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Harriet the Spy

1996·Movie
1h 41min·PG

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Harriet the Spy fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Tension4
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Hopeful and wholesome

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Coming of Age10
  • Hopefulness8
  • Wholesome7

Humor

Some situational comedy and sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Situational Comedy6
  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Physical Comedy4

World

Growing up, everyday modern life, and family

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

On your case!

Harriet may only be in the sixth grade, but she's already found her calling: to be a spy. In a private journal she takes everywhere, Harriet records suspicious activity and keeps a running list of observations on virtually everyone she knows. It seems harmless enough until, one day, someone finds the journal and exposes Harriet's critical thoughts about her classmates. Suddenly, even her best friends are against her, and Harriet resolves to take revenge.
Coming-of-Age StoryChildren's MysteryFriendshipFinding Your VoiceNostalgicIndependent SpiritFemale ProtagonistSecrets and Lies

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Harriet the Spy

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Harriet the Spy legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Harriet the Spy worth watching?

52
MediocreGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 52/100 (IMDb 6 and Rotten Tomatoes 47%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Harriet the Spy rated?

PG

It's rated PG in the United States.

How long is Harriet the Spy?

1 h 41 min

Harriet the Spy runs 1 h 41 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Harriet the Spy?

Critics47
Audiences56

Not quite. Audiences rate Harriet the Spy higher (56) than critics (47). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Harriet the Spy a box office hit?

Budget$12 million
Box office$27 million

Yes. It cost about $12 million to make and earned $27 million worldwide, 2.2 times its budget.

What language is Harriet the Spy in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Harriet the Spy?

74AEAOARATAUAZBEBFBGBOBYBZCACH+60

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Harriet the Spy in 74 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Harriet the Spy use?

Picky Eater"The Reason You Suck" SpeechThe Film of the BookAdaptational Nice GuyParental SubstituteAdaptational AttractivenessBaby's First WordsDance Party EndingAdaptation DistillationWacky Parent, Serious ChildAlpha BitchBeta Bitchand 2 more

TV Tropes lists 14 storytelling tropes for Harriet the Spy, including Picky Eater, "The Reason You Suck" Speech, The Film of the Book.