Newsies

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Newsies

PG

1992

2h 1m

Kids & Family

Musical

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In this musical, homeless New York City newsboy Jack "Cowboy" Kelly (Christian Bale) befriends two newcomers to his trade, brothers David (David Moscow) and Les Jacobs (Luke Edwards). When publisher Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall) sets new rules that make it harder for the young newspaper salesmen to make a buck, the boys go on strike. Bryan Denton (Bill Pullman), a journalist who's sympathetic to their plight, gives them some tips in public relations, as the newsboys' battle grips the city.

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Critics Consensus

Extra! Extra! Read all about Newsies instead of suffering through its underwhelming musical interludes, although Christian Bale makes for a spirited hero.

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Christy Lemire

ChristyLemire.com

It's extremely earnest and more than a little corny, but there's an innocence about it that makes it kinda irresistible.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 19, 2018

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

Certain movies engage your affections so strongly that, even if they start to fall apart, you tend to keep rooting for them. That's pretty much the case with Newsies.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 20, 2013

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

A Disney musical with an undistinguished score, fair to middling choreography, and clunky direction that still manages to be entertaining in spots because of its story.

May 20, 2013

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

With Little Old New York re-created by William Sandfell, Newsies often looks wonderful, and Bale and the boys give it heart and excitement. Yet as a musical, Newsies rarely hits home.

Jun 4, 2018

Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...manages some acrobatic dance numbers, but they seem oddly confined by the camera's frame.

Rated: 1/4

Jan 24, 2016

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Stephen Hunter

Baltimore Sun

Newsies is a live-action musical, but it's only barely alive. Call it Snoozies.

Rated: 2/4

May 20, 2013

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Thomas H

Was extremely engaging and manipulated my emotions surprisingly well!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/20/25

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Audience Member

I have no idea what people don't see in this movie, one of the best movie adaptations of a musical I've ever seen. Phenomenal music numbers and a beautiful important story!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

Full Review

HameZz O

The music is obviously the best part but Christian Bale is a highlight too.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/31/25

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Skylar G

Best Musical. had to watch in school, and initially as a teen didn't enjoy but watching as I got older and understood more. I love it. Those who don't understand the film need to brush up on their history. Amazing music I know every song at this point in my adult hood. Great cast too, many went on to do much larger things.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

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Rihannna H

It’s honestly confusing for me to understand the story, I didn’t even know what was happening for most of it. It’s not amazing, but it’s not awful, just in the middle, it’s ok-good-ish. I love musicals, and the songs are pretty good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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Audience Member

I watched this movie in band in November and i was immediately hooked *spoilers ahead The songs were great and the characters were amazing The only stuff I didn’t like however were the medda scenes and the “sante fe” song and the the stuff that happens after the newsies print their own newspapers I kind of zoned out But other than those the movie was really amazing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

Full Review

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Kenny Ortega

Director

Christian Bale

Jack Kelly

Robert Duvall

Joseph Pulitzer

Ann-Margret

Medda Larkson

David Moscow

David Jacobs

Luke Edwards

Les Jacobs

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Synopsis

In this musical, homeless New York City newsboy Jack "Cowboy" Kelly (Christian Bale) befriends two newcomers to his trade, brothers David (David Moscow) and Les Jacobs (Luke Edwards). When publisher Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall) sets new rules that make it harder for the young newspaper salesmen to make a buck, the boys go on strike. Bryan Denton (Bill Pullman), a journalist who's sympathetic to their plight, gives them some tips in public relations, as the newsboys' battle grips the city.

Director: Kenny Ortega
Producer: Michael Finnell
Screenwriter: Bob Tzudiker, Noni White
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Musical, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 10, 1992, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.7M
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Surround

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