Dickens & Rumi
Cover of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

film

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

2024

The Herdman kids are undeniably the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, cheat, bully and overall terrorize their small community. But this Christmas, they're taking over their local church Pageant – and they just might unwittingly teach a shocked little town the true meaning of Christmas.

Ages 8+Source checked

Why this age? PG content includes bullying, lying, stealing, cheating, disruptive behavior, and family dysfunction, but the redemptive family story and Christmas themes are generally accessible to elementary-age children. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age8+

Strongest cautions

  • Religious themes3/5
  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Violence2/5

Strongest positives

  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5

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What’s in it?

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Mild name-calling and typical antics of rowdy children.

Religious themes3/5
Why this rating?

The plot centers on a church Christmas pageant and the themes of the Christmas story.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Not a feature of this story.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Mildly tense moments regarding the Herdman children's unpredictable behavior.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes instances of bullying and minor mischief by the main child characters.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show courage in standing up for themselves and others.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Shows the creative chaos and joy of community theater.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Reflects a standard small-town community demographic.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Promotes understanding of community and the holiday spirit.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

The film emphasizes kindness toward those perceived as outsiders.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes of empathy, inclusion, redemption, and the true meaning of Christmas.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

While the children start as misbehaving, their growth provides a positive example of change.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. Where did a character show kindness or empathy, and what changed because of it?
  2. What beliefs or religious ideas appear in the story? How do they influence the characters?
  3. Which choice in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and what caused that change?
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