SCROOGE A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2022)
A colorful, musical Christmas redemption story for the whole family.
Should You Watch It?
Netflix’s animated musical gives Charles Dickens’ classic story a colorful, child-friendly treatment without losing its strong moral heart. The film promotes generosity, kindness, repentance, forgiveness, and the possibility of becoming better than your past mistakes.
The animation is clear and vibrant, while the musical numbers are engaging, well timed, and emotionally charged. The ghosts may frighten younger children, but this is not an overwhelming concern in an otherwise family-friendly Christmas movie.
If your family is ready for a little spooky imagery, WORTH THE TRIP for a joyful and redemptive Christmas viewing.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESEbenezer Scrooge is a greedy, unhappy miser who dislikes Christmas and rejects an invitation from his nephew, Harry. After the ghost of his old mentor, Jacob Marley, visits him, three spirits guide Scrooge through his past, present, and future.
With his adorable dog Prudence alongside him, Scrooge must confront how his history has shaped his relationships—and decide whether he will change.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a good, enjoyable film with some especially strong creative elements. The animation is beautifully clear, vibrant, and colorful, with fun interactions among the characters. The musical numbers add energy, emotional weight, and a fresh sense of magic to the familiar story.
The movie also effectively shows how a person’s painful past can affect present behavior and future choices. It follows the classic story closely while adding distinctive characters and details, including Scrooge’s dog Prudence. Overall, it is a well-made and emotionally engaging animated Christmas musical.
The Worldview
SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL keeps the classic story’s strong moral and redemptive worldview. It exalts generosity, kindness, repentance, forgiveness, and treating other people as we wish to be treated. It also teaches that financial security and indulgence are not the same as truly living.
The film presents the ghosts as spirits working to save Scrooge’s soul, though it does not mention Jesus. Tiny Tim repeatedly says, “God bless us everyone.” The story’s Christian elements are therefore expressed through moral transformation, mercy, and a renewed concern for others.
The film also warns against greed and gluttony. Scrooge’s moneylending is rebuked, while the Spirit of Christmas Present’s indulgence in food and drink is presented as a problem.
The film’s central longing is for a changed heart that turns outward in love. Scripture calls believers to this same life: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Very strong Christian, redemptive, morally uplifting worldview about celebrating Christmas in a Christian manner and movie promotes generosity, “treating other people how you wish to be treated,” kindness, repentance, learning to forgive yourself for the things that have happened in your past and to become a better person than you are, Tiny Tim repeatedly says, “God bless us everyone” (there is no mention of Jesus, however), and, though the spirits are called ghosts, they are more like spirits from the Heavenly Host who are trying to save the soul of the grouchy old man
Foul Language
No foul language, but Scrooge does call Christmas a “Humbug”
Violence
Light scary violence as title character is visited by four ghosts or spirits, two of whom are the most scary
Sex
No sex
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
There is some alcohol used, mostly in regard to the Spirit of Christmas Present who seems to overindulge in the pleasures of life, and there are some instances where the spirit seems drunk, but it’s not very clear if he is or not.
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
There is no drug usage or smoking in the film.
Miscellaneous Immorality
Scrooge in the beginning is a greedy miser who overcharges with his moneylending but this is rebuked, Scrooge’s and Harry’s home lives are not typical families, and the biggest issue is the gluttonous Spirit of Christmas Present as his whole thing is about indulging in the present and all the pleasures of life, including food and drink.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Scrooge’s past helps explain his behavior, but does it excuse the harm he causes? How can understanding someone’s story help us respond with both truth and mercy?
Ezekiel 18:20 · Ephesians 4:32The film presents generosity as a better way to live than financial security alone. What does your family have that could be shared with someone else?
2 Corinthians 9:7 · Hebrews 13:16Why is repentance more than simply feeling sorry? What changes should repentance produce in a person’s life?
2 Corinthians 7:10 · Luke 3:8Tiny Tim says, “God bless us everyone.” What does it mean to seek blessing for others, including people who have treated us poorly?
Matthew 5:44 · Romans 12:14The Final Word
This colorful musical brings a familiar Christmas story to life with beautiful animation, engaging songs, and a sincere message about generosity, kindness, and repentance. Younger children may find the ghosts frightening, but most families can enjoy this redemptive holiday film together. WORTH THE TRIP.
