Cheaper by the Dozen 2003

When a family of 12 must adjust to city life after their father takes a coaching job at Northwestern University, chaos ensues as mom's writing career suffers and the kids' mischief escalates. As parental attention dwindles, the brood's antics reach new heights, testing the bonds of this loving yet lovably chaotic clan.

When a family of 12 must adjust to city life after their father takes a coaching job at Northwestern University, chaos ensues as mom's writing career suffers and the kids' mischief escalates. As parental attention dwindles, the brood's antics reach new heights, testing the bonds of this loving yet lovably chaotic clan.

Does Cheaper by the Dozen have end credit scenes?

No!

Cheaper by the Dozen does not have end credit scenes.

Actors

Meet the cast of Cheaper by the Dozen and learn about the talented actors who brought the characters to life. Explore their roles and career highlights.


Ratings

Discover how Cheaper by the Dozen is rated on popular platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Explore audience and critic scores to see how this movie ranks among the best.


Metacritic

46

Metascore

6.5

User Score

TMDB

63

%

User Score

Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Cheaper by the Dozen with an engaging quiz. Test your memory of the movie’s characters, plot twists, and unforgettable moments.


Cheaper by the Dozen Quiz: Test your knowledge on the hilarious family dynamics and chaotic adventures of the Bakers in 'Cheaper by the Dozen'.

What is Tom Baker's profession?

Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

See more

Get the full story of Cheaper by the Dozen with a detailed plot summary. Dive into its themes, characters, and the twists that make it a must-watch.


College football coach Tom Baker](/actor/steve-martin) is the dedicated father of twelve children, each of whom he has raised with love and determination in the small town of Midland, Illinois. The children—ranging from the enthusiastic Nora (Hilary Duff), the laid-back Charlie (Tom Welling), the contemplative Lorraine (Hilary Duff), and the adventurous Henry (Kevin G. Schmidt), to their quirky siblings Sarah (Alyson Stoner), Jake (Jacob Smith), Mark (Forrest Landis), Jessica (Liliana Mumy), Kim (Morgan York), Mike (Blake Woodruff), Kyle (Brent Kinsman), and even the twin boys, Nigel (Shane Kinsman)—all contribute to the lively and often chaotic atmosphere of their home. Every year, Tom devotes himself to coaching at a local college, spending a lot of time and money to ensure that his large family stays afloat.

His supportive wife, Kate, has penned their family’s adventures in a heartwarming book that she dreams will one day be published. Having grown up in large families herself, Kate longed for a bustling household, while Tom, passionate about football, associated his success with his dream job as a coach. Their love story blossomed back at the Illinois Polytechnic University, where their fates intertwined as they aspired to build their lives and careers together. However, after the arrival of their first three kids, they realized that nurturing their expanding family held greater importance than their individual ambitions, prompting them to make significant sacrifices for a fulfilling family life.

Life takes an unexpected turn when Tom accepts an enticing offer from his friend and fellow coach Shake McGuire (Richard Jenkins) to lead the football team at his alma mater in Evanston. This decision places immense strain on the family, particularly when the children express their reluctance to leave behind their friends in Midland. To make matters worse, the transition to their new home is fraught with challenges as the dynamics of their household shift and tensions rise. Charlie struggles in his new environment, while Mark feels increasingly alienated from the family.

As their new neighbors, Tina (Paula Marshall) and Bill Shenk (Alan Ruck), introduce their son Dylan (Steven Anthony Lawrence) to the family, the chaos accentuates, especially after an uproarious initial playdate that ends with Dylan swinging from the chandelier—much to everyone’s amusement. Meanwhile, Tom tries to support his ambitious plans for the family while keeping up with his newfound responsibilities.

While Kate embarks on her book tour, Tom enlists Nora and her self-absorbed boyfriend Hank (Ashton Kutcher) to help maintain some semblance of order. However, the siblings soon realize that they cannot withstand Hank’s ineptitude with children, leading to a series of pranks designed to humiliate him. Amidst the laughter and chaos, the house remains a whirlwind of activity; a night filled with mishaps, accidents, and emotional confrontations unfolds, prompting Tom to reconsider the price of his dreams.

As the children feel neglected and misunderstood, they act out, with incidents ranging from school bullying to unexpected family fights breaking out in a whirlwind of emotions and misunderstandings. When calamity strikes during a birthday party, it becomes clear that the Baker’s family dynamics have soured. Frustration reaches its peak when Charlie is benched from the team and blames Tom for choosing his career over his family.

In a pivotal moment, Nora discovers Hank’s troubling nature, leading her to break free from his grasp and realign herself with her family’s values. With the help of her siblings, she instills hope into their search for the missing Mark after a tragic loss brings everyone to a breaking point. As they reunite and address their individual grievances, a heartwarming moment arises when they decide to hold a small funeral for Mark’s beloved pet frog, Beans, symbolizing healing and acceptance within their family.

Ultimately, Tom comes to recognize that his dream job can’t replace the irreplaceable bonds of family. He chooses to resign, pledging to prioritize their relationships over career ambitions, while Kate celebrates the success of her bestselling book. In the end, the Bakers find joy in each other’s company during Christmas, as they create cherished memories and solidify their bonds, proving that no matter what changes come their way, the love of family can overcome all obstacles.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes

See more

See the latest videos related to Cheaper by the Dozen. Explore trailers, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content that give you a deeper look into the film.


🎥 CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (2003) | Full Movie Trailer | Full HD | 1080p

Cars Featured in Cheaper by the Dozen

See 30 more

See all cars featured in Cheaper by the Dozen, including models, makes, roles, and their on-screen significance.


Acura

2001

CL

Audi

1999

A4 B5

Audi

2002

A4 B6

Audi

1998

A6 C5

BMW

1992

3 Coupé E36

BMW

2001

M3 E46

BMW

1997

Z3 E36/7

Cadillac

1983

Sedan DeVille

Chevrolet

1992

Caprice

Chevrolet

1983

Chevy Van

Movie Themes & Keywords

Discover the keywords that describe the themes and topics of the movie. Explore the keywords that define the essence of the film.


child vomitingchild answering the telephoneflip phonetelephone callfrog in pocketpet dogoverallsliterature on screenamerican literature on screen20th century literature on screenhumoristic literature on screenjoggingcamera shot of feetnarrated by characterhiding under a blanketdog barksvanminibuscoachvasectomyfaintingtwinsstudentnewspaperidentical twinplaying clarinetfeeding a dogidentical twin brothersrugbypart of franchisefood wasterugby coachrugby matchriding a bicyclestadiumbare chested malematronizingpatronizingmale male hugnewspaper articlenewspaper headlinecharacter appears in newspapermoving outeavesdroppingsitting on stairsposing for a photographreference to jesus christbiblical referencelittle girlgaming

Similar Movies You Should Know About

Explore a curated list of movies that share similar themes, genres, or story elements with the one you're viewing. Whether it's the tone, characters, or plot structure, these related titles help you discover more films worth adding to your watchlist.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.