Everything's Going to Be Great

Play trailer

2:23

Everything's Going to Be Great

R

2025

1h 35m

Drama

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

There's no business like show business -- for Buddy and Macy Smart (Primetime Emmy® winner Bryan Cranston and Oscar® winner Allison Janney) that means an unpredictable life in regional theater while trying to raise their radically different sons, Lester and Derrick. Through it all, Buddy pursues his unstoppable dreams, and Macy is left to pull it all together and keep the family afloat. As the family grapples with identity and belonging, they share a humorous and heartfelt journey of self-discovery, learning the power of owning your spotlight, no matter what stage of life you're in.

Critics Consensus

Everything's Going to Be Great almost bows under the weight of its confused conceit, yet hearty performances by Brian Cranston and Allison Janney keep it afloat.

Read Critics Reviews

Ben Kenigsberg

New York Times

Jun 23

By turns heartfelt and, especially in the ghost tête-à-têtes, irksome, the movie is helped substantially by its cast, especially Cranston, who brings a welcome sincerity to a quixotic, potentially cloying character.

Go to Full Review

William Bibbiani

TheWrap

Jun 20

Jon S. Baird’s kind and cutting drama about a family trying, failing, and trying all over again to make it in the theater is a heartening drama and a great big smile of a comedy.

Go to Full Review

Cortlyn Kelly

RogerEbert.com

Jun 19

3/4

While the film’s storyline is charming, it falters slightly in its grounding of the plot.

Go to Full Review

Emma Vine

Loud and Clear Reviews

Mar 2

2.5/5

Despite the talented cast in Everything’s Going To Be Great, Baird’s latest dramedy lacks any clear narrative direction.

Go to Full Review

Alfred Castaneda

Shade Studios

Aug 23

There are many ideas at play here, but a lack of commitment to any of them lead to an underwhelming experience.

Go to Full Review

John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

Aug 22

52/100

It feels like Family Circus. it is like a collection of ideas that someone has tried to connect with a plot for film form. This would have worked better as a half-hour sitcom, where each quirky idea could have been attacked separately.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Anita M

Jul 10

It was entertaining. Sad that the Dad passed away so soon. My husband liked it so much he thought it ended too soon. Sorry to see the mom committing adultery.

See more

Mr. Hollywood

Jul 10

Was a decent enough film, with a surprise that saves the film. The main kid was annoying and couldnt carry this film at all. And the girl with her older-than-thou-knowledge of life was a cliche but a welcome from the main story.

See more

Rex

Jul 1

Wholesome perfectly casted, greatly acted story that resinated childhood memories exploring Beverly Hills railroad tracks, mouthful of talcum power & lives going different directions loved it! Im sure to portray the events it was necessary but, too bad the need for the R rating.

See more

Paul K

Jun 29

Well acted by everyone with some interesting moments. It kept my attention and was interesting. Im still wondering what the purpose of the plot was and what they were trying to say with this film.

See more

Erica

Jun 22

It was so good. And you cant beat the cast.

See more

Arthur R

@RT88125953 May 18

So slow it didn't even help my insomnia... ridiculously self-indulgent and the performances really don't justify the expectations of the script. Don't get me wrong, there was potential for something to be great here, but the execution falls short

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Jon S. Baird

Director

Allison Janney

Macy Smart

Benjamin Evan Ainsworth

Lester Smart

Bryan Cranston

Buddy Smart

Jack Champion

Derrick Smart

Chris Cooper

Walter

Everything's Going to Be Great: Exclusive Movie Clip - Rich in Other Ways

2:02

Everything's Going to Be Great: Movie Clip - Weirdos

1:08

View more videos

A Real Pain

96%

82%

A Real Pain

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Real Pain

Somewhere in Queens

92%

92%

Somewhere in Queens

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Somewhere in Queens

My Dead Friend Zoe

94%

95%

My Dead Friend Zoe

Watchlist

TRAILER

for My Dead Friend Zoe

The Friend

84%

80%

The Friend

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Friend

American Fiction

93%

95%

American Fiction

Watchlist

TRAILER

for American Fiction

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Everything's Going to Be Great: Trailer 1

2:23

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

There's no business like show business -- for Buddy and Macy Smart (Primetime Emmy® winner Bryan Cranston and Oscar® winner Allison Janney) that means an unpredictable life in regional theater while trying to raise their radically different sons, Lester and Derrick. Through it all, Buddy pursues his unstoppable dreams, and Macy is left to pull it all together and keep the family afloat. As the family grapples with identity and belonging, they share a humorous and heartfelt journey of self-discovery, learning the power of owning your spotlight, no matter what stage of life you're in.

Director: Jon S. Baird
Producer: Steven Rogers, Alex Lalonde, Bryan Unkeless
Distributor: Lionsgate
Production Co: Clubhouse Pictures, Lionsgate, eOne Films, Astute Films, Amaze Film + Television
Rating: R (Partial Nudity|Language|Brief Teen Alcohol Use|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 20, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 11, 2025
Runtime: 1h 35m