Coming to cinemas, Sky Cinema as part of Christmas TV scheduling in the UK, plus launching on Netflix in select countries such as the US, the film tells the story of the origins of Santa Claus/Father Christmas through the exploits of Nikolas, a young boy from Finland who ends up setting off on a magical quest. Joining him are his loyal pet mouse Miika (voiced by Stephen Merchant) and a headstrong reindeer Blitzen. 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. Matt Haig has written the most evergreen, immortal Christmas story to be published for decades. Future generations will receive the same comfort and joy from A Boy Called Christmas that they derive from mince pies, snowmen and creamy liqueurs” (STEPHEN FRY) Get into the Spirit of Christmas!| In a nutshell: a Christmas story for one and all! |Matt Haigh invents a brand new Christmas story in his tale of how a weedy little boy called Nikolas became the jolly bearded figure we know as Father Christmas. It’s one of the many achievements of his book that readers will want to hold it the truth. Nikolas and his father are poor – Nikolas has only ever had two presents, and one of them was a turnip – but he still understands that happiness is more important than money. This is proved when his father heads off on a money-making expedition to find Elfhelm, the village of the elves, leaving Nikolas with his nasty aunt. Nikolas follows his father and thereby meets elves, becomes magic, befriends the reindeer Blitzen, acquires the trademark red hat, and renews his determination to spread joy and good will to all. It’s a wonderful adventure, exciting, often very funny though not without its darker moments, and never sentimental. A collection of New York Times bestselling author, Matt Haig’s heartwarming, Christmas adventures– A Boy Called Christmas, The Girl Who Saved Christmas, and A Mouse Called Miika.

In the United Kingdom, the film was classed as a Sky Original and became available to watch on Sky Cinema and streaming on Sky's streaming service NOW.This is quite a twisted tale about the origins of Santa Claus. While the story is well written, and works well as a read aloud, it is definitely not for sensitive or young kids. As the story opens, we read how Nikolas’ mother was chased by a bear, and fell down into a well all while Nikolas watched. The themes of death and despair run through the whole book. Nikolas is starved by his aunt, thrown in jail by the elves, and looses both parents. One of the elves has turned his newspaper (the only one in town) into a propaganda machine to get himself elected as leader of the elves. While this book is definitely different from what I expected, it did lead to a lot great conversations between me and my 9 year old. Father Vodol (Jim Broadbent) looks a little scary in A Boy Called Christmas. (Image credit: Sky Cinema) 'A Boy Called Christmas' trailer A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship. Jaafar, Ali (16 May 2016). " 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel's Ol Parker To Adapt 'A Boy Called Christmas' For Studio Canal, Blueprint – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 27 December 2021.

Nikolas finds a map that confirms the existence of Elfhelm so he decides to go to the Extreme North to find his father and give him the map. During the journey, Nikolas learns that Miika has learned to speak and this provides hope in continuing his quest. When they reach the Half Moon Forest, a reindeer who Nikolas names Blitzen allows Nikolas to mount him. Actor and writer Stephen Merchant lends his voice to Miika, the fretful CGI mouse who, with a bit of magic, becomes Nikolas’s over-chatty companion. Michiel Huisman as Joel embracing Nikolas in 'A Boy Called Christmas'. (Image credit: Sky) Henry Lawfull on playing Nikolas in 'A Boy Called Christmas'BELIEVE IN THE IMPOSSIBLE You are about to read THE TRUE STORY OF FATHER CHRISTMAS If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. (Because this book is FULL of impossible things.) Are you still reading? Good. Then let us begin... I never watch animated or family films as I don’t have kids myself, but I’ve got a niece and nephew who are six and seven, so I like the idea they can watch me in things that aren’t too naughty," says Stephen, current star of The Outlaws and soon to be playing serial killer Stephen Port in BBC1 drama Four Lives. The film was released on 26 November 2021 in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany and China, by StudioCanal, [2] while Netflix released the film elsewhere, [3] on 24 November 2021. [4] The film was released on DVD.

Families can talk about Santa Claus, who he is, and how he came to be such a big part of Christmas celebrations. Many different versions appear in different places and cultures -- how do you think A Boy Called Christmas compares with others you may know?

Need Help?

A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and a boy called Nikolas, who isn’t afraid to believe in magic. The plot gets going when Nikolas’s father is offered a chance to make a lot of money by helping to prove that Elfhelm, the fabled village of the elves, really does exist. So Dad sets off with a band of dodgy desperadoes on a quest to the frozen north, promising to return in a few months, and leaving Nikolas to be looked after by the spectacularly evil, child-hating Aunt Carlotta. Eventually Nikolas can stand her mistreatment no more and embarks on his own quest to find his father. A beguiling read, filled with warmth and humour, and a vibrant celebration of the power of books to change lives." year-old Nikolas and his father Joel, a woodcutter, live in the forest. Nikolas' mother had died two years before, eaten by a bear, and Nikolas tries to take comfort every night remembering the legend of a place called Elfhelm, where a girl found a magical place inhabited by elves that helped her to survive the winter. One night a mouse tries to steal some food but his life is spared by Nikolas who calls the mouse Miika and tries to teach him to speak.

Every bit as funny and poignant as a mouse that has never seen cheese but still believes in it!” (FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE) A few references to Scandinavian countries, at the time so sparsely populated that only eight people live in Norway. Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide. Get started Close Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.

Matt Haig Press Reviews

If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. Nikolas is able to see the place after believing in the elves and tries to stay in the town. He learns that a group of humans, including Joel, has kidnapped a small elf called Little Kip. Nikolas is sentenced to be eaten by a troll in the Dark Tower. Nikolas manages to escape with the help of a young fairy called the Truth Pixie. He then decides to try to find Joel's party and clarify the misunderstanding. Lots of bathroom humor, mostly involving Blitzen's weaponized pee (called "wee" here because it's British) skills. Wiseman, Andreas (15 April 2019). " 'A Boy Called Christmas': Kristen Wiig, Maggie Smith, Sally Hawkins Among Cast For Studiocanal, Netflix & Blueprint Movie". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 27 December 2021. Filming of A Boy Called Christmas took place in Lapland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and London. It was directed by Academy Award nominee Gil Kenan ( Monster House).