Amber Frank
Lucky Prescott (voice)
Overview
Lucky and her friends venture into town on Christmas Eve in an attempt to fulfill their holiday plans. But when distractions lead to delays, they must figure out how to get home in time for Christmas in the middle of a serious snowstorm!
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readA Snowstorm, a Song, and the Quiet Magic of Trying Anyway
I’ve always had a soft spot for holiday specials that don’t pretend to be more than they are. The ones that arrive like a wrapped gift under the tree—not because they’re going to change your life, but because they’re warm, familiar, and just a little bit messy. Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas is exactly that kind of gift. It’s not aiming for the grandeur of The Snowman or the emotional gut-punch of Klaus; it’s a cozy, 46-minute detour into the world of Lucky Prescott and her friends, a story about getting lost in a snowstorm and finding something unexpected along the way.
And if that sounds simple, well, it is. But simple isn’t the same as shallow.
The special opens with Lucky (Amber Frank) and her friends Pru (Sydney Park) and Abigail (Bailey Gambertoglio) setting off on what should be a straightforward Christmas Eve trip into town. They’ve got plans: gifts to buy, carols to sing, maybe a little holiday mischief. But plans, as anyone who’s ever tried to wrangle a group of kids (or horses) knows, have a way of unraveling.
A snowstorm rolls in, the girls get separated from their horses, and suddenly, they’re stranded in the wilderness with nothing but their wits, a country singer named Sally Jessup (Katherine McNamara), and the looming question of whether they’ll make it home in time for Christmas.
It’s a premise that could’ve been plucked from any number of holiday stories—lost in the snow, the clock ticking, the promise of a warm hearth waiting at the end. What makes Spirit of Christmas feel distinct, though, isn’t the plot. It’s the way the story lingers on the small, human moments in between the action.
There’s a scene early on where Lucky, Pru, and Abigail are trudging through the snow, their frustration bubbling over into bickering. It’s not a dramatic blowup; it’s the kind of petty, tired squabbling that happens when you’re cold, hungry, and sick of each other’s company. The camera doesn’t cut away.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 7.2/10
"A charming holiday special for young fans of the series, though lacking depth for older viewers."
Viewers appreciate the festive animation and heartwarming moments, making it a pleasant watch for children and fans of the *Spirit Riding Free* series. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, the short runtime and simplistic plot leave little impact for those outside the target audience, with some noting it feels more like an extended episode than a standalone movie.
What viewers praise
- Festive animation The holiday-themed visuals and cozy winter setting are well-received by younger audiences.
- Heartwarming moments The story delivers sweet, feel-good messages about friendship and holiday spirit.
- Faithful to series Fans of *Spirit Riding Free* enjoy the continuation of familiar characters and storytelling style.
Common complaints
- Short runtime The 45-minute duration makes it feel more like a special episode than a full movie.
- Simplistic plot The story is straightforward and lacks complexity, limiting appeal for older viewers.
- Limited depth Character development and stakes are minimal, offering little beyond surface-level entertainment.
Recommended for
Young animation fans Holiday special lovers *Spirit Riding Free* viewers Family movie nights
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas
Netflix’s 2019 holiday special Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas brought festive cheer to the beloved animated series, but its creation came with its own share of surprises. latestnetflix.com's read is that Directed by Allan Jacobsen and Kevin Wotton, the 45-minute film expanded the Spirit Riding Free universe with a wintry twist, though details about its production remain scarce.Here’s what we know—and what’s still under wraps.
A Festive Spin on Familiar Characters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1hTqRcbgLU
The special follows Lucky Prescott, Pru Granger, and Abigail Stone as they embark on a snowy adventure to save Christmas after a blizzard derails their holiday plans. The film stays true to the series’ Western roots while introducing seasonal magic, including a misplaced Santa Claus and a race against time to deliver presents 
. The trailer teased a mix of humor, heart, and horseback antics, promising a family-friendly escape for fans of the show .
Unlike the TV series, which ran for eight seasons, Spirit of Christmas was a standalone short film, clocking in at 45 minutes—longer than a standard episode but shorter than a feature . Its runtime suggests a tighter production timeline, though DreamWorks hasn’t confirmed whether this was a deliberate creative choice or a budgetary one.
Casting Surprises and Cameos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZk4QRpMf5w
The core voice cast returned for the holiday special, including Amber Frank (Lucky), Bailey Gambertoglio (Pru), and Sydney Park (Abigail). But the film also featured a notable addition: Katherine McNamara, best known for her role as Clary Fray in Shadowhunters. McNamara’s involvement was a coup for the production, though her character’s role in the story remains unclear. In a 2019 interview, she hinted at the crossover appeal of the project, calling it a "fun, lighthearted" way to celebrate the season .
Other returning voices included Tiya Sircar (Maricela), Nolan North (Jim Prescott), and David Faustino (Uncle Felipe), ensuring continuity with the series’ established dynamics . Rumors swirled about potential cameos from other DreamWorks franchises, but no evidence supports these claims—so far, the special kept its focus squarely on the Spirit Riding Free gang.
Production Mysteries and Fan Theories
Despite its charm, Spirit of Christmas flew under the radar compared to other DreamWorks holiday specials like How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming. The lack of behind-the-scenes footage or director interviews leaves key questions unanswered:
- Was the film always planned as a holiday special? The Spirit Riding Free series had a strong seasonal episode in its first season ("Lucky and the Christmas Spirit"), but the 2019 film felt like a bigger investment. Some fans speculate it was greenlit to test the waters for a potential feature-length adaptation, though no follow-up has materialized.
- Why the shorter runtime? At 45 minutes, the special sits in an awkward middle ground between TV episode and movie. Industry insiders (unconfirmed) suggest it may have been designed for quick holiday turnaround, but DreamWorks hasn’t commented on the decision .
- Did the pandemic affect its release? The film premiered in December 2019, just months before COVID-19 upended production schedules. While it’s unlikely the pandemic played a role in its creation, the timing makes it a pre-lockdown time capsule of sorts.
Reception and Legacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YXfMWgVJSg
Critically, Spirit of Christmas received modest attention. Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t list an audience score for the special, and reviews were limited to fan reactions and YouTube commentary . Some viewers praised its cozy atmosphere and faithfulness to the series, while others found the plot predictable. The lack of widespread coverage suggests it was seen as a minor holiday treat rather than a major franchise milestone.
Still, the special’s existence hints at the enduring appeal of the Spirit Riding Free brand. With the original series concluding in 2020, Spirit of Christmas remains a rare standalone adventure for the characters—one that could pave the way for future holiday returns, if DreamWorks chooses to revisit the world.
For now, fans are left with more questions than answers. Was this a one-off experiment, or the first of many seasonal specials? Only time—and perhaps a surprise sequel—will tell.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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