Newsies

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Newsies

PG

Released Apr 10, 1992

2h 1m

Kids & Family

Musical

Drama

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Popcornmeter

39%

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38 Reviews

88%

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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

Full Review

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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Cody W

NEWSIES has the right moves, the right stuff, and the right attitude as it brings all the singing and dancing straight into the heart of every single music lover in the world.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

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Stella H

I love this movie so much. It does have some cheesy parts but overall it has amazing musical numbers and dances and the actors do such a great job portraying the newsies style.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/24

Full Review

Dale R

Disney’s first live-action musical since Pete’s Dragon in 1977. Based on the 1899 Newsboys’ Strike, this film was directed by choreographer Kenny Ortega in his directorial debut. Starring Christian Bale as the Newsies’ union leader and Bill Pullman as a journalist covering the story. There are moments of brilliance and moments of not-so-much brilliance in this movie, which evens out to make a fair to good film. The music seems to be written too high for most of the cast. I’m not sure if that was done intentionally to make them sound younger, but it didn’t work. A lot of the songs were sung in head voice, and no one seemed to teach the cast how to do that properly. The choreography was hit and miss too, which surprised me considering the director’s background. There were also some questionable camera angles that hid some of the choreography from view. The music itself was composed by Alan Menkin and J.A.C. Redford with lyrics by Jack Feldman. I usually love Menkin’s work and I don’t think this is his best overall musical. One song, “Seize the Day” gave me chills, while I was wondering why “My Lovey-Dovey Baby” was even in the musical. I think there is enough good stuff here to recommend a single viewing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

Full Review

Eye C

A nice story, but mediocre musical. Christian do well in not continuing on this musical business.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

Koi P

Historical and interesting. Great performances by the entire cast.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/24

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Nikki D

One of my all time favourites. Excellent songs, important story, great cast.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/11/23

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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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