The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) is a visually stunning fantasy adventure film directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston. It reimagines the classic Nutcracker story, originally inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 novella The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet. The movie blends magical realms, adventure, and holiday cheer, with a young heroine at its center, seeking to unlock the mysteries of her family’s legacy during a Christmas Eve celebration.
The story centers around Clara Stahlbaum (Mackenzie Foy), a young girl who, after the death of her mother, is left with a mysterious key. On Christmas Eve, Clara is transported to a fantastical world of four distinct realms, each with its own ruler. The Four Realms are the Land of Sweets, the Land of Snowflakes, the Land of Flowers, and the mysterious, dark Realm of Amusement.
Clara is guided by a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a nutcracker who has come to life, along with a magical army of rats. As Clara explores the realms, she uncovers secrets about her mother’s past and the true nature of the realms’ conflict. She faces an ultimate decision that could restore balance to the realms or lead to their destruction, all while learning to unlock the magic within herself.