THE BOSS BABY: CHRISTMAS BONUS
A lighthearted Christmas special where family tradition meets North Pole chaos.
Should You Watch It?
This 45-minute Netflix special offers lighthearted comedy, family traditions, and a gentle reminder that celebrating Christmas together matters. It also includes a reference to Christmas miracles and some funny jokes about private enterprise and economics.
The tradeoff is that the special does not mention Jesus. Instead, it connects the Christmas spirit mainly with Santa, elves, toys, and presents. Some bathroom humor and scatological references may also confuse or bother younger children.
If your family wants an easygoing Christmas comedy and can discuss what Christmas truly celebrates, this is worth watching, especially with middle schoolers and older children.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESTim Templeton tries to tell his children a bedtime story about his childhood and the family’s Christmas traditions. The story follows Tim’s first Christmas with his baby brother, Ted, the Boss Baby.
When Ted encounters Santa and his elves, a series of comic mishaps carries him far from home. To return to his family and help save Christmas, Ted must discover what the Christmas spirit means.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is enjoyable family entertainment, though it does not reach the level of the original movies. The animation, voice acting, and story take a step down from those films.
Still, the special remains a fun, lighthearted animated comedy. Its short runtime, comic North Pole setting, and family-centered story make it an accessible Christmas watch.
The Worldview
The special has a moral, pro-family worldview. It celebrates Christmas together, selflessness rather than greed, and the importance of family. It also refers to Christmas miracles.
Its understanding of Christmas is limited, however. The special does not mention Jesus. Instead, it associates the Christmas spirit mostly with Santa, his elves, toys, and presents. References to good luck and bad luck add mixed worldview elements. Boss Baby’s jokes about Santa being a communist and a hippie also play into the special’s economic humor, especially when he later causes trouble by trying to unionize the elves.
The special’s family message is worthwhile, but its Christmas message misses the central Christian truth. Scripture says, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Moral, pro-family worldview and elements concerning celebrating Christmas together, but with references to Mixed worldview that is pro-family but also celebrates good luck, bad luck and references to the “spirit of Christmas” but associated mostly with Santa and his elves and toys and presents, though there are references to Christmas miracles and being selfless rather than greedy, plus jokes where Boss Baby calls Santa a communist and a hippie, but he causes trouble when he unionizes the elves
Foul Language
No obscenities or profanities, but some bathroom humor, one use of the word “heck,” some name calling, and scatological references to baby diaper, reindeer poop and passing gas
Violence
Some cartoon antics, such as a character slaps another character, Santa’s elves go on strike, Santa gets on the naughty list and accidentally hooks a character’s ear with a fishing hook off screen, characters release smoke grenades that put people to sleep
Sex
No sex
Nudity
No Nudity
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug content
Miscellaneous Immorality
There is a brief moral of the story about the importance of family, but the Boss Baby never really learns his lesson, and Christmas spirit to him means he gets whatever he wants (this is played for laughs but could confuse some children).
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The Templetons value celebrating Christmas together. Which family traditions help you show love and gratitude?
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 · Romans 12:10The special connects Christmas spirit with Santa, gifts, and presents. What does the Bible say Christmas is truly about?
Luke 2:10–11 · Matthew 1:21The story contrasts greed with selflessness. What is one practical way your family could put someone else first this Christmas?
Philippians 2:3–4 · Acts 20:35Boss Baby’s jokes about Santa and his attempt to unionize the elves are played for laughs. How can humor be funny without becoming unkind or confusing?
Ephesians 4:29 · Proverbs 15:1The Final Word
This is a cheerful, family-centered Christmas special with good humor and a worthwhile message about togetherness. Its Santa-focused worldview and scatological humor call for discernment with younger children. For middle schoolers and up, WORTH THE TRIP — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP.
