My sister and I love this movie! We watch it a LOT! The book is really good to though.
Harriet the Spy
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Fans of the book will want to see this film.
Why We Rated This
for Ages 9 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Harriet the Spy was written by M. Faust
Parents need to know that fans of the eponymous book will love watching an updated Harriet explore her world and write what she sees. The film, aimed at 9- to 12-year-olds, will have these kids squirming in their seats when Harriet meets her Waterloo. But older kids who loved the book will want to see it, too.
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how they've have handled being treated badly at school and how they treat their own friends. Parents won't want children imitating Harriet's attempts to seek revenge on the kids who have ostracized her or Janie's "scientific" experiments.
More on Harriet the Spy
What’s the Story?
Is It Any Good?
We want to learn more about some of the colorful characters that Harriet spies on. The movie spends just enough time with them to catch our attention, then disappoints us by forgetting about them. The only character we come to know is Harriet, who tests our sympathy by writing down mean observations about her classmates. The highlight of the movie is Rosie O'Donnell's performance as Golly, although the notion of an 11-year-old girl with a nanny will seem odd to most people.
Movie Details
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/25/1997, DVD release: 2/25/1995
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic intensity
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
good!!
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I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
My nine-year-old daughter sat with tears streaming down her face while watching the cruel behavior of Harriet's classmates when they turned on her. No happy ending makes up for that.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
I lived the Life of Harriet the Spy
When I was nine years old, my mother first read to me the book Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. I was enthralled by the thought that this young girl could be a spy. Then, when I was introduced to the movie a year later I lived the life of Harriet. It inspired me to start a journal in which I recorded every around me so that I wouldn't miss anything. It took me months to sign my own name at the bottom instead of Harriet M. Welsh. The movie is full of kid-friendly humor and has a great story line. A must see for any child.

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