Spirited (2022)

Spirited takes the familiar bones of A Christmas Carol and jolts them to life with a modern, mischievous spark—part holiday comedy, part big-hearted musical, and all powered by the ping-pong chemistry of Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. It’s the kind of Christmas movie that actually moves: jokes land, songs glide in with surprising ease, and the whole thing has a buoyant, backstage-of-the-afterlife energy that keeps the story feeling fresh instead of dutiful. Beneath the wisecracks, it isn’t afraid to brush up against real grief and regret, which gives the sentiment some earned weight without turning the vibe heavy. If you like your holiday fare a little irreverent, a little profane, and unapologetically showy, this one’s an easy recommendation; if you want a strictly traditional, kid-glove Carol, it may feel too cheeky for your fireplace.

Spirited is clearly trying to be a slick, modern Christmas Carol remix with big musical numbers, star power, and a slightly snarky edge that turns the usual redemption story inside out. The problem is it’s busy to the point of feeling overstuffed, with pacing that drags and songs that often land as serviceable rather than memorable, so the whole thing can feel calculated instead of magical. Ferrell and Reynolds have enough charm to keep it watchable, and there are a few genuinely heartfelt beats, but the tone bounces between sincere, crass, and sentimental in a way that won’t work for everyone. If you’re not already on board with a glossy holiday musical that mixes innuendo and heavy themes with broad comedy, this is the kind of “festive event movie” that can easily feel more exhausting than enchanting.