October has come to an end, which means movies are transitioning from the Spooky Season to the Christmas Season! I know there’s Thanksgiving in between, but there aren’t many Thanksgiving-themed movies. Sure, there’s Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but can you name another? Okay, back to the point. Christmas movies will begin to appear in theaters, starting this weekend with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Yes, the beloved Christmas novel about the Herdmans has now been adapted into a major motion picture. The book was one of my favorites growing up; I was curious to see how the film would compare. The movie was charming, fun, and it felt much like I remembered the book.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever tells the story of a local Nativity pageant held annually by a church in the town of Emanuel. This pageant has been conducted in the same manner for the last 74 years. With the 75th anniversary approaching, everything has to go just right. Enter Grace, a member of the church congregation, who is roped into “volunteering” to run the pageant. Although everything seems to be going smoothly at first, the Herdmans, the town’s notorious troublemakers, show up at church. These kids have no adult supervision, display rotten attitudes, steal, and are generally bullies. They keep coming back to church, presumably hoping for snacks.
When it comes time to assign roles for the pageant, the Herdmans shock everyone by volunteering for all the main parts. Now, Grace must make the best of a pageant starring these neighborhood terrors while facing the judgmental eyes of the other moms in the church. She is faced with a dilemma: either kick the kids out of the pageant or allow them to stay, and she must decide what the right course of action is.
Overall, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever has a lot of heart. The children in various roles do an excellent job, as do the adults. The film stars Pete Holmes and Judy Greer as Bob and Grace, and their chemistry as an onscreen couple is genuine. The background characters lack depth; they serve primarily to illustrate the message of loving your neighbor and not judging others. However, the heart of the story lies with the Herdman family and Grace’s daughter, Beth, portrayed by Molly Belle Wright. Don’t expect Oscar-worthy performances—this isn’t that kind of movie—but the cast overall is strong.
Speaking of expectations, it’s important to understand what this movie is before watching it. In my mind, there is secular Christmas (Santa Claus, elves, Frosty, etc.) and religious Christmas (the birth of Jesus Christ). Christmas movies typically fall into these two categories. I enjoy many secular movies like Home Alone, Elf, The Santa Clause, and even The Muppets’ Christmas Carol. But sometimes, I find myself wanting a break from all the candy canes and festive cheer. Being a religious person, I also appreciate the religious films. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a major, high-quality religious Christmas movie, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever delivers just that. It’s essential to recognize this distinction. It’s not about Santa or magic; it’s focused on Jesus Christ and a group of people attempting to follow Him. Director Dallas Jenkins doesn’t shy away from the religious aspects of the story, which is not surprising given that he is best known as the creator of the television series The Chosen, centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Don’t get me wrong; the film is a lot of fun. It captures a similar feel to A Christmas Story. It’s nostalgic and sincere, with plenty of humorous moments—my 8-year-old laughed out loud a few times. There are poignant scenes as well. The movie is comfortable; there are no surprising twists to the storyline. It unfolds exactly as you would expect, but that’s okay. I don’t go into a Christmas movie seeking surprises; I want it to evoke the familiar feelings of the season. This movie achieves that, and during this time of year, particularly as it gets colder, a comfy and cozy film is just what I need.
Most importantly, the movie stays true to the original story. It felt like reading the book again. There’s no attempt to modernize it or introduce any unexpected twists. It adheres closely to the source material, which is crucial for a beloved story like this. Mission accomplished.
This was a fantastic start to the Christmas movie season for me. I enjoyed it immensely and neither I nor my 8-year-old felt bored. After the film, I asked him for his thoughts, and he said it was amazing. He appreciated the character development and the overall message. This is definitely a film suitable for the whole family, and it could serve as a great conversation starter about kindness and compassion. There’s nothing overly offensive in it. There is a brief scene with underage smoking, but it serves to emphasize how “bad” the kids are, illustrating a point.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a sincere, genuine film produced with love for the original story. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever opens this Friday, November 8, in theaters everywhere and is rated PG.
Summary
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a charming adaptation of the beloved children’s book, now brought to the big screen just in time for the holiday season. The story revolves around a local church’s annual Nativity pageant in the town of Emanuel, which has been held in the same way for 74 years. As the 75th anniversary approaches, Grace, a church member, is reluctantly roped into organizing the pageant, but things take a turn when the unruly Herdman kids start attending the church seeking snacks. To everyone’s surprise, the Herdmans volunteer for the main roles in the pageant, forcing Grace to manage the chaotic situation while navigating the judgmental eyes of other church members. The film effectively captures the spirit of the original book, staying true to its themes without modernizing or introducing unexpected twists. It features solid performances from the cast, particularly from Judy Greer and Pete Holme, and conveys heartfelt messages about kindness and acceptance. Ultimately, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever serves as a cozy, family-friendly film that embraces the true essence of Christmas, making it a delightful choice for viewers looking to enjoy a meaningful and nostalgic holiday experience.
