12 Mighty Orphans

February 2026 12 Mighty Orphans 12 Mighty Orphans poster.jpg Theatrical release poster Ty Roberts Houston Hill Angelique De Luca Michael De Luca Brinton Bryan Ty Roberts Lane Garrison Kevin Meyer Twelve Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football Jim Dent Luke Wilson Vinessa Shaw Wayne Knight Jake Austin Walker Jacob Lofland Levi Dylan Robert Duvall Martin Sheen Mark Orton David McFarland James K. Crouch Greenbelt Films Michael De Luca Productions Santa Rita Film Co. 12 Productions Sony Pictures Classics 2021 6 11 118 minutes United States English $5.6 millionhttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4050879233/weekend/ 12 Mighty Orphans Box Office Mojo October 25, 2021 October 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211019211751/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4050879233/weekend/ live12-Mighty-Orphans 12 Mighty Orphans (2021) September 14, 2026 The Numbers 12 Mighty Orphans is a 2021 American sports film which was directed by Ty Roberts from a screenplay by Roberts, Lane Garrison and Kevin Meyer. It is based upon the non-fiction book Twelve Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football by Jim Dent. The book is based on the Masonic School for Orphans in Fort Worth, Texas.https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=1283 Beyond the Chain Link Lay the Kingdom of the Mighty Mites | Hometown by Handlebar hometownbyhandlebar.com 15 June 2021 25 October 2021 28 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211028154713/https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/%3Fp%3D1283/ live The film stars Luke Wilson, Vinessa Shaw, Wayne Knight, Jake Austin Walker, Jacob Lofland, Levi Dylan, Robert Duvall and Martin Sheen. The film was released in the United States on June 11, 2021 by Sony Pictures Classics. It received mixed reviews from critics. Plot During the Great Depression, war veteran and former orphan Rusty Russell relocates with his wife and daughter to Fort Worth, Texas, to teach math and science at the Masonic Home for Orphans. He also takes on the role of football coach. Upon arrival, Rusty discovers that the orphanage is run by the abusive Warden Frank Wynn, who exploits the boys for child labor in his personal printing press. The boys, lacking proper education and discipline, are subjected to harsh conditions and have little hope for the future. Determined to make a difference, Rusty, with the support of the home's compassionate physician, Doc Hall, decides to form a football team. Recognizing the boys' physical limitations, he devises innovative strategies, including a spread offense, to level the playing field. Despite lacking basic equipment and playing barefoot, the team, dubbed the "Mighty Mites," begins to improve, instilling a sense of purpose and unity among the players. Facing numerous challenges, including resistance from Warden Wynn and skepticism from the community, the Mighty Mites persevere. They gain attention for their unique playing style and resilience, eventually catching the interest of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As the team advances toward the Texas state championships, they confront personal and institutional obstacles that test their determination and spirit. In the championship game, the Mighty Mites face a formidable opponent. Despite their efforts and tactics, in the end they lose the game. However, their journey and transformation inspired a nation in need of hope, and Rusty's legacy as a coach and mentor endures. Cast Luke Wilson as Rusty Russell Martin Sheen as Doc E.P. Hall Robert Duvall as Mason Hawk Vinessa Shaw as Juanita Russell Wayne Knight as Frank Wynn Jake Austin Walker as Hardy Brown Treat Williams as Amon Carter Carlson Young as Annie Natasha Bassett as Opal Jacob Lofland as Snoggs Lane Garrison as Luther Scott Haze as Rodney Kidd Kelly Frye as Mary Jane Sampley Barinaga as Chicken Levi Dylan as Fairbanks Slade Monroe as Wheatie Heath Freeman as Coach Cox Lucy Faust as Wanda Production Principal photography initially took place for seven weeks from October 7 to November 25, 2019 in Weatherford,'12 Mighty Orphans' completes filming in Weatherford 5 November 2019 Weatherford Democrat https://www.weatherforddemocrat.com/news/mighty-orphans-completes-filming-in-weatherford/article_05688258-001c-11ea-b00d-67347c06d229.html 21 February 2020 19 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191219170647/https://www.weatherforddemocrat.com/news/mighty-orphans-completes-filming-in-weatherford/article_05688258-001c-11ea-b00d-67347c06d229.html live Cleburne,2019 Honorable mentions 4 January 2020 Cleburne Times-Review https://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/news/honorable-mentions/article_244b89ba-2e7d-11ea-970c-0fe3f3ce4719.html 21 February 2020 21 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200221132854/https://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/news/honorable-mentions/article_244b89ba-2e7d-11ea-970c-0fe3f3ce4719.html live and Fort Worth, Texas.Granberry Michael Robert Duvall and Martin Sheen to join Luke Wilson in upcoming Fort Worth film '12 Mighty Orphans' 24 October 2019 The Dallas Morning News https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/movies/2019/10/24/robert-duvall-and-martin-sheen-to-join-luke-wilson-in-upcoming-fort-worth-film-12-mighty-orphans/ 21 February 2020 21 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200221133954/https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/movies/2019/10/24/robert-duvall-and-martin-sheen-to-join-luke-wilson-in-upcoming-fort-worth-film-12-mighty-orphans/ liveMartin Sheen Visits Fort Worth's Joe T. Garcia's 12 November 2019 KXAS-TV https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/martin-sheen-visits-fort-worths-joe-t-garcias/2130299/ 21 February 2020 21 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200221134235/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/martin-sheen-visits-fort-worths-joe-t-garcias/2130299/ live12 MIGHTY ORPHANS Adds Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen 22 October 2019 BroadwayWorld https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/12-MIGHTY-ORPHANS-Adds-Robert-Duvall-Martin-Sheen-20191022 21 February 2020 21 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200221140556/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/12-MIGHTY-ORPHANS-Adds-Robert-Duvall-Martin-Sheen-20191022 liveFleming Mike Jr. Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen Join Texas Football Tale '12 Mighty Orphans' 22 October 2019 Deadline Hollywood https://deadline.com/2019/10/robert-duvall-martin-sheen-join-texas-football-tale-12-mighty-orphans-apocalypse-now-1202766215/ 21 February 2020 29 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191229040151/https://deadline.com/2019/10/robert-duvall-martin-sheen-join-texas-football-tale-12-mighty-orphans-apocalypse-now-1202766215/ liveStevenson Stefan '12 Mighty Orphans' producers hope to premiere Fort Worth-set film in city next fall 22 November 2019 Fort Worth Star-Telegram https://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/movies/article237673269.html 21 February 2020 4 April 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200404200307/https://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/movies/article237673269.html liveNTFR Retelling Stories in Texas – North Texas Farm and Ranch 17 December 2019 http://ntfronline.com/2019/12/retelling-stories-in-texas/ 2021-04-17 en-US 2021-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20210417022340/http://ntfronline.com/2019/12/retelling-stories-in-texas/ live It is based on the non fiction book of the same name by Jim Dent.Granberry Michael How the heartwarming Texas football story '12 Mighty Orphans' has been horse-collared by COVID-19 14 August 2020 The Dallas Morning News https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/movies/2020/08/14/how-the-heartwarming-texas-football-story-12-mighty-orphans-has-been-horse-collared-by-covid-19/ 4 September 2020 17 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200817070843/https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/movies/2020/08/14/how-the-heartwarming-texas-football-story-12-mighty-orphans-has-been-horse-collared-by-covid-19/ liveCLEBURNE'S ROCK DOUBLES AS MOVIE SET 19 November 2019 KTFW-FM https://www.921hankfm.com/2019/11/19/cleburnes-rock-doubles-as-movie-set/ 21 February 2020 21 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200221135452/https://www.921hankfm.com/2019/11/19/cleburnes-rock-doubles-as-movie-set/ liveKroll Justin Luke Wilson's Sports Drama '12 Mighty Orphans' Adds Jake Austin Walker (EXCLUSIVE) 23 October 2019 Variety https://variety.com/2019/film/news/luke-wilson-12-mighty-orphans-jake-austin-walker-1203381412/ 21 February 2020 30 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191230001949/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/luke-wilson-12-mighty-orphans-jake-austin-walker-1203381412/ live Alice Eve was initially attached to the project early in the development, but dropped out for unknown reasons shortly afterwards.N'Duka Amanda Alice Eve Joins Luke Wilson In '12 Mighty Orphans' 1 October 2019 Yahoo! Finance https://finance.yahoo.com/news/alice-eve-joins-luke-wilson-155659082.html 21 February 2020 21 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200221133229/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/alice-eve-joins-luke-wilson-155659082.html live Release Sony Pictures Classics acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film in January 2021, five months pending the official release.Donnelly Matt Sony Pictures Classics Acquires '12 Mighty Orphans,' With Luke Wilson, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall (EXCLUSIVE) 19 January 2021 Variety https://variety.com/2021/film/news/sony-pictures-classics-luke-wilson-martin-sheen-12-mighty-orphans-1234887908/ 20 January 2021 20 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210120062202/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/sony-pictures-classics-luke-wilson-martin-sheen-12-mighty-orphans-1234887908/amp/ live It was released in a limited release on June 11, 2021 which was followed by a wide expansion one week later on June 18, 2021.https://deadline.com/2021/05/sony-pictures-classics-luke-wilson-martin-sheen-12-mighty-orphans-1234735879/ Sony Pictures Classics Sets Summer Release For Luke Wilson & Martin Sheen Football Drama '12 Mighty Orphans' Deadline Hollywood Anthony D'Alessandro April 16, 2021 April 16, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416151909/https://deadline.com/2021/04/sony-pictures-classics-luke-wilson-martin-sheen-12-mighty-orphans-1234735879/ livehttps://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/06/09/12-mighty-orphans-movie-where-to-watch/ WHERE TO WATCH 12 MIGHTY ORPHANS: IS THE 2021 MOVIE STREAMING? www.hitc.com 9 June 2021 19 September 2021 20 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212436/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/06/09/12-mighty-orphans-movie-where-to-watch/ live The film was released theatrically in the United Kingdom three months later on September 17, 2021.https://www.sonypictures.co.uk/movies/12mightyorphans 12 Mighty Orphans: Sony Pictures sonypictures.co.uk 1 September 2021 2 June 2022 Reception Box office In its opening weekend the film made $251,569 from 132 theatres. It expanded to 1,047 theatres the following weekend, making an estimated $870,000 and finishing in eighth place at the box office.D'Alessandro Anthony https://deadline.com/2021/06/ryan-reynolds-hitmans-wifes-bodyguard-weekend-box-office-1234777056/ 'Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard' Hits $17M 5-day Debut In Dull Father's Day Weekend (Which Is Starving For A Pixar Movie) – Update June 20, 2021 Deadline Hollywood June 20, 2021 June 18, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210618065628/https://deadline.com/2021/06/ryan-reynolds-hitmans-wifes-bodyguard-weekend-box-office-1234777056/ live Critical response On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 63% based on 89 reviews with an average rating of 6/10. The site’s critics consensus reads: "12 Mighty Orphans will rouse faithful fans of old fashioned inspirational sports dramas, but the target audience has seen this sort of thing done more effectively before." 12 Might Orphans (2021) 12_mighty_orphans movie February 25, 2023 On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 44 out of 100 based reviews from 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. 12-mighty-orphans movie 12 Might Orphans Reviews May 4, 2022 Audiences surveyed by PostTrak gave the film an 80% positive score, with 75% saying they would definitely recommend it. Peter Debruge of Variety called it "Square but satisfying" and said "sometimes they do make ‘em like they used to."June 17, 2021 Debruge Peter '12 Mighty Orphans' Review: Luke Wilson and Martin Sheen Topline This Solid Underdog Texas Football Drama https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/12-mighty-orphans-review-luke-wilson-1234998549/ Variety References External links 8482584 Category:Sports films based on actual events Category:Films based on non-fiction books Category:Films produced by Michael De Luca Category:Films scored by Mark Orton Category:American football films Category:Films set in the 1930s Category:Films shot in Texas Category:Films shot in Fort Worth, Texas Category:Sony Pictures Classics films Category:2021 sports films Category:2021 English-language films Category:2021 American films Category:English-language sports films Category:Films about Freemasonry