61
Metascore
9 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 88RogerEbert.comNell MinowRogerEbert.comNell MinowA Boy Called Christmas is a resplendent Santa Claus origin story with a star-filled cast, sumptuous visuals, and some melancholy details to keep it from being too sugary.
- 80The New York TimesNatalia WinkelmanThe New York TimesNatalia WinkelmanMagic abounds in A Boy Called Christmas, Netflix’s first prestige holiday movie of the season, but pulsing through this winning adventure tale is something even stronger: the immersive power of storytelling.
- 80The IndependentClarisse LoughreyThe IndependentClarisse LoughreyIt’s surprising how much the film can flit between clangingly obvious bits of exposition – aha! The source of the floppy red hat! A reindeer that happens to be named Blitzen! – and more mature perspectives on the holidays.
- 70VarietyMichael NordineVarietyMichael Nordine“Christmas” is a cut above the usual holiday dross.
- 63Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreIn a winter of dull holiday romances and seriously unimaginative seasonal slop, this one tickles and delights and is at least good enough to put off that “Christmas Story” rerun you know you’re getting around to, because that after-all is a tradition.
- 60The GuardianCath ClarkeThe GuardianCath ClarkeIt feels kid-gloves at times: big-hearted and entertaining, but possibly lacking a little fun or oomph. A lovely warming film, though.
- 50Los Angeles TimesMichael OrdoñaLos Angeles TimesMichael OrdoñaFascinatingly muddled.
- 40The TelegraphRobbie CollinThe TelegraphRobbie CollinAt a glance, A Boy Called Christmas looks delightful enough, with its snowy landscapes, cosy knitwear, and scenes of Jim Broadbent larking around in a periwig and frock coat. But beneath its Paddington-meets-Potter storybook exterior, its bloodstream runs with purest gloop.