Cheaper by the Dozen is a American comedy film about a family with twelve children (seven boys and five girls). The film takes its title from the 1948 biography of Frank Bunker Gilbreth and Lillian Moller Gilbreth and their twelve children, but other than the title and the concept of a family with twelve children, the film bears no resemblance to the book. The film was directed by Shawn Levy, who also helped produce the sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2. It was released on Thursday, December 25, 2003 by 20th Century Fox.

Plot

The Baker family is a happy and large family with 12 children who reside in Midland, Indiana. One day Tom Baker gets an offer for his dream job: Become the coach of the Stallions. Tom returns home with the new job and promotion in the urban near north Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois with education advantages and a new vehicle; although Kate approves, his children overhear and object to his proposed actions in a family conference. Even though the children vote about what they would rather do, Tom decides to accept the job and move to the city, many miles away from their current countryside home.

One day, aspiring author Kate receives a call, telling her that her new book is perfect and she should go on a promotion tour, so she makes the decision to leave, and leaves her husband alone with the 12 children. Problems soon erupt, but everything comes to a halt when, after being grounded, the Baker kids sneak out and wreck their friend's birthday party. Kate ends the book tour and returns home, angry at Tom for not telling her that he could not handle it.