Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Boy

Play trailer Poster for Boy Released Mar 2, 2012 1h 28m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 74 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A New Zealand youth (James Rolleston) finds that his father (Taika Waititi) is a far cry from the heroic adventurer he's imagined the man to be.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Boy

Boy

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Boy possesses the offbeat charm associated with New Zealand film but is also fully capable of drawing the viewer in emotionally.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (74) Critics Reviews
Cath Clarke Guardian It's a disarmingly lovely, big-hearted film, and hilarious in places. Rated: 4/5 Oct 13, 2017 Full Review John Barber Globe and Mail Even the inevitable flaws of the low-budget production are winning, showcasing as they do the narrative artistry that makes Boy so distinctive amid current factory-written studio productions. Rated: 3/4 Jul 13, 2012 Full Review Linda Barnard Toronto Star A simple story of coming of age and the bitter failings of hero worship that succeeds thanks to the impressive skills of its young star. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 12, 2012 Full Review Paul Kanieski KSQD Community Radio Waititi’s deft acting and comedy skills straddle the line between ironically funny and lovably pathetic. Jul 21, 2023 Full Review Graeme Tuckett Stuff.co.nz As with all great comedy, there's some sadness and grit at its core that grounds the laughs in a relatable drama. Sep 3, 2021 Full Review Danny Brogan Common Sense Media A beautiful, heart-warming film that will be relatable to teens and will remind anyone older of a time when they too were trying to make sense of the world. Rated: 4/5 May 18, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (313) audience reviews
Raven R Amazing movie, I definitely recommend this movie. It shows a great story but you have to watch and find out what it tells you. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/12/24 Full Review Madison D This movie is definitely one of my favorite, the story line is beautiful and the movie isn't predictable. I really like it, the characters and there story line are great, U should Definitely watch it!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/12/24 Full Review Marika P You can't call yourself a true Taika fan until you've seen this movie. I cried, smiled and laughed. Like all Waititi films, this one teaches the soul. There is: funny symbols that examines guilt. We receive selfless help from where we would not even expect, from the person we hurt. However, Boy becomes a better person because he saw the counterexample (the vision of a fake hero which stripped away his layers through continuous value destruction). It became one of my favorite movies. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/24 Full Review Anthony M One of my favourite movies of all time! It is heart-breaking, heart-warming, and hilarious all at once. Love love love this film! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/19/24 Full Review Stephanie S This is a very powerful film and is sure to leave the audience with a lot to think about. The story is beautifully woven between comedy, real life, and, dramatic interludes. Boy's hero worship for his absentee father is such a pure emotion that is depicted throughout the film right up until he realizes who his father is. The animation provides a unique way to emphasize certain scenes along with the beautiful natural scenery in New Zealand. Although child neglect is clearly depicted throughout the film, the ending scene brings hope to the new path for the father-son's relationship going forward. I was touched, happy, crying, and savoring some of the memorable lines throughout the film and have found myself re-watching this gem several times each year since I first saw it. The final line in the film gets me every time along with the wonderful ending Haka. This is a must see film and is destined to become a classic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/29/23 Full Review FunnyGamingBits AMAZING NEED TO WATCH IF YOU'RE MAORI AND A NEW ZEALANDER YOU WILL LOVE IT Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Boy

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Submarine 88% 82% Submarine Watchlist Small Engine Repair 88% 73% Small Engine Repair Watchlist Somewhere 71% 48% Somewhere Watchlist Our Idiot Brother 70% 51% Our Idiot Brother Watchlist Barney's Version 77% 78% Barney's Version Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A New Zealand youth (James Rolleston) finds that his father (Taika Waititi) is a far cry from the heroic adventurer he's imagined the man to be.
Director
Taika Waititi
Producer
Ainsley Gardiner, Cliff Curtis, Emanuel Michael
Screenwriter
Taika Waititi
Distributor
Paladin
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 2, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$255.2K
Runtime
1h 28m
Most Popular at Home Now