Year: 2004
Runtime: 91 min
Language: English
Director: Bart Freundlich
Budget: $12M
A young girl’s aspirations of becoming a mountain climber are derailed when her father suffers a serious injury. Determined to pay for his medical treatment, she devises a risky plan: robbing a bank. With the help of her unusual group of friends, she embarks on a daring heist, hoping to prove that even a seemingly small person can achieve something extraordinary.
Get a spoiler-free look at Catch That Kid (2004) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a quiet suburb that feels both ordinary and charged with unspoken tension, Madeline Rose “Maddy” Phillips spends every spare moment clinging to cliffs and dreaming of one day conquering the highest peaks. Her world, bright with the exhilaration of ascent, is abruptly dimmed when her father, Tom, suffers a catastrophic fall that leaves him paralyzed and in desperate need of an experimental surgery. The family’s home, once a place of laughter and lofty ambitions, becomes a crossroads of hope and fear, amplified by Molly—her mother’s protective instincts and her demanding job in security design.
The financial burden of Tom’s treatment looms huge, a figure that dwarfs the modest means of the household and threatens to crush Maddy’s climbing aspirations. Yet rather than surrender to the constraints imposed by circumstance, she channels the same daring spirit that drives her up sheer rock faces into a bold, unconventional solution. Drawing on the unique talents of her close‑knit circle—Gus, a mechanically gifted friend, and Austin, a tech‑savvy filmmaker—she begins to plot a daring scheme that could rewrite the family’s fortunes.
The tone of the story balances the earnest earnestness of a teenager’s resolve with the electric edge of a high‑stakes adventure. The suburban setting, tinged with both everyday normalcy and the looming shadow of medical urgency, creates a compelling backdrop for Maddy’s inner conflict: the pull between youthful daring and the weight of responsibility. As her friends rally around her, the film hints at the ingenuity, camaraderie, and moral quandaries that will test the bonds of this unlikely team, setting the stage for a journey where bravery takes many forms.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 10:53
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Resourceful children take on daring, improbable tasks to solve adult-sized problems.If you enjoyed the youthful ingenuity and high-stakes adventure in Catch That Kid, you'll love these movies. This section features films where resourceful children embark on daring missions, pulling off improbable feats through teamwork and clever plans. Discover similar family-friendly adventures, heists, and capers driven by young heroes.
These narratives typically center on a group of children or teenagers who identify a serious problem—often one that adults are unable or unwilling to solve. They then devise and execute a complex, risky plan that utilizes their unique skills and perspectives, overcoming obstacles through creativity, courage, and unwavering friendship.
Movies are grouped here because they share a core premise of youthful agency in the face of adult-world challenges. They balance the tension of a high-stakes plot with the hopeful, energetic tone of a child's perspective, creating an exciting yet ultimately uplifting experience.
High-stakes capers driven by deep personal motivation and familial love.Looking for more movies like Catch That Kid where a thrilling adventure is motivated by family? This collection features stories where high-stakes capers, heists, or quests are undertaken for deeply personal reasons, such as saving a loved one. Find similar films that skillfully mix action and adventure with genuine emotional weight and a hopeful resolution.
The narrative pattern involves a protagonist whose primary motivation is not greed or thrill-seeking, but a profound personal cause, such as a family member's illness or safety. The high-stakes plot serves as the vehicle to achieve this emotional goal, ensuring that the audience is invested in both the success of the mission and the well-being of the characters.
These films are connected by their unique fusion of genre plot mechanics with strong emotional cores. The adventure feels more meaningful because it's personal, and the emotional stakes are heightened by the physical risks of the mission, resulting in a satisfying and cohesive viewing experience.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Catch That Kid in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Catch That Kid is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Catch That Kid, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Catch That Kid with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Catch That Kid. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Catch That Kid: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Catch That Kid that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Catch That Kid (2004) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Catch That Kid (2004) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Catch That Kid (2004) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Catch That Kid – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Kidnap (2017) Complete Plot Breakdown
The Kid (2000) Movie Recap & Themes
The Spy Next Door (2010) Movie Recap & Themes
Kid (2018) Complete Plot Breakdown
Kid (1990) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
To Catch A Thief (1991) Film Overview & Timeline
Kidnapning (1982) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Kid Colter (1984) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Catch Me… If You Can (1989) Complete Plot Breakdown
Catch Me a Spy (1971) Full Movie Breakdown
A Kid Called Danger (1999) Full Summary & Key Details
Adventures in Spying (1992) Complete Plot Breakdown
Kid Cop (1996) Full Summary & Key Details
Catch Me If You Can (1998) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Me and the Kid (1993) Detailed Story Recap