The Best Christmas Pageant Everfeatures the Herdmans, who are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. The children sneak into a church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. These kids might be the worst, and are widely hated by the town, but they might unwittingly teach the community the true meaning of Christmas.
Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time and feeling the pressure, although she is absolutely determined to make this the best Christmas pageant ever. 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. This film, which is directed by The Chosen's Dallas Jenkins and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, comes to theaters on November 8.
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Screen Rant interviewed Pete Holmes and Judy Greer about their new movie, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. They spoke about working with a large group of young actors, and revealed whether they had ever been in a Christmas pageant. The actors also discussed the meaning behind the holiday film and why all viewers can and will enjoy it, even if they are not religious.
The Kids Were More Professional Than The Adults On Set
"If anyone was getting yelled at for fooling around too much, it was 100% me and Pete, always."
Screen Rant: What was it like working with this group of young actors?
Judy Greer: I experienced a lot of jealousy for the first time on set at their talent and their youth and their ability to maintain composure on set. But they were so wonderful. They were so sweet, and they were so happy all the time, and they loved each other. On the day that we wrapped, they were sobbing. Gosh, they were just so incredible. And if anyone was getting yelled at for fooling around too much, it was 100% me and Pete, always.
Pete Holmes: The kids were awesome. We were the ones getting in trouble often. They were hitting their mark, finding their light, knowing their lines, total professionals, and made it such a pleasure to do. I also think the fact that Molly and Sebastian and Judy and I were able to bond and bond quickly is essential because you want to feel like a real family. And the way that Judy and I did that was making, she's so funny, she's so talented, but also off-camera hilarious, and we were laughing the whole day, which is super fun because Judy cries when she laughs. Most people cry when they laugh, but they have to laugh like a 10. Judy starts around a 4.
Judy Greer: All the women in my family do it. But you know what was interesting? The order in which we shot everything, we started in the house, so it was just the four of us, and we would add in a few new kids every day until we got to the second half of the movie when we had them all all the time. But it was really manageable, and it was actually really fun because we got to know each kid as they would be layered into the fold. It was so fun.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Is A Movie For Everybody
"It is for everybody in the same way that Christmas is for everybody."
Screen Rant: Why do you think this movie is going to be great for all audiences, not just those who are religious?
Judy Greer: I'm not religious. I wouldn't call myself religious at all. And I love this movie. I love the message of this movie. I feel like it's for everyone.
Pete Holmes: The message and the script is so universal. This is how it went for both of us, I think. I read it. It made me cry, the script. And then I saw that Judy was attached. I met Dallas and I was like, I'm in. We didn't really know it was necessarily a religious production. That didn't change things. But that slowly became clearer and clearer.
I'm so happy to be a part of it. But I don't think non-religious people will have any... It's for everyone. It is for everybody in the same way that Christmas is for everybody. Meaning, if there's anything kind of religious-y, it's only religious in the Christmas-y way as well. If that makes sense? Which is just give people the benefit of the doubt. Let them into your heart and celebrate them.
There's so many movies where it doesn't even seem to be about that, but secretly, it is about that. Because that's a very human thing. Is to open your heart and to just stop judging people all the time. It's so exhausting. It's so exhausting. I think that's one of the reasons why we love Christmas. Is because it's a time of year that we allot to just practice. Just see what it feels like, like a new pair of shoes in the room. Just walk around in kindness and see if you like it.
Screen Rant: Yes, the people in the church trying to get the kids kicked out of the play is awful.
Judy Greer: I know. You're like, it's a church. You're supposed to welcome everyone. What is going on? What are you doing?
Pete Holmes: That's the shadow side of groups. Groups are wonderful, but as soon as you establish a group, any kind of group. Even if it's well-meaning and wonderful, you do kind of unconsciously become an us. And then there becomes a them. So, groups are good. But at a certain point, you need to let the walls down and just remember why you started the group. Which was probably in the name of something good like love and understanding.
About The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)
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.
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THE BESTCHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
will be released In Theaters on November 8th.Source: Screen Rant Plus
The Herdman children, known as the worst kids in town, take over the annual Christmas pageant, causing chaos and confusion for the local community. As the town braces for a disastrous performance, the Herdmans inadvertently teach everyone a heartwarming lesson about the true meaning of Christmas.
Director Dallas Jenkins
Release Date November 8, 2024
Studio(s) Kingdom Story Company
Distributor(s) Lionsgate
Writers Darin McDaniel , Platte Clark , Ryan Swanson
CastJudy Greer , Pete Holmes , Molly Belle Wright , Lauren Graham , Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez , Kynlee Heiman , Matthew Lamb , Beatrice Schneider , Ewan Wood , Essek Moore , Mason D Nelligan , Lorelei Olivia Mote , Danielle Hoetmer , Kirk B.R. Woller , Elizabeth Tabish , Vanessa Benavente , Wyatt Dewar , Nolan Grantham , Isla Verlot , Lauren Cochrane , Daina Leitold , Jenni Burke , Stephanie Sy , Tom Young
Character(s) Grace Bradley , Bob Bradley , Beth Bradley , Narrator / Older Beth Bradley , Charlie Bradley , Gladys Herdman , Claude Herdman , Imogene Herdman , Leroy Herdman , Ollie Herdman , Ralph Herdman , Alice Wendleken , Mrs. Wendleken , Reverend Hopkins , Mrs. Grady , First Grade Teacher , David , Elmer Hopkins , Becky , Nurse Pond , Mrs. Hopkins , Ms. Graebner , Mrs. Thomas , George Armstrong
English (US) ·