Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Borget
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sibling switcheroo is campy but wholesome holiday fun.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
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Where to Watch
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A Family Matters Christmas
What's the Story?
In A FAMILY MATTERS CHRISTMAS, Laura Winslow's (Kellie Shanygne) children sit down to hear a story from their grandmother (Jo Marie Payton) about a forgotten Christmas spirit named Alternis who turns the Kingsley household upside down. When 10-year-old Aiden Kingsley wants to bring his newly blended family closer together he turns to science to do the trick. But when his experiment doesn't work, he makes a wish to Alternis, a Christmas spirit, to help. But Aiden realizes the help he brings is more than he bargained for when he, his sister, and stepbrother suddenly swap bodies. At first, it's as disastrous as it sounds, but it doesn't take long for the siblings to begin to learn what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes. The trio must work together to break the spell and switch back before the clock strikes midnight on Christmas morning.
Is It Any Good?
A Family Matters Christmas is a campy but wholesome movie with a Freaky Friday feel. The story features a diverse cast with a familiar storyline that's entertaining from the moment the siblings swap bodies. Though the special effects leave much to be desired, the actors pull off the silly concept in a way that makes it enjoyable for even the youngest viewers. Each character goes on a journey to see through another sibling's set of eyes. Aiden looks up to his stepbrother but learns being tall and popular isn't always all it's cracked up to be. Emily and Brandon both realize their relationships with each other mean more to them than they thought.
Fans hoping for a big Family Matters reunion may be disappointed as viewers only see Ms. Winslow here and there as she's telling the story to her grandchildren. The plot is nothing new, but it's a fine, festive choice to throw into a Christmas movie rotation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the fairly common plot device of switched identities in movies such as Freaky Friday. Why do you think this is a storyline that continues to arise in movies?
How do the sibling relationships change throughout the movie as they gain a better understanding of each other?
Have you seen very many holiday family films with mostly Black casts? Why is this representation important?
How do you think it would be to swap places with another family member? Who would you want to swap with?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 8, 2022
- Cast : Kellie Shanygne Williams , JoMarie Payton , Mark McKinnon , Tamieka Chavis
- Director : LaVern Whitt
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Vision Media
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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