This holiday season, a heartwarming new movie, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, arrives with the potential to become a new Christmas classic for families. This nostalgic film, based on the beloved book, is the first faith-based Christmas movie in years to get a theatrical release. With an aim to bring viewers back to simpler times, it challenges audiences to pause and savor the true meaning of Christmas: kindness, compassion, and togetherness.
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The story, crafted by Dallas Jenkins, the visionary behind the global phenomenon The Chosen, carries a similar message of love and inclusivity. Unlike The Chosen, which depicts life in biblical times, this film takes place in small-town America in an era reminiscent of the 1970s, adding a nostalgic charm. Jenkins uses the story to remind us that everyone deserves a place at the table – even the town’s “troublemakers.”
At the heart of this story is the Bradley family. Grace Bradley (Judy Greer) and her supportive husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are just a simple family trying to keep peace and manage the annual church Christmas pageant. But things take a turn when the Herdman kids, the town’s unruly troublemakers, insist on joining the pageant and learning about the Christmas story. The Herdmans, a rough-and-tumble group with a knack for mischief, are reminiscent of iconic holiday troublemakers, bringing an added layer of chaos and humor to the film.
Narrating the film is Lauren Graham as the voice of older Beth, the Bradley daughter, who takes us back to her childhood memories. Graham’s warm, familiar tone draws audiences in, creating a story that feels as timeless as classics like A Christmas Story. Through her narration, we experience the holiday message of welcoming outsiders and extending grace to everyone, even the difficult ones.
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As the Herdmans take part in the Christmas pageant, their lives begin to change. In learning about the nativity story, they discover there’s more to Christmas than causing trouble. The Bradleys, in turn, teach their town the true meaning of Christmas—reminding us that holiday joy can come from unexpected places.
With its small-town 1970s setting and universal message of kindness, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever brings a refreshing change to holiday movies, offering a family-friendly experience that stands apart from recent fantasy-driven or adult holiday comedies. Jenkins’ success with The Chosen has paved the way for this project to reach the big screen, giving audiences a movie that resonates with values of faith, family, and love.
In theaters now, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is an inspiring choice for families looking to celebrate the holidays with a film that encourages reflection on what Christmas is truly about. So gather loved ones, even the challenging ones, and let this heartfelt film remind everyone of the magic of the holiday season.
Watch it now in theaters.
