Better Nate Than Ever
Seen it?2022 | 92 min | Music, Family, Comedy
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. 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 and families. If you loved Mary Poppins, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny, feel-good.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 32 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
13-year-old Nate Foster has big Broadway dreams but there’s only one problem — he can’t even land a part in the school play. When his parents leave town, Nate and his best friend Libby sneak off to the Big Apple for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove everyone wrong. A chance encounter with Nate’s long-lost Aunt Heidi turns his journey upside-down, and together they must learn that life’s greatest adventures are only as big as your dreams.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.5 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
1 win and 9 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; interest faded quickly after launch
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 27K people sought it out in the past year
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Cast & crew
Directed by Tim Federle
- Rueby WoodNate Foster
- Lisa KudrowAunt Heidi
- Joshua BassettAnthony Foster
- Aria BrooksLibby
- Norbert Leo ButzRex
- Michelle FedererSherrie
- Finn Egan-LiangJimmy Madison
- Pierson SalvadorTall Middle Schooler
- Mandy GonzalezMrs. Wadsworth
- Jimmy Ray BennettFantasy Audition Greeter