The Best Christmas Pageant Ever * A Powerful Reminder Of The Importance Of Community And Togetherness
Friday, October 24th, 2025
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. 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 is directing the performance for the very first time, but she and her daughter Beth and husband Bob 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.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Adele B. comments, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is an energetic and fun family movie. The emotional depth of the characters and the heart-warming themes are what truly drew me in and kept my attention.” Isabella V., adds, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever manages to perfectly mix comedic and heartwarming moments. It is an incredible watch – it’s unique compared to other Christmas movies and the cast’s performance is outstanding.” Josephine K. wraps it up with, “The film’s message is that love, family and acceptance are the true meanings of Christmas. This film is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and togetherness.” See their full reviews below.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Adele B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is an energetic and fun family movie. The emotional depth of the characters and the heart-warming themes are what truly drew me in and kept my attention.
The story starts with Beth (Lauren Graham) reminiscing about her home town’s most famous event – The Christmas Pageant. In a flashback a younger Beth (Molly Belle Wright) thinks the pageant is boring and needs changing. She just may get her wish when Mrs. Armstrong (Mariam Berstein), long time pageant director, breaks both of her legs and her mom, Grace (Judy Greer), steps in to direct. Then, the Herdman family’s six kids, considered renegades, decide to join the pageant. Will the town realize that maybe the Herdman’s aren’t so bad and put on the best pageant ever?
The movie has tremendous emotional depth. The cast really connects with each other in a very realistic and fun way. Their effortless chemistry with each other leads to both comedic and touching scenes. I love when Imogene (Beatrice Schneider) plays Mary in the pageant and she cries on cue while she is holding a baby Jesus doll. Her believability made me teary eyed. Another favorite scene is when Gladys (Kynlee Heiman) plays the Angel of the Lord, and she excitedly and loudly tells the shepherds to find baby Jesus. It is a great comedic release. The Herdman kids’ realistic struggles from neglect and bad behavior modeling really comes through, as we see them act out so much. It is so heartwarming when Beth‘s dad, Bob (Pete Holmes), brings them a whole ham for Christmas as a positive gesture. The costumes are also noteworthy and match each character quite well. One of my favorite outfits is Gladys’s detailed angel costume. I also like Beth’s blue turtleneck sweater and Imogene’s unique style, like her jean jacket.
Kindness and inclusivity themes are woven throughout the movie. We are reminded that everyone deserves a chance for love and to not judge a book by its cover or people by how they look. Find what’s truly inside them.
I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18 plus adults. It releases on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 28, 2025.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Isabella V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever manages to perfectly mix comedic and heartwarming moments. It is an incredible watch – it’s unique compared to other Christmas movies and the cast’s performance is outstanding. The production is executed perfectly, making it an ideal movie to watch during the holiday season.
The story is narrated by an older version of the protagonist, Beth (Molly Belle Wright, Lauren Graham) and follows her mom (Judy Greer) trying to take over the town’s national Christmas pageant when the usual director gets injured. However, there’s trouble when the worst group of kids in town, the Herdmans, take over the pageant and her mom must deal with the consequences.
The story is told incredibly well, with a mix of narration and live events. I became invested easily, and feel that the narration allows for added context to scenes that need it. It’s a very unique Christmas movie in that, rather than focusing on the protagonist, it tells the story from the perspective of others. This makes for great plot development, as the audience doesn’t automatically know everything about these characters, just how Beth sees them. The movie offers a range of tones, from extremely funny to extremely sad or heartwarming. The humor is amazing; I found myself laughing aloud multiple times. There’s many well-placed gags, partially thanks to the narration. However, the movie is also heartbreaking at times, and I found myself tearing up during the last couple minutes. These features are both heavily helped by the great performances from the cast, with the standout being Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman. Her acting is outstanding and really allowed me to feel bad for Imogene, who I disliked in the beginning. She shows a huge range, both comedically and dramatically. My favorite part is its message and how the characters develop. Discovering why the Herdman kids behave the way they do, over the course of the film, is heartbreaking and watching them overcome it when no one else believed in them is so satisfying.
The film’s message is to not judge people who you don’t know, because you never know what may be going on with them or how they might change. Be forewarned that there is mild violence between the children.
I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 18. It releases on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 28, 2025.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Josephine K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
Matthew Lamb as Claude Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser
This movie is superb! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is heartfelt and thoughtful. The characters are well defined and develop nicely throughout the film. Also, the time period is fascinating and delightfully simple.
The story begins with a girl named Beth (Molle Belle Wright) and a rowdy clan of trouble-makers, known as the Herdmans. Beth’s mother (Judy Greer) is hosting their town’s monotonously traditional Christmas pageant and the Herdman’s have decided to make a troublesome appearance and take center stage. So it’s up to Beth, her mother, and the ever problematic Herdmans to prove to everyone, and to themselves, that they really can make this year’s pageant the Best Christmas Pageant Ever!
This film is delightful. It is an emotional masterpiece. The Herdmans are a difficult bunch, but as their experiences are revealed, it’s easier to empathize with them. The characters’ backgrounds are intricately developed and fascinating – each has their own riveting backstory.
Essek Moore as Ollie Herdman, Kynlee Heiman as Gladys Herdman, Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman and Matthew Lamb as Claude Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser
This film takes place in the early 70s and portrays the innocence of that time period. The little details that show the time period such as the corded wall phone and the various hair styles are delightful. My favorite character is Imogene Herdman (Beatrice Schneider) because, though she presents like she is tough, she is actually kind and fiercely protective of her siblings. My favorite part is when Imogene returns something to Beth because it shows her growth throughout the film.
The film’s message is that love, family and acceptance are the true meanings of Christmas. This film is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and togetherness.
I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases on Blu-ray™ and DVD on October 28, 2025.
Grow is a tale of pumpkins, sabotage, and unlikely family bonds. A no-nonsense farmer living in the self-proclaimed ‘Pumpkin Capital of the World’ takes in her estranged niece Charlie. Charlie decides to enter the local pumpkin growing competition where she and the other pumpkin growers face fierce competition, sabotage and a genetically engineered rival. As she nurtures her pumpkin ‘Peter’ and watches him grow, so does her bond with the townsfolk, farm and her new way of life.
“It’s better to do the right thing than the easy thing.” Grow is a heartwarming story about a little girl’s dream to win a pumpkin-growing contest. With awesome tales of love, laughter, and the power of persistence, Grow encases Halloween magic with some sweet family elements to make it a blast for all ages.
While Halloween is often celebrated with a bunch of horror films and stories, Grow is a story about family connection and a sweet Halloween film for all ages. Grow is filled to the brim with great actors, like SAG-nominated Golda Roshuevul (Bridgerton), Nick Frost, who will play Rubeus Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, and Jeremy Swift (Higgins in Ted Lasso). It also includes new faces, like up-and-comer Priya-Rose Brookwell, who I predict we will see a lot more of after her first starring role here. As Charlie, she is a perfect example of persistence. She really thinks she will win, even in the face of countless unknowns.
The humor in this film is outstanding, with hilarious moments and awesome nods to other movies, like when a gruesomely stabbed pumpkin ends up in the owner’s bed in a nod to The Godfather. The set and costume designers have created bright, fun costumes and larger-than-life pumpkins that add vibrancy to the neutral background of the town and farm. Hats off to Director John McPhail for a non-scary Halloween movie that families can enjoy.
This film is phenomenal. It is wonderful in every aspect, from the setting to the writing and the acting. I love the setting because it made me feel as if I was really there. It is filmed in Scotland. The actors are phenomenal – my favorite character is Dianah Little because of how much patience she has no matter what happens. The background music enhances the film extremely well. It made me feel things I would not have felt otherwise. Going into the film I had very high expectations for it and it fulfilled all that I thought it would be.
The film is also directed very well, particularly by how relationships are shown between Charlie and Dianah Little. When they are separated, they do not feel whole. They have a very deep connection to each other. Polly’s and Dianah’s relationship is also worth noticing. They both are from the Little family, but Polly is popular and Dianah knows how to work hard. Many siblings will relate to this as we see one of them in the spotlight while the other works behind the scenes, without being noticed. We also see Charlie break a promise to her friends, family, and herself. She knows what she must do, but the question is, will she do it?
Scott’s move to a new town becomes a heart-pounding adventure when he accepts a dare to camp in the Shaggy Creek woods. Armed with his fearless friend Hailey, he must confront the legend of a terrifying Bigfoot creature lurking in the shadows.
The story follows Scott (Hudson Hensley), who moves to a new town for his mom’s (Allee Sutton Hethcoat) job, leaving everyone he knew behind without a word. When he moves, he’s told that the woods behind his house have a Wildman living there that attacks children who enter, and he soon is forced to see if the tale is real.
I especially enjoyed how the camera moves alongside Scott as he runs. Another technical aspect that adds to the eerie feeling is the sound design. The more the movie shows the woods, the more sounds of the Wildman are heard, increasing the fear that something is there. The acting is exceptional, especially Hudson Hensley and Allee Sutton Hethcoat as Scott and Charlotte. Hensley perfectly encapsulates what it’s like for a child to move, and I found myself understanding where he was coming from. Hethcoat had me fully convinced she loved her child more than anything else. These performances contributed to a heartwarming and emotional experience for me.
The screenplay is very well written and perfectly blends the fear of leaving with finding a monster together. These overlapping themes add so much to Scott’s character arc and it is very satisfying to watch the story unfold.
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is not just another movie about a legendary creature, it is so much more. This movie is part mystery, with a heartwarming twist, and a side of totally awesome. I loved every minute!
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is positive, respectful, and uplifting. It is adventurous and a tiny bit spooky all thanks to director Jesse Edwards. Hudson Hensley, as Scott, is great – he’s funny and relatable, and when he’s scared, you can really feel it. Hailey is smart, brave, and downright hilarious! She’s definitely the brains behind most of their plans. Hailey’s older brother, Zach (Brycen Patterson) plays the mean bully impeccably. The foggy woods look like a real supernatural and eerie place. The awesome lighting and the low, spooky music that builds tension are the perfect combination for the epic jump scare. My favorite part is the scene where Scott and Hailey set up lanterns and bells in the trees to trap the creature; it is mysterious and exhilarating. You’ll have to watch to see if their trap works!
The film’s message is about courage, bravery, and friendship. Scott learns that change can be scary but also exciting, and sometimes it helps you grow and become braver. Accepting change means being open to new experiences and challenges, even if they seem strange at first. It also shows how working together and trusting your gut can help you solve problems. There’s nothing inappropriate in it; just some jump scares that are fun, and not too terrifying.
I absolutely love The Wildman of Shaggy Creek. It has amazing acting, a warm storyline, relatable characters, and music that perfectly match the mood.
Kudos to Jesse Edwards for writing and directing this film and to Hudson Hensley for perfectly portraying his character, Scott. He really captures the emotions of a sad kid who has just moved to a new state and his character’s progression is amazing. He and Ayla Bullington, who plays Hailey, complement each other nicely. It’s incredible watching them work together; they just click. I also love the way Bryson Patterson and Hudson Hensley work together – they perfectly show the rivalry between their characters and how their relationship grows over time. While the film has some characteristics of a horror story, it’s a warm-hearted story about family and friendship that makes you feel happy. Jose Skertchly perfectly matches the music to the mood throughout the film.
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is a fresh and spooky new twist on the legendary story of Bigfoot. This movie mixes mystery, suspense, and just the right amount of creepiness to get you in the mood for Halloween. At its heart, it’s about learning to face your fears, even when you’d rather run the other way. With some talented rising actors and a plot full of surprises, this film offers a fun ride for kids and families who like stories that blend adventure with a little bit of fright.
If I had to pick one quote to encapsulate this film, it’s when Scott is in the car and his mom (Alee Sutton Hethcoat) says how happy she is that he has some new friends. Scott responds with, “I liked the friends I had.” This perfectly shows the way he feels like he is being pushed into a new life that he didn’t ask for. It makes Scott’s character relatable, especially for kids who have had to move or start at a new school. He feels stuck, angry, and honestly, can you blame him? The suspense is handled well for the most part, with eerie sounds, mysterious shadows, and lots of moments where you wonder what’s about to happen. However, some scenes feel a little forced, like the filmmakers were trying too hard to build tension by keeping things hidden for too long. Also, the school set looks a bit unrealistic because there aren’t enough students or cars to make it feel like a real place. These small issues don’t ruin the story, but they do stand out.
In the new film, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner) heads out on a road trip with her Grandma Gigi (Gloria Estefan) to the urban wonderland of Cat Francisco. But when Gabby’s dollhouse, her most prized possession, ends up in the hands of an eccentric cat lady named Vera (Kristen Wiig), Gabby sets off on an adventure through the real world to get the Gabby Cats back together and save the dollhouse before it’s too late.
From the very first scene, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie pulls you into a world of glitter, music, and magic. It is colorful, fun, and filled with surprises that kept me smiling the whole time. This movie is pure joy from beginning to end.
The characters are just as delightful as ever—Gabby, Pandy Paws (Tucker Chandler), Cakey (Juliet Donenfeld), DJ Catnip (Eduardo Franco), and all the fan favorites shine on the big screen. Laila Lockhart wonderfully brings Gabby to life, while Gloria Estefan adds warmth and heart as Grandma. Kristen Wiig is hilarious and mischievous as Vera, the cat lady villain, adding a fun twist to the story. The voice actors make each character feel real and lovable, and the animation is bright, detailed, and magical, creating a world that feels alive and exciting for kids and families alike.
I did not particularly enjoy the character development and how certain ideas are portrayed. Some of the characters’ decisions seem too spontaneous and unrealistic for how people actually handle change. Chumsley (Jason Mantzoukas) is extremely rude to Gabby which seems to come out of nowhere and he never apologizes for his actions. Chumsley insults Gabby and kicks her out of her own dollhouse. This type of behavior goes against what is okay and what isn’t. On the other hand, when Vera realizes that she has been a bad friend to Chumsley, she apologizes and they make up. As much as I enjoyed the film, I felt that many characters seem unfinished and the movie tries to include too many plot lines and too many characters. It feels quite overstimulating at times. Although this is a kids’ movie, I believe that adults will also enjoy watching it mostly because of the character Vera. She is a very odd and a genuinely funny character. Vera’s conversations and yoga sessions with her cat are hilarious. She is such a fun character and Kristen Wiig really goes all out in portraying her.
