An Almost Christmas Story (2024)
Story overview
This animated holiday adventure follows a young owl who encounters a lost little girl in New York City. The unlikely pair must work together to find their way home in time for Christmas celebrations. Their journey through the bustling city creates a heartwarming story about friendship and the spirit of the season. The film blends fantasy elements with a family-friendly urban setting.
Parent Guide
A gentle holiday adventure suitable for most children, featuring mild fantasy elements and positive messages about friendship.
Content breakdown
Some mild peril related to being lost in a big city and trying to find the way home. No physical violence.
Mildly intense moments when characters feel lost or uncertain, but resolved positively. Fantasy elements are gentle.
No concerning language expected in this family animation.
No sexual content or nudity.
No substance use depicted.
Mild emotional moments related to separation, longing for home, and holiday anticipation. Positive resolution.
Parent tips
This PG-rated animated film is generally suitable for most children, featuring mild fantasy peril and emotional moments related to being lost and trying to get home. The 24-minute runtime makes it easily digestible for younger viewers. Parents should be aware that themes of separation and the challenge of navigating a big city might be slightly intense for very sensitive children.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- What was your favorite part of the movie?
- How did the owl and the girl help each other?
- What would you do if you were lost?
- What makes Christmas special?
- What sounds did you hear in the city?
- Why do you think the owl and girl became friends?
- What challenges did they face getting home?
- How did they show kindness to each other?
- What does 'home' mean to you?
- What would you do to help someone who was lost?
- What did the characters learn about friendship during their journey?
- How did the setting of New York City affect their adventure?
- What holiday messages did you notice in the story?
- How do people help each other in difficult situations?
- What makes a place feel like 'home' to you?
- How did the film portray the theme of unlikely friendships?
- What commentary might the film be making about urban life and community?
- How effective were the fantasy elements in advancing the story?
- What does the journey home symbolize beyond the literal meaning?
- How does the film handle themes of belonging and holiday spirit?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its heart, the film explores the concept of displacement and the search for belonging within an overwhelming, alien landscape. While inspired by the real-life 'Rockefeller Owl,' Lowery elevates the narrative into a poignant meditation on friendship between two outcasts: Moon, a curious owl, and Luna, a lost girl. It moves beyond simple holiday cheer to address the anxiety of being uprooted and the resilience required to navigate a world that feels too big and indifferent. The 'almost' in the title suggests a brush with disaster that transforms into a discovery of connection. It is less about the spectacle of Christmas and more about the quiet, shared moments of survival and empathy that define home, regardless of geography. The story emphasizes that home is not just a place, but the presence of those who see us.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The film employs a stunning, tactile aesthetic that mimics the charm of stop-motion animation while utilizing sophisticated digital techniques. The textures are purposefully 'handmade,' featuring surfaces that resemble cardboard, felt, and weathered wood, which grounds the fantastical journey in a tangible reality. This choice reflects the fragility of the protagonists in the face of the towering, cold architecture of New York City. Lowery uses scale effectively, contrasting the intimate, warm-toned interiors of the tree branches with the cold, blue-hued expanse of the urban environment. The lighting often mimics the soft glow of holiday bulbs, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that balances the harshness of the city with a sense of seasonal magic, emphasizing the smallness of the characters against the monumental scale of the human world and its artificial structures.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
This short film marks the third installment in a series of holiday shorts produced by Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón, following 'The Leper' and 'The Shepherd.' Director David Lowery, known for 'A Ghost Story' and 'The Green Knight,' brings his signature contemplative pacing and visual depth to this animated medium. The voice cast features a diverse range of talent, including Mamoudou Athie and John C. Reilly. Interestingly, the story is a fictionalized expansion of the 2020 news story involving 'Rocky,' a Northern saw-whet owl discovered in the branches of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree after it was transported from Oneonta, New York.
Where to watch
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- Disney Plus
Trailer
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