A Not-So-Holy Christmas Takeover

What happens when the “worst kids in the world” end up at the heart of the town’s Christmas pageant? The Best Christmas Pageant Ever tells the story of the Herdmans, six kids with a reputation for causing trouble. Their unplanned involvement in the Nativity play brings chaos—and unexpected lessons—about the true meaning of Christmas. In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis:

The Herdman kids are absolutely the worst. They lie, they steal, they bully…and they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (“The Chosen”) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are less than amused. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring Lauren Graham. Screenplay by Ryan Swanson and Platte F. Clark & Darin McDaniel.

My Synopsis:

The Herdman children are troublemaker juvenile delinquents who end up in the town’s Christmas pageant, which is essentially a Christmas story. With their rough personalities and unusual ideas, the “worst children in the history of the world” bring unexpected twists to the traditional Nativity story. Despite their misbehavior, they ultimately change the town in unexpected ways, teaching the community about acceptance, looking past the behavior, and the real meaning of Christmas.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Christian Movie Review – What Parents Want to Know

Language:

• It is stated that the Herdmans “took the Lord’s name in vain and cussed.”
• Language includes “my g-d” used several times and one use of “h-ll.”
• Mean-spirited words include “stupid,” “dumbbell,” and phrases like “you have cooties.”

Violence:

• The Herdmans are shown engaging in physical fights and bullying.
• They set a shed on fire, use a book to hit someone on the head, and one of the children makes a cut-throat gesture to threaten another person.
• The Herdmans make violent statements like wanting to “burn Herod alive” and inventing new ways to torture people.

Spiritual Content:

This film centers on a Nativity play and features Biblical characters such as Mary, Joseph, the Angel of the Lord, shepherds, and wise men.

• One character prays, saying, “God, this is a selfish prayer.”
• Another character tells the Herdmans, “You’d melt if you ever showed up at church.”
• Imogene, one of the Herdmans, learns that “Emmanuel” means “God with us” as she tries to understand her role of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
• A memorable line in the movie says, “Jesus was born for the Herdmans as much as us.”
• Traditional Christmas hymns such as What Child is This, We Three Kings, and Silent Night are featured.

Adult Content:

• The Herdman kids smoke cigars.
• Comments are made about pregnancy, and one character remarks that Imogene “came out of the womb mean.”
• Townspeople make disparaging comments about the Herdmans, including talking about Imogene as Mary – “Mother Mary puffing on a cigar.”

Other Content:

• There is plenty of lying, stealing, and judgmental attitudes among the characters.
• Imogene is seen stealing money from the church collection basket. She also threatens other kids quite frequently.
• At one point, someone describes the Herdmans as “looking like refugees.”

Positive Content:

• The film provides strong themes of forgiveness, understanding, and the power of community.
• The story highlights the importance of looking beyond appearances and embracing others with grace and patience.
• Characters learn about kindness and understanding through unlikely interactions with the Herdmans.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Teachable Moments

This post does contain affiliate links which means I earn a small percentage from each sale generated.

• Read the book before seeing the film. Affiliate Link: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Compare the book with the film. How similar are they?
• Consider how to show love. Is there a family or child you know who might be similar to the Herdmans? How can you show the love of Christ to them?
• Find a local church pageant – Look for a Church production in your town to attend or to take part in.
• Discuss the Nativity’s deeper meaning. Talk about why it’s significant that “Jesus was born for the Herdmans as much as us.”

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Christian Movie Review – My Viewing Recommendations

Rarely does a movie come along that is laugh-out-loud funny with a serious and compelling message. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is about showing Christ’s love to others and being cautious before judging others. This movie is a good choice for families looking to discuss forgiveness and the true meaning of Christmas with children ages 6-7 and up.

Make sure to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever this holiday season.

About the Movie – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

• Rating: PG for thematic material and brief underage smoking.
• Release Date: November 8, 2024
• Runtime: 1 hour, 39 minutes
• Genre: Comedy
• Studio: Kingdom Story Company, Lumenas Studios, Media Capital Technologies, Fletchet Entertainment

Directed by: Dallas Jenkins
Written by: Ryan Swanson, Platte Clark, Darin McDaniel. Based on the book, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Produced by: Kevin Downes, Jon Erwin, Andrew Erwin, Darin McDaniel, Chet Thomas, Daryl Lefever
Edited by: John Quinn
Music by: Matthew S. Nelson, Dan Haseltine
Distributed by: Lionsgate

The Cast of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

• Judy Greer as Grace Bradley
• Molly Belle Wright as Beth Bradley
• Pete Holmes as Bob Bradley
• Lauren Graham (from Gilmore Girls) as Narrator
• Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez as Charlie Bradley
• Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman
• Mason D. Nelligan as Ralph Herdman
• Matthew Lamb as Cladue Herdman
• Ewan Wood as Leroy Herdman
• Essek Moore as Ollie Herdman
• Kynlee Heiman as Gladys Herdman
• Nolan Grantham as Elmer Hopkins
• Kirk B.R. Woller as Reverend Hopkins
• Vanessa Benavente as First-grade teacher
• Lorelei Olivia Mote as Alice Wendelken
• Danielle Hoetmer as Mrs. Wendelken

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever?

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever releases in theaters on November 8th, 2024.

Where was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever filmed?

The film was filmed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Other Christmas Movies:

Journey to Bethlehem

The Star

Elf