Pay It Forward_
"When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back..."
Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded.
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Max
3 countries
S
Studiocanal Presents ALLSTARS Amazon Channel
1 country
A
Allstars Amazon Channel
1 country
U-NEXT
1 country
Watcha
1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Box office
Pay It Forward earned $55.7M worldwide on a $40.0M budget — a 39% return on investment.
Mimi Leder →
Year context
Pay It Forward was released 26 years ago in 2000.
CAST (20)
Kevin Spacey
Eugene Simonet
Helen Hunt
Arlene McKinney
Angie Dickinson
Grace
Haley Joel Osment
Trevor McKinney
Jay Mohr
Chris Chandler
Jim Caviezel
Jerry
Jon Bon Jovi
Ricky McKinney
David Ramsey
Sidney Parker
Gary Werntz
Mr. Thorsen
Colleen Flynn
Woman on Bridge
Marc Donato
Adam
Kathleen Wilhoite
Bonnie
Liza Snyder
Michelle
Jeannetta Arnette
Nurse
Hannah Leder
Thorsen's Daughter
Tina Lifford
Principal
LD
Loren D. Baum
Rough Kid #1
NM
Nico Matinata
Rough Kid #2
Zack Duhame
Rough Kid #3
Shawn Pyfrom
Shawn
CREW
Director
Writer
BOX OFFICE
$40.0M
Budget
$55.7M
Revenue
+39%
ROI
BREAK EVEN
Verdict
STUDIOS (3)
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
122 min (2h 2m)
Language
English
Country
Rating
7.4/10 (1,947 votes)
Popularity
7
Budget
$40,000,000
Box Office
$55,707,411
Profit
+$15,707,411
IMDB
Trailer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Pay It Forward about?
Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded.
How long is Pay It Forward?
Pay It Forward has a runtime of 122 minutes (2h 2m).
Who directed Pay It Forward?
Pay It Forward was directed by Mimi Leder.
Who stars in Pay It Forward?
The cast of Pay It Forward includes Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Angie Dickinson, Haley Joel Osment, Jay Mohr.
How much did Pay It Forward make at the box office?
Pay It Forward earned $55,707,411 worldwide at the box office. The production budget was $40,000,000.
What is the rating of Pay It Forward?
Pay It Forward has a rating of 7.4 out of 10 based on 1,947 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (1)
Drama
KEYWORDS (10)
child's point of view
candlelight vigil
good deed
exotic dancer
schoolteacher
extra credit assignment
disfigurement
junior high school
burn injury
woman director