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The Secret Garden: book vs. movie

The Secret Garden has been adapted many times: classic Hollywood and British films, BBC and American TV versions, and a Tony-winning Broadway musical. Each one has to decide how sad, how spooky and how magical to make the story. This page compares the best-known versions so you can choose one for a 6–9 year old, know about the sad or scary scenes before they appear, and see which changes from the book are worth talking about afterward.

Which version should we watch?

For a first viewing with a 6–9 year old, the 1993 film is the safest bet. It is rated G, beautifully made and close in spirit to the book, though you may want to warn sensitive children about the sad start. The 1987 TV movie is a gentle alternative.

Save the 2020 film for a little later, or for after you have read the book, so your child can enjoy spotting what it changes. Read the book or a picture-book retelling first if you can, because finding the garden for yourself on the page is part of the magic.

The film and TV versions

  • The Secret Garden (2020)

    FilmRated PGLoosely based

    Dixie Egerickx plays Mary, with Colin Firth as Mr. Craven and Julie Walters as Mrs. Medlock. The story moves to 1947 and the garden becomes a wild, almost magical place.

    For families: Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild peril, including a house fire near the end. Visually rich and moving, but quite different from the book.

  • The Secret Garden (1993)

    FilmRated GMostly faithful

    Directed by Agnieszka Holland, with Kate Maberly as Mary and Maggie Smith as a stern Mrs. Medlock. It is the version most families know.

    For families: Rated G. The opening earthquake and Mary’s grief may upset very young viewers, and Colin’s tantrums are loud, but it is gentle overall.

  • The Secret Garden (1991)

    MusicalMostly faithful

    A Broadway musical with music by Lucy Simon and words by Marsha Norman. Daisy Eagan won a Tony Award for playing Mary when she was eleven.

    For families: The ghosts of Mary’s family appear and sing, which is more haunting than spooky. Best for children who can sit through a full-length stage show.

  • The Secret Garden (1987)

    FilmMostly faithful

    An American TV movie for the Hallmark Hall of Fame, with Gennie James as Mary, Barret Oliver as Colin and Derek Jacobi as Mr. Craven.

    For families: Calm and old-fashioned, with nothing scarier than the book itself. A good choice for quiet viewers.

  • The Secret Garden (1975)

    TV seriesVery close to the book

    A BBC serial with Sarah Hollis Andrews as Mary, told in short episodes with plenty of Yorkshire talk.

    For families: Slow and simple by today’s standards, but very faithful. It suits children who enjoy the book’s details.

  • The Secret Garden (1949)

    FilmMostly faithful

    An MGM film with Margaret O’Brien as Mary, Dean Stockwell as Colin and Herbert Marshall as Mr. Craven. Most of it is black and white, but the garden scenes burst into color.

    For families: Darker and moodier than later versions, with shadowy halls. Better for older children who enjoy classic films.

How the movies differ from the book

An earthquake, not an illness
In the 1993 film, Mary’s parents die in an earthquake at the start. In the book they die of cholera, a sickness that sweeps through the house, and Mary is simply forgotten.
Mary’s mother and Colin’s mother
The 1993 film makes Mary’s mother the sister of Colin’s mother, with one actress playing both. In the book, Mary’s father was the brother of Mr. Craven’s wife.
Mary at the center of the ending
The 1993 film ends with Mary worrying that the garden will be locked again and her uncle welcoming her into the family. The book’s last chapter focuses mostly on Mr. Craven and Colin.
A new time and a fire (2020)
The 2020 film is set in 1947 instead of the early 1900s and adds a dramatic house fire. Its garden also looks more like a fantasy world than the book’s real English garden.

Questions about The Secret Garden movies

Is The Secret Garden (1993) OK for kids?
Yes, for most children. It is rated G, but it opens with an earthquake and Mary’s grief, so very young or sensitive children may want a grown-up nearby.
What is the best Secret Garden movie?
Many families pick the 1993 film directed by Agnieszka Holland, with Maggie Smith as Mrs. Medlock, for its faithful story and lovely garden scenes.
Is The Secret Garden movie the same as the book?
Not exactly. The 1993 film changes how Mary’s parents die and how the families are related, and the 2020 film moves the story to 1947 and adds a fire.
Is The Secret Garden 2020 movie good for children?
It is rated PG for thematic elements and some mild peril. It looks beautiful, but the fire scene and its sad flashbacks suit children around 8 and up best.

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