Daddy Day Care
Revolution Studios | Release Date: May 9, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
39
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews
Positive:
3
Mixed:
17
Negative:
11
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
Dallas ObserverRobert Wilonsky
Murphy inhabited Jif like a sweet, innocent child, almost as though he were delighted to shed the cynicism and get down to the sweet, chewy center. Or day-care center, in this case. Read full review
60
Washington PostDesson Thomson
An easy-on-the-sensibilities family film, Eddie Murphy practically assumes the easygoing manner of Mister Rogers, a character he used to wickedly lampoon on "Saturday Night Live." Read full review
50
New York PostMegan Lehmann
Only really little tykes will find the surplus of pratfalls and poo and fart jokes a hoot. Read full review
50
PremiereSusannah Gora
Moves easily between manic humor and soft, touching moments that get to the heart of what it means to be a parent. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
A likable little movie without much to offer but cute tots, recycled gags and a talented cast amiably wasting their time and ours. Read full review
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Murphy gives one of his more-restrained performances, which suits the mood of carefully contained mayhem established by Steve Carr, the director. Read full review
50
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
His (Eddie Murphy's) performance in Daddy Day Care isn't bad. He's restrained, and even tender in some of the scenes he plays with the kids. But restraint is the last thing we want from a comic of his caliber. It's no fun at all.
50
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Most of the humor is of the kick-daddy-in-the-shins variety, though Anjelica Huston has a few choice moments as "Ms. Harridan." Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Jason Anderson
Full of poop and pratfalls, Daddy Day Care's abrasive marketing campaign promises a fresh slice of hell. So for it not to cause physical pain to any viewer over the age of five is a considerable achievement. Read full review
50
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
It's a formula job all the way, filled with pratfalls, flying food, much male incompetence in the face of child-rearing realities, and a cast of violence-prone children on sugar highs who somehow turn into angels by the film's last sappy moments. Read full review
50
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
Predictable but agreeable time-waster. Read full review
50
Village VoiceEd Park
Lighthearted if shy of a lark. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
A big-screen sitcom so sleepy and juvenile it might as well come with its own nap break. Read full review
50
SalonStephanie Zacharek
One of those comedies that "thinking" people tend to stay away from, but if you look beyond its admittedly aggressive marketing campaign, you can see that it was made with care and intelligence as well as a sense of fun. The pleasures it offers may be modest, but they're not negligible. Read full review
50
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
Most parents will find the movie has the familiar feeling of one of those kid birthday parties where the little ones are on chocolate highs and the adults run out of scheduled activities after 20 minutes. Read full review
40
L.A. WeeklyJon Strickland
Feels like a movie cribbed together from outtakes of other hapless Hollywood comedies -- rejected scenes where the line readings fell flat, the chemistry expired or the adult actors couldn't wipe the "get this brat away from me" scowl from their faces. Read full review
40
VarietyTodd McCarthy
Scarcely more amusing than spending 90 minutes in a pre-K classroom. Read full review
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