X

2006
R
Fox Searchlight Pictures
1 h 41 m

2006
R
Fox Searchlight Pictures
1 h 41 m

Summary 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, transfor...

Directed By: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

Written By: Michael Arndt

2006
R
Fox Searchlight Pictures
1 h 41 m

2006
R
Fox Searchlight Pictures
1 h 41 m

Little Miss Sunshine

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 36 Critic Reviews

80

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 356 User Ratings

7.6

My Score

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Where to Watch

Summary 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, transfor...

Directed By: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

Written By: Michael Arndt

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 36 Critic Reviews

94% Positive
34 Reviews

6% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 36 Critic Reviews

94% Positive
34 Reviews

6% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

You won't see a brighter, truer affirmation of the All-American messed-up improvisational family than Little Miss Sunshine.

By Michael Sragow FULL REVIEW

This indie, a sweet, tart and smart satire about a family of losers in a world obsessed with winning, is an authentic crowd pleaser. There's been no more satisfying American comedy this year.

By David Ansen FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 356 User Ratings

83% Positive
294 Ratings

8% Mixed
29 Ratings

9% Negative
33 Ratings

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 356 User Ratings

83% Positive
294 Ratings

8% Mixed
29 Ratings

9% Negative
33 Ratings

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Jan 24, 2022

Fantastic. A stunning film with a great theme and fantastic acting. This film makes people feel good and shows us that light can be found even in the height of darkness. He was able to take us to another world and he was able to convince us that we are traveling with the characters.

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Nov 20, 2021

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

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Seattle Post-Intelligencer

In remarkably compact and quietly concise vignettes, we're introduced to each member, and immediately understand what they're all about.

By Paula Nechak FULL REVIEW

That metaphor is pitch-perfect, but the film works a little too hard at proving the vileness of beauty pageants.

By Richard Schickel FULL REVIEW

Pic's distinguished by a flawless cast, a gentle spirit of rebellion and a smart script by first-time screenwriter Michael Arndt that knows never to push its character quirks too hard.

By David Rooney FULL REVIEW

Ultimately, despite flirting with some darker subjects, Little Miss Sunshine lives up to its name.

By James Berardinelli FULL REVIEW

Like the shambling VW van its hapless characters steer from Albuquerque to Redondo Beach, Little Miss Sunshine is a rickety vehicle that travels mostly downhill.

See All 36 Critic Reviews

Jan 28, 2021

A colourful and touching comedy on one quirky family's trip across the U.S.A. One of the best movies of 2006.

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Mar 31, 2015

Used to like this movie a bunch. The quirky characters, the disfunctional family all united on a mission to get the youngest to a pageant in Cali. On the surface a very simple movie but developed very slowly. If you're impatient you can miss what is worth watching.

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Jun 3, 2014

I do not know what makes Little Miss Sunshine a comedy; it is a pure drama with great acting and heartwarming performances with a cute tone. On the other hand, I think people are over-impressed by this production - the changes the extreme characters go through are admirable however I do not think this is justified - all problematic members **** going through the same story arch and getting healed by the process is kind of impossible if they are characterized that way (I am not talking about their mood but their characterization based on a life experience). I like the presence of a bigger picture based on the small events and characters in the writing; subtle and effective; but if you really think about it the movie has almost no context so I doubt that it is something that has to be watched again.

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Mar 31, 2012

It should be called a little piece of garbage. The characters are unappealing and classless add on top they were annoying. No idea why the grandfather won supporting actor. The story wasn't interesting at all and wasn't funny.

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Aug 13, 2018

They don't all die in the end...That was the only ending that would make me like this crap

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See All 50 User Reviews

Details

Production Company Searchlight Pictures, Big Beach, Bona Fide Productions, Deep River Productions, Third Gear Productions, Major Studio Partners

Release Date Jul 26, 2006

Duration 1 h 41 m

Rating R

Genres

Tagline Where's Olive?

View All Details

Awards

Academy Awards, USA

• 2 Wins & 4 Nominations

Golden Globes, USA

• 2 Nominations

Golden Schmoes Awards

• 1 Win & 9 Nominations

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