Barney’s Magical Christmas (2001 film)

Barney's Magical Christmas (also known as Barney's Magical Christmas: The Movie or simply Barney's Great Adventure II: The Search Of the Christmas Spirit in the UK) is a 2001 British-American family, musical, fantasy live-action/animated Christmas film, co-produced and directed by Ron Howard, Don Bluth and Simon Wells, also written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman. Based on the children's television series "Barney & Friends", it is the sequel to the 1998 film Barney's Great Adventure to be adapted into his second full-length feature film. Also, the film stars Tom Hanks as the purple dinosaur, Jim Carrey as the eponymous character, with Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, Molly Shannon, Taylor Momsen, and introducing Freddie Highmore as Toby and Emma Watson as Madeline. Featuring the voice talents Dave Foley, Rob Paulsen, William H. Macy and also introducing Kevin Bacon, Bridget Fonda (in her last role), Michael J. Fox, and Anne Hathaway in supporting roles.

Produced by Lyrick Studios, Imagine Entertainment and Universal Pictures, the film was released by Walt Disney Pictures on December 21, 2001.

Plot
In London, England, circa 1957, on the night of Christmas Eve, a boy named Toby (Freddie Highmore), becomes skeptical of the existence of the classic story book called How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. Struggling to fall asleep, he witnesses a steam locomotive arrive on the street, and goes outside to examine it. Barney (Tom Hanks) introduces the train as the Polar Express, bound for the magical place called, Whoville. Initially reluctant, Toby jumps aboard as the train departs.

Cast

 * Tom Hanks as Barney the Dinosaur.
 * Julie Johnson as Baby Bop.
 * Patty Wirtz as B.J.
 * Jim Carrey as the Grinch.
 * Josh Ryan Evans as an 8-year-old Grinch.
 * Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who.
 * Freddie Highmore as Toby, the hero boy.
 * Emma Watson as Madeline, the spirited girl.
 * Jeffrey Tambor as Mayor Augustus May Who.
 * Ben Bookbinder as an 8-year-old Augustus May Who.
 * Christine Baranski as Martha May Whovier.
 * Landry Allbright as an 8-year-old Martha May Whovier.
 * Bill Irwin as Lou Lou Who.
 * Molly Shannon as Betty Lou Who.
 * Kelley as Max the Dog and Frank Welker as his voice.
 * Clint Howard as Whobris.
 * Reid Kirchenbauer as an 8-year-old Whobris.
 * Michael J. Fox as Bambi.
 * Anne Hathaway as Faline.
 * Mindy Sterling as Clarnella Who.
 * Jeremy Howard and T. J. Thyne as Drew Lou and Stu Lou Who.
 * Jim Meskimen as Officer Wholihan.
 * Anthony Hopkins as the Narrator.
 * Bryce Dallas Howard as a surprised Who.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack for the album was released on November 2, 2001. It features a collection of music performed by several artists, including Michael Jackson, Faith Hill, George Michael, New Edition, and Duran Duran.

An expanded edition of the soundtrack featuring more cues from James Horner and John Debney's score was released on December 21, 2022.

Theatrical
Barney's Magical Christmas was released by Walt Disney Pictures in the United States on December 21, 2001.

Home media
The film was released on VHS and Disney DVD on November 12, 2002. Within its first week of release, the film sold a combined total of 8.5 million home video units, selling 3 million DVD copies and 4 million VHS copies, making it the bestselling holiday home video title at the time. It would go on to join Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Monsters, Inc. and Lilo & Stitch as one of the only four films to sell more than 2 million DVD copies during their opening weeks. Overall, it was ranked as the second-highest opening week home video sales for any live-action/animated film, after Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In December 2002, Variety reported that it was the second biggest selling home video release of 2001, selling 16.9 million copies and earning $296 million in sales revenue. A Blu-ray/DVD combo pack was released on December 25, 2009. It was also remastered in 4K and streamed in Disney+ on December 21, 2022.

Television
It premiered on television on ABC and Playhouse Disney on December 13, 2005, currently airs annually on Disney Junior in December 16, 2011. The American and British television airings include deleted footage which was not included on the original, theatrical, or VHS, except DVD releases.

Marketing
In the summer of 2001, a trailer for Barney's Magical Christmas premiered in theaters.