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Things are not looking good for Zachary Levi who has been coming up with one flop after the other. There is no doubt that the man is talented when it comes to his work – after all, he has brought characters like Shazam and Flynn Rider to life! However, lately, it seems like his portfolio is riddled with projects that underperform at the box office and now, he is adding The Unbreakable Boy to this list.

The Unbreakable Boy (2025) | Credits: Lionsgate

Released on the 21st of February, The Unbreakable Boy is an adaptation of the book, The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love, written by Scott Michael LeRette and Susy Flory. While the film promised a heartfelt depiction of a father-son relationship, the numbers don’t look like much.

Zachary Levi breaks a career record and not in a good way...

How sunny and well-meaning and therapeutically feel-good is the new autism drama “The Unbreakable Boy?” It’s a movie in which the dad, played by Zachary Levi, has an imaginary best friend. It’s a movie in which the local church is run by a Matthew McConaughey sort of dude named Preacher Rick (Peter Facinelli), who’s so down with his downtrodden flock that he himself is a recovering alcoholic who admits he sometimes doesn’t like to go to church. And it’s a movie in which the title character, an owlish 13-year-old named Austin (Jacob Laval), isn’t merely autistic. He also suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, which means that his bones are extraordinarily fragile, so that he’s like some teen-geek version of Mr. Glass in “Unbreakable.” Speaking to the audience in voiceover, Austin lists his bone breaks, which number in the high twenties, as if they were Pokémon cards he was collecting.

What will be the winners and the losers this week at the U.S. box office? Neon’s horror flick The Monkey and Lionsgate’s biographical drama The Unbreakable Boy open in theaters this Friday. They will be facing off against the current top five money-makers: Captain America: Brave New World, Paddington in Peru, Heart Eyes, Dog Man, and Ne Zha 2.

Gold Derby readers predict that Captain America: Brave New World will win the Feb. 21-23 weekend with between $25 million and $50 million domestically. The Monkey is the runner-up choice of our odds-makers. Do you agree or disagree with those rankings? Make your predictions right now — it’s fun and easy! Join the box-office discussion in our forums.

See 2025 Oscar contenders: Watch all of our video interviews

New Releases

The Monkey

Director: Osgood Perkins

Distributor: Neon

When twin brothers Bill and Hal find their father’s old monkey toy in the attic,...

Four years after it was originally intended to be released, “The Unbreakable Boy” is now in theaters, and yes, it’s based on a true story about a real family.

The film centers on Austin (Jacob Laval), a young boy who is born with brittle bone disease. When his parents, Scott (Zachary Levi) and Teresa (Meghann Fahy), learn that he’s also autistic, they worry about what the future holds.

“But with Scott’s growing faith and Austin’s incredible spirit, they become ‘unbreakable,’ finding joy, gratitude, and courage even in the most trying times — an extraordinary true story about a father and son learning together that every day can be the best day of your life!” the official synopsis reads.

The question with any true story onscreen, though, is how much is really true?

What is “The Unbreakable Boy” based on?

The film is based on Scott LeRette’s...

If you’re looking for a feel-good film based on a true story in order to escape from reality, “The Unbreakable Boy” might just be your ticket.

Starring Meghann Fahy and Zachary Levi, the movie tells the true story of a family who finds strength and inspiration every day in their son, who is both autistic and has brittle bone disease. He doesn’t care much what others think, and always embraces the joy of the world.

Here’s everything you need to know about the film.

What is the release date?

“The Unbreakable Boy” comes out on Friday, Feb. 21.

Is it streaming?

Not just yet. For now, you’ll only be able to see the film in theaters. Given that it’s a Lionsgate film, it’ll head to Starz first after its theatrical run, and then to Prime Video when it comes time to head to streaming. We...

The Unbreakable Boy is a father’s loving tribute to his son. Based on the novel “The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a story of Unconditional Love by Scott Michael LeRette. It’s a sweet story from a dad connecting to his son. In the Jon Gunn directed feature based on the book, Zachary Levi stars as Scott, and Jacob Laval stars as Austin, a young man diagnosed with a rare brittle-bone disease and autism. Also starring Patricia Heaton, Meghann Fahy, and Peter Facinelli, who also is one of the film’s producers.

Recently, I sat down with several members of the cast and producing team behind this feel good feature. Most interesting perhaps was Peter Facinelli, Scott LeRette, and producer Kevin Downes. The trio discussed bringing the story to the big screen. Considering it’s more than just a movie for Mr. LeRette,...

The thing about separating the art from the artist is that people are typically a lot more inclined to do so if the “art” isn’t a generic piece of faith-based schlock, and the “artist” hasn’t made a variety of disqualifying comments that pertain directly to the subject of their latest film. Case in point: It’s tough to accept Zachary Levi as the beleaguered father of an autistic child when the former “Shazam!” star has publicly sworn his allegiance to a man who believes that vaccines cause autism.

In a perfect vacuum, I suppose it would be possible to watch “The Unbreakable Boy” as a benign — if uncommonly basic — addition to the ever-growing subgenre of “inspirational” movies in which neurodivergent munchkins are used as human props for their parents’ spiritual growth. In a perfect vacuum, it would be possible to imagine how Kingdom Story Company’s latest appeal...

Plot: When his parents, Scott and Teresa, learn that Austin is both autistic and has brittle bone disease, they initially worry for their son’s future. But with Scott’s growing faith and Austin’s incredible spirit, they become “unbreakable,” finding joy, gratitude, and courage even in the most trying times — an extraordinary true story about a father and son learning together that every day can be the best day of your life!

Review: Faith-based films often get a bad rap. Many films heavily focused on Christian themes get labeled and struggle to garner mainstream attention. Still, they can sometimes tell beautiful stories that are inclusive rather than damning of other religions. Like last year’s Ordinary Angels, also directed by Jon Gunn, The Unbreakable Boy tells an emotional and challenging true story of a young boy whose challenges are an inspiration to those around them. Rather than sugarcoat the story,...

Zachary Levi is reflecting on why it was more important to be candid about his support for Donald Trump than worry about his career.

While on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Show, the Shazam! actor recalled being asked by Tulsi Gabbard to moderate a town hall that she and Robert Kennedy Jr. were doing in support of Trump. Despite initially feeling hesitant to do so, Levi said he “felt peace” after doing it.

“I felt peace because I knew that this was more important than saving my career,” he told Kelly. “I think we too often fall into these paradigms, these thought processes of self-preservation, and it is not good. We need to be wise and we want to survive and we want to live and flourish and all those things, but we can’t merely make decisions off of ‘Well I hope nothing bad happens to me.’ You got to sacrifice.

There’s an awful lot to handle in The Unbreakable Boy. Not only for the characters but also the audience. Here’s a sampling: autism, brittle bone disease, alcoholism, financial struggles and marital difficulties. It’s based on a true story, so you can’t say the plot elements are contrived (well, actually you can). And it’s all supposed to be wonderfully inspirational, no less. It’s the type of film seemingly designed to make you feel morally deficient if you don’t come away singing its praises.

Well, consider me tone-deaf, because this drama directed by Jon Gunn (Ordinary Angels) is an ordeal. It’s not surprising to learn that the film has been sitting on the shelf for nearly four years after its originally planned release. It feels too heavy to pick up.

The cloying cuteness starts at the very beginning with the narration by the titular character,...

Shazam! star Zachary Levi’s career has had a rather tumultuous turn. After appearing in one of the old DC’s best films, he struggled to find his footing. Between box office bomb Harold and the Purple Crayon and the critically maligned Spy Kids: Armageddon, it’s been a tough time for the actor.

After originally shooting in 2020, Levi’s latest film features the actor as the patriarch in a subtly Christian family film about raising a child with autism and dealing with alcoholism. With a few solid performances against a plain script, The Unbreakable Boy is a cute, albeit simple movie that families will love.

Production company Kingdom Story Company has partnered with Lionsgate over the last few years to produce a series of faith-based films that have set a new standard for Christian entertainment, a standard of not totally sucking. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Ordinary Angels...

Zachary Levi and Jacob Laval Zachary Levi and Jacob Laval make a perfect fair as father and son in Jon Gunn’s “The Unbreakable Boy.” Based on the book The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love by Scott Michael LeRette and Susy Flory based on a true story. Levi

The post Zachary Levi, Peter Facinelli, Patricia Heaton and Cast Talk “The Unbreakable Boy” appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.

Zachary Levi and Meghann Fahy are parents to an autistic son in the trailer for their upcoming new movie The Unbreakable Boy!

The film was written and directed by Jon Gunn and is based on the book “The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love” by Scott LeRette with Susy Flory.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here’s a synopsis: When his parents, Scott (Levi) and Teresa (Fahy), learn that Austin (Jacob Laval) is both autistic and has brittle bone disease, they initially worry for their son’s future. But with Scott’s growing faith and Austin’s incredible spirit, they become “unbreakable,” finding joy, gratitude, and courage even in the most trying times — an extraordinary true story about a father and son learning together that every day can be the best day of your life!

Also starring in the movie are Drew Powell,...

"I wish I could enjoy anything as much as my son enjoys everything." Lionsgate has finally revealed the trailer for the movie titled The Unbreakable Boy, an adaptation of the book of the same name. From the same director as Ordinary Angels come an uplifting story about a young boy overcoming bullies and finding happiness every day. Intro from the book: "The Unbreakable Boy is the raucously tender story of the life of a teenage boy with a rare brittle-bone disease who joyfully embraces life’s tragedies and triumphs. Like any other teenage boy, Austin loves pizza, movies, dancing, and girls. But unlike most other 18-year-olds, he has a rare brittle-bone disease, was locked in a mental ward as a child, and is autistic. Yet Austin doesn’t let any of that stop him." What makes him unique is his joyous, funny, life-affirming world view that transforms & unites everyone around him.

Fresh off the successful opening weekend of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Lionsgate has renewed its first-look deal with the inspirational family comedy’s producers, Kingdom Story Company, through 2027.

In addition, Kingdom Story’s president/COO Brandon Gregory has been named as a partner at the production outlet.

“Over the past decade, Kingdom films have established a unique ability to connect with their audiences in the faith community and beyond through high quality storytelling and exceptional productions, like their holiday hit ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson. “We’re proud to continue to collaborate with Kevin, Andy, Brandon and the entire team and thrilled that we are their creative home.”

Kingdom Story Company was founded in 2019 by filmmakers Jon and Andrew Erwin with the profits from their hit Christian biopic “I Can Only Imagine,” which grossed $83 million domestically against a $7 million budget.

Established with CEO Kevin Downes,...

Pachinko is a sweeping historical drama series created by Soo Hugh. Based on a 2017 novel of the same name by author Min Jin Lee, the Apple TV+ series follows four generations of a Korean family, beginning with Sunja as she leaves her family in Korea under Japanese rule to move to Koreatown, Osaka to start a new life but struggles with discrimination in Japanese society. Pachinko stars Youn Yuh-jung, Soji Arai, Kim Min-ha, Yu-na, Jin Ha, Han Jun-woo, Jeong In-ji, Jung Eun-chae, Lee Min-ho, Kaho Minami, Steve Sang-Hyun Noh, Anna Sawai, Jimmi Simpson, and Kim Sung-kyu. So, if you loved the historical drama, epic romantic stories, and complex characters in Pachinko, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Little America (Apple TV+) Credit – Apple TV+

Little America is an anthology drama series developed by Lee Eisenberg, Emily V. Gordon, and Kumail Nanjiani. Based on true stories of...

Lionsgate’s Kingdom Story Company movie, The Unbreakable Boy, will open on February 21, 2025.

Directed and written by Jon Gunn, the pic follows 12-year-old Austin (Jacob Laval), who is the ultimate ’90s kid — funny, loves life, loves pancakes and instantly makes friends with everyone he meets. When his father, Scott (Zachary Levi), learns Austin has autism and osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), at first he only can see his son through society’s misconceptions about his disabilities. But with Scott’s growing faith and Austin’s incredible spirit, Scott discovers the excitement for life that comes so naturally to his son. And he learns that being “unbreakable” is about finding joy and gratitude even in the most trying times.

Meghann Fahy, Drew Powell and Patricia Heaton also star in this feature adaptation of Scott LeRette and Susy Flory’s book.

Producers are Kevin Downes, Jon Erwin, Jerilyn Esquibel, Peter Facinelli and Andrew Erwin.

"I needed a Christmas miracle." Warner Bros has debuted an official trailer for 8-Bit Christmas, a new holiday comedy from filmmaker Michael Dowse. Described as a "new holiday classic", this nostalgic family comedy takes us to the early days of Nintendo, when one boy wanted nothing else than to get the brand new Nes entertainment system for Christmas. A humorous and heartfelt look back at the adventures of childhood. Set in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s, the story centers on ten-year-old Jake Doyle's herculean quest to get the latest and greatest video game system for Christmas. Starring Winslow Fegley as a young Jake, and Neil Patrick Harris as an adult Jake, with June Diane Raphael, Steve Zahn, David Cross, Sophia Reid-Gantzert, Cyrus Arnold, Jacob Laval, and David MacInnis. Okay so this actually looks pretty dang good, riffing on A Christmas Story, but updating it for today's Millennials looking...

Lionsgate’s Nicolas Cage self-parody feature The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent will open on April 22, 2022. The title was previously unset.

In the action comedy, Nicolas Cage stars as… Nicolas Cage. Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal). Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative (Tiffany Haddish) and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nicolas Cage. Cage, of course, plays himself, with Sharon Horgan, Alessandra Mastronardi, Jacob Scipio, Lily Sheen and Neil Patrick Harris also starring in the Tom Gormican-directed and co-scripted movie.

Lionsgate...

Exclusive: Jacob Laval has landed the title role in The Unbreakable Boy, joining previously announced star Zachary Levi in the inspiration drama from Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate. Meghann Fahy, Peter Facinelli, Drew Powell, Pilot Bunch, and Emmy winner Patricia Heaton are also set to co-star in the film which was written and will be directed by Jon Gunn.

The film is based on the novel The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love by Scott M. LeRette. It centers around Austin (Laval), born with both a rare brittle-bone disease and autism. What makes Austin truly unique is his joyous, funny, life-affirming worldview that transforms and unites everyone around him – especially his dad, Scott (Levi), who changes his life as he comes to see Austin not as the symbol of something broken, but the triumph of an indestructible spirit.

Jon Erwin,...

Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired the U.S. rights to Julio Vincent Gambuto’s coming-of-age comedy Team Marco.

The feature directorial debut was shot on Staten Island in New York City and stars Owen Vaccaro, Anthony Patellis, Anastasia Ganias-Gellin, Louis Cancelmi and Jacob Laval (The Plot Against America). Samuel Goldwyn Films plans a cable On-Demand and digital platform release on Nov. 20.

Team Marco portrays a house-bound boy obsessed with playing video games having his life upturned when his grandfather moves in. Marco is eventually encouraged to play the game of bocce outside, where he discovers a neighborhood crew of old-school seniors at ...

Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired the U.S. rights to Julio Vincent Gambuto’s coming-of-age comedy Team Marco.

The feature directorial debut was shot on Staten Island in New York City and stars Owen Vaccaro, Anthony Patellis, Anastasia Ganias-Gellin, Louis Cancelmi and Jacob Laval (The Plot Against America). Samuel Goldwyn Films plans a cable On-Demand and digital platform release on Nov. 20.

Team Marco portrays a house-bound boy obsessed with playing video games having his life upturned when his grandfather moves in. Marco is eventually encouraged to play the game of bocce outside, where he discovers a neighborhood crew of old-school seniors at ...

Though “The Plot Against America” took its time to get going, it’s full steam ahead for David Simon’s Philip Roth adaptation by Episode 4 — but to what end? With just two episodes to go, the drama has certainly flared up: The Levin familial bonds are being pushed to the brink as Sandy falls increasingly under Lindbergh’s spell, with the help of Aunt Evelyn and her new boyfriend Rabbi Bengelsdorf. The lines have been drawn, and it’s not looking good for either side. While this was by far the most exciting episode so far, it still feels as though Simon is obligingly following Roth’s outline rather than forging his own path.

In both the novel and the series “The Plot Against America,” there’s an unmentioned but implicit rhetorical question reaching out from beyond the page and screen. To borrow from the musical “Cabaret,” one of the...

HBO is the latest network to take to the Television Critics Association winter press tour, and the premium cabler dropped some premiere dates for us!

First up, Issa Rae's Insecure will return for its long-delayed fourth season on Sunday, April 12.

The hit series was renewed back in 2018, but like many TV shows, but it sat all of 2019 out.

The good news is that we're getting 10 episodes this season. The previous three seasons came in at 8 episodes each.

A new show coming to HBO later this year is The Plot Against America. The new limited series will debut Monday, March 16.

The series is based on the acclaimed Philip Roth novel of the same name, imagines an alternate American history during World War II, told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey as they endure the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist, who...