The film had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival in the Southbank Centre on October 19, 2024, and is scheduled for release on Netflix on December 4, 2024.[2]
Premise
That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!
In November 2019, it was announced that Locksmith Animation was developing The Empty Stocking, an animated feature based on a series of children's books by Richard Curtis.[5] In June 2021, Locksmith announced that Simon Otto will be directing the film as his directorial debut, which had been retitled That Christmas.[6][7][8][9] In May 2022, Locksmith Animation confirmed that it awarded the digital production of its second movie, That Christmas, to DNEG Animation, following their collaboration on Locksmith’s debut film, Ron's Gone Wrong.[10] In June 2022, That Christmas was unveiled as part of Netflix's slate of animated films with the first look of the film.[1] On March 20, 2024, Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy were announced to star in the film.[11]
Music
In November 2023, it was announced that John Powell would compose the film's score.[12][13] In August 2024, it was announced that Ed Sheeran will write a song for the film and its soundtrack, titled "Under the Tree".[14][15]
Release
That Christmas is scheduled to be released on Netflix on December 4, 2024.[2][16][15] It was originally set to be released by 20th Century Fox as part of their deal with Locksmith until Disney's acquisition of the studio in 2019. After leaving Fox and announcing a new deal with Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (formerly Warner Animation Group) in October 2019, the film was expected to be released by the studio,[17] however, in June 2022, Netflix acquired the distribution rights to the film with Netflix Animation under its label.[1]
