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The Boy

2016·Movie
1h 38min·PG-13
IMDb6.0Metacritic425.9Rotten Tomatoes31%38%

Where to watch

Hulu

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Boy fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Nerve-racking and scary

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension9
  • Scare8
  • Violence5

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Family Dynamics6
  • Pathos4
  • Melancholy3

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Dark Humor1
  • Situational Comedy0

World

Mystery and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty7
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Standout sound design

  • Sound Centrality8
  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensPure Escapism

Skip it if

You want fast pacingYou scare easily

Find more like it

Scary moviesAtmospheric movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Every child needs to feel loved.

A young American woman takes a job as a nanny in a remote English village, soon discovering that the family's eight-year-old son is a life-sized doll that comes with a list of strict rules.
Gothic HorrorUncanny MysteryPsychological ThrillerCreepy DollAtmospheric SuspenseSlow-Burn DreadHaunted EstateSupernatural ElementsTwisty Plot

Crew

Directed by:
William Brent Bell, Paul Barry, Philip Nee Nee
Written by:
Stacey Menear
Produced by:
Roy Lee, Tom Rosenberg, John Powers Middleton
Composed by:
Bear McCreary, Judah Getz, James Wright

Sequels and Prequels

Media

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Questions about The Boy

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Boy legally?

Hulu

The Boy is included with a subscription to Hulu in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Boy worth watching?

45
MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 45/100 (IMDb 6, Rotten Tomatoes 31%, and Metacritic 42). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Boy rated?

PG-13Disturbing imageryViolence

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: disturbing imagery and violence.

How long is The Boy?

1 h 38 min

The Boy runs 1 h 38 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Boy?

Critics37
Audiences52

Not quite. Audiences rate The Boy higher (52) than critics (37). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was The Boy a box office hit?

Budget$10 million
Box office$74 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $10 million to make and earned $74 million worldwide, 7.4 times its budget.

What language is The Boy in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Boy?

62AEARATAUBEBHBOBRBZCACHCLCOCR+48

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Boy in 62 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Boy use?

Kick the DogInside a WallNever Trust a TrailerGenre SavvyBig "NO!"Action GirlOfficial CoupleForeshadowingNothing Is ScarierThe RevealDude MagnetOh, Crap!and 28 more

TV Tropes lists 40 storytelling tropes for The Boy, including Kick the Dog, Inside a Wall, Never Trust a Trailer.