Little Children

  • 2006
  • R
  • 137m
movieMx RATING
7.1/101.1K
VERDICT
HIT
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: Little Children Review

Last updated: January 26, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 26, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Little Children (2006) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Little Children features a noteworthy lineup led by Kate Winslet . Supported by the likes of Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Connelly , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Little Children (2006) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Little Children stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: Little Children

Quick Plot Summary: Little Children is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Story Breakdown

This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. The lives of two lovelorn spouses from separate marriages, a registered sex offender, and a disgraced ex-police officer intersect as they struggle to resist their vulnerabilities and temptations. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.

Ending Explained: Little Children

Ending Breakdown: Little Children resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Little Children reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Little Children?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: Little Children

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $26.0M
Worldwide Gross $14.8M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

Little Children Budget

The estimated production budget for Little Children is $26.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

Advertisement

Top Cast: Little Children

All Cast & Crew →
Kate Winslet
Kate WinsletSarah Pierce
Patrick Wilson
Patrick WilsonBrad Adamson
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer ConnellyKathy Adamson
Gregg Edelman
Gregg EdelmanRichard Pierce
Sadie Goldstein
Sadie GoldsteinLucy Pierce
Ty Simpkins
Ty SimpkinsAaron Adamson
Noah Emmerich
Noah EmmerichLarry Hedges
Jackie Earle Haley
Jackie Earle HaleyRonnie J. McGorvey
Phyllis Somerville
Phyllis SomervilleMay McGorvey
Advertisement

Where to Watch Little Children Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

Little Children Parents Guide & Age Rating

2006 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Little Children age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Little Children is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Little Children is 137 minutes (2h 17m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, Little Children is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2006 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for Little Children. Rating: 7.1/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Little Children worth watching?

Little Children is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Little Children parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Little Children identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Little Children?

The total duration of Little Children is 137 minutes, which is approximately 2h 17m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked Little Children

How Little Children Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Little Children

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.1
Little Children
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/little-children-1440" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 7.1</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Little Children</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Kate Winslet

View full filmography