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A Little Princess

Play trailer Poster for A Little Princess G Released May 10, 1995 1h 37m Kids & Family Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
When young Sara (Liesel Matthews) is sent to a boarding school by her well-meaning World War I-bound father (Liam Cunningham), the imaginative girl makes the best of things by entertaining her friends with fanciful tales. After running afoul of the strict headmistress, Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron), Sara receives some heartbreaking news, and is forced to work in servitude. As she struggles to keep her spirits up, she makes some remarkable discoveries that may change her seemingly bleak fate.
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A Little Princess

A Little Princess

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Critics Consensus

Alfonso Cuarón adapts Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel with a keen sense of magic realism, vividly recreating the world of childhood as seen through the characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Anthony Puccinelli Chicago Reader I’d advise all parents, even all grown-ups: Go. Rated: 3/4 Jun 7, 2022 Full Review Caroline Westbrook Empire Magazine Soppy and girlish in the extreme, this should keep even the tiniest viewer rapt, while all too many adults may fall victim to an inexplicable bout of eye-watering long before the closing credits. Rated: 4/5 May 27, 2011 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader The film uses studio resources to create an entrancing world both in New York and in the heroine's fantasies about India. May 27, 2011 Full Review Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) One of the most well-crafted, magical family films ever made Rated: 9/10 Apr 30, 2020 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Purely innocent, whimsical, and imaginative. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 29, 2019 Full Review Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy One of the very best children's movies of the past quarter-century. Rated: 9/10 Sep 18, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Eye C In his early stages of his career Cuarón delivers a moving picture of childhood and violence against it. And now I can see why they pick him for Harry Potter. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/22/25 Full Review Sway M Perfect in every way. No notes. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 37 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $9,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/01/25 Full Review Felipe M After 30 years this film has aged so well, what can I say that hasn't been said already, it touches the human heart in all the right places, Alfonso Cuaron best work in my opinion along side the most liked Harry Potter movie...(Children of men,what a film too) ..And Liesel Matthews, wow, Her story and background, she was so talented as a child. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/09/25 Full Review Sean M Absolutely incredible film! I remember watching this as a kid in the 90s and it’s still amazing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/25 Full Review Audience Member A gift of a movie. Very touching. Loved it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/23/24 Full Review Read all reviews
A Little Princess

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Movie Info

Synopsis When young Sara (Liesel Matthews) is sent to a boarding school by her well-meaning World War I-bound father (Liam Cunningham), the imaginative girl makes the best of things by entertaining her friends with fanciful tales. After running afoul of the strict headmistress, Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron), Sara receives some heartbreaking news, and is forced to work in servitude. As she struggles to keep her spirits up, she makes some remarkable discoveries that may change her seemingly bleak fate.
Director
Alfonso Cuarón
Producer
Mark Johnson
Screenwriter
Frances Hodgson Burnett, Richard LaGravenese, Elizabeth Chandler
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Brothers, Baltimore Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 10, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$9.0M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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