The Star

The movie begins in Nazareth, where Mary (voiced by Gina Rodriguez) is deep in prayer. Suddenly, an angel (voiced by Joel McCrary) appears from above, announcing to Mary that she will give birth to the son of God. This miraculous event doesn’t go unnoticed, as a small pygmy mouse named Abby (voiced by Kristin Chenoweth) witnesses everything and eagerly spreads the news to other animals in the town. Their gaze is drawn to the heavens where a radiant star shines brightly.

As the story unfolds, we meet a young donkey named Bo (voiced by Steven Yeun) who works tirelessly at a wheat mill alongside his father (voiced by Kris Kristofferson). Throughout their monotonous life, Bo dreams of escaping to join the Royal Caravan, to ride alongside majestic horses and be cherished by crowds. However, his father’s cynicism discourages him, insisting that such dreams are beyond their grasp. Undeterred by the negativity surrounding him, Bo remains optimistic about one day achieving his dreams.

Fast forward six months, Bo is still trapped in the same routine. In a pivotal moment, his father recognizes his son’s growing despair and decides to help him embrace his dreams. He loosens Bo’s collar and knocks out the Miller (voiced by Phil Morris), providing Bo the chance to escape. The young donkey seizes the opportunity and bolts into the streets where he reconnects with his dove friend Dave (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key). Just as they celebrate, the Miller immediately pursues them, but Bo manages to hide just in time.

In another corner of Nazareth, Mary prepares to celebrate her wedding feast with Joseph (voiced by Zachary Levi). However, a secret weighs heavy on her; she hasn’t yet revealed to Joseph that she is pregnant. During the festivities, Mary discovers Bo hiding beneath a table, mistakenly believing he’s Joseph’s pet. When Joseph denies the donkey’s ownership, Mary notices Bo’s injured leg and shows him compassion, which endears him to her. She names him Boaz, or Bo for short. Eventually, Mary reveals to Joseph that she is with child and that the baby is destined to be the Messiah. Stunned and bewildered, Joseph finds solace in prayer and vows to support Mary through this extraordinary journey.

Meanwhile, the plot introduces the Three Wise Men—Felix (voiced by Tracy Morgan), Cyrus (voiced by Tyler Perry), and Deborah (voiced by Oprah Winfrey)—who embark on a quest to meet King Herod (voiced by Christopher Plummer). During their journey, the camels squabble over the purpose of their trip; Felix believes it’s for a birthday, whereas Cyrus asserts it’s for a baby shower. Deborah, however, insists they are there to meet the Messiah, compelling the others to humor her. Upon reaching Herod’s palace, he mistakenly assumes their gifts are intended for him, but upon realization that they are for another king, he becomes unsettled. Herod then invites the Wise Men to remain as guests, while enlisting his huntsman and two dogs—Thaddeus (voiced by Ving Rhames) and Rufus (voiced by Gabriel Iglesias)—to eliminate the perceived threat of the new king.

As news disseminates among the animal kingdom, the villainous dogs threaten Abby in an attempt to pry information about Mary from her. In the meantime, Mary and Joseph depart Nazareth preparing for the impending birth, while Bo and Dave stay behind. The Hunter, along with the dogs, soon finds their way into the couple’s home, leading to an intense chase where both Bo and Dave attempt to evade capture. Their adventure is fraught with danger, and amidst the chaos, Bo’s bravery shines as he saves Mary from danger.

As destiny unfolds, Bo’s journey takes a significant turn. En route to Bethlehem, he encounters Ruth (voiced by Aidy Bryant), a sheep disillusioned with her flock, who decides to accompany him and Dave. Together, they close in on Mary and Joseph, but the ever-persistent Hunter and dogs are not far behind. In a spectacular chain reaction, Bo causes a series of events in the market that ends with the Hunter falling into a well as they manage to escape. Though the villagers express anger at him for the chaos caused, Bo’s intentions are noble.

As Mary begins to feel contractions, the urgency intensifies. She and Joseph confront their impending parenthood and reaffirm their commitment to one another, reinforcing their bond during the tumultuous time. Bo, filled with resolve, returns to aid Mary and Joseph after initially seeking the Royal Caravan.

Upon arriving at Bethlehem, they face yet another challenge: the city is bursting at the seams, leaving them homeless. Unfortunately, Bo is captured by the Miller who tosses him into a stable. There, he befriends several other animals, including Zach (voiced by Anthony Anderson), Edith (voiced by Patricia Heaton), and Leah (voiced by Kelly Clarkson), who share that they cannot find peace due to the blinding light of the star.

Determined, Bo escapes and races to get Mary and Joseph to the stable for the prophesied birth. The spirit of cooperation ignites among the animals, and they all rally together to protect Mary from the Hunter, culminating in a desperate attempt to prevent calamity. The ensuing showdown leads to hair-raising moments, but ultimately, justice prevails as the Hunter’s plans come to an unfortunate end.

Finally, joy fills the air as Mary’s baby is born, bringing forth a sense of awe among the animals present. In this moment of wonder, even the formerly villainous Thaddeus and Rufus find it within themselves to embrace goodness. Deborah confidently proclaims that this story will be celebrated for generations to come, while some remain skeptical. Mary lovingly invites Bo to come closer, marking the culmination of their journey as Bo finds solace beside her, basking in the miracle that has changed everything.

Last Updated: February 26, 2025 at 09:00