Skip to content
MovieCove
Annie

Annie

It's a hard knock life.

2014118 minPGMidcredits score: 38th percentile of all films
Director
Will Gluck
Starring
Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Rose Byrne, Cameron Diaz

Annie is a young, happy foster kid who's also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they'd be back for her someday, it's been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan. But everything's about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks—advised by his brilliant VP and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor—makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he's her guardian angel, but Annie's self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it's the other way around.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Annie?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Annie streaming on Netflix and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Annie?

Annie earns 7 badges, led by Cult Classic and Word-of-mouth hit.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Annie worth watching?

Annie's Midcredits score is the 38th percentile of all films, from 206K ratings across 6 sources. 41% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

38th percentile

Better received than 38% of films

42nd percentile among Comedy38th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)37th
Approval (how many liked it)39th

58 /100

37th percentile of all films

41st percentile among Comedy39th percentile among 2010s

Critics 33 · Audience 60

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

Ratings scatter across the whole scale — one of the most divisive reactions in the catalog.

41% liked it

39th percentile of all films

43rd percentile among Comedy39th percentile among 2010s
41% rated it 7–1059% rated it 1–6

Critics 27% · Audience 59%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 3 wins / 20 noms overall

  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Original Song - Motion Picture
  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical

97th percentile

206K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Comedy97th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 25% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$65M
Opening weekend$16M
Domestic gross$86M
Worldwide gross$137M

Returned 2.1× its budget — 97th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is a modern retelling of the classic musical that carries the familiar rags-to-riches story, with new songs and a fresh cast, though they differ on whether that update succeeds.

Fans praised

  • Quvenzhané Wallis's charm and pluck carry the film
  • Catchy new songs and updated music
  • Fun, modern humor that lands at least some of the time

Detractors panned

  • Unnecessary, tone-deaf remake lacking heart and spirit
  • Cameron Diaz and other cast give grating, one-note performances
  • Rushed, haphazard story with weak direction and sloppy pacing

What stands out

Sound and musicDivisive60

New songs catchy but autotuned and hip-hop mix off

ActingDivisive40

Wallis shines; Diaz, Cannavale, and Byrne panned as flat or off

DialogueDivisive40

Modern jokes hit or miss; some cringe-worthy lines

CharactersDivisive35

Underdeveloped relationships; Stacks' arc rushed

Plot and storyDivisive35

Story lacks cohesion and build-up; haphazard updates

Emotional impactDivisive35

Lack of heart; 'Who Am I?' touching but overall hollow

OriginalityDivisive30

Unnecessary remake; fails to justify its existence

PacingDivisive30

Loses steam; editing felt metronomic

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 22 points higher than men.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 10 points higher than critics.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 8 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Annie like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It has a few laughs and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
JoyfulHopefulWarm
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its sentimental story and musical numbers with earnest warmth, never winking at its own material.
The rideBright musical numbers and charm carry the film, with a middle stretch that raises emotional stakes around Annie's future.
StructureThe story follows a conventional beginning, middle and end, with Annie's ordinary life disrupted by meeting Stacks, leading to conflict and a happy resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's upbeat musical numbers and heartwarming resolution leave a buoyant, feel-good afterglow.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rags
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3% (this title): Underdog triumph 2% (this title) · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rags to riches: A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition. · Underdog triumph: Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).

3% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeAnnie's journey from a foster child in Harlem to being adopted by a billionaire mayor candidate is a classic rags-to-riches story, driven by her innate optimism and ability to win over a hard-nosed tycoon.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% (this title) · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsHope · 5% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film celebrates the power of familial love and optimism in overcoming hardship.
StanceThe film affirms the value of found family and the possibility of change, presenting them as goods worth having.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalStylized realism
PopOrchestral modernForeground music · original score
Settingmodern-day New York City, contrasting Annie's foster home with Will Stacks' penthouse world
MusicA contemporary pop score reworks classic songs with modern production, carrying the musical numbers.

Content guide

Is Annie okay for kids?

PG

Annie is rated PG: “Rated PG for some mild language and rude humor” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (25/100), sexual content at minimal (14/100), language at moderate (40/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (38/100) and frightening material at mild (27/100). Overall it is heavier than 46% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 17 other countries
  • UKPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany0
  • FranceU
  • IrelandPG
  • JapanG
  • South KoreaALL
  • Austria6
  • CzechiaU
  • Denmark7
  • GreeceK
  • Hungary6
  • Netherlands14
  • Poland12
  • ROAP
  • SpainA
  • Switzerland12
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 13% of all filmsHeavier than 46% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 24%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 26%
Profanity
Moderate
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 80%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 85%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 27%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 80% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Annie have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Annie?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Quvenzhané Wallis
as Annie
Globe nominee: Golden Globe nomination — Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Jamie Foxx
as Will Stacks
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Rose Byrne
as Grace
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Cameron Diaz
as Hannigan
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bobby Cannavale
as Guy
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
as Nash
David Zayas
as Lou
Amanda Troya
as Pepper
Zoe Colletti
as Tessie
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Nicolette Pierini
as Mia
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Annie?

Movies like Annie include Annie (1982), The Country Bears (2002) and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018). Of the 12 closest matches, several are underdog stories, and several are films about hope.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its feel: musical. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Annie?

2.3K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: musical. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.