Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape, based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 7+
Sweet animation about the true meaning of Christmas.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that That Christmas is a festive animated film written by Richard Curtis (Love Actually) that highlights the importance of family and community, emphasizing relationships over material goods. It also addresses the challenges of the holidays, exploring themes of loneliness and reflection. The central character is young Danny (voiced by Jack Wisniewski), who is independent and understanding of his single mom's demanding work as a nurse, which often keeps her away. But he does experience feelings of neglect, especially related to his absent father. Characters demonstrate environmental consciousness, selflessness, and responsibility. A romantic subplot involves Danny and his classmate, Sam (Zazie Hayhurst); one scene features a brief kiss. There are mild action sequences, including Santa (Brian Cox) navigating a dangerous blizzard in the opening scene. And there's some peril when a girl goes missing in the blizzard (she's fine). Language is generally mild, with some use of "flipping heck," "damn," "moron," and "God" as an exclamation.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Characters are seen in peril, including Santa, who battles against a blizzard in the opening scene. Kids have snowball fights, and there is a car accident in the snow, although nobody is seriously harmed. A kid goes missing in the blizzard but is fine. Reference to a panic attack.
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Language
some
"Flipping heck," "damn," "moron", and "God" as an exclamation. A character burps in one scene, and there is one mildly crude reference to a reindeer's testicles.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
a little
Mild romantic subplot, with a young boy fancying a girl in his class at school. Brief kiss. A kid is embarrassed when their trousers accidentally fall down in front of their teacher. Joke about a reindeer's "unmentionables" turning into "snowballs" due to the cold.
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Positive Messages
a lot
There is value in shared experiences, whether they come from family or community. The true meaning of Christmas is about being together and the spirit of giving rather than receiving. Also acknowledges that the holidays can be a time of sadness for some, as it can heighten feelings of loneliness and reflection.
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Positive Role Models
a lot
Danny is often left alone, forcing him into a level of independence beyond his years. However, his mother's work commitments are never portrayed negatively; as a nurse, she works long and unpredictable hours to provide for Danny. It's love, not neglect, that keeps them apart. Though hurt, Danny is thoughtful and understanding of her situation. The same cannot be said for Danny's father, who has become more neglectful since his separation from Danny's mom. Meanwhile, Danny's school crush, Sam, stands out for her environmental consciousness. Her twin sister also proves selfless, giving away her presents to her sibling, believing she deserves them more. The whole village comes together to help find a missing girl.
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Diverse Representations
a little
The central family is a single-parent household, with Danny's parents separated. His mother works tirelessly as a nurse to provide for him, and while her demanding job often keeps her away, this is never portrayed negatively. In contrast, Danny's father leans into the stereotype of the absent dad. Though Danny and his family are White, there are significant supporting roles for Black and Asian characters, voiced by British Asian and Black actors such as Gus Khan and Lolly Adefope. All-male and White writing and directing team.
Did we miss something on diversity? .
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Educational Value
very little
Intended to entertain rather than educate, but young kids may learn that Christmas is not just about receiving presents, as well as important lessons around compassion and gratitude.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
That Christmas
Parent and Kid Reviews
See all
- Parents Say (109)
- Kids Say (15)
age 10+
Based on 109 parent reviews
Written by Anonymous
December 27, 2024
age 13+
Starts with mocking Nativity pageants
Personally, I’d like to think Netflix is mocking our current education system with the organic farmers replacing shepherds, pro-choice Mary song, and the three wise women. This might be the state of education in the USA and UK today. However, that aside, Common Sense media should flag disparaging religious depictions. Add a „Charlie Hebdo” rating section - does the context portray a major religion in a negative light? In this case, yes. Christians and Muslims be warned.
Nicole R. Adult
December 5, 2024
age 18+
Disgraceful and disgusting
Wow, as a Christian parent I was appalled within the first maybe 5 minutes. I can't review the whole movie as we turned it off. Please stop making children's movies that push political agendas. The birth of Jesus Christ is a story worth telling EVERY year. Insinuating that Mary considered abortion is simply disgusting.
See all 109 parent reviews
What's the Story?
In THAT CHRISTMAS, young Danny (voiced by Jack Wisniewski) isn't feeling the holiday spirit. His parents have separated, and his mum (Jodie Whittaker), a nurse, works long hours. To make matters worse, his seaside town is experiencing one of the worst snowstorms in history, disrupting everyone's festive plans—including Santa's (Brian Cox).
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (109):
Kids say (15):
This sweet animation is a charming festive treat from the mind of Richard Curtis, the man behind Love Actually. Based on a series of Curtis' own stories, That Christmas, directed by Simon Otto, embraces all the recognizable tropes and heartwarming messages of the genre, wrapped in delightful small-town British charm. Though it's a little predictable in parts, the film shines in its exploration of human complexities. Curtis thoughtfully balances the joy of the season with its bittersweet side, acknowledging that while Christmas can be a time of love, family, and connection, it can also be a poignant reminder of what's missing. Adding to the magic: Santa takes a prominent role, with Cox delivering a standout performance as the jolly man himself in what is an excellent piece of casting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what That Christmas has to say about the holidays. What do you think the film is trying to say about the real meaning of Christmas? Why can the holidays be a tough time for some people?
Discuss the family dynamic in the movie. Did Danny and his family setup feel realistic? Did it differ from what you've seen in other movies set during the festive period? Talk about why representation matters in kids' media.
Which characters showed compassion, gratitude, and curiosity? Why are these important character strengths? Can you think of times in your life when you've shown any of these qualities?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 4, 2024
- Cast : Brian Cox, Bill Nighy, Fiona Shaw
- Director : Simon Otto
- Inclusion Information : Female actors, Lesbian actors
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Magic and Fantasy, Book Characters, Holidays
- Character Strengths : Compassion, Curiosity, Gratitude
- Run time : 91 minutes
- MPAA rating : PG
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements, some language and rude humor
- Last updated : December 28, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
That Christmas
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