Harriet the Spy

Audience Reviews

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Andrea M @RT43246490 Oct 21, 2026 This was one of my favorite movies as a child raised in the 90's !!! I watched this recently to throw it back to my childhood and man it still stands up really well to this day. I will definitely be showing this to my own children some day. The magic is this film is captured so nicely. I remember my favorite scene is the ending where they're doing the play and James brown get up on that thing comes on. Such a fun and interesting movie to watch for all ages. There's something for everyone of all ages to enjoy while watching. See more stephenpaul C @ash20261234567890 Sep 13, 2026 The worldwide gross is $26,600,000.00. See more thiago S @Thiagostone Apr 25, 2026 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 30, 2025 The worldwide gross is $26,570,048.00 over a production budget of $12,000,000.00. Difference of $14,570,048.00. Starring the late Michelle Christine Trachenberg (October 11th, 1985, in New York, New York- February 26th, 2025, in Manhattan, New York, at the age of 39 years, 4 months, and 15 days). And Roseann O'Donnell (Born March 21st, 1962, in Commack, New York, celebrating her 64th birthday, just 121 days ago). And the late Eartha Mae Keith (January 17th, 1927, in North, South Carolina- December 25th, 2008, in Weston, Connecticut, at the age of 81 years, 11 months, and 8 days). See more J M @Na1234 Apr 15, 2025 I remember liking the idea of this movie more than the movie itself when I was a kid and I can see why now. It’s very stylish and 90s but the plot is an aimless mess. And the characters are “quirky” to the point that they’re just obnoxious and annoying. Unfortunately , this one is not a 90s kids classic like Matilda, A Little Princess or the Pagemaster, etc. See more Matthew D @OceanSage Mar 9, 2025 “I will always remember that face.” Canadian director Bronwen Hughes’ coming-of-age comedy-drama Harriet the Spy (1996) remains a wonderful family movie. I adored Michelle Trachtenberg immensely, so it was cathartic to see her alive again as a kid in her film debut. I’ll miss her dearly as an actress. I’ll always remember her as a skilled and charming actress. She’s really excellent and sympathetic as the lonesome girl Harriet. I like how Trachtenberg portrays Harriet who learns empathy and kindness for others after starting off as a more judgmental spoiled brat. Harriet the Spy could make kids want to be a writer like Harriet or a scientist like Janie. I loved Harriet the Spy when I was a little boy, so I’m delighted to report that it still holds up! Harriet the Spy really gave me nostalgia for my childhood. It has playful kids pranks, funny references, and tender family drama that’s surprisingly heartfelt. I was tearing up at the scene where Rosie O’Donnell’s nanny Golly leaves Harriet alone. I felt bad to Harriet being left all alone to her own devices, but her spy adventures looking in on all her neighbors is a ton of fun. I found the classroom drama between Harriet and her friends rather poignant and amusing too. They really don’t make charming family movies filled with great wisdom anymore. Writers Douglas Petrie and Theresa Rebeck adapted author Louise Fitzhugh’s children’s novel with a real empathy for the perspective of children. I think Harriet the Spy would be great for parents to show their kids about being kind to their friends, getting along with their fellow classmates, as well as being sensitive to the poor suffering without luxury. You could make the case for parents needing to be there for their kids when they are sad in addition to encouraging their hobbies to support a potential career path they are actually interested in for themselves. There’s a crucial lesson for parents not to argue and bicker in front of your kid also. Harriet’s parents have no real interest in understanding her until things get dire. Bronwen Hughes did a fantastic job directing Harriet the Spy for her lovely directorial debut. I was struck by the beautiful soft lighting and natural lighting through the trees in the park. It’s delightful to see Toronto in the Fall, where they shot the movie. I love that Harriet gets to see Mata Hari starring Greta Garbo since she likes spies! That’s such a cute idea! Casting director Jill Greenberg Sands cast the perfect mischievous Harriet with the sweet Michelle Trachtenberg. I like the large Canadian supporting ensemble that is very diverse. Michelle Trachtenberg is phenomenal as Harriet M. Welsch. She’s appropriately precocious and thoughtful as this little writer, who wants to be a spy. I love when you can see Trachtenberg’s emotional performance with her tearful eyes when her parents ignore her, her friends abandon her, or when Golly leaves her. She’s funny, playful, sweet, and moving here as Harriet the Spy. Rosie O'Donnell is fantastic as the kind, nurturing, amusing, and wise nanny Catherine "Ole Golly.” Rosie is surprisingly heartfelt and motherly towards Harriet in a really wonderful supporting role. You can tell Harriet sees her more as a mother than just a friend who listens. Gregory Smith is nice as Harriet’s poor best friend Sport. I was quite touched by his storyline just trying to get by with his impoverished father, played by the friendly Gerry Quigley. Vanessa Lee Chester is fun as the science wiz Janie Gibbs, who is one of Harriet’s closest friends. J. Smith-Cameron is very compelling as Harriet’s absent mother Violetta Welsch, who cannot understand her daughter’s feelings. Robert Joy is quite nice as Harriet’s father Ben Welsch, who tries to get Harriet’s perspective. Eartha Kitt gets a very funny cameo as the eccentric Agatha K. Plummer. Nancy Beatty’s pleasant teacher Miss Elson is very amusing talking to the kids. Roger Clark is so nice and understanding with Harriet as her children’s therapist Dr. Wagner. Charlotte Sullivan is excellent as the mean girl Marion Hawthorne with her own sorrows. Teisha Kim is also fun as Marion’s toadie Rachel Hennessy. Cecilley Carroll’s Beth Ellen Hansen, who is a girl obsessed with teen heartthrobs, is nice. Dov Tiefenbach’s Boy with Purple Socks and Nina Shock’s girl dealing with puberty named Carrie Andrews are great side characters. Editor Debra Chiate’s swift cuts keep Harriet’s life moving along. I liked the cuts that give us all her little spy adventures with neat cuts between her eyes and what she’s spying on everywhere. Cinematographer Francis Kenny’s beautiful wide shots of Toronto look spectacular. I was really pleasantly surprised by all the close-ups of Michelle Trachtenberg to let us into how Harriet is really feeling. Production designer Lester Cohen’s sets are awesome for Harriet’s lovely home. I want to live in this upper middle class home. Art director Paul D. Austerberry makes all the classrooms and bedrooms look so fun and colorful. Composer Jamshied Sharifi’s film score is awesome with plenty of upbeat jazz and funk music. Sound designer Randle Akerson captured clear voice recordings. Costume designer Donna Zakowska adorns the kids with layers and mismatched clothes in true 1990’s fashion. Makeup artist Donald Mowat and Hairstylist James D. Brown did fun and unique looks for each kid. In the end, Harriet the Spy is fabulous, funny, and moving for a brisk 100 minutes. This was an easy comfort watch for me. See more Read all reviews

Harriet the Spy

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