If you have read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever you know this book is totally awesome. Now that book has been made into a movie based on the the wicked Herdman kiddos. But are the Herdmans as bad as they seem? Does the Christmas pageant go off without a hitch? All burning questions that will be answered through the duration of this totally adorable holiday movie! Time to get in the holiday spirit with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! 
SYNOPSIS
The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, they steal, they bully…and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (“The Chosen”) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring Lauren Graham. Screenplay by Ryan Swanson and Platte F. Clark & Darin McDaniel.
My Thoughts:
The Herdmans are known to be the wickedest kids around engaging in activities like lying, stealing, smoking, etc. They had no religious upbringing and their main mission was to keep to themselves and make sure others are being made fun of. On Christmas, Beth’s mother, Grace, (played by Judy Greer) takes over for the annual Christmas pageant, which is a huge event for the entire community.
As the casting is being done for the pageant, the Herdmans show up and because they are bullies, they just want to take everything away from those who actually want to act. Big sister, Imogene, is the ring leader and at the audition causes chaos. They insist they be cast- Imogene as Mary, one of her brothers as Joseph, devilish Gladys as the angel, and the younger brothers as the wise men. Grace is under a lot of pressure to make sure this pageant goes off without a hitch but she also finds out along the way the Herdmans were raised without parents and all they have is themselves. Grace decides to cast them and give them a shot.
I will leave it to your imaginable what happens but it is a feel good movie so while the casting in the beginning might have been chaotic and lots does happen, the ending is filled with love and important life lessons. The religious undertones are filmed with warmth, love, and putting yourself in others people shoes. Everything might not be as it seems and this definitely resonates in this movie. It is heartfelt, funny, self aware, and truly makes you feel good walking out of the movie. 4.5/5 stars for me!
Thanks LionsGate for sending this awesome package to get us ready for the holiday season!
If you are planning to go the movies this weekend, you do not want to miss the perfect family holiday movie, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!
*Thanks to Lionsgate for the promotional items and screening of this movie. All opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.*