Daddy Day Care

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Daddy Day Care

PG

2003

1h 32m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

28%

Tomatometer

124 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

While his wife, Kim (Regina King), brings home the bacon, unemployed Charlie (Eddie Murphy) spends his days caring for the couple's young son. With help from a friend, Phil (Jeff Garlin), Charlie decides to start a day care center. Enrollment quickly surges, and, as they add another employee, goofy Marvin (Steve Zahn), Charlie finds himself dealing with endless red tape. Will he be able to keep the business afloat, or will parents defect to Mrs. Harridan's (Anjelica Huston) day care center?

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Critics Consensus

Daddy Day Care does its job of babysitting the tots. Anyone older will probably be bored.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

Jan 7, 2019

1/4

It makes Kindergarten Cop and Bringing Up Baby sparkle in comparison.

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Barbara Ellen

The Times (UK)

Jan 3, 2018

Even allowing for genre limitations, this is a very bad movie indeed.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 22, 2010

2/5

Eddie Murphy in slapstick potty humor comedy.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 5, 2020

3.0/4.0

There's almost no role I prefer Zahn in than one involving children.

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

Apr 17, 2019

2/5

Steve Zahn and Huston apart, this is erosive candy for the Murphy die-hard.

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

Jan 12, 2016

2.5/5

the appeal of the movie doesn't go much farther than the concept

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Cecilia B.

@Seamarie Oct 19, 2026

I loved it! So cute and funny, great cast, wholesome shows are going away and this movie just feels good to watch!!

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 7, 2026

Daddy Day Care is not a good movie by any means!

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Jaylin D

@RT24733160 Sep 10, 2026

Goddamn, now a 28% is just way to harsh. I remember watching this movie in my history class back in 9th grade, and it wasn't really bad but I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it again, but COME ON MAN a 28% critic score and only a 49% viewer score, I mean come on even Paul blart: mall cop has a higher critics score. In conclusion, movie ain't my favorite but I think such a low score is way to harsh.

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Jason R

@JasonLovesMoviesForever Aug 6, 2026

A movie that was part of my childhood! A funny classic!

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Mitchell S

@Mitchstur Aug 5, 2026

Sure it has it's juvenile moments. But it is charming and entertaining, and had me rooting for the characters!

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Meddy S

@RT51609981 Jun 22, 2026

I watched this movie with several people when I was a child. Now that I'm a parent, I understand it better. A father who starts a fathers' school to care for children and teach them like in a real school is something that really touched me. It's very interesting; I highly recommend this movie.

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Steve Carr

Director

Eddie Murphy

Charlie Hinton

Jeff Garlin

Phil

Steve Zahn

Marvin

Regina King

Kim Hinton

Kevin Nealon

Bruce

Fat Albert

22%

44%

Fat Albert

Watchlist

Are We There Yet?

12%

45%

Are We There Yet?

Watchlist

Are We Done Yet?

7%

32%

Are We Done Yet?

Watchlist

Daddy Day Camp

1%

37%

Daddy Day Camp

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Synopsis

While his wife, Kim (Regina King), brings home the bacon, unemployed Charlie (Eddie Murphy) spends his days caring for the couple's young son. With help from a friend, Phil (Jeff Garlin), Charlie decides to start a day care center. Enrollment quickly surges, and, as they add another employee, goofy Marvin (Steve Zahn), Charlie finds himself dealing with endless red tape. Will he be able to keep the business afloat, or will parents defect to Mrs. Harridan's (Anjelica Huston) day care center?

Director: Steve Carr
Producer: John Davis, Matt Berenson, Wyck Godfrey
Screenwriter: Geoff Rodkey
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Revolution Studios, Davis Entertainment
Rating: PG (Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $104.1M
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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