That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!
In November 2019, it was announced that
Locksmith Animation was developing The Empty Stocking, an animated feature based on a series of children's books by
Richard Curtis.[4] In June 2021, Locksmith announced that Simon Otto will be directing the film as his directorial debut, which had been retitled That Christmas.[5][6][7][8] In May 2022, Locksmith Animation confirmed that it awarded the digital production of its second movie, That Christmas, to
DNEG Animation, following their collaboration on Locksmith’s debut film, Ron's Gone Wrong.[9] In June 2022, That Christmas was unveiled as part of
Netflix's slate of animated films with the first look of the film.[10] On March 20, 2024,
Brian Cox,
Fiona Shaw,
Jodie Whittaker, and
Bill Nighy were announced to star in the film.[11]
Music
In November 2023, it was confirmed that
John Powell would compose the film's score.[12][13]
Release
That Christmas will be released by
Netflix in 2024.[14] It was originally set to be released by
20th Century Fox as part of their deal with Locksmith until Disney's acquisition of the studio in 2019. After leaving Fox and announcing a new deal with
Warner Bros. Pictures and
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (formerly Warner Animation Group) in October 2019, the film was expected to be released by the studio,[15] however, in June 2022,
Netflix acquired the distribution rights to the film with
Netflix Animation under its label.[16]