8-Bit Christmas

***8-Bit Christmas*** is a 2021 American Christmas comedy film directed by Michael Dowse, from a screenplay by Kevin Jakubowski, based upon his novel of the same name. It stars Neil Patrick Harris, Winslow Fegley, June Diane Raphael, David Cross, and Steve Zahn. The film was released on November 24, 2021 on HBO Max.

## Storyline

### Plot

In 1980s Chicago, a ten-year-old sets out on a quest to get the Christmas gift of his generation - the latest and greatest video game system.

### Genres

* Comedy
* Family
* Fantasy

### Motion Picture Rating

* **PG** (Australia)
* **6** (Germany)
* **12** (Poland)
* **PG** (Singapore)
* **12** (UK)
* **PG** (USA)

## Cast and Crew

### Writing Credits

* Kevin Jakubowski (screenplay by)
* Kevin Jakubowski (based on the book by)

### Cast

* Winslow Fegley - Jake Doyle (Young)
* Neil Patrick Harris - Jake Doyle (Adult)
* Steve Zahn - John Doyle
* June Diane Raphael - Kathy Doyle
* Bellaluna Resnick - Lizzy Doyle
* Sophia Reid-Gantzert - Annie Doyle
* Che Tafari - Mikey Trotter
* Santino Barnard - Evan Olsen
* Max Malas - Jeff Farmer
* Brielle Rankins - Tammy Hodges
* Braelyn Rankins - Teddy Hodges
* Cyrus Arnold - Josh Jagorski
* Chandler Dean - Timmy Keane
* Jacob Laval - Conor Stump
* Katia Smith - Tiffany Keane
* Tom Rooney - Dr. Timothy Keane Sr.
* David Cross - Dealer
* Kathryn Greenwood - Mrs. Hugo
* Louise Nicol - Miss Sherman
* Erica Levene - Mrs. Trotter
* David MacInnis - Mr. Halberg
* Monica Dottor - Mrs. Keane
* Jordan Oladimeji - Boy #1 (Toy Aisle)
* William Poulin - Grumpy Wreath Man
* Sofie Michal Maiuri - Katie Sorrentino
* Alex Spencer - Officer Masejewski
* James McDougall - Santa Claus
* Michael Dyson - Old Janitor
* Dan Darin-Zanco - School Bus Drive
* Gordon Fulton - Old Man with Dentures
* Jackson Reid - Kid #1 (Bus)
* Maya Misaljevic - Kid #2 (Bus)
* Danielle Bourgon - Reporter
* Peter Gail Williams - Clerk (Cosmetics) (as Petergail Williams)
* Kevin Dennis - Weatherman
* Miles Kerim - Frankie Wattendorf
* Luca Doulgeris - Charlie Doyle
* Mike Wilmot - Coach Wallach
* José Arias - Annoying Elf Caroler (as Jose Arias)
* Christy Bruce - Katie Doyle
* Dwight Ireland - News Anchor
* Amanda Smith - Old Woman in Blue
* Agi Gallus - Timmy's Grandmother
* Smillie Buckland - Old Man
* Peter Deiwick - Dad #1 (PTA)
* Lorna Wilson - Old Woman (Cosmetics)
* Christopher Marren - Toy Aisle Robot (voice)
* Brenda Somers - Old Woman
* Tinsel - Lacy Dog
* Blaze - Elwood

### Producers

* Richard Brener (executive producer)
* Whitney Brown (executive producer)
* Kevin Jakubowski (executive producer)
* Celia Khong (executive producer)
* Allan Mandelbaum (producer)
* Nick Nantell (producer)
* Nikki Ramsey (executive producer)
* Rick Rickertsen (co-producer)
* Jonathan Sadowski (producer)
* Mary Solomon (co-producer)
* Tim White (producer)
* Trevor White (producer)

## Details

### Release Dates

* November 24, 2021 (Chile) (internet)
* November 24, 2021 (UK) (internet)
* November 24, 2021 (Singapore) (internet)
* November 24, 2021 (USA) (internet)
* November 25, 2021 (Germany)
* November 25, 2021 (Spain) (internet)
* November 25, 2021 (France) (internet)
* November 25, 2021 (Poland) (internet)

### Also Known As

* 8-Bit Christmas (original title)
* Natal em 8 Bits (Brazil)
* 8-Bit Christmas (Canada)
* Navidad en 8 Bits (Chile)
* Weihnachtsjagd: Das Fest der Spiele (Germany)
* 8 bites karácsony (Hungary)
* 8-Bit Christmas (India)
* 8-Bit Christmas (Indonesia)
* 8-Bit Christmas (Italy)
* 8-Bit Christmas (Poland)
* 8-битное Рождество (Russia)
* 8-비트 크리스마스 (South Korea)
* Navidad en 8 bits (Spain)
* 8-Bit Christmas (United Arab Emirates)
* 8-Bit Christmas (UK)
* 8-Bit Christmas (USA)

## Production

In March 2021, it was announced Neil Patrick Harris, Winslow Fegley, June Diane Raphael, and Steve Zahn had joined the cast of the film, with Michael Dowse directing from a screenplay by Kevin Jakubowski. New Line Cinema and Star Thrower Entertainment produced the film, which was distributed through HBO Max.

## Reception

### Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 73% based on 15 reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. The film also has a 6.8/10 rating on IMDb.

Nick Allen of *RogerEbert.com* gave the film 1 1/2 out of 4 stars, calling it "an innocent but tedious Yuletide time-killer that's all about wanting a Nintendo NES console", and writing that it's "consistently beat by its own limited imagination." Nick Ordoña of the *Los Angeles Times* praised the casting, direction, and Jakubowski's writing, summarizing, "It even earns its heart-tugging ending. In short, it's a surprise contender for Best Christmas Movie of the last several years." Calum Marsh of *The New York Times* wrote, "When it isn't fawning over roller rinks, *Goonies* posters, and Casio watches, *8 Bit Christmas* is a warm and refreshingly earnest holiday comedy."

## Company Credits

### Production Companies

* Warner Bros Pictures
* New Line Cinema
* Star Thrower Entertainment

### Distributors

* HBO Max (2021) (USA) (video)
* Warner Bros Pictures (2021) (Worldwide) (all media)
* Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (2021) (Germany) (theatrical)

## Trivia

* Before filming, Neil Patrick Harris needed to do a 14-day quarantine. Each day, he posted a funny video of how he was spending it.
* Kevin Jakubowski's script was named to the 2019 Black List.
* "Original Appalachian Artworks" is credited at the end of the movie. Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. is located in Cleveland, GA, and has 53 total employees. This is the company that produced and marketed the Cabbage Patch dolls as shown in the movie.
* The mentioning of "No person or identity associated with this film received payment or anything of value, or entered into any agreement in connection with the depiction of tobacco products." refers to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement of 1998. This means that tobacco companies cannot pay for tobacco brand placement in movies.
* Hasbro took over the rights to produce Cabbage Patch dolls in 1988 after Coleco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and continued to make the dolls with various gimmicks, including dolls that played kazoos. Some of the more popular doll lines to come out under the Cabbage Patch Kids name included the "Birthday Kids", "Splash 'n' Tan Kids", and "Pretty Crimp and Curl", and 1988 is the year portrayed in this movie.
* In 2001, a former Coleco marketing whiz, acquired Original Appalachian's licensing rights and sold them to retailer Toys 'R' Us.
* In 1994, Mattel acquired the licensing rights to the dolls from Original Appalachian Artworks. Their first Cabbage Patch dolls hit the stores in 1995.

## Connections

### References

* *The Wizard of Oz* (1939) - Mentioned in dialogue.
* *Superman* (1978) - Poster shown in Jake's room.
* *Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi* (1983) - Mentioned in dialogue.
* *Scarface* (1983) - Mentioned in dialogue.
* *The Goonies* (1985) - Poster shown in Jake's room.
* *Top Gun* (1986) - Mentioned in dialogue.
* *Platoon* (1986) - Title mentioned.
* *Wall Street* (1987) - Mentioned in dialogue.
* *Die Hard* (1988) - Title mentioned.