Watch 8-Bit Christmas

8-Bit Christmas is a heartwarming Christmas movie that centers around the nostalgia and excitement of the holiday season in the 1980s. The movie is based on a novel by Kevin Jakubowski and is directed by Michael Dowse. The movie follows the story of a young boy named Jake Doyle, played by Winslow Fegley, who is determined to get his hands on the latest and greatest video game console, the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES. It's Christmas 1987, and every kid in his town is talking about it, even his friends who claim to have already gotten one. But for Jake, who dreams of being the coolest kid in school, nothing else matters.

Jake's problem is that his dad, played by Steve Zahn, doesn't want to give him the console. His dad thinks video games are a waste of time and money, and he suggests that Jake should spend his money on something more worthwhile. But Jake won't take no for an answer, and he becomes more and more desperate for the NES as Christmas approaches.

Jake is not alone in his quest for the NES, and he teams up with his friend, Mikey, to come up with a plan to get one. They go to great lengths to earn cash and save up for the console, from selling Christmas trees to doing chores for the neighbor. But their actions lead to Jake being grounded, and things get even more complicated when Jake's old neighbor, played by Neil Patrick Harris, enters the picture.

Jake's neighbor tells him the story of how he got his first Atari, a console that was popular in the 70s, and how it shaped his childhood. Through flashbacks, the movie shows the audience the importance of video games to the younger generation and the bond that the neighbor had created with his father through their shared love for games.

As the story unfolds, we see the different ways that families celebrate the holidays, from decorating their homes to attending church services. But amidst the festivities, Jake's determination grows stronger, and he becomes more creative in his attempts to get the console.

The movie is filled with 80s references, from the hairstyles to the music, and it's clear that the filmmakers have done their research to make sure that the movie is as authentic as possible. The soundtrack is filled with classic pop hits from the era, which add to the feel-good factor of the movie.

Overall, 8-Bit Christmas is a joyful movie that is perfect for the holiday season. The movie captures the magic of the 80s and reminds us of the importance of the traditions that we hold dear. The cast is excellent, with Winslow Fegley giving a standout performance as Jake. The movie is a great reminder that what we may think of as small moments can have a big impact on the memories we create.

8-Bit Christmas is a 2021 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 66.