Directed by
Sean Anders
Made by
Paramount Pictures
After forming a friendship by the end of the first Daddy’s Home film, Brad Whittaker (Will Ferrell) and Dusty Mayron (Mark Wahlberg) establish a co-dad system for their children, Megan (Scarlett Estevez) and Dylan (Owen Vaccaro), who alternate between their two homes. Dusty has since married Karen (Alessandra Ambrosio), a writer, and is now the stepfather to Adrianna (Didi Costine), Karen’s daughter.
Things take a turn during a school play for Megan, where she expresses her discontent with having to shuffle between houses frequently. Following this, Brad and Dusty plan to celebrate a “together Christmas.” The arrival of Kurt (Mel Gibson), Dusty’s ex-astronaut father with a flamboyant personality, complicates matters as he is bewildered by their unconventional family dynamic. Meanwhile, Brad’s own father, Don (John Lithgow), arrives greeting Brad with heartfelt affection, further adding to Kurt’s discomfort.
At their home, while Megan and Dylan are pleased to see Don, who actively participates in their lives, Kurt’s impact is minimal due to years of absence. The holiday chaos escalates when Kurt rents a spacious cabin for everyone to stay together during the Christmas festivities. Dusty tries to connect with Adrianna, but she remains aloof, insisting he isn’t her true father. On another note, Sara attempts to bond with Karen, yet is taken aback by her shocking antics, such as shoplifting.
Meanwhile, Dylan develops a crush on a girl from the neighboring cabin, leading him to seek Brad’s guidance about how to approach her. Brad advises him on the intricacies of “friend zoning,” but this advice is soon interrupted by Dusty, who provides his take. Their escapades become increasingly absurd, culminating in a Christmas tree hunting expedition where an unfortunate accident causes Brad to accidentally destroy a cell phone tower, for which he faces a hefty fine.
As all these events unfold, the family embarks on a Santa visit, where Kurt humorously suggests that Dylan request a shotgun for Christmas. After some persuasion from Brad and Sara about the implications of such a gift, Dylan changes his request, igniting a fierce desire in Megan to go hunting. On a hunting excursion, however, Megan accidentally injures Kurt, leading to a rather humorous hospital scene where he and Dusty begin to bond.
Their holiday misadventures take a more dramatic turn at an improv comedy club. After some misunderstandings involving Kurt and Don, the men confront deep-seated issues, revealing personal struggles and family secrets. Brad later discovers that Dusty invited Roger (John Cena), Adrianna’s biological father, to complicate the holiday further, resulting in a comedic showdown between the two in a playful snowball fight gone wrong.
On Christmas Day, as a blizzard forces the families into a local movie theater, tensions rise, leading to confrontations and unexpected reconciliations among the fathers and their sons. Dylan’s comedic mishaps culminate in an awkward kiss, sending the dynamics of the blended family into a tailspin. In the aftermath, both Dusty and Roger work through their feelings for Adrianna, while Don and Brad mend their relationship.
The film concludes at the airport with comedic implications as they encounter Brad’s mom and her new husband’s arrival, who turns out to be Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. In a comically charged moment, Brad draws the line on his feelings about family and acceptance, finally stating that Sully can’t replace his father. This gathering leads to heartfelt resolutions reminiscent of the family’s humorous journey together, providing both laughs and lessons about love and acceptance during the holiday season.
Brad and Dusty's Co-Dad System
Brad Whittaker and Dusty Mayron establish a cooperative parenting arrangement for their children, Megan and Dylan. This setup allows the kids to alternate between their two homes, showcasing a newfound friendship between the two dads.
The School Play
During a school play, Megan voices her frustration about constantly moving between her two homes. This outburst highlights the emotional strain on the children and prompts Brad and Dusty to consider a joint holiday celebration.
Planning a Together Christmas
In response to Megan's concerns, Brad and Dusty decide to celebrate Christmas together with their families. They intend to create a joyful atmosphere that puts the children's needs and feelings first, hoping to alleviate any confusion.
Kurt's Arrival
Dusty’s flamboyant father, Kurt, arrives for the holiday, bringing with him a strong personality that unsettles the family dynamics. His confusion over the new family arrangement adds a layer of tension to the Christmas festivities.
Don's Heartfelt Visit
Brad's father, Don, visits and showers affection on his son and the grandchildren. His warmth contrasts sharply with Kurt's more detached demeanor, causing a shift in the family interaction during the holiday.
The Cabin Stay
Kurt rents a large cabin for everyone to stay under one roof during Christmas. This decision creates an opportunity for family bonding, yet also introduces chaos as multiple personalities clash in a confined space.
Dylan's Crush
Dylan develops a crush on a girl from a neighboring cabin, leading him to seek advice from Brad. Their discussions about romance and relationships lead to comedic misadventures involving Dusty's different perspective.
Christmas Tree Hunting Mishap
During a chaotic Christmas tree hunt, an accident occurs when Brad accidentally destroys a cell phone tower. This incident not only adds to the absurdity of their holiday but also lands Brad with a hefty fine, raising tensions.
The Santa Visit
The family visits Santa, where Kurt jokingly suggests Dylan ask for a shotgun. Following a comical discussion with Brad and Sara, they manage to redirect Dylan’s request, highlighting the absurdities of their holiday interactions.
Megan's Accident
On a hunting excursion, Megan accidentally injures Kurt. This leads to a humorous hospital scene where Kurt and Dusty begin to bond, showcasing the complexities of their blended family dynamics.
Improv Comedy Club Confrontation
Tensions rise at an improv comedy club, where misunderstandings between Kurt and Don lead to deeper confrontations. This scene brings underlying family issues to light, prompting revelations and personal confrontations.
Roger's Arrival
Dusty invites Roger, Adrianna's biological father, to the holiday gathering. His presence complicates the family dynamic further, resulting in a humorous and chaotic snowball fight between him and Dusty.
Christmas Day Chaos
On Christmas Day, a blizzard forces everyone into a local movie theater, where disagreements erupt. This scenario escalates, leading to unexpected reconciliations and comedic mishaps among the fathers and their children.
Brad's Emotional Closure
The film culminates in a comical encounter at the airport when Brad's mother arrives with her new husband, Sully. In this light-hearted moment, Brad grapples with feelings of family and acceptance, concluding their festive journey.
Lessons Learned
The closing scenes reflect on the lessons learned about love and acceptance amidst the comedic turmoil. The family, having navigated their holiday challenges, comes together in a heartfelt resolution that resonates with laughter.
Roger
Roger is Adrianna's biological father, whose unexpected arrival adds a layer of complexity to the holiday mix. His playful and competitive nature leads to comedic showdowns that highlight the absurdities of family dynamics during the festive season.
Brad Whittaker
Brad is a dedicated stepfather trying to navigate the chaotic world of mixed families. He often finds himself in humorous situations as he attempts to bond with his stepkids while dealing with family tensions brought on by the holidays.
Dusty Mayron
Dusty is a strong yet sometimes insecure father figure who grapples with his role in a blended family. His humorous attempts to connect with his stepdaughter and negotiate holidays lead to both comedic and heartfelt moments throughout the film.
Megan
Megan is a resourceful and outspoken girl who copes with the complexities of having two families. Her feelings drive much of the film's emotional narrative, showcasing her desire for stability amid the chaos of family life.
Kurt
Kurt is Dusty's flamboyant father whose larger-than-life personality adds both chaos and humor. His outdated views and eagerness to fit into the family dynamics often lead to humorous misunderstandings.
Don
Don is Brad's warm-hearted father who brings love and affection to the family setting. His presence adds a comforting layer to the holiday chaos, highlighting the importance of familial bonds and acceptance.
Time period
Christmas Season
The story unfolds during the holiday season, particularly around Christmas, a time associated with family gatherings and festive celebrations. This period showcases the joy and chaos that comes with blending families and the complexities of modern relationships.
Location
Home, Cabin, Improv Comedy Club, Local Movie Theater
The film primarily takes place in various family homes where Brad and Dusty manage their co-dad responsibilities. A spacious cabin is rented for the Christmas festivities, serving as a backdrop for many comedic events. The local improv comedy club becomes a significant venue for confrontation and revelations among the characters, while the climax unfolds in a movie theater, highlighting the family's journey during a blizzard.
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Family Dynamics
The film explores the complexities of blended families, showcasing the unique challenges and comedic mishaps that arise when exes and new partners must navigate parenting together. It emphasizes the importance of acceptance and love, despite the inevitable chaos that accompanies family gatherings.
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Holiday Spirit
Set during the Christmas season, the film captures the joyous and sometimes tumultuous nature of holiday celebrations. Themes of togetherness, misunderstandings, and heartwarming resolutions are woven throughout the storyline, reflecting the true spirit of family during this festive time.
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Comedy
Humor plays a central role in the film, with a series of laugh-out-loud moments that arise from the characters' interactions and mishaps. The comedic elements not only entertain but also serve as a vehicle for exploring deeper issues, making the film both funny and relatable.
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