Ranking Five Film Adaptations of Little Women

Little Women is the type of story that Hollywood loves to adapt…a lot. Just like A Star is Born or Pinocchio, every so many years we get a new iteration of the Louisa May Alcott classic.

The Novel which was written in 1868 has spawned many television and film adaptations as well as stage and musical adaptations.

Currently, there have been seven adaptations for the big screen. Two from the silent era in 1917 and 1918. Then five “talkies” which is what we’re focusing on today: 1933, 1949, 1994, 2018, and 2019. The two silent iterations are unavailable to stream and I bet are hard to find.

So we’re going to rank the five “talkie” film adaptations of the classic novel Little Women.

 2018 – Directed & Written by Clare Niederpruem

Do you remember this film? I bet not, and no one else did when Gerwig’s was coming out and everyone just talked about how the last adaptation was in 1994. This was Clare’s feature film debut and unfortunately is the worst adaptation of Louisa May’s classic.

It’s the only version to be set in the modern times which could work in the right hands but does not work here. That mixed with poor performances leads to some unintentional comedy but ultimately a very forgettable movie.

Don’t seek this out unless you want to see every film version. I had to review this film five years ago when it was released and my poor wife came with me…Sorry, Madison.

 1949 – Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, Written by Andrew Scott & Sarah Mason, and Victor Heerman

The impetus for this entire write-up. I recently watched this incarnation and realized I had now seen every “talkie” version. What’s funny is I have never read the novel itself, but at this point, I don’t think I need to, but maybe one day I will.

I mainly wanted to watch this as I slowly work through Elizabeth Taylor’s entire filmography. I have not seen a lot of her early work, mainly this and the other bigger film National Velvet. She plays Amy, the “Bratty” youngest sister of the March clan.

I thought she’d make a good Meg but that role was taken by Janet Leigh. I think this version and the 1933 versions have the unfortunate distinction of being watched after the 2019 and 1994 versions. So from my standpoint, I got nothing new out of these adaptations.

As far as I know, these adaptations are straightforward editions right from the text. The main difference with this film is it never answers the question; why was this made? It doesn’t change anything from the 1933 version except it is in color.

 1933 – Directed by George Cukor, Written by David Hempstead & Sarah Mason, and Victor Heerman

The first “talkie” version to come to the big screen. It was brought to life by a big-time director in George Cukor. He had just started making films three years earlier but had been doing stage productions since the 1920s. Cukor became a five-time Oscar nominee for Best Director.

This film led to his first Oscar nomination. Again, this is a straightforward retelling of the novel, but two things elevate it above the 1949 and 2018 versions. It is directed by George Cukor and Katharine Hepburn plays Jo March.

If there was an actor born to play Jo March it was Katharine Hepburn, she embodies everything that Jo stood for.

If I were to rank the portrayals of the four sisters throughout the five films I think this is the best Jo performance. Although it would be close between her and Saoirse in the 2019 film.

Though I cannot enthusiastically recommend any rest of the film, if you love Katharine and want to seek out all her roles, you should watch this film. If not, I would stick to watching the next two iterations on this list.

 1994 – Directed By Gillian Armstrong, Written by Robin Swicord

Widely considered the definitive edition upon its release, Gillian’s take on Louise’s work was widely praised and still holds up to this day. It’s like cozying up to a fireplace and then it wraps you in a nice warm blanket during a snowstorm.

Films like this are why there should be a casting Oscar—being able to find so many young talented actors who would go on to have massive careers.

Winona Ryder as Jo, Kirsten Dunst as Amy, Claire Danes as Beth, Christian Bale as Laurie, plus the great Susan Sarandon as Marmee. It’s an embarrassment of riches.

Though this is still a straightforward telling of the story, its gorgeous cinematography, locations, and costumes, help transport you to New England in the mid-1800s. Though it is mostly filmed in Canada, it feels like New England in the fall and winter.

It’s a great film and still holds up to this day.

 2019 – Directed & Written by Greta Gerwig

I was pretty floored by what Greta put on screen in 2019. It’s the first iteration that truly feels like a filmmaker putting their spin on the novel and at the same time still honoring the source material. Everything Gerwig did here was immaculate.

I don’t think it is an accident that the two best adaptions of this novel were by female film directors. These are the people that this story will resonate most. It’s clear this book meant a lot to Greta, she had this vision years ago and finally got the clout to make it.

I love the structure of the film, jumping back and forth in time gives it a fresh quality, plus we get to spend time with Laurie and Amy in Europe, which no other film spent time with. This actually lets the audience empathize with Amy rather than villainize her.

Plus Gerwig wrote a phenomenal monologue delivered perfectly by Florence Pugh, it’s what makes this film more of a feminist story than any other film ever did. It also boasts a stacked cast, I would need to watch it again but this could be a five-star film.

The film received six Oscar nominations winning one, for costume design, but it should’ve had more nominations and wins.

Gerwig was snubbed for best director, instead her spot likely went to Todd Phillips for Joker (oof). Plus, she lost in best-adapted screenplay to Taika Waititi for Jojo Rabbit. I cannot defend that win, especially when you see what Gerwig did.

I would’ve given this film seven total nominations and two wins. One for Greta in Adapted screenplay and Saoirse Ronan for best actress as Jo March.

It’s crazy to think she has not won yet and even crazier that she is a four-time nominee at the age of 29.

What do you think? Which one is your favorite adaptation?