The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Childless couple Cindy and Jim Green secretly bury a box in their garden, each item a wish for the child they long for. When a boy named Timothy appears under mysterious circumstances, he seems to embody the couple's hopes in a bright, bookish way while carrying a strange air of enchantment. Timothy's arrival brightens the town and stirs the Greens to reexamine their quiet routine as neighbors, teachers, and volunteers respond with generosity and curiosity. Timothy forms bonds at school and with the wider community, leaving a trail of small miracles and awkward questions in his wake. As the season unfolds, the Greens learn that family can arrive in unforeseen shapes and from unexpected places. Their choice sparks quiet hope.

Directed by Peter Hedges, the film stems from an original story by Hedges. It premiered in 2012 under the Walt Disney Pictures banner, with Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, and CJ Adams anchoring the cast as the Greens, and their community.

The film grossed about 56,012,642 worldwide on a 25 million dollar budget, reflecting a modest profile for a family drama from Disney. Its measured pace and intimate focus set it apart from more spectacle driven summer releases in many markets.

The movie left a soft footprint on family cinema, inviting parents to discuss adoption and the meaning of belonging. It sparked conversations about community support and the ways strangers can become allies when a child arrives with a unique story. It reminds viewers that everyday kindness matters in their lives.

Critics offered mixed to favorable assessments, praising the performances of Garner, Edgerton and Adams, and the film's earnest mood. It centers on grief, hope, and the unpredictable nature of family life, showing how love can grow beyond conventional expectations, while maintaining a grounded, human scale. This restraint pays off well.