THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER is a 2024 film directed by Dallas Jenkins and based on the book by Barbara Robinson. It follows the town of Emmanuel’s 75th annual Christmas Pageant as the infamous Herdman family joins the celebrations. I saw this movie because I had a free Saturday morning and wanted to feel the Christmas vibes, but I didn’t expect much. This movie absolutely changed me, and I am not joking in the slightest when I say how much I loved it.Â
I need to share an anecdote about this film. The elementary school that I went to read this book every single year as a class. So, from kindergarten to 5th grade, I knew almost everything in this story. We read every book that followed the Herdmans: The Best Christmas Pageant, Best Halloween, Best School Year, etc. I saw a trailer a few months ago for this, and I smiled, remembering the number of times I’ve heard this story. It was NOT at the top of my list to see in 2024, but I can not express how glad I am. This movie exceeded my expectations of how much it connected to the images I had in my head when reading the book. This might be the most flawless casting ever. If you asked my 7-year-old self to describe the characters and their appearance, this would be that exact image. Everything was so incredibly perfect and made me so happy and nostalgic. I truly felt like I was back in 1st grade listening to the crazy adventures they got into. Â
First, I need to give a major shoutout to Beatrice Schneider, who plays Imogene Herdman, the pack’s leader. She gave one of the most touching and flawless performances I had ever seen from a child actor. She was the reason I walked out of the theater sobbing. I was not expecting her to give one of the year’s best performances, but I will remember her connection to the character for a while. She made my heart break with just a slight glimmer in her eyes. All the Herdmans did a wonderful job of keeping the blend of being an absolute menace to these lonely children looking for a home and keeping their family together. Judy Greer also gives a lovely performance as Grace and tries to keep faith in herself, her family, and the pageant.Â
I think this is such a fantastic reminder to share kindness with all. Everyone is going through their challenges, and that is something we often forget nowadays. The people at the church were such an obvious representation of this, shunning the people the church was supposed to help. Even though our lives may not be the same, we all have someone who is, in a way, our Herdmans. Someone we only see on a surface-level view, not the deeper issues they are struggling with. This was a beautiful reminder and message at the start of this Holiday season.
The story is sweet and heartwarming, with moments of laughter and tears. I instantly put this film on my Christmas movie list for years to come. It has such a special place in my heart, and I am so grateful it exceeded the expectations I had in my head. I thought it would be a watch whenever, but it deserves a watch now. I had difficulty deciding whether I should see this or RED ONE as my first holiday movie of the year. Well, I am eternally grateful I made this decision.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER is still in theaters (as of 11/18), and I highly recommend you see it this holiday season.
