User reviews

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is a 2024 adaptation of Barbara Robinson's 1972 children's novel, directed by Dallas Jenkins. The film follows the Herdman siblings-known as the "worst kids in the history of the world"-who, despite their notorious behavior, become central figures in their town's annual Christmas pageant. Their involvement brings a fresh perspective to the traditional nativity story, challenging the community's preconceived notions and highlighting themes of redemption and understanding.

While the film maintains a strong Christian narrative, it offers a heartfelt exploration of the Herdman family's dynamics. The portrayal of the Herdmans adds depth to the story, showcasing their transformation and the impact they have on those around them. This emotional core resonates beyond the religious aspects, making the film accessible to a broader audience.

Critics have noted the film's balance between humor and sentimentality. The Detroit News described it as "a warmhearted Christmas comedy" that feels "timeless" and carries "a sense of nostalgia already baked into it." Similarly, Roger Ebert's review highlighted the film's "message of hope and kindness," emphasizing its universal appeal.

The film's success is also reflected in its box office performance. It topped the Friday box office with $5 million in earnings, surpassing other releases like "Heretic." This indicates a positive reception from audiences, further cementing its place as a potential holiday classic.

In short, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" offers a traditional Christmas narrative infused with a compelling emotional journey centered on the Herdman family. While its religious themes are prominent, the film's exploration of redemption and community provides a universally relatable story.

Rating: Casual Watch.

Some reviewers here are bashing this movie because they say it is overtly religious. Not true at all and you shouldn't listen to them. It deals with being kind to people who aren't easy to like. It centers around a play around the birth of Jesus. Hello!!!!! That is what Christmas is about. It does not in the slightest shove converting to Christianity down your throat like some have inaccurately stated.

It's a nice family friendly movie that isn't filled with adult language. If you want a feel good story with a good message then this is the movie for you. Will it win any Hollywood awards? No. It has a decent story and some scenes that made me chuckle and even tug at the heart strings a bit.

Don't listen to the naysayers. They probably prefer the blood and guts movies anyway.

Having read the book when I was young, I never saw too much into it that this was overtly Christian in any way. I wasn't a churchgoing kid but I knew people who did. Only a year ago did I learn that there was a whole legacy behind this, a stage musical, two literary sequels, and a 1983 TV special.

I'm not a big fan of 'faith-based' content (no matter how many I've logged implies) but on discovering that this was happening, I set aside all my hesitations in anticipation. Not only is it abundantly clear that this film adaptation faithful to the spirit of the source material but also expands upon it in a graceful manner. There's three notable segments I acknowledge, and they're all perfect.

Now I'm not gonna go watch The Chosen and harp on about it, but director Dallas Jenkins has crafted one of the best Christmas movies in recent memory. Not once does Christmas Pageant feel like it's proselytizing but it's telling the Nativity in such a manner that, in-universe, the Herdmans (aka the worst kids in the whole history of the world) are enraptured but also the unconverted take away with the logically warped way they see it.

It's the young ensemble cast who are the heart of this story, especially Beatrice Schneider as Imogene, the eldest Herdman who serves as guardian of her five siblings. The children's father allegedly left a few years earlier, and their mother works nights. She had to grow up faster than life would allow. The scene where Beth's (the protagonist) father brings a ham to the Herdman residence is perhaps the first sign that these kids aren't all bad.

The unspecified time period is beneficial to the story, in that this can happen anytime, anywhere. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is what I've been searching for for a long time, a 'faith' film that doesn't leave a bad aftertaste. This is my new holiday go-to.

LIKES:

Cute

Moves At a Good Pace

Funny And Wholesome

Good Acting

Realistic With Modern Sheen

Message Is Strong As Ever

Summary: The trailers portrayed this movie as a cute dive into a simpler time before the Internet exploded out of control. This remake is an example of taking history and bringing it to the present and capturing the wholesome nature of what was an adventure for most. It's not flashy, it's not state-of-the-art, and it's just feeling like living in a town that is fixated on traditions no matter their intended purpose. The movie lets the narrator tell the story, feeling like a television special, with an engaging teller to pull you into the tale. Its humor relies on relevance and timing, which had my fellow audience members frequently laughing and doesn't rely on wit or engaging quotes to do the work. A realistic overtone helps to keep this film in that cute sort of sitcom role and helps instill some emotions that hit me harder in this approach than the artificial feeling Hallmark injects its movies with every year. The real heart lies in the strong messages this movie brings, with the very message of Christmas radiating out, but again feeling genuine and perfect for the holiday season. As for the acting, the entire cast plays the roles well and makes this community of varying personalities match closely to communities I have lived in previously.

DISLIKES:

Preachy

Missing Character Development Completeness

A Tad Too Simplistic

Predictable

Missing The Full Fleshed Out Finesse

Too Many Characters in A Short Amount Of Time

Summary: Yet, the movie still suffers from what you might expect of a drama film such as this one. It's preachy at times, getting caught up in quoting the bible and taking asides to paraphrase the passages that it can get a bit too Hollywood. The movie's simplicity will be incredible for the key audience groups of family, while those looking for something more will find it tireless and boring, perhaps thinking this would have been best left to a straight-to-home release. The predictable plot is great for the family night-in but suffers from the lack of depth in character development and full immersion into the process. I felt there were too many characters and not enough time to fully invest in the characters nor give you time for build-up and gradual progression to the goal. It's a little too simplistic, lacking the full depth for just bites of the inevitable conclusion coming at the movie's end. I guess that's what religious-heavy movies are known for, but I would have liked just a bit more storytelling baked into the heartfelt message contained in this movie.

The verdict: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a remake that sticks to the foundation without being a soulless carbon copy of the film before it. It is a delightful production that teaches the meaning of the holiday in classy, fun, and adorable tones without relying too much on the cliché theatrics and forced acting that some programs do. A wholesome and realistic edge works in this film, using just enough movie shine to glam it up without costing anything away from the goal of this movie. Yet, the simplistic direction of this movie is also a big limitation in terms of unique flavor and wow factors that one might be looking for in this movie, The short run time might get you out of the theater faster, but the storytelling suffers in regards to shallower character development, limited buildup of impasses, and a rather lackluster finish in terms of any real stakes to have you on the edge of your seat. It feels like a big-budget version of a Hallmark film at times, and those who like said movies should come out and see this movie (a killer youth group film). With all this in mind, my scores for this film are:

Adventure/Comedy/Drama/: 7.0 Movie Overall: 6.0.

Dallas Jenkins (the Director of "The Chosen") said it was his dream for many years to make this movie. The Chosen is a great drama about Jesus and the 12 Apostles. Best Christmas Pageant Ever is about the struggling Herdman kids and it is even better. Dallas knows how to make excellent movies and compelling dramas.

Judy Greer is my new favorite as she plays the mom who is directing the church Christmas pageant for the first time. The story is told and narrated by her daughter Beth and centers around her relationship with Imogene Herdman who plays Mary. The mom's tension over Imogene playing Mary is a major theme. What a creative and fresh way to tell the story.

I had seen the play about 10 years ago but there were so many new things added. It was a pure delight to watch even though One of those movies that you do not want to end because you feel the story and characters so deeply. Good thing the theater was dark because my eyes were full of happy tears.

This is one version you don't want to miss.

Bad kids and good intentions with some lessons learned along the way. Those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s remember the holiday movie season had some decent movies our parents took us too. Safe and family friendly with some decent fun along the way.

This movie features a mom directing a holiday play and decides use undisciplined kids. Not just any undisciplined kids but the family known by the whole town as bad. As you can imagine, the kids are wild and run amok if not supervised. There were times I thought the story was predictable but then it actually surprised me with some originality. By far this is the feel good movie with a lot of heart.

You'll laugh and might even get a little sad but by the end you'll be all smiles. ''Tis the season for the first good movie of the Christmas season. Destined to even become a holiday classic.

This movie is so funny and heartwarming as well. My family and I watched this in theater and we enjoyed it from beginning to end. This is definitely a film for the whole family.

Dallas Jenkins did a great job directing and putting this together. There is even a few cast members from "The Chosen" as well. So, that was pretty neat especially since we've watched "The Chosen". Both the kids and the adult cast members did a great job acting in this as well.

I'll admit, we have not read the book. But this has inspired us to do so. We went in blind not knowing the story. So, this was definitely a welcome surprise. We will be going back to watch it again in theater. I'd definitely recommend this one.

Don't be fooled, this is straight out a religious movie so for those of us that don't want it thrown down our throat, watch Elf, Home Alone, Nightmare Before Christmas, Christmas Vacation, you know the fun movies.

I feel the reviews are inflated to their liken so that it draws people in. I think at some point groups will give out free tickets to draw people in without warning.

Also this is from the same creators of The Chosen which is based on the Bible and the life of JC.

Likes: None this was not fun to watch and endure.

Dislikes: Biased religious movie based on the bible and JC. Thank you and be true to yourself and love one another right?

I'm a senior citizen, and I found this movie to be very entertaining, funny, and witty to say the least.

I really enjoyed the holiday backdrop of this movie, made me feel something of a kid again.

I may even go see it a second time.

I did not even mind some of the bratty kids in the back of the theater running around, as I was focused on the humor, and the development of the story with this movie.

One of the year's best. Something the whole family or just an individual would enjoy.

Will enter my list of the holiday movies I will rewatch again and again.

Some of the subject matter may be a bit off setting for some.

I'm a dad, in my late 40s. Took my 10year old daughter to see this and we both enjoyed it. I grew up doing these plays in church. I found myself welling up at all the right places. This movie focuses on baby Jesus and the Christmas nativity story, but the emotions come from standing up for what's right and putting others first. It also tackles how the nativity story can be glossed over as a nice photo - this asks some funny questions that had me laughing out loud.

Really like the story telling structure and narrator. The child actors were great.

Originally I saw the trailer and thought it looked cheesy. I was wrong. Don't judge a book by its cover - also the point of the film.

Very happy to take my daughter to see this film and will recommend it to friends. Happy enough that a day later I'm still thinking about it and felt it needed a positive review. By comparison, I didn't have that feeling with the last 3 superhero blockbusters I saw in theatres this year.

Such a delicious movie! The quality of the cinematography, sound, and acting was exceptional. Loved the way the adult actors portrayed the characters, and the child actors did a great job also. Highly recommend; take the whole family! You'll laugh, you'll cry; such a round of emotions to be experienced.

There was a hearty round of applause in the theater when the movie ended, including myself, and I rarely clap at the end of movies.

I'm looking forward to purchasing the DVD when it comes out so we can watch it again and again.

I agree with the high ratings given here and on rotten tomatoes.

A very enjoyable movie that I plan to add to my annual Christmas movie must-see list.

It's great to have a Christmas movie that is truly about Christmas, and provides moments to both laugh and cry. I had not been familiar with the story, and somewhat surprised to find that it had been around long enough to have already been turned into a TV movies 30+ years ago.

I hope this makes it onto many people's list of favorite Christmas movies. It might be the only one other than Charlie Brown's Christmas that intertwines the true meaning of Christmas with an enjoyable, amusing storyline.

Thank you, Dallas Jenkins.

I actually saw this movie last week at the early screening, but IMDB wouldn't let me submit a review before the official release date. Some parts were funny, and I loved the behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the main actors! Judy Greer is great, as always, and Molly Belle Wright's performance definitely has me looking forward to her future castings! However, overall the movie left me with a frustrating feeling about the unrealistic storylines and plot holes. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was a nice kick off to the holiday season, but it could have been better...not the "Best Ever"

I knew Judy Greer would be wonderful--and she was--but I was amazed by the actors who played the Herdman kids. Imogene in particular was masterful. Think about the transformation she had to portray: from a tough, vulnerable girl who sees herself as the protector of all her siblings to someone overwhelmed by the beauty of the Christmas story. She's the "mother" to five children who doesn't have a mother herself--and then she accepts the role of the mother of Christ.

The movie takes it a little too easy on its hypocritical characters--they shed their hypocrisy pretty easily when they see the pageant--but that's a small quibble. The power of this story easily overcomes any small missteps.

It is a little churchy if you aren't a church person. But I ain't mad at it. I enjoyed this better than those Hallmark movies.

They nailed the 80's nostalgia. Judy Greer as the mom was great. The kid actors are not just cute they can act. If you like charlie Brown Christmas and Garfield Christmas and the old Christmas specials this is for you. This movie had me laughing at all the silly crazy stuff the kids did and esp the colorful comments about herod and the very comical angel of the lord.

This movie got me it in the feels. It had me laughing and crying at the same time. Especially the last half hour. The touching scene with the ham was my favorite.

I mean some people are just going to think we are trash no matter how hard we try at life.

But if we have one person like grace who believes in us that could be better than we ever dreamed. That's the best gift ever.

Yes it's sappy.

Yes it's predictable.

But good Christmas movies usually are.

We laughed. I cried a good bit.

I wish we had more movies like this.

I wish we had movies that didn't have to have tons of sex and violence. I actually took both kids and my mother in law and we all enjoyed it at different levels. I call that success and it gives me hope.

Most Christian movies are bad. But not this one. It was well acted. The music and editing felt top notch. At no point did I feel like I'd be embarrassed to recommend this film. And I don't think every Christian film has to hit you in the head with the gospel. This one hit that perfect balance.

A movie with a message. Fight for the little guy. Love others and be like Jesus. The is the movie that needs to be seen this season!

The kid actors weee darling. Judy Greer is a legend. The movie was so pretty to watch. All the feels.

I loved the book as a child and remembered the old made for tv movie. This was so elevated.

In a world of hallmark Christmas movie, this is the movie that relies on the true meaning of Christmas. The setting brought me right back to my childhood, from the phone cord to the plastic barrettes to the old Church ladies.

If you love Christmas, You will love it. Support a movie with a message.

Dallas Jenkins does it again. He tells a simple, human story in a way that evokes profound thought and a range of emotions.

Just like the Chosen series, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever presents characters that are familiar to us but challenges our assumptions and invites us to consider them in a different light.

As an adaptation of a children's novel, the characters are intentionally approachable. I can so easily see myself in each of the characters. I can see my story in many of the storylines. I don't need "character development" to place myself within the scene and reap the simple lesson that all are welcome at the manger, at the table, at the altar.

If a child is meant to understand it, then perhaps I can make myself like a child and learn the basics of love and compassion along with the citizens of Emmanuel.

I read this book as a kid and loved it but I think I love this version even more. There was just the right amount of interesting scenes to make this rather short story long enough. They did a great job. I loved the actors but especially the girl who played Imogene. She did a wonderful job and made me feel compassion for her and her family. I also enjoyed how they didn't leave us hanging wondering where the kids were today. We need to make more wholesome movies again. We laughed a lot!!! We need movies and for them to be successful again. Our society craves a good laugh without it being over the top nasty humor, We need light hearted movies again! We will buy this to add to our Christmas movie collection but enjoyed it on the big screen. It was fun seeing theaters busy again!

I saw this movie early and really liked it. You are in for a treat if you go see it too. It's a new take on presenting the nativity story. If you like "A Christmas Story", you should like this movie. It's full of heart. You get a nice dose of Merry Christmas magic to set you in the mood for the season. The production value is top notch. The soundtrack goes perfectly to set the tone. You'll laugh out loud throughout as the story unfolds. The cast is perfectly selected. You'll see some familiar faces such as Judy Greer and Lauren Graham. The actor who plays Judy's husband, Pete Holmes, did a great job as did all the other supporting cast from kids to adults. There are favorites from The Chosen too: Elizabeth Tabish, Vanessa Benavente, and Kirk B. R. Woller. Their roles aren't huge with such a large ensemble, but they do a lot with the time they were given. It really brings you back to what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. Don't forget to bring tissues.

An ordinary housewife (Judy Greer) is suddenly in charge on putting together a yearly Christmas Pageant, realizing it's no walk in the park, but decides to do it, cause others believe she can't. But things are about to get more complicated, when she brings aboard the worst kids in the neighborhood. Will this Pageant go well this year?

A terrific heartfelt comedy, it has an enjoyable wonder years like narration. Judy Greer plays the part of a women trying to put together a Christmas Pageant and trying to hold her sanity in tac very well. The kid actors are also great, never play it too overly silly, all hit their marks perfectly. In this holiday comedy for all to enjoy.