8-Bit Christmas

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2:42

8-Bit Christmas

PG

2021

1h 45m

Holiday

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A humorous and heartfelt look back at the adventures of childhood. Set in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s, the story centers on ten-year-old Jake Doyle's (Winslow Fegley) herculean quest to get the latest and greatest video game system for Christmas.

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Critics Consensus

For viewers seeking an undemanding and sweetly nostalgic ode to yuletide seasons past, 8-Bit Christmas boots up without a glitch.

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Audience Says

8-Bit Christmas is a solidly heartwarming holiday movie that will be extra enjoyable for viewers who grew up in the '80s.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

June Diane Raphael has impeccable comic timing as Jake's mom, Kathy.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 4, 2021

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Nick Allen

RogerEbert.com

8-Bit Christmas may have a more grounded approach to gamer culture than you'd expect, but it's constantly beat by its own limited imagination.

Rated: 1.5/4

Nov 24, 2021

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Calum Marsh

New York Times

When it isn't fawning over roller rinks, "Goonies" posters, and Casio watches, "8 Bit Christmas" is a warm and refreshingly earnest holiday comedy.

Nov 24, 2021

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Aaron Phillips

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Watching 8-Bit Christmas is well worth your time. Packed full of comedy, and nostalgia, it’s got so much going for it.

Rated: 8.5/10

Jan 16, 2023

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Very minor, but pleasant.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 30, 2022

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

At times it seems handcuffed by holiday movie expectations. But you kinda look over those baked-in tropes that are in nearly every movie like this. Instead, it’s the funny bits that end up standing out.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 16, 2022

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Cade H.

Strange holiday themed flick inspired by “A Christmas Story” with charming and relatable moments While it doesn’t live up to the iconic holiday classic it clearly takes inspiration from, this fun adaptation appeals to both Neil Patrick Harris fans and viewers who grew up in the 80s specifically. I don’t see this replacing A Christmas Story in many people’s holiday movie rotation, but it’s worth a watch when you the next time you’re mindlessly scrolling for a movie come holiday season.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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Ano N

I am from the 80’ and watching the movie was a delight. My kids love it but it was not a hit for them as for me. The target audience is really kids from the 80’ who dreamed about that Nintendo.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/03/25

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william s

A super fun and light-hearted Christmas movie that manages to pack a surprising emotional punch at the end. Probably not in "Christmas Classic" territory, but totally worth a watch and probably worth firing up every couple years for another watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

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Jon B

Wow! I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, it's loud and a bit zany at times, but it is a sweet movie and if you were a kid in the 80's, even better. Good stuff!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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Koi P

Fun movie. Mildly humorous.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/30/24

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Erin P

Went too far on all the absurd situations. Just constantly more bad things happening and his parents treated his sister like a total golden child. Fast forwarded through it eventually just to get to the end. Which almost might have saved it but still not a movie I'd ever recommend or watch again.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

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Michael Dowse

Director

Neil Patrick Harris

Adult Jake Doyle

Winslow Fegley

Jake Doyle

June Diane Raphael

Actor

Steve Zahn

John Doyle

Sophia Reid-Gantzert

Annie Doyle

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48%

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20%

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8 Bit Christmas: Trailer 1

2:42

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Synopsis

A humorous and heartfelt look back at the adventures of childhood. Set in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s, the story centers on ten-year-old Jake Doyle's (Winslow Fegley) herculean quest to get the latest and greatest video game system for Christmas.

Director: Michael Dowse
Producer: Tim White, Trevor White, Allan Mandelbaum, Nick Nantell, Jonathan Sadowski
Screenwriter: Kevin Jakubowski
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Star Thrower Entertainment, Warner Bros.
Rating: PG (Some Mild Violence|Rude Humor|Language|Suggestive References)
Genre: Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 24, 2021
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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