It's always amusing to check in on Netflix and see what movies are seeing the most streams and inspiring the most activity on social media. This week, the No. 2 movie in the entire country is The Boss Baby, the 2017 DreamWorks animated comedy about an infant CEO. Why? No idea, to be honest. But in honor of its renewed success, I'm looking at some other fun movies along the same line.
The Boss Baby, directed by Tom McGrath and starring Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, and Jimmy Kimmel, is one of the more successful DreamWorks movies of the last decade. It rides on Alec Baldwin's excellent performance as the title character, who teams up with his elder brother to stop a conspiracy to let puppies monopolize the world's affection. While it's no masterpiece and has a few too many diaper jokes, Netflix's current fascination with the film is intriguing. It's worth a rewatch if you're curious.
For another take on babies doing too much, 2020's Fearless is worth a watch. Directed by Cory Edwards and starring Yara Shahidi, Miles Robbins, and Miguel, it's a fun little movie with exciting action. The story revolves around Reid, a top player of the Planet Master video game, who must handle a complicated situation when a trio of super-powered infants from the game shows up on Earth, pursued by the final boss.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines, directed by Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe and starring Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, and Maya Rudolph, is one of the best non-Pixar animated films of the decade. It's funny, inventive, and has a killer voice cast. Netflix picked it up after the COVID-19 pandemic nixed its theatrical release, and it quickly found an appreciative audience. The story follows the Mitchell family as they embark on a cross-country road trip to take teen Katie Mitchell to college, only to be confronted by a rogue AI that plans to launch all humans into space.
Little Evil, directed by Eli Craig and starring Evangeline Lilly, Owen Atlas, and Adam Scott, is a horror comedy that explores what happens when a Boss Baby gets out of diapers. The story centers around Gary Bloom, who struggles to connect with his wife's 5-year-old son, Lucas, who might be the Antichrist. It's a relentlessly goofy movie that shows that evil can take many forms.
These movies, along with The Boss Baby, showcase the diverse range of animated comedies available on Netflix. While their popularity may be a mystery, they offer a mix of humor, action, and imaginative storytelling that has resonated with audiences. So, if you're in the mood for some animated fun, give these movies a try and see what all the fuss is about.
