The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)

The Herdman kids hear the Christmas story for the first time, and their big note is that King Herod gets off way too easy. That’s the best joke in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and the movie wisely builds everything around it. It’s 1972, and the six Herdmans are the terror of town until they wander into Sunday school for the snacks and grab every big role in the pageant. Judy Greer’s Grace, suddenly running the show, gives them a chance while half the church grumbles. Beatrice Schneider is terrific as Imogene, a tough kid who claims Mary and then actually hits the library to research her. The framing story, with Lauren Graham as a grown-up Beth, lays the sugar on thick, and you can see every beat coming. It holds a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and made $40 million domestically on a reported $10M. A 7.1 because it earns its warm ending with real heart. $769.05 says you get roped into a school or church pageant this December and secretly root for the troublemakers.

What works: The Herdman kids are funny and surprisingly touching, and Beatrice Schneider gives Imogene real depth under the attitude.

What doesn’t: The grown-up narration and present-day framing get syrupy, and the story hits every beat you expect right on schedule.

Who it’s for: Families looking for a gentle holiday movie, and anyone who grew up doing the church or school Christmas show.