Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever 2023

As Christmas approaches, Greg’s zeal for staying on the nice list intensifies, particularly since his heart’s desire is to get his hands on the coveted Mega Station 9000 video game console. His mother, Susan, endeavors to inject some festive cheer into their household, introducing them to Elfrendo, a peculiarly unsettling stuffed elf doll that supposedly keeps tabs on their behavior for Santa’s sake - much to Greg’s dismay.

Determined to maintain his good standing, Greg convinces Rowley to join him in building an enormous snowman, which inadvertently creates a massive snowball that ravages the lawn. Further down the street, a harried snowplow operator is besieged by a chorus of rowdy children. The duo’s massive snowball careens out of control, damaging the plow’s blade and prompting a frantic retreat as they abandon their winter wonderland creations in disarray.

As the family embarks on a festive drive-through town, Greg discovers that the dumpster where he and Rowley had discarded their clothing was actually a toy donation bin, filled with gifts meant for those less fortunate. The following day, wanted posters of the “snowball bandits” appear plastered across town, prompting Greg and Rowley to devise a plan to reclaim their lost belongings.

Just as the snowstorm that has besieged their community begins to clear, another unexpected twist throws the household into chaos: the power goes out, plunging the family into darkness. As they struggle to cope with the sudden loss of modern conveniences, tensions within the household rise. Susan’s efforts to revitalize the holiday spirit fall flat, while Frank’s attempts to keep inventory are confounded by mysterious disappearances.

Meanwhile, Rodrick becomes obsessed with identifying the snowball culprits, convinced that two high schoolers have stolen Greg and Rowley’s belongings and wreaked havoc on the neighborhood. As the family’s cabin fever reaches a boiling point, their water pipes burst, further straining relationships and testing their patience. The situation takes an unexpected turn when Manny goes missing, prompting a frantic search that ultimately uncovers his secret stash of supplies - a discovery that reveals the root of their woes.

As Christmas Eve’s festive atmosphere settles in, the Heffleys find themselves momentarily rejuvenated, prompting them to unwrap a present early. Expectations are high for Greg, who assumes his early gift will be the coveted video game console; however, he’s left underwhelmed by a surprise package from his grandmother containing clothing items instead. The snowfall outside subsides, and Greg seizes the opportunity to execute his plan. He enlists Rowley’s help, and together they embark on a mission to retrieve their forgotten treasures from the toy donation bin. Digging through the snowdrifts proves to be a laborious task, but their perseverance pays off when Greg finally locates their buried belongings.

As they’re about to leave, however, Rowley makes a sudden exit upon spotting the snowplow lady, whose arrival earlier had left them in a flurry of activity. The woman, impressed by Greg’s shoveling efforts, offers him a ride back home on her plowing vehicle. As they converse, Greg discovers that she’s a single mother, toiling away as a snowplow driver to provide for her and her young son, Tyler. Her wish list includes the coveted Mega Station, but financial constraints render it out of reach. Despite their initial misunderstanding, the snowplow lady’s warm demeanor and genuine struggles win over Greg, who departs on amicable terms.

As the Heffleys’ celebration resumes with the power finally restored to their neighborhood, a police cruiser pulls up outside. The family is left stunned as they realize that Greg has been caught in the act of snowball warfare. Instead of covering his tracks, Greg decides to own up to his misdeeds and turns himself in. To everyone’s surprise, the authorities are actually seeking donations for a local charity. Moved by the snowplow lady’s plight, Greg chooses to donate his Mega Station to her and Tyler, fostering a newfound appreciation for his family and a promise to prioritize more meaningful gifts in the future. As he discards his broken Elf on the Shelf figurine into the bin, an unexpected twist unfolds: the toy returns, silently watching over Greg like a spectral guardian.