Synopsis

During the Christmas rush, siblings Spencer and Katherine Davenport are stranded at Hoover International Airport when a blizzard cancels their flight. Placed with other unaccompanied minors, they clash with one another and with the airport's stern head of security. As the adults lose control of the terminal, the children escape supervision, turn the airport into their playground, and form an unlikely holiday family.

Factoids & Trivia

• The premise was inspired by Susan Burton's account of being stranded with her sister at Chicago's O'Hare Airport on December 26, 1988. Burton later told the story on the public radio program This American Life, in the 2001 episode "Babysitting."

• Although the story is set at the fictional Hoover International Airport, much of the production took place in Utah. Salt Lake City International Airport, the Salt Palace Convention Center, and the Salt Lake City Public Library were used to create the airport setting.

• Teri Garr appears uncredited as Aunt Judy. She took the role as a personal favor to Paul Feig and reportedly did not accept payment.

• The film was released by Warner Bros. on December 8, 2006. With an estimated production budget of $25 million, it earned approximately $21.9 million worldwide.