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What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

Little Boxes (2017): Ratings

Little Boxes (2017) movie poster

Little Boxes is a 2017 comedy drama directed by Rob Meyer. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes. Critics gave it 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
70%
Echo Score
63
Metascore
52
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Little Boxes (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 24m (84 min)
Director
Rob Meyer
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Little Boxes About?

The premise of Little Boxes without spoilers.

An 11-year-old boy named Clark experiences a cultural identity crisis when his family moves from New York City to a quiet, predominantly white suburban town. Struggling to adapt to the slower pace of life, Clark attempts to fit in by exploring his African-American heritage, hoping to gain acceptance and popularity. However, he discovers that navigating social dynamics and finding his place is more challenging than he anticipated, while his parents also face their own adjustment period.

Little Boxes Themes & Keywords

· 24 tags
  • interracial romance
  • biracial
  • black man white woman relationship
  • interracial relationship
  • biracial child
  • family relationships
  • new york city
  • birthday
  • bookstore
  • air mattress
  • mold
  • grounded
+12 more
  • pool party
  • summer party
  • riding a bicycle
  • breaking a window
  • interracial couple
  • writer
  • female photographer
  • photographer
  • professor
  • changing city
  • two word title
  • independent film
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Crew

The Director of Little Boxes

Directed by Rob Meyer.

Ratings

Little Boxes Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Little Boxes 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

63 /100

Little Boxes Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Little Boxes shows modest strengths in its family portrayal but remains uneven in its narrative impact. The film’s consistent tone and credible performances provide a watchable experience, though the social commentary often feels half-formed. Pacing is measured but occasionally undercuts the dramatic stakes, limiting its emotional resonance. On balance, the movie offers a pleasant but somewhat forgettable study of suburban tension, delivering more subtle charm than lasting insight.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of direction and visual craft, Little Boxes demonstrates a serviceable but unremarkable approach. Ron Meyer’s direction maintains a steady tone without notable stylistic flourishes, and the production design conveys a realistic suburban setting. The editing sustains clarity despite moments of contrived drama, yet the overall execution lacks a distinctive visual voice. Consequently, the film’s artistry supports the story without elevating it beyond competent craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, Little Boxes excels in portraying a believable family unit. The interactions among the lead trio feel authentic, and their chemistry sustains viewer engagement. While some supporting figures verge on caricature, the core performances convey nuanced familial bonds and understated conflicts. This genuine portrayal of a close-knit household emerges as the film’s most compelling element, anchoring its thematic intentions.

  • Story & Flow 62

    With regard to plot coherence and narrative flow, Little Boxes delivers a measured but occasionally uneven storyline. The script offers thoughtful observations on societal biases, yet it frequently stops short of fully exploring its ideas. Pacing remains steady but underplays dramatic tension, resulting in a moderately engaging but subdued progression. Although the film’s originality is modest, it remains watchable thanks to its consistent structure and clear narrative throughline.

  • Sensory Experience 58

    In terms of sensory experience, Little Boxes provides a restrained but coherent audiovisual presentation. The soundtrack employs subtle jazz motifs that reinforce the film’s mood without commanding attention, and the sound design remains clear and unobtrusive. Cinematography captures the suburban environment with an understated palette, though it never achieves a striking visual identity. Overall, the sensory elements support the film’s tone without generating memorable impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Regarding rewatch value, Little Boxes offers occasional moments of warmth and familial insight that may reward subsequent viewings. The film’s moderate pacing and gentle tone allow for easy reentry, though the subdued stakes and limited narrative surprises reduce its lasting appeal. While the central performances remain engaging on a second viewing, the overall experience may feel too slight to sustain frequent revisits and settles into a mild, non-enduring impression.

Videos

Little Boxes Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Little Boxes.

Little Boxes Official Trailer 1 (2017) - Nelsan Ellis Movie
Details

Little Boxes Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “Nowhere Ever After” and “우리집을 찾아온 박스들”.

Also known as
  • Nowhere Ever After
  • 우리집을 찾아온 박스들
  • קופסאות קטנות
  • Малки кутии
  • 小镇好白

Seen Little Boxes?

FAQ

Little Boxes FAQ: Runtime, Release Date & Director

Runtime, release date, director, ratings and post-credit scenes of Little Boxes, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Little Boxes?

Little Boxes runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).

When was Little Boxes released?

Little Boxes was released on April 14, 2017.

Who directed Little Boxes?

Little Boxes was directed by Rob Meyer.

More films by Rob Meyer

How is Little Boxes rated?

Little Boxes has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Little Boxes have a post-credit scene?

No. Little Boxes has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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