Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama

Petite Maman (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Petite Maman (2021) movie poster

Petite Maman is a 2021 drama directed by Céline Sciamma, starring Joséphine Sanz as Nelly, Gabrielle Sanz and Nina Meurisse. It runs 1 hour 12 minutes and earned $2 million worldwide on a $2.8 million budget. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best European Film at the Gaudí Awards 2023. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 93 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$2M
award nominations
3
Loading streaming availability…
Petite Maman (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 12m (72 min)
Director
Céline Sciamma
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
Studio
Neon
Budget
$2.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Petite Maman About?

The premise of Petite Maman without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following her mother’s sudden breakdown, eight-year-old Nelly is brought to her mother’s childhood home in the countryside. There, she discovers a surprising connection with a young girl living next door. As they explore the woods and Nelly learns more about her mother’s past, an unexpected friendship blossoms, offering comfort and understanding during a difficult time. The film tenderly portrays childhood, memory, and the power of human connection.

Petite Maman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • friendship
  • forest
  • death of grandmother
  • mother daughter relationship
  • magic realism
  • female protagonist
  • little girl
  • title directed by female
  • triple f rated
  • 8 year old girl
  • 8 year old
  • loss of grandmother
+38 more
  • woods
  • female bonding
  • female friendship
  • father daughter relationship
  • child protagonist
  • domestic drama
  • coming of age drama
  • female director
  • f rated
  • death
  • jokari
  • treehouse
  • thunderstorm
  • rain
  • brushing teeth
  • making pancakes
  • 9th birthday
  • birthday
  • birthday cake
  • singing happy birthday
  • blowing out candles on a birthday cake
  • cigarette smoking
  • lake
  • boat
  • rowboat
  • pyramid
  • written by director
  • written and directed by female
  • overalls
  • france
  • female filmmaker
  • childhood friendship
  • forest hut
  • shaving off a beard
  • board game
  • car
  • crossword puzzle
  • parents
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Petite Maman Cast & Characters

Joséphine Sanz leads the cast as Nelly, with Gabrielle Sanz as Marion and Nina Meurisse as La mère. Directed by Céline Sciamma; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Petite Maman

· 4 more
From the director

More from Céline Sciamma

More films directed by Céline Sciamma, best-rated first: Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Girlhood, Tomboy and Water Lilies.

Full filmography
Ratings

Petite Maman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Petite Maman 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 93 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (73).

79 /100

Petite Maman Echo Score Breakdown

Petite Maman presents a delicate yet resonant portrait of grief and connection, anchored by subtle direction and striking visual poetics. Critics commend its originality and emotional truth, while a minority of viewers find the pacing languid and the runtime overly spare. The film’s quiet charm and precise storytelling give it a lasting appeal that rewards attentive viewing, though its minimalism may test some audiences.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film is noted for its restrained elegance and carefully composed frames. Critics highlight the gorgeous cinematography and measured editing that reinforce the story's intimacy. A few dissenting voices label the aesthetic as underdeveloped, yet the consensus points to a purposeful minimalism that enhances the overall tone.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character work, the child performers receive particular praise for delivering nuanced, emotionally authentic moments. Reviewers note the depth of the mother‑daughter relationship and the subtle chemistry between the twins. Some critics mention occasional flatness in expression, but the prevailing view sees the acting as a core strength that grounds the film’s thematic core.

  • Story & Flow 73

    The narrative unfolds with a spare, fairy‑tale structure that many find both original and emotionally clear. Critics admire its inventive premise and concise pacing, though a subset of viewers cite moments of uneventful stretch and pacing lapses. Overall, the story is perceived as coherent and poignant, despite occasional suggestions that its brevity leaves certain ideas underexplored.

  • Sensory Experience 76

    Sensory experience is shaped by a muted soundscape and a gentle musical presence, which several reviewers describe as enchanting and immersive. The visual palette is praised for its understated color and atmospheric lighting. A few audience comments describe the silence as bland, yet the dominant sentiment appreciates the subtle sound design that complements the film’s contemplative mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Rewatch value stems from the film’s layered emotional texture and its ability to reveal new nuances on subsequent viewings. Critics view it as a small wonder that rewards repeated engagement, while some viewers find the pace less compelling on a second watch. The overall impression is that the film maintains a lasting appeal that encourages viewers to return for its quiet profundity.

Plot

Petite Maman Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Petite Maman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Eight-year-old Nelly is grappling with the loss of her maternal grandmother, who succumbed to a hereditary disease in her early sixties while living in a care home. As Nelly bids farewell to the other residents, her mother Marion and her father Stéphane clear out her grandmother’s room. Nelly feels a sense of unease, believing she did not properly say goodbye to her beloved grandmother. They then journey to her mother’s childhood residence to clear it as well. Upon arriving late, Nelly is tucked into her old bed by Marion.

Full summary

The whole story of Petite Maman, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Petite Maman Box Office & Budget

Petite Maman grossed $2 million worldwide on a $2.8 million budget, 71% of what it cost. $829,065 came from the US and Canada and $1.2 million (58%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$2M

71% of its budget back

US & Canada
$829.1K
International
$1.2M
Budget
$2.8M
US & Canada 42% Rest of the world 58%
Awards

Petite Maman Awards & Nominations

Petite Maman earned 3 award nominations, including Best European Film at the Gaudí Awards 2023. The 3 nominations come from 3 ceremonies.

3 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Petite Maman Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 3 trailers and 4 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Featurette TIFF 2021 Q&A
  • Featurette Céline Sciamma on Petite Maman at NYFF59
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Petite Maman?

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

What prompts Nelly and her parents to visit her mother's childhood home?

Cars

Cars in Petite Maman

3 cars on screen, including the 2010 Toyota Aygo and the Mahindra 575 DI.

  • 2010 Toyota Aygo in Petite Maman 2010 Toyota Aygo Minor role
  • Mahindra 575 DI in Petite Maman Mahindra 575 DI Background role
  • 2001 MINI Cooper in Petite Maman 2001 MINI Cooper Background role
Details

Petite Maman Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “Little Mom” and “Küçük Anne”.

Also known as
  • Little Mom
  • Küçük Anne
  • เจ้าหญิงน้อย
  • Lille mamma
  • Pequena Mamãe
  • Mala mama
  • Maminka
  • Maja lapsuuden reunalla
  • Μικρή μαμά
  • 童心奇緣
  • Imma Ktana
  • Mała mama
+13 more
  • 쁘띠 마망
  • 小妈妈
  • Маленькая мама
  • אימא קטנה
  • Petite Maman - Als wir Kinder waren
  • Lilla mamma
  • Pequeña Mamá
  • Маленька мама
  • 親愛的童伴
  • Mažytė mama
  • 秘密の森の、その向こう
  • 迷你孖媽
  • Väike emme

Seen Petite Maman?

FAQ

Petite Maman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Petite Maman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Petite Maman?

Petite Maman runs 1 hour 12 minutes (72 minutes).

When was Petite Maman released?

Petite Maman was released on December 3, 2021.

Who directed Petite Maman?

Petite Maman was directed by Céline Sciamma.

More films by Céline Sciamma

Who is in the cast of Petite Maman?

Petite Maman stars Joséphine Sanz as Nelly, Gabrielle Sanz as Marion and Nina Meurisse as La mère, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Petite Maman make at the box office?

Petite Maman grossed $2 million worldwide ($829,065 domestic, $1.2 million international) on a budget of $2.8 million.

How is Petite Maman rated?

Petite Maman has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 93 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Was Petite Maman nominated for any awards?

Petite Maman received 3 nominations across 3 ceremonies.

Does Petite Maman have a post-credit scene?

No. Petite Maman 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