Despite scathing reviews, the 2006 road comedy RV found surprising success at the box office.

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and starring Robin Williams, the film follows a dysfunctional family on a disastrous road trip to the Colorado Rockies. While critics dismissed the movie as unoriginal and mediocre, it managed to secure the number one spot at the box office during its opening weekend in 2006.

Released on April 28, 2006, RV tells the story of Bob Munro, a soda company executive who forces his family into a cross-country trip to hide a secret business meeting. The production, which began filming in May 2005, features a cast including Jeff Daniels, Cheryl Hines, and Kristin Chenoweth. Despite the star power of Robin Williams, the film struggled to impress professional reviewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 23% approval rating, while Metacritic assigned it a score of 33 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable reception.

Critics like Roger Ebert noted that while there was little to dislike, there was also little to recommend, describing the film as unoriginal with meager laughs. Variety critic Justin Chang suggested that the movie's sweetness only partially compensated for its predictability. However, the audience response was notably warmer than the critical consensus; CinemaScore polls revealed that viewers gave the film an average grade of B+.

Financially, the project proved to be a success. Produced on a budget of $50 million, the film grossed $87.5 million worldwide. Its North American performance accounted for $71.7 million of that total, bolstered by a strong opening weekend that earned $16.4 million across 3,639 theaters. The film's legacy is perhaps best captured by its lighthearted conclusion, featuring the cast dancing to 'Route 66' during the credits, a stark contrast to the chaotic mishaps—including toilet clogs and runaway vehicles—that defined the Munros' journey.

The film's production involved a diverse team, with a score composed by James Newton Howard and musical contributions from members of Lyle Lovett's band. While the plot centers on the Munros' struggle to maintain their standard of living and their eventual reconciliation, the film serves as a reminder of the frequent disconnect between critical appraisal and commercial performance in Hollywood.

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