Everything you need to know about Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

The legendary story is coming to the big screen in a glorious visual feast packed with Hollywood stars

Mackenzie Foy and Keira Knightley as Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy (© Disney 2018/Laurie Sparham)

When people think of The Nutcracker, they are mostly reminded of the classic childhood tale of toys coming to life, seven-headed mouse kings running riot from beneath the floorboards, and the legendary ballet soundtracked by Tchaikovsky’s glorious score. But now – with the arrival of Disney’s new film – that is all about to change.

In The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, all the magic of the original story remains but this time it’s writ large on the big screen in a spectacular feast of breathtaking visuals, a star-studded cast and a hypnotising story. Here’s what you need to know…

What’s it about?

First written by ETA Hoffman in 1816, the fabled tale began as The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, a story about a girl whose Nutcracker Christmas toy comes to life, and takes her to a fantasy world. More than seven decades later, it was adapted by Alexandre Dumas Pere and set to Tchaikovsky’s score, becoming the ballet which remains famous today.

Mackenzie Foy as Clara (Disney) (© Disney 2018)

For Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, the original story has been catapulted to fantastic new heights, introducing many new facets to Hoffman’s already captivating world. Not only does the addition of new characters add a fascinating fresh aspect to the universe, but the dazzling realms (of flowers, snowflakes and sweets) offer breathtaking visual elements to the tale.

Watch the trailer for Disney's The Nutcracker And the Four Realms:

Who’s in it?

It’s no exaggeration to say that the cast list reads like a who’s who of A-list acting talent. Taking centre stage as Clara is Mackenzie Foy, the 17-year old actor whose performances in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn and Interstellar have placed her firmly on the radar as one of the industry’s most promising young stars. Playing her kindly godfather, Drosselmeyer, is Morgan Freeman, while Helen Mirren has taken the gloriously terrifying role of Mother Ginger, the villainous leader of the Fourth Realm.

Meet the characters

Keira Knightly is the Sugar Plum Fairy, the candy-floss haired ruler of the Land of Sweets, and Richard E Grant plays the well-mannered regent of the Land of Snowflakes, Shiver.

There are plenty of high-profile comedy names, too: Omid Djalili and Jack Whitehall provide comic relief as Cavalier and Harlequin, two bumbling palace guards, while Miranda Hart makes an appearance as a fairy.

Helen Mirren as Mother Ginger, a villainous new character in the story (© Disney 2018)

What’s more, there’s a homage to the story’s ballet history; esteemed dancers Misty Copeland and Sergei Polunin lend the film even more magic as Ballerina Princess and Sweet Cavalier, telling Clara the story of the four realms through dance.

When can I see it?

Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is in cinemas across the UK from 2 November.