The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›The Boss Baby
Entertainment • Film

The Boss Baby

The Boss Baby is a 2017 American computer-animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Tom McGrath.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Boss Baby is a 2017 American computer-animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Tom McGrath. It is loosely based on Marla Frazee’s 2010 picture book of the same name and follows a boy who suspects his new baby brother is actually a secret agent. The film was released in the United States on March 31, 2017, and became the first film in The Boss Baby franchise.

Plot

The film follows seven-year-old Tim Templeton, who becomes suspicious of his new baby brother after noticing that the baby can talk and behaves like a business executive. The story blends family comedy with a spy plot involving BabyCorp and Puppy Co.

Production

The Boss Baby was produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Tom McGrath from a screenplay by Michael McCullers. It was adapted loosely from Marla Frazee’s picture book rather than being a direct retelling.

Release and reception

The film premiered at the Miami International Film Festival on March 12, 2017, and was released in the United States on March 31, 2017. It was distributed in Canada as part of its North American theatrical release. The film received mixed reviews from critics but performed strongly at the box office, grossing about $528 million worldwide against a $125 million budget. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, Annie Awards, and Golden Globes.

Franchise

The Boss Baby became the first entry in a franchise that later expanded into sequels and other related media. DreamWorks later described The Boss Baby: Family Business as a sequel to the original film.

Key facts

  • The film is loosely based on Marla Frazee’s 2010 picture book.
  • Alec Baldwin voices the title character, the Boss Baby.
  • The story centres on sibling rivalry and a secret corporate-style mission involving babies and puppies.
  • The film was a commercial success and grossed about $528 million worldwide.
  • It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at major awards including the Academy Awards, Annie Awards, and Golden Globes.
🍁
Canadian context

The Boss Baby was distributed in Canada as part of its North American theatrical release and later became available through major home entertainment and streaming platforms used by Canadian audiences.[2][13]

Frequently asked questions

What is The Boss Baby?
It is a 2017 American animated comedy film about a boy who believes his new baby brother is a secret agent.
Who directed The Boss Baby?
The film was directed by Tom McGrath.
Who voices the Boss Baby?
Alec Baldwin voices the title character.
What is The Boss Baby based on?
It is loosely based on Marla Frazee’s 2010 picture book The Boss Baby.
When was The Boss Baby released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on March 31, 2017.
Was The Boss Baby successful?
Yes. It earned about $528 million worldwide against a $125 million budget.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boss_Baby
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, writer, cast, premise, release date, box office, awards, and franchise status.
  2. Movies.ie — https://www.movies.ie/10-things-need-know-boss-baby/
    Supports: Premise, inspiration from Marla Frazee's book, sibling rivalry theme, and Irish release information.
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80146758
    Supports: Synopsis, cast, genre, and availability on a major streaming platform.
  4. DreamWorks — https://www.dreamworks.com/the-boss-baby
    Supports: Franchise information and sequel context.