Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Romantic drama

Little Women (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Little Women (2019) movie poster

Little Women is a 2019 romantic drama starring Laura Dern as Marmee March, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen. It is based on Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It runs 2 hours 15 minutes and earned $332.1 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Costume Design, and 3 awards in all. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 91 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.

IMDb rating
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
worldwide gross
$332.1M
Oscar won
1
Loading streaming availability…
Little Women (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 15m (135 min)
Genres
Drama , Romance
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.

Following the lives of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March during and after the Civil War, this adaptation explores their individual struggles and ambitions. Jo, an aspiring writer, grapples with societal expectations while forging her own path. The film portrays their close bonds, familial love, and the challenges they face as young women seeking independence and self-discovery in a changing world, all while honoring Louisa May Alcott's beloved story.

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
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Little Women Cast & Characters

Laura Dern leads the cast as Marmee March, with Florence Pugh as Amy March and Eliza Scanlen as Beth March.

Also Starring in Little Women

· 10 more
Ratings

Little Women Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Little Women 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 91 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).

81 /100

Little Women Echo Score Breakdown

Little Women offers a richly emotive and visually sumptuous adaptation of Alcott’s novel. The ensemble cast delivers heartfelt performances that anchor a multilayered narrative structure and thematic exploration of sisterhood and female fulfilment. The film’s flourishing visual design and thoughtful pace create a cohesive sensory landscape, though the non-linear chronology can occasionally disrupt narrative momentum. In sum, its combination of emotional depth, aesthetic elegance, and modern perspective yields a compelling and enduring cinematic experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its lavish production design and considered cinematography. Reviewers note the opulent color palette, intricate costume detail, and polished editing that underscore the narrative scope. While occasionally the unrelenting visual richness can undercut moments of dramatic grit, the overall direction demonstrates assured control and cohesive stylistic vision.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble performances provide nuanced portrayals that foster genuine empathy. The lead actresses convey depth in sisterly bonds and personal growth, supported by effective chemistry across the cast. Some critique notes occasional superficiality in secondary roles, yet the central emotional arcs remain resonant. Overall, the character work feels both heartfelt and engaging.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the inventive non-linear structure brings thematic layers and modern perspective to the source material. The restructured timeline creates dynamic interplay between past and present, enhancing contextual depth. However, this approach can occasionally disrupt pacing and dilute dramatic tension. Despite these shifts, the narrative sustains its emotional core and maintains overall engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the film showcases a richly layered visual style complemented by an evocative musical score. The sound design and soundtrack accentuate pivotal emotional moments, while the cohesive aesthetic unifies scenic landscapes and interior spaces. Although the lush visuals sometimes overpower subtler tonal shifts, the overall sensory presentation remains immersive and compelling.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film offers enduring appeal through its emotional depth and thematic richness. The layered narrative and strong character arcs invite repeated viewings to uncover nuanced details. Additionally, the visual design and period atmosphere retain freshness upon subsequent watches. While some viewers may find the pacing less urgent on repeat, the movie’s thoughtful construction supports lasting engagement.

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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the year 1868, Jo March, portrayed by the talented Saoirse Ronan, finds herself teaching in the bustling city of New York. Striving to support her family, she approaches editor Mr. Dashwood, played by Tracy Letts, to publish her latest story. After enduring significant revisions, Jo manages to secure a modest payment of $20 for her hard work. She resides in a boarding house aptly named “Little Women.” As the family’s financial struggles continue, Jo feels the weight of responsibility, especially with her sister Amy, embodied by Florence Pugh, across the ocean in Paris, engaged in the pursuit of a wealthy suitor to assist their family’s plight.

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.

2019 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%
Awards

Little Women Awards & Nominations

Little Women won 1 Oscar, including Costume Design, and 3 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2020, with 1 win from 9 nominations.

3 wins23 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

Little Women Trailers & Videos

17 videos: 1 trailer, 12 clips and 4 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 17 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Clip - Will You Dance
  • Clip Clip - Economic Proposition
  • Clip Clip - You'll Need to Marry
  • Clip Clip - I'm So Sick Of It
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
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays Jo March in the 2019 adaptation of Little Women?

Cars

Cars in Little Women

4 cars on screen, including the 2006 Toyota Wish and the 2013 CMC Veryca.

  • 2006 Toyota Wish in Little Women 2006 Toyota Wish Important role
  • 2013 CMC Veryca in Little Women 2013 CMC Veryca Minor role
  • 1991 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Hearse W140 in Little Women 1991 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Hearse W140 Background role
  • 2004 Toyota Corolla Altis in Little Women 2004 Toyota Corolla Altis Background role

Seen Little Women?

FAQ

Little Women FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it, awards and post-credit scenes of Little Women, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Little Women?

Little Women runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).

When was Little Women released?

Little Women was released on December 25, 2019.

Who is in the cast of Little Women?

Little Women stars Laura Dern as Marmee March, Florence Pugh as Amy March and Eliza Scanlen as Beth March, among 14 credited actors.

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, 91 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.

Is Little Women based on a book?

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

What awards did Little Women win?

Little Women won 3 awards from 23 nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the Critics' Choice 2020.

Does Little Women have a post-credit scene?

No. Little Women has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app