Jerry and his ward Tuffy are watching The Nutcracker in an empty opera house. Through magic, Jerry is pulled into an enchanted realm where toys come alive, snowflakes sing, and candy forests flourish. He befriends a ballerina (from a music box), a toy horse named Nelly (who only speaks when her string is pulled), and ornament-character Paulie (initially missing its head).
But trouble arises when Tom and a legion of alley cats, led by the King of the Cats, invade Jerry’s magical kingdom, capture toys, and try to take over. Jerry, Tuffy, and their allies travel through magical realms to find the Toy Maker, who gives them the tools and toy soldier army to fight back. A climactic battle ensues, and with the dawn approaching (which threatens permanent takeover by the cats), Jerry must reclaim his kingdom before sunrise. In the end, the magic restores Nelly fully (allowing her to speak freely), and the whole adventure is revealed as a fanciful play witnessed by the ballerina. warnerbros.fandom.com+3Wikipedia+3tomandjerry.fandom.com+3
Series / Movie Details
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of Tom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale and related production information:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Tom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale |
| Year of Release | 2007 Wikipedia+2The Numbers+2 |
| Format | Direct-to-video animated feature (not theatrical) Wikipedia+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2 |
| Runtime | 47 to 48 minutes (sources vary) Wikipedia+3The Numbers+3Kiddle+3 |
| Country | United States Wikipedia+2Kiddle+2 |
| Language | English Wikipedia+2Kiddle+2 |
| Directors | Spike Brandt, Tony Cervone The Numbers+3Wikipedia+3tomandjerry.fandom.com+3 |
| Producers | Spike Brandt, Tony Cervone Wikipedia+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2 |
| Screenplay / Writer | Spike Brandt (story credit also Joseph Barbera) Wikipedia+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2 |
| Based on | Inspired/semi-adaptation of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E. T. A. Hoffmann (with changes, e.g. the “Mouse King” becomes a “Cat King”) Common Sense Media+3Wikipedia+3tomandjerry.fandom.com+3 |
| Music | Dirk Brossé Common Sense Media+3Wikipedia+3tomandjerry.fandom.com+3 |
| Editor | Robin DeSales Wikipedia+1 |
| Studio / Production Companies | Turner Entertainment Co., Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Family Entertainment Kiddle+3Wikipedia+3warnerbros.fandom.com+3 |
| Distributor | Warner Home Video Wikipedia+2The Numbers+2 |
| Release Date | October 2, 2007 (video release) warnerbros.fandom.com+3Wikipedia+3The Numbers+3 |
| Preceded by | Tom and Jerry: Shiver Me Whiskers (in DTV film series) tomandjerry.fandom.com+2warnerbros.fandom.com+2 |
| Followed by | Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes in the DTV series line warnerbros.fandom.com+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2 |
| Notable Facts / Trivia | - This was the last Tom & Jerry film released in full-screen (1.33:1) format despite being produced in widescreen. Common Sense Media+3Wikipedia+3tomandjerry.fandom.com+3 - It was the final animated production that co-creator Joseph Barbera worked on before his death (December 18, 2006) and is dedicated to his memory. Wikipedia+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2 - It is (arguably) the shortest Tom & Jerry direct-to-video film. tomandjerry.fandom.com+2Kiddle+2 - It’s the first Tom & Jerry DTV film that is also a musical (i.e. with songs). tomandjerry.fandom.com+1 - Released again on a Blu-ray / special edition DVD bundle on October 27, 2020 (paired with Tom & Jerry: Santa’s Little Helpers) Wikipedia - Uses much of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker musical themes. Wikipedia+3tomandjerry.fandom.com+3Common Sense Media+3 - The widescreen version is used in TV broadcasts; DVD in some regions is cropped to full screen. Wikipedia+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2 - The film retains the classic slapstick style (explosions, falls, etc.) but under a more magical / holiday setting. Common Sense Media+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2 |
Cast & Voice Credits (some of the main ones)
- Spike Brandt as Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4tomandjerry.fandom.com+4
- Chantal Strand as Tuffy Wikipedia+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2
- Tara Strong as La Petite Ballerina Wikipedia+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2
- Ian James Corlett as Paulie Wikipedia+1
- Kathleen Barr as Nelly Wikipedia+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2
- Garry Chalk as King of the Cats Wikipedia+2tomandjerry.fandom.com+2
- Trevor Devall as Lackey Wikipedia+1
- Mark Oliver as Dr. Malevolent Wikipedia+1
- Richard Newman as Santa Claus / Toymaker Wikipedia+2warnerbros.fandom.com+2
Reception & Reviews
- On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a Tomatometer score from critics (4 reviews, ~65%) and a mixed to positive audience reception. Rotten Tomatoes
- Common Sense Media describes it as a “humorous version of the traditional holiday story,” noting that while it has familiar Tom & Jerry violence (explosions, falls, etc.), it is lightened by musical and magical elements. Common Sense Media
- DVD Talk’s Paul Mavis praised it for embracing an operatic storyline while retaining classic cartoon gags. Wikipedia
- Some criticism (e.g. Nick Lyons) argues it feels rushed and more of a holiday-tie in than a fully realized film. Wikipedia
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