Newsies

Newsies (1992)

  • 32% of critics liked it
    (25 reviews)

  • 87% of users liked it
    (48,912 ratings)

A failed effort to revive the big-budget movie musical, Newsies attempted to create toe-tapping, song-and-dance excitement out of the true story of an 1899 strike by newspaper boys against publishing magnate Joseph Pulitzer. The "newsies" band together to protest a pay cut by Pulitzer (Robert… More

PG, 2 hr. 1 min.
Directed By
Kenny Ortega
Genres
Musical & Performing Arts, Kids & Family
In Theaters
Apr 10, 1992 Wide
On DVD
Jan 15, 2002
Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    The writers have created cardboard cutouts instead of flesh-and-blood characters.

  • James Berardinelli, ReelViews

    It's a bit of a throwback and a solid family film and, at the time, represented a well-intentioned leap of faith of the sort that studios rarely take.

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    This film's real trouble lies in its joyless, pointless execution.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    Although the material does indeed involve young protagonists, no effort is made to show their lives in a way today's kids can identify with. This movie must seem as odd to them as a foreign film.

  • Hal Hinson, Washington Post

    Its intentions seem fairly modest, and so are its achievements. It's a modestly enjoyable diversion.

Read all 14 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

  • Nelson P


    An extremely odd and bizarre musical that still doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Why Christian Bale was in this is beyond me.

  • danny d


    really the last good musical before a huge death period for musicals in hollywood. great dancing and fun.

  • Martin B


    Believe it or not, I'm actually a fan of modern movie musicals. But I had never seen this one, and only finally caved out of sheer curiosity to see Christian Bale sing and dance. Boy am I glad I did. Watching Bale was every bit as hilarious as I expected it to be. No wonder… More

  • Michael S


    I really enjoyed it.

  • Jason S


    A good musical. It's a good movie and I didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

See full cast

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