The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Arrives Just in Time for the Holiday Season
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever movie brings the beloved holiday book by Barbara Robinson to the screen with humor and heart. Here’s a spoiler-free review of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever released by Lionsgate and directed by Dallas Jenkins.
The studio provided a screener however, all thoughts and opinions my own.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a charming holiday movie that brings Barbara Robinson’s classic novel to life, a story that many 80s and 90s kids fondly remember. Narrated by young Beth (played by Molly Beth Wright), the film recounts the year that the town’s Christmas pageant was taken over by the infamous Herdman family—a group of unruly, parentless children known for causing chaos. They steal, fight, and set fires, and while they live in a rundown home, their tough sister Imogene (Beatrice Schneider) keeps them in line as best she can. Imogene acts as both cook and enforcer to her siblings while managing to bully them as much as she takes care of them.
Drawn by the promise of free snacks, the Herdmans end up in the church Christmas play, much to everyone’s shock. They claim all the major roles, turning the traditional Nativity story on its head. Beth’s mother, Grace (played by Judy Greer), steps in as the director and chooses to give the Herdmans a chance, much to the disapproval of the other church moms, who aren’t quite living up to the “churchlike” spirit they preach.
Judy Greer’s portrayal of Grace is warm, showing her as a mom with a big heart who’s determined to help children who seem to need a stable, positive adult in their lives. The kids in the cast deliver fantastic performances, mixing humor, and sincerity, making the Herdmans’ wild antics surprisingly endearing. The Christian theme is a bit heavy-handed at times, and some scenes feel preachy, but the overall warmth and charm of the film help balance it out.
Despite its sometimes overt Christian messaging, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever feels like a nostalgic classic in the making. It has a humorous yet heartfelt take on the holiday spirit, and it’s a great choice for families looking to enjoy a movie that celebrates the joy of the season and the power of kindness and inclusivity.
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