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Family drama

Little Women (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Little Women (2018) movie poster

Little Women is a 2018 family drama directed by Clare Niederpruem, starring Melanie Stone as Meg, Allie Jennings and Lea Thompson. It is based on Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $332.1 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Stream it on Hulu and YouTube TV, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
worldwide gross
$332.1M
Echo Score
60
Little Women (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Genres
Drama , Family
Original language
English
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Little Women About?

The premise of Little Women without spoilers, adapted from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During the American Civil War, the four March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—experience both hardship and joy. Their father is away serving as a chaplain, and the sisters grapple with poverty, societal expectations, and the pursuit of their individual dreams. Meg longs for marriage and a comfortable home, while Jo aspires to be a writer, Beth finds solace in music, and Amy seeks artistic recognition. Their strong familial bond helps them navigate these challenges and discover their own paths to happiness and fulfillment.

Little Women 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
  • 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
Where to watch

Where to Watch Little Women

Stream it on Hulu and YouTube TV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Little Women Cast & Characters

Melanie Stone leads the cast as Meg, with Allie Jennings as Beth and Lea Thompson as Marmee. Directed by Clare Niederpruem; 13 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Little Women Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Little Women 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in story & flow (50).

60 /100

Little Women Echo Score Breakdown

The film elicits mixed reactions, balancing commendable moments of emotional warmth with criticisms of uneven execution. Many viewers appreciate the vivid visual choices and heartfelt familial interactions, while several critics point out continuity lapses and a restrained directorial style that undercuts dramatic impact. The contemporary updates generate both moments of genuine resonance and frustrations about faithfulness to source themes. Ultimately, the film lands as a moderate entry that engages selectively rather than delivering a consistently compelling experience across its runtime.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of direction and crafts, the film presents a blend of competent staging and occasional missteps. Critics note serviceable direction that delivers clear compositions but lacks adventurous framing, while some viewers praise the polished production design and thoughtful use of color palettes. Continuity hiccups and an overly cautious visual approach temper the impact of otherwise careful editing and set dressing. Overall, the art direction feels solid yet seldom ventures beyond safe, familiar territory.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character depth and performances, reactions are split between earnest portrayals and uneven casting. Several reviewers commend the nuanced emotional beats and the warmth of family dynamics, highlighting engaging moments of sisterly chemistry. Conversely, others criticize hammy delivery and lapses in continuity that impede character credibility. Despite these divergences, the film generally offers enough emotional resonance to sustain viewer investment, even if certain performances fall short of consistently compelling character immersion.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Regarding plot coherence and pacing, the adaptation struggles to find a consistent narrative rhythm. Observers note that the faithfulness to original contours results in familiar beats that sometimes feel redundant, while the modernized setting introduces fresh elements that feel underexplored. The non-linear structure garners praise for adding emotional texture but also risks fracturing momentum. Overall, the storyline provides moments of genuine engagement but lacks the sustained originality or forward drive needed for fully immersive storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    On the sensory front, the film delivers an appealing audiovisual palette that supports its emotional aims. Viewers highlight the strategic use of cool and warm tones to underscore emotional shifts, complemented by a restrained soundtrack that enhances rather than overwhelms. While critics do not dwell on sound design, the film’s visual cohesion and measured scoring contribute positively to its immersive quality. In sum, the sensory presentation is a strong asset, lending atmosphere and subtlety to the narrative moments.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch value, audience enthusiasm outpaces critical reservation. Many viewers describe a desire to revisit favorite moments and explore character nuances in repeated viewings, citing the warmth of performances and thematic resonance. Although some critics deem the overall impact modest and unlikely to sustain long-term attachment, the film’s emotional highlights and visual style encourage selective reengagement. Consequently, it offers respectable replay enjoyment for those drawn to its heartfelt moments and contemporary touches.

Plot

Little Women Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Little Women from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story of this cinematic treasure weaves through time, contrasting the vibrant youth of the March sisters with their more seasoned selves. It begins when Jo unexpectedly encounters the mysterious Mr. Dashwood, setting off a series of events that deftly navigate between different timelines.

Full summary

The whole story of Little Women, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Little Women Box Office & Budget

Little Women 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.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$332.1M

8.3× its budget

US & Canada
$108.1M
International
$224M
Budget
$40M
US & Canada 33% Rest of the world 67%
Videos

Little Women Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Little Women.

Little Women: A Modern Retelling Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Little Women?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the central theme of 'Little Women'?

Details

Little Women Also Known As

39 alternative titles, including “Unge Kvinner” and “Mujercitas”.

Also known as
  • Unge Kvinner
  • Mujercitas
  • 작은 아씨들
  • Adoráveis Mulheres
  • Малки жени
  • 小妇人
  • 小婦人
  • 她們
  • Küçük Kadınlar
  • Những người phụ nữ nhỏ bé
  • Čas deklištva
  • Fiicele doctorului March
+27 more
  • Mažosios moterys
  • Piccole donne
  • Μικρές κυρίες
  • Kisasszonyok
  • Pikku naisia
  • نساء صغيرات
  • ストーリー・オブ・マイライフ/わたしの若草物語:2019
  • Փոքրիկ Կանայք
  • Les Filles du docteur March
  • Маленькие Женщины
  • Маленькі жінки
  • Malé ženy
  • Les quatre filles du docteur March
  • Unga kvinnor
  • נשים קטנות
  • Małe kobietki
  • Mulherzinhas
  • ストーリー・オブ・マイライフ/わたしの若草物語
  • Мале жене
  • Kichkina ayollar
  • Những Người Phụ Nữ Bé Nhỏ, პატარა ქალები
  • Mazās sievietes
  • สี่ดรุณี
  • Male žene
  • زنان کوچک
  • Donetes
  • Väikesed naised

Seen Little Women?

FAQ

Little Women FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Little Women, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Little Women?

Little Women runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was Little Women released?

Little Women was released on September 28, 2018.

Who directed Little Women?

Little Women was directed by Clare Niederpruem.

More films by Clare Niederpruem

Who is in the cast of Little Women?

Little Women stars Melanie Stone as Meg, Allie Jennings as Beth and Lea Thompson as Marmee, among 13 credited actors.

Where can I watch Little Women?

In the US, Little Women is streaming on Hulu and YouTube TV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Little Women make at the box office?

Little Women grossed $332.1 million worldwide ($108.1 million domestic, $224 million international) on a budget of $40 million.

How is Little Women rated?

Little Women has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 40 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Is Little Women based on a book?

Yes. Little Women is adapted from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

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