Baby Boom (1987)
A sharp, warm-hearted comedy about a Manhattan powerhouse whose carefully ordered life is delightfully derailed by one very small, unexpected arrival.
Baby Boom - Movie Information
- Original Title: Baby Boom
- Release Year: 1987
- Directed by: Charles Shyer
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy, Romance
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 30, 1987 (United States - PG), November 10, 1987 (United Kingdom - PG), May 19, 1988 (Germany - 6), March 31, 1988 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: Baby Boom (DE)
- Production Companies: United Artists, The Meyers/Shyer Company, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United States of America
Baby Boom - Plot
J.C. Wiatt is a talented and ambitious New York City career woman who is married to her job and working towards partner at her firm. She has a live-in relationship with Steven, a successful investment broker who, along with J.C., agreed children aren't part of the plan. J.C.'s life takes an unexpected turn when a distant relative dies and the will appoints her the caretaker of their baby girl, Elizabeth. The baby's sudden arrival causes Steven to leave, breaking off their relationship. Juggling power lunches and powdered formula, she is soon forced off the fast track by a conniving colleague and a bigoted boss. But she won't stay down for long. She'll prove to the world that a woman can have it all and on her own terms too!
Baby Boom - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see J.C. Wiatt's world turned wonderfully upside down:
JC Wiatt, corporate powerhouse, just received an inheritance. And it sucks.
Where to Watch Baby Boom
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Baby Boom - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Charles Shyer
Main Cast
- Diane Keaton
- Sam Shepard
- Harold Ramis
- Kristina Kennedy
- Michelle Kennedy
- Sam Wanamaker
- James Spader
- Pat Hingle
- Britt Leach
- Mary Gross
Writers
- Charles Shyer
- Nancy Meyers
Producers
- Nancy Meyers
Baby Boom - FAQs
Where can you stream Baby Boom (1987)?
Baby Boom is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel, YouTube Free, Tubi TV, and Hoopla. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.
What is Baby Boom (1987) about?
Baby Boom follows J.C. Wiatt, an ambitious Manhattan executive who unexpectedly inherits a baby girl from a distant relative. The sudden arrival upends her career and relationship, forcing her to reassess her priorities. She eventually relocates to Vermont and builds a new life on her own terms.
Who are the main actors in Baby Boom?
Diane Keaton leads the film as J.C. Wiatt, the driven career woman thrust into unexpected motherhood. Sam Shepard plays Dr. Jeff Cooper, a charming Vermont veterinarian. Harold Ramis appears as J.C.'s live-in partner Steven, while James Spader portrays the opportunistic colleague Ken Arrenberg.
Does Baby Boom have a happy ending?
Yes, Baby Boom ends on an uplifting note. After leaving her high-pressure Manhattan career, J.C. builds a thriving homemade baby food business in Vermont, finds romance with the local veterinarian, and embraces motherhood — proving she can achieve success and personal fulfillment entirely on her own terms.
Who directed Baby Boom and who wrote it?
Baby Boom was directed by Charles Shyer and written by Shyer alongside Nancy Meyers, who also produced the film. The Shyer-Meyers creative partnership was responsible for several successful comedies of the era, and their sharp, character-driven writing style is central to the film's enduring appeal.
What is the age rating for Baby Boom?
Baby Boom is rated PG by the MPA, making it suitable for general audiences and family viewing. The film contains mild thematic elements related to career pressures and relationship changes but nothing that would be considered inappropriate for older children watching alongside adults.
How long is Baby Boom (1987)?
Baby Boom has a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes (110 minutes). The film moves at a brisk, comedic pace, balancing its fish-out-of-water premise with genuine warmth and character development across both its Manhattan and Vermont settings.
Is Baby Boom based on a true story?
Baby Boom is not based on a specific true story. It is an original screenplay by Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers. However, the film reflects real cultural tensions of the 1980s around working women, the so-called “mommy track,” and the broader debate about whether women could balance high-powered careers with family life.
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