Leave it to Bryan Cranston to sum up a film with just the right mix of heart and honesty. The Emmy-winning actor is opening up about his latest project, Everything Is Going to Be Great, a funny, touching, and beautifully bittersweet family dramedy that made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 9, 2025.
Now in very limited U.S. cinemas after its June 20 release, Everything Is Going to Be Great dives headfirst into the chaos and charm of the Smart family, who are unexpectedly forced to move in with a long-estranged relative. As old wounds resurface and big dreams clash with small-town realities, the film becomes a warm and wildly relatable story about identity, family, and the theatre of life.
Directed by Scottish filmmaker John S. Baird (Tetris and Stan & Ollie) this latest outing is an ensemble triumph, with standout performances from Allison Janney (Bad Education, American Beauty), rising star Jack Champion (Avatar: The Way of Water, Scream VI), and, of course, Cranston himself, who brings both gravitas and humour as Buddy Smart, a relentlessly optimistic stage producer clinging to big dreams in a small world.
Speaking to JustWatch for their “Why to Watch” spotlight, Cranston shared what drew him to the project and why the film might just catch audiences off guard in the best way.
“When I first read the title, I thought, ‘Oh, I hope this is going to be great,’ and it didn’t disappoint me,” Cranston said with a grin. “There is a HUGE surprise in the middle of this movie that will SHOCK you. And it speaks to life itself.”
“We expect people to always be with us. You graduate, and think, ‘My friends and I will be tight forever.’ But life doesn’t work that way. People move on. And that’s what I love about this story. It’s aspirational. It’s hopeful. It’s sad. It’s sweet. It’s joyous. It’s family. It’s argumentative. It’s all of these things wrapped into one.”
Cranston, now 69, has spent decades mastering both drama and comedy, from his Emmy-nominated turn as Hal in Malcolm in the Middle to his unforgettable portrayal of Walter White in Breaking Bad, which earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards. On the big screen, he’s delivered powerful performances in Drive, Argo, Godzilla, and Trumbo – the latter earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He’s also no stranger to lighter fare, with credits including Isle of Dogs and The Upside, not to mention his work behind the camera in Sneaky Pete and as star of the tense legal drama Your Honour.
Now, with Everything Is Going to Be Great, Cranston leans into something more personal and vulnerable.
Set over one chaotic weekend, the film captures the messy beauty of reconnection, as long-buried family dynamics bubble to the surface in unexpected (and often hilarious) ways. It’s a story of showing up even when it’s hard, of dreams deferred, and of finding unexpected hope in the people who know you best, even when they drive you absolutely crazy.
With its sharp humour, emotional depth, and a cast that brings serious heart, Everything Is Going to Be Great lives up to its title.
