Cheaper by the Dozen – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Cheaper by the Dozen

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2003

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Steve Martin wrangles 12 kids in this chaotic 2003 remake that's more exhausting than charming—your kids might like it, you'll be checking your phone.

25%

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Cheaper by the Dozen

movie

PG, 2003

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Steve Martin wrangles 12 kids in this chaotic 2003 remake that's more exhausting than charming—your kids might like it, you'll be checking your phone.

25%

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25%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this isn't going to win any awards (it didn't), and critics hated it (25% on RT tells you everything). But is it going to harm your kids? No. Will they potentially enjoy it on a rainy Saturday? Maybe, especially if they're in that 8-10 sweet spot.

The problem is it's just...not good. It's a remake that strips away the charm of the original and replaces it with early 2000s chaos-comedy that hasn't aged well. Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt are talented but they're working with thin material. The kids are mostly interchangeable, the plot is predictable, and the message about family balance is delivered with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

If your kids are bored and this is on Disney+, fine. But there are dozens of better family movies that are actually enriching AND entertaining. This is the definition of 'meh'—not terrible enough to turn off, not good enough to remember.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-12 who enjoy silly, chaotic family comedies. Younger kids might find the constant mayhem overwhelming, while teens will likely find it juvenile and boring. Adults will tolerate it at best.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Shows a large family navigating life transitions with generally positive sibling dynamics and parental dedication, though the humor often relies on chaos and mischief rather than deeper emotional connection. The kids act out when parents are absent, which is realistic but not particularly modeling great behavior. Pacing is frenetic and relies heavily on slapstick chaos.

Imaginative

This is a straightforward family comedy remake with predictable plot beats and minimal creative spark. The premise of managing 12 kids offers potential for inventive scenarios, but execution leans heavily on standard slapstick and chaos rather than genuine imagination or inspiring curiosity. No real invitation to creative thinking or exploration.

Safe

Rated PG with Common Sense Media age of 10. Standard family comedy fare with no serious content concerns—some mild bullying, slapstick injuries, and typical sibling conflict, but nothing traumatic or inappropriate. The chaos is predictable Disney-style mayhem rather than genuinely scary or triggering content.

Enriching

Limited meaningful takeaways beyond 'family is important' and 'parents need to balance work and home.' The kids are mostly one-dimensional and the resolution is pat. Entertainment value exists but it's surface-level—the 25% critic score and 46 Metacritic reflect a movie that's watchable but forgettable with minimal depth or skill-building opportunities.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Represents large family dynamics that some kids might relate to (or find fascinating if they're only children)
Harmless entertainment that won't traumatize anyone—pure predictable family comedy
Shows parents making mistakes and trying to balance work and family, which is realistic
Some genuinely funny slapstick moments if your kids are into that style of humor

⚠

What to Watch For

The humor is very early 2000s—lots of chaos, pratfalls, and kids-behaving-badly gags that feel dated
Parents are frequently absent or distracted, leading to mayhem (some kids might find this stressful)
Mild bullying and sibling conflict throughout
It's...not great. The 25% critic score isn't wrong—this is background noise territory

Conversation Starters

"Would you want to be part of a family with 12 kids? What would be fun about it? What would be hard?"
"The kids acted out when their parents were busy with work—have you ever felt like that?"
"How do you think the parents could have handled things differently?"
"Which kid in the family did you relate to most?"

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