Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is a 2023 American animated Christmas comedy film directed by Luke Cormican. It’s the seventh installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series and the first adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s book Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever. It premiered as a Disney+ original film on December 8, 2023, and is now streaming.
After accidentally damaging a snowplow while building a snowman with best friend Rowley Jefferson, Greg Heffley worries he won’t get the video game console he desperately wants for Christmas. Things get worse when a snowstorm traps the whole Heffley family indoors together, and cabin fever sets in.
The cast includes Wesley Kimmel, Spencer Howell, Erica Cerra, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Hunter Dillon, with Lisa Ann Walter, Gabriel Iglesias, and Ego Nwodim in supporting roles.
Quick Facts
| Title | Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever |
| Type | Animated Movie (Christmas Comedy) |
| Director | Luke Cormican |
| Writer | Jeff Kinney |
| Release Date | December 8, 2023 (Disney+) |
| Composer | John Paesano |
| Where to Watch | Disney+ |
Who Composed Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever?
John Paesano composed the score. He’s an American composer working across film, television, and video games, best known for scoring all three films in the Maze Runner trilogy and 2024’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes for director Wes Ball, as well as Marvel’s Daredevil and The Defenders for Netflix — the latter earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination. Paesano scored both of the earlier animated Diary of a Wimpy Kid films (2021 and 2022’s Rodrick Rules) before returning for Cabin Fever, and has also composed for Invincible and Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas Cabin Fever Soundtrack List
The film pairs John Paesano’s original score with a handful of licensed Christmas and pop songs:
| Song | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Never Sleeps | Anthony Parnther | Written by Jon Levine & Jeff Kinney; doubles as the film’s end-credits song. |
| Last Christmas | Wham! | Originally released December 1984 on the album Music from the Edge of Heaven; used twice in the film. |
| Blitzkrieg Bop | Ramones | From the Ramones’ 1976 self-titled debut album, played as Greg and Rowley flee down the street. |
| Frosty the Snowman (recorded as “Perry Saves Christmas”) | Carl the Intern | From Disney’s 2010 album Phineas and Ferb Holiday Favorites. |
| Jingle Bells | Extreme Music (library recording) | Copyrighted by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 as “The One Horse Open Sleigh.” |
| Silent Night (piano version) | Harmony Night | Instrumental piano rendition. |
| It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year | Andy Williams | The 1963 holiday standard. |
| The Power (Punch Mix) | Snap! | Dance remix heard during the film. |
Official Score Album Track List
Hollywood Records released Paesano’s complete 24-track score digitally on December 8, 2023, alongside the film.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Never Sleeps |
| 2 | It’s All About the Gifts |
| 3 | Elfrendo: The Christmas Elf |
| 4 | Building a Snowman |
| 5 | You’re in Big Trouble |
| 6 | Life Behind Bars |
| 7 | No Trouble Tracking You Down |
| 8 | Toy Drive |
| 9 | The Plan |
| 10 | Kind of Familiar |
| 11 | The Best Greg Heffley |
| 12 | On the Same Page |
| 13 | Manny Missing |
| 14 | Cabin Fever |
| 15 | We Wish You a Merry Christmas |
| 16 | My Secret’s Safe |
| 17 | A Christmas Miracle |
| 18 | Last Night of Freedom |
| 19 | Over Here! |
| 20 | Rodrick’s Theory |
| 21 | Treasure Every Moment |
| 22 | Light’s On |
| 23 | End of the Road |
| 24 | A Very Heffley Christmas |
Where to Stream
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever streams exclusively on Disney+. The score and soundtrack songs are available on Spotify and Apple Music, where you can listen to the full album.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever based on a book?
Yes. It’s the first film adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s book Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever, and the seventh film overall in the series.
Who plays Susan Heffley in Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever?
Erica Cerra voices Susan Heffley, reprising the role from the previous two animated films.
Who composed the music?
John Paesano, who scored both previous animated Wimpy Kid films and later went on to score Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Is the soundtrack available to stream?
Yes. Both the John Paesano score and the film’s featured songs are available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Where can I watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever?
It streams exclusively on Disney+.
Related reading: Disney+ Soundtracks | Movie Soundtracks | Streaming Hub
Source: Film Music Reporter, Wikipedia