Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    EmmysSuperheroes GuideSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideBest Of 2025 So FarDisability Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

  • 2012
  • PG
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
50K
YOUR RATING
CJ Adams in The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.
Play trailer2:32
17 Videos
99+ Photos
Coming-of-AgeComedyDramaFamilyFantasy

A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.

  • Director
    • Peter Hedges
  • Writers
    • Peter Hedges
    • Ahmet Zappa
  • Stars
    • Jennifer Garner
    • Joel Edgerton
    • CJ Adams
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    50K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Hedges
    • Writers
      • Peter Hedges
      • Ahmet Zappa
    • Stars
      • Jennifer Garner
      • Joel Edgerton
      • CJ Adams
    • 146User reviews
    • 159Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 8 nominations total

    Videos17

    No. 2
    Trailer 2:32
    No. 2
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:13
    Trailer #1
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:13
    Trailer #1
    The Odd Life of Timothy Green
    Clip 0:38
    The Odd Life of Timothy Green
    The Odd Life of Timothy Green
    Clip 1:01
    The Odd Life of Timothy Green
    The Odd Life of Timothy Green
    Clip 1:20
    The Odd Life of Timothy Green
    The Odd Life of Timothy Green
    Clip 1:20
    The Odd Life of Timothy Green

    Photos196

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 190
    View Poster

    Top cast73

    Edit
    Jennifer Garner
    Jennifer Garner
    • Cindy Green
    Joel Edgerton
    Joel Edgerton
    • Jim Green
    CJ Adams
    CJ Adams
    • Timothy Green
    Odeya Rush
    Odeya Rush
    • Joni Jerome
    Shohreh Aghdashloo
    Shohreh Aghdashloo
    • Evette Onat
    Rosemarie DeWitt
    Rosemarie DeWitt
    • Brenda Best
    David Morse
    David Morse
    • James Green, Sr.
    M. Emmet Walsh
    M. Emmet Walsh
    • Uncle Bub
    Lois Smith
    Lois Smith
    • Aunt Mel
    Lin-Manuel Miranda
    Lin-Manuel Miranda
    • Reggie
    Dianne Wiest
    Dianne Wiest
    • Ms. Bernice Crudstaff
    Ron Livingston
    Ron Livingston
    • Franklin Crudstaff
    James Rebhorn
    James Rebhorn
    • Joseph Crudstaff
    Common
    Common
    • Coach Cal
    Michael Arden
    Michael Arden
    • Doug Wert
    Rhoda Griffis
    Rhoda Griffis
    • Doctor Lesley Hunt
    Karan Kendrick
    Karan Kendrick
    • Mother at Doctor's Office
    Shimei Bailey
    • Little Boy in Elevator
    • Director
      • Peter Hedges
    • Writers
      • Peter Hedges
      • Ahmet Zappa
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews146

    6.649.6K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    6lagudafuad

    Very mushy and fun

    Although this movie is not much of a box office success, due to the heavy load of drama, sensitivity and all the mushy-mushy stuff, I still say it is nice to see things go well sometimes, makes you feel that the world is not that bad.

    Walt Disney still brings a little magic into our lives trying to make you feel the world is not that much of a sad place. Peter Hedges the director and co-writer of the film did a nice job with this movie, which doesn't have lots of special effects but delivers the hallmark family fun that Disney is known for, Peter finds a way to draw your sensitivity out and make you develop an emotional attachment to the characters from the movies first scene of parents struggling to have a child to when a naked kid shows up and then all the way till the end.

    The odd life of Timothy green is about a couple Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton), who couldn't have children. The couple has done all they can to get pregnant but all to no avail, so they began to dream about what their child would be like, they wrote down all they wished he would be, achieve and become, placed it in a box and buried it in the backyard.

    One stormy night young Timothy (CJ Adams) shows up on their doorstep and calls them mum and dad.

    CJ Adams was exceptional in his task as Timothy Green, child actors seem to have a difficult role sometimes when they have to convince you, but CJ did a good job and I was impressed by his acting.

    As Adams plays young Timothy who sees life differently; hey! He has leaves growing on his ankles, he likes to spread his hands in the sunlight, he is naïve and truthful to a fault.

    The movie's story had some loops here and there, but it was fun to see how things planned to turn out, although some can boast that the movie was a little predictable but it was also lovable. I won't burst the kids from school to go see this movie, but if you do catch it on TV gather the family around for a fun time.
    jabaligian

    Very, very underrated.

    When I first saw the previews for this film, I was on the fence about seeing it. To me, it looked like it could be a pretty good movie, or an absolute train wreck. Then I read the reviews, which weren't very good, and I was less sure about seeing it. A few days ago, I saw it out of boredom at a cheap movie theater. As I began to watch the film, I realized that the movie was very uplifting and emotional, with lots of other feelings. I can admit, I cried during the film and I think everyone else in the theater did too. This movie wasn't all perfect though. It was very predictable, and when something happened in the middle of the film, I could basically tell how it would end. All in all, I walked out of the theater feeling good, and I hope to see it again soon.

    A word of advice, DO NOT LISTEN TO THE REVIEWS OF THIS MOVIE. The Odd Life of Timothy Green is a great family movie to see, and it really gives you that warm feeling when you leave the theater.
    7somf

    This review makes me feel like an old curmudgeon

    I like Peter Hedges' other films. I wish I could have liked this more. Its' heart and message are so in the right place, but it plays like a schmaltzy movie of the week. Jennifer Garner, whom I have really enjoyed in other roles, overplays this one and is very disappointing. The kid who plays Timothy is good enough. His young female friend Odeya Rush is the best in the cast. Joel Edgerton is perfect for Lifetime movie of the week. They are all really likable. So I just wished I liked the film more. And the message is terrific. I cry in schmaltzy films but I think it says much about this film in that the only time it brought any tears was in the final scene which was grounded in reality. When the fantasy was going I just wasn't sucked in.

    7 may be a generous rating, but this is a solid family film with a strong positive message. There is a big audience out there for this film. I don't really want to discourage them from seeing it.
    7stefaniecreech

    A good feel movie for the whole Family.

    I was able to see this movie on a rare night out with my children, ages 13,11,9,7,and 6. It's hard to find a movie that the whole family could enjoy but ALL of them didn't move the whole time. Not one asked to use the restroom, how much longer and what was happening. For any parent you know that it is a HUGE plus!

    As for the movie itself, it is by far NOT the best movie around. However, when you can walk away from a movie and reflect on how it relates to your own life then you have a winner.

    I am not sure if those without children could appreciate this movie. If you have children and can't appreciate it then there is something amiss in your life.
    Michael_Elliott

    Great Film with Laughs and Tears

    The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)

    *** 1/2 (out of 4)

    Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton play a married couple who learn they can't have children. After a good cry the two decide to make notes of the type of kid they'd like to have and that night they bury it in the garden and sure enough they wish comes true. It's really a shame that so many people have decided not to give this film any attention but I guess I can understand why. People see Disney and I guess they expect children movies and while there's nothing in this film that would be too harmful for kids, I think the target audience is going to be grown ups. THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN is a cute, charming, funny and at times incredibly sad film that has a lot of imagination working for it. If you need to have everything explained to you or if you must know how logically a kid can grow from a garden then it's probably best just to skip the film. The story itself is clearly meant to inspire people and touch them and I think it does a remarkable job at that. I thought the film was a lot of fun for a number of reasons including seeing two people get their wish of having a child and then having to deal with everything that comes with it. Since Timothy is a special child this adds more problems but I really loved how everyone in this small town and family connected to the kid. Be it the parents, the sports coach, the other kids or the family members. Both Garner and Edgerton do terrific jobs in the roles of the parents and CJ Adams is extremely good as the young boy. The supporting cast includes nice performances from M Emmet Walsh, Lois Smith, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dianne Wiest and it was great seeing David Morse playing the grandfather. The film certainly has a lot of messages but I found it as a parent just to be incredibly sweet, good natured and yes it was incredibly sad at parts. This is certainly a film that uses its imagination to make you smile and cry but there's certainly nothing wrong with that.

    More like this

    Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
    6.2
    Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
    Miracles from Heaven
    7.1
    Miracles from Heaven
    Soul Surfer
    7.0
    Soul Surfer
    Dolphin Tale
    6.8
    Dolphin Tale
    The Game Plan
    6.4
    The Game Plan
    My Sister's Keeper
    7.3
    My Sister's Keeper
    We Bought a Zoo
    7.0
    We Bought a Zoo
    Marley & Me
    7.0
    Marley & Me
    A Dog's Purpose
    7.3
    A Dog's Purpose
    Wonder
    7.9
    Wonder
    Ramona and Beezus
    6.5
    Ramona and Beezus
    Bedtime Stories
    6.0
    Bedtime Stories

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Filmed in the same house as Halloween II (2009).
    • Goofs
      When Timothy opens his arms to the sky at the football match, the shadow of the microphone crosses his arm.
    • Quotes

      Jim Green: Have a great day!

      Cindy Green: That's too much pressure...

      Jim Green: Have the day you have!

    • Connections
      Featured in Maltin on Movies: Sparkle (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Happy Birthday to You
      Written by Mildred J. Hill (as Mildred Hill) and Patty S. Hill (as Patty Hill)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ

    • How long is The Odd Life of Timothy Green?
      Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 15, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La extraña vida de Timothy Green
    • Filming locations
      • Asheville, North Carolina, USA(Biltmore Estate)
    • Production companies
      • Walt Disney Pictures
      • Monsterfoot Productions
      • Scott Sanders Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $51,854,875
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,822,903
      • Aug 19, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $56,012,642
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Datasat
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    CJ Adams in The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
    Top Gap
    What is the Japanese language plot outline for The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.