A Very Brady Christmas

A Very Brady Christmas

Year: 1988

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Baldwin

DramaTV MovieFamilyComedy

Nearly two decades after the original Brady Bunch began, the children are adults with families of their own. They reunite at the family home for a Christmas, but Mike discovers a structural flaw in a building he designed. While inspecting, the building collapses, trapping him under the rubble. The family watches, fearing the worst as they await news of Dad’s fate.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – A Very Brady Christmas (1988)

Trace every key event in A Very Brady Christmas (1988) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Funds redirected for Christmas reunion

Mike and Carol reallocate their savings to buy airline tickets for their children, grandchildren, and in-laws so the whole family can be together for Christmas. The plan shifts from separate dream trips to a single, shared holiday, uniting the Bradys under one roof. The move shows how their initial savings become a tool for repairing family ties.

Bradys' home
2

Family members face personal obstacles this Christmas

Greg's wife Nora spends Christmas with her own family, leaving Greg with a quieter home front. Peter is entangled with his boss Valerie and worries about his lower position and pay. Bobby has dropped out of graduate school to pursue NASCAR, while Marcia's husband Wally has just been fired. Jan is separating from Phillip, Cindy pretends to have college stresses, and Alice faces life after Sam leaves.

Bradys' home
3

Family begins to open up to healing

With the goal of reuniting, Mike and Carol encourage the kids to share their struggles. The Brady parents create a safe space for honesty, and the family starts to promise support rather than blame. Small confessions pave the way for real reconciliation.

Bradys' home
4

Jan reconciles with Phillip

Jan gets back together with Phillip, signaling a thaw in the family’s tensions. The couple’s reunion helps ease the strain on Jan and the household as a whole.

Bradys' home
5

Bobby reveals his NASCAR plan

Bobby finally tells the family about his decision to pursue NASCAR racing and how it will affect his future. The confession shifts the family dynamic as they process his ambition.

Bradys' home
6

Wally lands a new job

Wally secures a new job at Mike's friend's toy company, providing a fresh path forward for Marcia’s husband. The news brings relief to Marcia and the rest of the family as they navigate the holiday stress.

Bradys' home
7

Nora arrives to surprise Greg

Nora arrives at the Brady home to surprise Greg, briefly lifting the mood as everyone gathers for Christmas. Her unexpected visit underscores the ongoing theme of family reuniting despite obstacles.

Bradys' home
8

Building disaster disrupts Christmas dinner

The festive dinner is interrupted when a ruthless businessman's cut corners cause the building Mike designed to collapse. Mike bravely frees two trapped security guards from the rubble, proving his dedication to safety and his clients.

Construction site
9

Aftershock traps Mike

An aftershock traps Mike in the rubble, leaving his fate uncertain as the family watches and prays for his safety. The accident heightens the stakes for everyone involved and tests their Christmas resolve.

Construction site
10

Mike escapes the rubble and the family sings

Mike finally escapes from the debris, a dramatic moment that the family commemorates with a chorus of an old Christmas hymn. The song becomes a symbol of resilience and renewed faith as they rally around him.

Construction site
11

Santa arrives with a single present for Alice

Returning home from the day's ordeal, a man dressed as Santa Claus appears at the door and reveals only one present—Sam in disguise. He explains his remorse and asks for forgiveness.

Bradys' home
12

Alice forgives Sam and the Bradys welcome him to dinner

Alice forgives Sam and invites him to stay for dinner, signaling a hopeful peace in the family. The film ends with everyone joining in a chorus of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Bradys' home

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 16:01

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A Very Brady Christmas Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Very Brady Christmas, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Very Brady Christmas Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Very Brady Christmas

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Characters, Settings & Themes in A Very Brady Christmas

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