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The Princess Diaries

Play trailer 2:09 Poster for The Princess Diaries G Released Aug 3, 2001 1h 55m Kids & Family Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
49% Tomatometer 118 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Shy San Francisco teenager Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is thrown for a loop when, from out of the blue, she learns the astonishing news that she's a real-life princess! As the heir apparent to the crown of the small European principality of Genovia, Mia begins a comical journey toward the throne when her strict and formidable grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), shows up to give her "princess lessons."
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The Princess Diaries

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Critics Consensus

A charming, if familiar, makeover movie for young teenage girls.

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Critics Reviews

View All (118) Critics Reviews
Nell Minow Common Sense Media Terrific fun for girls and their families, too. Rated: 5/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Anna Smith Empire Magazine A light, uneven Pygmalion story that may win young girls over with its wish fulfilment theme and teen movie staples, but does not live up to the expectations created by the cast and director. Rated: 2/5 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Derek Adams Time Out Notions of responsibility, surrogacy, rites of passage and the value of friendship are gone through, but the highlighting of modern tropes merely serves to emphasise the film's conventionality. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) The Princess Diaries is as sappy as they come, a Pygmalion story told in Pollyanna terms. But sometimes sappy works, and this is one of those times. Rated: B- Apr 30, 2024 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies To say that both Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews are absolute perfection in The Princess Diaries would not be an understatement. Aug 3, 2021 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Do Queen Clarisse and Joe succeed with their fair lady? Does Mia accept her destiny? Does she get her Prince Charming? Come on! This is Hollywood. This is Garry Marshall. This is a fairytale. This is once-upon-a-time. This is as good as it gets. Nov 14, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Eloise J I love this movie, I don’t care if people think it’s basic or sappy I love it. Nobody and I mean NOBODY can beat Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/19/24 Full Review Violet R This is one of those movies where nostalgia may blind viewers to make them think this was the epitome of teenage girl movies back when it came out, it's not a masterpiece but it is cheesy and fun to sit through and quote every now and then. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/11/24 Full Review Alexander H So good. Perfect cast. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/21/24 Full Review Cleveland E Good acting but horrible terrible & predictable absurd script. I wished I had turned it off half way through. What a waste. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 08/28/24 Full Review Hanalina A This movie is as comfortable as comfort movies get. The story of a young girl finding out she is a princess is a little sappy, but the way the writers make you look beyond the storyline and invest into the characters and the country of Genovia is outstanding. The morals of learning your responsibilities and not taking advantage of your ability to use your voice is one that I think is important for every young girl to learn; Princess Diaries does just that. Lastly, the way Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway make you feel like you are in the princess lessons, at the carnival or driving in the mustang with them is unreal and makes this one of the happiest, cozy movies I have ever watched. P.S. You have to watch this movie to see how amazing Mandy Moore is during Stupid Cupid Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/24 Full Review Dale R Mia, played by Anne Hathaway, is told she is the rightful heir to the throne of a fictional European country. Anne Hathaway is perfectly cast as an awkward, clumsy teenager that can transform into a beautiful princess. Julie Andrews is a delight as her grandmother and I enjoyed Hector Elizondo’s limousine driver. What makes this movie work is that they take the plot seriously and the ending is satisfying. There are a few awkward comedic scenes that I wasn’t a fan of and the romance felt rushed in at the last minute. I think this movie is worth your time though. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

Beethoven's 4th 0% 28% Beethoven's 4th Watchlist Muppets From Space 63% 58% Muppets From Space Watchlist TRAILER for Muppets From Space Beethoven's 3rd 0% 25% Beethoven's 3rd Watchlist The Country Bears 29% 34% The Country Bears Watchlist The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement 26% 59% The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Watchlist TRAILER for The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Shy San Francisco teenager Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is thrown for a loop when, from out of the blue, she learns the astonishing news that she's a real-life princess! As the heir apparent to the crown of the small European principality of Genovia, Mia begins a comical journey toward the throne when her strict and formidable grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), shows up to give her "princess lessons."
Director
Garry Marshall
Producer
Debra Chase, Whitney Houston, Mario Iscovich
Screenwriter
Meg Cabot, Gina Wendkos
Distributor
Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co
Bottom of the Ninth Productions Inc., BrownHouse Productions
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 3, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 27, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$108.2M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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