Little (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Little is a 2019 fantasy comedy directed by Tina Gordon Chism, starring Marsai Martin as Little Jordan Sanders, Regina Hall and Tracee Ellis Ross. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $332.1 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. Critics gave it 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Tina Gordon Chism
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $40M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Little About?
The premise of Little without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After a public outburst, ambitious tech mogul Jordan finds herself magically transformed into her teenage self, just days before a vital presentation. Now, she must navigate the challenges of adolescence while depending on her long-suffering assistant, April, to help her regain control and repair her professional standing. Jordan's journey forces her to confront her own arrogance and learn valuable lessons about humility and respect.
Little Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- aspiring writer
- mother daughter relationship
- poverty
- concord massachusetts
- based on novel
- death of sister
- sister sister relationship
- scarlet fever
- paris france
- american civil war
- shorthaired woman
- period drama
+38 more Show fewer
- female protagonist
- new york city
- teenage girl
- coming of age
- falling through ice
- women's rights
- aspiring painter
- dancing
- husband wife relationship
- christmas tree
- christmas
- piano
- horse and carriage
- kiss
- flashback
- death of daughter
- writing
- publisher
- family relationships
- aunt niece relationship
- death of aunt
- amateur theatrics
- four sisters
- writer
- wealth
- rain
- generosity
- mailbox
- montage
- burning a manuscript
- talking to the camera
- subjective camera
- sprained ankle
- beer hall
- boarding house
- new year's eve
- grandfather grandson relationship
- tutor
Little Cast & Characters
Marsai Martin leads the cast as Little Jordan Sanders, with Regina Hall as Jordan Sanders and Tracee Ellis Ross as HomeGirl. Directed by Tina Gordon Chism; 18 actors are credited in all.
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Director Tina Gordon Chism
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Marsai Martin as Little Jordan Sanders -
Regina Hall as Jordan Sanders -
Tracee Ellis Ross as HomeGirl -
Issa Rae as April Williams
Also Starring in Little
· 14 more- Luke James Trevor
- Tone Bell Preston
- Mikey Day Connor
- Justin Hartley Mr. Marshall
- JD McCrary Isaac
- Tucker Meek Devon
- Thalia Tran Raina
- Noree Victoria Jordan's Mom
- Kausar Mohammed
- Caleb Emery
- Abbie Gayle
- Hannah Westerfield
- Jonathon Watson
- Katelyn Farrugia
More from Tina Gordon Chism
More films directed by Tina Gordon Chism, best-rated first: Praise This and Peeples.
Little Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Little 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (45).
Little Echo Score Breakdown
Little presents a combination of vibrant style and strong performances set against a conventional comedic premise. While reviewers praised the cast’s energy and colorful design, they often noted narrative weaknesses and predictable beats that limit engagement. Some made note of effective chemistry and humor, though many felt the second half lost momentum amid plot holes and familiar arcs. In sum, the film offers enjoyable elements but its script constraints prevent it from rising above a middling ensemble comedy.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
The film’s visual presentation of Little features a lively color palette and inventive costume design that bring a playful energy to the screen. Direction emphasizes bright set pieces, and occasional creative framing underscores the fantasy premise. However, some reviewers noted uneven editing and a flimsy overall composition that distracts at times. Overall, the art direction delivers a spirited look but is undermined by inconsistency in execution.
- Character & Emotion 75
Character performances stand out through dynamic leads who infuse the roles with genuine enthusiasm. Issa Rae and Marsai Martin were consistently highlighted for their engaging presence and rapport, supported by solid chemistry among the principal cast. Less effective supporting beats and sporadic overacting moments were raised as minor drawbacks. Overall, the cast delivers strong emotional connection despite uneven character development in places.
- Story & Flow 45
Story and pacing in Little follow a familiar transformation trope that many critics found predictable and uneven. The first act establishes the premise briskly, but the narrative drifts in the second half with notable plot holes and a reliance on conventional sitcom-style humor. Some viewers appreciated the steady flow, yet the script’s lack of novelty and erratic beats limit engagement. Ultimately, the story feels serviceable but falls short of originality.
- Sensory Experience 65
Sensory elements in Little provide an appealing audio-visual backdrop through vibrant production design and lively soundtrack choices. The film’s use of bold costumes and bright sets complements its comedic tone, while music selections enhance key emotional beats. However, sparse commentary on sound design and occasional tonal shifts suggest an uneven execution. In total, the sensory experience is enjoyable, offering visual flair more than immersive depth.
- Rewatch Factor 50
Rewatch value for Little is moderate, largely driven by its charismatic performances and moments of humor. Many found the film’s charm and colorful style inviting for repeat viewing, especially to appreciate the cast’s chemistry. Yet the straightforward plot and episodic gags diminish lasting appeal, making subsequent viewings less impactful. In conclusion, Little offers some rewatchable highlights but may not fully sustain interest beyond an initial viewing.
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IMDb 7.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 46% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 63%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 49 Metascore
User score 5.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 2.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
Little Plot Summary
What happens in Little from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Flashback to 1993: Young Jordan Sanders, played by Marsai Martin, is at Windsor Middle School, filled with excitement as she prepares to present her science experiment to her peers. Unfortunately, this moment quickly turns sour when a group of taunting classmates ruthlessly mocks her during her presentation. Her resolve is further shattered when a cruel student miscalculates a pendulum swing, causing an injury that leaves her humiliated. Back at the hospital, her parents reassure her that one day, she will ascend the ranks to become a powerful figure. Fueled by bitterness, Jordan vows to invoke payback on those who tormented her.
Full summary
The whole story of Little, scene by scene
Little Box Office & Budget
Little grossed $332.1 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 8.3 times what it cost. $108.1 million came from the US and Canada and $224 million (67%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$332.1M
8.3× its budget
- US & Canada
- $108.1M
- International
- $224M
- Budget
- $40M
Little Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip Jordan Wakes Up In A Child’s Body
How Well Do You Know Little?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year did the flashback to Jordan's childhood take place?
Cars in Little
27 cars on screen, including the 2015 BMW i8 I12 and the 2001 BMW 5 E39.
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2015 BMW i8 I12 Main role -
2001 BMW 5 E39 Minor role -
2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV Minor role -
2006 Chevrolet Impala Minor role
Seen Little?
Movies Like Little
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Little Women, Little Women and My Little Girl.
Little FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Little, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Little?
Little runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was Little released?
Little was released on April 12, 2019.
Who directed Little?
Little was directed by Tina Gordon Chism.
More films by Tina Gordon Chism Who is in the cast of Little?
Little stars Marsai Martin as Little Jordan Sanders, Regina Hall as Jordan Sanders and Tracee Ellis Ross as HomeGirl, among 18 credited actors.
How much did Little make at the box office?
Little grossed $332.1 million worldwide ($108.1 million domestic, $224 million international) on a budget of $40 million.
How is Little rated?
Little has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 46% on Rotten Tomatoes, 49 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Does Little have a post-credit scene?
No. Little has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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