The Breadwinner

"One dad. Three kids. Zero clue."

2026 1h 40m EN

👍

7.1

SOLID

★7.1TMDB · 110

ComedyFamily

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

After his wife Katie lands a once-in-a-lifetime deal on Shark Tank that takes her on a prolonged business trip - lifelong breadwinner Nate Wilcox now has to fend for his family as a first-time stay-at-home dad.

“One dad. Three kids. Zero clue.”

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Cast

Nate Bargatze
Nate Wilcox
Mandy Moore
Katie Wilcox
Stella Grace Fitzgerald
Gracie Wilcox
Birdie Borria
Hadley Wilcox
Charlotte Ann Tucker
Sam Wilcox
Colin Jost
Conor Ashford
Will Forte
Keegan
Martin Herlihy
Peter

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Eric Appel
Writers: Nate Bargatze, Dan Lagana
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 81% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Eric Appel, shot by Eigil Bryld. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Leo Birenberg. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Evan Henke shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Nate Bargatze and Mandy Moore and Stella Grace Fitzgerald carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "One dad. Three kids. Zero clue.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt34459219 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Eric Appel directs. Eigil Bryld behind the camera. Leo Birenberg scores. Evan Henke cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 81% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.
3Directed by Eric Appel, shot by Eigil Bryld. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Leo Birenberg. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Evan Henke shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Nate Bargatze and Mandy Moore and Stella Grace Fitzgerald carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "One dad. Three kids. Zero clue.".
8IMDB entry: tt34459219 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Classified under 10 themes, including "stay-at-home dad", "business trip", "working mom", "breadwinner".

The technical file

Cinematography: Eigil Bryld
Original score: Leo Birenberg
Editing: Evan Henke
Production design: Jon Billington
Costume design: Alexis Forte
Makeup / hair: Lindsay McAllister
VFX supervisor: Christian Wood
Runtime: 100 min · 1h 40m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $25,000,000
Box office: $20,247,080
Return: 81% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG
IMDB: The Breadwinner (2026)

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Eric Appel

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Community reviews

What people are saying

RoyMcKenzie2026-06-27
★ 10/10
“The Breadwinner” with Nate Bargatze is a genuinely delightful, laugh‑out‑loud family comedy that feels like a modern, cleaner heir to classics like “Mr. Mom,” anchored by Bargatze’s dry, self‑deprecating charm and a surprisingly heartfelt story about marriage, parenting, and identity. It’s the rare PG movie that parents, kids, and even comedy snobs can watch together without anyone feeling talked down to—or needing to dive for the remote. Tone and Humor Bargatze brings his trademark clean, relatable stand‑up style to the screen, and it translates beautifully. The jokes are rooted in real‑life parenting chaos—missed school pickups, breakfast disasters, and the sheer confusion of being suddenly in charge of everything at home—so the laughs feel earned rather than forced. Best of all, it’s actually funny from start to finish: multiple reviewers and audience reactions highlight “lots of laughs,” “soooo funny,” and the kind of warm, chuckle‑filled experience that leaves you smiling all the way out of the theater. Family‑Friendly and Accessible One of the movie’s biggest strengths is how accessible it is: it’s PG, deliberately clean, and clearly designed so the whole family can watch together. There’s no mean‑spirited edge or raunchy detours; instead, it’s packed with the kind of observational humor that both parents and older kids can appreciate for different reasons. Audience comments consistently praise it as “great, clean family humor,” “good movie to watch as a family,” and even call it the best family movie of 2026, which is no small compliment in an era of over‑caffeinated, effects‑driven kids’ films. Cast Chemistry and Performances Nate Bargatze is perfectly cast as Nate Wilcox, the bewildered car salesman suddenly thrust into full‑time dad mode, and he’s smart enough not to hog the spotlight. He often plays the straight man to his kids, letting their personalities and reactions drive some of the best comedic beats, which gives the movie a grounded, lived‑in feel. Mandy Moore is a standout as Katie, the mom‑turned‑entrepreneur whose big break propels the entire story, bringing warmth and credibility to the role of a woman balancing ambition and family. The daughters and supporting cast (including fun turns from Colin Jost and Will Forte) add layers of charm and absurdity that keep the movie from ever feeling flat. Story, Themes, and Heart Under all the jokes, “The Breadwinner” tells a surprisingly thoughtful story about identity—what it means to be “the breadwinner,” where we find our worth, and how roles inside a family can evolve. Watching Nate, who initially defines himself by his success at the dealership, stumble and grow as he learns the invisible mental load of running a household is both funny and quietly moving. The film gently flips traditional expectations without turning it into a lecture or a battle of the sexes; it respects both parents’ contributions and emphasizes that real strength comes from partnership, love, and shared responsibility. By the time the credits roll, you’re left not just with sore cheeks from laughing, but with a renewed appreciation for the everyday grind that keeps a family afloat. Overall Impression Is “The Breadwinner” reinventing cinema? No—and that’s exactly the point. It’s a throwback in the best sense: a breezy, wholesome, crowd‑pleasing family comedy that delivers heart, humor, and real relatability without cynicism or cheap shots. For anyone craving a movie night where you can relax, laugh hard, and see your own family’s beautiful mess reflected on screen, Nate Bargatze’s “The Breadwinner” absolutely deserves a spot at the top of your watchlist.

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