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Raising Helen

Play trailer Poster for Raising Helen PG-13 Released May 1, 2004 1h 59m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
25% Tomatometer 132 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Single and self-involved, Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) has a thriving fashion career and a lavish lifestyle in New York City. Helen is shocked to hear that her sister and brother-in-law have died in an accident, and alarmed that they have named her the guardian of their three kids (Hayden Panettiere, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin). As the children struggle with the change, Helen has to decide whether she'll cling to her old ways or come to terms with her new family role.
Raising Helen

What to Know

Critics Consensus

As shallow and formulaic as a sitcom.

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Critics Reviews

View All (132) Critics Reviews
Nell Minow Common Sense Media Light drama with some appealing moments. Rated: 4/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Liz Moody Empire Magazine The latest urban fairy tale from Pretty Woman's Marshall sees the director continue his descent into underwritten schmaltz at the expense of genuine wit and warmth. Rated: 2/5 Aug 28, 2004 Full Review Stella Papamichael BBC.com This isn't funny enough or dramatic enough. Rated: 2/5 Jun 15, 2004 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com The entire film is pretty much saved by Cusack, who seems to add so much to even the most stereotypical role. Rated: 2.5/4.0 Sep 20, 2020 Full Review Megan Basham National Review Helen recognizes what the audience has known all along: "Holy can be hot!" Feb 6, 2018 Full Review Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies Marshall does a decent job with this film, keeping everything 'nice' as you find in most of his movies. Rated: 3/5 Jan 17, 2016 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Cleveland E An insipid, uninspiring movie without so much as a single plot twist. Joan Cusak was the only saving Grace, but even with her talent, she couldn’t save the predictable and boring plot and dialogue. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/09/24 Full Review Barabas B lovely and heartwarming Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Pure & a product of a more wholesome time surrounded with family, which explains why pretentious critics dislike it Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Brandon M Great movie, Kate Hudson is amazing in this move. The fact the experts gave it 25% because they are pretentious whores. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/06/23 Full Review Audience Member It's not a family masterpiece - but it's a decent family value film where Hudson goes from her high-powered exec career to one of taking care of her nieces and nephew when her sister dies suddenly. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review shelby s I don't watch movies to cry. I cried a lot. I recognize that was the intention. I wouldn't unwatch it. But the level of dehydration I might reach if I were to ever watch it again might be fatal. Wasn't my thing. I like to like movies. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Raising Helen

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Single and self-involved, Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) has a thriving fashion career and a lavish lifestyle in New York City. Helen is shocked to hear that her sister and brother-in-law have died in an accident, and alarmed that they have named her the guardian of their three kids (Hayden Panettiere, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin). As the children struggle with the change, Helen has to decide whether she'll cling to her old ways or come to terms with her new family role.
Director
Garry Marshall
Producer
Ashok Amritraj, David Hoberman
Screenwriter
Patrick J. Clifton, Jack Amiel, Michael Begler
Distributor
Walt Disney Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, Touchstone Pictures
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures, High Arc Productions, Beacon Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 1, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$37.5M
Runtime
1h 59m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby SRD, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)