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A sequel to the 1983 classic,A Christmas Story, the Max exclusive film premiered to the streamer with a bang (from a Red Ryder BB gun of course).A Christmas Story Christmasis one of the most popular Christmas films to come out this year. ActorPeter Billingsleyplay Ralphie roughly 40 years after he first burst onto the screen playing the nervous, quirky kid, and this time around he’s playing a desperate father trying to make the holidays as fun as possible for his family.
Based onJean Shepherd’ssemi-autobiographical book,In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, the original 1983 film tells the story of the dysfunctional Parker family around Christmastime during the 1940s in Indiana. Split up into various vignettes that find them in various conundrums, leading the charge is 9-year-old Ralphie, and his adult self serves as the narrator as he looks back on a particularly memorable Christmas when all he dreamed of was getting a Red Ryder air rifle. While begging his parents for the Red Ryder air rifle, Ralphie also contends with bullies at school, strict parents, and the general tension that comes every year around Christmas. In addition to Billingsley, the film also starsDarren McGavinandMelinda Dillonas Mr. and Mrs. Parker,Ian Petrellaas Randy Parker,Scott SchwartzandR.D. Robbas Ralphie’s best friends Flick and Schwartz, andZack Wardas the bully Scut Farkus.
WithA Christmas Story Christmas, Peter Billingsley is executive producing and co-wrote the story withNick Schenk. Directed byClay Kaytisand co-written by Kaytis and Schenk, read on to find out how to watch the sequel.
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on June 16, 2025.
A Christmas Story Christmas
Where Can I Stream ‘A Christmas Story Christmas’?
A Christmas Story Christmasis available to stream on the Max streaming service. The long-awaited proper sequel arrived on the streaming service on August 02, 2025. The film originally premiered back when the streaming service was named “HBO Max” and was one of the last Max original movies to premiere on the service. You can click the link below to stream the film right now.
Watch on Max
The original 1983 film is also available to stream on Max.
Another sequel,A Christmas Story 2, starringDaniel Stern, was released directly to DVD and Blu-ray in 2012, and followed the adventures of Ralphie Parker as a teenager, clamoring for a new car. Unfortunately, unlike the 2022 sequel,A Christmas Story 2received dismal reviews. That being said, if you are still interested in watching the film, it is available to stream on Max as well.
Is ‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ Available On-Demand?
Watch the Trailer for A Christmas Story Christmas
Triple dog dares and flare jeans are thrown and worn at high rates in the trailer forA Christmas Story Christmas. It’s the 1970s, and Ralphie is all grown up and a family man with a wife and kids of his own. Still sporting glasses and a nervous grin, Ralphie is packing up and heading home in the wake of his father’s passing just days before Christmas. The trailer finds many familiar faces in the Indiana small town, with Flick now owning the local bar, Flick’s tavern, and Schwartz is just one of the many regulars. As Ralphie makes it his goal to bring Christmas cheer to everyone while battling grief, he decorates Christmas trees and goes sledding to various degrees of success. The trailer has the trademark upbeat energy that the original 1983 comedy had, with Christmas carols playing throughout as a new generation of Parkers makes new memories in old familiar places.
More Titles Like A Christmas Story Christmas to Watch
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation(1989) - For more chaotic family madness that also invokes nostalgia for a more simplistic time,National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationis the perfect place to start. Marking the third film in the franchise series,Chevy Chasestars as family man Clark W. “Sparky” Griswold Jr., and he and his rambunctious family travel home for the holidays to cause mayhem in the suburbs. Hailing from the mind of 80s trailblazerJohn Hughes, he wrote and executive produced the film, and it buzzes with his trademark family dysfunction. Well-regarded as a Christmas classic, the film also starsBeverly D’Angelo,Randy Quaid,Miriam Flynn,William Hickley,Mae Questel,Diane Ladd,Doris Roberts, andJuliette Lewis.
The Family Stone(2005) - If you want family destruction that trades in comedy for drama,The Family Stoneis an underrated heartfelt holiday film. A dramedy with an all-star cast, it finds the entire grown-up Stone family returning home for Christmas and bringing pandemonium alongside their luggage.Diane KeatonandCraig T. Nelsonstar as Mrs. and Mr. Stone, andRachel McAdams,Luke Wilson,Dermot Mulroney,Tyrone Giordano, andElizabeth Reaserplay the various Stone children. Tensions flare when beloved son Everett (Mulroney) brings home his uptight girlfriend Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker), and chaos ensues in both hilarious and heartbreaking fashion as her sister Julie (Claire Danes) arrives to help her survive the holidays.
Watch on Hulu
A Charlie Brown Christmas(1965) - A kid-friendly classic that any family can enjoy and carries a similar spirit toA Christmas Story.Like Ralphie, Charlie Brown is always the odd man out and is easily susceptible to cruelty and bullies. While everyone else seems to be basking in the glow of Christmas cheer, Charlie is once again feeling down but decides to search for happiness by procuring a Christmas tree for his school play. With beloved Christmas carols and unforgettable characters, the Charlie Brown Christmas special is always worth revisiting.
Watch on Apple TV+
