Moviegoers tired of Hollywood’s predictable cynicism finally have something wholesome to take their families to this holiday season. Unexpected Christmas, a family-centered Christmas comedy-drama, opened in theaters on November 7, 2025, and delivers what audiences have been starved for: humor, heart, and stories that celebrate home rather than tearing it down.
CBN’s Efrem Graham recently sat down with actor Ricco Ross and producer Phil Thornton to talk about the film, giving conservative Christians a rare mainstream media moment where faith-forward storytelling is treated with respect. The conversation highlighted how the film’s production leaned on faith and family values, and how it’s resonating with viewers across generations who want entertainment that uplifts.
This isn’t a vanity project from Hollywood elites intent on lecturing America; it’s a story produced by voices who know the value of community and the dignity of ordinary people. The cast features Lil Rel Howery, Tabitha Brown, Anna Maria Horsford, DomiNque Perry, Reagan Gomez-Preston, and Ricco Ross, with producers Trell Woodberry, Phil Thornton, and Perri Camper helping shepherd a project rooted in real family dynamics.
The premise is simple but powerful: a family reunion at Christmas is upended by surprise guests, old rivalries, and painful secrets, and what follows is messy, honest, and ultimately redemptive. Audiences fatigued by the relentless moralizing of big-studio offerings will find Unexpected Christmas refreshing because it trusts viewers with a story about reconciliation and real human faith rather than preaching one-size-fits-all politics.
Ricco Ross brings a seasoned presence to the ensemble, someone Americans remember from decades of solid work, and Phil Thornton’s growing resume as a producer shows that patriotic, faith-friendly stories can and will be made when decent people take responsibility. These are the kinds of artists conservatives should cheer for—professionals who put family and faith at the center of their work instead of bowing to the latest cultural fad.
Patriotic Americans should vote with their dollars and show up for films like Unexpected Christmas that celebrate the values that make our country strong: family, faith, and personal responsibility. It’s playing in theaters now and will be available on streaming platforms later this season, so make plans to support a movie that chooses hope over despair and community over chaos.
