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Ashley Walters’ feature directorial debut Animol and Celyn Jones’ second feature, Madfabulous, are among the eight projects taking part in the 2025 Cannes Great 8 online showcase of UK feature films from first-and second-time UK filmmakers.

Animol is written by Nick Love, with Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor among the producers. It is a BFI, Film4 and Sky-backed coming-of-age story that takes place within the confines of a young offenders’ institution. Stephen Graham, with whom Walters’ co-starred in Netflix seriesAdolescence,is among the cast.

Madfabulous is Jones’ second film followingThe Almond And The Seahorse.Set in the 19th century, it isinspired by the flamboyant life...

The holiday season is always a delightful time for families, with one traditional activity being watching their favorite Christmas movies. While everyone has one or a few nostalgic classics they love to rewatch annually, people shouldn't ignore what the current decade has been bringing audiences. Every December of the 2020s thus far, various holiday movies have been released.

Though many wouldn't be considered critical darlings, a few can slip through the cracks to become celebrated thanks to their creative spirit. Whether they are well-written dramedies, colorful musicals, or belong to an entirely different genre, like action, these Christmas movies have joined the best in the modern era. They range from adult-themed, like The Holdovers, to family-friendly, like Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, proving there's still imagination in creating holiday magic.

A Boy Called Christmas is an Overlooked Tale of Santa's Origins

IMDb Rating: 6.7 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83% Watch on Netflix

While...

Dame Maggie Smith has left behind a remarkable career with her passing on September 27, 2024, at the age of 89. Known for her versatility and sharp wit, she has appeared in over 70 stage plays and 60 films and television series, including her most famous roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series and Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey. Maggie Smith has also seen critical acclaim throughout her career, earning two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and one Tony Award.

Since her passing, there has already been an absence felt by long-time fans of the actor. While fans can still enjoy The Queen of Sass in the Downton Abbey series on Netflix, Maggie Smith has also appeared in three movies you can watch on the platform.

The Miracle Club (2023)

Lionsgate UK

Set in 1967 Dublin, The Miracle Club follows the adventures...

Anna Marsh, CEO of production and distribution giant StudioCanal, will give one of the main keynote speeches for this year’s MIPTV, the global TV market confab held in Cannes in April.

Marsh will address the international television industry at Cannes’ Palais des Festivals on Monday, April 17, the opening day of MIPTV 2023. Her Media Mastermind keynote will explore the increasing crossover between different mediums, from film through TV and online, and the opportunities for talent, storytelling and innovative commercial strategies that spring from these.

“As the European leader in film and series production and distribution, StudioCanal has a responsibility to share its content with even wider and expanding international audiences,” said Marsh. “More than ever in 2023, we are looking to diversify our content and create the successes of tomorrow by strengthening the significant synergies between our film and series activities.”

StudioCanal is a major player in both the film and TV industries.

With three titles boasting weekend takings of more than $1 million, the theatrical market seems to be approaching something close to normal.

The much anticipated Venom: Let There Be Carnage had an impressive first weekend out the gates, ringing up $6.5 million for Sony from 595 screens; an average of $10,886 per theatre.

Starring Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams and Woody Harrelson, the superhero sequel is already on $US469 million worldwide – Australia being one of the last major markets to release the film. Not too shabby for a title that is said to have a $US110 million budget.

No Time To Die continued to perform in its third weekend, generating $3.9 million to advance to $26.5 million. The Bond title will easily overtake Godzilla vs. Kong, which finished on $27.9 million, to become the highest grossing film of 2021 so far.

Universal stablemate The Boss Baby: Family Business bowed to $1 million from 313 screens. With previews, the title is tracking at $1.5 million.

If you’re immune to the charms of a small child admitting that he’s heartbroken over the loss of his mother but “still loves her with all the broken pieces,” then suffice to say that “A Boy Called Christmas” probably isn’t for you. For those who don’t mind a bit of saccharinity in their holiday viewing, however, Netflix’s tall tale about the origins of Christmas will make for better background viewing than a yule-log loop. Directed by Gil Kenan (“City of Ember”) and based on Matt Haig’s novel of the same name, “Christmas” is a cut above the usual holiday dross.

Said cherub, along with his two older siblings, is in the care of his great aunt (Maggie Smith) for the evening, their father having been called into the office on Christmas Eve. After insisting that “the universe is made of stories, not atoms,” the...

Adventure, elves and home truths mingle in this big-hearted movie based on a Matt Haig children’s book

You’d need to have the humbuggiest of hearts not to be charmed, even just a little bit, by this family Christmas movie – lavishly adapted, no expense spared, from a kids’ novel by Matt Haig. It begins in modern-day London, with Maggie Smith as the Mary Poppins-ish great-aunt to a trio of siblings. Their mum has recently died, so no one is feeling festive when Aunt Ruth begins telling them a bedtime story on Christmas Eve.

Her fairytale is a Santa Claus origins myth, about a boy called Nikolas (played by delightfully urchin-faced newcomer Henry Lawfull). He lives in a forest in Finland with his poor woodcutter dad (Michiel Huisman). They are so poor that when the dotty king (played by Jim Broadbent with endearing spoiled-child petulance) offers a reward to anyone...

This reimagining of the story of Father Christmas is based on the 2015 book of the same name by Matt Haig. It tells the story of Nikolas (Henry Lawfull), a boy who sets off into the snowy white north in search of his father (Michiel Huisman) who is tasked to bring hope to the

The post “A Boy Called Christmas” appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.

For the last couple of years Netflix has been creating some Christmas classics. These classics include The Christmas Chronicles starring Kurt Russel and Goldie Hawn. Netflix is back with a new Christmas classic called, A Boy Called Christmas. The film revolves around an ordinary boy named Nikolas who sets out on a extraordinary journey into the snowy north in search of his father. Nikolas discovers a lost elf village called Elfhelm. Nikolas has many more magical encounters during his travels. The film was adapted by the bestselling book by Matt Haig and will be directed by Gil Kenan.  The cast includes Henry Lawfull, Toby Jones, Sally Hawkins, Michiel Huisman, Kristen Wig, Stephen Merchant, and Maggie Smith. Check out the official trailer below for A Boy Called Christmas below: The film will debut on Netflix on November 24th:...

"To see something, you must believe in it. Really... Believe." A little bit of magic might change the world. Netflix has released their full US trailer for the holiday movie A Boy Called Christmas, adapted from the children's novel by Matt Haig. This is the magical, adventure-filled new take on the origin story of Father Christmas, the tale of a young boy named Nikolas, played by Henry Lawfull, as he goes on his adventure up to the North Pole. There's trolls and reindeer and witches and all kinds of crazy things, along with Dame Maggie Smith playing Aunt Ruth. "What more could you want in a holiday movie?" Lawfull plays Nikolas, along with Stephen Merchant, Jim Broadbent, Sally Hawkins, Toby Jones, Michiel Huisman, Kristen Wiig, Zoe Colletti, and Toby Jones. Even though we just posted the full UK trailer last month, Netflix is opening in the US later in November...

Netflix is already prepared for the holiday season. The streaming platform released the first teaser trailer for its upcoming holiday feature, A Boy Called Christmas, starring Maggie Smith, Henry Lawfull, and Kristen Wiig.

The fantasy film, which stems from Matt Haig’s 2015 novel of the same name, follows a young boy named Nikolas, played by newcomer Lawfull. In this reimagining of the tale of Father Christmas, Nikolas sets off on a journey to find his father who is searching for a village of elves called Elfhelm. He has a reindeer named Blitzen and a pet mouse to accompany him on his magical adventure....

Netflix is already prepared for the holiday season. The streaming platform released the first teaser trailer for its upcoming holiday feature, A Boy Called Christmas, starring Maggie Smith, Henry Lawfull, and Kristen Wiig.

The fantasy film, which stems from Matt Haig’s 2015 novel of the same name, follows a young boy named Nikolas, played by newcomer Lawfull. In this reimagining of the tale of Father Christmas, Nikolas sets off on a journey to find his father who is searching for a village of elves called Elfhelm. He has a reindeer named Blitzen and a pet mouse to accompany him on his magical adventure....

Television networks are unveiling holiday-themed content and programming, including classic holiday films, live specials and more.

For example, The CW will once again air the beloved animated classic “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” on Nov. 26 at 9 p.m., as well as on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. It also brings back “Silent Night – A Song For The World” on Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. and again on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m.

Read a full list of holiday programming below. (More programming will be added to the list as networks announce titles.)

“The Claus Family” – When his grandfather suddenly falls ill, holiday-hating Jules learns of his family’s magical legacy and realizes he’s the only hope to save Christmas. Starring Jan Decleir, Mo Bakker and Stefaan Degand, “The Claus Family” is directed by Matthias Temmermans and written by Temmermans and Ruben Vandenborre.

“Love Hard” – Hopeless romantic but perpetually single L.

"Long ago, nobody knew about Christmas. Until a boy showed the world how to believe in the impossible." Netflix has debuted their own teaser trailer for the holiday movie titled A Boy Called Christmas, adapted from the children's novel by Matt Haig. This is the magical, adventure-filled new take on the story of Father Christmas, the tale of a young boy named Nikolas, played by Henry Lawfull, as he goes on his adventure up to the North Pole. There's trolls and reindeer and witches and all kinds of crazy things, along with Dame Maggie Smith playing Aunt Ruth. "What more could you want in a holiday movie?" A good story, perhaps? Lawfull stars as Nikolas, joined by Stephen Merchant, Jim Broadbent, Sally Hawkins, Toby Jones, Michiel Huisman, Kristen Wiig, Zoe Colletti, and Toby Jones. Even though we just posted the full UK trailer a few weeks ago, Netflix is releasing...

"Long ago, nobody knew about Christmas..." Studiocanal UK has debuted an early teaser trailer for a new holiday movie titled A Boy Called Christmas, adapted from the children's novel by Matt Haig. This is the re-imagiined story of Father Christmas, the tale of a young boy named Nikolas, played by Henry Lawfull, as he goes on his adventures. This is a Christmas movie based on a book of the same title and will include snow, elves, kidnapping, more snow, and Dame Maggie Smith. "What more could you want in a holiday movie?" The magnificent cast also includes Stephen Merchant, Jim Broadbent, Sally Hawkins, Toby Jones, Michiel Huisman, Kristen Wiig, Zoe Colletti, and Toby Jones. This certainly looks whimsical and magical, and full of all kinds of colorful designs and set pieces. But there's so much CGI it almost looks like an animated movie at times. Then again, they do still...

Studiocanal and Blueprint pictures have dropped the teaser trailer and artwork alongside first look images from Gil Kenan’s highly anticipated magical adventure, ‘A Boy Called Christmas’.

Adapted from the bestselling book by Matt Haig, the film tells the story of an ordinary young boy called Nikolas as he sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical, comic and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible…

Stephen Merchant has joined the cast, voicing hero Nikolas’ outspoken pet mouse, Miika. He joins Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent, Sally Hawkins, Toby Jones, Michiel Huisman, Kristen Wiig, Zoe Colletti (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark) and newcomer Henry Lawfull.

Also in...

Kristen Wiig, Sally Hawkins and Maggie Smith are among the cast to have joined the live-action, holiday family film “A Boy Called Christmas,” Netflix, Studiocanal and Blueprint Pictures announced Monday.

Production is now underway on the film from Studiocanal, Netflix and Blueprint Pictures based on the 2015 book by Matt Haig.

The full cast for the film includes Jim Broadbent, Zoey Colletti, Toby Jones, Michiel Huisman, Henry Lawfull, Rume Temte, Indica Watson along with Wiig, Hawkins and Smith.

Also Read: 'A Christmas Prince 3' Set at Netflix - With Baby on Board

“A Boy Called Christmas” is the origin story of Father Christmas, about a boy named Nikolas who travels to the North Pole to rescue his father, only to befriend elves, a surly reindeer, a troll and uncover a magical, frozen village called Elfhelm.

Gil Kenan (“Monster House”) is directing the film from a screenplay he co-wrote with Ol Parker.

Shooting underway Lapland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and London.

Jim Broadbent, Sally Hawkins and Kristen Wiig have all joined the cast of Matt Haig adaptation A Boy Called Christmas, which has started shooting on location in Lapland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and London.

The cast also includes Maggie Smith, Toby Jones, Zoe Colletti, Michiel Huisman, Henry Lawfull, Rune Temte and Indica Watson. Gil Kenan, who was nominated for the best animated film Oscar in 2006 for Animal House, directs.

The film is a live-action adaptation of Haig’s book of the same name, which tells the origin story of Father Christmas. A young...

Netflix has boarded Studiocanal and Blueprint Pictures’ Santa Claus origins movie “A Boy Called Christmas,” which has just started shooting.

Jim Broadbent (“Paddington”), Kristen Wiig (“Bridesmaids”), and Sally Hawkins (“The Shape of Water”) will star. The ensemble cast also includes Zoe Colletti (“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”), Toby Jones (“Infamous”), Michiel Huisman (“The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”), Henry Lawfull (“Les Miserables”), Maggie Smith (“Downton Abbey”), Rune Temte (“Captain Marvel”), and Indica Watson (“Sherlock”).

Gil Kenan will direct the picture, having adapted Matt Haig’s bestselling book with Ol Parker. Studiocanal will release the Christmas film theatrically in Australia, China, France, Germany, New Zealand, and the U.K. Netflix has it for the rest of the world, including the U.S.

The film follows an ordinary young boy called Nikolas, who was born on Christmas Day. He sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy...

Studiocanal, Netflix and Blueprint Pictures have begun production on live-action family movie A Boy Called Christmas.

Gil Kenan (Monster House) will direct the feature whose starry cast includes Jim Broadbent (Paddington 1 & 2), Zoe Colletti (Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark), Toby Jones (Infamous), Sally Hawkins (The Shape Of Water), Michiel Huisman (Game Of Thrones), Henry Lawfull (Les Miserables), Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey), Rune Temte (Captain Marvel), Indica Watson (Sherlock) and Kristen Wiig (Wonder Woman 1984).

The movie will reimagine the origin story of Father Christmas, following an ordinary young boy called Nikolas who sets out on an adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, the young boy soon meets his destiny.

Ol Parker (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) and...

A lineup of big names, including Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids), Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water, Paddington) and Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey, Harry Potter), have come together for the Netflix/StudioCanal adaptation of festive children's book A Boy Called Christmas.

Jim Broadbent (Paddington), Zoe Colletti (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark), Toby Jones (Infamous, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Michiel Huisman (The Haunting of Hill House), Henry Lawfull (Les Miserables), Rune Temte (Captain Marvel) and Indica Watson (The Missing, Sherlock) have also joined the cast of the film, which has now commenced principal photography and shoots in Lapland, the Czech Republic,...

A lineup of big names, including Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids), Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water, Paddington) and Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey, Harry Potter), have come together for the Netflix/StudioCanal adaptation of festive children's book A Boy Called Christmas.

Jim Broadbent (Paddington), Zoe Colletti (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark), Toby Jones (Infamous, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Michiel Huisman (The Haunting of Hill House), Henry Lawfull (Les Miserables), Rune Temte (Captain Marvel) and Indica Watson (The Missing, Sherlock) have also joined the cast of the film, which has now commenced principal photography and shoots in Lapland, the Czech Republic,...