Spirited: release date, cast, storyline, trailer release, and everything you need to know.

Spirited is a Christmas musical comedy film from the United States that was written, produced, and directed by Sean Anders and John Morris in 2022. It is a contemporary retelling of A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’s novella from 1843, and a critique of all the subsequent adaptations. Starring in the movie are Tracy Morgan, Marlow Barkley, Patrick Page, Octavia Spencer, Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, and Sunita Mani. The Ghost of Christmas Present is getting close to retiring in the movie, which would imply coming back to Earth. He targets Clint Briggs, an “unredeemable” guy who ultimately assists the Ghost in accepting his own history.

Spirited debuted in a few theaters on November 11, 2022, and was made available for streaming on Apple TV+ on November 18, 2022. Critics gave the movie excellent reviews, praising its original songs as well as Ferrell and Reynolds’ performances and chemistry. However, they also criticized it for not being much better than earlier novella adaptations.

Sometimes it might be difficult to get into the Christmas spirit, especially if you are stressed about a few things. However, for some folks, all it takes to lift their mood is to decorate the house or listen to Christmas music. Others, on the other hand, might only need a visit from Christmases past, present, and future to get everything in order, and it appears that Spirited’s lead will require that as well.

Spirited is based on Charles Dickens’ novella A Christmas Carol, which was published in 1843 and had illustrations by John Leech.

The elderly miser Ebenezer Scrooge was the protagonist of the novella. After receiving visits from the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmases past, present, and yet to come, Scrooge is changed into a better man. Spirited is the latest in a long line of movies that have been made from Dickens’ novella, which also includes Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009), Ms. Scrooge (1997), Scrooged (1988), and more.

September 2019 saw the initial announcement of Spirited. Sean Anders and John Morris are producing the movie through their production firm, Two Grown Men. The movie is also being produced by Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum of Gloria Sanchez Productions, Ryan Reynolds, George Dewey of Maximum Effort, and David Koplan (Uncut Gems).

Spirited’s principal shooting started on July 6, 2021, and it ended on October 18, 2021.

Here is all the information you need to know about Spirited, from its premiere date to its streaming availability, as Christmas approaches.

 Spirited: Release Date

Spirited debuted in restricted theaters on November 11, 2022. A week later, on November 18, it was made available digitally on Apple TV+.[2] On December 9, 2022, a sing-along version was released in theaters. Spirited attracted 228,500 viewers in its first two days, according to a Samba TV research panel of 3.1 million smart television households that turned in for at least one minute.

Spirited: Plot

Every Christmas, for almost 200 years, a group of heavenly spirits led by Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come have searched for and redeemed one human soul, or “perp” (“That Christmas Morning Feelin'”). Present is inclined to settle down and make up for his own shortcomings in life, but he refuses to do so even though he has been qualified for “retirement” for decades (“Present’s Lament”).

The ghosts come across famed and controversial media expert Clint Briggs while searching for a fresh soul to save (“Bringin’ Back Christmas”). Present feels that Clint’s redemption could have a “ripple” effect and make him a force for good in humanity, despite Marley’s assertion that Briggs is “unredeemable”. To get ready for the yearly haunt, the Ghosts start a year-long investigation into Clint. (“Ripple”).

When the Ghosts go to Clint’s office as Christmas draws near, they see him pushing his niece Wren—a candidate for class president—to upload a photo of herself that does not seem good. Kimberly, Clint’s executive vice president, is overcome with remorse after discovering the video at his direction. She considers quitting, but ultimately decides against it (“The View from Here”). When Kimberly suddenly sees Present, who is drawn to her, things become trickier.

After Clint starts interrupting Marley (“The Story of Your Life (Marley’s Haunt)”) and seducing the eager Past, Present is forced to intervene early and seize control of the haunt, which swiftly spirals out of control. At first, Clint rejects Present and struggles with his recollections of the past, especially those of his older sister Carrie, who passed away from cancer, and his ex-girlfriend Nora, who ended their relationship due to his selfishness. Present sends them back to his own past and reveals that he was Ebenezer Scrooge, the only other unredeemable soul to go through the program, after realizing that Clint’s case will demand an unusual method (“Good Afternoon”). Marley gives Present the command to “stick to the script” out of rage.

Spirited: Cast

Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Present as portrayed by Will Ferrell
Reynolds in the role of Clint Briggs
As a young Clint Briggs, Nico Tirozzi
Clint Briggs in the future: Thomas P. Gillis
Kimberly, played by Octavia Spencer
Bonnie, the Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Sunita Mani
Jacob, played by Patrick Page Marley Marlow Barkley in the role of Young Wren Carrie
Loren G. Woods portraying the Christmas Ghost Tracy Morgan, in the role of Yet to Come
Carrero Aimee as Nora
Owen Briggs, played by Joe Tippett
Carrie Briggs played by Andrea Anders
Wendy Briggs, played by Jen Tullock
Lily Sullivan portraying HR Ghost Margot
Mr. Alteli, played by P. J. Byrne
Karen Blansky, played by Rose Byrne
Josh Hubbins played by Maximilian Lee Piazza and Oliver Twist played by Gavin Maddox Bergman
Judi Dench in her own right

What Is Spirited About?

Spirited is a Christmas-themed musical film and “a modern musical rendition of Charles Dickens’ class holiday story, A Christmas Carol.”

The official synopsis released by Apple reads:

“On Christmas Eve, Will Ferrell’s character, the Ghost of Christmas Present, chooses a sinister soul to be transformed by three ghostly visits. However, he chose the incorrect Scrooge for this season. Ryan Reynolds’s character Clint Briggs flips the roles of his ghostly host, causing Present to reflect on his own past, present, and future. In this funny musical adaptation of the beloved Dickens story, “A Christmas Carol” is recounted from the viewpoint of the ghosts for the first time. From director Sean Anders (“Daddy’s Home,” “Instant Family”), written by Sean Anders and John Morris, including production numbers choreographed by Chloe Arnold (“The Late Show with James Corden”) and original music by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“La La Land”), this modern retelling is a sweet and spicy holiday treat.”

Who is Behind Spirited?

Sean Anders is the director of Spirited, and he and John Morris wrote the script. The most well-known partnership between Anders and Morris is that the two have collaborated on a few comedic movies, including That’s My Boy (2012), Sex Drive (2008), We’re the Millers (2013), Horrible Bosses 2 (2014), and Instant Family (2018). Spirited is also produced by David Koplan, who previously collaborated with Anders and Morris on Daddy’s Home.

Is There a Trailer for Spirited?

On October 12, 2022, Apple released the first official teaser trailer for Spirited, giving viewers their much-needed first look at the Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell Christmas musical comedy. A brief preview of one of the film’s original songs, composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul—who are fresh off the successful release of the family musical comedy Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile—is also given to us. Additionally, Pasek and Paul composed the original soundtrack for movies such as La La Land and The Greatest Showman. As the teaser concludes, Will Ferrell’s Ghost of Christmas Present is having trouble remembering Tiny Tim’s name.

On November 2, 2022, Spirited’s second trailer was unveiled, providing us with a far better look at the Christmas musical comedy. We learn more about the characters in the trailer, including how Will Ferrell’s Ghost of Christmas Present falls in love with Octavia Spencer’s character, who also happens to be the Executive Vice President of Ryan Reynolds’ Clint Briggs’ company. The trailer also reveals more of the movie’s soundtrack.

Spirited reviews — what the critics are saying

Spirited reviews have been alright thus far. As of November 11, the movie has a score of 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, which makes it “Fresh.” On Metacritic, the movie is scoring at a 58.

What is Spirited rated?

Spirited has a PG-13 rating in the US and a 12A rating in the UK for “language, some suggestive material and thematic elements.

” The Spirited runtime comes in at two hours and seven minutes.

Who is the Spirited director? 

Spirited is directed by Sean Anders. Anders is known for his comedies, including Daddy’s Home and Daddy’s Home 2 with Ferrell.

He has also directed Sex Drive, that is My Boy, Horrible Bosses 2, and Instant Family.

In addition to directing, Anders co-wrote the screenplay with his long-time writing partner, John Morris.