Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Frothy holiday romcom has mild language, product placement.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Knight Before Christmas
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie is enjoyable for all ages despite its TV-14 rating, which many reviewers find unnecessary given its minimal inappropriate content. The film is described as a cute, cheesy romantic comedy that is perfect for family movie nights, though some find the romantic elements a bit much for younger viewers.
- family friendly
- romantic comedy
- inappropriate rating
- cute and cheesy
- good for all ages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, Sir Cole Lyons (Josh Whitehouse), in the power of an old sorceress's spell, is whisked through time from England 1344 to Bracebridge, Ohio in 2019. His has been told that he must fulfill a "quest" before midnight on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, Cole doesn't know what that quest is. In Bracebridge, science teacher Brooke Winters (Vanessa Hudgens, who also has an Executive Producing credit) is looking forward to Christmas, even though she's given up on love after a painful breakup. Culture shock doesn't come close to describing Sir Cole's confusion and distress when he lands in this small town in the modern world. Because he's believed to have jostled his brain when he fell, the townsfolk are sympathetic. They assume his costume means that he's a member of a holiday festival. Brooke insists on letting him stay in her spare bedroom until he regains his memory. In the few days before Christmas Eve, Cole -- still maintaining that he's from Olde England -- and Brooke work together to make the season jolly and hopeful for the whole community. At the same time, the young knight searches for the quest he's been sent to fulfill.
Is It Any Good?
An amiable cast and lighthearted holiday sentiments, as well as its overarching "fairy-tale-ness," should engage audiences, particularly younger ones who don't demand either subtlety or originality. Romantic comedies, given new life by streaming and cable sites, are reaching ever-wider audiences. Following close on the heels of The Princess Switch, another successful Vanessa Hudgens-Netflix offering, The Knight Before Christmas is a wholesome-enough pick for kids and families looking to snuggle together for a cozy movie night. And, as ever, fish-out-of-water stories always seem welcome.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the continuing appeal of "fish-out-of-water" movies. What does the term mean? What emotions do you think the concept touches? Why is The Knight Before Christmas a fish-out-of-water film?
What is meant by the film's statement: "A knight's true quest challenges his innermost weakness." Can you think of a situation in your life where you had to overcome a personal challenge to succeed?
Be creative. Write (or draw) a story in which you are miraculously transported to another place and time. Where and when would you like to go? Describe what you see and hear. What would be most surprising to you?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 22, 2019
- Cast : Vanessa Hudgens , Josh Whitehouse
- Director : Monika Mitchell
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Holidays
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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