The Flight Before Christmas poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Emma Roberts, Norm Macdonald

Emma Roberts lends her voice to this animated adventure about a young reindeer who longs to fly like the father he never met. Niko dreams of soaring amongst the clouds, but a severe case of vertigo ha... read more read more...s left his hoofs planted firmly on the ground. Perhaps with a few lessons from Julius, a Finnish flying squirrel, Niko will finally realize his dream of taking flight, and learn to take price in the fact that he's carrying on a ling-running family tradition. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

55% liked it

423 ratings

G, 1 hr. 21 min.

Directed by: Michael Hegner, Kari Juusonen, Michael Hegner/Kari Juusonen

Release Date: October 28, 2008

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 28, 2008

Stats: 63 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

character rendering - "Niko" character rendering - "Julius" official film still DVD box art DVD box art official film still official film still official film still official film still character rendering - "Niko"
Upload a Photo | View All The Flight Before Christmas Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (63)

  • kiriyamakazou
    December 26, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    Watching this on Christmas day is rather pointless considering all the superior animated/Christmas films available. The voice acting is OK but the animation is very clunky and wooden. It's your average kids movie with the comedy sidekicks, lessons to be learned and bad guys to be... read more punished. I can't really say it was enjoyable, but it wasn't offensively bad either.
  • prairiestorm
    December 26, 2009
    prairiestorm
    Hey Niko's Mom...who's your Baby's Daddy? One night stand after a ride in Santa's sleigh...the daddy is one of 8 possible Santas Special Forces? Nice message we are sending to our kids. Movie is predictable and not worthy of becoming a classic Christmas show...at least I hope ... read moreit doesn't become one. My kids and grandkids and their children shall be warned not to watch this movie. Stick with Frosty and Rudolph!
  • Chellebyerly
    December 12, 2009
    Chellebyerly
    got to say I was quite shocked and disapointed in a Christmas movie glorifying a one night stand. guess I'm just an old fashioned gal who likes my Christmas movies to be fun and clean.
  • nestordonkey
    August 26, 2009
    nestordonkey
    I was impressed with this Finland-made film. The story is very original with original characters. (Give or take Niko's "girl" friend, which is common) Also, this is one of the first animated Christmas movies that show reindeer as actual reindeer and not whitetail or mule. It is b... read moreeautifully animated, and the design of the characters fit their roles in the story.

    A lot of people complain about what the story is about. Turns out one of Santa's reindeer (not saying who) "visited" Niko's mother one night and got her pregnant. So Niko tries to make his way to "Santa's fell" (he already lives in the north pole) to try to find his real father.

    I understand why this is a problem to some people, but that's real life. It's not like every other CGI animated feature is completely clean. (Looking at you "Surf's Up" and "Ice Age 3")

    People need to stop complaining and enjoy the film as it is. It's pretty simple, but kid's can't hold a lot of attention to details so it plays nicely. It would've recieved a lower rating if American made but not over the top perverted (again, looking at you "Surf's Up" and Ice Age 3")

View All The Flight Before Christmas Reviews

Critic Reviews

Nancy Davis Kho
December 20, 2010
Nancy Davis Kho, Common Sense Media

Wolves will scare younger kids in this holiday feature. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Flight Before... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Flight Before Christmas. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The Flight Before Christmas to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View The Flight Before Christmas News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?