Summary

• "Spirited" takes a unique twist on "A Christmas Carol," delving into the afterlife department that deals with Christmas hauntings.
• "Scrooged" is a modern reimagining with Bill Murray as a self-involved TV executive facing his own ghostly lesson.
• "The Muppet Christmas Carol" may not be the most accurate version, but it introduces young fans to the classic story with Muppet fun and memorable songs.

This time of year, it is nearly impossible to avoid the endless versions of A Christmas Carol, both the worthwhile retellings and the forgettable ones. Charles Dickens's classic yuletide ghost story is one of the most adapted works of literature ever. Even without reading the book, millions of people know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly guides of present, past, and yet-to-come. However, bringing a book to any other medium isn't always said and done.

There have been movie versions of the story starring the Muppets, the Flintstones, and even Mickey Mouse in title roles of the classic characters, but there are simply some adaptations of the book more accurate than others. From movies of the past to more modern reimaginings of the story, these are the versions that most closely follow the text.

18 Spirited (2022)

Will Ferrell And Ryan Reynolds Explore The Business Of Christmas Hauntings

The combined comedic charm of Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds would be enough to make any version of A Christmas Carol exciting, but Spirited takes an unexpected take on the story. Spirited looks inside the actual afterlife department that deals with these Christmas hauntings in an effort to change people. The movie goes through many of the familiar beats as Ferrell's ghost attempts to show Reynold's businessman the error of his ways. But it also makes some unexpected changes to the lore with an interesting revelation about Scrooge.

Where To Watch Spirited

17 Scrooged (1988)

Bill Murray Plays A Modern Version Of Scrooge

Like Spirited, Scrooged is more of a modern reimagining rather than an adaptation. Bill Murray stars as a self-involved television executive staging a live version of A Christmas Carol only to be subjected to the ghostly lesson himself. Director Richard Donner helps to ensure some surprisingly gory effects and there are some very fun updates on the famous ghosts. It captures the essence of the story even if it doesn't really take much from the book itself. It does make for one of the best Christmas movies of the 1980s.

Where To Watch Scrooged

16 Scrooge (1970)

Albert Finney's Scrooge Is At The Center Of The Christmas Comedy

The 1970 musical adaptation of Scrooge might not be the most accurate representation of the source material, just look at the ending of Christmas Yet To Come for further proof. However, that doesn't mean it wasn't exceptionally entertaining. It's ridiculously over-the-top, it's comedic, and it's essentially a storybook adaptation of the original. It's not bad, not by a long shot, but at times it becomes a parody of itself. If viewed strictly as one of the great Christmas comedies, it works for the film's benefit.

Where To Watch Scrooge

15 Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962)

The Visually Impaired Magoo Leads A Production Of The Story

Don't let the appearance of the nearsighted old man be misleading, it's actually a pretty decent introductory adaptation of the story. The framing device of the movie has Magoo himself starring as Ebenezer Scrooge in a stage production of A Christmas Carol. Aside from condensing things for time, it covers all the central plot points seen in Dickens's novel. Granted, the musical numbers during this Christmas special are hit-and-miss, but there are a few good ones like "Ringle Ringle" and "We're Despicable." For its short runtime, it's a pretty satisfying adaptation.

Where To Watch Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

14 Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

Scrooge McDuck And Classic Disney Characters Recreate The Christmas Story

With all the Christmas movies and specials available on Disney+, it is no surprise that the classic Disney cartoons attempted their own version of Dickens' story. Scrooge McDuck makes for an obvious choice in the lead role while he is ed by the likes of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. Given the target audience for this version, it is understandable that many of the scarier elements of the story are softened or ignored. And at only 30 minutes, the animated special has to go through the whole story at a fairly quick pace making it feel more like an abbreviated take on the story rather than a faithful adaptation.

Where To Watch Mickey's Christmas Carol

13 The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Kermit And The Gang Michael Caine's Scrooge

Though perhaps not the most accurate version, The Muppet Christmas Carol is likely the first exposure many young fans have to A Christmas Carol. The musical imagines Dickens' world inhabited by humans and Muppets alike with Kermit and his clan on felt stars acting as ing players to Oscar-winner Michael Caine as Scrooge himself.

With Gonzo claiming to be Charles Dickens and narrating the story, it allows for quite a few ages to be taken right from the book. But there are also some notable made to accommodate the Muppets such as Jacob Marley being changed into Jacob and Robert Marley as to be played by Statler and Waldorf. But what is lost in accuracy is made up for with Muppet fun.

Where To Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol

12 The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

A Telling Of Dickens's Writing Of The Beloved Book

2017's The Man Who Invented Christmas deserves a mention because it not only tells the familiar tale of Scrooge, Marley, and the three spirits but also shines a light on the life of the book's author. Dan Stevens is impressive as a somewhat romanticized version of Charles Dickens, and through creative storytelling, we get a peek into his creative process. The characters of Scrooge, the Cratchits, and all the rest come to life before the author's eyes, learning the story as he composes it. Audiences are also introduced to the background of the writer's life and various elements that inspired the novel. It's a unique and interesting way to experience the tale and one that's highly recommended.

Where To Watch The Man Who Invented Christmas

11 Scrooge (1935)

An Early Filmed Adaptation Of Dickens's Classic

It's one of the first filmed versions of A Christmas Carol ever released which both plays in favor of the accuracy and against it. Given that the story hadn't been told countless times already, the movie doesn't show much desire to veer from the established narrative and plays it quite close to the book. However, the filmmaking techniques available at the time also made it necessary to make certain changes and do away with some of the more fantastical elements. This s for Claude Raines playing Jacob Marley as "invisible."

Where To Watch Scrooge (1935)

10 Orson Welles's Radio Version (1938)

Lionel Barrymore As This Broadcast's Scrooge

This version was actually a 1938 radio broadcast led by none other than Orson Welles and his group of players featuring Lionel Barrymore in the lead role of Scrooge. If fans have not experienced an audio drama before, this is a good way to start. The classically-trained Welles makes the words from Dickens's novel jump as he relates the story of Scrooge's redemption, and the immersive effects are surprisingly good for the '30s, but it's Barrymore's vocal chops that really sell the affair. It's definitely an accurate version, just delivered differently.

No streaming options are available.

9 Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)

An Animated Musical With Luke Evans As Scrooge

Netflix has added yet another take on the story with the animated musical Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. Luke Evans voices the titular character while he is ed by a ing cast including Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. Apart from the songs, there is nothing much new in this adaptation. It is a fairly straightforward telling of the story though does make it seem as though Scrooge is not quite so irredeemable in the beginning, suggesting he is simply someone filled with regret.

Where To Watch Scrooge: A Christmas Carol