Little Miss Sunshine
2006
Comedy, Drama
1h 41m
Little Miss Sunshine is an American family road comedy that shatters the mold. Brazenly satirical and yet deeply human, the film introduces audiences to one of the most endearingly fractured families in recent cinema history: the Hoovers, whose trip to a pre-pubescent beauty pageant results not only in comic mayhem but in death, transformation and a moving look at the surprising rewards of being losers in a winning-crazed culture. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
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Little Miss Sunshine
2006
Comedy, Drama
1h 41m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 61.3% from 16307 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
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Rated 18 Aug 2021
85
73rd
A warm and beautiful surprise. This is a great indie film antidote to the sickly sweet and saccharine Disney family comedies. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris transitioned from directing wonderfully visual music videos to creating a picture that harkens back to classic cinematic comedies. The family puts the "fun" in dysfunctional with a message that shows how to create stability from a depressing situation. It's hilarious as hell and includes a great soundtrack. Highly recommended.
Rated 18 Aug 2021
Rated 31 Jul 2009
92
98th
Intelligent and heart warming comedy. Collette, Kinnear and Carell put in the performances of their careers and Dano's potential that he would go on to fulfil in 'There Will Be Blood' is clearly evident. Add on top of that a fantastic child actress like Breslin and film full of energy and a quirky atmosphere and you've got great entertainment
Rated 31 Jul 2009
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
92nd
Beautiful- awkward at times, which makes it all the more lovely and real.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 19 Sep 2007
2
33rd
I believe I'm suffering from a psychological ailment common amongst indie film audiences known as "quirk burnout." He is the second best Proust scholar. He likes Nietzsche and won't talk until he gets into the air force. He is an unsuccessful motivational speaker. He does heroin, but you see this is quirky because he is a sassy grandpa, ho ho. The performances are great and I think the film has a positive message, but I am so tired of quirk. So very tired.
Rated 19 Sep 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
77th
If this comes off a bit like an indie-fied National Lampoon's Vacation, don't let that turn you off. In fact, just ignore that, that's a dumb comparison anyway. Although it doesn't stray far from typical Sundance-style conventions, it's done with a ton of laughs and it's loaded with charming performances. Alan Arkin nearly steals the show, but the rest of the cast more than holds their own. Funny and touching without delving too deep into over-sentimentality.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 18 Mar 2009
95
87th
Potent yet uproarious and exhilarating film that's quite deserving of its praise. Instead of offering joke after joke or repeating the same gags over and over again, Little Miss Sunshine is a breath of fresh air with original and quirky laugh out loud moments and the finale will leave you on the floor dying. The entire cast is splendid, unexpected considering this is supposed to be a comedy. Nice.
Rated 18 Mar 2009
Rated 25 Jul 2015
90
64th
A cute little story well worth a visit if I do say so myself! Little Miss Sunshine may not appeal to everybody, but the actors all pull off their given parts, the characters are all interesting and make it hard to look away, the well-written (often surprising story) pulls you right in the whole road trip, and the directing is decent as well as the score. I just loved "The Winner Is". I could literally go on and on about the characters again, but there isn't enough space in this review box.
Rated 25 Jul 2015
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
88th
It's just more proof that you don't need a big budget and big-name actors to make a good comedy. Little Miss Sunshine is delightful in every aspect, and I loved every minute of it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
84th
I'd heard from some that the first half of the movie was great and that the second half dragged and was a big drop-off in quality. This couldn't be further from the truth. The whole cast shined (especially Alan Arkin), and I found myself mystically impressed by the acting of the little girl. It was nice to not by annoyed by the lack acting talent (or overacting for that matter) by a child for a change (looking at you Dakota Fanning).
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
7
84th
A pleasant comedy that manages to be quirky and indie without forcing the issue as much as many others, and balances six really good performances, each showing funny and dramatic shades, with deft skill.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 08 Oct 2007
100
99th
Marvellous movie about family. The characters are complex, but very real. Very exciting, I loved. It is so good because it is real and sincere.
Rated 08 Oct 2007
Rated 19 Sep 2008
91
90th
This movie was like a delicious slab of funny stuffed in a depression pita. A great dark comedy that follows a family through a rollercoaster road trip across half the country.
Rated 19 Sep 2008
Rated 17 Jan 2009
87
81st
Really charming, this is a fantastic look at family of quirky people. I really fell in love with most every one of the Hooevers, who are all a little bit neurotic in their own ways. Also, the bashing of the chuld beauty pageants was superbly enjoyable.
Rated 17 Jan 2009
Rated 05 Jul 2009
90
95th
Wonderfully witty and heartwarming, you laugh WITH the characters rather than AT them. You actually want everything to turn our alright for them all at the end. Steve Carell was the stand out in this film as he delivers a performance I didn't think he could pull off. Abigail Breslin is one of brightest young actresses in thr business.
Rated 05 Jul 2009
Rated 01 Sep 2009
86
98th
Some people say it's overrated, but I don't feel that way at all. One of the most joyful endings I've experienced, even after putting the family through a terribly depressing, dream-crushing trip. The characters, theme, humor, and cinematography are all great.
Rated 01 Sep 2009
Rated 22 Sep 2009
89
95th
I havent laughed that hard at Alan Arkin since The In-Laws. He was fantastic, as were the cast as a whole. The chemistry between them brought this film to another level of enjoyment. Carrell and Kinnear were superb, but the clinchers were Dano and Breslin. I just cannot say enough about the acting.
Rated 22 Sep 2009
Rated 27 Aug 2013
92
94th
Offbeat and hilarious, this quirky family story is full of realistic life drama and sweet innocence. Each of their lives is one big setback and the misfortunes just continue to pile up. Amidst the chaos there are several genuine moments which makes this a must see comedy for the whole family.
Rated 27 Aug 2013
Rated 29 Jul 2014
68
55th
If there's one thing independent movies love to teach us, it's that everyone's screwed up. Take any one of these characters and place them with "normal" people and everyone is miserable. But my God, do they learn how to live and love when it's a whole bus full of em. Wait a minute! 68! Aw, damn it. I liked this.
Rated 29 Jul 2014
Rated 29 Dec 2018
95
99th
An exquisitely funny, touching, and unique picture. Every role feels full, every character has their moment, and every beat achieves exactly its purpose thanks to phenomenal performances, cinematography, and script.
Rated 29 Dec 2018
Rated 11 Feb 2007
88
90th
Warm and funny with really well written characters and character interactions, topped with fantastic acting performances.
Rated 11 Feb 2007
Rated 06 Mar 2007
75
89th
Excellent film.
Rated 06 Mar 2007
Rated 08 Mar 2007
79
70th
It's nice and cute but somehow, despite being quite different, it just feels formulaic. Still, it's well worth seeing as it is funny and touching at the same time. Superb performances from all involved.
Rated 08 Mar 2007
Rated 25 Mar 2007
86
88th
At times hilarious. At times heart-wrenching. An overall success when it all comes together.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
Rated 04 Feb 2009
85
80th
This is the type of movie girls who know nothing about films watch and go, "Oh, this is cute!" Damn it, this time they are 100% right. It's cute. However, let's point out that a great deal of the characters are expertly crafted and well-acted so we don't all sound like idiots.
Rated 04 Feb 2009
Rated 27 Nov 2009
92
96th
A story about how families can bond together in bad times as disjointed as they may be. Warm, touching and funny. I was expecting them to come to terms somehow all the way but still I got caught offguard by the hilarious final scene. Granting T10 without doubt.
Rated 27 Nov 2009
Rated 01 Feb 2007
91
98th
Just perfect point of view of an north american family.
Rated 01 Feb 2007
Rated 17 Feb 2007
65
69th
Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear are still bad actors although this is solid movie with some great scene's and some pathetic scene's.After all in complete movie is good but nothing special...
Rated 17 Feb 2007
Rated 19 Mar 2007
85
73rd
Little Miss Sunshine is a quirky mix of melodrama and comedy. I really like this movie and it has a wonderful cast to back it up.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
Rated 18 May 2007
20
4th
Too many people suck this movie's dick. It was a lame, less-funny version of Vacation.
Rated 18 May 2007
Rated 21 May 2007
70
49th
Pretty good comedy, but not nearly as good as many critics and The Academy of Arts of Sciences would lead you to believe. Still worth a watch, but tries to be too cute and 'whimsical' for my tastes.
Rated 21 May 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
32nd
Near-perfect combination of charming character drama and black comedy.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
82nd
Fucking hilarious. And at times, simultaneously debilitating.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 22 Aug 2007
89
93rd
Excellent movie about how a quirky family comes together in difficult times to help get their youngest daughter to a child talent competition.
Rated 22 Aug 2007
Rated 13 Sep 2007
4
2nd
I don't remember ever liking a movie less.
Rated 13 Sep 2007
Rated 20 Oct 2007
40
14th
A massively overrated film; the tone veers wildly, and it's just not really that funny or charming.
Rated 20 Oct 2007
Rated 18 Mar 2008
93
94th
Overwhelmingly likable. I saw the movie sans hype in limited release and was floored by, well, just about everything. For a comedy, there are a surprising number of potent dramatic moments. It's also not the type of humour to beat you over the head with joke after joke. Rather, it's a slow build of zany atmosphere, culminating in a cathartic laugh-fest of a finale. I had a post-coital glow from laughing so hard after this, it's THAT satisfying. Every member of the cast is outstanding.
Rated 18 Mar 2008
Rated 13 May 2008
2
21st
Pretty dull and, despite its family values, quite lifeless. Most of the characters annoy the hell out of me, as do the pastel color schemes.
Rated 13 May 2008
Rated 20 Jun 2008
64
26th
Cute movie but so overrated it overshadows a good performance by Alan Arkin. It left me wanting more. Lesson learned: Don't listen to the hype or it will ruin a movie.
Rated 20 Jun 2008
Rated 16 Jul 2008
84
75th
Steve Carell proves that he can not only out-funny Jim Carrey, but that he can fit more acting chops and emotional depth into one role than Carrey can into an entire career.
Rated 16 Jul 2008
Rated 15 Oct 2008
95
86th
So incredibly awkward.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
Rated 31 Dec 2008
100
99th
This is the kind of film that RV really should have been...
When I first heard about Little Miss Sunshine I wasn't interested. Children's beauty pagents disgust me. Their f*cked up peado fests where parents turn there kids in to twisted little dolls dressed up like adults instead of kids. The trailer changed my mind somewhat and the film actually agrees with me on my point, which is nice.
It's a disfunctional family piece, quirky, funny and charming. steve Carell gets a chance to act in
Rated 31 Dec 2008
Rated 21 Aug 2009
100
98th
Fantastic performances by everyone. The final scene had me laughing EXTREMELY hard.
Rated 21 Aug 2009
Rated 28 Aug 2009
89
79th
I like this movie despite people telling me I shouldn't.
Rated 28 Aug 2009
Rated 07 Sep 2009
85
88th
Cute and clever comedy with a statement.
Rated 07 Sep 2009
Rated 08 Sep 2009
80
60th
Simple movie with a great message.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
Rated 26 Sep 2009
80
34th
It's like a Wes Anderson movie. Disfunctional, but funny family. Love'em. Another great one is Birds of America.
Rated 26 Sep 2009
Rated 30 Sep 2009
90
50th
Simply Great Movie! I neary laught my ass off!
Rated 30 Sep 2009
Rated 29 Jan 2010
86
71st
A delightful little film. Great work by everyone concerned, although Alan Arkin and Greg Kinnear are standouts.
Rated 29 Jan 2010
Rated 20 Aug 2010
83
55th
Pretty funny!
Rated 20 Aug 2010
Rated 25 Sep 2010
71
84th
Arkin was amazing but I didn't understand the best picture talk. It is a cute enough film, with some laughs, but by no means one of the best movies I have ever seen.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
Rated 29 Mar 2011
80
68th
Steve Carell should do more of this and less of Even Almighty. He is a talented guy.
Rated 29 Mar 2011
Rated 28 Apr 2011
91
78th
A very sweet, touching portrait of a lovably dysfunctional family.
Rated 28 Apr 2011
Rated 28 Sep 2012
81
82nd
This is a very funny film that has numerous funny and dramatic scenes. The cast really works well together, they have great chemistry. Alan Arkin steals the movie with a very funny portrayal of a foul mouthed old man.
Rated 28 Sep 2012
Rated 20 Jan 2013
45
13th
It's all just too contrived. You've got all the quirks of Wes Anderson films and very little of their charm. I haven't felt entertained nor involved. And It tries very much to be as awkward as possible.
Rated 20 Jan 2013
Rated 03 Jun 2013
100
95th
I was finally able to get some of my friends to watch this recently, and they only would do it while being drunk. Well, their drunk selves liked it, and my sober self loved it, so what are you waiting for? Awkward movies for the win.
Rated 03 Jun 2013
Rated 15 Oct 2014
9
91st
Little Miss Sunshine is one of my favourite comedies in recent years. And it's one of the best road trip films of all time. Its a refreshingly original comedy that brilliantly mixes several troubled and dysfunctional characters. The cast is absolutely stellar and features some unforgettable performances. Kinnear, Carell, Collette, Dano & Breslin are all superb but it's Arkin who steals the show. It's a breath of fresh air and a charming gem that I love more and more with each and every viewing.
Rated 15 Oct 2014
Rated 17 Oct 2014
15
5th
An amazing introduction quickly crumbles into an unlikable heap pretending to be profound
Rated 17 Oct 2014
Rated 05 May 2015
10
98th
The masterful opening sequence and lengthy dinner scene give us an immediate feel for each character and dynamic and set the stage for the achingly beautiful and authentic family portrait/road trip movie to follow. The drama and comedy blend seamlessly together in favour of natural story and character development instead of cheap laughs and sentimentality. Life is hard, life is hilarious; it's a dead relative and crushed dream one minute, a dance party the next. Perfectly written and performed.
Rated 05 May 2015
Rated 22 Jun 2015
75
64th
Perhaps I expected a bit too much, but this was only good to me. I mean, the cast is great, and there are some truly touching and funny moments in the side-winding story, but I don't know if everything totally clicked the right way for me. I quite liked it as a character study, but I think it may be a bit over-hyped.
Rated 22 Jun 2015
Rated 11 Jan 2016
92
85th
I really wasn't expecting to like this movie, but it was awesome! The cast did an impeccable job. The story is very...different. Though a lot of things happen that you wouldn't expect to happen, it was a great movie. If you ever have an 1 hour and 50 minutes to do nothing, i recommend you watch this.
Rated 11 Jan 2016
Rated 22 Apr 2018
56
48th
looks good, sounds good. Very decent film, one of the few comedies i like
Rated 22 Apr 2018
Rated 27 May 2019
80
68th
I saw this film in the theater and really liked it, but have become aware that it's sort of a poster child for annoying indie quirkiness. Upon second viewing ... I disagree. This is a blend of drama and comedy and it executes that blend very well, never getting too dark, but using the darkness to enhance the black comedy. Every one of the cast member acquits themselves well ... especially Alan Arkin who takes a character that could have been all annoying quirkiness and grounds it in reality.
Rated 27 May 2019
Rated 24 Jun 2020
80
88th
Perfect example of a film that is defined by its cast; in this case in a good way. Collete, Kinnear, Dano, Arkin, Carell and Breslin are not only fully drawn characters but genuinely likeable in their downtroddenness (avoiding the dreaded 'quirkiness' to which many films fall victim). A family film that is actually about family (in a meaningful way).
Rated 24 Jun 2020
Rated 07 Nov 2020
90
71st
"Brazenly satirical and yet deeply human" from the bio, that does it.
Rated 07 Nov 2020
Rated 28 Jul 2021
20
1st
Entertaining but then the last third becomes what the sun dance festival people are!
Rated 28 Jul 2021
Rated 03 Dec 2006
93
92nd
"He's in the trunk of our car."
Hysterical. I loved it.
Rated 03 Dec 2006
Rated 13 Dec 2006
5
44th
Not worthy of all the praise it got but an okay movie. Best actor? no. Best writing? no. Is it watchable? yes. But stop giving oscars to these movies with a lot of charm but not much substance.
Rated 13 Dec 2006
Rated 20 Dec 2006
90
0th
An amazingly honest and funny portrayal of the modern American family. With commercialism and superficiality backgrounding every scene, it's bitterly beautiful. A near perfect look at the fucked up lives we all live and the failure that inherently defines us. The American Dream is dead, featuring funny lines about chicken.
Rated 20 Dec 2006
Rated 20 Dec 2006
81
78th
Pretty much perfect except for an ending that served no purpose.
Rated 20 Dec 2006
Rated 22 Dec 2006
95
94th
A great great great film. Screenwriting and acting at its finest.
Rated 22 Dec 2006
Rated 26 Dec 2006
88
74th
A slight, sweet comedy bolstered by star turns from Carell and Breslin; at times poignant, at times laugh-out-loud funny, and always presented in a way that's new and fresh (even if the material sometimes isn't; I'm thinking specifically of National Lampoon's Vacation for one big plot point).
Rated 26 Dec 2006
Rated 28 Dec 2006
95
96th
holy shit. see it now. i have such a weakness for dysfunction.
Rated 28 Dec 2006
Rated 31 Dec 2006
100
73rd
feel good.. its feel good.. dr.feelgood.. its ok to be yourself kids.. do what your heart tells you to do.. even if you're frumpy..
Rated 31 Dec 2006
Rated 01 Jan 2007
95
90th
Simply amazing. This whole movie is just... amazing. Also very refreshing to watch a movie thats this short (around 97 mins.) but still gets the point across VERY well.
Rated 01 Jan 2007
Rated 05 Jan 2007
100
99th
On rewatching this for the 4th or 5th time, I realized it's one of the few perfectly told stories. And the awkward family dance scene could be my favorite of all time.
Rated 05 Jan 2007
Rated 08 Jan 2007
86
71st
.
Rated 08 Jan 2007
Rated 13 Jan 2007
85
92nd
Definately worth a viewing. A dark film at times, but the comedy shines through in the end. Excellent performances by all involved.
Rated 13 Jan 2007
Rated 15 Jan 2007
60
36th
Lacks a buildup of any tension, poor climax. Overall a weak film.
Rated 15 Jan 2007
Rated 26 Jan 2007
94
90th
Heartwarming and surprisingly hysterical. While the cast is exceptional, Steve Carell really stands out. A great story with lovable characters and superb acting.
Rated 26 Jan 2007
Rated 08 Feb 2007
88
95th
This film is about a family with a wealth of problems that no family should be able to function with. We follow them from New Jersey to California and with any road movie, obstacles come up along the way and old issues are confronted. Yet, this film is warm, insightful, funny, endearing, and original. The film doesn't allow for cliche or melodrama. As cheesy as the ending should have been, it felt real and unforced. Everything this film threw at me, I bought it and it was worth every penny.
Rated 08 Feb 2007
Rated 17 Feb 2007
80
77th
Intelligent and brilliant all the way down. The contest scenes are too much to handle. The best thing about it is that it overtakes the "independent movie" cliches and becomes an organic piece of cinematic pleasure.
Rated 17 Feb 2007
Rated 19 Feb 2007
80
44th
Fantastic characters in a fantastic story, but sometimes writing seems to border on too-quirky-for-its-own-good mixed with being a parody of itself. That's all well and good, but it's certainly not enlightening.
Rated 19 Feb 2007
Rated 20 Feb 2007
1
1st
If I wanna see a loud, annoying family, I'll take a trip to Disneyland.
Rated 20 Feb 2007
Rated 26 Feb 2007
50
43rd
Life sucks I guess, or something? I didn't really get it.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
Rated 27 Feb 2007
95
95th
I laughed so hard at this movie that I had everyone else laughing even while there were no funny parts!
Rated 27 Feb 2007
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