The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (film)
| The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Dallas Jenkins |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | C. Kim Miles |
| Edited by | John Quinn |
| Music by |
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Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Lionsgate |
Release dates |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $10 million[1] |
| Box office | $2.8 million[2] |
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a 2024 American Christmas comedy-drama film directed by Dallas Jenkins, based on the 1972 novel by Barbara Robinson. Starring Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, Molly Belle Wright, and Lauren Graham, the plot centers around the Herdmans, a group of juvenile delinquent siblings who have inadvertently found themselves starring in their small town's Christmas pageant.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever premiered at the Los Angeles on November 2, 2024, and was released theatrically by Lionsgate on November 8, 2024. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
Premise
[edit]The Herdmans are six siblings who have a reputation for being the worst kids in the world. However, when they take over the local church pageant during the holidays, they just might teach a shocked community the true meaning of Christmas.[3]
Cast
[edit]- Judy Greer as Grace Bradley
- Pete Holmes as Bob Bradley
- Molly Belle Wright as Beth Bradley
- Lauren Graham as Adult Beth
- Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez as Charlie Bradley
- Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman
- Mason D. Nelligan as Ralph Herdman
- Matthew Lamb as Claude Herdman
- Ewan Wood as Leroy Herdman
- Essek Moore as Ollie Herdman
- Kynlee Heiman as Gladys Herdman
- Nolan Grantham as Elmer Hopkins
- Kirk B.R. Woller as Reverend Hopkins
- Vanessa Benavente as First-grade teacher
- Lorelei Olivia Mote as Alice Wendelken
- Danielle Hoetmer as Mrs. Wendelken
Production
[edit]In November 2023, it was reported that an adaptation of the 1972 children's novel was in the works at Lionsgate, with Dallas Jenkins directing the film.[3] Principal photography began on December 6, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada[3] and wrapped on January 27, 2024.[4][5]
Release
[edit]The Best Christmas Pageant Ever premiered in Los Angeles on November 2, 2024, and was released in the United States on November 8, 2024.[6] It was previously scheduled for November 15, 2024 before moving forward a week earlier to avoid competition with another Christmas film, Red One.[7]
Reception
[edit]Box office
[edit]In the United States and Canada, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was released alongside Heretic, Elevation, Weekend in Taipei, and the wide expansion of Anora, and is projected to gross $6–8 million from 3,000 theaters in its opening weekend, with some projections going as high as $10 million.[8] The film made $2.3 million and $500,000 from Sunday and Thursday night previews, for a total preview gross of $2.8 million.[1]
Critical response
[edit]On Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 34 reviews are considered positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Based on the beloved book and rooted in the true meaning of Christmas, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever warms your heart like a cup of hot cocoa without forgetting to sprinkle the laughs – the perfect brew for a new family holiday classic."[9] As per Metacritic, the film has received "mixed or average reviews", with a weighted average score of 59/100 based on 10 critics' ratings.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "'Venom: The Last Dance' Leading Veterans Day Weekend With $14M, 'Heretic' $11M+, 'Christmas Pageant' $9M+ – Friday Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 8, 2024). "'Heretic' Stirs Up $1.2M In Previews, 'Venom 3' Crossing $100M Today – Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 10, 2023). "Lionsgate & Kingdom Story Company Team With 'The Chosen' Creator Dallas Jenkins For 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever', 2024 Theatrical Release Planned". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ "What's Filming". ACTRA Manitoba. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Boyle, Gavin (December 19, 2023). "Dallas Jenkins' THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Begins Production". Movieguide | The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 9, 2024). "'The Crow' Flies To August, Halle Berry Pic 'Never Let Go' Sets Fall, 'Saw XI' To Slice 2025, 'Best Christmas Pageant Ever' Earlier – Lionsgate Release Date Changes". Deadline. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 20, 2023). "Dwayne Johnson & Chris Evans Seven Bucks Amazon MGM Movie 'Red One' To Jingle In Theaters Next Year". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ "Hugh Grant's 'Heretic' Could Scare Off 'Venom 3' This Weekend; Curtains Lift On 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' – Box Office Preview". Deadline Hollywood. November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
