Look. Holiday movies usually fall into two categories: the saccharine-sweet Hallmark variety where a baker falls for a prince, or the "family is everything" tear-jerkers. Then there’s the 2017 sequel to the breakout hit Bad Moms. If you are looking to watch A Bad Moms Christmas, you aren't looking for a lesson in morality or a cozy fireplace chat. You’re likely looking for Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn to validate the fact that December is basically a high-stress endurance test for parents everywhere.
It’s messy.
The movie arrived just a year after the original, fast-tracked by STX Entertainment because the first one made a staggering $183 million on a modest budget. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the writing-directing duo behind The Hangover, decided to double down on the chaos by bringing in the "Grand-moms." This wasn't just a sequel; it was a generational war wrapped in tinsel and cheap tequila.
How to Stream and Watch A Bad Moms Christmas Right Now
Finding where to stream this specific title can be a moving target because licensing agreements for STX films are notoriously finicky. Currently, the most reliable way to watch A Bad Moms Christmas is through Netflix or Hulu, depending on your region's specific monthly turnover. In the US, it has frequently lived on Netflix, but it often bounces to platforms like TBS or TNT's digital apps because they hold cable broadcast rights.
If it’s not on your subscription dashboard, you're looking at the standard rental gauntlet. Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu usually have it for around $3.99. Interestingly, the film has seen a massive resurgence on "FAST" channels—Free Ad-supported Streaming TV. If you don't mind a few commercials for laundry detergent, check the Roku Channel or Tubi. Sometimes free is better than a subscription.
Honestly, the physical media market for this film is weirdly robust. People still buy the Blu-ray. Maybe it’s because it’s the kind of movie you want to own so you can put it on every Christmas Eve while you’re frantically assembling a plastic kitchen set at 2:00 AM.
The Casting Genius: Sarandon, Baranski, and Hines
The movie works—or doesn't, depending on your tolerance for raunch—because of the mothers of the moms.
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Amy (Mila Kunis) is dealing with Ruth, played by the legendary Christine Baranski. Baranski is doing a version of her The Good Wife character if she were possessed by the spirit of a high-end interior designer with a personality disorder. She wants a "perfect" Christmas, which involves a massive party and a literal camel. Then you have Kiki (Kristen Bell) and her mother Sandy, played by Cheryl Hines. This is the "smothering" arc. Sandy wears a sweatshirt with her daughter’s face on it. It’s creepy. It’s hilarious. It’s too real for some people.
And then there’s Carla. Kathryn Hahn is the MVP of this franchise. Her mother is Isis, played by Susan Sarandon. Sarandon shows up in a cowboy hat, driving a semi-truck, asking for money.
The chemistry here isn't polished. It’s loud. When you sit down to watch A Bad Moms Christmas, you’re really watching a masterclass in comedic timing from six women who clearly had a blast on set. It’s rare to see a studio comedy led by an all-female ensemble that actually allows them to be as gross, vulgar, and emotionally stunted as the guys in Old School or Step Brothers.
Why Critical Reception Didn't Matter
Critics weren't kind. The film holds a 32% on Rotten Tomatoes. They called it "lazy" and "rehashy."
But audiences? They gave it a "B" CinemaScore.
There is a massive disconnect between what a film critic wants out of cinema and what a tired mom wants to watch on a Tuesday night in December. The "Bad Moms" brand isn't about high art; it's about the "take back Christmas" manifesto. The plot is thin. Amy gets fed up with her mother’s demands and decides they are doing a "moms' Christmas" instead of a "grandkids' Christmas." This leads to a montage in a mall involving a lot of stolen food and public intoxication.
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Is it high-brow? No. Is it relatable when you've spent four hours in a Target line? Absolutely.
Behind the Scenes: The Rapid-Fire Production
One reason the movie feels so frantic is that it was made incredibly fast. Most sequels take two to three years. This one was announced in December 2016 and hit theaters in November 2017. That is a breakneck pace for a major studio release.
Filming primarily took place in Atlanta, Georgia, during the spring. If you look closely at the outdoor scenes, you can tell the "snow" is largely foam and digital effects, and the actors are likely sweating under those heavy parkas.
Key Production Facts:
- Budget: $28 million.
- Box Office: $130 million worldwide.
- Filming Location: Atlanta, GA (doubling for Chicago).
- Director Style: Lucas and Moore prefer improv, meaning many of the best lines from Hahn were unscripted riffs.
The Cultural Impact of the "Bad Mom" Identity
Since the release of these films, "Bad Mom" has become a literal subculture. You see the merch everywhere: wine tumblers, t-shirts, Facebook groups. It tapped into a vein of parental burnout that hadn't been commodified in quite that way before.
Before you watch A Bad Moms Christmas, it helps to understand that the movie was a precursor to the "gentle parenting" vs. "survival parenting" debate that dominates TikTok today. It’s a loud, foul-mouthed rejection of the Pinterest-perfect lifestyle.
There’s a specific scene where they go to a trampoline park. It’s chaotic. It’s dangerous. It’s exactly what every parent thinks about doing when they are stuck at a 5-year-old's birthday party for three hours.
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Technical Limitations and Where the Movie Fails
We have to be honest: the movie has flaws. The subplot with Justin Hartley as a male stripper (Ty) is funny, sure, but it feels like it belongs in a different movie. The pacing in the second act drags significantly when the "moms" and "grand-moms" have their inevitable big blowout fight.
Also, the resolution is a bit too tidy. After 90 minutes of psychological warfare and property damage, everyone kind of hugs it out because "it’s Christmas." It’s a bit of a cop-out. Real-life versions of these mother-daughter dynamics usually require years of therapy, not a shared glass of eggnog and a heartfelt apology in a church.
But people don't watch A Bad Moms Christmas for gritty realism. They watch it for the scene where Christine Baranski tries to micromanage the lighting of a suburban house like she’s directing a Broadway show.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Viewing Party
If you're planning to watch this, don't just stream it solo. This is a communal experience.
- Check the Version: There is an "Unrated" version available on some platforms. If you want the full experience (and more of Kathryn Hahn’s improvised cursing), look for that one.
- Double Feature: Watch the 2016 original first. The sequel relies heavily on your existing love for the trio’s friendship.
- The "Grand-Mom" Context: If you’re watching with your own mother, be prepared for some awkward silences during the Baranski scenes. Or, use it as a low-stakes way to bring up boundaries.
- Platform Hopping: Use a site like JustWatch or Reelgood before paying for a rental. These STX films move between Prime, Paramount+, and Hulu every few months.
Essentially, A Bad Moms Christmas is the cinematic equivalent of a loud, boozy holiday party. It’s not elegant, it’s probably too loud, and you might regret some of it the next morning, but it’s a hell of a lot more fun than sitting in silence. Grab the "bad" snacks, ignore the laundry pile, and let the suburban chaos wash over you. It’s the only way to survive the season.