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Stick Man

Stick Man

TV movie201527 minGMidcredits score: 85th percentile of all films
Directors
Daniel Snaddon, Jeroen Jaspaert
Starring
Martin Freeman, Hugh Bonneville, Jennifer Saunders, Russell Tovey

Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three, and he's heading on an epic adventure across the seasons. Will he get back to his family in time for Christmas?

Where to watch

Where can I watch Stick Man?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Stick Man streaming on Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Stick Man?

Stick Man earns 5 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Christmas pick.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Stick Man worth watching?

Stick Man's Midcredits score is the 85th percentile of all films, from 12K ratings across 4 sources. 76% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

85th percentile

Better received than 85% of films

78th percentile among Animation85th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)81st
Approval (how many liked it)86th

71 /100

81st percentile of all films

72nd percentile among Animation80th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.4 — solid but not unanimous.

76% liked it

86th percentile of all films

81st percentile among Animation87th percentile among 2010s
76% rated it 7–1024% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 9 wins / 2 noms overall

  • NominatedBAFTA Awards· Best Animation

Reach

How many have seen it

88th percentile

12K ratings across platforms

75th percentile among Animation88th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 31% in 30 days

Box office

Worldwide gross$1.4M

34th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A simple, rhyming children's story about a stick man's perilous journey home, with gentle animation and a festive ending.

Fans praised

  • charming and heartwarming adaptation
  • Martin Freeman's voice performance
  • beautiful stop-motion-style animation

Detractors panned

  • not funny nor entertaining for adults

What stands out

Cinematography80

Visually stunning stop-motion-like CGI matching Axel Scheffler's art

Ending80

Satisfying magical Christmas rescue and reunion

Acting75

Martin Freeman's frustrated grunts and tone changes; strong voice cast including Hawkins and Bonneville

Emotional impact75

Moving reunion and sense of family; fans feel joy and empathy

Sound and music75

Jolly classical-style score; moving and atmospheric

Atmosphere75

Warm Christmassy feeling; immersive world-building

Characters70

Stick Man's kindly but weary soul; cute stick kids

Plot and story65

Simple series of mishaps as Stick Man is taken further from home

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 11 points higher than men.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Stick Man like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
JoyfulHopefulWarmAbsurd
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its light-hearted, often perilous story with genuine warmth and sincerity, never ironic or dismissive of its twig hero's plight.
The rideThe film maintains a light, joyful tone with occasional absurdity; the middle stretch is heaviest as Stick Man faces separation and danger, but it never becomes intense.
StructureThe story follows Stick Man's journey chronologically from his departure, through his ordeals, to his eventual reunion with family.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe happy Christmas reunion and Stick Man's safe return leave a warm, uplifting feeling.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Voyage
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4% (this title): Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% (this title) · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Voyage and return: Into a strange world and back again, changed. · Survival ordeal: Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).

4% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeStick Man is accidentally separated from home and must endure a series of humiliating and dangerous situations across the seasons before finally being rescued and returned by Santa.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% (this title) · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsHope · 5% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe central drive is Stick Man's longing to return to his wife and children, making family bonds the emotional core; hope sustains him through his ordeals.
StanceThe film celebrates family bonds and the joy of reunion, with stakes limited to one stick's personal journey; focus is squarely on Stick Man.

The world

ContemporaryRuralDomesticWildernessRealistic
Orchestral classicalFolkSupportive music · original score · René Aubry
SettingA family tree home and various outdoor locations across seasons
MusicRené Aubry's score likely complements the whimsical, seasonal atmosphere.

Content guide

Is Stick Man okay for kids?

G

Stick Man is rated G.

Ratings in 8 other countries
  • UKU
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany0
  • FranceU
  • IrelandG
  • BrazilL
  • DenmarkA
  • SKU

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Stick Man have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Stick Man?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Martin Freeman
as Stick Man
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Hugh Bonneville
as Santa
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jennifer Saunders
as Narrator
Russell Tovey
as Dog
Sally Hawkins
as Stick Lady & Others
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Rob Brydon
as Snail
Anouska White
as Pooh Bridge Girl
Eve Bentley
as Pooh Bridge Girlfriend
Ben Jenkinson
as Pooh Bridge Boy
Elliot Kelly
as Beach Boy

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Stick Man?

Movies like Stick Man include A Boy Called Christmas (2021), Get Santa (2014) and Spellbound (2024). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films about hope, and several are Christmas films.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its subject: family bonds. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Stick Man?

770 other films share the rarest tag below, premise: castaway. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.