Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- silly
- warm
- festive
- christmas viewing
- family movie night
What critics said
Critics and viewers broadly found the film silly but charming, with Martin Freeman and Marc Wootton providing much of its family-friendly entertainment.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Paul Maddens must stage a nativity play amid competing schools, quarreling parents, and over-excited children.
Paul's boast that Jennifer will attend and adapt the show into a film turns him into a local celebrity and traps him in an increasingly elaborate promise.
Paul must contact his estranged ex-girlfriend Jennifer and persuade her to come to town.
The children's determination to achieve fame and fortune fuels the show's disorderly momentum and festive charm.
Films like Nativity!, and why
Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger!
family-friendly christmas comedy built around a school performance, eccentric adults, and child performers
The Christmas Choir
warm seasonal comedy combining children, community collaboration, and an emotionally restorative holiday atmosphere
Arthur Christmas
british family christmas comedy centered on children, adults, and chaotic seasonal preparations
Movie Details
- Director
- Debbie Isitt
- Release Date
- 2009-11-27
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (233)
Cast
- Martin Freeman
- Ashley Jensen
- Marc Wootton
- Pam Ferris
- Jason Watkins
- Ricky Tomlinson
- Alan Carr
- John Sessions
- Phyllis Logan
- Geoffrey Hutchings
Common questions
- What is Nativity! about?
- A dispirited teacher's reckless promise about Hollywood turns a school nativity into a wildly public Christmas rescue mission.
- What is Nativity! like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Nativity! as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Nativity! violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Nativity!.
- What did critics think of Nativity!?
- Critics and viewers broadly found the film silly but charming, with Martin Freeman and Marc Wootton providing much of its family-friendly entertainment.
- Which films are like Nativity!?
- Films with a similar feel include Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger!, The Christmas Choir, and Arthur Christmas.
- How long is Nativity!?
- Nativity! runs 106 minutes.
