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The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman who struggles to support his young son while pursuing a stockbroker career.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman who struggles to support his young son while pursuing a stockbroker career. The film is based on Gardner’s memoir of the same name and is known for its intentionally misspelled title, taken from graffiti seen in the story. It was released in 2006 and is rated PG-13.

Plot and source material

The film follows Chris Gardner as he faces financial hardship, homelessness, and the challenge of raising his son while training for a stockbroking career. It is based on Gardner’s memoir and his nearly year-long struggle with homelessness.

Production and cast

Directed by Gabriele Muccino, the film stars Will Smith in the lead role, with Jaden Smith as his son and Thandiwe Newton as Linda Gardner. The screenplay was written by Steven Conrad.

Title and setting

The title intentionally misspells “happiness” as “happyness,” reflecting graffiti seen in the story. The film is set in San Francisco in 1981.

Reception and significance

The film was widely discussed as an inspirational drama based on a true story. Reviews and coverage often note its themes of perseverance, poverty, and the American Dream.

Key facts

  • The film is a biographical drama based on Chris Gardner’s memoir.
  • Will Smith stars as Chris Gardner; Jaden Smith makes his film debut as his son.
  • The title’s misspelling comes from graffiti near a daycare facility.
  • The story is set in San Francisco in 1981.
  • The film explores themes of perseverance, poverty, and the American Dream.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed in Canada through Sony Pictures Releasing and was released internationally, including in Canadian cinemas and home media markets.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Pursuit of Happyness about?
It is about Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who faces homelessness while trying to build a career in stockbroking and care for his son.
Is The Pursuit of Happyness based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on Chris Gardner’s memoir and dramatizes his real-life experiences.
Who directed The Pursuit of Happyness?
The film was directed by Gabriele Muccino.
Who stars in the film?
Will Smith stars as Chris Gardner, with Jaden Smith as his son and Thandiwe Newton as Linda Gardner.
Why is happiness misspelled in the title?
The misspelling comes from graffiti Gardner sees near his son’s daycare facility.
When was the film released?
It was released in 2006.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/
    Supports: Release year, runtime, rating, genre labels, and brief plot description.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Happyness
    Supports: Director, cast, basis in Chris Gardner's memoir, setting, and origin of the misspelled title.
  3. AllMovie — https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-pursuit-of-happyness-am6965
    Supports: Film type, director, cast, screenplay basis, setting, and title explanation.
  4. Chris Gardner Media — https://www.chrisgardnermedia.com/the-movie
    Supports: Release date, rating, and production presentation from Gardner's official site.
  5. ScreenRant — https://www.screenrant.com/db/movie/the-pursuit-of-happyness/
    Supports: Director, studios, distributor, rating, runtime, and general film identification.