A Boy Called Christmas: cinema and Sky release date, trailer and cast including Sally Hawkins and Maggie Smith

It’s nearly time to crack open the first window on the advent calendar, pour the hot chocolate and binge watch hours of Christmas classics.

One to add to this year’s list of must watch content is ‘A Boy Called Christmas’, Sky’s screen adaptation of Best Selling author Matt Haig’s novel by the same name.

The first in a series of five fictional tales by Haig, A Boy Called Christmas have been brought to life in this heartwarming, feel good adventure film for all the family.

Sky’s highly anticipated Christmas film benefits from a star-studded cast, stunning animation and a storyline which has all the hidden meanings of Christmas - joy, gratitude, faith and love.

Here is what you need to know about the movie, and when it’s released in the UK.

What is A Boy Called Christmas about?

A Boy Called Christmas is about the beginnings of Santa, from a young boy who goes on a wild adventure to bring hope back to his village, and find his father.

The boy, named Nikolas, sets off on the adventure through the snow and makes many unlikely friends along the way, including a headstrong reindeer named Blitzen and a loyal mouse named Miika, who help him on his quest to find  the fabled elf village of Elfheim.

The search is far from easy and many don’t believe in the village, but it exists when you find true faith. When he arrives, he discovers that he is not wanted as humans are outcast from the magical land.

He’s thrown into a dungeon with a hungry troll and a truth pixie, who can’t tell lies. Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical, comic and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible.

Who is in the cast?

Leading the cast is newcomer Henry Lawfull (Les Miserables) as Nikolas, who has only featured in one movie prior to his lead debut.

Other young actors in the line up are Indica Watson (The Missing, Sherlock) as Little Noosh and Zoe Margaret Colletti (Fear The Walking Dead, Rubicon) as The Truth Pixie.

Aside from the dudding talent, The Office star Stephen Merchant (Extras, Jojo Rabbit) provides the voice of Miika, the loyal mouse who follow Nikolas on his treacherous journey.

Other familiar faces in main roles include Michiel Huisman (The Age of Adaline, Angela Black) as Joel and Sally Hawkins (Maudie, Paddington) in her second cinematic release of the month, as she also stars in Spencer. Hawkins plays the role of Mother Something.

Dame Maggie Smith returns to our screens for this Christmas classic, best known for her roles in Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and Sister Act, she stars as Aunt Ruth for A Boy Called Christmas.

Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids, The Martian, Ghostbusters) also stars as Aunt Carlotta, and Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Marvellous) joins as Father Topo.

Completing the line up is Jim Broadbent (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Chronicles of Narnia) as Father Vodol.

When is A Boy Called Christmas released?

A Boy Called Christmas will be available on Sky Cinema and NOW from November 26, as well as in cinemas across the UK.

While it is also available on Netflix US and other countries, it will not be available on Netflix UK.