Cheaper by the Dozen 2, released in December 2005, brought the Baker family back for a summer vacation that turned into a full-blown competition. Directed by Adam Shankman, the sequel reunited Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt as the parents of twelve children, while introducing a rival family led by Eugene Levy. The film also featured a young Taylor Lautner in one of his earliest movie roles, years before he became a household name.
The premise is straightforward: the Bakers head to Lake Winnetka for a relaxing getaway, only to find themselves locked in a series of contests with the overachieving Murtaugh clan. With a budget of $60 million and a worldwide box office gross of over $82 million, the film performed well commercially even though critics were largely unimpressed. For many viewers, the appeal lies in the cast — a mix of established stars and young actors who have since followed very different career paths.
Two decades later, interest in the film persists, particularly around specific characters like the twins, Nora Baker, and the Murtaugh family. Questions about where to stream it and whether a third installment exists remain common. This article breaks down the cast, the availability of the film, and what actually happened after the credits rolled.
Who Is in the Cast of Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
2005
Adam Shankman
Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Hilary Duff, Tom Welling, Piper Perabo, Taylor Lautner
Disney+ (with subscription); also available on DVD and digital rental/purchase
The Baker family returns in full force, with Steve Martin playing Tom Baker, a retired football coach, and Bonnie Hunt as his wife Kate. Their eldest daughter Nora, played by Piper Perabo, is now married to Bud McNulty (Jonathan Bennett). Tom Welling reprises his role as Charlie Baker, the eldest son who becomes a mechanic, and Hilary Duff returns as Lorraine Baker, who plans to intern at Allure magazine. The younger Baker children include Alyson Stoner as Sarah, Jacob Smith as Jake, Forrest Landis as Mark, Blake Woodruff as Mike, and Kevin G. Schmidt as Henry.
Opposite the Bakers stands the Murtaugh family, introduced as their vacation rivals. Eugene Levy plays Jimmy Murtaugh, with Carmen Electra as his third wife Sarina. Their children include Calvin (Shawn Roberts), Eliot (Taylor Lautner), Daniel (Robbie Amell), and Anne (Jaime King). The two families compete in everything from sailing to a talent show, and the rivalry becomes the film’s central comedic engine.
- Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is a family comedy sequel that introduces the competitive Murtaugh family, led by Eugene Levy.
- Taylor Lautner’s appearance as a member of the Murtaugh family marks an early role before his Twilight fame.
- The film received mixed critical reviews (21% on Rotten Tomatoes) but was a box office success ($82 million vs $60 million budget).
- No third film was ever made; the 2022 Cheaper by the Dozen is a separate remake unrelated to the 2003/2005 franchise.
- The film features two sets of twins: fraternal twin girls and identical twin boys, making the Baker family casting notably unique.
- Several younger cast members left professional acting after this film, marking it as their final screen role.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title | Cheaper by the Dozen 2 |
| Director | Adam Shankman |
| Writers | Sam Harper (based on characters by Craig Titley) based on book by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey |
| Release Date | December 21, 2005 (US) |
| Runtime | 94 minutes |
| MPAA Rating | PG (for some rude humor) |
| Budget | $60 million |
| Box Office | $82.9 million worldwide |
| Main Cast | Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Hilary Duff, Tom Welling, Piper Perabo, Eugene Levy, Carmen Electra, Taylor Lautner |
| Streaming (as of 2025) | Disney+ (US/UK/Canada), Amazon Prime Video (rental), Apple TV (purchase) |
Did Taylor Lautner appear in Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Yes, Taylor Lautner appears in Cheaper by the Dozen 2 as Eliot Murtaugh, one of the children in the rival Murtaugh family. This role came before his breakout performance as Jacob Black in the Twilight series, which began in 2008. Lautner was already a known child actor at the time, having appeared in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl earlier in 2005. His inclusion in the cast is one of the details that continues to draw curiosity from viewers revisiting the film years later.
Who played Nora in Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Piper Perabo plays Nora Baker-McNulty, the eldest Baker daughter. Nora is married to Bud McNulty, played by Jonathan Bennett, and the couple is expecting a child during the events of the film. Perabo was already known for her lead role in Coyote Ugly (2000) and has continued working steadily in film and television, including a long run on the series Covert Affairs.
Who played Bud in Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Jonathan Bennett plays Bud McNulty, Nora’s husband. Bud is integrated into the Baker family dynamic and joins the vacation alongside everyone else. Bennett later became widely recognized for his role in Mean Girls (2004), which had been released the year before this film. He remains active in acting and hosting.
Who are the Murtaugh family in Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
The Murtaugh family serves as the Bakers’ rivals during the Lake Winnetka vacation. Eugene Levy plays patriarch Jimmy Murtaugh, a competitive and successful father who challenges Tom Baker at every turn. Carmen Electra plays Sarina Murtaugh, Jimmy’s third wife. Their children are Calvin (Shawn Roberts), Eliot (Taylor Lautner), Daniel (Robbie Amell), and Anne (Jaime King). The Murtaughs are portrayed as hyper-organized, athletic, and slightly smug, creating a clear contrast with the more chaotic Baker family.
Where Can You Watch Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Is Cheaper by the Dozen 2 available on Disney+?
Yes, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is available to stream on Disney+ in several regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Subscribers can watch the film as part of the standard library without additional rental fees. The presence of the film on Disney+ reflects the platform’s catalog of family-friendly content from the 2000s. Availability may vary by country due to licensing agreements, so it is worth checking the local Disney+ library directly.
As of 2025, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is also available for digital rental or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. DVD copies remain in circulation and can be found through major retailers and second-hand markets. No 4K remastered version has been announced.
Is Cheaper by the Dozen 2 available on DVD?
The film was released on DVD in March 2006, a few months after its theatrical run. The DVD edition includes a few deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes featurette. A Blu-ray version was released later, though it has become less common in retail channels. For physical media collectors, second-hand copies are generally easy to find online.
What is the trailer for Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
The official theatrical trailer for Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is available on YouTube and on the film’s IMDb page. It highlights the vacation setting, the rivalry with the Murtaughs, and the signature slapstick humor of the franchise. The trailer runs approximately two minutes and was widely distributed ahead of the December 2005 release.
Is There a Cheaper by the Dozen 3?
How does Cheaper by the Dozen 2 compare to the 2022 remake?
The 2022 Cheaper by the Dozen is a standalone remake produced by Disney+ and is not a sequel to the 2005 film. It features an entirely different cast, including Zach Braff and Gabrielle Union as the parents, and updates the setting to a modern blended family. The tone and structure differ significantly from the 2003 and 2005 films. Critics and audiences have generally treated the 2022 version as a separate project rather than a continuation of the original franchise. A direct comparison shows that the 2005 sequel leans more heavily on physical comedy and family competition, while the 2022 remake focuses on contemporary family dynamics.
Is Cheaper by the Dozen 2 connected to the 2022 film?
No, the 2022 remake is not connected to Cheaper by the Dozen 2. It is a reimagining of the original 1950 book and the 2003 film, produced independently for the Disney+ platform. No characters, actors, or storylines carry over between the two projects. The Rotten Tomatoes page for the 2005 film and the 2022 film list separate entries, reflecting their distinct production histories.
Rumors about a Cheaper by the Dozen 3 have surfaced online over the years, but no credible sources or studio announcements confirm any development. The 2022 Disney+ remake is sometimes mistaken for a third installment, but it is a reboot, not a sequel. As of 2025, no third film is in production.
Who Are the Twins in Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Who played the twin characters in Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
The Baker family includes two sets of twins. The fraternal twin girls, Jessica and Kim Baker, are played by Liliana Mumy and Morgan York. Both characters are portrayed as highly intelligent and frequently correct the rest of the family on facts and figures, a running gag that continues from the first film. The identical twin boys, Kyle and Nigel Baker, are played by real-life twin brothers Brent Kinsman and Shane Kinsman. The Kinsman twins provided much of the physical comedy in the film, often causing chaos through their combined mischief.
Are the twins in Cheaper by the Dozen 2 real twins?
Brent and Shane Kinsman are real identical twins. They were discovered by a talent agent at a Los Angeles Dodgers game when they were four years old. Their casting as Kyle and Nigel Baker is noted as one of the more classic Hollywood origin stories among the cast. Liliana Mumy and Morgan York, who play the fraternal twin sisters, are not twins in real life. Both are actresses who were cast to portray sisters with a shared personality trait of being overly intellectual.
The decision to cast real identical twins for Kyle and Nigel added authenticity to the physical comedy scenes. In contrast, casting non-twin actors for Jessica and Kim allowed the writers to emphasize their shared intellectual superiority as a character trait rather than relying on a visual resemblance. The 2005 film marked the final acting role for several of the younger cast members, including the Kinsman twins.
When Did Cheaper by the Dozen 2 Release and What Happened After?
- 2003 — Release of Cheaper by the Dozen (original). The film’s box office success leads to plans for a sequel.
- 2005 — Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is released in theaters on December 21. It opens to mixed reviews but performs well commercially.
- 2006 — The film is released on DVD in March, including deleted scenes and a featurette. A Blu-ray edition follows later.
- 2022 — Disney+ launches a standalone remake of Cheaper by the Dozen with a new cast. This is not a sequel to the 2005 film.
- 2025 (present) — The 2005 film remains available on Disney+ in several regions. No third installment has been confirmed or is in active development.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is a 2005 sequel to the 2003 film. | A direct sequel (Cheaper by the Dozen 3) has never been officially announced; rumors occasionally resurface but no credible sources confirm development. |
| The cast includes Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Piper Perabo, Tom Welling, Hilary Duff, and Taylor Lautner. | The 2022 film is a remake, not a continuation; however, some users mistakenly believe it is part of the same franchise. |
| Eugene Levy and Carmen Electra play the parents of the Murtaugh family. | Availability of the film on streaming platforms may vary by region and change over time due to licensing contracts. |
| The film is available to stream on Disney+ (with subscription) in many regions. | Whether a 4K remaster or special edition release will ever be produced is unknown. |
Why Does Cheaper by the Dozen 2 Still Get Attention?
The film capitalizes on the successful family comedy formula of the early 2000s, pitting the Baker family against the hyper-competitive Murtaughs. Taylor Lautner’s inclusion is often a point of modern interest due to his later fame in the Twilight series. Critics noted the film was louder and more chaotic than the original, but audiences appreciated the cast and the vacation setting. The lack of a third film is likely due to diminishing returns and shifting studio priorities; the 2022 remake was a separate Disney+ project with a different cast.
Search data shows continued interest in specific characters such as the twins, Nora, Sarah, Beth, and Bud. This indicates a niche but persistent audience seeking detailed cast information. The film’s position as a mid-2000s family comedy also gives it nostalgic value for viewers who grew up with the franchise.
For those interested in other ensemble casts from similar eras, the Cast of Pirates of the Caribbean article provides a comparable deep dive into another early-2000s franchise. And for another family comedy comparison, The Addams Family 2 offers a look at a sequel that took a different creative direction.
What Do Reviews and Synopses Say About Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
“Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is a formulaic family comedy where Steve Martin becomes a father possessed with a drive to outdo another father…”
— IMDb description
“The Baker family, while on vacation, find themselves in competition with a rival family of eight children.”
— Letterboxd synopsis
“Cheaper by the Dozen 2 leans much harder into cheesy humor and chaotic energy than the first film…”
— Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
The Disney+ description summarizes the film as a story about the Bakers bringing their family together for a memorable summer getaway that turns into a competition with an overachieving, overzealous family. Detailed box office data is available via Box Office Mojo, and the full Wikipedia entry provides a comprehensive production history.
What Should You Remember About Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 remains a notable entry in the family comedy genre of the mid-2000s, chiefly remembered for its ensemble cast, the inclusion of a pre-Twilight Taylor Lautner, and the introduction of the Murtaugh family as memorable rivals. No third film exists, and the 2022 Disney+ remake is a separate project. For viewers looking to revisit the film, it is currently streaming on Disney+ and available for digital rental. The film’s legacy endures through continued curiosity about its cast, especially the twins and the younger actors who have since left the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheaper by the Dozen 2
Who directed Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Adam Shankman directed the film.
What is the rating of Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
It is rated PG for some rude humor.
How long is Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
94 minutes.
Who played the mom in Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Bonnie Hunt played Kate Baker.
Who played the dad in Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Steve Martin played Tom Baker.
Is Cheaper by the Dozen 2 on Netflix?
As of 2025, it is not available on Netflix. Check Disney+ or digital rental services.
What is the plot of Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
The Baker family goes on a summer vacation where they compete against a rival family, the Murtaughs, in various activities.
Who composed the music for Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Christophe Beck, with additional music by Mark Mothersbaugh.
Are there any deleted scenes from Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Yes, a few deleted scenes are available on the DVD release.
What is the budget of Cheaper by the Dozen 2?
Approximately $60 million.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.