Can a holiday sequel survive the pressure of doubling its cast of mothers?
In short: The 2017 comedy A Bad Moms Christmas reunites the original trio of mothers, only to introduce their own overbearing parents into the holiday mix. While the film grossed $130 million worldwide, it faced mixed reviews from critics who found the slapdash story lacking the charm of its predecessor.
Released on November 1, 2017, A Bad Moms Christmas was directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. The plot centers on Amy Mitchell, Kiki Moore, and Carla Dunkler as they attempt to reclaim their holiday from their visiting mothers: Ruth, Sandy, and Isis. The film explores the primal tension that arises when mothers and daughters clash over expectations, traditions, and the desire for control during the festive season.
The production budget for the film was $28 million. Despite the star-studded cast, which included Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, and Cheryl Hines, the film struggled to replicate the critical success of the 2016 original. Rotten Tomatoes reports that only 32% of 128 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 4.40/10. Audiences were slightly more receptive, providing a B grade on CinemaScore, though PostTrak noted a 68% positive score.
The film's release was strategically moved forward by two days to avoid direct competition with Thor: Ragnarok, ultimately securing $21.6 million during its first five days in North American theaters. While a potential sequel titled Bad Moms' Moms was announced in April 2019, the project was eventually scrapped following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the criticism regarding its raunchiness and thin narrative, some reviewers, such as Pete Hammond, argued that the film succeeded as a lighthearted tonic for audiences looking to escape their own holiday stresses.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A Bad Moms Christmas
- Also: Wikidata — A Bad Moms Christmas · CC0
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