Alec Baldwin Stars In A Ridiculous Comedy That’s Somehow Netflix’s #1 Streaming Movie
Alec Baldwin lends his voice to the titular character in The Boss Baby, the #1 streaming film on Netflix.
The Boss Baby currently holds the number one spot on Netflix in the United States, according to FlixPatrol. The 2017 animated DreamWorks comedy that spawned a sequel and various television shows is loosely based on the 2010 picture book by Marla Frazee. Directed by Tom McGrath from a screenplay by Michael McCullers, it features the voice talents of Alec Baldwin in the titular role.
The film’s protagonist is Tim Templeton (Miles Bakshi), a 7-year-old boy who enjoys being the center of attention and having all his parents’ love. However, his perfect life is disrupted when his parents bring home a new baby brother, Theodore (Alec Baldwin). Tim quickly becomes suspicious of his sibling, who appears to be stealing his parents’ attention.
As Tim observes Theodore more closely, he discovers that his new baby brother is not an ordinary infant. When the adults aren’t around, Theodore wears a suit and speaks with the voice of an adult. The infant eventually tells Tim that he is a member of Baby Corp tasked with investigating Puppy Co. This company plans to launch a new breed of forever puppies to replace babies worldwide.
With the fate of babies at stake, Tim reluctantly teams up with the Boss Baby (Alec Baldwin) to infiltrate Puppy Co. However, the brothers must contend with various challenges along the way. They face obstacles such as sneaking into Puppy Co., avoiding a slew of cunning villainous executives, and overcoming their differences.
As Tim and Theodore work together, they begin to develop a bond. Tim realizes that despite his initial jealousy and resentment towards his baby brother, Theodore also yearns for the love and attention of their parents. Together, they learn the importance of sibling love, teamwork, and embracing the unique qualities that each family member brings. They also manage to take down the bad guys.
Along with Alec Baldwin and Miles Bakshi, the voice cast for The Boss Baby includes Steve Buscemi, who brings life to the villainous head of Puppy Co., Francis E. Francis. Lisa Kudrow and Jimmy Kimmel voice Tim and Theodore’s parents, providing the familial dynamic for the story. The supporting cast includes Conrad Vernon, James McGrath, David Soren, Nina Zoe Bakshi, Tom McGrath, and Tobey Maguire.
Although the movie became a commercial success, grossing over $528 million worldwide, opinions were divided. Some critics praised the film’s animation quality, comedic moments, and voice acting (particularly Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of the Boss Baby). However, others found the movie’s humor and storyline only appealed to younger audiences.
Despite the mixed reception, The Boss Baby gained enough popularity to warrant a sequel, The Boss Baby: Family Business, released in 2021. The story follows the grown-up versions of Tim and Theodore, whose lives have taken different paths. Tim (James Marsden) is a married stay-at-home dad, while Theodore has become a successful businessman.
However, the brothers find themselves reuniting when a new threat emerges. Tim’s daughter, Tabitha, is an intelligent and overachieving seven-year-old who feels overshadowed by her classmates. When Tim and Theodore discover that Dr. Erwin Armstrong, Tabitha’s new school director, is up to something suspicious, they realize that only the Boss Baby’s (Alec Baldwin) unique skills can uncover the truth.
The Boss Baby: Family Business was less successful than its predecessor, earning a modest $146.8 million at the global box office. Despite its mediocre performance, the story was spun off into a series, offering more adventures for fans of the Boss Baby world. The Boss Baby: Back in Business premiered on Netflix in April 2018, with JP Karliak replacing Alec Baldwin as the voice of the titular character.
Pierce Gagnon replaced Miles Bakshi as Tim Templeton. The only returning cast member from the film was Eric Bell Jr., who reprised his role as The Triplets. The series is set in the Midwestern United States in 1979, between the first and second films. In the first season, Theodore and Tim navigate the world of Baby Corp as they confront a formidable adversary.
Throughout the season, Theodore also faces challenges from his boss, Mega Fat CEO Baby, who persistently attempts to terminate his employment. The duo’s adventures continued over four seasons, with the final installment airing in November 2020. Although Alec Baldwin wasn’t involved in the series, kids didn’t seem to notice.
