Charlotte's Web (1973)

75% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(211,595 ratings)

This animated musical, based on E.B. White's children's book classic, is about a courageous spider who helps save the life of an ill-fated pig. Wilbur is a young pig (voice of Henry Gibson) who's owned by New England farmer Homer Zuckerman (voice of Robert Holt). One day he is sold to a neighbor,… More This animated musical, based on E.B. White's children's book classic, is about a courageous spider who helps save the life of an ill-fated pig. Wilbur is a young pig (voice of Henry Gibson) who's owned by New England farmer Homer Zuckerman (voice of Robert Holt). One day he is sold to a neighbor, where he meets a sheep who warns him that his fate lies in the confines of the slaughterhouse. Wilbur is terrified of this news until he meets Charlotte, a charming spider (voice of Debbie Reynolds), who is determined to save Wilbur from this dire destiny. By weaving words into her web, she convinces the farmer that Wilbur is some sort of prodigious animal too important to kill. The music for Charlotte's Web was written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, who wrote the scores for countless Disney movies, including Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Charles A. Nichols, Agnes Moorehead
Written By: Earl Hamner
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Feb 22, 1973 Wide
On DVD: Jun 19, 2001
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Don Druker, Chicago Reader
It preserves some of the form and language of White's original but fattens and sweetens his lean and pungent prose with songs by Richard and Robert Sherman.
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
Heartwarming tale of love and friendship.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A charming animated adaptation of E.B. White's beloved fantasy.
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
Almost as sweet as the children's classic novel, "Charlotte's Web" is just, well, crawling with entertainment.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
One of the year's best family films.
Clint Morris, Film Threat
Family Entertainment never got better
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Some classic!
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
The Hanna-Barbera animation is better than the studio's usual bare-bones mediocrity, and the voice cast is superb.
Audrey Rock-Richardson, Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)
Fairly crude animation, but a sweet and necessary story is told here about love and loss.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
the much-loved book loses nothing in its transfer to the screen
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Charming kid's cartoon full of great voice performances.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An animated children's classic about a spider and a pig and their exploration of brotherly love and self-sacrifice.
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide
E.B. White's affecting tale is given a Saturday morning cartoon treatment.

Read all 13 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

I didn't enjoy this one all that much. It was a typical animated movie. Any kid would like it, though.
Michael E

one of those nostalgic animated movies from my childhood that i still love
AJ V

Slightly slow at times, but the story is still good, adapted from the novel. I enjoyed this movie as a kid, and I think kids today will like it too.
Chris W

Very charming and heart warming animated adaptation. Not without it's tearjerker moment or two though.
Bently L

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!! What an excellent adaption to such an excellent book!!! Charlotte's Web is so true to its source material it just makes me proud. The characters are so loving, well-drawn, and well depicted. The story is so sweet, well… More
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!! What an excellent adaption to such an excellent book!!! Charlotte's Web is so true to its source material it just makes me proud. The characters are so loving, well-drawn, and well depicted. The story is so sweet, well concieved, bittersweet, and enjoyable. Even though the characters are animals, they are very believable. Wilbur's chemistry with Charlotte the spider is so strong it almost feels like a romance even though a romantic relationship between a spider and a pig would be pretty sickening. Charlotte's death always got me when I was younger and still gets me today. Her death is so emotional I think it even surpasses Ellie's in Up. Oh, and who does not love Tempelton? I mean he is one awesome rat!!! And a gross one too. Parents, if you have kids, you should expose them to the book and this movie. JUST DON'T EXPOSE THEM TO THE DIRECT-TO-VIDEO SEQUEL!!! Also, give the live-action version a try despite my bad review below. Charlotte's Web is such a great film. E.B White would be proud. "I have no name but you can call me Uncle."
Richard C

C
Conner R

I think anyone will agree that this is the definitive film version of Charlotte's Web. It's a fun movie that also has a very deep side. The voice talents were great and I've always found it to be a great translation. However, the book is the best way to experience the… More
I think anyone will agree that this is the definitive film version of Charlotte's Web. It's a fun movie that also has a very deep side. The voice talents were great and I've always found it to be a great translation. However, the book is the best way to experience the story.
Jennifer D

I loved this movie as a kid. And no remake will ever out do it.
Anthony L

Another childhood favourite!
Jason O

"Charlotte's Web" is the classic tale of a runt pig that is troubled by the threat of being killed for food and befriended by a knowledgeable spider. The movie takes place on a small farm and tells the story of how Wilbur the pig struggles early in his life and later… More
"Charlotte's Web" is the classic tale of a runt pig that is troubled by the threat of being killed for food and befriended by a knowledgeable spider. The movie takes place on a small farm and tells the story of how Wilbur the pig struggles early in his life and later rises to be famous. Charlotte the spider tells Wilbur many great lessons in life and gives him the encouragement it takes to make him feel good about himself. I grew up watching "Charlotte's Web" and it's still a good movie to watch. People will remember the movie by certain parts such as when Charlotte writes messages on her web about Wilbur, such as 'Some Pig,' and when Wilbur tries to fly. "Charlotte's Web" is a classic and if you have any kids, it will probably be one of their favorite movies. NOTE: That was my Amazon review written in the year 2000. One of the best animated classics and the first movie I ever remember making me cry...when I was about 7 or 8 lol.
Curtis L

Been a while.
Lafe F

A classic animated animal story with great characters and songs. We watched this repeatedly as children. Wilbur, Charlotte and the barnyard animals were all loveable and sympathetic, which made it sadder when some hard lessons of nature were introduced. There are good songs as well.… More
A classic animated animal story with great characters and songs. We watched this repeatedly as children. Wilbur, Charlotte and the barnyard animals were all loveable and sympathetic, which made it sadder when some hard lessons of nature were introduced. There are good songs as well. We really got into it. Who needs the live-action 2006 CGI version?
danny d

fun little family classic
Jason S

ok
Leigh R

Good animation film.
Kalel J

There may be a live action remake in the works as I type this but it would be very hard for it to be beat this original animated version - very hard. This is one of those rare exceptions where cartoon characters can bring about emotion in the audience and have the factor of working… More
There may be a live action remake in the works as I type this but it would be very hard for it to be beat this original animated version - very hard. This is one of those rare exceptions where cartoon characters can bring about emotion in the audience and have the factor of working more cohesively with the film that if it were to take the more real route (a la remake). The story is simple, characters are simple, but when things are combined in this film magic happens and it's morality will strike the audience like a spider web. This a great film, very much recommended.
Dillon L

No, Charlotte, no! It's not a terrible kids movie, from what I can still recall. I'm giving it three stars because I remember liking it, but its also been a long time since I've seen it, so three stars should even it out for now at least.
William G

So sick of this pro-spider propaganda...
Andrew F

It is a very good movie. Charlotte is awesome. But it is really dark for a kids movie.
Jason S

This animated adaptation of one of the most beloved stories, its perfect viewing. Laughs, tears and fun for the whole family, its just a brilliant movie.