Sign in
Trailer

About a Boy

2002Movie1 h 41 minPG-13

ComedyDrama
75
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.1Metacritic757.3Rotten Tomatoes93%55%

An uplifting, wholesome drama movie about everyday modern life and growing up.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares or brutality.

Movies with

Story

Growing up has nothing to do with age.

Will Freeman is a good-looking, smooth-talking bachelor whose primary goal in life is avoiding any kind of responsibility. But when he invents an imaginary son in order to meet attractive single moms, Will gets a hilarious lesson about life from a bright, but hopelessly geeky 12-year-old named Marcus. Now, as Will struggles to teach Marcus the art of being cool, Marcus teaches Will that you're never too old to grow up.

Feels like

  • Heartwarming Comedy-Drama
  • Unlikely Friendship
  • Coming-of-Age Story
  • Emotional Growth
  • British Humor
  • Quirky Characters
  • Redemption
  • Contemporary Setting
  • Feel-Good Movie

Cast

24 of 32

Crew

Directed by
Paul Weitz, Chris Weitz
Written by
Paul Weitz, Chris Weitz, Peter Hedges
Produced by
Robert De Niro, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Music by
Badly Drawn Boy

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

April 26, 2002 · 1 h 41 min · PG-13

Released
April 26, 2002
Runtime
1 h 41 min
Age rating
PG-13
Genres
Drama, Comedy, Romance
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany
Budget
$27 million
Box office
$129 million
Available in
66 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

The Matchmaker, Concert Climax, Actor Allusion +9

  • The Matchmaker
  • Concert Climax
  • Actor Allusion
  • Pop-Star Composer
  • Pick Up Babes With Babes
  • Expecting Someone Taller
  • Wise Beyond Their Years
  • Deadpan Snarker
  • Adaptation Expansion
  • Brilliant, but Lazy
  • Adaptational Alternate Ending
  • Comically Missing the Point

12 of 50 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream About a Boy?"

Questions about About a Boy

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream About a Boy?

In the United States, you can rent or buy About a Boy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It streams in 13 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is About a Boy worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75 (IMDb 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 75). Critics rate it higher (84 out of 100) than audiences (66).

Is About a Boy okay for kids?

PG-13

Yes: it's rated PG-13 in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Will About a Boy make me laugh?

Light

Now and then: the humor is mostly situational comedy (7 of 10) and sharp wit (6 of 10).

Is About a Boy good for date night?

and 6 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes: romance is 7 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Was About a Boy a box office hit?

Budget$27 million
Box office$129 million

Yes: it cost about $27 million to make and earned $129 million worldwide, 4.8 times its budget.

What tropes does About a Boy use?

The MatchmakerConcert ClimaxActor AllusionPop-Star ComposerPick Up Babes With BabesExpecting Someone TallerWise Beyond Their YearsDeadpan SnarkerAdaptation ExpansionBrilliant, but LazyAdaptational Alternate EndingComically Missing the Pointand 38 more

TV Tropes lists 50 tropes for it, including The Matchmaker, Concert Climax, and Actor Allusion.