol to the 2023 Peacock film Genie. His most famous holiday film is the 2003 romantic-comedy Love Actually, which he wrote and directed. However, just because the film is famous does not mean it's beloved by all.

Richard Curtis helped with Netflix's new animated holiday film That Christmas. Knowing that he was involved with the project, the animators teased Curtis with a joke about Love Actually without Curtis knowing. The reference proposes that Love Actually is not be remembered so fondly as Richard Curtis might think.

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4/5 That Christmas AnimationComedyFantasy

Release Date  December 4, 2024Cast  Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Bill Nighy, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Jack Wisniewski, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith,...

Netflix's new animated holiday film That Christmas has an exciting soundtrack with enough nostalgia to bring together the perfect story. That Christmas has a stellar cast, which includes stars like Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy. Directed by Simon Otto with a screenplay by Richard Curtis and Peter Souter, That Christmas is the ideal family film to get into the holiday spirit. The Netflix movie revolves around the residents of the fictional British town, Wellington-on-Sea, as they deal with an unexpected blizzard that derails many of their holiday plans.

That Christmas is one of several new Christmas movies released in 2024, but it is easily one of the best due to its heartwarming storylines, stunning animation, and excellent soundtrack. The ending of That Christmas pulls this wonderful holiday film together. Although composer John Powell created the film's score, Michael Roberts modified several well-known songs for the film's soundtrack.

Netflix's charming new Christmas movie, That Christmas, is now streaming and features a star-studded cast. One of several new Christmas movies in 2024, That Christmas tells the story of the fictional town, Wellington-on-Sea, which faces an unprecedented snowstorm just before Christmas Day. Not only does this pose significant difficulties for Santa Claus as he attempts to deliver the presents, but it also means that many of the children in town end up separated from their parents on Christmas Eve.

That Christmas was co-written by Richard Curtis, who also wrote and directed the Christmas classic Love Actually, one of the best Christmas movies for rom-com fans. That Christmas marks Curtis' very first animated feature film, and the movie's cast reflects a level of star power reminiscent of the cast of Love Actually. Here's every major character in That Christmas and who plays them.

Name

Character

Brian Cox

Santa Claus

Fiona Shaw

Ms.

Richard Curtis has carved out a space for himself as one of the greatest British screenwriters. His skills include layering multiple storylines, quirky ensembles, heartwarming romances, and sentimental events such as weddings and Christmas. His resume includes the likes of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, and Bridget Jones. So, when I heard the screenwriter was delving into animation, I was instantly excited.

That Christmas, directed by Simon Otto, weaves a series of interconnected stories exploring themes of love, loneliness, and family. The narrative unfolds with Santa Claus making a significant error, amidst a backdrop of numerous turkeys, capturing the essence of holiday spirit and relationships.

Director Simon OttoRelease Date December 4, 2024Writers Peter Souter, Richard CurtisCast Ava Talbot, Freddie Spry, Bronte Smith, Kuhu Agarwal, Jack Wisniewski, Sienna Sayer, Zazie Hayhurst, India Brown, Sindhu Vee, Rosie Cavaliero, Alex Macqueen, Bill Nighy, Lolly Adefope, Guz Khan, Katherine Parkinson, Paul Kaye, Jodie Whittaker,...

Netflix is no stranger to offering its subscribers plenty of entertaining and worthwhile movies. Their upcoming December films prove to be no different. While many of their holiday movies have already arrived on the platform, there are still a couple that are slated for release in the forthcoming weeks. However, for audiences who prefer something other than holiday films, the streaming service has plenty for them as well.

From action movies to true stories, there will certainly be a variety of films for viewers of all ages next month. No matter what a person might be in the mood for, the streaming platform likely has something anyone would deem worth watching. Whether viewers want to be inspired, thrilled, or embrace all the holiday feels, Netflix has something for everyone.

That Christmas Stream on December 4

That Christmas is an animated, family-friendly film that follows a myriad of intertwined stories in the community of Wellington-on-Sea.

Brian Cox’s Santa Claus is coming to town in the first trailer for Netflix’s animated holiday comedy That Christmas.

In the film’s first trailer, the Succession actor is sporting Kris Kringle’s standard uniform — a beard, red suit with a white fur trim and boots — as he delivers presents to children on the busiest night of the year, Christmas Eve.

That Christmas is based on a trilogy of children’s books by award-winning writer-director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually and Yesterday) and marks his first leap into animation. The film features entwined stories about family and friends, love and loneliness and Santa Claus making a big mistake.

In her review, The Hollywood Reporter‘s Lovia Gyarkye praised the “charming animation” while adding that the movie “slyly avoids the usual mawkishness by grounding its whimsical story in the real and prickly emotions of life.

Brian Cox is coming down the chimney.

In the first trailer for Netflix’s animated holiday comedy “That Christmas,” the “Succession” alum suits up as Santa Claus as he tells the story of one of the most challenging nights in his career.

Based on the charming trilogy of children’s books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis, “That Christmas” follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love, loneliness and Santa Claus making a big mistake — not to mention an enormous number of turkeys.

The ensemble cast includes Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith, Freddie Spry and Ava Talbot with Bill Nighy and Rhys Darby.

Curtis makes his first foray into animation as the Locksmith Animation comedy’s writer and executive producer.

The trailer for Netflix‘s upcoming Christmas family film has arrived. That Christmas is adapted from the successful series of children’s books by Love Actually writer Richard Curtis and the voice cast is packed to the brim with names like Brian Cox [Santa], Fiona Shaw [Ms Trapper], Jodie Whittaker [Mrs Williams], Lolly Adefope [Mrs McNutt], Alex Macqueen [Mr Forrest], Katherine Parkinson [Mrs Forrest], Sindhu Vee [Mrs Mulji], India Brown [Bernadette], Zazie Hayhurst [Sam], Sienna Sayer [Charlie], Jack Wisniewski [Danny], Rosie Cavaliero [Mrs Beccles], Paul Kaye [Yirrell], Guz Khan [Dasher], Andy Nyman [Mr Beccles], Kuhu Agarwal [Nisha], Bronte Smith [Eve], Freddie Spry [Teddy], Ava Talbot [Scarlett], with Bill Nighy [Bill] and Rhys Darby [Mr McNutt].

The official synopsis reads,

“Based on the successful series of children’s books by BAFTA winner and Academy Award® nominee Richard Curtis, Locksmith Animation’s heartwarming film marks the feature film directorial debut of renowned character animation and story artist veteran Simon Otto (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy). That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness,...

Netflix revealed the official That Christmas trailer, which comes from Locksmith Animation (Ron’s Gone Wrong) and director Simon Otto (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy). Debuting on December 4, the film has been rated PG for thematic elements, some language, and rude humor.

That Christmas is an adaptation of the beloved children’s book series written by acclaimed BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated writer and director Richard Curtis.

That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys! A film of firsts, it marks Curtis’s first animation project and the directorial debut of animation veteran Otto.

The film stars Brian Cox as Santa, Fiona Shaw (Ms. Trapper), Jodie Whittaker (Mrs. Williams), and Bill Nighy (Bill) as the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas.

Netflix has debuted the trailer for the upcoming festive animation from Richard Curtis ‘That Christmas.’

The movie 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!

Based on the successful series of children’s books by BAFTA winner and Academy Award® nominee Richard Curtis, Locksmith Animation’s heartwarming film marks the feature film directorial debut of renowned character animation and story artist veteran Simon Otto (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy).

The voice cast includes Brian Cox [Santa], Fiona Shaw [Ms Trapper], Jodie Whittaker [Mrs Williams], Lolly Adefope [Mrs McNutt], Alex Macqueen [Mr Forrest], Katherine Parkinson [Mrs Forrest], Sindhu Vee [Mrs Mulji], India Brown [Bernadette], Zazie Hayhurst [Sam], Sienna Sayer [Charlie], Jack Wisniewski [Danny], Rosie Cavaliero [Mrs Beccles], Paul Kaye [Yirrell], Guz Khan [Dasher], Andy Nyman [Mr Beccles], Kuhu Agarwal [Nisha], Bronte Smith [Eve], Freddie Spry [Teddy], Ava Talbot [Scarlett], with Bill Nighy [Bill] and Rhys Darby [Mr McNutt].

Also in trailers – Trailer drops for part...

Leave it to rom-com staple Richard Curtis to transform Logan Roy into Santa Claus.

Curtis is turning to the world of animation with Netflix film “That Christmas,” which stars “Succession” alum Brian Cox as St. Nick. “Love Actually” and “About Time” writer/director Curtis adapted the script from his own bestselling children’s book series; Curtis and Peter Souter share screenplay credit. Veteran character animator and story artist Simon Otto (“How to Train Your Dragon”) makes his directorial debut with the film.

“That Christmas” follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus making one big mistake, according to the official synopsis. Oh, and there is also “an enormous number of turkeys!”

The ensemble cast includes Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Rhys Darby, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan,...

Netflix and the Annecy Film Festival have fostered an incredible relationship over the last several years. No other major studio or distributor has been as omnipresent at the French film festival, and this year should be no different.

Netflix is planning several major sneak peeks of upcoming titles, a work-in-progress session, the world premiere of “Ultraman: Rising,” an exhibition of stop-motion figures from the upcoming Wallace & Gromit film, and two of its titles – “Blue Eye Samurai” and “Pokémon Concierge” – are screening in competition.

On Wednesday, June 12, the streamer will host Next on Netflix Animation: From Twilight of the Gods to Wallace & Gromit, a sneak peek at some of its most high-profile upcoming film and series titles.

“Wallace & Gromit” directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham and several of the film’s puppets will be in Annecy to tease their upcoming film. “Twilight of the Gods” will be presented by director Zack Snyder,...

Netflix has unveiled the voice cast and brand new images from Locksmith Animation (Ron’s Gone Wrong) and director Simon Otto’s (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy) upcoming CG animated feature That Christmas.

That Christmas is an adaptation of the beloved children’s book series written by acclaimed BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated writer and director Richard Curtis.

That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys! A film of firsts, it marks Curtis’s first animation project and the directorial debut of animation veteran Otto.

The film stars Brian Cox as Santa, Fiona Shaw (Ms. Trapper), Jodie Whittaker (Mrs. Williams), and Bill Nighy (Bill) as the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. The movie will debut on Netflix later this year.

Netflix on Wednesday unveiled the voice cast of CG animated feature film That Christmas from Locksmith Animation (Ron’s Gone Wrong) and director Simon Otto’s (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy). The movie will star Brian Cox as Santa, Fiona Shaw as Ms. Trapper, Jodie Whittaker as Mrs. Williams, and Bill Nighy as Bill.

They are the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. The film will debut on Netflix later this year.

That Christmas is an adaptation of the children’s book series (The Empty Stocking, Snow Day and That Christmas) written by BAFTA Award-winning and Oscar-nominated writer and director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday). “A film of firsts, it marks Curtis’ first animation project as well as the directorial debut for animation veteran Otto,” Netflix said.

The film also stars Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen,...

Netflix has revealed a stellar voice cast and brand new images from Locksmith Animation and director Simon Otto’s upcoming CG animated feature That Christmas. The film stars Brian Cox as Santa, Fiona Shaw (Ms. Trapper), Jodie Whittaker (Mrs. Williams), and Bill Nighy (Bill) as the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas.

The animation is an adaptation of the beloved children’s book series written by acclaimed BAFTA® Award-winning and Academy Award®-nominated writer and director, Richard Curtis. A film of firsts, it marks Curtis’ first animation project as well as the directorial debut for animation veteran Otto.

Bernadette “Bernie” leads a Christmas revolution with (L-r) Nisha (Kuhu Agarwal), Eve “Evie” (Bronte Smith), Scarlett (Ava Talbot) and Teddy (Freddie Spry) following suit in Locksmith Animation and Netflix’s heartwarming comedy, That Christmas. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024

Also in news – Jamie Dornan set for...

Brian Cox, Bill Nighy and Fiona Shaw are among the voice cast for Netflix animated feature That Christmas from Locksmith Animation.

Cox will voice Santa Claus in the adaptation of Richard Curtis’ trilogy of children’s books about multiple interweaved stories of love, loneliness, family and friends at Christmas time.

Other voice cast include Jodie Whittaker, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith, Freddie Spry, Ava Talbot and Rhys Darby.

Curtis penned the script and will executive produce That Christmas while Simon Otto,...

An A-list cast including Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy will lend their voices to That Christmas, an animated feature from Netflix penned by Richard Curtis and directed by Simon Otto (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy).

That Christmas is an adaptation of the children’s book series written by Curtis. The pic also marks the directorial debut of animation vet Otto.

Cox voices Santa in the pic. Shaw is Ms. Trapper, Whittaker is Mrs. Williams, and Nighy is Bill, residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. The full synopsis reads: That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys. Also starring are Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown,...

Brian Cox is set to voice Santa Claus in Netflix’s upcoming festive animated feature “That Christmas.”

Due later this year, the film marks the directorial debut of animation veteran Simon Otto and comes from Locksmith Animation (“Ron’s Gone Wrong”). “That Christmas” is adapted from the children’s book series by BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated writer and director Richard Curtis.

Alongside Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy have also joined the film as the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. Other voice stars include Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith, Freddie Spry, Ava Talbot and Rhys Darby.

‘That Christmas’

“Becoming an animator had been on my Christmas wish list ever since I was a child and watching animated movies was...

More than 20 years after her death, Princess Diana remains one of the most beloved and enduring figures of the British monarchy – and of pop culture. The latest screen adaption of her life is “Spencer,” a biopic that charts the fateful weekend in 1991 when the princess formerly known as Diana Spencer decided to leave her husband, Prince Charles.

With Kristen Stewart starring (in a role that earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination) and “Jackie” director Pablo Larraín at the helm, the film has been generating plenty of buzz since its release. The historical drama also stars Jack Farthing, Sally Hawkins, Timothy Spall, Jack Nielan, Freddie Spry, Stella Gonet and Richard Sammel.

For Diana fans looking to watch the film, here’s everything you need to know about how to watch “Spencer.”

When Did “Spencer” Come Out?

“Spencer” premiered on Friday, Nov. 5.

Where Is “Spencer” Streaming?

“Spencer” is now streaming on Hulu.

When Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín reached out to meet Steven Knight, he had never met the virtuosic British screenwriter behind Oscar-nominated “Dirty Pretty Things,” series “Peaky Blinders,” Tom Hardy vehicles “Locke” and “Taboo,” and most recently, Doug Liman’s pandemic drama “Lockdown.” Inspired by a photo of the filmmaker’s mother from the ’90s when she was the same age as Princess Diana, Larraín wanted to dig into why this famously unhappy royal touched so many people around the world. “I wondered why Diana had created such a level of empathy,” Larraín told IndieWire. “It’s a very complex answer.”

The filmmaker met the screenwriter for breakfast at the Covent Garden Hotel. “It hadn’t been a subject that preoccupied me at all previously,” Knight told me in a Zoom interview. “And it isn’t the sort of thing I would normally do, which made me attracted to it immediately.

When Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín reached out to meet Steven Knight, he had never met the virtuosic British screenwriter behind Oscar-nominated “Dirty Pretty Things,” series “Peaky Blinders,” Tom Hardy vehicles “Locke” and “Taboo,” and most recently, Doug Liman’s pandemic drama “Lockdown.” Inspired by a photo of the filmmaker’s mother from the ’90s when she was the same age as Princess Diana, Larraín wanted to dig into why this famously unhappy royal touched so many people around the world. “I wondered why Diana had created such a level of empathy,” Larraín told IndieWire. “It’s a very complex answer.”

The filmmaker met the screenwriter for breakfast at the Covent Garden Hotel. “It hadn’t been a subject that preoccupied me at all previously,” Knight told me in a Zoom interview. “And it isn’t the sort of thing I would normally do, which made me attracted to it immediately.

Spencer Review — Spencer (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Pablo Larrain and starring Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Jack Nielen, Freddie Spry, Jack Farthing, Sean Harris, Stella Gonet, Richard Sammel, Elizabeth Berrington, Lore Stefanek, Amy Manson, Sally Hawkins, James Harkness, Laura Benson, Wendy Patterson, Libby Rodliffe, John Keogh and Marianne Graffam. Oscar time is [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: Spencer (2021): An Unusually Haunting Portrait Of Princess Diana...

Kristen Stewart has delivered what many are saying is her best performance yet in Spencer, and she's even already getting some Oscar buzz. Written by Steven Knight and directed by Pablo Larraín, Spencer serves as a biopic for Princess Di, chronicling the destruction of her marriage to Prince Charles. It recently held its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival where it received a three-minute standing ovation with additional screenings at the Telluride Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Many of those in attendance to watch Spencer have been walking away impressed, particularly satisfied with Kristen Stewart in the lead role. Forbes' Scott Mendelson says that the movie "thrusts the perpetually underrated actress into the Oscar race." Variety also reports that "there's already been plenty of talk in Venice that the role will likely land Stewart her first Oscar nomination." The outlet also compares Stewart's performance to...

Self-billed as “a fable from a true tragedy,” Pablo Larrain’s “Spencer,” which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Friday, homes in on the unraveling of Diana, Princess of Wales, over three bitter days around Christmas in the Queen’s country house at Sandringham in Norfolk. Hinging (or unhinging) on a major performance from Kristen Stewart, the movie itself unfurls in a torrent of ideas and madness, some of it brilliant, some of it quite silly.

Chilean director Larrain came to international prominence with excellent films commenting on the effect of the disturbing and violent politics of the Pinochet regime in his country — and just as he skewered the myth of Kennedy’s Camelot in his 2016 Venice film “Jackie,” with Natalie Portman, he doesn’t spare the British establishment here. He depicts the royal court as a place of ruthless treachery dressed up in eccentricity and tradition,...

The most recent season of “The Crown” tackled the Princess Diana saga with Emma Corrin in the central role, but it should come as no surprise that it’s not the only recent effort to grapple with her legacy. In “Spencer,” Chilean director Pablo Larraín follows a transformative Kristen Stewart as the troubled princess on the weekend she decides to separate from Prince Charles. Yet Larraín’s film adopts a radical new approach to the ubiquitous character by reinventing her story — and giving her the last laugh, no matter what the history books say.

There are many reasons why Diana, otherwise known as Diana Spencer, continues to fascinate the public nearly 25 years after her death: The late member of the Royal family projected a powerful individualism at odds with the buttoned-up image of the regal world she married into and then rejected in public; her death is a tragic embodiment...