Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear Share Their Dream of Buying the Van from Little Miss Sunshine: A Look Back at an Iconic Moment

Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin, Paul Dano, Steve Carell, and Greg Kinnear in the van from Little Miss Sunshine.
Credit: David Lee/20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight/Kobal/Shutterstock

NEAT DETAILS

• Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear expressed interest in purchasing the iconic van from Little Miss Sunshine after filming.
• The van is now on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
• This year marks the 20th anniversary of Little Miss Sunshine, with the cast reflecting on the film’s impact at a special screening during the Sundance Film Festival.

The cast of Little Miss Sunshine reminisced about their experiences during a special 20th-anniversary screening at the Sundance Film Festival on January 28. Notably, Collette and Kinnear shared their desire to buy the film’s iconic van after filming wrapped.

"I’d wanted one since I was 17 years old," Collette recalled of her interest in the yellow Volkswagen Type 2. The actress, nominated for a Golden Globe for her role as Sheryl in the film, mentioned that producer Peter Saraf ultimately took the van, though he faced constant attention due to its association with the film.

"That would’ve been an awkward auction," Kinnear quipped. "Me and Toni bidding on that thing and scrambling to try and get our hands on it. Of course it would’ve been an iconic vehicle, but we didn’t know that at the time."

Currently located at the Peterson Automotive Museum, Collette recounted a visit there when she discovered the van on display. "I didn’t know it was there. I took my son and then there it was. So I’m like, oh, come on, we’ve got to take photos," she said.

Released in July 2006, Little Miss Sunshine follows a dysfunctional family on an 800-mile journey across the United States so that young Olive, played by Abigail Breslin, can compete in a beauty pageant. The film received critical acclaim and highlighted the trials and tribulations of family dynamics.

Breslin’s performance led to a Best Supporting Actress nomination at just 10 years old at the Oscars, while Alan Arkin won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of grandpa Edwin Hoover. The film’s screenplay, penned by Michael Arndt, earned the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as well.

Steve Carell, Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette, and Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine.
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Paul Dano, Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin, and Greg Kinnear at the Park City Legacy screening of Little Miss Sunshine during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 28.
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The film continues to resonate with audiences, solidifying its place in cinematic history and celebrating its legacy as it reaches the two-decade mark.