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The Breadwinner poster
6.2
TriStar Pictures / The Wonder Project

The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner is a 2026 PG-rated family comedy directed by Eric Appel. The 99-minute film stars Nate Bargatze as Nate Wilcox and Mandy Moore as Katie Wilcox. After Katie’s invention leads to a major business opportunit...

2026 99 min PG
Critic6.2
Comedy Family
Apple TV Apple TV Prime Video Prime Video
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

When his wife’s household invention leads to a major business opportunity, salesman Nate Wilcox suddenly becomes the stay-at-home parent responsible for their three daughters.
Story 5.8
Acting 6.5
Direction 6.0
Cinematography 6.2
Music 6.0
Pacing 6.4
Originality 5.5
Emotional Impact 6.4
Overall 6.2

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Cinema Desk

6.2 /10

Why it is trending now

The Breadwinner entered its digital purchase and rental window on July 14, creating new searches around where to watch and its expected Netflix release.

Nate enters the dad era

The film builds its comedy around Nate trying to manage three daughters and a household using his own imperfect methods.

Bargatze’s screen persona

Nate Bargatze carries his familiar understated delivery into a larger family-comedy format.

Best suited to home viewing

The new digital release gives families and Bargatze fans a convenient way to watch after its limited theatrical performance.

Pros

  • Confirmed 99-minute runtime
  • Nate Bargatze brings his understated comedy style
  • Mandy Moore and a recognizable supporting cast
  • Straightforward family-friendly premise
  • Fresh digital-release search momentum

Cons

  • The story follows familiar parenting-comedy formulas
  • Critical reception was weak
  • The theatrical gross finished below the reported production budget
Verdict A broad and predictable family comedy that benefits from Nate Bargatze’s relaxed delivery and has timely home-viewing appeal.

AI Review

The Breadwinner is a 2026 PG-rated family comedy directed by Eric Appel. The 99-minute film stars Nate Bargatze as Nate Wilcox and Mandy Moore as Katie Wilcox. After Katie’s invention leads to a major business opportunity, Nate becomes the primary parent for their three daughters. The movie became available digitally on July 14, 2026.

A broad and predictable family comedy that benefits from Nate Bargatze’s relaxed delivery and has timely home-viewing appeal.

Recommended mainly for Nate Bargatze fans and families looking for a light, uncomplicated home-viewing comedy.

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Physical Date
Status
Development

Nate Bargatze and Dan Lagana developed the family-comedy screenplay around a father unexpectedly becoming the primary parent.

Director

Eric Appel joined the project as director.

Lead Casting

Nate Bargatze and Mandy Moore were cast as Nate and Katie Wilcox.

Supporting Cast

Colin Jost, Zach Cherry, Martin Herlihy, Kumail Nanjiani, Will Forte and Kate Berlant joined the ensemble.

Production

TriStar Pictures and The Wonder Project produced the film.

Theatrical Release

Sony Pictures Releasing opened The Breadwinner nationwide on May 29, 2026.

Digital Release

The movie became available to purchase and rent digitally on July 14, 2026.

Physical Release

Sony scheduled the Blu-ray and DVD editions for August 25, 2026.

Production

Development

Nate Bargatze and Dan Lagana developed the family-comedy screenplay around a father unexpectedly becoming the primary parent.

Director

Eric Appel joined the project as director.

Lead Casting

Nate Bargatze and Mandy Moore were cast as Nate and Katie Wilcox.

Supporting Cast

Colin Jost, Zach Cherry, Martin Herlihy, Kumail Nanjiani, Will Forte and Kate Berlant joined the ensemble.

Production

TriStar Pictures and The Wonder Project produced the film.

Theatrical Release

Sony Pictures Releasing opened The Breadwinner nationwide on May 29, 2026.

Digital Release

The movie became available to purchase and rent digitally on July 14, 2026.

Physical Release

Sony scheduled the Blu-ray and DVD editions for August 25, 2026.

Streaming

Apple TV Apple TV Prime Video Prime Video Fandango At Home

Cast

Nate Bargatze Nate Wilcox
Mandy Moore Katie Wilcox
Stella Grace Fitzgerald Gracie Wilcox
Birdie Borria Hadley Wilcox
Charlotte Ann Tucker Sam Wilcox
Colin Jost Conor Ashford
Zach Cherry Dan
Martin Herlihy Peter
Kumail Nanjiani Peyton
Will Forte Keegan
Kate Berlant Angela Ashford
Lori Greiner Herself

Characters

Nate Wilcox Nate Bargatze
Katie Wilcox Mandy Moore
Gracie Wilcox Stella Grace Fitzgerald
Hadley Wilcox Birdie Borria
Sam Wilcox Charlotte Ann Tucker
Conor Ashford Colin Jost
Dan Zach Cherry
Peter Martin Herlihy
Peyton Kumail Nanjiani
Keegan Will Forte
Angela Ashford Kate Berlant
Herself Lori Greiner

Crew

Eric Appel Director
Nate Bargatze Writer / Producer
Dan Lagana Writer / Producer
Jeremy Latcham Producer
JoAnn Perritano Executive Producer
Michael Musgrave Executive Producer
Tyler Zacharia Executive Producer

Videos

Official Trailer

Trivia

  • The Breadwinner has a confirmed runtime of 99 minutes.
  • The film is Nate Bargatze’s first starring feature-film role.
  • Bargatze co-wrote the screenplay with Dan Lagana.
  • Mandy Moore plays Katie Wilcox.
  • The story uses a Shark Tank deal to reverse the family’s usual parenting roles.
  • Eric Appel directed the family comedy.
  • The film opened in the United States on May 29, 2026.
  • It earned approximately $7.35 million during its domestic opening weekend.
  • The worldwide theatrical gross reached approximately $20.25 million.
  • The Breadwinner became available digitally on July 14, 2026.

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AI Recommendation Insight

The Breadwinner is a 2026 PG-rated family comedy directed by Eric Appel. The 99-minute film stars Nate Bargatze as Nate Wilcox and Mandy Moore as Katie Wilcox. After Katie’s invention leads to a major business opportunity, Nate becomes the primary parent for their three daughters. The movie became available digitally on July 14, 2026. Similar picks: Shared Cast, Highly Rated Comedy