Star-studded animated holiday feature “The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland” has set a streaming release date in the U.S. and U.K.
The musical movie, which features the voices of Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”), Gerard Butler (“Greenland”) and Simone Ashley (“Bridgerton”), is based on Carys Bexington’s bestselling book, which mashes up Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” and Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” (also known as “A Visit from St Nicholas”). The book is illustrated by Kate Hindley and published by Macmillan.
“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” helmer Peter Baynton, who won the best animated short Oscar and BAFTA in 2023, directs the feature, which has been adapted by Sara Daddy (writing entirely in rhyming couplets) and features original music and songs from long-time Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Chambers and Grammy winner Amy Wadge.
Simone Ashley and Gerard Butler in the recording booth on ‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ (Courtesy of Lupus Films/NBCUniversal)
The film, produced Universal Pictures Content Group and Lupus Films, is set to debut in the U.S. on Prime Video and Hulu on Nov. 15 and in the U.K. on Sky Cinema on Dec. 13. Sky Original Film is the leading U.K. film financier, producer, and distributor for the feature.
“The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland” features Gerard Butler as St Nick while Clarke voices The Queen of Hearts and Ashley plays Alice in Wonderland.
“St Nick receives a delayed letter on Christmas Eve from the Princess of Hearts,” reads the synopsis. “He and his dedicated team of reindeer set off to Wonderland where they’re greeted by the mean and miserable Queen of Hearts who hates all things Christmas… especially presents! Can St Nick, aided by Alice, the Mad Hatter and March Hare, show the Queen the true meaning of Christmas and save the day before it’s too late?”
‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ (Courtesy of Lupus Films/NBCUniversal)
Ruth Fielding and Camilla Deakin produce for Lupus Films and while Universal Pictures Content Group EVP Helen Parker exec produces, Gerard Butler and Alan Siegel exec produce for G-BASE Productions and Emilia Clarke for Magical Thinking Pictures.
“Having worked with Lupus Films and Universal Pictures Content Group on this fantastical fairy-tale mash-up since its development, we’re delighted to announce that we’re delivering it to Sky Cinema audiences in time for Christmas this year,” said Julia Stuart, Sky’s director of original film. “With an all-star voice cast, delightful animation and toe-tapping original tunes, we know that families will love this animated adaptation of Carys and Kate’s beloved illustrated book.”
Universal Pictures Content Group and Lupus Films previously collaborated on animated adaptations of “Mog’s Christmas” and “The Tiger Who Came to Tea.”