A Garfield Christmas

A Garfield Christmas

Year: 1987

Runtime: 24 mins

Language: English

Director: Phil Roman

MusicFamilyTV MovieAnimationAdventure

Garfield, Jon and Odie go to Jon’s family farm for Christmas, where Garfield finds a present for Grandma.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Garfield Christmas (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Garfield Christmas (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Christmas Eve to Christmas Day

The events take place over Christmas Eve into Christmas Day, set in a wintry, small-town atmosphere. The day centers on storytelling, family rituals, and quiet acts of generosity. This time frame highlights nostalgia and the evolving meaning of Christmas for the characters.

Location

Arbuckle Family Farm, Greene County countryside

The story unfolds on the Arbuckle family farm in the countryside, with a cozy farmhouse and a nearby barn as key settings. The rural backdrop emphasizes traditional Christmas rituals and intergenerational moments. Snowy fields and warmly lit interiors frame the family’s gathering and memories that unfold throughout the day.

🏡 Home and tradition 🌾 Rural life 🎄 Holiday memory

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:28

Main Characters – A Garfield Christmas (1987)

Meet the key characters of A Garfield Christmas (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mom (Julie Payne)

A steady matriarch who anchors the family's Christmas at the farm. She helps keep traditions alive and participates warmly in the festive rituals, including meals and decorations. Her presence grounds the family’s interactions and supports the holiday spirit.

🏡 Family matriarch 🧑‍🍳 Host 🕊️ Steadiness

Grandma (Pat Carroll)

A loving, resilient presence who bonds with Garfield and shares memories of her late husband. She brags about traditional family dishes and embodies the nostalgia and warmth of holiday storytelling. Her memories reveal the deep roots of family and love.

👵 Matriarch 💞 Fond memories 🏷️ Storyteller

Dad (Pat Harrington, Jr.)

A reluctant but caring father figure who participates in the Christmas rituals, including reading a holiday book to Jon and Doc Boy. He provides a calm, supportive presence and helps maintain the pace of family traditions. His reluctance contrasts with the warmth of the gathering, highlighting his underlying affection.

👨‍👦 Family figure 🧭 Steady 📚 Reader

Doc Boy (David L. Lander)

Jon’s brother, a curious presence during the family’s Christmas, he participates in the shared activities and stories. He contributes to the sense of family history and memory that permeates the celebration. His role helps illustrate the intertwined backstory of the Arbuckle family.

👦 Brother 🗣️ Participant 🧭 Memory

Garfield (Lorenzo Music)

Garfield approaches Christmas with cynicism at first, then experiences tenderness as he bonds with Grandma and discovers the true meaning of the holiday. His arc from humor to heartfelt appreciation mirrors the film’s gentle message. He grows to value family, memory, and small, meaningful gifts.

🐱 Protagonist 🌀 Cynical yet tender 🧡 Heart grows

Jon Arbuckle (Thom Huge)

The optimistic, storytelling owner who leads the family’s Christmas trip to the countryside and recounts his boyhood memories. He serves as a bridge between generations, encouraging the family’s traditions and the sharing of past experiences. His warmth guides the emotional arc of the day.

👨‍💼 Leader 🗣️ Narrator 💫 Family bridge

Odie (Gregg Berger)

The clever dog who secretly works on a Christmas gift, revealing a quiet, affectionate side. His actions culminate in a meaningful moment of generosity that underscores the film’s message about love and giving. Odie’s gift complements Garfield’s journey toward embracing the holiday spirit.

🐶 Loyal companion 🧰 Secret gift maker 🎁 Heart of generosity

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:28

Major Themes – A Garfield Christmas (1987)

Explore the central themes of A Garfield Christmas (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎄 Family Bonds

The gathering at the farm brings together multiple generations, renewing connections between Jon, Garfield, Grandma, and the rest of the family. Shared meals, decorations, and songs reinforce trust and affection. The film uses these moments to show how family ties endure through memories and humor.

🕰️ Nostalgia

Old memories surface as Grandma recalls her late husband and past Christmases, and Jon reflects on his boyhood. The discovery of vintage letters deepens the sense of history and continuity. The story uses nostalgia to frame how the past shapes present belonging.

🎁 Generosity

Odie’s secret project and Garfield’s reception of a handmade gift embody the holiday spirit. The moment of giving emphasizes that the true value lies in love and thoughtfulness, not material wealth. The recurring line underscores that Christmas is about loving others more than receiving.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:28

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Unlock the Full Story of A Garfield Christmas

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Garfield Christmas in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Garfield Christmas is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Garfield Christmas Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Garfield Christmas, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Garfield Christmas Summary

A Garfield Christmas Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Garfield Christmas with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Garfield Christmas Timeline

More About A Garfield Christmas

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More About A Garfield Christmas