Overview
A young girl's determination leads her on an unforgettable adventure across America during the Great Depression.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- adventurous
- wistful
- earnest
- family movie night
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the performances, especially Meredith Salenger’s debut, and the vivid portrayal of Depression-era life, while noting occasional pacing issues and sentimentality.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Natty hops freight trains, hitchhikes, and passes through camps, farmhouses, police stations, and reform schools on her westward search.
Natty befriends a wolf abused in dog fights, and their companionship becomes central to her journey.
The father leaves Chicago to seek timber work in Washington while Natty encounters hobos, institutions, and unstable households.
The film combines perilous travel and separation with wholesome charm, touching performances, and an ultimately hopeful family-centered resolution.
Films like The Journey of Natty Gann, and why
Anne of Green Gables
shared family adventure, youthful protagonist, historical hardship, and emotionally earnest storytelling
The Secret of Roan Inish
shared Depression-era setting, child-centered journey, rural Americana, and bittersweet warmth
A Little Princess
shared coming-of-age adventure, determined young heroine, period setting, and uplifting emotional arc
The Railway Children
shared child-centered survival adventure, train travel, and friendship amid social hardship
Movie Details
- Director
- Jeremy Kagan
- Release Date
- 1985-09-27
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (179)
Cast
- Meredith Salenger
- John Cusack
- Ray Wise
- Lainie Kazan
- Scatman Crothers
- Barry Miller
- Verna Bloom
- Bruce M. Fischer
- John Finnegan
- Jack Rader
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- 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 Journey of Natty Gann about?
- A determined Depression-era girl crosses America by freight train in search of her missing father, accompanied by a loyal abused wolf.
- What is The Journey of Natty Gann like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Journey of Natty Gann as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Journey of Natty Gann violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Journey of Natty Gann as mild.
- What did critics think of The Journey of Natty Gann?
- Critics broadly praised the performances, especially Meredith Salenger’s debut, and the vivid portrayal of Depression-era life, while noting occasional pacing issues and sentimentality.
- Which films are like The Journey of Natty Gann?
- Films with a similar feel include Anne of Green Gables, The Secret of Roan Inish, A Little Princess, and The Railway Children.
- How long is The Journey of Natty Gann?
- The Journey of Natty Gann runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Journey of Natty Gann?
- In United States, The Journey of Natty Gann streams on Disney Plus.
