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The Boss Baby (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Boss Baby (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 97 min · English
JustWatch #4,750 49
Directed by
Hendel Butoy
Starring
Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy Kimmel

A baby with a business mind arrives and turns a family’s world upside down. Through the perspective of a young boy, the film reveals the surprising reality that this infant is actually a boss tasked with a secret mission. He’s impeccably dressed, sharp-tongued, and determined to navigate the challenges of family life while also confronting a powerful conspiracy. It’s a comical and unexpected journey exploring family dynamics and the challenges of growing up.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Boss Baby
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Boss Baby (2017)

Where can you watch The Boss Baby? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix, Netflix Standard and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The Boss Baby Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Boss Baby (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Tim Templeton

    Tim Templeton is a creative and imaginative seven-year-old who finds his world turned upside down with the arrival of his baby brother. Initially feeling neglected, he embarks on a mission to uncover the mystery of Boss Baby. As the story progresses, Tim learns the value of family and love, realizing that growing up doesn't mean losing connection.

    • 🧒 Child
    • 💡 Imaginative
    • ❤️ Family
  • Boss Baby

    played by Alec Baldwin

    Boss Baby, also known as Theodore 'Ted' Templeton, is an extraordinary infant who possesses a surprising level of intelligence and charisma. He navigates the complexities of corporate life while embodying the playful nature of a baby. His mission is to protect the essence of childhood amid growing commercial influences, showcasing resilience and leadership.

    • 👶 Executive
    • 🎩 Ambitious
    • 🛡️ Protector
  • Francis E. Francis

    Francis E. Francis is the CEO of Puppy Co., whose motives are driven by a desire for revenge against BabyCorp. As a disgraced former CEO with a complex past, he embodies the exaggerated corporate antagonist. His misguided ambition leads to unexpected comedic situations, resulting in a humorous yet thrilling showdown with Tim and Baby.

    • 👨‍💼 Antagonist
    • 🐶 Rivalry
    • 🤔 Complex
  • Eugene

    Eugene is Francis's brother, whose comedic transformations add humor to the storyline. Although he initially appears to be managing Tim's parents, his clumsy attempts are hilariously foiled by the boys. He represents the chaotic energy and silliness that permeates the film, emphasizing the theme of deceptive appearances.

    • 🤪 Comedic
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Disguise
    • 🎭 Silly

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:26

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Setting

Where and When Does The Boss Baby Take Place?

The setting of The Boss Baby (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Late 1970s

The late 1970s were a transformative period characterized by significant societal changes and cultural shifts. It was a time when consumerism was on the rise, and the corporate world began to take a more pronounced role in shaping daily life and family values. This backdrop of increasing commercial influence plays a crucial role in the narrative, particularly regarding family dynamics.

Location

BabyCorp, Puppy Co., Las Vegas

BabyCorp is a whimsical institution focused on training babies for the corporate world, showcasing a unique blend of professionalism and childhood playfulness. Puppy Co. is a rival company driven by the cuteness of puppies, creating competition for baby affection in families. Las Vegas serves as a backdrop for comedic twists, especially during Baby's mission against the Forever Puppy plot.

  • 🏢 BabyCorp
  • 🐶 Puppy Co.
  • 🎡 Las Vegas

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:26

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3 major themes

The Boss Baby Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Boss Baby (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Parenthood

    The theme of parenthood is central to the movie, exploring the dynamics between siblings and the challenges of familial love. Tim's initial jealousy and later acceptance of his baby brother underscore the journey of growing up and understanding the importance of nurturing relationships. The narrative emphasizes that love is an abundant resource meant to be shared, breaking the notion of limited affection.

  • Competition

    Competition is depicted through the rivalry between babies and puppies for parental affection. The film cleverly contrasts the innocent charm of babies with the playful allure of pets, showcasing how societal trends can shift family dynamics. Baby's mission to reclaim love for infants reveals deeper themes of loyalty, rivalry, and the lengths one will go to protect familial bonds.

  • Identity

    Identity plays a key role, especially in terms of Baby's dual role as both an infant and a corporate leader. As he navigates the world of adults while preserving the essence of childhood, the film questions what it means to grow up. Tim's acceptance of both Tim and Ted's identities reflects the struggle between responsibilities and the joy of youthful innocence.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:26

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Character & theme questions

The Boss Baby Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Boss Baby (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

What is BabyCorp?

BabyCorp is a whimsical institution in the movie where babies are trained for the corporate world. It blends professionalism with childhood playfulness, serving as the headquarters for the baby intelligence agency that Boss Baby belongs to.

  • babycorp
  • corporate babies
  • baby agency
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

The movie is set in the late 1970s, a period characterized by rising consumerism and the corporate world taking a more prominent role in shaping family life and values.

  • 1970s
  • late 1970s
  • time period
  • 70s setting
Q3

What is Puppy Co. in the movie?

Puppy Co. is a rival company to BabyCorp that exploits the cuteness of puppies to win parental affection away from babies. Its CEO, Francis E. Francis, seeks to outcompete BabyCorp by promoting the appeal of pets over infants.

  • puppy co
  • francis e francis
  • corporate rivalry
  • puppies
Q4

What is the parenthood theme in the movie?

The parenthood theme explores sibling dynamics and the challenges of familial love. The story shows that love is an abundant resource meant to be shared, breaking the notion that affection between parents and children is limited.

  • parenthood
  • sibling love
  • family bonds
  • sharing love
Q5

What does the competition theme explore?

The competition theme depicts the rivalry between babies and puppies for parental affection. It showcases how societal trends can shift family dynamics and explores themes of loyalty, rivalry, and protecting familial bonds.

  • competition
  • babies vs puppies
  • parental affection
  • rivalry
Q6

What is the identity theme about?

The identity theme focuses on Boss Baby's dual role as both an infant and a corporate leader. It questions what it means to grow up and explores the balance between responsibilities and the joy of youthful innocence.

  • identity
  • growing up
  • dual role
  • innocence
Q7

Who is Tim Templeton?

Tim Templeton is a creative and imaginative seven-year-old boy whose world is turned upside down when his baby brother arrives. He initially feels neglected but eventually learns the value of family and that growing up doesn't mean losing connection.

  • tim templeton
  • main character
  • seven year old
  • sibling
Q8

Who is Boss Baby?

Boss Baby, whose real name is Theodore 'Ted' Templeton, is an extraordinary infant with corporate intelligence and charisma. He leads a secret mission to protect the essence of childhood from commercial influences while navigating the complexities of family life.

  • boss baby
  • ted templeton
  • alec baldwin
  • corporate baby
Q9

Who is Francis E. Francis?

Francis E. Francis is the CEO of Puppy Co. and the movie's main antagonist. He is a disgruntled former CEO of BabyCorp seeking revenge, and his misguided ambition creates the central conflict that Tim and Boss Baby must overcome.

  • francis e francis
  • villain
  • puppy co CEO
  • antagonist
Q10

Who is Eugene in the movie?

Eugene is Francis E. Francis's brother who appears to be managing Tim's parents. His clumsy attempts to carry out the villain's plans are hilariously foiled by the boys, adding comedic chaos to the story.

  • eugene
  • francis brother
  • comic relief
  • comedic character
Q11

Where does the story take place?

The story primarily takes place in a suburban family home, with key scenes at BabyCorp headquarters and Las Vegas. The contrast between the ordinary family environment and the surreal corporate baby world drives much of the film's humor.

  • setting
  • locations
  • family home
  • las vegas

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Boss Baby, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Boss Baby tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical Secret Mission Movies like The Boss Baby

Playful adventures where kids uncover secret worlds right under adults' noses. If you liked the clever, covert antics of The Boss Baby, you'll enjoy these movies where imaginative child protagonists tackle secret missions. These films share a similar fast-paced, whimsical, and family-friendly vibe, blending comedy with light-hearted adventure.

  • whimsical
  • playful
  • imaginative
  • adventurous
  • comical
  • energetic
  • Tone: whimsical, playful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically feature a young protagonist who discovers a hidden reality or secret organization operating within their ordinary world. They are recruited or compelled to assist in a mission, often involving a rival faction, which they must complete using their unique perspective and ingenuity, all while navigating the challenges of growing up.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their core premise of a child-centric secret mission, a whimsical tone that balances comedy with light adventure, and a generally fast pace that keeps the energy high. The emotional journey consistently centers on themes of imagination, resourcefulness, and family.

Movies About Sibling Bonding Like The Boss Baby

Stories where bickering siblings must unite for a greater, fantastical cause. Fans of the sibling dynamic in The Boss Baby will appreciate these stories of rivalry transforming into partnership. These movies explore the humorous and heartwarming journey of siblings learning to work together amid fantastical or comical circumstances.

  • heartwarming
  • comical
  • sibling rivalry
  • family dynamics
  • growing up
  • partnership
  • Tone: heartwarming, comical
  • Pacing: fast, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with a new arrival or event that disrupts the family balance, sparking intense sibling rivalry. This conflict is soon overshadowed by an external threat or a shared objective that forces the siblings to collaborate. Their success hinges on combining their unique strengths, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation for one another.

Why they belong together: These movies share a focus on the emotional arc of sibling relationships, using a high-concept or fantastical plot as a catalyst for bonding. They balance comedic conflict with genuine heart, resulting in a light, uplifting experience centered on family.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Boss Baby

Similar movies to The Boss Baby: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

The Boss Baby (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Boss Baby in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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