The Odd Life of Timothy Green

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The Odd Life of Timothy Green

PG

2012

1h 44m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

36%

Tomatometer

128 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Cindy (Jennifer Garner) and Jim Green (Joel Edgerton) live in the town of Stanleyville, home of the Stanleyville Pencil Factory. Though happily married, Cindy and Jim long for a child; unfortunately, they are unable to conceive. They bury a box in their backyard, containing all their wishes for what they hope a child of theirs might be. When a boy named Timothy (CJ Adams) magically appears at their door, the Greens learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts.

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Critics Consensus

It means well, but The Odd Life of Timothy Green is ultimately too cloyingly sentimental -- and thinly scripted -- to satisfy all but the least demanding viewers.

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

A gooey mess, but not an entirely dislikable one.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 4, 2013

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

The Odd Life Of Timothy Green made me shiver, like having a lizard crawl over your face when you're asleep.

Rated: 1/5

Apr 4, 2013

Full Review

Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Has ever a film battled more fruitlessly against the creepiness of its own premise than The Odd Life of Timothy Green?

Rated: 2/5

Apr 4, 2013

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

A wonderful tale about the power of intention, being careful what you wish for, self-acceptance, love, loss, and new beginnings.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 26, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Struggles to find creativity, worthy comedy, and resonance.

Rated: 3/10

Dec 2, 2020

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

A good majority of children will find much to enjoy here and parents will no doubt appreciate the film's positive message, inspiring characters, and genuinely good heart.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 18, 2020

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Cara R

I don’t care what anyone says, this movie is absolutely amazing and beautiful. It’s about a husband and wife who long to be parents and ultimately get their dream child while still balancing what it truly means to be parents. We see a quirky kid being judged by half the town because he’s not perfect and really only has one friend knowing that it won’t last. Movie always makes me cry I absolutely love it. And the scenery of the film is what also makes this film so amazing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/25

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Lanfranco C

A tale maybe cute, but too irrational.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

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Zeno _

The Movie was fine, but I’d say I couldn’t have the ability to cry at the end when it was meant to be emotionally impactful as I hadn’t been too connected with the characters. None of them had super unique personalities or traits other than Timothy, but that’s kinda the point of the movie so I void it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Eye C

It’s nice, a fantasy nonetheless, but emotionally. The kid that portraits Timothy is one of the cutest boy in the world.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

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Dale R

Based on a story by Ahmet Zappa, a young couple mourns after being told they cannot conceive and copes by creating a fictional perfect child who they get to meet later that night. The story for this film is straightforward with a fantasy element to it and has a lot of heart. Jennifer Garner is really good at playing a mother figure and CJ Adams does a great job playing the titular character. I understand this movie might not be for everyone, but I enjoyed it and maybe you will too.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

Full Review

Zavier S

This movie is filled with comedy, emotion, and heart felt moments. This movie is incredible and I believe it's one of a kind and very engaging. I've seen this movie several times throughout the years and it is hard to make me cry, but when you finish this movie you will cry too. It's sad but also so sweet. I definitely know this movie is a 10/10 and is very underrated.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

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Peter Hedges

Director

Jennifer Garner

Cindy Green

Joel Edgerton

Jim Green

Dianne Wiest

Bernice Crudstaff

CJ Adams

Timothy

Rosemarie DeWitt

Brenda Best

Aquamarine

53%

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Synopsis

Cindy (Jennifer Garner) and Jim Green (Joel Edgerton) live in the town of Stanleyville, home of the Stanleyville Pencil Factory. Though happily married, Cindy and Jim long for a child; unfortunately, they are unable to conceive. They bury a box in their backyard, containing all their wishes for what they hope a child of theirs might be. When a boy named Timothy (CJ Adams) magically appears at their door, the Greens learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts.

Director: Peter Hedges
Producer: Ahmet Zappa, Scott Sanders, James Whitaker
Screenwriter: Peter Hedges
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Walt Disney Studios
Rating: PG (Mild Thematic Elements|Brief Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 15, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $51.9M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital

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