The Land of Sometimes, a new animated fantasy adventure led by Ewan McGregor, opens in cinemas today, offering families a musical journey through a world where all four seasons pass in a single day.
The film follows twins Alfie and Elise, who find a magical Wish Watch on Christmas Eve and are swept away by the mysterious Wish Collector into the Land of Sometimes, where they learn that wishes have consequences. McGregor voices the Wish Collector, heading a cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter, Alisha Weir, Asa Butterfield, Mel Brooks, Terry Jones and Jessica Henwick.
Directed by Leon Joosen, the film is a 2D animated musical fantasy, released in Singapore on November 5 and in UK cinemas the same week. It is one of two family films opening this weekend, alongside the for KING & COUNTRY musical Drummer Boy.
A cast built for families
McGregor, one of Britain’s most bankable stars, gives the film its marquee name, while Bonham Carter and Brooks add the kind of pedigree that appeals to parents as much as to children. Alisha Weir, who broke out in Matilda the Musical, and Asa Butterfield bring younger star power to the ensemble.
The story’s Christmas Eve setting and its message about the consequences of wishes place it squarely in the holiday season’s family market, even though it arrives a full seven weeks before Christmas. Distributors are betting that families will embrace it as the first big animated outing of the festive period.
Early box office in the UK has been modest, with the film taking £79,743 in its opening days, according to UK tracking — a figure that suggests a slow build rather than an instant hit.
A crowded family market
The Land of Sometimes faces stiff competition in the weeks ahead, with the Christmas release calendar filling up fast. Its best hope is word of mouth among families and the draw of its cast, led by McGregor in a rare voice role.
For the twins at the heart of the story, the lesson is that wishes come with a price. For the film’s makers, the hope is that audiences will wish for a return trip.
Related: Drummer Boy: For King & Country’s Revolutionary War Musical Opens in Cinemas
