Apple TV Plus offers a new twist on the holiday movie classic A Christmas Carol with its upcoming musical comedy Spirited, debuting on the streaming service November 18.

The movie, which stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds and Octavia Spencer, retells the classic Charles Dickens tale from the perspective of the three ghosts, according to Apple TV Plus.

The musical follows the Ghost of Christmas Present (Ferrell) who, on Christmas Eve, seeks out one dark soul to be reformed by a visit from three spirits. But the chosen Scrooge (Reynolds) turns the tables on Christmas Present, who finds himself reexamining his own past, present and future, according to the streaming service.

Spirited is directed by Sean Anders, and written by Anders and John Morris.■

The Christmas holiday period will feature several new and returning series, specials and movies, led by FX’s original film A Christmas Carol.

A Christmas Carol, an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story that stars Guy Pearce as Ebenezer Scrooge, premieres on FX Dec. 19.

Below are video trailers and premiere dates for several shows debuting this week on cable networks and streaming services (for some videos, viewer discretion is advised):

Dec. 20 -- Togo (Drama series) -- Disney+

Dec. 20 -- The Witcher (drama/fantasy) -- Netflix

Dec. 24 -- Lost In Space (returning series) -- Netflix

Dec. 26 -- You (returning series) -- Netflix

Dec. 27 -- Duran Duran: There’s Something You Should Know (documentary) -- Showtime  

Dec. 27 -- Into the Dark: Midnight Kiss (horror) -- Hulu 

Dec. 27 -- New Order: Decades (documentary) -- Showtime

Dec. 29 -- Dare Me (drama) -- USA Network

FX’s modern retelling of the classic Charles Dickens holiday story is darker and features more adult themes and language than other recent iterations, but it stays true to the tale of miser Ebenezer Scrooge, played impeccably by Guy Pearce, and his entanglement with three ghosts who show him the true meaning of Christmas.

The Steven Knight-written movie begins with Scrooge’s deceased business partner Jacob Marley (Stephen Graham) awakened from his grave on Christmas Eve by spirits in a last-ditch effort for him to earn redemption for his past misdeeds and penny-pinching. As part of his redemption, Marley has to hope for Scrooge’s soul to be saved as well — a formidable task Marley initially believes to be impossible, despite the efforts of the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Andy Serkis), Christmas Present (Charlotte Riley) and Christmas Future (Jason Flemyng).

The aloof Scrooge has lost all hope and optimism for life and for people, and takes much of his misery out on his young, loyal worker Bob Cratchit (Joe Alwyn). Overworked and underpaid, Cratchit struggles to care for his family while toiling under Scrooge’s iron fist.

FX and U.K. production partner BBC throw in several new and dark wrinkles that provide a different look for the classic tale. The movie starts slowly but finds its pace once Scrooge’s childhood is explored and the ghosts arrive.

Occasional F-bombs and brief nudity may make this version a nonstarter for the kids. Even Cratchit’s strong-but-suffering wife Mary (Vinette Robinson) hurls an expletive at the crass Scrooge during a pivotal scene, saying “I am a woman and I have the power to summon such spirits and I [deleted] will.”

Some viewers may feel the scarier content is better suited for Halloween than Christmas, but FX and BBC nevertheless deliver an intriguing, entertaining project with great acting performances that does the classic Dickens tale justice.

FX has set a Dec. 19 premiere date for its original holiday movie, A Christmas Carol, the network announced Wednesday.

The movie, a new adaption of the Charles Dickens' iconic ghost story, will star Guy Pearce, Andy Serkis, Stephen Graham, Charlotte Riley, and Joe Alwyn. 

A Christmas Carol is the first in a series of adaptations of Dickens’ novels, commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, that will air in the next few years. A Christmas Carol is also the latest collaboration between the two broadcasters, who were also responsible for the acclaimed FX drama series Taboo, said the network.

A Christmas Carol is Produced by FX Productions in Association with the BBC, Scott Free and Tom Hardy’s Hardy Son & Baker.