🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Susanna White
- Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy, War
- Release year: 2010
- Runtime (length): 1h 49min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (40K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 76%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Ugly lady hits kids with stick until they learn to share, all while a pig does synchronized swimming and a bomb threatens the family barley.
🍿 Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Farm in Wartime England
Set in rural England during World War II, Isabel Green struggles to manage her family farm while her husband is away fighting. She juggles raising three children – Norman, Megsie, and Vincent – with the demanding work of the farm and the financial strain of wartime. Her brother-in-law, Phil, pressures her to sell her share of the farm, adding to her stress and creating tension within the family.

The Arrival of City Cousins
The Green family’s life is further complicated by the arrival of Isabel’s nephew and niece from London, Cyril and Celia Gray. Spoiled and accustomed to a life of luxury, the city cousins clash with the country children, leading to frequent squabbles and disrupting the already fragile harmony of the farm. Their contrasting lifestyles and values highlight the differences between urban and rural life during wartime.

Nanny McPhee’s Lessons
As chaos ensues, Nanny McPhee arrives, using her magical abilities to teach the children five important lessons: to stop fighting, to share nicely, to help each other, to be brave, and to have faith. Each lesson is accompanied by whimsical and fantastical events, like synchronized swimming pigs and a flying motorcycle, which captivate the children and subtly transform their behavior.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson): A magical nanny who uses her unique methods to teach valuable life lessons to unruly children during wartime.
- Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal): An overworked mother struggling to manage her family farm and children while her husband is at war.
- Phil Green (Rhys Ifans): Isabel’s scheming brother-in-law who attempts to manipulate her into selling the family farm for his own gain.
- Norman Green (Asa Butterfield): One of Isabel’s sons, who learns important lessons about bravery and helping others.
- Cyril Gray (Eros Vlahos): A spoiled city cousin who initially clashes with the Green children but eventually learns the value of family and helping others.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Nanny McPhee: “When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go.” – Nanny McPhee explains the cyclical nature of her services, highlighting that her presence is tied to the family’s needs rather than desires.
- Cyril Gray: “We’re in the Land of Poo.” – Cyril says this upon arriving at the farm, expressing his disgust with the rural setting.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $35,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $29,011,215
- Worldwide Gross: $93,251,121
💥 Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching this as a kid and being mesmerized by the magic and the talking animals. The piglets doing synchronized swimming were my favorite part! It’s a heartwarming story about family, and the lessons Nanny McPhee teaches are genuinely valuable. Even though it’s silly, the movie made me feel good. Plus, Maggie Smith is always a delight to watch.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families with young children”
- “Fans of fantasy and magical realism”
- “Viewers who appreciate heartwarming stories with moral lessons”
- “Those who enjoy British period dramas”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild rude humor”
- “Some scenes of wartime tension”
- “Brief moments of peril”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb User Review: “Emma Thompson shines in this candy-colored adaptation of Christianna Brand’s books. Nanny McPhee, with her magical touch, helps a farmhouse family during WWII. Maggie Gyllenhaal impresses with her flawless British accent. Though characterization isn’t deep, the film is warm and witty, teaching sensitive messages to children without talking down to them. A delightful family film!
- IMDb User Review: “One user says it’s predictable and a waste of time, especially if you’ve seen the first movie, because the storyline and effects are the same. The story is unoriginal but good and some actors portray their roles very well. This person wouldn’t recommend the movie.
- IMDb User Review: “A highly complimentary user said they enjoyed the film and were pleasantly surprised. It was easy to get into with a well-written story and plot. The actors, both young and old, performed brilliantly, making the fantasy believable. Special effects were well done, and the comedy was delightful. The user’s entire family loved it.
Audience Reactions
Viewers loved the synchronized swimming pigs!: The whimsical magical elements and heartwarming family themes resonated well with audiences.
The humor and touching storyline were highly rated by families.: Many enjoyed the movie for its blend of comedy and heartwarming moments, making it a great watch for both kids and adults.
Overall Consensus: A sweet and magical family film, although some find it repetitive compared to the first. The whimsical elements and strong cast make it an enjoyable experience for children, with heartwarming themes for adults.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Emma Thompson not only starred in but also wrote the screenplay, adapting it from Christianna Brand’s ‘Nurse Matilda’ books.”
- “The film is set against the backdrop of World War II, adding a layer of historical context to the fantastical story.”
- “One of the challenges in filming the piglet scenes was that the piglets were too friendly and enjoyed being cuddled, making it difficult to get them to run away.”
🖥️ How to Watch Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang?
Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu. You can also find DVD and Blu-ray copies at major retailers like Walmart and Target.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, you might like these similar films:
- Nanny McPhee (2005): The first film in the Nanny McPhee series, establishing the character and magical nanny concept.
- Mary Poppins (1964): Shares the theme of a magical nanny arriving to help a dysfunctional family learn important life lessons through whimsical adventures.
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971): Set during World War II in England, it combines fantasy with historical events and features children embarking on magical adventures.
🛒 Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang Related Products
- Nanny McPhee: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]: Get both Nanny McPhee movies in high definition! Enjoy the magic and heartwarming stories in stunning detail, perfect for family movie nights.
- World War 2 Toy Soldiers Playset – Military Figures: Bring the historical setting of Nanny McPhee to life with this playset featuring soldiers and vehicles from WWII. Great for imaginative play and educational purposes.
- Farm Animal Figures – Pig Family Set: This adorable pig family set will remind you of the swimming pigs from the movie. Made from durable materials for a wonderful playing experience.
- Emma Thompson – Autographed Photo: A professionally printed autograph of Emma Thompson, the star and writer of Nanny McPhee. A wonderful piece for serious movie fans.
🎧 Soundtrack
Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Nanny McPhee teaches the children to stop fighting, to share nicely, to help each other, to be brave, and to have faith.
The film is set in rural England during World War II, primarily on the Green family’s farm.
Yes, it is a sequel to the 2005 film Nanny McPhee. While the films share the same central character, the stories are independent of each other.
🔥 Bonus Content
A GIANT BOMB falls in a FAMILY’S BACKYARD and they need to DEACTIVATE IT before the TIME RUN OUT
Need a quick rundown of ‘n4nny mcph33 r3turns’ before diving in? This recap’s got you covered! It hits all the key moments and is surprisingly entertaining – honestly, it might even be better than rewatching the whole thing!
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