The Caprices of the Child King hits French screens on June 24, 2026. Directed by Michel Leclerc, this historical dramedy brings together, among others, Artus, Julia Piaton, Nemo Schiffman, Niels Hamel-Brochen and Franck Dubosc in a fiction set in 1651, amid the Fronde, itinerant theatre, and the dawning era of the Sun King.
The Whims of the Child King
Film | 2026
Cinema release: 24 June 2026
Dramedy, historical | Running time: 1h54
From Michel Leclerc | Screenplay by Michel Leclerc and Baya Kasmi
Starring Artus, Julia Piaton, Nemo Schiffman, Niels Hamel-Brochen, Franck Dubosc, Doria Tillier, Suzanne de Baecque
Distributor: Le Pacte
Audience: suitable for all, listed as accessible from age 8
Nationality: France
The story unfolds in 1651, with Louis XIV barely more than a boy. Amid Fronde-era fears, Anne of Austria arranges the king’s protection and has him replaced by a lookalike. The young king is entrusted to D’Artagnan, who passes him to Cyrano de Bergerac. He’s then hidden among the troupe of Madeleine Béjart and Molière.
From this starting point, Les Caprices de l’Enfant Roi blends historical figures with a touch of fiction. The film isn’t pitched as an academic reconstruction, but as a historical adventure comedy about learning power, theatre, and the making of the future Sun King.
The cast features Artus in the role of Cyrano de Bergerac, Julia Piaton as Madeleine Béjart, Nemo Schiffman as Molière, and Niels Hamel-Brochen as young Louis XIV. Franck Dubosc also appears in the cast, alongside Doria Tillier and Suzanne de Baecque.
The film should appeal to viewers seeking an accessible French historical comedy, with a swashbuckling narrative centered on well-known figures such as Louis XIV, Cyrano, Molière, and D’Artagnan. Its 8+ rating also positions it as a family-friendly option, while it’s less aimed at those who want a strictly historical approach.
The Caprices of the Child King was also shown at the Cannes Film Festival 2026 as part of Cinéma de la Plage, ahead of its nationwide theatrical release.
The official trailer offers a taste of the film's tone, weaving royal intrigue with theatre and historic adventure.
To extend your in-theater experience, check out the June cinema releases, the films to watch right now, and our pick of comedies to discover in cinemas.
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