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Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin ... see more see more... , Alan Arkin , Marc Turtletaub , Jill Talley , Brenda Canela , Julio Oscar Mechoso , Chuck Loring , Justin Shilton , Gordon Thomson , Steven Christopher Parker , Bryan Cranston , John Walcutt , Paula Newsome , Dean Norris , Beth Grant , Wallace Langham , Lauren Shiohama , Mary Lynn Rajskub , Jerry Giles , Geoff Meed , Matt Winston , Joan Scheckel , Casandra Ashe , Melvin Rodriguez , Alexandria Alaman , Brittany Baird , Brenae Bandy , Maliah Hudson , Lindsey Jordan , Annabelle Roberts , Nicole Stoehr , Alissa Anderegg , Cambria Baird , Kristen Holaas , Destry Jacobs , Shane Murphy , Sydni Stevenson-Love , Lauren Yee

When a pudgy, bespectacled seven-year-old, Olive (Abigail Breslin), voices her desire to take home the coveted Little Miss Sunshine crown at an upcoming beauty pageant, her wildly dysfunctional family... read more read more... sets out on an interstate road trip to ensure her a clear shot at realizing her dreams in former music video directorial team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris' quirky feature debut, starring Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, and Toni Collette. Despite early career success as an outspoken motivational speaker, family patriarch Richard (Kinnear) continues to cling to his "Refuse to Lose" philosophy, much to the chagrin of his increasingly annoyed spouse, Sheryl (Collette). Add into the mix a Nietzsche-reading teenage son (Paul Dano) who has taken a vow of silence until he finds his fate as a fighter pilot; a horny, heroin-happy grandfather (Alan Arkin) with a penchant for creative profanity; and a suicidal genius (Carell) and Proust scholar still reeling about losing both his male lover and his MacArthur Foundation genius grant -- and the stage is set for a road trip in which sanity is sure to take the back seat. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

90% liked it

379,546 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

206 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

Release Date: July 26, 2006

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DVD Release Date: December 19, 2006

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Stats: 56,354 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (56,354)

  • itsjustme2004
    April 28, 2013
    itsjustme2004
    Wonderful, touching, original, and engaging in every way. I rarely watch a movie twice; I've seen this one three times, and enjoyed it each time.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    October 3, 2012
    StarCrossedVoyager
    A hugely enjoyable yet haunting film, which leaves you with a great feeling and an urge to better yourself somehow. The characters are perfectly formed and lovable and you go on the journey with them. You cheer and shout for Olive and hope she wins, but even when she doesn't, you... read more know these people are better off for it.
  • aquateen2
    January 22, 2012
    aquateen2
    Little Miss Sunshine is the movie that's redefined the dysfunctonal family. Although marketed as a comedy it's more of a moving, inspiring and emotional drama than the next comedy flick. The directorial duo made this ensemble of messed up characters charming and lovable flawlessl... read morey and with the laughs, the character development flows smoothly. I watched it for the great chemistry of the ensemble and of course, Abigail Breslin's breakthrough performance and boy was it one to remember.
  • fb100001048934982
    November 22, 2011
    fb100001048934982
    'Little Miss Sunshine' is a tender but fierce film that never sputters as it reveals its intentions and brilliance. This is clearly the world we live in, yet its clearly the one we don't want. Filled with awesome performances from every character within the pointed script, 'Littl... read moree Miss Sunshine' delivers on all promises and is hard to forget.
  • fb733768972
    November 11, 2011
    fb733768972
    "Little Miss Sunshine" is credibly gifted with an amazing cast, a fantastically plotted series of events, and classic film elements that will jump right off the screen. As we follow a broken family on a mission to bring happiness to their daughter, in the way of bringing her to t... read morehe finals of the Little Miss Sunshine Beauty Pageant. We are given heart-felt and sad moments along the way, comedy that will relieve any awkward or depressing scenes, and a final conclusion that will leave you scratching your head, thinking about which emotions you are supposed to be feeling. You may either want to cry, laugh, or just feel what each of the characters are feeling, but the true thing that really stands out to me, is when you are viewing this film, it does not feel like a film, but rather a life journey that could happen to anyone in the world. I absolutely love this movie, might be one of the best Drama/Comedies (Dramadies) that I have ever seen. "Little Miss Sunshine" is breathtaking!
  • fb791220692
    October 9, 2011
    fb791220692
    The family on display here is so dysfunctional and cramped that you feel the frustration build inside of you, just as it does in these characters. While sometimes uncomfortable and dreary, "Little Miss Sunshine" succeeds in its goal of revealing the dark side of family life, and ... read morethe good that can come from sticking together, no matter what. Coupled with great performances and a rightfully acclaimed script, the film manages to be funny, depressing, heartwarming, and suspenseful in equal measure.
  • spielberg00
    October 1, 2011
    spielberg00
    LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is an independent film, humorous in its own dark little way. Though the film comes across mostly a drama, it has its funny moments, and all of the humor is either subtle, clever, depressing, or a combination of the three.

    Though Steve Carrell, now known for... read more his wittingly hilarious role in TV's comedy THE OFFICE, appears as one of the more major characters, Alan Arkin (if any cast member) seems to be the one who draws the most audience laughs. In fact, Carrell delivers most likely the least humorous role. Though he does definitely still have his humor, with a big nod to the scene at the dinner table near the beginning.

    Other than that, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is a heartwarming, sometimes weepy, and ultimately feel-good film. I highly doubt there has been one road movie as good and unpredictable as this since NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION.
  • CreedsDelight
    June 25, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    OVERRATED. Not amazing. Laughed maybe once.
  • fb535316333
    June 9, 2011
    fb535316333
    The beauty of failure, laid out with honesty and fun in this ridiculously amusing family film of dysfunction.

    Every character has their own dreams, their own shortcomings and their own resolutions. When they all come together for each other though, that's where this movie finds ... read moreits place.

    Still, I can't help but wish they pushed the chemistry between the entire family just a little more. Maybe it was too subtle for me but in the long run the only impressionable repertoire was between Carell and Dano.
  • jamers2011
    June 9, 2011
    jamers2011
    Love this movie! From the introduction scene with the family dinner, to the final scene with the family dancing with Olive, this little film is pure genius! Every second is smart funny, yet utterly real and touching. Little Abigail Breslin is so perfect, especially with her speci... read moreal talent. This is the second film I've seen Paul Dano in he and gives another performance that I really enjoyed. Alan Arkin is great as well. The whole cast is great in this great movie!

View All Little Miss Sunshine Reviews

Critic Reviews

Melissa Anderson
February 3, 2007
Melissa Anderson, Time Out New York

All indie-movie families may start out unhappy in their own way, but by the time the final credits roll, everyone remains complacent, confident of their brood's superiority. Full Review

Roger Moore
November 10, 2006
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Sunny or dark, comedy should never be as predictable as Little Miss Sunshine. Full Review

Peter Travers
November 10, 2006
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

... a scrappy human comedy that takes an honest path to laughs and is twice as funny and touching for it.

J. R. Jones
November 10, 2006
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

... this isn't much more than a glorified sitcom, but it deftly dramatizes our conflicting desires for individuality and an audience to applaud it. Full Review

September 23, 2006
Time Out

For a movie generated from the Amerindie algorithm of family dysfunction, road-trip catharsis and studied quirk, this dark-edged ensemble comedy often borders on the loveable. Full Review

Connie Ogle
August 18, 2006
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald

Hilarious, profane and as much fun as you are going to have in a theater this summer. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
August 16, 2006
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

The funniest and most gracefully written, acted and directed dysfunctional-American-family farce comedy of the year thus far. Full Review

Peter Rainer
August 14, 2006
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

Dayton and Faris satirize our win-win culture, but they don't miss a trick promoting Little Miss Sunshine for the winner's circle. Full Review

Tom Long
August 13, 2006
Tom Long, Detroit News

Little Miss Sunshine makes you want to gather all the kooks in your life and take a road trip. Full Review

Terry Lawson
August 13, 2006
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

... a film of small and gratifying surprises. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Grandpa: Losers are people who are so afraid of not winning, they don't even try.
    • Pageant Official Jenkins: [outraged at Olive's talent act] What is your daughter doing?
    • Richard: She's kickin' ass, that's what she's doing.
    • Sheryl: What happened?
    • Richard: I'll tell you when I regain consciousness.
    • Dwayne: You know what? Fuck beauty contests. Life is one fucking beauty contest after another. You know, school, then college, then work, fuck that. And fuck the air force academy. If I wanna fly, I'll find a way to fly. You do what you love, and fuck the rest.
    • Officer Martinez: Ok, you're out. On the condition that you never enter your daughter in a beauty pageant in the state of California ever again. Ever.
    • Frank: I think we can live with that.
    • Biker Dad: YA! ALRIGHT!
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Little Miss Sunsh... : Watch Free on TV

Little Miss Sunshine Trivia

  • This movie has a dysfunctional family with a son who refuses to speak, a suicidal uncle and a heroin-addicted grandfather all trying to get the little girl to a beauty pageant.  Answer »
  • Olive: Do you eat ice cream? Miss California: Yes. My favorite is Cherry Chocolate Garcia... except technically I think it's a frozen yogurt.  Answer »
  • In what movie does a little girl dedicate her dance to her grandpa and says he is in the trunk of her car?  Answer »
  • In the movie "Little Miss Sunshine", what does Dwayne discover is wrong with him?  Answer »
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