The Secret Garden

PG

2020

1 hr. 39 min.

Fantasy

Drama

List

66%

100 Reviews

Tomatometer

43%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Sent to live with her uncle, a young orphan discovers a magical garden of wonder in 1947 England.

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Premiered Sep 19

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Critics Consensus

Faithful in spirit while putting its own spin on the source material, The Secret Garden adds a charming entry to the long list of this beloved book's adaptations.

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Hannah B

Suffered from longevity. I am not sure whether or not the director has read the book. Visual design was fine, although not in keeping with the tone of the original story.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

Alec B

The Secret Garden is a visually stunning, modern adaptation of the timeless classic that captures the essence of the original story, though sometimes falls short in its execution. Director Marc Munden delivers a visually striking film, with lush cinematography and breathtaking landscapes that transport viewers into the magical world of Misselthwaite Manor. Young actress Dixie Egerickx impresses as Mary Lennox, exuding both vulnerability and strength in her performance. However, the film's pacing feels uneven, with some narrative choices detracting from the overall impact. While the contemporary elements introduced to the story make it more relatable to modern audiences, some changes feel unnecessary. Despite these flaws, The Secret Garden still offers moments of charm and wonder, making it a solid adaptation that may resonate with younger viewers discovering the story for the first time.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/04/23

Full Review

Alex G

I grew up on the 1993 classic, so I may be slightly blinded by nostalgia in my judgment. That said, while the movie obviously has access to more special effects than that version, which should also come as no surprise being from the producer of Harry Potter, I feel that much of the '93 version's charm lay in how the magic of the garden was more subtle and implied.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/14/23

Full Review

Catherine L

Watch the 1993 version and not this one. This is not the secret garden but a completely different story that undermines all of the characters and themes that make the book a timeless classic.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/03/22

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the worst adaptations of a book i have ever seen. Every character has been turned into unsympathetic, selfish, unlikeable @$$holes. The CGI is god-awful, there is zero character growth FOR ANYONE, Mary is turned from a main character into a plot device for Colin and her Uncle, and worst of the offensies yet- the gave Martha and Dickon NOTICABLY FEWER LINES, LESS SCREEN TIME, AND REMOVED THR IMPACT OF THOSE CHARACTERS. This is ESPECIALLY offensive give that Martha is one of the ONLY POTRAYED SERVANTS, AND SHE AND COLIN WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE MOVIE. I cannot express how much i hate this movie. It is a desicration of a classic children's tale. And the only reason they made it post WWII is because hey! It worked for 'a little princess'a

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

So touching and beautiful that saying too much to describe it is sure to diminish its magic...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

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Marc Munden

Director

Colin Firth

Lord Archibald Craven

Julie Walters

Mrs. Medlock

Dixie Egerickx

Mary Lennox

Maeve Dermody

Alice

Amir Wilson

Dickon

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The Secret Garden: Movie Clip - The Laburnum Arch

1:34

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The Secret Garden: Featurette - Concept to Reality

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Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph (UK)

There's value in the old cliché still, and The Secret Garden may be the best excuse yet to re-air it.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2020

Full Review

Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

Today's Secret Garden is modern to its core: socially conscious, but also wildly overstimulated.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 12, 2020

Full Review

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

Metro Newspaper (UK)

Familiar family comfort viewing for unsettling times

Rated: 3/5

Nov 10, 2020

Full Review

Denise Pieniazek

Metacultura (AR)

In a postmodern era where it seems that the originality of cinematographic language is at a detriment due to constant remakes, spin-offs, sequels, prequels and new versions of all kinds, El Jardín Secreto (The Secret Garden, 2020) is no exception.

Rated: 5/10

Dec 28, 2023

Full Review

Cris Kennedy

The Canberra Times (Australia)

I did very much appreciate the film's depiction of the garden, with elements of crumbling old castle, and CGI that allows the filmmakers to amp the charm and mystery up to 100.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Cody Dericks

Next Best Picture

For fans of the source material’s famous story, this version of “The Secret Garden” may disappoint with its focus on mood and emotion rather than plot.

Rated: 4/10

Jul 5, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Sent to live with her uncle, a young orphan discovers a magical garden of wonder in 1947 England.

Director: Marc Munden
Executive Producer: Ron Halpern, Didier Lupfer, Dan MacRae
Screenwriter: Jack Thorne
Production Co: Heyday Films, StudioCanal
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Mild Peril)
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 7, 2020
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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