Two decades after Love Actually, Richard Curtis is back with a new Christmas story.
What’s the Scoop on That Christmas?
Based on Curtis’ own children’s books, That Christmas is an animated series of holiday tales. The film, co-written by Curtis and Peter Souter, promises to warm hearts this season.
Director Simon Otto shared with Netflix, “This movie tells the story of a troubled Christmas, forcing a group of kids and parents to accept that you can’t always plan life. Life is chaotic, relationships are messy, and traditions sometimes must be re-evaluated. And regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope that audiences will laugh at the family dynamics and identify with the universal truth behind most traditions: It’s ultimately not about the rules and the expectations we put on these events — we tend to forget that what really matters is that we can be together with our loved ones.”
Stay tuned for more details on That Christmas. You might hear sleigh bells soon!
When Can We Watch That Christmas?
That Christmas lands on Netflix on December 4, 2024.
What’s the Story About?
This animated movie, based on Curtis’ trilogy, weaves together stories about family, friends, love, loneliness, and even a big mistake by Santa Claus. Plus, there are lots of turkeys! Curtis, known for his romantic comedies, dives into animation here as writer and executive producer. Simon Otto makes his feature directorial debut, with producers Nicole P. Hearon and Adam Tandy.
Curtis said, “I hope it’s going to be a film that makes people happy — perhaps more than once. I hope it’ll remind people of the joy and complexity of Christmas, and some of the joys and comedy and heartbreak of childhood. And then there’s a very special thing for me, that the film takes place in a town very much like my own in Suffolk. I hope they’ll love the sense of the place — and go away with a new, delightful, simple English world in their heads.”
Fans will surely love seeing a piece of Curtis’ own world brought to life.
Who’s Lending Their Voices?
Get ready for an incredible voice cast:
- Brian Cox
- 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
- Ava Talbot
- Bill Nighy
- Rhys Darby
Will Ed Sheeran Sing for That Christmas?
Yes! Ed Sheeran has written and recorded “Under the Tree” for the movie. He was inspired to join the project after Curtis showed him a rough cut. “It was just sketches and voices, but it blew me away,” Sheeran told Netflix. “So emotional, yet so heartwarmingly funny, like all Richard Curtis movies. I find since having kids, there’s a real lack of great animated children’s Christmas movies, so I thought this was such an amazing thing to make and put into the world. The scene that we wrote this song for is so heartbreaking, but so real for many people at Christmas — spending it without the ones they love, for so many reasons. I got to work with my older brother on this, which is such a rarity and a gift to work so closely with my only sibling. It felt so good to create something my children would watch, with their uncle, based in the country they live in. This is going to become a holiday staple, at least in our household. Hope everyone loves it and enjoys the song — we had such a great time creating it.”