Bit Christmas Release Date, Cast, And Plot - What We Know So Far

There are classic holiday movies for every generation, and Hollywood clearly doesn't lack ideas when it comes to streaming-only Christmas movies, particularly. There are plenty of festive movies to keep us occupied during the 2021 holiday season, from Disney+'s "Home Sweet Home Alone," a new installment of the beloved '90s holiday franchise, to Netflix's "Love Hard," a contemporary story about dating in a contemporary Christmas landscape. In addition, "8-Bit Christmas" recently released a brand new trailer (via YouTube) and will soon be available on HBO Max.

There is still plenty of information that fans are desperate to learn about the Warner Bros. movie, which is right around the corner. In light of this, let's take a look at some of the most important details, including the release date, casting, and plot.

What is the release date of 8-Bit Christmas?

It appears that audiences won't have to wait very long to see the film. A trailer for "8-Bit Christmas" indicates that it will be released on Wednesday, November 24, the day before Thanksgiving. This will likely position the film well, as people will be leaving work and school for the holiday break, and they will likely be looking for something to watch with their family. Additionally, unlike other Warner Bros. offerings headed to HBO Max and theaters simultaneously in 2021, "8-Bit Christmas" is a streaming exclusive that will only be available on such a platform.

There is also an ironic (albeit implicit) component to the release date for "8-Bit Christmas." It presents scenes of shoppers terrorizing one another to get their hands on Nintendo games during the holiday season. This means the timing of the release is likely to play well into the movie's overall message since it arrives just two days before Black Friday.

Who is in the cast of 8-Bit Christmas?

"8-Bit Christmas" casts two actors for the lead role of Jake Doyle at various stages in his life. Neil Patrick Harris will portray Jake as an adult as he reminisces about his childhood, while Winslow Fegley ("Come Play") will portray Jake as a youngster in the 1980s, according to The Hollywood Reporter. IMDb reports that the movie's younger cast will also include Cyrus Arnold ("Zoolander 2"), Santino Barnard ("Penny Dreadful"), and Jacob Laval ("The Plot Against America").

Aside from Jake Doyle and his ensemble of friends, "8-Bit Christmas" is also bringing in some comedic powerhouses. Jake's mother, June Diane Raphael, and father, Steve Zahn. The actress has appeared in films such as "Long Shot" and "The Disaster Artist," as well as on TV shows such as "New Girl" and in voiceover roles on shows like "BoJack Horseman" and "Big Mouth" (via IMDb). Zahn is also known for his work in "That Thing You Do" and "War For The Planet of the Apes," as well as the hit HBO show "The White Lotus" (via IMDb).

What is the plot of 8-Bit Christmas?

Based on a novel of the same name penned by Kevin Jakubowski (via Goodreads), "8-Bit Christmas" tells a story that is relatable for both kids and adults. Jake Doyle (Neil Patrick Harris) recounts a Christmas story from his childhood to his young daughter in the Warner Bros. film The Christmas Story. What's it about? During the late 1980s holiday season, young Jake (Winslow Fegley) is obsessed with getting his hands on a Nintendo Entertainment System, the must-have toy of the time. "8-Bit Christmas" shows not only the frantic race for NESs among the town's children, but also the parents who blame video games for social ills.

"8-Bit Christmas" appears to position itself as moderately edgy and family-friendly for the holiday season. As evident in its depiction of Jake's struggle to get a Nintendo (which stands in for the now-iconic Red Ryder BB gun), a console that really did stir up a frenzy and remains one of the best-selling consoles of all time (via CNET), the film seems to take inspiration from "A Christmas Story." Despite these influences, "8-Bit Christmas" nevertheless seems to be carving out its own niche by tapping into 1980s nostalgia and skewering pop culture of the time.

 Best Family Movies Of All Time

Selecting a movie that the entire family will enjoy can be both overwhelming and frustrating. Neither parents nor children like to sit through slow-burn dramas that are overly predictable and saccharine. There are a lot of "kids and family" films available on every major streaming service, but it can be hard to find one that is appealing to everyone in your family, especially if you have a wide range of ages.

It is still possible to find films that are suitable for both children and parents. On this page, we have gathered 98 of our all-time favorites, spanning over 80 years of cinema and every genre, from fantasy films and comedies to animated classics, live-action adventures, and heartfelt dramas. Some of these will appeal to families with kids of any ages, while others will be more geared towards families with kids who are out of elementary school but are still game for the occasional family movie night. Regardless of age, everyone will find something to enjoy here.

As of August 4, 2021: We've compiled the best family movies, but filmmakers continue to produce quality films. This list will be updated from time to time as worthy family gems make their way to theaters and streaming services.

The Wizard of Oz

"The Wizard of Oz," a musical classic that's endured for generations, tells the tale of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas who gets swept away in a tornado to the magical land of Oz, and has to find her way home. She befriends several interesting characters along the way, each of whom believes they're lacking something crucial, but eventually they learn to embrace the differences that had been holding them back. Featuring memorable songs and a lot of imagination, there's a reason this timeless film has endured.

Starring: Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr

Director: Victor Fleming

Year: 1939

Runtime: 101 minutes

Rating: G

Pinocchio

Disney animated movies from the first half of the 20th century tend to be overly concerned with helpless princesses in need of rescue, but "Pinocchio" tells a tale that will likely still resonate with parents today. In the film, a lonely woodcarver creates a wooden boy to fulfill his desperate wish for a son. Although Pinocchio comes to life, he'll remain a puppet until he proves himself "brave, truthful, and unselfish." But as he sets out on a quest to become a "real boy," he's almost immediately led astray by predatory adults who want to exploit his uniqueness and innocent nature. While it's a weighty theme for sure, it's told through a child-friendly perspective that keeps it from being too heavy for younger viewers.

Starring: Dickie Jones, Cliff Edwards, Christian Rub

Directors: Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske

Year: 1940

Runtime: 77 minutes

Rating: G

It's a Wonderful Life

"It's a Wonderful Life" is both a Christmas and a family film, but its plot revolves around some pretty dark subject matter, with George Bailey's attempt at suicide, who believes that the world would have been better without him. Clarence, a guardian angel, intervenes before he has a chance to carry out his plans, showing him what the world would have been like without him. When the children in your family can handle a film that deals with a heavy subject matter, "It's a Wonderful Life" is ultimately an uplifting story that affirms that if we're trying to improve the world, we may be able to have a greater impact than we realize.

Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Henry Travers

Director: Frank Capra

Year: 1946

Runtime: 129 minutes

Rating: PG

Miracle on 34th Street

In spite of numerous remakes over the years, the 1947 version of "Miracle on 34th Street" remains the most beloved. In the film, Kris Kringle becomes the mascot for Macy's department store and ends up at the center of numerous controversies as a result of his actions and claims that suggest he is actually Santa Claus. When Kris has to defend his status as Santa in court, he challenges the other characters to confront their beliefs.

Starring: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn

Director: George Seaton

Year: 1947

Runtime: 96 minutes

Rating: NR

Singin' in the Rain

In the late 1920s, when movies transitioned from silent films to "talkies," most people viewed "Singin' in the Rain" as one of the greatest movie musicals of all time. Despite some confusing sequences, the film's general premise is both amusing and understandable. Due to the fact that her voice doesn't lend itself well to recording, a famous silent film actress is forced to hire a voice actor to dub her, and she is extremely unhappy about the process. It gets even more complicated when the voice stand-in falls for the actress' on-screen love interest. The upbeat musical numbers, impressive tap dancing, and frequently broad comedy still hold up today for both kids and adults.

Starring: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor

Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly

Year: 1952

Runtime: 102 minutes

Rating: G

Mary Poppins

"Mary Poppins" is one of Disney's most beloved live-action musicals; it tells the story of the Banks family, whose children drive away every nanny their desperate parents hire - that is, until a mysterious new nanny arrives and blows the competition away. The ever-endearing Dick Van Dyke is immensely likeable as the jack-of-all-trades Bert, while Julie Andrews delights as the no-nonsense Mary. In a film full of memorable songs that all emphasize the idea that families who play together stay together, "Mary Poppins" is the perfect choice for a family to enjoy together.

Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns

Director: Robert Stevenson

Year: 1964

Runtime: 140 minutes

Rating: G

My Fair Lady

Based on the stage musical, which was itself adapted from the 1913 play "Pygmalion," "My Fair Lady" focuses on Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower merchant with a heavy Cockney accent, who is intrigued when a distinguished-looking professor offers to help her "fix" her accent in order to become more acceptable in high society. Obviously, as one can imagine, it quickly becomes clear that a person is much more than their voice, and that an accent does not determine worth. If you're not daunted by the runtime, "My Fair Lady" is a musical treat, and Hepburn and Harrison are truly captivating in their roles.

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway

Director: George Cukor

Year: 1964

Runtime: 170 minutes

Rating: G

The Sound of Music

This list includes many musicals, since music and dancing are great ways to keep kids engaged through stories that, on their own, would probably appeal more to their parents. With "The Sound of Music," the story follows a young woman who wants to become a nun, who becomes the governess for the seven children of a widowed bachelor with whom she becomes infatuated. While the plot may not be the most kid-friendly - although the seven von Trapp children are all well-developed and feature heavily in many of the songs - kids will likely appreciate the likeable characters, lively music, and high-stakes story about a family standing up for what they believe is right.

Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr

Director: Robert Wise

Year: 1965

Runtime: 174 minutes

Rating: G

Fiddler on the Roof

"Fiddler on the Roof" centers on a poor Jewish family living in Ukraine in 1905, and tells the story of Tevye, a milkman trying to find suitable husbands for his five daughters. Musicals can help make difficult topics more approachable for young audiences, as with "Fiddler on the Roof." However, the film also deals with some heavy themes, including anti-Semitism, religious persecution, poverty, and family strife. Although the lengthy runtime may be too much for younger children, those who can sit still for that long will enjoy this musical classic.

Starring: Topol, Norma Crane, Rosalind Harris

Director: Norman Jewison

Year: 1971

Runtime: 181 minutes

Rating: G

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

"Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope" was the film that launched decades of sequels, prequels, spinoffs, novelizations, and mountains of merchandise when it was released in 1977. Although today's media landscape has changed, the space fantasy adventure still reigns supreme. Taking place in a galaxy far, far away, "A New Hope" introduces us to characters such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia. There are plenty of "Star Wars" stories where that came from if your family enjoyed this one.

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

Director: George Lucas

Year: 1977

Runtime: 121 minutes

Rating: PG

Winnie the Pooh and His Many Adventures

A charming animated feature based on the classic "Winnie the Pooh" books by A.A. Milne, "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" weaves together three mostly independent tales about the adorable bear and his friends in a charming animated film. With its endearing stuffed animal characters and low-key story telling presented as an actual storybook being read aloud by the narrator, this gentle-hearted movie will charm viewers of all ages.

Starring: Sterling Holloway, John Fiedler, Sebastian Cabot

Directors: John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reithermann

Year: 1977

Runtime: 74 minutes

Rating: G

The Muppet Movie

Despite winning the hearts of children on "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show," Kermit the Frog and his ragtag band of Muppet friends finally got their own feature film with "The Muppet Movie." The story claims to tell the origin story of the Muppets as Kermit embarks on a road trip to Hollywood to make a name for himself in the world of show business. Featuring a lot of fun songs and Muppet silliness, "The Muppet Movie" serves as a great introduction to the Muppets as well as a delightful viewing experience for long-term Muppet fans.

Starring: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz

Director: James Frawley

Year: 1979

Runtime: 94 minutes

Rating: G

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" isn't the first story of kids becoming friends with aliens, but few, if any, do it better than Spielberg's heartwarming tale of intergalactic friendship. The film tells the story of Elliott, a young boy who bonds with a marooned alien botanist named E.T. A captivating story of family, home, and unlikely friendship, "E.T." is a fantasy more than a sci-fi tale.

Starring: Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Drew Barrymore

Director: Steven Spielberg

Year: 1982

Runtime: 115 minutes

Rating: PG

A Christmas Story

There is no shortage of kid-friendly films around Christmas, but one that is particularly popular is the comedy classic "A Christmas Story." The film follows a middle-class, suburban, American family during a particularly memorable holiday season as seen through the eyes of Ralphie, their 9-year-old son. A child will be able to relate to Ralphie's struggles with school, bullies, and his younger brother, as well as his quest to find the perfect Christmas present. Parents will appreciate the film's quirky humor, which straddles the line between innocence and dark, providing plenty of laughs for viewers of all ages.

Starring: Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon

Director: Bob Clark

Year: 1983

Runtime: 93 minutes

Rating: PG

Ghostbusters

"Ghostbusters" is a funny, paranormal comedy directed by Ivan Reitman aimed at kids who don't mind a spooky plot. Three scientists decide to start a business as very unusual exterminators, determined to rid New York City of its rampant ghost infestation. While running a ghost-busting shop may be challenging by small business standards, it is particularly challenging when the EPA and the city government question its legitimacy on the one hand, and an apocalyptic event is on the other. With most of the films on this list that are more than a decade or two old, "Ghostbusters" definitely contains some scenes that aren't exactly kid-friendly, along with some humor that didn't really age well. Those parts are easy to skip over if you prefer, leaving only family-friendly, ghostly fun.

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis

Director: Ivan Reitman

Year: 1984

Runtime: 107 minutes

Rating: PG

The NeverEnding Story

"The NeverEnding Story" is a celebration of childhood imagination despite containing the saddest scene in film history (R.I.P. Artax). Bastian, a middle school bully who one day takes refuge from his tormentors by ducking into a rare bookstore, is the hero of the story. He discovers a book that tells a tale of Fantasia, a magical land that's slowly disappearing under an endless dark cloud fueled by children's loss of creativity and wonder. Bastian rediscovers the power of his own imagination while reading the story of Atreyu, a child warrior sent to battle the Nothing.

Starring: Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

Year: 1984

Runtime: 92 minutes

Rating: PG

Back to the Future

Parents who have always wished they could take their children back in time to experience what childhood was like for their parents (or grandparents) should watch "Back to the Future," which centers on a teenage underachiever who accidentally travels 30 years into the past. Even worse, he inadvertently interferes with his own parents' love story, putting his entire life in jeopardy. Your kids will probably say that after watching this movie, "that's heavy.".

Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Year: 1985

Runtime: 116 minutes

Rating: PG