Universal Pictures Content Group and Lupus Films have secured UK and U.S. distribution in time for the holidays for their animated musical feature film, THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN WONDERLAND.
Sky Original Film, the leading UK film financier, producer, and distributor, will premiere the film on the Sky Cinema platform on the 13th December as a centrepiece of their Christmas offering, alongside their extensive catalogue of movies available on demand.
The film is based on the bestselling book written by Carys Bexington, illustrated by Kate Hindley and published by Macmillan, which mashes up two classic tales: 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 plot features characters from both story worlds including St Nick, voiced by Gerard Butler (Has Fallen trilogy, How to Train Your Dragon), The Queen of Hearts voiced by Emilia Clarke (Last Christmas, Game of Thrones), and Alice in Wonderland voiced by Simone Ashley (Bridgerton, Sex Education).
Making his feature film debut is director Peter Baynton whose film The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film as well as the BAFTA for Best British Short Animation in 2023. Sara Daddy has adapted the book into a screenplay, written entirely in rhyming couplets. The film features original music and songs written by long-time Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Chambers and Grammy Award winning songwriter Amy Wadge.
The production reunites Universal Pictures Content Group and Lupus Films following recent successful collaborations on Mog’s Christmas and The Tiger Who Came to Tea. It is produced by the multi award-winning Ruth Fielding and Camilla Deakin for Lupus Films and Executive Produced by Helen Parker, EVP, Universal Pictures Content Group, Gerard Butler and Alan Siegel for G-BASE Productions and Emilia Clarke for Magical Thinking Pictures.
St Nick receives a delayed letter on Christmas Eve from the Princess of Hearts. 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?
Julia Stuart, Director of Original Film at Sky, said: “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. 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.”
