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Meet the Classics

Little Women: book vs. movie

Little Women is one of the most filmed books ever written. There are big Hollywood films from 1933, 1949, 1994 and 2019, a BBC series, a Japanese animated series, a Broadway musical and modern retellings. With so many choices, this page helps parents find the version that suits a 6–9 year old, explains how the newest film differs from the book, and gives honest notes about the sad parts, because Beth’s story makes almost everyone cry.

Which version should we watch?

For a 6–9 year old, read the book first in a simple retelling, so the four sisters feel like friends before you meet them on screen. Then try the 1994 film: it tells the story in order, it is warm and beautiful, and children can follow it easily. The 2017 BBC series is another gentle choice. Whichever you pick, be ready to talk about Beth, because her part of the story is sad.

Save the 2019 film for a little later, around 8 or older. It is wonderful, but the jumps between past and present can be hard for young children to follow. Leave the 2018 modern version for teens.

The film and TV versions

  • Little Women (2019)

    FilmMostly faithful

    Greta Gerwig’s film stars Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Emma Watson as Meg, Florence Pugh as Amy, Eliza Scanlen as Beth, Laura Dern as Marmee and Timothée Chalamet as Laurie. It jumps back and forth between the sisters as children and as young women.

    For families: Rated PG. Warm and lively, but the jumps in time can confuse young children, and Beth’s illness is very sad. Over two hours long, so it suits about 8 and up.

  • Little Women (2018)

    Modern retellingModern retelling

    A modern-day version set in the present, with Sarah Davenport as Jo and Lea Thompson as Marmee.

    For families: Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and teen drinking. Better for older children and teens.

  • Little Women (2017)

    TV seriesVery close to the book

    A three-part BBC series written by Heidi Thomas, with Maya Hawke as Jo, Emily Watson as Marmee, Kathryn Newton as Amy and Angela Lansbury as Aunt March.

    For families: Gentle and close to the book, in three episodes that are easy to watch over a few evenings. Beth’s illness is shown tenderly but is sad.

  • Little Women (2005)

    MusicalMostly faithful

    A Broadway musical with Sutton Foster as Jo and Maureen McGovern as Marmee, with music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein.

    For families: Often performed by schools and local theaters, so it can be a lovely first live show. The sad parts are still there, told in song.

  • Little Women (1994)

    FilmMostly faithful

    Gillian Armstrong’s film stars Winona Ryder as Jo, Susan Sarandon as Marmee, Claire Danes as Beth, Kirsten Dunst as young Amy and Christian Bale as Laurie.

    For families: Rated PG. Cozy, beautiful and told in order, so it is the easiest film for children to follow. Beth’s illness is sad; have tissues ready.

  • Tales of Little Women (1987)

    Animated seriesMostly faithful

    A Japanese animated series from Nippon Animation’s World Masterpiece Theater, covering the first part of the book in many short episodes.

    For families: Gentle and aimed at children, with a slower pace. A good fit for younger viewers if you can find it.

  • Little Women (1949)

    FilmMostly faithful

    A bright Technicolor MGM film with June Allyson as Jo, Elizabeth Taylor as Amy, Margaret O’Brien as Beth and Janet Leigh as Meg.

    For families: Old-fashioned and sweet, with nothing scary. Beth’s story is still sad, but it is handled softly.

  • Little Women (1933)

    FilmMostly faithful

    George Cukor’s black-and-white classic, with Katharine Hepburn as a bold, energetic Jo.

    For families: Gentle and charming, though black-and-white films can feel slow to young children today.

How the movies differ from the book

The story jumps back and forth
Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film starts with the sisters grown up and flashes back to their childhood. The book tells everything in order, from one Christmas to the next.
A new ending for Jo
The 2019 film mixes Jo’s story with Louisa May Alcott’s own life, showing Jo bargaining with a publisher over her book. It leaves it a little open whether Jo’s happy ending is real or something she wrote.
Amy gets a bigger voice
In the 2019 film, Amy explains why marriage matters so much for a woman with no money of her own, and she is more of a match for Jo. In the book, readers see her mostly as the spoiled youngest who slowly grows up.
New speeches
Jo’s famous speech in the 2019 film, “Women, they have minds and they have souls,” is not in Little Women. Gerwig borrowed it from another Alcott book.
Less of the lessons
The book is full of Marmee’s lessons, the girls’ Pilgrim’s Progress game and little moral tales. The 2019 film keeps the feeling of these but skips most of the teaching.

Questions about Little Women movies

Is the Little Women 2019 movie OK for kids?
Yes, it is rated PG and there is nothing scary. It is long, the timeline jumps around, and Beth’s illness is sad, so it suits about 8 and up best.
What is the best Little Women movie?
Many families love the 1994 film with Winona Ryder because it is cozy and easy to follow. The 2019 film with Saoirse Ronan won wide praise and is a favorite with older children and adults.
Is Little Women the movie the same as the book?
The main story is the same in all the big films, but each one cuts and changes parts. The 2019 film tells the story out of order and gives Jo a different, more open ending.
Which Little Women movie should kids watch first?
The 1994 film is a good first choice because it tells the story in order, from childhood to adulthood. Reading a simple retelling first helps children enjoy it even more.

Ratings are shown only where we could confirm them. Check current ratings and streaming details before watching.