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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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

12%

Tomatometer

91 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

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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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

The woeful screenplay, the mundane direction, by Brian Levant, and the indifferent acting all combine to sink a stupid plot which should never have got off the ground.

Rated: 0.5/5

Apr 1, 2010

Full Review

Alexander Pashby

Little White Lies

Definitely one for the kids to watch on their own when it comes out on DVD.

Mar 22, 2010

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Chan has just enough friendly charm to transcend this rubbish.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 22, 2010

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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Shaun R

Jackie Chan at his best and Chris Tucker in his finest role. Both seem to be enjoying themselves, and overall, this is simply a fun movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraca, o filme tem cenas fracas, a história é ruim, o elenco é bacana, mas só o jackie chan ajudou a melhorar o filme, os personagens são ruins e pioram o filme, com tudo isso, eu não recomendo esse filme.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

Full Review

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

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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

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - Bedtime

2:06

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - Bike Fight

2:32

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - Bob the Spy

2:16

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - Hungry Bacteria

1:30

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - Spy Tactics

3:13

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - Missing Princess

2:29

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - Go, Bob, Go!

2:54

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - Russian Spy

2:23

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - The Russians Are Coming

2:59

The Spy Next Door: Official Clip - Rush and Attack

2:12

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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: Robert Simonds Productions, Relativity
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