It’s been over two decades since the Baker family first brought their chaotic brand of “controlled madness” to the big screen.



On Christmas Day in 2003, audiences were introduced to the ultimate household challenge: a family of fourteen moving from a small town to the big city. Directed by Shawn Levy, Cheaper by the Dozen arrived as a heartfelt, slapstick-filled reimagining of the 1950 classic, and it quickly captured the hearts of a generation.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251225_SPEN_81243_Cheaper-by-the-Dozen-3_19b359bd.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-81246"></figure><figcaption>Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Piper Perabo, Hilary Duff, Kevin G. Schmidt, Jacob Smith, Tom Welling, Liliana Mumy, Brent Kinsman, Shane Kinsman, Alyson Stoner, Morgan York, Blake Woodruff, and Forrest Landis in Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)</figcaption></figure>



Whether it was the competitive football games, the infamous “soaking the underwear in meat water” prank, or the touching moments of family solidarity, the film remains a staple of holiday re-watches. As we celebrate this milestone, let’s dive into why the Baker family’s brand of chaos is still just as “excellent” today.



<h2>A Generational Ensemble Cast</h2>



One of the reasons the film has stayed so relevant is its incredible cast. In 2003, it featured a mix of comedy legends and rising teen stars who would go on to dominate Hollywood:



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251225_SPEN_81243_Cheaper-by-the-Dozen_58eecf6c.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-81244"></figure><figcaption>IMDb / 2003 from Twentieth Century Fox Film Comporation</figcaption></figure>



The Parents: Steve Martin (Tom) and Bonnie Hunt (Kate) provided the perfect anchor, balancing physical comedy with genuine warmth.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251225_SPEN_81243_Cheaper-by-the-Dozen-2-3_5eece23f.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-81245"></figure><figcaption>IMDb / 2003 Twentieth Century Fox</figcaption></figure>



The Breakouts: The film featured Tom Welling at the height of his Smallville fame, Hilary Duff during her Lizzie McGuire peak, and a young Alyson Stoner.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251225_SPEN_81243_Cheaper-by-the-Dozen-4_3716214e.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-81248"></figure><figcaption>IMDb</figcaption></figure>



The Cameo: Who could forget Ashton Kutcher in an uncredited, hilarious turn as the self-obsessed actor boyfriend, Hank.



<h2>Critics and Box Office</h2>



While critics were initially mixed on the film’s “low-brow” humor, audiences disagreed. The movie grossed over $190 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. Its success was so massive that it spawned a 2005 sequel, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, and paved the way for the 2022 Disney+ reimagining starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff.



<h2>Why We Still Love the Bakers</h2>



At its core, Cheaper by the Dozen isn’t about the pranks; it’s about the sacrifices parents make for their children and the unbreakable bond between siblings. In an era of perfectly curated social media families, there is something deeply comforting about watching a house that is always a mess, a dinner table that is always loud, and a family that—despite the constant fighting—always has each other’s backs.

The Baker Dozen Turns 22: Celebrating the Anniversary of ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’

The Baker Dozen Turns 22: Celebrating the Anniversary of 'Cheaper by the Dozen' - Spoiler US

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The Baker Dozen Turns 22: Celebrating the Anniversary of ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’

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