Niko 2: Little Brother, Big Trouble

Niko is a young reindeer whose father flies with Santa's team, and he still hopes his parents will one day be a family again. Just before Christmas, his mother introduces a new partner, Lenni, along with Lenni's son Jonni. Niko is left to look after the eager younger reindeer, a job he resents, and when Jonni is taken, Niko sets out to bring him back, helped by his friends Julius and Wilma. The story centres on Niko coming to accept a blended family.

The film is a Finnish, German, Danish and Irish co-production directed by Kari Juusonen. It followed his 2008 debut Niko and the Way to the Stars and precedes Niko: Beyond the Northern Lights, the third entry in the series. Hannu Tuomainen and Marteinn Thorisson wrote the screenplay, and the producers were Petteri Pasanen, Hannu Tuomainen and Antti Haikala. The voice cast of 23 includes Erik Carlson as Niko, Elina Knihtilä as Oana, Mikko Kivinen as Julius, Vuokko Hovatta as Wilma, Juha Veijonen as Raavas and Kari Ketonen as Spede.

Released in October 2012, the film runs 79 minutes and is an adventure comedy aimed at families. It took about 24 million US dollars worldwide, a solid return for an independently produced animated feature. On TMDB it holds 5.9 out of 10 from 67 votes, suggesting a modest but generally favourable response from those who watched it.