Perhaps the most underrated, star-studded Christmas movie,Arthur Christmas, is now streaming on Paramount+. When concerning thebest Christmas movies of all time,Arthur Christmasis not one that would commonly appear on every list alongside the likes ofIt’s A Wonderful Life, Elf,orHome Alone. For this reason,Arthur Christmascan certainly be classed as underrated despite having a 92% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as many would agree it is the stark opposite of theworst Christmas moviesever made.
Another reason forArthur Christmas' status as an underrated movie is its box office. Rather than be ranked among thehighest-grossing Christmas moviesof all time,Arthur Christmaswas only moderately well received. The film earned a worldwide total of only $147 million, which many would agree is not reflective of its critical reception. Now, though,Arthur Christmashas a second chance at redemption. Along with the manyChristmas movies streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ to name but a few,Arthur Christmasis available on Paramount+.
Arthur Christmas Is A Hilarious, Heartfelt Christmas Flick - What The Movie Is About
A Modern Twist On The Tale Of Santa Claus
The primary reason behindArthur Christmas' strong reception is its heartfelt story that wrings a lot of humor from its premise. The film centers on the titular character as the youngest son of Santa Claus who still believes in the magic of Christmas. Meanwhile, Arthur’s brother, Steve, looks to become Santa’s successor and is only focused on the optics of Christmas, such as the speed and efficiency with which he can deliver presents. Above Santa himself is Grandsanta, the former herald of Christmas who embodies the traditional values Arthur so loves.
The story begins when a mix-up in the North Pole means a single girl has been missed and did not receive her presents on Christmas Eve. Amid Steve’s indifference and Santa’s laziness, Arthur believes no child should go without presents on Christmas, setting off with Grandsanta to set things right. What spawns from this concept is a hilarious story about the meaning of Christmas, what matters most about the holidays, and what it means to be Santa Claus. This, combined with Aardman’s beautiful animation, makesArthur Christmasa true Christmas classic.
Arthur Christmas' Cast Is Led By James McAvoy & Hugh Laurie
As alluded to,Arthur Christmas' voice castis packed with big names. The titular character is voiced by James McAvoy ofX-Men, The Chronicles of Narnia, andSplitfame. Arthur’s brother, Steve, is voiced by Hugh Laurie, known for his roles in theStuart Littlefilm series and as the lead character in Fox’s medical dramaHouse. Santa and Grandsanta are voiced by Jim Broadbent and Bill Nighy respectively, with the rest of the cast being rounded out by Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen, Marc Wootton, and Michael Palin.
Ernie Clicker
Michael Palin
On the whole,Arthur Christmas’cast is wonderful. McAvoy perfectly embodies the wide-eyed optimism of Arthur, imbuing the film with a great amount of its heart. Laurie nails the sarcastic, unbothered tone of the businessman-like Steve, while Broadbent’s somewhat clumsy tone is ideal for a Santa who goes with the flow. Bill Nighy’s cranky voice performance allows Grandsanta to be one of the funniest characters in the film, while Staunton’s small role brings a lot of warmth to Mrs. Claus.
Not only are the actors involved providing their A-game, but every other element matches them…
These performances all combine withArthur Christmas' heartwarming story to make it a perfect film for the holidays. Not only are the actors involved providing their A-game, but every other element matches them to make the film one that is worth a rewatch each year. With that in mind,Arthur Christmasbeing added to Paramount+ is perfectly timed for Christmas 2024, allowing one of the most underrated festive movies of recent times to be given another chance.
Arthur Christmas
Cast
Written and directed by Sarah Smith, Arthur Christmas is a 3D animated, Fantasy, Comedy, Holiday film featuring voices from Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie, and James McAvoy. The plot revolves around the son of the current Santa Claus who embarks on a mission to get a present to a child after an error is made and it is undelivered.
