Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- uplifting
- whimsical
- theatrical
- family movie night
- holiday viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the adaptation overproduced, sluggish, and stagebound, while acknowledging the memorable songs and appealing performances, especially Carol Burnett and Albert Finney.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The production features sumptuous production numbers, dancing servants, orphans performing gymnastics, and Radio City-style Rockettes.
Annie's stay with Oliver Warbucks changes the industrialist into a father figure while bringing her into an affluent household.
Annie survives Miss Hannigan's miserable orphanage and remains determined to find her parents.
Warbucks offers a reward for Annie's genuine parents, motivating the Hannigans' impersonation scheme and the ensuing danger.
Films like Annie, and why
Oliver!
family-oriented musical spectacle, orphan protagonist, and uplifting class-crossing fantasy
The Sound of Music
large-scale family musical with memorable songs, comic villains, and a child-centered story
Matilda
warm children's musical built around an orphan, eccentric adults, and theatrical production numbers
Bugsy Malone
period musical comedy combining child peril, colorful villains, and sentimental found-family themes
Movie Details
- Director
- John Huston
- Release Date
- 1982-05-21
- Runtime
- 127 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (803)
Cast
- Aileen Quinn
- Albert Finney
- Carol Burnett
- Ann Reinking
- Tim Curry
- Bernadette Peters
- Geoffrey Holder
- Roger Minami
- Toni Ann Gisondi
- Rosanne Sorrentino
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Annie about?
- A spirited orphan transforms a forbidding billionaire's household while thwarting a crooked scheme to claim the reward for her missing parents.
- What is Annie like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Annie as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Annie violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Annie.
- What did critics think of Annie?
- Critics broadly found the adaptation overproduced, sluggish, and stagebound, while acknowledging the memorable songs and appealing performances, especially Carol Burnett and Albert Finney.
- Which films are like Annie?
- Films with a similar feel include Oliver!, The Sound of Music, Matilda, and Bugsy Malone.
- How long is Annie?
- Annie runs 127 minutes.
- Where can I watch Annie?
- In United States, Annie is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
