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What's After the Movie?
Family comedy

Yes Day (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Yes Day (2021) movie poster

Yes Day is a 2021 family comedy directed by Miguel Arteta, starring Jennifer Garner as Allison Torres, Jenna Ortega and Édgar Ramírez. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes. Critics gave it 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
52%
Echo Score
64
Metascore
46
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Yes Day (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
Miguel Arteta
Genres
Comedy , Family
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Yes Day About?

The premise of Yes Day without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Allison and Carlos decide to relinquish control for a single day, granting their three children a "Yes Day" filled with unexpected adventures throughout Los Angeles. The experience tests their parenting skills as the kids lead them through a series of exciting and chaotic activities. Along the way, the family strengthens their bond, learns valuable lessons about trust and freedom, and creates unforgettable memories.

Yes Day Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • parents
  • parent child relationship
  • family with three children
  • car wash
  • vacation
  • park
  • child
  • family relationships
  • mother
  • home
  • 2020s
  • 21st century
+24 more
  • high concept comedy
  • water balloon
  • teenager
  • teenage girl
  • little girl
  • little boy
  • concert
  • female singer
  • mother daughter relationship
  • security guard
  • female security guard
  • water balloon fight
  • competition
  • family comedy
  • lesbian character
  • strong female lead
  • married with children
  • male female relationship
  • latino family
  • latino man
  • latina woman
  • based on book
  • husband wife relationship
  • father
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Cast & crew

Yes Day Cast & Characters

Jennifer Garner leads the cast as Allison Torres, with Jenna Ortega as Katie Torres and Édgar Ramírez. Directed by Miguel Arteta; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Yes Day

· 13 more
From the director

More from Miguel Arteta

More films directed by Miguel Arteta, best-rated first: Cedar Rapids, Beatriz at Dinner, The Good Girl and Youth in Revolt.

Full filmography
Ratings

Yes Day Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Yes Day 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (50).

64 /100

Yes Day Echo Score Breakdown

Yes Day offers amiable entertainment marked by a spirited ensemble and accessible humor but is constrained by formulaic elements. Its cast chemistry and dynamic direction deliver a lively atmosphere that resonates during the film’s playful sequences. However, the plot’s predictability and occasional overindulgence in cheesy gags introduce uneven pacing, particularly in the latter half. While its family-friendly themes and heartfelt moments engage younger viewers, the familiar narrative limits broader memorability. Overall, this balance produces a pleasant yet unremarkable family experience.

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 art and craft, Yes Day showcases competent direction and bright production design but lacks inventive staging or visual surprises. The film employs a vivid color palette and clean editing that support its playful tone, yet the familiar execution limits its creative impact. Overall, the technical elements feel serviceable but not particularly distinctive.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, Yes Day benefits from an affable ensemble and high-energy performances that foster genuine warmth. The central pair display engaging chemistry, and supporting roles contribute light-hearted flair. However, some character arcs remain underdeveloped, and emotional beats occasionally feel superficial. The result is a film that charms through likable portrayals yet stops short of profound emotional depth.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, Yes Day presents a straightforward narrative that engages initially with its playful premise. The pacing is brisk early on but becomes uneven as the film veers into repetitive set pieces and predictable resolutions. Originality is limited, and the final act’s scramble to recapture earlier charm introduces tonal whiplash. Altogether, the plot delivers light entertainment with modest narrative ambition.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When considering sensory experience, Yes Day features an upbeat soundtrack and clear sound design that complement its vibrant visuals. The score accentuates comedic moments, and the production’s color choices underpin the family-friendly mood. Yet the overall sensory presentation adheres to familiar family-film conventions, offering an enjoyable but conventional audio-visual package rather than striking creativity.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch factor, Yes Day offers modest replay value for viewers seeking light family entertainment. Its warm moments and frequent comedic touches can be enjoyable on subsequent viewings with younger audiences. However, the predictable plot and lack of deeper thematic layers reduce its lasting appeal. As a result, repeat viewings may feel serviceable rather than compelling.

Plot

Yes Day Plot Summary

What happens in Yes Day from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Allison (Jennifer Garner) and Carlos Torres (Édgar Ramírez) are a married couple navigating the challenges of parenthood with their three kids: Katie (Jenna Ortega), Nando (Julian Lerner), and Ellie (Everly Carganilla). In their earlier days, they embraced spontaneity, but as their family grew, they felt compelled to adopt a more cautious approach, often saying no to their children’s requests to keep them safe.

Carlos, employed at a tech company, spends his days managing youthful employees and shielding the firm from potential lawsuits, resulting in a frequent use of “no.” On the other hand, Allison, once a marketing head at a large organization, struggles to find employment as job prospects seem to favor overly ambitious millennials willing to work late hours.

Full summary

The whole story of Yes Day, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Yes Day Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Yes Day.

Yes Day starring Jennifer Garner | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Yes Day?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Allison in 'Yes Day'?

Cars

Cars in Yes Day

21 cars on screen, including the 2011 Ford Explorer and the 2002 International 4300 LP.

All 21 cars
  • 2011 Ford Explorer in Yes Day 2011 Ford Explorer Important role
  • 2002 International 4300 LP in Yes Day 2002 International 4300 LP Important role
  • 2011 Chevrolet Volt in Yes Day 2011 Chevrolet Volt Minor role
  • 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit in Yes Day 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit Minor role
Details

Yes Day Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “El dia del Si” and “예스 데이!”.

Also known as
  • El dia del Si
  • 예스 데이!
  • DIA DO SIM
  • IGEN NAP
  • ДЕНЬ ДА
  • El Día del Sí
  • 有求必应日
  • Her Şeye Evet
  • Dzień na tak
  • 有求必應日
  • Η Μέρα του Ναι
  • ¡Hoy sí!
+15 more
  • NGÀY ĐỒNG Ý
  • День «так»
  • יום הכּן
  • JA-DAG
  • DAN ZA DA
  • Taip diena
  • YESデー ~ダメって言っちゃダメな日~
  • Ja-dagen
  • Aujourd'hui, c'est oui!, ყველაფერი შეიძლება
  • ZIUA LUI „DA”
  • روز بله‌گویی
  • เยสเดย์ วันนี้ห้ามเซย์โน
  • El dia del Sí
  • Kyllä-päivä
  • हां वाला दिन

Seen Yes Day?

FAQ

Yes Day FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Yes Day, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Yes Day?

Yes Day runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Yes Day released?

Yes Day was released on March 12, 2021.

Who directed Yes Day?

Yes Day was directed by Miguel Arteta.

More films by Miguel Arteta

Who is in the cast of Yes Day?

Yes Day stars Jennifer Garner as Allison Torres, Jenna Ortega as Katie Torres and Édgar Ramírez, among 17 credited actors.

How is Yes Day rated?

Yes Day has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Yes Day have a post-credit scene?

No. Yes Day has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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