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Poster for Boy

Boy

Seen it?

2010 | 88 min | Drama, Comedy

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Hunt for the Wilderpeople or The Fabelmans, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Funny with heart, emotional (bring tissues).
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 28 min.
What might put you off
Nothing much for most grown-ups.

Boy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Feature Film. Plus 12 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $9 million worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 98K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Taika Waititi

  • James RollestonBoy
  • Te Aho Aho Eketone-WhituRocky
  • Taika WaititiAlamein
  • Moerangi TihoreDynasty
  • Cherilee MartinKelly
  • RickyLee Waipuka-RussellChardonnay
  • Haze RewetiDallas
  • Maakariini ButlerMurray
  • Rajvinder EriaTane
  • Manihera RangiuaiaKingi