
8-Bit Christmas
2021 · Movie · PG · 98 min · ★ 6.4 · 75% critics
Set in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s, a young boy launches a determined Christmas quest to get the video game system he wants most. His search drives nonstop effort and setbacks, while the journey emphasizes family and what truly matters during the holidays.
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2021
- Release date
- 2021-11-24
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Max quality
- UHD
- Critic score
- 75/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.4/10 (496 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a warm, joke-filled Christmas story packed with 80s video game nostalgia and family heart; Not for you if you dislike retro references or prefer more original plotting than 8-Bit Christmas or A Christmas Story Christmas.
Pros: feel-good 80s nostalgia; fun family tone; relatable kid pursuit | Cons: slow stretches; some jabs at humor; plot feels derivative
Themes
- video game
- holiday
- christmas tree
- nostalgic
- suburban chicago
- christmas
- 1980s
- christmas carols
- hilarious
- sympathetic
Cast & crew

Neil Patrick Harris
as Adult Jake Doyle / Narrator

Winslow Fegley
as Jake Doyle

Steve Zahn
as John Doyle

June Diane Raphael
as Kathy Doyle

Bellaluna Resnick
as Lizzy Doyle

Sophia Reid-Gantzert
as Annie Doyle

Che Tafari
as Mikey Trotter

Santino Barnard
as Evan Olsen

Max Malas
as Jeff Farmer

Brielle Rankins
as Tammy Hodges
Directed by Michael Dowse