You’ve heard the story of A Christmas Carol before, but you’ve never seen it like this. Produced by Timeless Films in association with Axis Studios and directed by Stephen Donnelly, the classic Charles Dickens tale is reimagined for a new generation in animated form. But not to worry — this Scrooge is still in for a familiar journey through time, one that might offer him a chance at redemption before Christmas Eve is over. You can check out a new trailer for Scrooge: A Christmas Carol above. 

In case you’ve been living under a rock since its publication in 1843, A Christmas Carol is the story of elderly Christmas curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge, whose bad attitude comes under threat when he is visited by three ghosts who take him on a tour of all his wrong turns. It’s been adapted many times, in films that riffed on the tale with Muppets, Mickey Mouse and Bill Murray. Director Stephen Donnelly (Lost in Oz) is aware of that long history. 

“It’s been a fascinating challenge to adapt such a beloved and often-told story,” Donnelly told Netflix. “I think this version will give those who know A Christmas Carol all the things they expect, but not as they’ve experienced them before. There are more than enough psychedelic, time-traveling and musical surprises to keep those familiar with the story on the edge of their seats, while the authentic essence of Dickens has been retained for those coming completely fresh to the classic tale.”

This time around, Scrooge is played by Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast, Fast & Furious 6), who heads up a cast that includes Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Fra Fee, Giles Terera, Trevor Dion Nicholas, James Cosmo and Jonathan Pryce. “A Christmas Carol is a timeless holiday classic, and I’m thrilled to have been able to lend my voice to Stephen Donnelly’s reinterpretation of Scrooge,” Evans tells Tudum. “I can’t wait for families to rediscover their Christmas spirit alongside Scrooge and his ghostly visitors when the film debuts on Netflix this December.”

The film also features reimagined songs from the late two-time Academy Award winner and Grammy Award winner Leslie Bricusse. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol hits Netflix on Dec. 2.