The Florida Project (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Florida Project is a 2017 drama directed by Sean Baker, starring Brooklynn Prince as Moonee, Bria Vinaite and Aiden Malik. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $10.9 million worldwide on a $2 million budget. It won 1 award from 10 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 92 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Sean Baker
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- A24
- Budget
- $2M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Florida Project About?
The premise of The Florida Project without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
On the edge of the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, six-year-old Moonee and her mother, Halley, live in a budget motel. Moonee embraces a life of adventure with her friends, finding joy in their surroundings. However, Halley faces significant financial challenges, struggling to provide for them. The story explores their resilience and the sacrifices made while navigating difficult circumstances and pursuing hope.
The Florida Project Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- poverty
- little girl
- motel manager
- single mother
- unfit mother
- disneyworld
- child protective services
- mother daughter relationship
- setting a building on fire
- friendship
- florida
- innocence
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- swimming pool
- prostitute
- female nudity
- social services
- pedophile
- friendship between girls
- prostitution
- prostitute mother
- living in a motel
- cigarette smoking
- place in title
- pizza
- bathtub
- blowing out candles on a birthday cake
- crying girl
- best friend
- waitress
- flipping the bird
- friendship between women
- kissimmee florida
- eviction
- disney's magic kingdom
- topless sunbathing
- making ends meet
- walt disney world
- spitting on someone
- reference to justin bieber
- female protagonist
- ice cream
- birthday
- abandoned house on fire
- child sleeps with parent
- theft
- black eye
- colored hair
- summer vacation
- starting a fire
- running away
The Florida Project Cast & Characters
Brooklynn Prince leads the cast as Moonee, with Bria Vinaite as Halley and Aiden Malik as Dicky. Directed by Sean Baker; 15 actors are credited in all.
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Director Sean Baker
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Brooklynn Prince as Moonee -
Bria Vinaite as Halley -
Aiden Malik as Dicky -
Christopher Rivera as Scooty
Also Starring in The Florida Project
· 11 more- Josie Olivo Grandma Stacy
- Valeria Cotto Jancey
- Willem Dafoe Bobby
- Caleb Landry Jones
- Macon Blair
- Karren Karagulian
- Sandy Kane Gloria
- Edward Pagan Dicky's Dad
- Jasineia Ramos Luci
- Patti Wiley Amber
- Jason Blackwater
More from Sean Baker
More films directed by Sean Baker, best-rated first: Anora, Red Rocket, Tangerine and Starlet.
The Florida Project Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Florida Project 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 92 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).
The Florida Project Echo Score Breakdown
The Florida Project’s most striking quality is its evocative portrayal of marginalized lives through an unvarnished, child-centered lens. Critics praise the film’s determined optimism and unfiltered intimacy, noting how its episodic structure and vivid production design immerse viewers in Moonee’s world. While some audiences find the pacing slow and the lack of a conventional narrative arc testing, many applaud the film’s emotional authenticity and thematic depth. On balance, the movie delivers a poignant and resonant experience that remains impactful beyond 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 90
In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual design and direction stand out for their vibrant color palette and measured composition. Critics note the child’s-eye framing and luminous production design, while users praise the immaculate image quality and bright hues of the motel. The editing’s episodic rhythm underlines slice-of-life authenticity. Overall, the craftsmanship is exceptional.
- Character & Emotion 80
When it comes to character and emotion, the cast elicits nuanced authenticity despite occasional range limitations. Reviews highlight Brooklynn Prince’s natural presence and Bria Vinaite’s intense portrayal alongside Dafoe’s grounded support. While a few critics note stereotypical traits and moments of screeching energy, the interactions consistently convey emotional stakes and human warmth. Overall, the performances anchor the film’s poignant resonance.
- Story & Flow 75
The story unfolds in an episodic, slice-of-life manner that emphasizes lived reality over conventional narrative. Many reviewers commend its originality and the gradual build toward a devastating climax, while others find the pacing slow and the events sparse. The film’s structure serves a purpose in reflecting the characters’ rhythms, though it may test patience. Ultimately, the narrative’s authenticity sustains engagement for invested viewers.
- Sensory Experience 75
In sensory terms, the film’s vibrant visual style is a notable strength, with an understated color palette that underscores both whimsy and hardship. The cinematography captures the sunlit motel setting in crisp detail, and the soundtrack’s ambient textures reinforce the realism. At times, however, the unfiltered noise of child play can feel overwhelming. Overall, the sensory design is immersive and cohesive.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Regarding rewatchability, the film delivers a memorable single viewing with its poignant climax and authentic performances. Many viewers find its emotional impact and vivid imagery linger long after the credits, suggesting lasting appeal. However, the slow pacing and heavy themes may limit the desire for multiple viewings. Overall, it offers a strong, albeit selective, replay value.
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IMDb 7.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 96% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 81%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 92 Metascore
User score 7.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 74% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 4.1 /5
27K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Florida Project Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Florida Project 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 vibrant town of Kissimmee, Florida, young Dicky, portrayed by Aiden Malik, excitedly brings his friends, six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and Scooty (Christopher Rivera), to explore the nearby seedy motel known as Future Land. Their day begins mischievously as they climb to the second-floor balcony, engaging in playful antics by spitting on a car. This attracts the attention of the car’s owner, Stacy (Josie Olivo), who promptly reprimands them, especially when Moonee targets Stacy’s granddaughter, Jancey (Valeria Cotto).
Stacy swiftly heads to the adjacent Magic Castle Motel, where the trio resides, and alerts the manager, Bobby (Willem Dafoe). Bobby approaches Halley, Moonee’s young mother played by Bria Vinaite, about the children’s behavior. Consequently, Moonee and her friends are coerced into cleaning up the mess they made on Stacy’s car.
Full summary
The whole story of The Florida Project, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Florida Project Box Office & Budget
The Florida Project grossed $10.9 million worldwide on a $2 million budget, 5.4 times what it cost. $5.9 million came from the US and Canada and $5 million (46%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$10.9M
5.4× its budget
- US & Canada
- $5.9M
- International
- $5M
- Budget
- $2M
The Florida Project Awards & Nominations
The Florida Project won 1 award from 10 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2018, with 1 win from 3 nominations.
1 win10 nominations7 ceremonies
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Critics' Choice 2018 1 win · 3 nominations- Won Best Young Actor/Actress – Brooklynn Prince
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Best Supporting Actor – Willem Dafoe
-
Spirit Awards 2018 2 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Sean Baker
- Nominated Best Feature
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Actor Awards (SAG) 2018 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Willem Dafoe
-
Artios Awards 2018 1 nomination- Nominated Studio or Independent – Drama
Show all 7 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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BAFTA 2018 1 nomination- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Willem Dafoe
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Golden Globes 2018 1 nomination- Nominated Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy – Willem Dafoe
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Oscars 2018 1 nomination- Nominated Actor in a Supporting Role – Willem Dafoe
The Florida Project Trailers & Videos
18 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 6 clips, 9 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Teaser THE FLORIDA PROJECT premieres 27 October on Rialto Channel
- Clip The Florida Project | No Harm No Fowl | Official Clip HD | A24
- Clip "One Drip, And You're Out!" | THE FLORIDA PROJECT | Altitude Films
- Clip Power Outage At The Purple Place | THE FLORIDA PROJECT | Altitude Films
How Well Do You Know The Florida Project?
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
Who are the main children characters in 'The Florida Project'?
Cars in The Florida Project
69 cars on screen, including the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier and the E-Z-Go TXT.
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2000 Chevrolet Cavalier Minor role -
E-Z-Go TXT Minor role -
2003 Ford E-350 Minor role -
1996 Honda Civic Minor role
The Florida Project Also Known As
35 alternative titles, including “Проект "Флорида"” and “佛罗里达廉租房”.
- Also known as
-
- Проект "Флорида"
- 佛罗里达廉租房
- 佛罗里达项目
- 佛罗里达计划
- El proyecto Florida
- แดน (ไม่) เนรมิต
- Mon royaume en Floride
- 플로리다 프로젝트
- フロリダ・プロジェクト 真夏の魔法:2017
- 迪士尼的夏天
- 佛罗里达公租乐事
- 佛罗里达工程
+23 more Show fewer
- 佛罗里达贫民区
- Ֆլորիդա Նախագիծը
- 歡迎光臨夢幻樂園
- 歡迎光臨奇幻城堡
- Проект «Флорида»
- Florida Projesi
- Floridai álom
- Проектът "Флорида"
- Projekt Floryda
- Projeto Flórida
- Un sogno chiamato Florida
- 佛罗里达乐园
- Floridos projektas
- פרוייקט פלורידה
- Proiectul Florida
- フロリダ・プロジェクト 真夏の魔法
- Proyecto Florida
- Ævintýri í Flórída
- Floridas projekts
- Dự Án Florida
- Пројекат Флорида, პროექტი "ფლორიდა"
- Projekt Florida
- Florida projekt
Seen The Florida Project?
Movies Like The Florida Project
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Suncoast, Sunshine State and Florida Man.
Articles About The Florida Project
2 articles about The Florida Project. The latest: “Exploring the World of Microbudget Filmmaking”.
The Florida Project FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Florida Project, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Florida Project?
The Florida Project runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was The Florida Project released?
The Florida Project was released on October 6, 2017.
Who directed The Florida Project?
The Florida Project was directed by Sean Baker.
More films by Sean Baker Who is in the cast of The Florida Project?
The Florida Project stars Brooklynn Prince as Moonee, Bria Vinaite as Halley and Aiden Malik as Dicky, among 15 credited actors.
How much did The Florida Project make at the box office?
The Florida Project grossed $10.9 million worldwide ($5.9 million domestic, $5 million international) on a budget of $2 million.
How is The Florida Project rated?
The Florida Project has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 92 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.
What awards did The Florida Project win?
The Florida Project won 1 award from 10 nominations, including Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics' Choice 2018.
Does The Florida Project have a post-credit scene?
No. The Florida Project has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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