The Spy Next Door

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The Spy Next Door

PG

Released Jan 15, 2010

1h 32m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Action

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Popcornmeter

12%

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91 Reviews

40%

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100,000+ Ratings

Bob Ho (Jackie Chan), an undercover operative for the CIA, decides to give up his career and marry his girlfriend, Gillian (Amber Valletta). First however, he has one more mission to complete: Gain the approval of Gillian's children. Bob volunteers to baby-sit when Gillian is called away, but the operation hits a snag when one of the kids mistakenly downloads a top-secret formula, and a Russian terrorist takes aim at Bob's prospective family.

Critics Consensus

Lacking a script funny enough to cover up for Jackie Chan's fading physical gifts, The Spy Next Door fails on every conceivable level.

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Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 1/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 1/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a mostly tiresome endeavor that fares especially poorly within its generic and sluggish first half...

Rated: 2/4

Mar 31, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

...it could have been worse. [Full review in Spanish]

Oct 25, 2022

Full Review

John Gholson

Cinematical

If the lazy filmmakers don't care enough about their movie to offer at least one single original idea, then you shouldn't care enough to go see it.

Feb 10, 2012

Full Review

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Laura L

Great comedy with lots of action! The story is about a former CIA agent (Jackie Chan) who watches the three kids of his neighbor with whom he has a relationship. Accidentally, the son downloads a file that is wanted by some terrorists, and from here, there is lots of tension, funny situations and dialog, and a happy end. It's a movie for all ages, for the entire family. Enjoy it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

Full Review

William B

I think for its time and for a children's movie, this was pretty fun.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

Full Review

M R

Despite being very formulaic, I believe this could have been a crowd pleaser under different circumstances. I'm surprised it wasn't a hit film. I though Jackie Chan was great and believable in his role. I'd prefer a universe where the USA and China are working together in harmony. It's a fine movie, but maybe because it's caught in between a spy flick and family film that people are thrown off? I don't know, but it was pretty decent overall. What were people expecting, Orwell or something? 79/100 C+

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/01/23

Full Review

Brandon A

Certainly not Jackie Chan's best work, but he still managed to carry this movie from being bad. The acting is not great, the story is in some ways ridiculous, but overall the movie is okay, there are certainly some fun action scenes and it's a movie that I do see kids liking, maybe even some adults but it's certainly not gonna please everyone.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/09/23

Full Review

Jay B

Great feel good movie for the whole family. Similar touches as project A. Jackie chan is a legend of his own. Wide variety of cast.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Cyrus K

Sometimes looks are not deceiving.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/08/23

Full Review

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Brian Levant

Director

Jackie Chan

Bob Ho

Amber Valletta

Gillian

George Lopez

Glaze

Billy Ray Cyrus

Colton James

Madeline Carroll

Farren

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Synopsis

Bob Ho (Jackie Chan), an undercover operative for the CIA, decides to give up his career and marry his girlfriend, Gillian (Amber Valletta). First however, he has one more mission to complete: Gain the approval of Gillian's children. Bob volunteers to baby-sit when Gillian is called away, but the operation hits a snag when one of the kids mistakenly downloads a top-secret formula, and a Russian terrorist takes aim at Bob's prospective family.

Director: Brian Levant
Producer: Robert Simonds
Screenwriter: Jonathan Bernstein, James Greer, Gregory Poirier
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Relativity, Robert Simonds Productions
Rating: PG (Sequences of Action Violence|Mild Rude Humor)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 15, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.3M
Runtime: 1h 32m