Will Smith and Son Jaden Smith Movie Collaborations
Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith have collaborated on multiple feature films, with the most prominent being the 2006 science fiction drama "The Pursuit of Happyness" and the 2013 sci-fi sequel "After Earth." In "The Pursuit of Happyness," Will Smith starred as Chris Gardner while Jaden Smith made his film debut as his son Christopher Gardner Jr., a role that earned Jaden a Critics' Choice Movie Award nomination for Best Young Performer. The film, produced by Columbia Pictures and released by Columbia Pictures, grossed over $307 million worldwide against a $55 million budget, according to Box Office Mojo. The father-son duo later reunited for "After Earth," directed by M. Night Shyamalan and produced by Legendary Pictures and Overbrook Entertainment, which earned $243 million globally despite mixed critical reception.
Their on-screen partnership has been shaped by the production companies Will Smith co-founded. Overbrook Entertainment, the Smith family's production company, has been involved in developing projects for both Will and Jaden over the years. The company's focus has included film and television content for streaming platforms and major studios. Jaden Smith's subsequent film work includes the 2019 drama "The Karate Kid" sequel "Cobra Kai" (as a guest star) and the 2021 Netflix sci-fi film "After Yang," though that project did not feature Will Smith. The duo's direct on-screen collaborations remain limited to two major theatrical releases, both produced under Sony Pictures and its affiliated labels.
Box Office Performance and Audience Reception
The Pursuit of Happyness Financial and Critical Metrics
"The Pursuit of Happyness" opened at number one at the U.S. box office and held the top spot for two consecutive weeks. The film received a 7.0/10 rating on IMDb and a 72% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences scoring it 83%. The film's production budget was $55 million, and it earned $163.4 million domestically and $147.7 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $311.1 million, according to The Numbers. Will Smith received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of Chris Gardner, while Jaden Smith's performance was widely praised by critics as a standout debut.
After Earth Commercial and Critical Reception
"After Earth" had a production budget of $130 million and grossed $108.1 million in North America and $135.9 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $244 million, per Box Office Mojo. The film received a 3.7/10 average rating on IMDb and a 12% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences scoring it 40%. The film's marketing campaign, which emphasized Jaden Smith's lead role, was widely discussed in industry publications. The film was distributed by Universal Pictures and produced by Relativity Media and Overbrook Entertainment, with Will Smith serving as producer and co-writer alongside M. Night Shyamalan.
Recent Projects and Current Status of Will Smith and Son Jaden Smith
Will Smith's Post-2023 Filmography
Will Smith's most recent major film release was "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" in June 2024, a sequel produced by Columbia Pictures and 2.0 Entertainment, which grossed $353.7 million worldwide. The film starred Will Smith and Martin Lawrence and was directed by Adil & Bilall. Will Smith also starred in the 2023 film "Emancipation," directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Apple Studios, which was released on Apple TV+ and