Overview
A heartwarming tale of resilience and the bonds of family amidst the Swiss Alps.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- warm
- gentle
- hopeful
- family movie night
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics and audiences broadly regard this adaptation as a heartfelt, visually beautiful, and highly effective family film.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Heidi’s longing for and return to her grandfather’s Alpine home contrasts with her unhappiness in Frankfurt.
Heidi is transferred from her aunt to her grandfather and later to the wealthy Sesemann household.
The story alternates between Heidi’s mountain life and the Sesemann household in Frankfurt.
Heidi becomes companion to the sheltered, disabled Klara Sesemann and brings vitality into her life.
Films like Heidi, and why
The Secret Garden
warm family drama, orphan protagonist, pastoral landscapes, and an emphasis on belonging
A Little Princess
gentle coming-of-age story centered on friendship, displacement, and restorative nature
The Sound of Music
family adventure with an adventurous child, emotional resilience, and scenic rural settings
Anne of Green Gables
faithful-feeling literary adaptation balancing childhood hardship with comforting family bonds
Movie Details
- Director
- Alain Gsponer
- Release Date
- 2015-12-10
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (449)
Cast
- Anuk Steffen
- Bruno Ganz
- Quirin Agrippi
- Isabelle Ottmann
- Katharina Schüttler
- Maxim Mehmet
- Hannelore Hoger
- Jella Haase
- Anna Schinz
- Peter Lohmeyer
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Dove Amazon Channel, Cineverse 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 Heidi about?
- An energetic Swiss orphan finds belonging and brings unexpected joy to a sheltered girl while moving between Alpine freedom and affluent Frankfurt life.
- What is Heidi like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Heidi as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Heidi violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Heidi.
- What did critics think of Heidi?
- Critics and audiences broadly regard this adaptation as a heartfelt, visually beautiful, and highly effective family film.
- Which films are like Heidi?
- Films with a similar feel include The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, The Sound of Music, and Anne of Green Gables.
- How long is Heidi?
- Heidi runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Heidi?
- In United States, Heidi streams on Dove Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
