The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse:  release date, cast, storyline, trailer release, and everything you need to know.

A 2022 animated short film penned by Jon Croker and Charlie Mackesy and directed by Peter Baynton and Charlie Mackesy is titled The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. It is based on the same-titled picture book published by Mackesy in 2019. The four main characters—Jude Coward Nicoll, Tom Hollander, Idris Elba, and Gabriel Byrne—have unusual friendships while traveling together in quest of the Boy’s home.

As the book shot to bestseller status at the beginning of 2020, several producers made attempts to purchase the rights in anticipation of a possible film adaptation.

Cara Speller later bought these rights; in their debut production, she and Matthew Freud produced the movie together under None More Productions. Under the Bad Robot Productions umbrella, J. J. Abrams produced the movie as well. During the COVID-19 epidemic, more than 120 workers from more than 20 nations worked remotely on the animation. Baynton and his animation team sought to mimic the loose, unfinished look of the illustrated book, so they used pencil ink for the characters, which had fine details, and watercolor-inspired texture for the background.

On December 24, 2022, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse was made available on BBC One and BBC I Player in the United Kingdom. On December 25, 2022, Apple TV+ was made available in other countries. It was well-received by reviewers and took home the 95th Academy Awards’ Best Animated Short Film and the 76th British Academy Film Awards’ Best Short Animation.

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse Release Date

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is scheduled to debut on Apple TV+ on December 25. It is part of the Christmas Day lineup. However, the distinct benefit for UK fans will be that it will also be available on BBC One and I Player.

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse Plot

billed as a “story of kindness, friendship, courage, and hope” by Apple Original Films, the animation version of the novel, titled The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse, looks to be endearing. It chronicles the peculiar bond between a boy, a fox, a horse, and a mole as they travel together in the boy’s search for a place to call home. The original book was acclaimed for its ability to connect with readers of all ages by providing a universal message of friendship and home.

In the winter woods, the Boy gets lost and encounters a kindly Mole who offers to guide him. The boy, who has never had a home before, is looking for one. They come upon a river while out foraging in the bush, and they choose to follow it until they come across a hamlet. A fox that is hungry pursues them after that, but they manage to hide in a tree until the fox moves on. But when they explore after hearing it in distress, they discover the Fox bound to a trap. The Mole releases the Fox after it threatens him, and the Fox leaves in disgrace.

The Horse, an outcast from his kind, is eventually encountered by them. The group explores the concepts of kindness, empathy, and humanity while growing close to one another. After seeing the lights in the village, the Boy thinks he is getting near to finding a place to call home, but during the day he can no longer see the village. The other horses were envious when The Horse revealed that he was a pegasus, but his friends welcomed him for who he is. Until they can move the village, the gang flies together on the back of the horse. The Boy accepts their goodbyes and says that home is wherever loved ones are, choosing instead to stay in the hamlet.

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse Cast

The voice cast of the upcoming animation include many well-known personalities. Idris Elba from Luther, Gabriel Byrne from In Treatment, and Tom Hollander from Baptiste all have prominent parts in the movie. These three performers will each portray a different animal—a mole, a fox, or a horse. The boy in the tale will be portrayed by rookie Jude Coward Nicoll, who previously starred in Tom and Jerry: The Movie.

Author Mackesy remarked of the film’s creation process, “[It] has been a magical one.” It is extremely touching to think that the narrative would be shown around Christmas, something I never would have imagined happening. It is my sincere wish that it provides some happiness, humor, and solace.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse on Apple TV+: Trailer

The trailer for Apple TV+’s upcoming animated short “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse” was unveiled. The short is an adaptation of Charlie Mackesy’s 2019 bestseller, which received the British chain Waterstones’ Book of the Year award. Its December 25 debut puts it in a strong position to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Animated Short category.

Producing the children’s tale were J.J. Abrams and Cara Speller, who has worked on the animated series “Ant-Man,” “Rocket & Groot,” and “Love, Death, & Robots.” Executive producer Woody Harrelson is one of them.


Jude Coward Nicoll (the youngster), Tom Hollander (the mole), Idris Elba (the fox), and Gabriel Byrne (the horse) are among the voice actors.

Alongside Mackesy, Peter Baynton, whose visual effects work includes the adored “Paddington 2,” serves as co-director. Co-writer Jon Croker is also credited with co-writing the excellent Netflix horror film “No One Gets Out Alive,” in addition to “additional material” for “Paddington 2.”

The BBC Orchestra, under the direction of Geoff Alexander, performed the composition, which was written by Isobel Waller-Bridge.

The brief teaser focuses on the delicate, heartfelt plot of inquiry and compassion, as well as the 2D hand-drawn animation design. I watched a lot of “Woody Woodpecker” when I was younger, so perhaps that is why my generation is insane.

THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX, AND THE HORSE IS STREAMING ON APPLE TV+

Many of the Best Picture nominees—including Everything Everywhere All at Once, the winner of the category—are available for streaming, and the same is true of the top choice for Best Animated Short Film. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is currently available for streaming on the well-known platform for anyone with an Apple TV+ subscription. But if you have not subscribed yet, you really should since this adorable short video is just too good not to watch.

THE ANIMATED SHORT SHARES A STORY ABOUT A YOUNG BOY FINDING A HOME

In the Apple TV+ original, a young and lonely child looks for a home in the wide, snow-covered wilderness. He meets a mole, a fox, and a horse, and they form an unexpected but incredibly devoted bond. The foursome searches far and wide for a place to call home, wherever that may be, crossing plains, rivers, and woods.

THE AWARD WINNER IS BASED ON AN ILLUSTRATED BOOK BY CHARLIE MACKESY

The Academy Award winner is based on Charlie Mackey’s 2019 novel The youngster, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse, which was published to critical acclaim and tells the heartwarming tale of a youngster who learns valuable lessons in life from three animals. In 2020, the illustrated novel became a huge phenomenon, partly due to the author’s almost daily Instagram updates featuring positive affirmations and images from the plot. It was even named Barnes & Noble’s Book of the Year.

Visit Amazon to get The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse.

AND THE HORSE HAS A TREMENDOUS VOICE CAST

THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX, AND THE HORSE HAS A TREMENDOUS VOICE CAST

  The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse has a fantastic voice cast in addition to captivating graphics and a charming tale. Jude Coward Nicoll, a rookie, gives the title character, the Boy, even more heart, and innocence in his portrayal. Tom Hollander (from The White Lotus Season 2), Idris Elba (from Luther: The Fallen Sun), and Gabriel Byrne (from Hereditary) as the Horse will be accompanying him. This classic story is elevated even further by the four actors’ serene, subtle, and extraordinarily rich vocal performances.

THE ANIMATED SHORT HAS A RUNTIME OF 34 MINUTES

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is not as short as some of its predecessors, but it is also not as long as any of the Best Animated Feature Oscar winners. With a duration of 34 minutes, the animated short tells one of the most inventive and powerful storylines in recent memory while inspiring awe and magnificence that will undoubtedly tug at your heartstrings.

THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX, AND THE HORSE IS RATED TV-G

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is a great choice for an animated film to enjoy with the whole family, at least in my opinion. Everyone can enjoy this TV-G rated animated short film.

All things considered, the movie is well worthy of the Academy Award for Best Animated Short, and maybe this can convince you to see it. Even if the upcoming awards season is still a while off, it is never too early to look at the 2023 film schedule to find out when the Oscar contenders will be appearing on screen.

THE ANIMATED SHORT SHARES A STORY ABOUT A YOUNG BOY FINDING A HOME