Parents' Guide to

The Knight Before Christmas

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Frothy holiday romcom has mild language, product placement.

Movie NR 2019 92 minutes
The Knight Before Christmas Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 5 parent reviews

MBF28
MBF28 Adult
December 27, 2019
age 12+

Great Christmas movie for 12 and up

I think this would be fine for age 12 and up just due to the language in one or two scenes. I watched it twice over the holidays and enjoyed it even more than my tween. It’s not completely historically accurate, but cute nevertheless in the same genre as a Hallmark movie. They use the word douche several times and say “AF” and maybe one or two other words that are not exactly appropriate. Other than that, it is a sweet, charming and funny movie with a happy ending. I give it an 8 or a 9 and think it is a great holiday movie for 11-12 and up. It’s really cute and I would like to see a sequel to this one. No nudity (knight briefly has a towel around his waist-no big deal) and minimal profanity. The knight character is a gentleman in every sense who is respectful of women and kind to children. Vanessa H’s character is a caring teacher and aunt to her niece. It was my favorite holiday movie this season.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
SeriousDad
SeriousDad Adult
December 5, 2019
age 13+

Pretty good

A tiny bit cheesy but not as cheesy as most “Christmas” movies. The knight was virtuous and gentlemanly. It was actually a pretty good movie.
See all 5 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (11):

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

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