Christian Byers, Daniel Radcliffe, James Fraser

Based on the classic Michael Noonan novel, "December Boys" is a story of four orphan teenagers growing up behind the closed doors of a catholic convent in outback Australia during the 1960s. As the bo...( read more  read more... )ys watch younger kids get adopted by loving families, they begin to realize that as they get older, their turn may never come. When the convent sends the boys to visit the seaside one summer, they finally have something to look forward to. While at the seaside, the boys meet a young couple unable to have children, who would make the perfect parents. The eldest of the boys, Maps, finds himself drawn to Lucy, a beautiful girl from down the coast. Competing to be the most adoptable, the rest of the boys, Sparks, Misty and Spit, severely test their friendships as long gestating feelings of rejection explode to the surface. The bonds of friendship eventually overcome the rivalries, sealing forever the strong ties that bind the December boys as they learn the real meaning behind friendship, family and love.

Flixster Users

56% liked it

18,654 ratings

Critics

43% liked it

65 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Rod Hardy

Release Date: October 5, 2007

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DVD Release Date: December 11, 2007

Stats: 1,849 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,849)


  • September 15, 2008
    This film was a great story. A story about 4 orphans growing up and becoming a family. It definitely shows that Daniel Radcliffe isn't just that guy who plays Harry Potter; hopefully he can do some more acting after Harry Potter is over with. It felt like something was missing fr...( read more)om the movie, I'm not sure what it was, but I felt slightly empty after it was over, like something wasn't finished. O well. It's good.
  • July 19, 2008
    I usually like coming-of-age stories, and this one is OK too. This one focuses on four orphans who happen into a month-long holiday at the other end of Australia. Of course living at the sea-side with real people around is different than their lives at the orphanage.
  • June 16, 2008
    December Boys should have been a touching and poignant coming of age film. Instead the script and directing are bland. The characters are much too underdeveloped. The film is boring. Kudos to cinematographer David Connell. Only his stunning shots of the Kangaroo Island kept...( read more) this film from being a total waste.
  • May 21, 2008
    This one still makes my heart ache, three days later. It is charming and disheartening and absolutely enveloping. I wish I could have adopted them all.
  • March 16, 2008
    In the late 1960's, four close-knit orphans in Australia, called the December Boys because they were all born in the same month, leave their orphanage for a holiday by the sea. Having all but given up hope of ever being adopted, the friends are on a seaside holiday one summer whe...( read more)n they hear a rumor that a seaside couple are looking to adopt one of the orphans, friendships are tested and new alliances made as the four boys compete for the chance to gain a real family.
  • November 22, 2009
    December Boys is the story of four orphans in 1960s Australia, who are given the opportunity to spend the summer at a beach home, where they learn the lessons of life.

    Overall, the movie was enjoyable and it was nice to see Daniel in something other than Harry Potter and not the...( read more) main character. All four main actors do a good job and the supporting cast also serves a purpose.
  • October 31, 2009
    This hopeless excuse for a story doesn?t pull on any heart strings. I think the problem is that I dont really give a flying fuck what happens to these little cunt ass motherfucking gay incest little boys, so in affect I dont really care who the people choose and any attempt for t...( read more)ear jerking fails completely. Overall this movie isnt very good.
  • October 30, 2009
    i have but not watched it yet
  • October 25, 2009
    Just lovely. A nice heartwarming movie to watch on a cool Saturday afternoon. This film showcases the fact that Daniel Radcliffe can act and is not limited to just a boy wizard.
  • October 20, 2009
    Daniel needs to work on his accent bit more LOL

Critic Reviews


September 28, 2007
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Particularly for Radcliffe fans, it's an agreeable journey. full review

September 21, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

There seem to be two movies going on here at the same time, and December Boys would have been better off going all the way with one of them. full review

September 21, 2007
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

The two halves of December Boys -- the pre-adolescent getting of wisdom and the adolescent getting of action -- never mesh. full review

September 14, 2007
Nick Schager, Cinematical

A cloying, unremarkable affair. full review

View more December Boys reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • machosama
    November 9, 2007
    Seems interesting I’m going 2 download it
  • kyle2k7ovts6
    November 8, 2007
    he doesn't seem right without his scar, maybe they should have brought it into the movie of how his parents died, killed voldermort and now lives in an orphanage.
  • alemagico
    November 4, 2007
    Dan did an amazing work as MAPS on December Boys.
    I love all his movies, such as TAILOR OF PANAMA(he dosn't talk to much there but looks preaty) and on David Couperfield, that I saw it every night(my fave).
    About his acting career, he got a lot to do to impress,
    because he is so good and so gorgeous! Teresa did well, but not so good as the kid who did MISTY. IN my case,that was the fave of the audience. He was so cool and in all the scenes, made me cry, and laugh! THIS MOVIE..from me, got a 5/5 stars and more! YOU MUST SEE IT! And if you haven't, buy it on DVD, December 11,2007.
  • luis84hp
    November 2, 2007
    i will fuck him until he can't stand up he is so hot i masturbate thinking on him
  • BaybeeDoll92ox
    September 30, 2007
    i like the sound of the film. i don't think people should go and see it just because Daniel Radcliffe is in it, if they do that they could be disappointed by the film.
  • HoosierBear28
    September 27, 2007
    I wanted there to be a video clip for it on this thing but there wasn't so now I do not know if I want to see it.. BOOHOO! ^^ <3 >.< -_-' O.O *-* U.O
  • robertnuevas
    September 25, 2007
    oh... th..at great
  • chenzhenjiazi
    September 25, 2007
    i wanna see it , an intetresting and energatic life si attractive
  • myrafnndz
    September 15, 2007
    I can't wait for this movie to come out, anything with daniel radcliffe is something i have to watch. Unfortunately, i am going to have to wait until October 5th, which is when it will be release here in Texas. Oh will, at least i have something to look forward to.
  • KarizzleCrosby
    September 10, 2007
    This movie looks really good.
    Anything with Dan in it is good. So, I hope this is the same.
    I love Rupert Grint!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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December Boys Trivia


  • In which movie does Daniel Radcliffe play the character "Maps"?  Answer »
  • What movie will hit theaters in December,2006, about a group of orphans in Australia?  Answer »
  • Which Famous Actor stars in the new movie December Boys?  Answer »
  • Which movie does Daniel Raddcliff star in that was shot in Adeliade, Australia?  Answer »

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