Annie (1981)

50% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(345,880 ratings)

This family classic is adapted from the Broadway musical, which was based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie. During the Great Depression in New York City, a plucky red-haired scrapper named Annie (Aileen Quinn) is the voice of hope for her fellow orphans who live under the supervision of… More This family classic is adapted from the Broadway musical, which was based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie. During the Great Depression in New York City, a plucky red-haired scrapper named Annie (Aileen Quinn) is the voice of hope for her fellow orphans who live under the supervision of drunken floozy Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett). Annie's spirit is fueled by the belief that her real parents dropped her off at the orphanage with a half of a locket, promising to return for her with the other half. One day, the dingy orphanage is visited by the sophisticated Grace Farrell (Ann Reinking), personal secretary to conservative politician Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney). In order to improve his image, Grace brings Annie to the Warbucks estate for a weeklong visit. Annie quickly wins the hearts of servants and politicians alike, eventually even bringing her song of hope, "Tomorrow," to President Roosevelt in Washington. Warbucks and Grace even go so far as to perform a public search for Annie's parents, creating an opportunity for Miss Hannigan, Rooster (Tim Curry), and Lily (Bernadette Peters) to scam their way to the reward money. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 7 min.
Directed By: John Huston
Written By: Thomas Meehan, Carol Sobieski
Genres: Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 18, 1982 Wide
On DVD: Dec 12, 2000
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The movie offers an insulting 'let them eat cake' gesture toward the 1982 audience, but the pacing is so ragged and the characters so lifeless that few will be able to stay awake long enough to feel offended.
, Variety
Many people said John Huston was an odd choice to direct Annie and he proves them right.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's like some kind of dumb toy that doesn't do anything or go anywhere, but it is fun to watch as it spins mindlessly around and around.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
They don't build movies like this anymore.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
John Huston is the wrong director, lacking appreciation for the musical genre
Sarah Wenk, Common Sense Media
Tale of cute orphan is great for the whole family.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This charming musical based on the comic strip character Little Orphan Annie features many memorable songs and pleasant dance numbers.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The songs never take off into anything very much, the whole atmosphere (apart from the climax) is distinctly stagebound, and Huston merely reveals why he had never before in his long career been hired to make a musical.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Serviceable version of the Broadway show. Burnett shines as Miss Hannigan.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Huston's biggest misfire; ponderous and sluggish.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[O]verly long, uninspired, and frequently awful...
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Now, full screen is reprehensible enough on regular movies--but on a musical? With big dance numbers? It's downright ludicrous.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Annie is a happy--go lucky musical with a happy ending.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
Whenever the kids are singing, you'll want to put their numbers on infinite loop.
Pete Croatto, Filmcritic.com
Most of the movie featured doe-eyed, orphaned girls either getting abused by a boozehound or doing manual labor

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Alexander D

The 1982 adaptation of ANNIE was worse than I expected. It was truly an unfaithful, uneven production, despite the heart and emotion of it all. Once again, as we can see, Hollywood has ruined theater with its terrible transformation of so-called "sung-through musicals"… More
The 1982 adaptation of ANNIE was worse than I expected. It was truly an unfaithful, uneven production, despite the heart and emotion of it all. Once again, as we can see, Hollywood has ruined theater with its terrible transformation of so-called "sung-through musicals" into talkative productions with only 30% music. I don't even want to know what disaster the forthcoming Willow Smith remake will bring us.
Bethany M

A childhood favourite and a classic!
AJ V

This is my favourite version of Annie, it has an excellent cast and many catchy songs. The only thing I don't like is how long it is, but it's still worth seeing anyway. I reallly like this movie.
Candy R

Broadway musical about an orphan girl called Annie who is adopted by a rich millionaire.
Bently L

Annie is 127-minute musical extravaganza of humor, great songs, and cuteness. This is truly a classic! Parents, if you're kids haven't seen it, please add this to your Netflix queue or something and make them watch it. They'll enjoy it! Its impossible to not love this… More
Annie is 127-minute musical extravaganza of humor, great songs, and cuteness. This is truly a classic! Parents, if you're kids haven't seen it, please add this to your Netflix queue or something and make them watch it. They'll enjoy it! Its impossible to not love this film. ♫Dumb dog, why are you following me?♫
danny d

a charming little musical that is better seen on stage than on film, but its still a solid movie with a perfect cast.
Jason S

I grew up watching this flick and I thought it was pretty good. I see it now and notice all the great performers in it. From Albert Finney to Carol Burnett and Tim Curry this was an excellent cast. The music is memorable and the dance numbers are fun to watch. I recommend the flick… More
I grew up watching this flick and I thought it was pretty good. I see it now and notice all the great performers in it. From Albert Finney to Carol Burnett and Tim Curry this was an excellent cast. The music is memorable and the dance numbers are fun to watch. I recommend the flick for families but it did seem a little long on the last viewing.
Coxxie M

eew no that Annie is disgusting she makes old Annie look like an angel. BRING BACK OLD ANNIE!! REMAKE ANNIE SUCKS!!!
Lady D

It?s been a fair while since watching this film, which was a childhood favorite of mine. A rags to riches tale with a heartwarming end. Great performances from Albert Finney and Tim Curry.
Julie B

I loved it when I was a kid, so I'm rating it through the mists of time...
Stephen M

It's a toss-up between this and "Escape to Victory" as to which is John Huston's worst film.
Dean M

Not a bad adventure of the long-running comic strip heroine in this musical film.
Dan S

That girl got on my nerves
Rachel F

A must see classic.
Sophie B

hahaha little ginger kid running around singing gutted ur ginger
Leigh R

Annie and I are soul mates of a sort.
Yinalí R

Classic.
Andrew F

The music is really catchy, and the villans are very devious.
Isaac H

A lively and cute romp of a musical.
Quinto W

I had not seen this movie in forever until this very morning. Wow! The story is incredibly rushed and most of the musical numbers feel either stale and/or way too planned, without any naturality, but... I mean, it was such a huge part of my childhood and I can't help it loving… More
I had not seen this movie in forever until this very morning. Wow! The story is incredibly rushed and most of the musical numbers feel either stale and/or way too planned, without any naturality, but... I mean, it was such a huge part of my childhood and I can't help it loving the movie. I still know all the songs apparently, I love Tim Curry to death and "It's a Hard Knock Life" is one of my favorite movie scenes of all time. I'm a sucker for nostalgia.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Albert Finney as Daddy Warbucks

            Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan

            Aileen Quinn as Annie

            Ann Reinking as Grace Farrell

            Bernadette Peters as Lily

            Tim Curry as Rooster Hannigan

            Geoffrey Holder as Punjab

            Roger Minami as Asp

            Edward Herrmann as Franklin D. Roosevelt

            Toni Ann Gisondi as Molly

            Rosanne Sorrentino as Pepper

            Lara Berk as Tessie

            April Lerman as Kate

            Lucie Stewart as Duffy

            Robin Ignico as July

            Lois De Banzie as Eleanor Roosevelt

            Loni Ackerman as Boylan Sister

            Larry Hankin as Pound Man

            I.M. Hobson as Drake

            Lu Leonard as Mrs. Pugh

            Peter Marshall as Bert Healy

            Irving Metzman as Bundles

            Cherie Michan as Dancer

            Amanda Peterson as Dancer

            Sandy as Himself

            Shawnee Smith as Dancer

            Ken Swofford as Weasel

            Robert Guerra
            
            Murphy Cross as Boylan Sister

            Jerome Collamore as Frick

            Jon Richards as Frack

            Kurtis Epper Sanders as Spike

            Victor Griffin
            
See full cast