Newly-released film “This Christmas” had a strong opening weekend, bringing in $26.3 million over the 5-day Thanksgiving weekend — coming in second place to Disney’s “Enchanted,” which opened with $49.1 million.

The most impressive significance of “This Christmas’” successful opening weekend is the amount of theaters it opened in, about 1,850 compared to “Enchanted’s” 3,700.

These numbers are well-deserved for this positive family Christmas film that isn’t afraid to explore the importance of faith, family and letting go of the things that hold you back from your dreams and desires.

“This Christmas” is the story of the Whitfield family as they gather during Christmas, the first time they have all been home in years. With the baggage each family member brings with them, it is sure to be a Christmas no one will forget. As their lives clash and conflict, they reunite and discover the importance of family.

Loretta Devine leads the cast as Ma’Dere, the mother of the family. She, her boyfriend Joe Black (Delroy Lindo) and Michael “Baby” Whitfield (Chris Brown) prepare the house as they expect the family for Christmas for the first time in four years. Each child in the Whitfield family has an issue they deal with. Lisa (Regina King) is a homemaker with two kids, and she struggles in her marriage with her demanding husband. Kelli (Sharon Leal) is a successful business woman who is lonely and searching for love, and Mel (Lauren London) has been a college student for seven years, changing her major as often as the men she dates. Claude (Columbus Short), a Marine, came home for Christmas and has one of the biggest secrets in the story, and Quentin (Idris Elba) is a traveling musician who finally comes home for Christmas while running from some bookies he owes money.

No one in the story wants to come to terms with the secrets they are hiding and struggles they are going through, but after being home with one another for a few days, their sibling bickering starts to come out, and their truths get spilled on the table. There is one point where Ma’Dere is so confused; it seems like she doesn’t even know who her family has become. Rather than let these conflicts tear them apart, it draws them closer together and reconnects their bonds as a family.

“This Christmas” succeeds with its dynamite cast, upbeat music and many comedic memorable moments. Although the story does get formulaic at times, this upbeat comedy can’t help but get you in the mood for family, fun, food and friends.

If you missed “This Christmas,” make sure to check it out this holiday season. It a perfect film to see with friends, family or even on a date.