A faith-based Christmas film directed by Dallas Jenkins has emerged as a box office success over the weekend, debuting at No. 3 nationwide and receiving acclaim from both fans and critics.
According to Crosswalk.com, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (PG) exceeded expectations by grossing $10.8 million and received an A CinemaScore from moviegoers, along with an impressive 98 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
This film achieved an 89 percent rating from mainstream critics, marking a rarity for any movie, particularly a faith-based one.
The film, produced by Lionsgate, is based on Barbara Robinson’s beloved 1972 book and narrates the story of the unruly Herdman siblings, who unexpectedly secure roles in a small-town church's Christmas play.
The plot centers around Grace Bradley, portrayed by Judy Greer, who is tasked with directing her church’s annual Christmas pageant. To her surprise, the notorious Herdman siblings—the “worst kids in the world”—arrive at the church, bringing both chaos and unexpected insights to the holiday tradition. The siblings insist on being cast in the play, with Imogene taking on the role of the Virgin Mary, one brother as Joseph, three others as wise men, and their youngest sister, Gladys, as the angel Gabriel.
The film culminates in the annual Christmas pageant, where the Herdman children's raw earnestness and unguarded vulnerability ultimately touch the hearts of the churchgoers, reminding them of the very people Christ came into the world to save.
Jenkins, best known as the creator and director of “The Chosen,” expressed gratitude to fans for their support of the film. “What an opening weekend for Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” he wrote on Facebook.
“My heart is full. Thank you for the wonderful comments I'm seeing all over social media. After almost 20 years of chasing this movie, it's surreal to see the box office results, positive critic reviews (NY Times???), and viewer impact. Let's keep it going so we have a chance of adding a film about the Jesus story to the Christmas classic list. Thank you, my friend,” he stated.
