Nanny McPhee (2006)

73% of critics liked it
(130 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(473,037 ratings)

A nanny reveals ways of making children behave that are much more effective than a time-out in this fantasy comedy based on the "Nurse Matilda" books for children by Christianna Brand. Near the dawn of the twentieth century, Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) is a widower who must tend to his business as an… More A nanny reveals ways of making children behave that are much more effective than a time-out in this fantasy comedy based on the "Nurse Matilda" books for children by Christianna Brand. Near the dawn of the twentieth century, Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) is a widower who must tend to his business as an undertaker while looking after his brood of seven children. Brown's offspring are a singularly ill-mannered lot who have managed to drive away 17 different nannies when their father arranges for one Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) to help out with the children. McPhee is an strange looking woman with a large nose, protruding teeth, and pock-marked skin, but it isn't long before the kids realize she has magical powers and isn't afraid to use them to help keep them in line. While the children aren't taken with McPhee's insistence on such things as saying "please" and listening to their elders, it becomes clear everyone has bigger things to worry about. Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury) has insisted that if Mr. Brown cannot find a new wife within a month, she'll take custody of one of the children and cut off Brown's inheritance, and while Brown and the widow Mrs. Quickly (Celia Imrie) seem fond of one another, his ineptitude in courtship seems to insure he'll never get her to the altar. But while the Brown Children realize Nanny McPhee is a formidable opponent, she can also be a valuable ally as they learn to make use of her talents by being better children; they also discover that as they behave better, she begins to look less frightening. Emma Thompson, who played the title role in Nanny McPhee, also wrote the film's screenplay. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Kirk Jones
Written By: Emma Thompson, Christianna Brand
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jan 27, 2006 Wide
On DVD: May 9, 2006
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Rex Reed, New York Observer
The kids will love the candy-box sets and costumes like confectionery-shop windows, the whimsy and farcical grotesqueness of it all.
Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
Any time Thompson curls that prosthetic snaggletooth over her lower lip and murmurs a nearly inaudible harrumph is a comic moment to be treasured.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
There's nothing offhand or spontaneous-feeling about Nanny McPhee; it's a highly mechanical piece of work, and its potentially delightful details are wasted.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
In a seemingly blithe way, the movie captures an aspect of child consciousness not usually explored onscreen -- that zone between innocence and knowledge.
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Nanny McPhee has its own enduring charm, a mix of witty dialogue, pie-throwing slapstick and eccentric family portrait.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
This bracing adaptation of the Nurse Matilda books by Christianna Brand is the acidic antidote to Mary Poppins sweetness.
Paul Chambers, CNNRadio
The kind of movie that I would have loved to seen as a kid. Magical stuff. I look forward to the sequel. Paul Chambers, CNN.
Christopher Campbell, Cinematical
Nanny McPhee really works ... despite all of its common plots and ideas, because it stays true to storybook conventions that have never and will never get old.
David Noh, Film Journal International
An exquisitely designed fable that will delight adults as well as their offspring through its beguiling innocence and hushed, low-key charm.
Scott Tobias, AV Club
Nanny McPhee falls back on the Nickelodeon principle "If all else fails, hit 'em with a retina-searing overload of visual and aural information."
Peter T. Chattaway, Christianity Today
There are many different kinds of children's movies, and this one tries to be all of them at once -- including one of those in which the children are smarter than the adults.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Often as garish and shrill as it is magical and enchanting.
Anna Smith, Time Out
...Pleasing but ultimately unsatisfying.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Frays in the second half… Fancy Darcy as a limp romantic lead!
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
Its redeeming virtues are Thompson, Firth and Kelly Macdonald as Firth's adoring housemaid; they manage to give genuine, affecting performances in the midst of all the outlandish, obnoxious goings-on.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Mary Poppins as imagined by Lon Chaney.
Jo Berry, Empire Magazine
Frothy and fun yet deliciously dark...
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
I found myself tearing up right on cue, (Patrick Doyle knows all my buttons) but sincerely, enjoying the magical tale as much as if I were a small child.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
Should play well with the small fry, though adults may be more bothered by the clumsy shifts in tone.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
It relies on a good story and interesting characters a lot more than it does on eye candy.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Alexander D

Good
Dead A

This was quite entertaining.
Bethany M

Wasn't that bad!
erika b

Nanny Mcphee is about a father that has a hard time keeping a nanny in house because his kids run the house. Then nanny Mcphee comes to see if she can help. At first the kids will do anything in their power to get rid of the new nanny. Will Mcphee leave or stay and teach them how to… More
Nanny Mcphee is about a father that has a hard time keeping a nanny in house because his kids run the house. Then nanny Mcphee comes to see if she can help. At first the kids will do anything in their power to get rid of the new nanny. Will Mcphee leave or stay and teach them how to behave. Pros Good plot Con lacking acting I just thought Mary poppins was a better film.
♥Robyn

"When you need me, but dont want me, then I must stay. When you want me, but dont need me, then I must go." Nanny Mcphee is the mysterious, amusing and a bit scary Nanny~! Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay for the film and also stars as Nanny McPhee,really bringing the… More
"When you need me, but dont want me, then I must stay. When you want me, but dont need me, then I must go." Nanny Mcphee is the mysterious, amusing and a bit scary Nanny~! Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay for the film and also stars as Nanny McPhee,really bringing the character to life. Through the use of make up and costuming that included a nose, unibrow, warts, large earlobes and padded costumes Emma Thompson is transformed (almost unrecognizably) into the ugly mysterious, slightly lovable and slightly scary Nanny McPhee. I loved this movie it had a ton of charm and really witty dialogue~!! well worth seeing.
Jameson W

Actually, kind of funny.
Lady D

A really fun kid?s film, Mary Poppins meets The Sound of Music in this updated fairy tale style story. Filled with colour and magic, this made for enjoyable watching.
Spencer S

It was cute, witty, and had a great cast.
KJ P

Not as good as I expected, however watchable and somewhat enjoyable!
Jeremy S

Introducing The New-Age Mary Poppins. Emma Thompson is thoroughly charming in this and entertaining film. With a high caliber cast to match, playing fabulous Dickensian characters.
Anthony L

A very sweet and touching children's film, Thompson is brilliant (both as actress and writer) but Lansbury steals the show 9I didn't realise it was her until the end credits!).
Film C

i like this movie its really a lovely light hearted family movie!! its cute and sweet and completely worth a watch!
Candy R

Colin Firth is Mr Brown who has been recently widowed. Nanny McPhee tries to tame his seven badly behaved children. He is poor and his aunt will withdraw financial support unless he remarries. The children scare off any prospects. A magical tale. A bit like Mary Poppins without the… More
Colin Firth is Mr Brown who has been recently widowed. Nanny McPhee tries to tame his seven badly behaved children. He is poor and his aunt will withdraw financial support unless he remarries. The children scare off any prospects. A magical tale. A bit like Mary Poppins without the music.
Jens S

Being a pretty wild and colorful modern version of the Mary Poppins topic of a nanny changing the life of her new household, this film combines a cast of top notch British actors. It is mostly their talent and the plenty of ideas for pranks of the Brown children that make this movie… More
Being a pretty wild and colorful modern version of the Mary Poppins topic of a nanny changing the life of her new household, this film combines a cast of top notch British actors. It is mostly their talent and the plenty of ideas for pranks of the Brown children that make this movie work for young and old. It is mostly kids that should have fun with the Nanny's magic and education methods. Only the end turned out to be maybe a tad too cheesy. Still, a decent feel good movie with its heart at the right spot and likable actors.
jay n

Pleasant fantasy, marred a bit by the true odiousness of the children at the beginning, Angela Lansbury is clearly having fun with her crone and the production design is truly impressive.
Luke B

The film started off as very annoying. I absolutely hated the children, there was nothing likable about them tomake them sympathetic. Luckily due to Emma Thompson's writing and some decent child performances the childrens plight became endearing and enjoyable. Unfortunately the… More
The film started off as very annoying. I absolutely hated the children, there was nothing likable about them tomake them sympathetic. Luckily due to Emma Thompson's writing and some decent child performances the childrens plight became endearing and enjoyable. Unfortunately the predictability makes the film's outcome obvious within a few minutes and Emma Thompsons character fades more and more into the background. It may make sense in context of the story but her magic becomes confusing as does the reason her deformities start to disappear. Some of the older british actors are that unfortunate type who can't change between stage and screen, making it clear to see that they are acting as opposed to taking on a role. Firth keeps the film together emotionally and it's a wonderful family film.
Mason W

Nanny McPhee is a sweet film. A young family whom is missing there mother is having a difficult time retaining nanny's until one day Nanny McPhee enters through the door (Thompson). She brightens up each of there lifes and makes things very happy. A very nice family film about… More
Nanny McPhee is a sweet film. A young family whom is missing there mother is having a difficult time retaining nanny's until one day Nanny McPhee enters through the door (Thompson). She brightens up each of there lifes and makes things very happy. A very nice family film about the magic that can happen when the right person enters one's life.
Cassie H

Absolutely,adorable and funny!!!
Mark H

Charming movie that will enchant adults and kids alike.
Drew S

I suppose this is great for the kids and all but I really couldn't get into it. The things I do for work. I have to say though, watching Angela Lansbury exclaim "incest?!" was one of the most magical film moments I've experienced in a long while. I want that to be… More
I suppose this is great for the kids and all but I really couldn't get into it. The things I do for work. I have to say though, watching Angela Lansbury exclaim "incest?!" was one of the most magical film moments I've experienced in a long while. I want that to be my ringtone.