Honestly, most Christmas movies feel like they were manufactured in a factory designed to produce high-fructose corn syrup. You know the drill. A high-powered executive goes to a small town, falls in love with a guy who owns a flannel shirt, and everyone discovers "the spirit of the season" over a cup of cocoa that doesn’t have any steam coming off it. But then there’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever film, which basically takes that entire cozy trope and sets it on fire. Literally.
I'm talking about the 2024 adaptation directed by Dallas Jenkins. If you grew up in a certain era, you probably remember the Barbara Robinson book, or maybe that 1983 TV special with Loretta Swit. This new version isn’t just a nostalgia trip. It’s a loud, messy, and surprisingly gut-punching look at what happens when the "wrong" people show up at church.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Herdmans
The story revolves around the Herdmans. They are, quite simply, the worst kids in the history of the world. There are six of them: Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys. They smoke cigars, they shoplift, and they use the Lord’s name in vain—frequently. They are the kids your mother warned you about, the ones who probably started the fire at the local tool shed.
When they hear that a local church gives out free snacks, they show up. Naturally, they end up bullying their way into the lead roles of the annual Christmas pageant. Imogene Herdman as Mary? It’s a scandal. The town is horrified.
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But here’s the thing. Most people think this is just a slapstick comedy about "bad" kids ruining a "good" tradition. That’s a total misunderstanding of what’s actually happening. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever film works because it’s not about the kids learning to be "civilized." It’s about the "good" people in the pews realizing they’ve forgotten what the story of Christmas was actually about in the first place.
Why Dallas Jenkins Was the Right Choice
You might know Dallas Jenkins from The Chosen. He has a very specific way of taking biblical stories and making the characters feel like people you’d actually meet at a gas station. He does the same thing here.
The film stars Judy Greer as Grace Bradley, the mom who gets roped into directing the pageant after the usual director, Mrs. Armstrong, breaks both her legs. Greer is fantastic. She plays that specific kind of frazzled "I’m trying to be a good person but I’m about to lose my mind" energy perfectly. Pete Holmes plays her husband, Bob, providing a dry, grounded humor that balances out the chaos.
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The Casting Choices That Made the Movie
- Beatrice Schneider (Imogene Herdman): She manages to be terrifying and heartbreaking at the same time. When she looks at the baby Jesus doll and realizes Mary was basically a poor, homeless teenager just like her, you can feel the shift in the room.
- Molly Belle Wright (Beth Bradley): As the narrator/lead kid, she’s our eyes into this world. She starts out hating the Herdmans, but her journey toward empathy is the soul of the movie.
- Lauren Graham: She provides the narration as the adult Beth. It’s a bit of a A Christmas Story vibe, which some critics found a little heavy on the voiceover, but it adds a layer of warmth.
The 2024 Film vs. The 1983 Original
Look, the 1983 TV movie is a classic for a reason. It’s short, punchy, and faithful. But it’s also very dated. The 2024 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever film expands the world. It gives the Herdmans a bit more of a backstory—not enough to make them "saints," but enough to show you why they are the way they are. Their mother works double shifts at the shoe factory. Their father hopped a train years ago. They aren't just "mean"; they are survivalists.
One thing the new movie does differently is the ending. In the book and the 1983 version, the pageant is a beautiful mess. In the 2024 film, it feels a bit more "cinematic." Some purists might argue it’s a bit too polished at the end, but the emotional payoff is undeniably huge. When the Herdmans bring a literal ham as a gift for the baby Jesus—because why would you give a baby "myrrh" when he’s hungry?—it’s hard not to get a bit dusty-eyed.
The Box Office Surprise
Nobody expected this movie to do what it did. Produced on a modest budget of around $10 million, it opened to over $10 million in its first weekend. It eventually crossed the $40 million mark domestically. In the world of "faith-based" cinema, those are massive numbers.
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But it’s not just a "church movie." It’s a movie that actually acknowledges that life is hard and people are judgmental. It calls out the "church ladies" who care more about the velvet costumes than the kids wearing them. That’s probably why it resonated with secular audiences too. It feels honest.
Why You Should Care
If you missed The Best Christmas Pageant Ever film in theaters, you need to catch it on streaming or physical media. It’s one of those rare family films that doesn't talk down to kids. It’s funny in a way that’s actually funny, not "Disney Channel" funny.
Honestly, the world is full of movies that tell us everything is perfect if you just believe. This movie tells us that everything is a mess, people are difficult, and you’re probably going to fail—but there’s beauty in the mess.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Watch
- Watch the 1983 version first: It’s only about 50 minutes long. Seeing the contrast makes the 2024 film’s choices much more interesting.
- Read the book with your kids: It’s a quick read, maybe two nights of bedtime stories. It sets the stage perfectly for the movie's humor.
- Look for the "Easter Eggs": Dallas Jenkins loves a good callback. Keep an eye out for subtle nods to the original illustrations from the 1972 book.
- Check the credits: There’s some great behind-the-scenes stuff that shows how they managed to wrangle that many kids on set without anyone actually getting set on fire.
This isn't just a movie to put on in the background while you wrap presents. It’s a movie that asks you to look at the "outcasts" in your own life and maybe, just maybe, offer them a snack instead of a lecture. That’s the real takeaway from The Best Christmas Pageant Ever film. It’s messy. It’s loud. And it’s exactly what a holiday movie should be.
To get the most out of your viewing, try to find a version with the director's commentary; Jenkins goes into great detail about the "pro-inclusion" themes that caused some stir in more conservative circles.