Daddy Day Care (2003)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
Two laid-off fathers must navigate the chaotic world of childcare when they open a home-based daycare center.
The story
Charlie Hinton, a marketing executive, and his best friend Phil Ryerson are laid off from their corporate jobs when their company shuts down its health division. Unable to afford an academic preschool for Charlie's son, Ben, the two men decide to open a home-based daycare center called 'Daddy Day Care.' While some parents are suspicious of men working with children, a few choose the service for its affordability. However, the new business faces immediate challenges as Charlie and Phil struggle with the chaos of managing nine children while dealing with personal issues and opposition from a haughty preschool owner.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Charlie Hinton and his friend Phil Ryerson open 'Daddy Day Care' in their home after being laid off from Ample Foods. They struggle with the chaos of nine children until they hire their former colleague, Marvin, to help. Their success draws the ire of Gwyneth Harridan, the owner of a nearby academic preschool, who attempts to shut them down by involving child services. After successfully navigating inspections and growing their clientele, the duo faces a capacity limit of 12 children. They attempt to raise money for a larger facility, but Harridan sabotages their fundraiser. Eventually, the food company offers Charlie and Phil their old jobs back at double salaries. Although they initially accept, Charlie realizes the positive impact the daycare had on his son, Ben. He quits his job and convinces Phil to reopen the daycare. After a final confrontation with Harridan, they successfully secure a building and expand the business, while Harridan is left working as a crossing guard.
- First release year
- 2003
- Runtime (minutes)
- 92
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Steve Carr
- Writers
- Geoff Rodkey · writer
- Cast and characters
- Eddie Murphy · Charlie Hinton; Jeff Garlin · Phil Ryerson; Steve Zahn · Marvin; Regina King · Kim; Anjelica Huston · Gwyneth Harridan
- Genres
- family comedy; buddy comedy; children's comedy
- Themes
- parenting; unemployment; fatherhood
- Tone and mood
- comedy
- Premise and plot tags
- buddy comedy; parenting; job loss
- Franchise connections
- Daddy Day Care
- Reception
- The film received generally negative reviews from critics but was a box office success, grossing $164.4 million worldwide on a budget of $60 million.
- Production trivia
- The film was initially set up at 20th Century Fox but was sold to Revolution Studios due to budget concerns.; The tagline for the film's poster was 'D-Day is coming.'; Cheap Trick performed 'Surrender' at a charity event for the film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…