The holidays are here, and fans can add a new Christmas classic to their collection with “Candy Cane Lane.” The new holiday film stars Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross and follows “a man on a mission to win his neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest,” according to the synopsis. 

After Chris (Murphy) makes a deal with a naughty elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning the contest, Pepper casts a magic spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life and wreaks havoc on the whole town. Chris, his wife Carol (Ross), and their children must race against the clock to break Pepper’s spell, battle deviously magical characters, and save Christmas for everyone.

In a conversation with BET.com, Hudlin and his crew discuss if they exceed expectations for the film, Murphy and Madison Thomas's father-daughter onscreen chemistry, and if they would be open to a sequel. 

BET.com: When creating “Candy Cane Lane,” what type of holiday film did you want to create and did the film exceed expectations? 

Hudlin: I wanted to build on all the great holiday films in the past and do something that gave you the warmth, fun, the colors and the music of the best ones but add some stuff that you've never seen in a Christmas movie to make something that was really unique so he whole family can sit around and have a great time. 

Kelly Younger: Absolutely, the film exceeded my expectations. And I love your reaction time because that's exactly what we are hoping for. Personally, what I wanted to do is I wanted to write a movie and tell a story that created a sense of joy because that's really what the holidays are all about and what I look forward to with my family which is being together and watching family holiday movies together. I truly wanted to create a sense of joy, bring a little more joy into the world as I think the world could use a little more joy right now.

BET.com: What is the true magic of creating the perfect holiday film? 

Hudlin: Well, the core of a holiday film is the core of the holiday and the core to me, is family and love. If you've got those two things, you got Christmas.

Aaron Osbourne: It is the magic of Christmas mixed with the importance of family and if you can get those two plus a little mischief, that never hurts anybody. 

BET.com: Eddie Murphy and Madison Thomas are the perfect father-daughter duo for this film — can you share their chemistry on set and why these two were the perfect choices for their roles as Chris and Holly Carver? 

Hudlin: [Eddie] Murphy in a Christmas movie is a no-brainer – the trick was to find a young actress that could share the screen with Eddie Murphy, which is a really tall order but [Madison] Thomas came in and did a fantastic job. She’s an amazing actress who is funny, charming, and can hold the screen next to one of the biggest movie stars in the world.

BET.com: As you reflect on “Candy Cane Lane,” what do you hope audiences take away from the film? 

Younger: I hope that audiences, when they watch this family in particular, that they take away those reminders that it isn't what's on the outside of your house that you're decorating with, but it's who you're spending your time with on the inside.

BET.com: Can we expect a sequel? Would you do it all over again? 

Hudlin: I’ve never done a sequel to any of my films before, but when it comes to this film, I’d love to go back because we had a great time.