Ed Sheeran releases new Christmas song 'Under The Tree'
It features on new Netflix movie That Christmas
As well as Ed Sheeran revealing the story behind six of his songs which he nearly didn't release, the singer announced back in August he was set to release a brand new Christmas song for an upcoming Netflix animation.
The new film, called That Christmas, is based on the trilogy of books from writer/director Richard Curtis, and it's due to land on the streaming platform on 4th December. Ed has composed a song called 'Under The Tree' for what he calls a 'heartbreaking' scene in the movie, and it's finally landed!
Posting the official music for 'Under The Tree' at 2pm on Tuesday 26th November, the track is a warm and moving Christmas ballad filled with love. Check it out below:
Ed first announced news of the new track in August by sharing a post by Netflix UK on his Instagram Stories. Netflix UK also announced the news, writing: 'CHRISTMAS NEWS IN AUGUST: Ed Sheeran has written and recorded an original song for Richard Curtis’ upcoming Netflix film, That Christmas.
'“Under The Tree” features in the animated film starring Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy. Coming 6 Dec. 🎄'. (sic)
In a statement Ed said of the new song: "I’ve been mates with Richard Curtis for years, and we’ve done a load of fun work for charity, and then both were heavily involved in the movie Yesterday.
"He came to me two years ago to play me the rough of That Christmas. It was just sketches and voices, but it blew me away. So emotional, yet so heartwarmingly funny, like all Richard Curtis movies.
"I find since having kids, there’s a real lack of great animated children’s Christmas movies, so I thought this was such an amazing thing to make and put into the world."
He continued: "The scene that we wrote this song for is so heartbreaking, but so real for many people at Christmas spending it without the ones they love, for so many reasons."
Ed's older brother, Matthew Sheeran, is a talented composer who has composed, or arranged songs by Dua Lipa and Lizzo, and as Ed explained he worked with him on this song.
"I got to work with my older brother on this which is such a rarity and a gift to work so closely with my only sibling," Ed explained. "It felt so good to create something my children would watch, with their uncle, based in the country they live in.
"I find it mad that there isn’t more animated Christmas films for kids, but this is going to become a holiday staple, at least in our household. Hope everyone loves it, and enjoys the song, we had such a great time creating it."
When will 'Under The Tree' be released?
'Under The Tree' was released on Tuesday 26th November, with the movie That Christmas dropping on Netflix on 4th December.
What is That Christmas about?
The synopsis reads: 'That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!
'This heartwarming comedy from Locksmith Animation marks Curtis’ first foray into animation, serving as the film’s writer and executive producer, and also the feature directorial debut of renowned animation veteran Simon Otto (Love, Death & Robots, How to Train Your Dragon films). Nicole P. Hearon (Moana, Frozen) and Adam Tandy (The Thick of It, Detectorists) are producers.'
Check out all of the Netflix Christmas originals on Netflix:
This Time Next Year
Minnie and Quinn are born on the same day, one minute apart. Their lives may begin together, but their worlds couldn't be more different. Years later they find themselves together again. Maybe it's time to take a chance on love.
Release date: Out now
Meet Me Next Christmas
In pursuit of a fairytale romance with the man of her dreams, Layla must race through New York City to get her hands on the hottest ticket in town: the sold out Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert.
Release date: Out now
Hot Frosty
Two years after losing her husband, Kathy magically brings a handsome snowman to life! Through his naïveté, the snowman helps Kathy to laugh, feel and love again, as the two fall for each other just in time for the holidays...and before he melts.
Release date: Out now
The Merry Gentlemen
To save her parents' small-town performing venue, a former big-city dancer decides to stage an all-male, Christmas-themed revue.
Release date: Out now
Our Little Secret
Starring Lindsay Lohan, two resentful exes are forced to spend Christmas under the same roof after discovering that their current partners are siblings.
Release date: Out now
That Christmas
Based on the charming trilogy of children's books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis, That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys! This heartwarming comedy from Locksmith Animation marks Curtis' first foray into animation, serving as the film's writer and executive producer, and also the feature directorial debut of renowned animation veteran Simon Otto. Nicole P. Hearon and Adam Tandy are producers.
Release date: Out now
Black Doves
Set against the backdrop of London at Christmas, Black Doves is a sharp, action-filled, and heartfelt story of friendship and sacrifice. It follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a quick-witted, down-to-earth, dedicated wife and mother — and professional spy. For 10 years, she's been passing on her politician husband's secrets to the shadowy organization she works for: the Black Doves. When her secret lover Jason (Andrew Koji) is assassinated, her spymaster, the enigmatic Reed (Sarah Lancashire), calls in Helen's old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw) to keep her safe.
Release date: Out now
Carry On
An action movie set at Christmas time... We are getting serious Die Hard vibes! Starring Taron Egerton, a young TSA agent fights to outsmart a mysterious traveller who blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a Christmas Eve flight.
Release date: Out now
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Produced by Timeless Films in association with Axis Studios and directed by Stephen Donnelly, Charles Dickens' ageless legend is reborn in this supernatural, time-travelling, musical adaptation of the definitive Christmas story. With his very soul on the line, Scrooge has but one Christmas Eve left to face his past and build a better future. Featuring re-imagined songs from the legendary and two-time Academy Award winner Leslie Bricusse OBE, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is one for a new generation to sing.
Release date: Out now
Single All The Way
Desperate to avoid his family's judgment about his perpetual single status, Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to join him for the holidays and pretend that they're now in a relationship. But when Peter's mother (Kathy Najimy) sets him up on a blind date with her handsome trainer James (Luke Macfarlane)— the plan goes awry.
Release date: Out now
Love Hard
An LA girl, unlucky in love, falls for an East Coast guy on a dating app and decides to surprise him for the holidays, only to discover that she's been catfished. This lighthearted romantic comedy chronicles her attempt to reel in love.
Release date: Out now
Holidate
Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) hate the holidays. They constantly find themselves single, sitting at the kids table, or stuck with awkward dates. But when these two strangers meet one particularly bad Christmas, they make a pact to be each other's "holidate" for every festive occasion throughout the next year. With a mutual disdain for the holidays, and assuring themselves that they have no romantic interest in the other, they make the perfect team. However, as a year of absurd celebrations come to an end, Sloane and Jackson find that sharing everything they hate may just prove to be something they unexpectedly love.
Release date: Out now
Falling for Christmas
A newly engaged, spoiled hotel heiress (Lindsay Lohan) gets into a skiing accident, suffers from total amnesia and finds herself in the care of a handsome, blue-collar lodge owner (Chord Overstreet) and his precocious daughter in the days leading up to Christmas.
Release date: Out now
The Boss Baby Christmas Bonus
Christmas Eve takes a twisty turn when the Boss Baby accidentally swaps places with one of Santa's elves and gets stranded in the North Pole.
Release date: Out now
Christmas Full of Grace
After discovering a betrayal, Carlinhos takes a fun stranger to accompany him on Christmas. But Graça proves to be a madwoman capable of bringing the traditional family home down.
Release date: Out now
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
In this 30-minute special from Aardman, the world's favourite sheep stars in his very own winter's tale. Shaun's seasonal excitement turns to dismay when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the Flock inadvertently leads to Timmy going missing. Can Shaun get Timmy back before he becomes someone else's present? Prepare for a 'Santastic' adventure as everyone learns the true value of Christmas!
Release date: Out now
A Not So Merry Christmas
After taking a very nasty fall on Christmas Eve, grinchy Chuy blacks out and wakes up one year later, with no memory of the year that has passed. He soon realizes that he's doomed to keep waking up on Christmas Eve after Christmas Eve, having to deal with the aftermath of what his other self has done the other 364 days of the year.
Release date: Out now
Christmas with You
Feeling career burn out, pop star Angelina escapes to grant a young fan's wish in small town New York, where she not only finds the inspiration to revitalize her career but also a shot at true love.
Release date: Out now
A Knight Before Christmas
A medieval English knight is magically transported to the present day where he falls for a high school science teacher who is disillusioned by love.
Release date: Out now
Jingle Jangle
A musical adventure and a visual spectacle for the ages, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a wholly fresh and spirited family holiday event. Set in the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, the film follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker) whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it's up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (newcomer Madalen Mills) — and a long-forgotten invention — to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within. From the imagination of writer-director David E. Talbert and featuring original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, and Davy Nathan, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey reminds us of the strength of family and the power of possibility.
Release date: Out now
Sugar Rush: Christmas
It's the present worth waiting for - Sugar Rush Christmas is here! Over six Christmas-themed episodes, the judges help decide which teams should walk away with the $10,000 prize. Sugar Rush Christmas is produced by Magical Elves.
Release date: Out now
Christmas Flow
An unlikely Christmas romance blossoms between a famous rapper and a tenacious journalist; they struggle to make it work despite their differences.
Release date: Out now
Home for Christmas
When love comes knocking, would you be ready? Follow Johanne through another December as she continues her pursuit for eternal, warm, and real love. When her family and the world around her fall apart, how can she still believe in true and everlasting love? Does it even exist and will she find the one for Christmas this year?
Release date: Out now
A Castle For Christmas
Famed author, Sophie Brown (Brooke Shields), travels to Scotland hoping to buy a small castle of her own, but the prickly owner, Duke Myles (Cary Elwes), is reluctant to sell to a foreigner. Working to find a compromise, the pair constantly butt heads, but they just may find something more than they were expecting.
Release date: Out now
Holiday Rush
Popular New York radio DJ Rush Williams (Romany Malco) has been spoiling his four children since they lost their mom (La La Anthony). Unfortunately, the kids share their pricey Christmas lists right when he loses his job. To keep Rush on the air, his producer Roxy Richardson (Sonequa Martin-Green) and his Aunt Jo (Darlene Love) plan to help him buy another station — if the Williams family can downsize fast and embrace a simpler life. In this heartwarming film, a loving father reconnects with his children and opens his heart to love when they all learn that true joy comes from not what you have but who you have around you.
Release date: Out now
Klaus
When Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) distinguishes himself as the postal academy's worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones), and discovers Klaus (Oscar winner J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care. An animated holiday comedy directed by Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, KLAUS co-stars Joan Cusack, Will Sasso and Norm Macdonald.
Release date: Out now
A Naija Christmas
Three sons race to fulfil their mother's wish to bring home wives for Christmas, while she battles to plan a Christmas celebration she will always be remembered for.
Release date: Out now
Now read:
Ed Sheeran reveals the hits he nearly didn't release and the reasons why
Ed Sheeran's career journey: From street busker to global superstar
Calum Scott joins Ed Sheeran on stage to perform one of his biggest songs