Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- breezy
- witty
- warm
- family movie night
- lazy weekend
What critics said
Critics generally found the film pleasant for young viewers but overly syrupy and predictable for adults.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Daphne travels from New York City to London and disrupts her father's aristocratic household with her American upbringing.
Daphne searches for her biological father and learns that Lord Henry Dashwood does not know she exists.
Daphne attempts to enliven Henry's formal estate, political circle, and stuffy aristocratic parties.
Daphne's independent journey and unconventional behavior contrast with the decorum expected by Henry's household and political ambitions.
Films like What a Girl Wants, and why
The Princess Diaries
shared coming-of-age comedy, culture clash, family reconciliation, and light romantic tone
Monte Carlo
shared teen fish-out-of-water premise, aristocratic social setting, family discovery, and feel-good humor
A Cinderella Story
shared youthful romance, class differences, British setting, and accessible family-friendly comedy
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
shared teen coming-of-age themes, parent-child reconciliation, and breezy romantic comedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Dennie Gordon
- Release Date
- 2003-03-27
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (1756)
Cast
- Amanda Bynes
- Colin Firth
- Kelly Preston
- Eileen Atkins
- Anna Chancellor
- Jonathan Pryce
- Oliver James
- Christina Cole
- Sylvia Syms
- Soleil McGhee
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 What a Girl Wants about?
- A spirited New York teenager crashes into her unknown father's British aristocratic world and transforms a guarded family through charm, rebellion, and romance.
- What is What a Girl Wants like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of What a Girl Wants as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is What a Girl Wants violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in What a Girl Wants.
- What did critics think of What a Girl Wants?
- Critics generally found the film pleasant for young viewers but overly syrupy and predictable for adults.
- Which films are like What a Girl Wants?
- Films with a similar feel include The Princess Diaries, Monte Carlo, A Cinderella Story, and The Lizzie McGuire Movie.
- How long is What a Girl Wants?
- What a Girl Wants runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch What a Girl Wants?
- In United States, What a Girl Wants streams on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus.
