The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland

The cosy traditions of Christmas collide with the whimsical wonder of Alice in Wonderland in The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland, a dazzling animated musical with all the playful spirit and fantastical visuals of a contemporary pantomime. Directed by Peter Baynton and based on Carys Bexington’s children’s book of the same name, the film brings together beloved childhood characters and canons for an exciting winter escapade.

Taking centre stage is Gerard Butler’s St Nick, a warm, kind figure bursting with joviality and kindness. After receiving a letter from the Princess of Hearts on Christmas Eve, he sets off for her homeland against his reindeer’s wishes, driven by his unwavering mission to spread festive joy. But what begins as a simple drop-off spirals into a fantastical adventure, where teacups dance, the laws of logic crumble, and the fearsome Queen of Hearts (Emilia Clarke) looms with a Grinch-like hatred for the season. 

Clad in jeans and a striped sweater, Simone Ashley’s Alice offers a grounded foil to Wonderland’s whimsy, and assists St Nick on his quest. Other Lewis Carroll creations, such as the Mad Hatter (Mawaan Rizwan), March Hare (Asim Chaudhry), and the White Rabbit (Mackenzie Crook) bring touches of chaos and charm. The narrative takes a poignant turn when it’s revealed that the Princess of Hearts and the Queen of Hearts are one and the same in a clever twist that anchors the film’s message: it’s never too late to change, and even the hardest hearts can find redemption. The Queen’s transformation unfolds in a manner that feels both timeless and refreshing, drawing on Dickensian echoes of A Christmas Carol. Yet, where the tale of Scrooge leans heavily into moral reckoning, Baynton delivers the lesson with an enchanting touch, making it perfectly suited for younger audiences. The Queen’s story focuses on the rediscovery of joy and connection, beautifully framed by St Nick’s unwavering faith in the power of kindness and the possibility of second chances.

Rendered in a dreamlike 2D cut-out animation style, the film’s visuals bring a magical charm to the distortion of Wonderland, and the Queen of Hearts’ character design channels the gothic, Elizabethan look of Helena Bonham Carter’s 2010 portrayal but softens any uncanniness with a playful flair. 

Equally impressive in its storyboarding and storytelling, The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland is a fun, witty and delightfully bizarre addition to the Christmas canon, with the potential to become a seasonal classic for those who crave a little more wonder in their celebrations. 

Christina Yang

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland is released on Sky on 13^th December 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland here: