Malcolm in the Middle

{{Short description|American television sitcom (2000–2006)}} {{Distinguish|The Middle (TV series)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox television | image = MitM credits logo.jpg | genre = {{Plainlist| * Sitcom * Black comedy * Cringe comedy * Slapstick }} | creator = Linwood Boomer | showrunner = {{Plainlist| * Linwood Boomer * Matthew Carlson }} | starring = {{Plainlist| * Jane Kaczmarek * Bryan Cranston * Christopher Masterson * Justin Berfield * Erik Per Sullivan * Catherine Lloyd Burns<!--Do not remove Burns from this list, she was credited with the main cast in the first two seasons.--> * Frankie Muniz<!--Do not move Muniz to the top of the list, he was credited last in the series and should be last here as well per MOS:TVCAST.-->}} | theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist| * John Flansburgh * John Linnell }} | open_theme = "Boss of Me" by They Might Be Giants | end_theme = "Boss of Me" (instrumental) | composer = {{Plainlist| * Charles Sydnor * They Might Be Giants }} | country = United States | language = English | num_seasons = 7 | num_episodes = 151 | list_episodes = List of Malcolm in the Middle episodes | executive_producer = {{Plainlist| * Linwood Boomer (seasons 1–6) * Matthew Carlson (season 7) * Alex Reid (season 7){{efn|Only credited in this role on the last seven episodes of the season.}} }} | producer = {{Plainlist| <!--Per the template, this should only be used for people credited under "Produced By".--> * Gordon Wolf (pilot) * Jimmy Simons }} | camera = Panavision; single-camera | runtime = 21–30 minutes | company = {{Plainlist| * Satin City Productions * Regency Television * Fox Television Studios{{efn|name=fn1|The Fox Television Studios logo is replaced with the 20th Century Fox Television logo on current high-definition prints of seasons 1 to 5.}}}} | network = Fox | first_aired = {{Start date|2000|1|9}} | last_aired = {{End date|2006|5|14}} | related = ''Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair'' }} '''''Malcolm in the Middle''''' is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series premiered on January 9, 2000, and ended on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons consisting of 151 episodes.

The single-camera series is a comedy that follows a dysfunctional working-class family and stars Frankie Muniz in the lead role as Malcolm, a child prodigy. The ensemble cast includes Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek as Malcolm's parents, Hal and Lois. Christopher Kennedy Masterson, Justin Berfield, and Erik Per Sullivan appear as Malcolm's brothers, Francis, Reese, and Dewey, respectively. Typical plots revolve around the family's dysfunctional relationships and inability to fit into society, with Malcolm regularly making asides to the camera to comment on their failures. Another brother, Jamie (James and Lukas Rodriguez), was introduced as the fifth son of Hal and Lois at the end of season four, with a further pregnancy in the series finale alluding to a sixth child.

''Malcolm in the Middle'' was produced by Satin City and Regency Television in association with Fox Television Studios. The show has been syndicated worldwide, and received widespread critical acclaim and proved a popular draw for Fox. It is placed on several lists of the greatest TV and sitcom series of all time.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 18, 2007 |title=The New Classics: TV |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-tv/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020093840/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20207339%2C00.html |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |date=April 18, 2012 |title=The 10 best shows in FOX network history |url=http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/the-10-best-shows-in-fox-network-history#3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122220757/http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/the-10-best-shows-in-fox-network-history#3 |archive-date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |website=HitFix}}</ref> It has won a Peabody Award, seven Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award and seven Golden Globe nominations. The show was influential as one of the first single-camera comedy series on TV without a live studio audience or laugh track.

A four-episode revival ''Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair'' was released on Hulu in April 2026, with Caleb Ellsworth-Clark replacing Sullivan as Dewey and Anthony Timpano replacing the Rodriguez twins as a now grown Jamie.

==Premise== The series follows Malcolm (Frankie Muniz), who is revealed in the first episode to be a genius with an IQ of 165. He is placed in a class for gifted students, known as the "Krelboynes", initially taught by Caroline Miller (Catherine Lloyd Burns). Malcolm is the third-born child in a dysfunctional working-class family of four (later five) boys, headed by Hal (Bryan Cranston) and Lois (Jane Kaczmarek).<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Roman |first=James W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h8AqrjoCueUC&pg=PA119 |title=From Daytime to Primetime: The History of American Television Programs |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-313-31972-3 |page=119 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120407/http://books.google.com/books?id=h8AqrjoCueUC&pg=PA119 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Abbott |first=Jon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gq-uf3wB-TcC&pg=PA139 |title=Irwin Allen Television Productions, 1964–1970: A Critical History of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants |date=October 3, 2006 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-8662-5 |page=139 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120431/http://books.google.com/books?id=Gq-uf3wB-TcC&pg=PA139 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the start of the series, the eldest son, Francis (Christopher Masterson), has been sent to military school, while his younger brothers Reese (Justin Berfield) and Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan) remain at home. With Francis away, Malcolm becomes the middle child. In the fourth season, Jamie (James and Lukas Rodriguez) is introduced as the fifth son of Hal and Lois. The early seasons focus on Malcolm’s struggles with the demands of being intellectually gifted and the challenges of his chaotic family life.

Later seasons expanded the show's scope by exploring the family's interactions with their extended family, friends and colleagues in more depth, including Lois' tyrannical mother Ida (Cloris Leachman); Lois' hapless coworker at the Lucky Aide drugstore Craig Feldspar (David Anthony Higgins); Malcolm's best friend Stevie Kenarban (Craig Lamar Traylor), who is both a wheelchair user and highly asthmatic; and Stevie's dad Abe (Gary Anthony Williams), as well as a series of continuing subplots detailing Francis' misadventures at the military academy, from which he subsequently disenrolls to work in an Alaskan logging camp, before finally landing a job on a dude ranch run by an eccentric German couple.

The series differed significantly from the standard TV sitcom presentation commonplace at the time. Malcolm routinely broke the fourth wall by both narrating in voice-over and talking directly to the viewer on camera. The distinctive look and sound of the series relied heavily on elaborate post-production, including fast-cut editing, sound effects, musical inserts, the extensive use of locations, and the unusual camera styles, compositions and effects (e.g. overhead, tracking, hand-held and crane shots, and the frequent use of a wide-angle lens for both close-ups and ensemble scenes) that would be generally impractical or impossible to achieve in a standard studio-based video multi-camera sitcom production.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Tom |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HeLhLCfwCbUC&pg=PA74 |title=Breaking the Fourth Wall: Direct Address in the Cinema |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-7486-4425-4 |page=74 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120414/http://books.google.com/books?id=HeLhLCfwCbUC&pg=PA74 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Moore |first=Barbara |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XELSaXYkpMwC&pg=PA47 |title=Prime-time Television: A Concise History |date=January 1, 2006 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-275-98142-6 |page=47 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120409/http://books.google.com/books?id=XELSaXYkpMwC&pg=PA47 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The show employed neither a laugh track (which was standard in other TV sitcoms) nor a live studio audience.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shuster |first=Fred |date=August 19, 2001 |title=''Malcolm'' power no longer a babe in the woods, this breakthrough series hits its growth spurt. |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/%60MALCOLM%27+POWER+NO+LONGER+A+BABE+IN+THE+WOODS,+THIS+BREAKTHROUGH...-a079092726 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615111515/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/%60MALCOLM%27+POWER+NO+LONGER+A+BABE+IN+THE+WOODS,+THIS+BREAKTHROUGH...-a079092726 |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=January 14, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Daily News}}</ref><ref name="Berman2011">{{Cite book |last=Berman |first=Garry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V-SLkIap93wC&pg=PR18 |title=Best of the Britcoms: From Fawlty Towers to The Office |date=January 2011 |publisher=Taylor Trade Publications |isbn=978-1-58979-566-2 |page=18 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120443/http://books.google.com/books?id=V-SLkIap93wC&pg=PR18 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Duffy |first=Mike |date=April 26, 2000 |title='Malcolm in the Middle' rides to the rescue of the TV sitcom |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=20000426&id=rVMjAAAAIBAJ&pg=3217,5213050 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512224719/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=20000426&id=rVMjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RDUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3217,5213050 |archive-date=May 12, 2017 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |work=Rome News-Tribune}}</ref> Emulating the style of hour-long dramas, this half-hour show was shot on film instead of on video.<ref name="Shuster LA">{{Cite news |last=Shuster |first=Fred |date=August 19, 2001 |title='Malcolm' Power No Longer a Babe in the Woods, This Breakthrough Series Hits Its Growth Spurt |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%60MALCOLM%27+POWER+NO+LONGER+A+BABE+IN+THE+WOODS,+THIS+BREAKTHROUGH...-a079092726 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018015136/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%60MALCOLM%27+POWER+NO+LONGER+A+BABE+IN+THE+WOODS,+THIS+BREAKTHROUGH...-a079092726 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |access-date=November 30, 2014 |work=Los Angeles Daily News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Tucker |first=Ken |date=February 25, 2002 |title=Watching Ellie |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/02/25/watching-ellie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180533/https://ew.com/article/2002/02/25/watching-ellie/ |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |quote="Malcolm in the Middle," now in its third season, opened up new stylistic possibilities in the shot-on-film sitcom genre.}}</ref><ref name="Battaglio2001">{{Cite news |last=Battaglio |first=Stephen |date=July 29, 2001 |title=Single-camera sitcoms make a comeback |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-single-camera-sitc/136389180/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207193820/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-single-camera-sitc/136389180/ |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |work=The News & Observer |page=9G |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>{{Clarify|reason=Certain audiences might not know what the difference is|date=August 2023}}

Another distinctive aspect of the show is that the cold open of nearly every episode is unrelated to the main story. Exceptions include episodes which were the conclusions of "two-parters"; each part two episode opened with a recap of its part one episode.

The family's surname is never mentioned directly in the series. Linwood Boomer's script for the pilot episode originally included the surname Wilkerson, but it was later removed because he did not want to put "any specific ethnic label on the characters".<ref name="Michaels2003">{{Cite news |last=Michaels |first=Taylor |date=February 2, 2003 |title=TV pipeline |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/anonymous-clipping-feb-02-2003-520024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183843/https://newspaperarchive.com/anonymous-clipping-feb-02-2003-520024/ |archive-date=January 14, 2018 |access-date=January 14, 2018 |work=Sun Journal |page=5 |via=NewspaperArchive.com}} {{free access}}</ref> The surname appeared in early drafts of promotional material and also on Francis' Marlin Academy uniform in the pilot. In the last episode of the series, "Graduation", Francis drops his ID badge from his new office job, which lists his name as "Francis Nolastname". Also, in that same episode, the principal announces Malcolm as the speaker, mouthing "Nolastname" as his voice is drowned out by microphone feedback. A publicist for Fox said that "officially the family's last name should be considered a mystery".<ref name="Michaels2003" />

== Characters == {{Main|List of Malcolm in the Middle characters{{!}}List of ''Malcolm in the Middle'' characters}}

<!--Do not reorder the following list per MOS:TVCAST.--> * Malcolm (played by Frankie Muniz) is the title character of the series. Malcolm is a genius with an IQ of 165 and a photographic memory.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Epstein |first=Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OENf1J45SS0C&pg=PA180 |title=Teen Two Point Zero |publisher=Linden Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-61035-101-0 |page=180 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120421/http://books.google.com/books?id=OENf1J45SS0C&pg=PA180 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Block Party |series=Malcolm in the Middle |network=Fox Network |date=January 4, 2004 |season=4 |number=8 |time=14:40 |quote=I have a photographic memory.}}</ref> He is placed in a class for gifted students (or "Krelboynes" as they are known at the school).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kendall |first=Diana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N0MNrturrJkC&pg=PA187 |title=Framing Class: Media Representations of Wealth and Poverty in America |date=April 16, 2011 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |isbn=978-1-4422-0225-2 |page=187 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120500/http://books.google.com/books?id=N0MNrturrJkC&pg=PA187 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> His high intelligence, as well as feelings of not fitting in, and a large ego fueled by a cruel streak of snarkiness cause numerous problems for him over the course of the series. As the title suggests, Malcolm is initially the middle child of the three living at home; chronologically, he is Hal and Lois' middle son. Despite his intelligence, Malcolm is just as immature and destructive as his brothers and is often the ringleader in their schemes. Throughout the show, Malcolm often strives for independence away from his controlling mother and often tries to have her see him as an equal. Due to his intelligence, Lois often makes decisions that she feels will benefit his education while keeping a close eye on him. It is revealed in the series finale that she does this so that he will one day become the President of the United States and use his position to help lower-class families like their own. His best friend is Stevie Kenarban. In the series finale, he graduates from high school and starts attending Harvard University by both scholarship and working various jobs, specifically as a janitor. * Lois (played by Jane Kaczmarek) is the family's temperamental and overbearing mother who is also an intelligent and decisive woman. Most of her bullishness comes from her constant battles throughout the series to keep her badly behaved, highly destructive boys in check, while maintaining a menial job at a Lucky Aide drugstore, as well as her own difficult upbringing with a tyrannical mother and an indifferent father. Though she is hard on her children for their constantly bad behavior, Lois can be just as petty and spiteful as them, e.g., going after a group of girls that humiliated Reese before his senior prom. Despite her constant aggressiveness, she is motherly<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jane Kaczmarek as Lois in Malcolm in the Middle |url=http://www.thecomedychannel.com.au/shows/malcolm-in-the-middle/cast/jane-kaczmarek.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226030652/http://www.thecomedychannel.com.au/shows/malcolm-in-the-middle/cast/jane-kaczmarek.html |archive-date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=The Comedy Channel |publisher=Foxtel}}</ref> and will defend her family fiercely, especially against neighbors and others who view them as poor trash; in one episode, she finds that Malcolm and Reese discovered their neighbor having an affair with her Mexican gardener while they planned to frame her son for theft, but does not punish them for their actions as this counted as revenge against the woman, who despised Lois. Lois is disliked by both Hal's wealthy family and her own parents. She has a younger sister named Susan, who blames Lois for stealing Hal from her. Neighbors hate Lois and her sons and celebrate the weekends when they are gone. In the series finale, she discovered that she and Hal are expecting a sixth child. * Hal (played by Bryan Cranston) is Lois' husband and father to Francis, Reese, Malcolm, Dewey and Jamie. Hal is a well-meaning, loving, but inept and completely immature father, and completely dependent on Lois, whom he loves absolutely. He comes from a wealthy family that does not accept Lois as his wife and who wish that he had married Susan instead. Because his family is disrespectful towards Lois, he rarely mentions them and avoids his family. Hal loves his boys and will sometimes sneak them out for fun father–son activities behind Lois' back. Hal is an indecisive character who frequently picks up new hobbies for short periods of time, such as speed walking or painting, and is irresponsible with the money he earns from his office job. His indecisiveness was explored in "Living Will" from a childhood which he had a hard time making decisions for himself and because of this, he always deferred to Lois to make them for him. In the series finale, he discovers that he and Lois are expecting a sixth child. Hal has a high sex drive, as revealed in the episode "Forbidden Girlfriend", and it is mentioned in the episode "Poker 2" that he has sex 14 times per week. Hal's best friend is Abe Kenarban. * Francis (played by Christopher Kennedy Masterson) is Hal and Lois' oldest son. At the beginning of the series, he is attending military school in Alabama,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Terrace |first=Vincent |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YX_daEhlnbsC&pg=PT4064 |title=Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 |date=November 6, 2008 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-8641-0 |edition=2 |page=4064 |access-date=March 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630034712/http://books.google.com/books?id=YX_daEhlnbsC&pg=PT4064 |archive-date=June 30, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> run by the strict Commandant Spangler (Daniel von Bargen).<ref name="todayfrancis" /> It is shown that his parents enjoyed a promising middle-class, comfortable lifestyle before he was born and that he was such a difficult, destructive child that their dream soon ended. He has himself legally emancipated at the start of season three, leaves the school, and travels to Alaska.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Emancipation |series=Malcolm in the Middle |network=Fox Network |date=November 14, 2001 |season=3 |number=2}}</ref> He finds work at a logging camp and later meets and marries Piama (Emy Coligado), a girl of Inuit heritage.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Hal's Birthday |series=Malcolm in the Middle |network=Fox Network |date=March 3, 2002 |season=3 |number=15}}</ref> When the camp closes, they move to the western United States and take jobs at a Wild West–themed hotel/ranch, run by kindly but eccentric Germans: Otto Mannkusser (played by Kenneth Mars) and his wife, Gretchen (played by Meagen Fay).<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Zoo |series=Malcolm in the Middle |network=Fox Network |date=November 3, 2002 |season=4 |number=1}}</ref> Francis and his mother have a mutual love–hate war of wills, and his main motivation in life is to thwart or irk her (though, ironically, he marries a woman with the same personality as Lois). Although a juvenile delinquent, he is streetwise. Francis is seen less frequently after season five, becoming a recurring character and making only a small handful of appearances in season six and season seven, which is the show's final season.<ref name="todayfrancis" /> Francis' steady job disappears in season six due to legal issues until the series' finale, "Graduation", reveals that he has been working for a few months in a stable tech company job entering data into computers. He admits to Hal that he likes his job, but also enjoys frustrating Lois by lying to her that he's unemployed. * Reese (played by Justin Berfield) is Hal and Lois' second son.<ref name="todayfrancis">{{Cite news |last=Wittler |first=Wendell |date=May 15, 2006 |title='Malcolm in the Middle,' but Francis in the end |url=http://www.today.com/id/12693308/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/malcolm-middle-francis-end/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316083825/http://www.today.com/id/12693308/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/malcolm-middle-francis-end/ |archive-date=March 16, 2014 |access-date=March 16, 2014 |work=Today.com}}</ref> The older brother of Malcolm, Dewey and Jamie, and younger brother of Francis, Reese is the most impulsive and physical of the boys.<ref name="Reese">{{Cite web |title=Justin Berfield as Reese in Malcolm in the Middle |url=http://www.thecomedychannel.com.au/shows/malcolm-in-the-middle/cast/justin-berfield.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226030659/http://www.thecomedychannel.com.au/shows/malcolm-in-the-middle/cast/justin-berfield.html |archive-date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=The Comedy Channel |publisher=Foxtel}}</ref> Lacking common sense, he is frequently outwitted and outspoken by other family members, and is gleefully violent.<ref name="Reese" /> Despite being dimwitted, Reese is able to devise plans thoroughly (although most of his plans tend to backfire), and is masterful at the rare tasks which can pin his drifting focus, such as driving, or cooking and baking (he is revealed to be a culinary prodigy).<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Reese Cooks |series=Malcolm in the Middle |network=Fox Network |date=March 4, 2001 |season=2 |number=18}}</ref> In the series finale, he finally graduates from high school after intentionally failing many times before, obtains full employment as a high school custodian, and shares an apartment with Craig. * Dewey (played by Erik Per Sullivan) is Hal and Lois' fourth son. He is the youngest child until the birth of Jamie, and often falls victim to his brothers' pranks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Erik Per Sullivan as Dewey in Malcolm in the Middle |url=http://www.thecomedychannel.com.au/shows/malcolm-in-the-middle/cast/erik-per-sullivan.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226030656/http://www.thecomedychannel.com.au/shows/malcolm-in-the-middle/cast/erik-per-sullivan.html |archive-date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=The Comedy Channel |publisher=Foxtel}}</ref> Starting in season 4, Dewey is shown to be very intelligent and musically gifted as he begins teaching himself to play the piano.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Reese Joins the Army: Part 1 |series=Malcolm in the Middle |network=Fox Network |date=May 16, 2004 |season=5 |number=21}}</ref> He has a very high tolerance for pain due to years of physical and mental abuse from his brothers. Dewey often resorts to Machiavellian schemes to one-up his brothers and parents. Despite his intelligence, he is placed in a remedial class for slower students (or "Buseys") due to a misunderstanding.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Dewey's Special Class |series=Malcolm in the Middle |network=Fox Network |date=May 2, 2004 |season=5 |number=18}}</ref> Dewey remains in the class and serves as their self-appointed teacher. By the seventh and final season of the show, the Busey class is no longer mentioned. He is the only sibling that eventually breaks the cycle of abusing the younger sibling, which ends up with him acting like a normal, lovable brother towards Jamie. In the series finale, he and Jamie are last seen hiding in the closet together after a prank, continuing their older brothers' tradition of incurring Lois' wrath. * Caroline Miller (played by Catherine Lloyd Burns) is Malcolm's teacher (seasons 1–2).

==Episodes== {{Main|List of Malcolm in the Middle episodes{{!}}List of ''Malcolm in the Middle'' episodes}}

{{:List of Malcolm in the Middle episodes}}

==Production== ===Development=== The pilot's script was initially being developed by UPN until Regency Television became involved.<ref name="Sitcom Savior" /> It was planned for the 1998–99 television season. However, when UPN's enthusiasm for the project waned, Gail Berman managed to rescue the pilot by bringing the project to Fox.<ref name="Sitcom Savior" /> The show was then moved to the 1999–2000 cycle where it was picked up by Fox.<ref name="Fox pilot">{{Cite news |title=Freshman Contenders: ''Malcolm in the Middle'' |url=https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/freshman-contenders-malcolm-in-the-middle-1117782721/ |access-date=July 3, 2021 |publisher=Variety |archive-date=September 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922132319/https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/freshman-contenders-malcolm-in-the-middle-1117782721/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Opening title=== The show's opening title features short clips from cult films or television shows, with earlier seasons being edited together with clips from the pilot and early episodes of the show. It was updated in season 4 to include clips from later seasons, set to the song "Boss of Me" by They Might Be Giants.

====Making of the opening title==== The ''Malcolm in the Middle'' title sequence was created by Emmy award winner Jeff Wunderlich of Wunderfilm Design, who is also responsible for other famous title sequences such as ''Friends'' and ''Scrubs''. Showrunner and creator Linwood Boomer approached Wunderlich to collaborate on the title sequence for the pilot; after reading the script, Wunderlich was certain that the show would win an Emmy and was excited to work with Boomer.<ref name=Smokin />

A major issue was that Boomer had no show footage when he first approached Wunderlich; considering title sequences typically require background footage for visuals, Wunderlich suggested that he use cheap to license third party clips to make up the gaps in the title sequence. Wunderlich said that he identified with Malcolm, and his childhood similarly consisted of getting beaten up by his older brothers all the time. However, when Boomer showed the title sequence to Fox executives, they stated it was far too violent. Needing to compromise, Boomer sent the show footage over and asked that Wunderlich weave the clips in between the show footage. As Wunderlich had been sourcing cheap VHS footage for the third party clips, the high quality 16mm series footage didn't edit into the clips cleanly. Wunderlich then copied the show footage to VHS tapes, played those tapes over his CRT TV in his living room, and manually panned and zoomed to create the title sequence.<ref name=Smokin />

In choosing the clips that ended up in the final edit, Wunderlich had to balance licensing fees with the theme of people getting beaten up and make the clips fit the theme of the name popping up. For example, when Jane Kaczmarek's (Lois) name appears, a monster erupts from the ocean. When Frankie Muniz's (Malcolm) name is shown, a giant brain is shown.<ref name=Smokin>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rykoi3_WDVU |title=The Hidden Story Told By Malcolm In The Middle's Title Sequence w/ Jeff Wunderlich |date=2026-03-08 |last=Smokin Sessions |access-date=2026-03-28 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

===Filming=== thumb|The house in Studio City as it appeared in 2009. Much of the filming for ''Malcolm in the Middle'' was done on location<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Finer |first1=Abby |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z46yeRpalUYC&pg=PA234 |title=Starting Your Television Writing Career: The Warner Bros. Television Writers Workshop Guide |last2=Pearlman |first2=Deborah |date=January 2004 |publisher=Syracuse University Press |isbn=978-0-8156-0831-8 |page=234 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120434/http://books.google.com/books?id=Z46yeRpalUYC&pg=PA234 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> in various parts of the thirty-mile zone around Los Angeles. A privately owned home, located in Studio City, California, was rented for upwards of $3,000 a day to film as the exterior of Malcolm's house.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Johnson |first=Tricia |date=July 5, 2001 |title=As seen on TV! |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,165987,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222061308/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,165987,00.html |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |quote=They pay about $3,000 to $4,000 a day.}}</ref> Rebuilt in 2011, the property is no longer recognizable due to its modern two-floor design. However, the house directly to the left of it is nearly identical to what it looked like during filming, still making it a frequent stop for fans of the show. Some high school scenes were filmed at Walter Reed Middle School,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where Was Malcolm in the Middle Filmed? Iconic LA Locations Guide |url=https://giggster.com/guide/movie-location/where-was-malcolm-in-the-middle-filmed |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=giggster.com |language=en}}</ref> and the Lucky Aide was represented by a Drug Emporium at 6020 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood. In "Stock Car Races", when Hal and the boys are entering a race track, the billboard behind the entrance displays the place as Irwindale Speedway, a real race track in Southern California. The last episode in the first season ("Water Park") was filmed at a water park called Wild Rivers located in Irvine, California. Though palm trees and desert scenery are seen in shots of the local region and town throughout the show, indicating a location in the Western United States, it is never revealed which state the show is set in (except for Francis' whereabouts in early seasons, such as his military school in Alabama and his job in Alaska. In Season 6 Episode 6 Hal's Christmas gift reveals a license plate showing it to be the "Cherokee state" or Oklahoma, during Lois' demo derby).

Studio filming for ''Malcolm in the Middle'' took place on Stage 21 at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, which included the interior of the home and the back yard.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alleman |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OPRKEpwjfLQC&pg=PA426 |title=Hollywood: The Movie Lover's Guide: The Ultimate Insider Tour of Movie L.A. |date=March 6, 2013 |publisher=Crown Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-8041-3777-5 |pages=424–426 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627133514/http://books.google.com/books?id=OPRKEpwjfLQC&pg=PA426 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The middle school play yard was at the northern point of the CBS studio property at the end of Radford Avenue. It was redressed as the high school courtyard starting in season 4 and was demolished in 2006–2007.

Hallmarks of the series' filming and structure, many of which heavily influenced later programs, included the following: * A cold open presenting one or more family members in an absurd situation that has little or nothing to do with the main plot of the episode. * A split-second whip pan as a transition from one scene to another. * Frequent pieces to camera delivered by Malcolm.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bland |first=Simon |date=September 3, 2020 |title=Malcolm in the Middle at 20: 'Everybody calls them dysfunctional – but it was a realistic family' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/malcolm-in-the-middle-interview-anniversary-bryan-cranston-frankie-muniz-a9701266.html |access-date=December 6, 2023 |work=The Independent |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180624/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/malcolm-in-the-middle-interview-anniversary-bryan-cranston-frankie-muniz-a9701266.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * An abrupt cut to black at the end of each segment, accompanied by the sound of a slamming door.

During the final two seasons, Christopher Masterson reduced his on-screen time in favor of writing and directing some episodes.

===Music=== The show's theme song, "Boss of Me", was written and recorded by the alternative rock group They Might Be Giants.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 2002 |title=CMJ New Music Monthly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LyoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA63 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120505/http://books.google.com/books?id=LyoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA63 |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |magazine=CMJ New Music |page=63 |issn=1074-6978}}</ref> The song won the "Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media" award at the 2002 Grammy Awards.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 25, 2002 |title=They Might Be Giants Tell Kids 'No!' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/75673/they-might-be-giants-tell-kids-no |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005132616/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/75673/they-might-be-giants-tell-kids-no |archive-date=October 5, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The band also performed nearly all of the incidental music for the show in its first two seasons.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=John |date=January 23, 2001 |title=Middle Tones |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-01-23/lifestyle/0101220333_1_john-flansburgh-theme-song-particle-man |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222033150/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-01-23/lifestyle/0101220333_1_john-flansburgh-theme-song-particle-man |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |work=Sun-Sentinel}}</ref>

Mood-setting music is sprinkled throughout the series, in lieu of audience laughter, in a way that resembles feature film more than other TV sitcoms. Some examples of this highly varied music include ABBA, Basement Jaxx, Sum 41, Kenny Rogers, Lemon Jelly, Lords of Acid, the Getaway People, En Vogue, Electric Light Orchestra, Fatboy Slim, Phil Collins, Claude Debussy, Tears for Fears, Slade, Quiet Riot, Queen, and Citizen King, whose song "Better Days" is played at the end of both the pilot episode and the series finale. The Southern California pop-punk band Lit have many of their songs featured in several episodes. Lit songs that were never released as singles were also used.

A soundtrack, ''Music from Malcolm in the Middle'', was released on November 21, 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2001 |title=Malcolm in the Middle SoundTrack |url=http://www.soundtrack.net/albums/database/?id=2648 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080301235228/http://www.soundtrack.net/albums/database/?id=2648 |archive-date=March 1, 2008 |access-date=February 22, 2008 |publisher=SoundTrackNet}}</ref>

==Broadcast and syndication== The show entered barter syndication in the fall of 2004 one month before the sixth season premiered on Fox, and it was later aired on FX from fall 2007 until fall 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2007 |title=Malcolm in the Middle: FX has the MALCOLM |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/malcolm-in-the-middle/forums/fx-has-the-malcolm-353-846879/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820054300/http://www.tv.com/shows/malcolm-in-the-middle/forums/fx-has-the-malcolm-353-846879/ |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref>

The show was launched on Nick at Nite on July 5, 2009, at 8:00&nbsp;pm with an all night marathon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2009 |title=Malcolm in the Middle Now Airing on 'Nick at Nite' |url=http://www.malcolminthemiddle.co.uk/2009/07/06/malcolm-in-the-middle-now-airing-on-nick-at-nite/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820112518/http://www.malcolminthemiddle.co.uk/2009/07/06/malcolm-in-the-middle-now-airing-on-nick-at-nite/ |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref> However, episodes were either skipped over or heavily edited due to content that was inappropriate for the network's standards. When Nick at Nite pulled ''Malcolm'', it began airing on TeenNick<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2010 |title=BET Schedules Season 4 of The Game, New Original Sitcom; Malcolm in the Middle Moves to TeenNick |url=http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2010/10/bet-schedules-season-4-of-game-new.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824120304/http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2010/10/bet-schedules-season-4-of-game-new.html |archive-date=August 24, 2013 |access-date=July 4, 2013}}</ref> from November 26, 2010, and continued until December 2010. The show returned to TeenNick's line-up on July 18, 2011.

On September 26, 2011, ''Malcolm in the Middle'' began airing on IFC.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2011 |title=IFC Acquires Malcolm in the Middle; NBC Cancels Playboy Club, Picks-Up Up All Night, Whitney |url=http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2011/10/ifc-acquires-malcolm-in-middle-nbc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708081400/http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2011/10/ifc-acquires-malcolm-in-middle-nbc.html |archive-date=July 8, 2014 |access-date=August 19, 2014 |publisher=Sitcoms Online}}</ref> From March 5, 2018, to November 30, 2025, the series aired on Fuse.

On April 11, 2019, it was originally revealed that the show would be available on Disney+,<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2019 |title=Your Complete Guide to Disney+ Entertainment |url=https://d23.com/complete-guide-disney-entertainment/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419001600/https://d23.com/complete-guide-disney-entertainment/ |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=April 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Malcolm in the Middle |url=https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/series/malcolm-in-the-middle/5mNQERYSP5YN |access-date=April 22, 2022 |publisher=Disney+ |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527103707/https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/series/malcolm-in-the-middle/5mNQERYSP5YN |url-status=live }}</ref> Disney's direct-to-consumer streaming service, at launch on November 12, 2019. However, the show was not available on launch day for unknown reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Disney+ Users Frustrated Malcolm in the Middle Is Missing |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2019/11/13/disney-malcolm-in-the-middle-fans-upset-series-not-available/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113052525/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2019/11/13/disney-malcolm-in-the-middle-fans-upset-series-not-available/ |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |access-date=November 12, 2019 |publisher=Comicbook.com}}</ref> In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney sent a survey out to Disney+ consumers asking if they would like content on the site such as ''Malcolm in the Middle'' and other "mature" shows such as ''Firefly'', ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', and ''Modern Family''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Matt |date=March 30, 2020 |title=Disney Plus Surveys Users About Adding More Mature Content |url=https://www.screengeek.net/2020/03/30/disney-plus-mature-content-survey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819113905/https://www.screengeek.net/2020/03/30/disney-plus-mature-content-survey/ |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=March 31, 2020 |website=Screen Geek}}</ref> The series is currently available to watch on Hulu.

In the United Kingdom, the series originally aired on Sky1 from September 3, 2000, later also airing on Sky2 before finally leaving all Sky channels in December 2010. It also aired on free-to-air BBC Two from April 6, 2001, to March 7, 2009. From January 3, 2011, it aired on Fiver (now 5*) at 6:00 pm and again at about 7:30 pm, later moving to a weekly slot at 3:15 pm on Saturday afternoons. Repeats continued until January 18, 2014. Comedy Central UK and Ireland picked up the show in November 2015 and aired until 2018. Nickelodeon UK also began showing the series in 2018. 4Music started showing two episodes daily at 6.00 pm and 6.30 pm, from July 6, 2020. The show currently airs on E4 Extra. As of December 2021, the series is available on Disney+ in the UK.

In Kenya, the show used to air Thursdays at 7:30 pm on NTV from 2003 to 2005.{{citation needed|date=May 2026}}

==Home media== Only the first season of ''Malcolm in the Middle'' has been released on DVD. In the U.S., season two was set to be released in the fall of 2003, but was cancelled due to high costs of music clearances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=David |date=November 30, 2003 |title=Malcolm in the Middle – Season 2 (plus Other Shows) Hamstrung by Music Clearances |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Malcolm-Middle/870 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222131402/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Malcolm-Middle/870 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |work=TVShowsOnDVD.com}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Name ! Format ! Region 1 ! Region 2/B ! Region 4 ! French release date ! Ep # ! # of discs ! Extras and notes |- | The Complete First Season | rowspan="8" | DVD | {{nowrap|October 29, 2002}} | {{nowrap|September 24, 2012}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2012 |title=Malcolm in the Middle – Season 1 |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0073V2GIS/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819113851/https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0073V2GIS/ |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=April 26, 2012 |website=Amazon.co.uk}}</ref> | September 4, 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Malcolm in the Middle – Season 1 |url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-1/689238 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222020235/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-1/689238 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=JB Hi-Fi}}</ref> | March 4, 2014<ref>{{Cite web |title=La saison 1 de Malcolm sortira en DVD en mars 2014 – Malcolm France |url=http://malcolm-france.com/news.php?id=371 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018015136/http://malcolm-france.com/news.php?id=371 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |access-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|16 | style="text-align:center;"|3 | Extended pilot episode, ''A Stroke of Genius'' featurette, commentary on select episodes, gag reel, deleted scenes, alternate show openings, bloopers, ''Dewey's Day Job'' featurette. |- | The Complete Second Season | rowspan=8 style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | <small>N/A</small> | {{nowrap|November 19, 2012}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2012 |title=Malcolm in the Middle: The Complete Second Season |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-Middle-Season-2-DVD/dp/B009G248AG/ref=sr_1_4?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1348602141&sr=1-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819113851/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-Middle-Season-2-DVD/dp/B009G248AG/ref=sr_1_4?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1348602141&sr=1-4 |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |website=Amazon.co.uk}}</ref> | September 4, 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Malcolm in the Middle – Season 2 |url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-2/689284 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015095740/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-2/689284 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=JB Hi-Fi }}</ref> | April 8, 2014 | style="text-align:center;"|25 | style="text-align:center;"|4 | Still Gallery |- | The Complete Third Season | {{nowrap|February 4, 2013}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2013 |title=Malcolm in the Middle: The Complete Third Season DVD |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-In-The-Middle-Complete/dp/B00ARZ1NUE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360321456&sr=8-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819113853/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-In-The-Middle-Complete/dp/B00ARZ1NUE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360321456&sr=8-2 |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=September 6, 2015 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk}}</ref> | September 4, 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Malcolm in the Middle – Season 3 |url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-3/689286 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015100440/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-3/689286 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=JB Hi-Fi }}</ref> | rowspan=7 style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | <small>N/A</small> | style="text-align:center;"|22 | style="text-align:center;"|3 | A Still Gallery is listed but is absent from the actual DVDs |- | The Complete Fourth Season | {{nowrap|March 4, 2013}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 11, 2013 |title=Malcolm in the Middle: The Complete Fourth Season DVD |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-In-The-Middle-Complete/dp/B00ARZ1NT0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1360321456&sr=8-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819113854/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-In-The-Middle-Complete/dp/B00ARZ1NT0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1360321456&sr=8-4 |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=September 6, 2015 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk}}</ref> | September 4, 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Malcolm in the Middle – Season 4 |url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-4/689239 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130811141829/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-4/689239 |archive-date=August 11, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=JB Hi-Fi}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|22 | style="text-align:center;"|3 | A Still Gallery is listed but is absent from the actual DVDs |- | The Complete Fifth Season |{{nowrap|April 29, 2013}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2013 |title=Malcolm in the Middle: The Complete Fifth Season DVD |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BY4MUQS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819113857/https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BY4MUQS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=September 6, 2015 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk}}</ref> | September 4, 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Malcolm in the Middle – Season 5 |url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-5/689247 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015100509/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-5/689247 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=JB Hi-Fi}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|22 | style="text-align:center;"|3 | |- | The Complete Sixth Season | {{nowrap|May 27, 2013}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fabulous Films |url=http://www.fabulousfilms.com/products/128 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908024816/http://www.fabulousfilms.com/products/128 |archive-date=September 8, 2015 |access-date=September 6, 2015 |website=FabulousFilms.com}}</ref> | September 4, 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Malcolm in the Middle – Season 6 |url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-6/689279 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015100437/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-6/689279 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=JB Hi-Fi}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|22 | style="text-align:center;"|3 | |- | The Complete Seventh Season | {{nowrap|October 7, 2013}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2013 |title=Malcolm In The Middle – The Complete Seventh Season DVD |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-In-The-Middle-Complete/dp/B00E8GPPG6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913043053/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-In-The-Middle-Complete/dp/B00E8GPPG6 |archive-date=September 13, 2015 |access-date=September 6, 2015 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk}}</ref> | {{nowrap|September 4, 2013}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malcolm in the Middle: Season 7 |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-7/dp/6143209 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910054827/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/malcolm-in-the-middle-season-7/dp/6143209 |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |access-date=September 2, 2013 |website=EzyDVD}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|22 | style="text-align:center;"|3 | |- | The Complete Collection Box Set | {{nowrap|October 17, 2013}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2013 |title=Malcolm In The Middle: The Complete Collection Box Set – Seasons 1–7 DVD |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-In-The-Middle-Collection/dp/B00E8GPPGQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921044615/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-In-The-Middle-Collection/dp/B00E8GPPGQ |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |access-date=September 6, 2015 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk}}</ref> | {{nowrap|September 4, 2013}}<ref name="AusComplete">{{Cite web |title=Malcolm in the Middle: The Complete Series |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/malcolm-in-the-middle-the-complete-series/dp/6143210 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924125317/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/malcolm-in-the-middle-the-complete-series/dp/6143210 |archive-date=September 24, 2013 |access-date=September 2, 2013 |website=EzyDVD}}</ref> | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|151 | style="text-align:center;" |22 | rowspan="2" | Extended pilot episode, ''A Stroke of Genius'' featurette, commentary on select episodes, gag reel, deleted scenes, alternate show openings, bloopers, ''Dewey's Day Job'' featurette, Season 2 Still Gallery. |- | The Complete Series | SD on Blu-ray | September 13, 2019<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Tjpeople |title=German Blu-rays of Malcolm in the Middle released in Sept 2019!|url=https://www.malcolminthemiddle.co.uk/2019/05/02/german-blu-rays-of-malcolm-in-the-middle-malcolm-mittendrin-released-in-sept-2019/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118162534/https://www.malcolminthemiddle.co.uk/2019/05/02/german-blu-rays-of-malcolm-in-the-middle-malcolm-mittendrin-released-in-sept-2019/ |archive-date=November 18, 2019|access-date=April 30, 2026 |website=malcolminthemiddle.co.uk |date=May 2, 2019 }}</ref> | style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | <small>N/A</small> | style="text-align:center;"|5 |}

In February 2012, it was announced that Fabulous Films would be releasing the first season of the show in the UK in April, as well as releasing each subsequent season the following month, ending with a complete series set near Christmas 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Tjpeople |date=February 1, 2012 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Malcolm in the Middle Seasons 1–7 Coming to DVD Starting April 2012! |work=Malcolm in the Middle |url=http://www.malcolminthemiddle.co.uk/2012/02/01/exclusive-malcolm-in-the-middle-seasons-1-7-coming-to-dvd-starting-april-2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209200902/http://www.malcolminthemiddle.co.uk/2012/02/01/exclusive-malcolm-in-the-middle-seasons-1-7-coming-to-dvd-starting-april-2012 |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref> However, in late March 2012, several retailers had removed the release date from their websites; this was later revealed to be because of "technical issues with the Masters" and that the release date had been pushed back to June.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2012 |title=Wesley Mead – Has MITM S1 been delayed? Play have removed the... |url=https://www.facebook.com/fabulousfilms/posts/10150773464933755 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018015137/https://www.facebook.com/fabulousfilms/posts/10150773464933755 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |website=Facebook}}</ref> Other seasons will now follow on either a monthly or bi-monthly basis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2012 |title=I heard that all seven seasons of MITM are... – Alexandre Salcedo |url=https://www.facebook.com/fabulousfilms/posts/10150787121798755 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018015136/https://www.facebook.com/fabulousfilms/posts/10150787121798755 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |website=Facebook}}</ref>

All the UK DVD releases are intact as originally aired with no cuts, with the original music, with the exception of one season three episode "Company Picnic" which was originally aired as a one-hour special, before being re-edited and split into two parts for syndication. The DVD presents the syndicated version.

All seven seasons as well as the complete series set were released in Australia in September 2013. The complete series set altered the separate seven season sets to fit into four volumes. A collector's edition boxset which has the seasons split up instead of volumes was released subsequently in 2014. It features everything from the four-volume set and includes a bonus T-shirt. This set is exclusive to Australia.<ref name="AusComplete" />

In May 2019, Turbine Medien announced the first ever Blu-ray release of the complete series in Germany, that was released in September 2019. The release however, was in Standard Definition, in similar fashion to the PAL DVD releases.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Tjpeople |date=May 2, 2019 |title=German Blu-rays of Malcolm in the Middle (Malcolm Mittendrin) released in Sept 2019! |work=Malcolm in the Middle |url=https://www.malcolminthemiddle.co.uk/2019/05/02/german-blu-rays-of-malcolm-in-the-middle-malcolm-mittendrin-released-in-sept-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819113859/https://www.malcolminthemiddle.co.uk/2019/05/02/german-blu-rays-of-malcolm-in-the-middle-malcolm-mittendrin-released-in-sept-2019/ |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref>

==Reception== ===Critical response=== Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave the show's first season a score of 88 out of 100 based on 26 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malcolm in the Middle: Season 1 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328162244/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/malcolm-in-the-middle |archive-date=March 28, 2014 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc.}}</ref>

===Ratings=== The show achieved Fox's biggest ratings for a premiere since ''The Simpsons'' in 1990 with an audience of more than 23 million for the debut episode and Fox's biggest rating for a show aired directly after ''The Simpsons''.<ref name="Sitcom Savior">{{Cite magazine |last1=Adalian |first1=Josef |last2=Schneider |first2=Michael |date=January 17, 2000 |title=Sitcom savior? |url=https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/sitcom-savior-1117760956/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704045247/http://variety.com/2000/tv/news/sitcom-savior-1117760956/ |archive-date=July 4, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2021 |magazine=Variety}}</ref> 26 million watched the second episode.<ref>{{Cite news |last=De Leon |first=Kris |date=July 5, 2009 |title='Malcolm in the Middle' Airing on Nick at Nite |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/malcolm-in-the-middle/malcolm-in-the-middle-airing-o-29773.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625173028/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/malcolm-in-the-middle/malcolm-in-the-middle-airing-o-29773.aspx |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |work=BuddyTV}}</ref>

Fox shuffled the show's air time repeatedly to make room for other shows. On January 13, 2006, Fox announced that the show would be moving to 7:00&nbsp;pm on Sundays effective January 29, 2006.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2006 |title=Malcolm sitcom axed over ratings |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4624688.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222030432/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4624688.stm |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The 151st and final episode of the series aired at 8:30&nbsp;pm ET/PT (the show's original timeslot) on May 14, 2006,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Frazier |date=May 11, 2006 |title='Malcolm' and '70s Show' overstayed welcome |url=http://www.today.com/id/12745177/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/malcolm-s-show-overstayed-welcome/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604131842/http://www.today.com/id/12745177/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/malcolm-s-show-overstayed-welcome/ |archive-date=June 4, 2015 |access-date=June 17, 2014 |work=Today.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and was watched by 7.4 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keveney |first=Bill |date=May 17, 2006 |title='House' raises its numbers |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-16-nielsen-analysis_x.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621154349/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-16-nielsen-analysis_x.htm |archive-date=June 21, 2015 |access-date=June 17, 2014 |work=USA Today}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- style="background:#e0e0e0; vertical-align:bottom;" ! Season ! Season premiere ! Season finale ! TV season ! Timeslot ! Ranking ! Viewers<br />(in millions) |- style="background:#f9f9f9;" | 1 | January 9, 2000 | May 21, 2000 | 1999–2000 | rowspan="1"|Sundays at 8:30 ! #18<ref name="9900season">{{Cite news |title=Top TV Shows For 1999–2000 Season |url=https://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=chart_pass&charttype=chart_topshows99&dept=TV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120065741/http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=chart_pass&charttype=chart_topshows99&dept=TV |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |access-date=February 12, 2010 |work=Variety}}</ref> ! 15.2<ref name="9900season" /> |- style="background:#f9f9f9;" | 2 | November 5, 2000 | May 20, 2001 | 2000–01 | rowspan="1"|Sundays <small>(Episodes 1, 3, 5, 7, 9-25)</small><br /> Wednesdays at 8:30 <small>(Episodes 2, 4, 6, 8)</small> ! #22<ref name="0001season">{{Cite magazine |date=June 1, 2001 |title=The Bitter End |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/06/01/bitter-end/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718141929/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,256435,00.html |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |issue=598}}</ref> ! 14.5<ref name="0001season" /> |- style="background:#f9f9f9;" | 3 | November 11, 2001 | May 12, 2002 | 2001–02 | rowspan="1"|Sundays <small>(Episodes 1, 3, 5-22)</small><br /> Wednesdays at 8:30 <small>(Episodes 2, 4)</small> ! #25<ref name="0102season">{{Cite news |date=May 28, 2002 |title=How did your favorite show rate? |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013190555/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm |archive-date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |work=USA Today}}</ref> ! 13.0<ref name="0102season" /> |- style="background:#f9f9f9;" | 4 | November 3, 2002 | May 18, 2003 | 2002–03 | rowspan="2"|Sundays at 9:00 ! #43<ref name="0203season">{{Cite magazine |date=June 6, 2003 |title=Rank And File |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/06/06/rank-and-file/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101051802/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,455439,00.html |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |issue=713}}</ref> ! 10.7<ref name="0203season" /> |- style="background:#f9f9f9;" | 5 | November 2, 2003 | May 23, 2004 | 2003–04 ! #71<ref name="0304season">{{Cite web |title=I. T. R. S. Ranking Report: 01 Thru 210 |url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930171419/http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=February 12, 2010 |publisher=ABC Medianet}}</ref> ! 8.4<ref name="0304season" /> |- style="background:#f9f9f9;" | 6 | November 7, 2004 | May 15, 2005 | 2004–05 | Sundays at 7:30 ! #99<ref name="0405season">{{Cite news |date=May 27, 2005 |title=Primetime series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115020926/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471 |archive-date=November 15, 2009 |access-date=February 12, 2010 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> ! 5.6<ref name="0405season" /> |- style="background:#f9f9f9;" | 7 | September 30, 2005 | May 14, 2006 | 2005–06 | Fridays at 8:30 <small>(Episodes 1–11)</small><br />Sundays at 7:00 <small>(Episodes 12–21)</small><br />Sunday at 8:30 <small>(Episode 22)</small> ! #127<ref name="0506season">{{Cite news |date=May 26, 2006 |title=Series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111054151/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393 |archive-date=January 11, 2010 |access-date=February 12, 2010 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> ! 3.8<ref name="0506season" /> |}

===Awards and nominations=== {{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Malcolm in the Middle{{!}}List of awards and nominations received by ''Malcolm in the Middle''}}

Jane Kaczmarek and Cloris Leachman were nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award every year they appeared on the show, as leading and guest actress, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jane Kaczmarek |url=http://www.emmys.com/bios/jane-kaczmarek |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222054200/http://www.emmys.com/bios/jane-kaczmarek |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=Emmy Awards |publisher=Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences}}</ref><ref name="Leachman">{{Cite web |title=Cloris Leachman |url=http://www.emmys.com/bios/cloris-leachman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228224643/http://www.emmys.com/bios/cloris-leachman |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=Emmy Awards |publisher=Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences}}</ref> Leachman won in 2002 and 2006.<ref name="Leachman" /> Frankie Muniz was nominated once for lead actor, and Bryan Cranston three times for supporting actor. The show won a total of seven Emmys during its six-year run<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malcolm In The Middle |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/malcolm-middle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217234317/http://www.emmys.com/shows/malcolm-middle |archive-date=February 17, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=Emmy Awards |publisher=Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences}}</ref> and a Peabody Award.<ref>[http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/malcolm-in-the-middle 60th Annual Peabody Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827060820/http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/malcolm-in-the-middle |date=August 27, 2017 }}, May 2001.</ref> Kaczmarek was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards, Muniz was nominated twice, and Cranston was nominated once.

==Legacy== The show was influential as a family sitcom that was not filmed in front of a live studio audience and did not feature a laugh track, in addition to being one of the first comedy series to use a single-camera filming style, which was later used in shows such as ''The Bernie Mac Show'', ''Scrubs'', ''The Office'', ''Everybody Hates Chris'', ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'', ''30 Rock'', ''Modern Family'', and ''Arrested Development''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=December 13, 2024 |title='Malcolm In The Middle' Revived For New Episodes On Disney+ With Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston & Jane Kaczmarek |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/malcolm-in-the-middle-revival-frankie-muniz-bryan-cranston-1236202546/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213172225/https://deadline.com/2024/12/malcolm-in-the-middle-revival-frankie-muniz-bryan-cranston-1236202546/ |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |work=Deadline}}</ref><ref name="Battaglio2001" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |date=January 24, 2000 |title=The 'Malcolm' Sensibility; New Sitcom's Early Success May Spawn Host of Imitators |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/24/business/the-malcolm-sensibility-new-sitcom-s-early-success-may-spawn-host-of-imitators.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203145556/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/24/business/the-malcolm-sensibility-new-sitcom-s-early-success-may-spawn-host-of-imitators.html |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fernandes da Conceição |first=Ricky |date=February 12, 2021 |title=20 Years Later And How Malcolm In The Middle Revolutionized The Sitcom |url=https://goombastomp.com/20-years-later-and-how-malcolm-in-the-middle-revolutionized-the-sitcom/ |access-date=August 25, 2021 |website=Gooba Stomp |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517151425/https://goombastomp.com/20-years-later-and-how-malcolm-in-the-middle-revolutionized-the-sitcom/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 2017 film ''The Disaster Artist'', Bryan Cranston appeared as himself, offering Greg Sestero a guest role on an episode of ''Malcolm in the Middle''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martinelli |first=Marissa |title=Fact vs Fiction in The Disaster Artist |url=https://slate.com/culture/2017/12/fact-vs-fiction-in-the-disaster-artist.html |access-date=February 20, 2021 |publisher=Slate |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306165346/https://slate.com/culture/2017/12/fact-vs-fiction-in-the-disaster-artist.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The series served as inspiration for episode 6 of the Disney+ Marvel Cinematic Universe television miniseries ''WandaVision'', and the intro of ''WandaVision'' show in show also parodies ''Malcolm in the Middle''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bojalad |first=Alec |date=February 12, 2021 |title=WandaVision: The Sitcom Influences of Episode 6 |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/wandavision-episode-6-malcolm-in-the-middle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213180801/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/wandavision-episode-6-malcolm-in-the-middle/ |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |website=Den of Geek}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |date=February 12, 2021 |title='WandaVision' Recap: Stuck in the Middle With You |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-recaps/wandavision-recap-episode-6-all-new-halloween-spooktacular-1127481/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211121243/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-recaps/wandavision-recap-episode-6-all-new-halloween-spooktacular-1127481/ |archive-date=February 11, 2022 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> In episode 8 of the series, a DVD box of the first season can be seen among DVDs of other shows. Later in that same episode, the main characters are watching season seven's second episode "Health Insurance".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Liz Shannon |date=February 26, 2021 |title='WandaVision' Episode 8 Recap: Time to Look At Some Real Reruns |url=https://collider.com/wandavision-episode-8-recap-explained/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026214855/https://collider.com/wandavision-episode-8-recap-explained/ |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |website=Collider}}</ref>

There is an alternate ending to ''Breaking Bad'' released on the complete series DVD box set, where Hal (whose actor Cranston plays Walter White in ''Breaking Bad'') wakes up from a dream, revealing the entirety of ''Breaking Bad'' to be a bad dream in ''Malcolm in the Middle'' that Hal had after eating deep-fried Twinkies. This is a parody of the ending to the show ''Newhart''.

The series is referenced heavily in the fifth episode of the sixteenth season of the sitcom ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' — "Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab" — which features Cranston guest-starring as himself. Throughout the episode, the gang recognizes Cranston for his work on ''Malcolm'' and mistake his ''Breaking Bad'' co-star Aaron Paul to be Malcolm himself. The characters Dennis and Frank Reynolds also praise the show, with Frank saying it "changed the game".

==Adaptation== In 2013, Russian channel STS produced a shot-for-shot adaptation of ''Malcolm in the Middle'' entitled ''Супер Макс'' (''Super Max''), comprising one season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barraclough |first=Leo |date=July 30, 2013 |title=Yuliana Slashcheva to Lead Russian Network CTC |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/international/yuliana-slashcheva-to-lead-russian-network-ctc-1200569689/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304192559/http://variety.com/2013/tv/international/yuliana-slashcheva-to-lead-russian-network-ctc-1200569689/ |archive-date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |work=Variety}}</ref>

==Revival== {{Main|Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair{{!}}Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair}}

In 2016, Bryan Cranston openly expressed interest in doing a reunion.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzpCIsBZiIk |title=Would Bryan Cranston Do a "Malcolm in the Middle" Reunion? {{!}} E! Red Carpet & Award Shows |date=June 22, 2016 |publisher=E! Insider |access-date=October 2, 2022 |website=YouTube |archive-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002183227/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzpCIsBZiIk |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Frankie Muniz, while speaking on Steve-O's podcast, revealed that Cranston was writing a script for a movie reunion and that the entire cast was ready to return except for one hold out, though he kept the identity confidential. In December 2023, it was suggested that the hold out was the creator of the show, Linwood Boomer, during Muniz's appearance on Mayim Bialik's<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2023 |title=Malcolm in the Middle Revival is Being Discussed, Frankie Muniz Would 'Love' to be Involved |url=https://movieweb.com/malcolm-in-the-middle-revival-discussed-frankie-muniz-love-involved/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518022918/https://movieweb.com/malcolm-in-the-middle-revival-discussed-frankie-muniz-love-involved/ |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=January 31, 2024}}</ref> podcast and that he would only be part of the revival if two specific previous writers were on board.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l4odcSGBA0 |title=Frankie Muniz on a "Malcolm In The Middle" Reboot! {{!}} Wild Ride! Clips |date=December 26, 2021 |publisher=Steve-O's Wild Ride! - Clips |access-date=October 2, 2022 |website=YouTube |archive-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002183225/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l4odcSGBA0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2024, it was announced that a four-episode revival was in the works for Disney+ with Muniz, Cranston and Kaczmarek reprising their roles. It follows Malcolm and his daughter as Hal and Lois demand their presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=December 13, 2024 |title='Malcolm In The Middle' Revived For New Episodes On Disney+ With Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston & Jane Kaczmarek |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/malcolm-in-the-middle-revival-frankie-muniz-bryan-cranston-1236202546/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213170850/https://deadline.com/2024/12/malcolm-in-the-middle-revival-frankie-muniz-bryan-cranston-1236202546/ |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> Initially, the project was pitched as a two-hour movie before being split into four 30-minute episodes for the streaming service.<ref name="muniz feb 2025">{{Cite web |last=Casio |first=Jerome |date=February 6, 2025 |title='We Leave It On A Great Note': Frankie Muniz Shares New Malcolm In The Middle Revival Details |url=https://screenrant.com/malcolm-in-the-middle-revival-format-story-details-muniz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304094202/https://screenrant.com/malcolm-in-the-middle-revival-format-story-details-muniz/ |archive-date=March 4, 2025 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref> The series commenced filming in April 2025, in accordance with Muniz's NASCAR schedule.<ref name="malcolm nascar schedule">{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Palak |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Frankie Muniz reveals production schedule for "Malcolm In The Middle" reunion, adjusting to major NASCAR commitment |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/news-frankie-muniz-reveals-production-schedule-malcolm-in-the-middle-reunion-adjusting-major-nascar-commitment |access-date=January 24, 2025 |website=Sportskeeda |archive-date=April 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430073844/https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/news-frankie-muniz-reveals-production-schedule-malcolm-in-the-middle-reunion-adjusting-major-nascar-commitment |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2025, it was revealed that Berfield and Masterson would reprise their roles, while Erik Per Sullivan was replaced by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark as Dewey. Further castings were also revealed with the additions of Anthony Timpano (as Jamie), Vaughan Murrae (as new sibling Kelly), Kiana Madeira (as Malcolm's girlfriend Tristan) and Keeley Karsten (as Malcolm's daughter Leah).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Ryan |date=March 25, 2025 |title=Malcolm in the Middle Revival's Major Recast: Meet the New Dewey! |url=https://tvline.com/casting-news/malcolm-in-the-middle-reboot-cast-new-dewey-disney-plus-1235422304/ |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=TVLine}}</ref> The filming was completed in May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garner |first=Glenn |date=2025-05-16 |title='Malcolm In The Middle' Reboot Wraps After Frankie Muniz "Proudly" Returns To Acting |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/malcolm-in-the-middle-reboot-wraps-frankie-muniz-1236401719/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

The four-episode miniseries was released on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ on April 10, 2026.<ref name="Variety trailer">{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=2025-12-29 |title=''Malcolm in the Middle'' Revival Trailer: Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston Reunite After Nearly 20 Years; April Release Date Set |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/malcolm-in-the-middle-revival-trailer-april-release-date-1236618966/ |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notes== <!-- DO NOT REMOVE THIS NOTE --> {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{commons category}} {{wikiquote|Malcolm in the Middle}} * {{IMDb title|0212671}}

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