1 / 8
RUNTIME
Did you know
86 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
The Star
"It takes many tails to tell the greatest story ever."
2017 1h 26m EN
😐
6.5
MID
★6.5TMDB · 626
AnimationComedyAdventureFamilyFantasy
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
A small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the unsung heroes of the greatest story ever told: the first Christmas.
“It takes many tails to tell the greatest story ever.”
Cast
Steven Yeun
Bo (voice)
Gina Rodriguez
Mary (voice)
Zachary Levi
Joseph (voice)
Keegan-Michael Key
Dave (voice)
Kelly Clarkson
Leah (voice)
Anthony Anderson
Zach (voice)
Kris Kristofferson
Old Donkey (voice)
Ving Rhames
Thaddeus (voice)
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Timothy Reckart
- Writers
- Carlos Kotkin, Carlos Kotkin, Louie del Carmen
- Languages
- English
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
MONEY
Did you know
Made its money back 6.4× over at the box office.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
ERA
Did you know
Released 9 years ago.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by John Paesano. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Pam Ziegenhagen shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Steven Yeun and Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
FACT
Did you know
Marketing tagline: "It takes many tails to tell the greatest story ever.".
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt4587656 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Timothy Reckart directs. John Paesano scores. Pam Ziegenhagen cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Made its budget back several times over at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 186 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
- 2Made its money back 6.4× over at the box office.
- 3Released 9 years ago.
- 4Original score by John Paesano. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 5Editor Pam Ziegenhagen shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 6Steven Yeun and Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi carry the top of the cast.
- 7Marketing tagline: "It takes many tails to tell the greatest story ever.".
- 8IMDB entry: tt4587656 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
The technical file
- Original score
- John Paesano
- Editing
- Pam Ziegenhagen
- Production design
- Craig Elliott
- Runtime
- 86 min · 1h 26m
- Aspect ratio (typical)
- 1.37:1 (Academy)
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $10,000,000
- Box office
- $63,581,694
- Return
- 636% of budget
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- PG
- IMDB
- The Star (2017)
Also by
Timothy Reckart
Stills · wallpapers
Selected frames
Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
Franklin Entertainment
US
Sony Pictures Animation
US
Columbia Pictures
US
The Jim Henson Company
US
Walden Media
US
Affirm Films
US
Key crew
- ProducerJenni Magee-Cook
- Executive ProducerLisa Henson
- Executive ProducerDeVon Franklin
- Executive ProducerBrian Henson
- Post Production SupervisorJessica E. Smialek
- AnimationAndres Bedate Martin
- SongsMariah Carey
- SongsMarc Shaiman
- SongsZara Larsson
- Lighting ArtistValerie Constant
- Music SupervisorSpring Aspers
- Music SupervisorRon Fair
- AnimationAlaa Afifeh
- EditorPam Ziegenhagen
- Production DesignCraig Elliott
- Art DirectionSean Eckols
- Character DesignerPatrick Mate
- Character DesignerDavid Colman
- Head of StoryLouie del Carmen
- Animation SupervisorYuriko Senoo
- Layout SupervisorJohn Bermudes
- Story ArtistMyke Bakich
- Story ArtistKeith Baxter
- Story ArtistCody Cameron
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- villain
- musical
- christmas
- 3d animation
- evil king
- cartoon donkey
Release history · US
When it landed
- Theatrical2017-11-17PG
Also known as
International titles
- The LambUS
- La Estrella de BelénAR
- The Star DonkeyUS
- La Estrella de BelénMX
- Se armó el belén 2017ES
- L’Étoile de Noël - L'Histoire Du Tout Premier NoëlFR
- ザ・スター はじめてのクリスマスJP
- L'étoileFR
- HviezdaSK
