As someone who has grown up with “A Christmas Story” being an integral part of my holiday traditions since its initial release in 1983, I must say that the sequels to this beloved classic have been a bit like a Red Ryder BB Gun – they’ve missed their mark for me.
Since its debut in 1983, “A Christmas Story” has graced numerous screens during December, yet it surprises many to learn that several sequels have been produced based on this cherished holiday movie. Directed by Bob Clark, the film revolves around Ralphie Parker, a nine-year-old boy who spent Christmas longing for a Red Ryder Range 200-Shot BB Gun. Peter Billingsley played the young Ralphie, while Jean Shepherd provided the voice for the adult version of the character. “A Christmas Story” is renowned as one of the most adored holiday films in existence.
While the original movie version of Ralphie and the Parker family’s adventures is widely recognized as a classic, you might not know that there are five sequels to A Christmas Story that many viewers have overlooked. Each sequel stands on its own, with some actors reprising their roles from the original film. Although these sequels may not enjoy the same level of acclaim as the original, they could be worth watching during this holiday season.
A Christmas Story’s 5 Sequels Explained
Two years after the initial release of “A Christmas Story” in 1983, the first sequel, titled “The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski,” aired as a PBS TV movie. This film was part of the American Playhouse anthology series and was written, narrated by, and inspired by the life of its creator. The story centered around a teenager named Ralphie, set in the late 1940s to early 1950s. In 1988, another film called “Ollie Hopnoodle’s Haven of Bliss” was premiered on the network. This film was based on a short story by the same name written by the creator.
In 1994, Clark once again took the director’s chair for “It Runs in the Family,” later known as “My Summer Story.” This film initially hit theaters with a limited release before being rechristened. Kieran Culkin steps into the role of Ralphie, while Shepherd and Tedde Moore revisit their voices for the adult Ralphie and Miss Shields. The plot unfolds around various Parker family members during their summer escapades. In contrast, director Brian Levant unveiled “A Christmas Story 2” in 2012, a standalone sequel distinct from “My Summer Story.” Braeden Lemasters plays the role of a 16-year-old Ralphie, who aspires to acquire a new car and win over his dream girl. Veteran actor Daniel Stern, known for his role in “Home Alone,” appears in “A Christmas Story 2” as The Old Man.
In 2022, the latest installment following the 1983 classic “A Christmas Story” is the standalone sequel titled “A Christmas Story Christmas.” Directed by Clay Kaytis, this film sees Danny Devito reprising his role as Ralphie, who has grown up and finds himself in the 1970s. Many actors from the original “A Christmas Story” make a comeback in “A Christmas Story Christmas,” including Ian Petrella as Randy Parker, Zack Ward as Scut Farkus, Scott Schwartz as Flick, and R.D. Robb as Schwartz. The movie takes us through Ralphie’s life as an adult as he revisits his childhood home on Cleveland Street and rekindles old friendships.
Why A Christmas Story‘s Sequels Aren’t as Popular as the Original
It’s quite evident that the five follow-ups to the classic film “A Christmas Story” have not achieved the same level of acclaim and success as the original. The reception towards films like “My Summer Story“, for instance, was lukewarm at best; it garnered a 45 Metacritic score from critics and a 44% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Similarly, only 36% of Rotten Tomatoes viewers enjoyed “A Christmas Story 2“. The most recent sequel, “A Christmas Story Christmas“, fared slightly better with a 55 Metacritic score and a 75% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, when compared to the original film’s impressive 89% critic and audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, a 77 Metacritic score, it’s clear that the sequels did not rekindle the same enchantment.
The issues with the sequel of “A Christmas Story” can be traced back to the challenge of recreating the magic of a standalone classic. Just like “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” and “Home Alone 3”, they failed to match up to the original “Home Alone” from 1990, even though both films featured the same characters. Other beloved holiday movies such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “The Polar Express”, and “Elf” have endured as timeless stories without any sequels. Holiday films become iconic by their originality and the ability to touch viewers’ hearts through distinctive characters and compelling narratives. It’s uncommon for a film to achieve such success more than once, making sequels seem unnecessary when the original is so cherished by many.
Currently, no sequels for “A Christmas Story” are being produced. However, considering the enduring popularity of the 1983 film, there’s a possibility that a continuation or remake might emerge in the future. At present, studios seem to favor sequels as they account for every one of the top 10 highest-grossing films in 2024. Therefore, while it’s uncertain if “A Christmas Story” will continue its narrative, there remains a glimmer of hope that the saga might resume someday. Yet, for now, the original 1983 production stands unmatched.
A Christmas Story and A Christmas Story Christmas are currently available to stream on Max.
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2024-12-08 18:10