Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sincere
- family movie night
- quiet weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the adaptation sincere and family-friendly, with strong performances but uneven dramatic and comedic execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Gilly's attempt to escape Maime Trotter's care brings her into conflict with, and ultimately deeper connection to, a potential family.
Gilly concocts an outrageous plan to force her birth mother to come rescue her.
Gilly's history of multiple foster homes shapes her distrust of adults and her determination to outwit each new placement.
Gilly's feisty resistance to Maime's loving care masks her longing for her birth mother and a real family.
Films like The Great Gilly Hopkins, and why
Annie
shared foster-family drama, childhood resilience, and warm family-oriented comedy
Matilda
shared found-family themes, rebellious child protagonist, and gentle emotional uplift
Instant Family
shared foster-care setting, child-centered drama, and compassionate found-family storytelling
Movie Details
- Director
- Stephen Herek
- Release Date
- 2015-10-05
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (251)
Cast
- Sophie Nélisse
- Kathy Bates
- Glenn Close
- Bill Cobbs
- Octavia Spencer
- Julia Stiles
- Clare Foley
- Billy Magnussen
- Zachary Hernandez
- Sammy Pignalosa
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Angel Studios, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Great Gilly Hopkins about?
- A fiercely independent foster child’s desperate bid for her birth mother forces her to confront the family she never expected to find.
- What is The Great Gilly Hopkins like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Great Gilly Hopkins as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Great Gilly Hopkins violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Great Gilly Hopkins.
- What did critics think of The Great Gilly Hopkins?
- Critics generally found the adaptation sincere and family-friendly, with strong performances but uneven dramatic and comedic execution.
- Which films are like The Great Gilly Hopkins?
- Films with a similar feel include Annie, Matilda, and Instant Family.
- How long is The Great Gilly Hopkins?
- The Great Gilly Hopkins runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Great Gilly Hopkins?
- In United States, The Great Gilly Hopkins streams on Angel Studios, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel.
