Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas

Kevin Costner introduces a mix of documentary commentary and acted scenes that retell the events around the birth of Jesus through the perspectives of Mary and Joseph. The film alternates between Costner's on-camera reflections and cinematic portrayals of everyday people facing hardship, faith, and hope in a difficult era. Mary and Joseph are shown as young outsiders trying to protect each other while contending with social pressures, physical danger, and the practical demands of their situation. The project aims to make the nativity feel immediate and human, showing how small acts and difficult decisions shape what becomes a larger story.

Directed by David L. Cunningham and released in 2025, the project, titled Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas, blends documentary storytelling with dramatized vignettes inspired by the biblical nativity account.

Costner's role as host drew attention from mainstream and faith-based audiences, prompting conversations online and in holiday programming circles. The hybrid format encouraged family viewing during the season and sparked debate about dramatizing sacred stories for modern viewers.

Early audience feedback has been modestly positive, with a vote average of 6.643 out of 10 from a small sample of viewers. Critics and viewers seem divided over the balance between historical context and theatrical interpretation, while many praise the performances by Gia Rose Patel and Ethan Thorn for bringing warmth and vulnerability to Mary and Joseph.

As of now, the film has not been reported to have received major awards or high-profile nominations. Its reception appears driven more by seasonal interest and the presence of a well-known host than by awards-season momentum.