Little Miss Sunshine

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2:26

Little Miss Sunshine

R

Released Jan 20, 2006

1h 42m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

217 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

The Hoover family -- a man (Greg Kinnear), his wife (Toni Collette), an uncle (Steve Carell), a brother (Paul Dano) and a grandfather (Alan Arkin) -- puts the fun back in dysfunctional by piling into a VW bus and heading to California to support a daughter (Abigail Breslin) in her bid to win the Little Miss Sunshine Contest. The sanity of everyone involved is stretched to the limit as the group's quirks cause epic problems as they travel along their interstate route.

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Critics Consensus

Little Miss Sunshine succeeds thanks to a strong ensemble cast that includes Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, and Abigail Breslin, as well as a delightfully funny script.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

The best thing about American cinema is that besides the studio-assembled big ticket movies, there's also the flourishing indie film movement which keeps throwing up some delightfully refreshing movies.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 24, 2019

Full Review

Brian Tallerico

UGO

It doesn't exploit its characters for comedy or life lessons; it simply embraces the family members and lets them be themselves.

Mar 24, 2007

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Melissa Anderson

Time Out

All indie-movie families may start out unhappy in their own way, but by the time the final credits roll, everyone remains complacent, confident of their brood's superiority.

Rated: 2/6

Feb 3, 2007

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a continuously engrossing endeavor that gets off to a memorable (and instantly-captivating) start...

Rated: 4/4

Jul 3, 2023

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

The best film of 2006.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 14, 2020

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

The most unlikely (and effective) feelgood movie you might ever see.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 11, 2020

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judy b

One of he funniest movies of all time! Am currently watching it for the third time. The plot is like no other I have ever seen. It is about the most unusual family situation ever. There are a lot of road trip movies, but nothing like this one. One of those if anything goes wrong, it will! Well cast and directed. Terrific happy ending.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/25

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MAN B

Currently the best movie I’ve ever seen

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/25

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Kevin P

A surprisingly heavy and touching family drama. Everyone is so well realized with their deeply relatable character struggles and are performed so poignantly by the whole cast. It’s finally a family road trip movie that feels grounded and relatable, like it reminds me of the best and worst moments of my childhood family road trips. The struggles feel harsh and real, but the characters’’ growth and their little triumphs to be their best selves was so heartwarming by the end. Alan Arkin and Steve Carell are easily the highlights, but everyone has a moment to shine, and it all comes together so perfectly. Easily one of my new favorite movies about family.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

Full Review

da butler2008 a

What the Great movie!!!!!!!! comedy but they gimme messeage for us. like comedy cinema. fun and pop like movie, but message and whole movie was cinema!!!!!! crazy fusion. love this movie. love you search light pictures man.i love cast too!!!!!! love all.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

Marc C

I think that most of us who post here are people who love a vast variety of movies. I can watch The Godfather when I have time, but I have go tos I watch almost every night (one at a time). My regulars include Dr. Sleep, Clerks, Waiting on Guffman, Best in Show, and Step Brothers. For some, that list will put you off as to why I LOVE this movie. It has it all, including a great cast and script. Abigail Breslin is incredibly awesome. This is like a modern day Odyssey, and it was equal parts moving and hilarious.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

Maxwell C

The Ms. California ice cream scene tore me to shreds.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/25

Full Review

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Jonathan Dayton

Director

Valerie Faris

Director

Greg Kinnear

Richard

Steve Carell

Frank

Toni Collette

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Alan Arkin

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Little Miss Sunshine: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The Hoover family -- a man (Greg Kinnear), his wife (Toni Collette), an uncle (Steve Carell), a brother (Paul Dano) and a grandfather (Alan Arkin) -- puts the fun back in dysfunctional by piling into a VW bus and heading to California to support a daughter (Abigail Breslin) in her bid to win the Little Miss Sunshine Contest. The sanity of everyone involved is stretched to the limit as the group's quirks cause epic problems as they travel along their interstate route.

Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
Producer: Marc Turtletaub, David T. Friendly, Peter Saraf, Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa
Screenwriter: Michael Arndt
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Big Beach, Bona Fide Productions
Rating: R (Language|Drug Content|Some Sex)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 2006, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 26, 2006
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $59.9M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Dolby

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