Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- energetic
- uplifting
- spirited
- family movie night
- musical singalong
What critics said
Critics broadly found the historical premise and Christian Bale's spirited lead appealing but considered the musical numbers underwhelming and the production overlong.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jack Kelly organizes New York newsboys into a strike after publishers raise newspaper distribution prices.
The newsboys express their organizing and defiance through ensemble singing and dancing in the streets and production spaces.
The impoverished newsboys overcome their vulnerability by forming a union and challenging Pulitzer and Hearst.
The plot takes place in New York City in July 1899 amid newspaper distribution networks and urban poverty.
Films like Newsies, and why
The Greatest Showman
historical youth rebellion, energetic musical numbers, and an uplifting underdog ensemble
Oliver!
family-oriented historical musical, teenage protagonists, and collective resistance against social injustice
West Side Story
spirited young ensemble, working-class solidarity, and choreography-driven feel-good storytelling
Movie Details
- Director
- Kenny Ortega
- Release Date
- 1992-04-10
- Runtime
- 121 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (310)
Cast
- Christian Bale
- Bill Pullman
- Ann-Margret
- Robert Duvall
- David Moscow
- Luke Edwards
- Max Casella
- Gabriel Damon
- Marty Belafsky
- Aaron Lohr
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 Newsies about?
- A spirited band of impoverished newsboys turns a newspaper price hike into a citywide strike for dignity and fair treatment.
- What is Newsies like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Newsies as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Newsies violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Newsies as mild.
- What did critics think of Newsies?
- Critics broadly found the historical premise and Christian Bale's spirited lead appealing but considered the musical numbers underwhelming and the production overlong.
- Which films are like Newsies?
- Films with a similar feel include The Greatest Showman, Oliver!, and West Side Story.
- How long is Newsies?
- Newsies runs 121 minutes.
- Where can I watch Newsies?
- In United States, Newsies streams on Disney Plus.
