A box office hit that critics hated: the unlikely success of a road comedy

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Released in 2005, the road trip comedy Are We There Yet? proved that critical consensus does not always dictate commercial performance. Despite scathing reviews, the film became a financial success, launching a franchise that spanned a sequel, a television series, and a lasting impact on its studio's development slate.

Directed by Brian Levant and starring Ice Cube, the film follows a child-hating bachelor named Nick Persons who finds himself tasked with transporting two mischievous siblings, Lindsey and Kevin, across the country. The plot centers on a series of escalating mishaps, ranging from airport security incidents and car accidents to a chaotic encounter with a deer, all while Nick attempts to win the affection of the children's mother, Suzanne.

When the film debuted in January 2005, it faced a harsh reception from professional reviewers. Aggregator sites like Rotten Tomatoes recorded a mere 12 percent approval rating from over 100 critics, while Metacritic assigned it a low score of 27 out of 100, reflecting generally unfavorable opinions. Critics frequently questioned the film's quality, with some famously asking if the experience would ever end.

Despite this critical hostility, the film resonated with general audiences, who awarded it a B+ grade through CinemaScore. It opened at the top of the box office with 18.6 million dollars and ultimately grossed 97.9 million dollars worldwide against a budget of 20 to 32 million dollars. This financial performance validated the project, which had been part of a multi-picture deal Ice Cube signed with Revolution Studios in 2003.

The film's success established a lasting brand. It spawned a 2007 sequel, Are We Done Yet?, and a television adaptation that aired on TBS from 2010 to 2013. While the television series recast the primary roles with actors like Terry Crews and Essence Atkins, Ice Cube remained involved as an executive producer and creator, ensuring the franchise's continuity long after the original road trip concluded.

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