A film hailed by one enthusiast as the ‘most influential movie ever’ and lauded for its family-friendly appeal is now available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

The heartwarming film, Wonder, originally released in 2017, offers a perfect viewing choice as we delve deeper into the festive season.

The film is an adaptation of the bestselling children’s novel by R. J. Palacio, who drew inspiration from Natalie Merchant’s song ‘Wonder’ and a personal experience involving her son’s reaction to a girl with facial deformities.

The storyline centres around August (Auggie) Pullman, a boy born with facial differences that have so far kept him from attending a mainstream school. When he joins the local fifth grade at a private school, he becomes an unlikely hero.

As Auggie embarks on this extraordinary journey, his family, new classmates, and the wider community grapple with their compassion and acceptance.

It’s a story that unites them all, demonstrating that standing out is inevitable when you were born to be different, reports the Mirror.

The cast features Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts as Auggie’s parents, while Jacob Tremblay, later known for his roles in Good Boys and as the voice of the main character in Pixar’s Luca, portrays August.

The film became both a box office triumph and critical darling, raking in over $300 million globally against its modest $20 million production costs. It also secured an outstanding 86% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

Devotees continue to champion the picture and recommend it widely, especially for families seeking uplifting viewing during the festive season.

One enthusiast shared online: “Wonder movie has a great storyline and is undoubtedly one of the most influential films ever made. There are massive realistic situations that are unforgettable and authentic.”

They went on: “Every age group is encouraged to watch this film in order to spend quality time with their families. The actors embrace their roles and provide excellent performances. Having a plot like this plus a well-executed portrayal in a film makes this type of artwork unforgettable.”

Another viewer declared: “It’s the best feel good/emotional movie out there. It’s so unique. You will never find a movie out there that’s better than this masterpiece. The cast was incredible. This movie is also the best movie for kids and adults. Everything fits perfect into this movie. It’s a definite watch for any emotional feel good fans out there.”

A third fan revealed: “All I have to say is the movie was about two hours long and I cried for about two hours. Happy moments, sad moments, heartwarming moments, all got me tearing up and eventually cried my eyes out at the final scene.

“But it then left a great thing in my heart I cannot define. The movie didn’t only emotionally get me, it also opened my eyes on things I’ve never ever realised. It taught me a lot. I recommend everyone to watch this incredible masterpiece.”

Encouraging others to add the film to their viewing lists, another individual proclaimed: “If there is a film that EVERYONE should see at least once in their life, that film is Wonder. A film capable of making you think like very few films manage to do. One word to describe it? WONDER.”

Wonder is streaming on BBC iPlayer.