King of California

PG-13

2007

1 hr. 33 min.

Drama

List

63%

67 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Charlie (Michael Douglas) gets released from an insane asylum and moves in with Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood), the young daughter he left behind. Charlie believes that there is treasure hidden beneath the local Costco, so he puts together a plan to unearth the loot. By convincing Miranda to quit her job at McDonald's and instead work at the wholesale store, he is able to obtain a key. Although Miranda is skeptical, she helps her father with his irrational quest.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Peacock

Stream Now

Peacock

Prime Video

Apple TV

Watch King of California with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Apple TV, or buy on Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

A quirky and often touching comedy about a mature teenager and her manic depressive father, King of California is a charming tale of familial relations and treasure hunting.

Read Critics Reviews

Georgan G

A strange tale of a mentally ill father & his teenage daughter. It kept me interested to see what would happen. Still don't know after watching.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/24

Full Review

Kyle M

Initially intrigued but slowly unconvincing as the narrative bonds therapeutically across improbability towards conclusive surrealism on a calming, ambiguous note. It only seems that the film relies purely on how its estranged father-daughter pair functions from addressing mental issues to burdened struggles. A few relative notes assist the brewing sweetness, all while both performed well with nuanced weight and charismatically providing occasional humor. But the unrealistic journey heightens the void with little substance to add onto the dynamical charisma. (B-)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/15/23

Full Review

Chris M

She said she had to quit school at 15. But you can't quit school legally before you turn 16 years old, not 15. Plus, I doubt social services would just except a phone call or letter saying she lives with her mother. They require proof, also to make sure the mother is fit to raise a teenager. They would just hear Miranda say, "I live with my mom." And reply, "Ok". Next, Spanish treasure in the Inland Empire. 60 miles from the Ocean. There is no way any one hiding treasure would be taking it that far inland. That's why it's called the INLAND Empire. Also, as developed the Inland Empire is, I'm sure any treasure would have been found. But that was the point, her dad was in a terrible asylum as he's just crazy. IMDb calls it a comedy drama, but I found no comedy or laughs. If we were too suppose to life at the crazy person digging up the Inland Empire, that's tasteless and cruel to the mentally challenged and not fit for a movie in the 21st century. The movie also has 3 major product placements but a budget of only 3 million. Did they get the entire budget from just these 3 companies? It's not funny, it's not interesting, it's just a snooze.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/19/23

Full Review

oliver b

Very bland and boring. Couldn't even get through the first 20 minutes.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Shioka O

Odd, off-beaten comedy. There are occasional laughs, and harmless. Michael Douglas plays an wired middle-aged man, he is a gem.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/22

Full Review

zanna v

I had seen this movie when it originally came out and and thoroughly enjoyed it. I recently watched it again and realized I had to give it a review! If you haven't seen this, you should.. it is such a great story. I love the relationship between father and daughter (Michael Douglas as Charlie and Evan Rachel Wood as Miranda) -- very troubled, but still so very tender. Director Mike Cahill does a great job of bringing out the complexity of their relationship with humor and sweetness.. Still, this is an adventure! A treasure hunt! The expedition that Charlie and Miranda embark upon takes place -- not in deep jungles or foreign lands -- but instead in the middle of the everyday backdrop of our day to day lives. This is a hunt for both treasure and family connection, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

M. Cahill

Director

Michael Douglas

Charlie

Evan Rachel Wood

Miranda

Willis Burks II

Pepper

Greg Davis Jr.

Joseph

Mousa Kraish

Bruce

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

34%

58%

Rails & Ties

63%

60%

Grace Is Gone

90%

84%

The Visitor

77%

62%

Canvas

3%

38%

Deal

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critical Consensus: Brave One Isn’t Tops, Mr. Woodcock is Flaccid, Hunting Party is Busted

Sundance Reviews: Short and Sweet, A Review Roundup

Sundance News: "The Ten" And "King of California" Picked Up For Distribution

View more photos

Mark Holcomb

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Roger Moore

Orlando Sentinel

Rated: 3/5

May 13, 2009

Full Review

Toddy Burton

Austin Chronicle

The story is simple, sometimes to a fault, and ultimately Cahill doesn't quite pull off all of the majesty that he attempts. But, I'm excited to see what he'll come up with next.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 20, 2007

Full Review

Heather Huntington

ReelzChannel.com

For an 'adventure movie' full of quirk, King of California can feel a bit flat.

Rated: 6/10

Aug 25, 2008

Full Review

Joseph Proimakis

Movies for the Masses

ypotonikis ekdohis toy National Treasure (2004), poy aromatizetai katatonia aneksartitoy amerikanikoy, komple me to flyaro voice over gia ypokatastato tis afigisis kai liges ksekoyrdistes country hordes sti moysiki ypokroysi gia to sosto feeling

Rated: 2/5

Jun 29, 2008

Full Review

Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

'The King of California' is an easily-entertaining film that features two bravura performances. Douglas plays the character of the loony treasure-hunter Charlie with zest, passion, comedy and, well, hyperactivity - its Jack Colton post-drugs, if you will

Feb 11, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Charlie (Michael Douglas) gets released from an insane asylum and moves in with Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood), the young daughter he left behind. Charlie believes that there is treasure hidden beneath the local Costco, so he puts together a plan to unearth the loot. By convincing Miranda to quit her job at McDonald's and instead work at the wholesale store, he is able to obtain a key. Although Miranda is skeptical, she helps her father with his irrational quest.

Director: M. Cahill
Executive Producer: Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, George Furla, Elisa Salinas, Trevor Short
Screenwriter: M. Cahill, M. Cahill
Production Co: Emmett/Furla Films, Millennium Films, Michael London Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Mature Thematic Elements|Brief Drug References)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 27, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $263.7K

Most Popular at Home Now