The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)

​"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" stars Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, Molly Belle Wright, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez, Beatrice Schneider, and Lauren Graham.  Released on November 8, 2024, the film has a group of delinquent siblings joining a mother's local church pageant.

The film was directed by Dallas Jenkins, who also directed "What If…" and "The Resurrection of Gavin Stone".  He's also well-known for creating the Christian historical drama series, "The Chosen".  It is based on the 1972 children's novel by Barbara Robinson.  One of the best things about celebrating Christmas isn't the presents we receive or playing in the snow until we catch a cold.  It's about sharing hope and goodwill with those around us, including the ones who aren't nearly as merry.  Regarding what has been happening recently, we could all need some of that goodwill right about now.  So, why don't we grab some with another Christmas-themed movie that commemorates the true meaning of the holiday season: kids causing mayhem in a pageant?  Sounds like the snowy weather isn't the only thing Santa needs to watch out for this year.  This latest holiday drama from the Erwin Brothers shows what happens if you organize one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time…and have some of the most unruly and inconsiderate groups of kids star in it.  Does this combination deliver what the title suggests, or does it deserve a lump of coal this year?  Let's find out.

The story centers on the Bradley family, consisting of mother Grace (Greer), father Bob (Holmes), and their two children Beth (Wright) and Charlie (Billingsley-Rodriguez).  They reside in a small town that's preparing for the upcoming Christmas pageant in their church, with Grace volunteering to direct the pageant.  However, the only obstacle standing in their way is the Herdmans, a group of six unruly siblings led by Imogene (Schneider) who have been causing nothing but trouble for the community.  Things get even more challenging when Grace allows the Herdmans to star in the pageant, causing the town to get even more skeptical, especially the church parents.  However, the Herdmans' involvement gave them an unexpected opportunity to show everyone the true meaning of the pageant's timeless Christmas tale.  

I rarely talk about faith-based dramas when most of them were heavy-handed in their messages and schmaltzy in their melodramas.  I know they're everyone's cup of tea regarding escaping from the negativity of the outside world.  However, most of them seemed to have focused too much on appealing to that one crowd, and it wound up impressing almost no one.  But thanks to my experience with "Ordinary Angels", another drama produced by the Erwin Brothers, I realized that these films could be good if they only focus on the storytelling and heart and worry less about the preachiness.  That alone gave me some confidence to see if "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" could match the similar heights as "Ordinary Angels".  I also wanted to wait until I found the day to watch it with my mother because she's always into these types of movies, and I don't blame her.  Regardless of the quality, she loves films that deliver positive energy and welfare amid troubling times.

Long story short, my mother really enjoyed this movie, as I expected.  But the question I should be asking is, what do I think of this unruly tradition?  Well, let's say I'm certainly on the same page as her.  "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is far from the best regarding the catalog of holiday-themed family movies, but it had enough wholesomeness and holiday spirit in its narrative and direction to spread some Christmas cheer.  "Christmas Pageant" is a straightforward and nuanced tale of a mother striving to put on a church play that everyone will remember for years to come.  Of course, this is mainly due to the Herdmans participating in the play and spreading nothing but unruly chaos.  With this type of plot and its PG rating, most people would assume it would be another family-friendly comedy filled with wacky shenanigans and cheap jokes aimed at the youngest demographic.  You know, because kids love seeing characters their age smoke cigarettes.  However, that wasn't the case.

Instead of falling victim to targeting only the youngest demographic with its cheap quality, director Dallas Jenkins went for a more genuine and lighthearted approach to the topic.  As a result, "Christmas Pageant" felt more like a holiday experience made for families than just another throwaway children's flick.  Plus, it's got enough religious aspects to attract the church-going group as well.  As far as storytelling goes, the movie can be predictable with its screenplay, and some of its thematic material was underutilized, especially the Herdmans.  However, what held this pageant together was the amount of sweetness and humor it delivered for its tone and messages.  "Christmas Pageant" represents the true spirit of Christmas, which is sharing what matters most with everyone.  While the Herdmans were indeed bad seeds, most of the population, especially the church group, were pretty much worse for judging them based on their actions instead of welcoming them in the church community.  In a way, it's like a modern representation of the Nativity, focusing on the act of giving.

I only remember Dallas Jenkins from his involvement in "The Chosen", which has been quite popular with its target audience.  I haven't watched the show myself because I was concerned about not getting the appeal as much as everyone else, but I am happy they're enjoying it regardless.  With him helming "Christmas Pageant", I wondered whether his faithful vision would provide some merits in its cinematic quality.  After watching it, I was pretty impressed with what he delivered in his direction.  As mentioned earlier, Dallas Jenkins wanted to provide a more authentic approach to the family-friendly storyline instead of resorting to kid-centered humor.  The result is as heavenly as an angel.  While the pacing and tame moments may turn off younger kids, it had the proper mixture of heartfelt drama and genuine charm to delight its target audience, including me.  Plus, its narrative has a few nostalgic vibes that will remind those of a specific Christmas classic they grew up watching.  You'll know what I mean when you watch it yourself.

The cast, including Judy Greer as Grace Bradley, also did well in their roles.  Greer certainly had a vibe in her acting that was full of charm and heart, but she was also not afraid to express her character's internal concerns through her facial expressions.  She may look happy on the outside when she's attempting to keep the pageant together, but sometimes, it looks like she is close to ending it all, and I do not blame her.  Pete Holmes also had a few good moments regarding his performance as Bob despite me thinking he almost looks like Ed Helms.  I also thought Molly Belle Wright did pretty well as Beth, Grace's daughter who was just as concerned about the Herdmans as everyone else.  As for Beatrice Schneider as Imogene, the young actress certainly had the talent to showcase the character's tough personality with a seemingly soft spot.

Overall, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is a sincere and suitably spiritual piece of holiday entertainment that decks the halls with a pure soul and mindful warmth.  While its predictability and tame thematic elements might not make everyone embrace the Christmas spirit, its ability to blend wholesome messages with an entertaining and endearing story shines as bright as the star shining down on baby Jesus.  The cast was good in their roles, the plot was straightforward yet heartfelt, and Dallas Jenkins' direction was solid for blending comedy and faith-based drama together without resorting to cheap shortcuts.  Considering how poorly his previous movies had received in terms of the reviews, this is a well-deserved win for the "Chosen" creator regarding his filmography.  It's also another suitable win for the Erwin Brothers, who have been keeping their track record going with their decent lineup of faith-based content.  If you're in the mood for a feel-good Christmas movie filled with laughs and tears, this film is another decent option to choose this holiday season.

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