What a Girl Wants

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What a Girl Wants

PG

2003

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

34%

Tomatometer

108 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

On a whim, American teenager Daphne boards a plane to England to find the father she never met. Upon arriving there, though, she makes a startling discovery: The man she's looking for is Lord Henry Dashwood, a member of the British upper class, who is running for political office. Lord Henry didn't know Daphne existed, but he welcomes her into his life. However, she isn't so sure -- and his family and his current betrothed look on her disapprovingly.

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Critics Consensus

Little girls will definitely enjoy it, but it's too syrupy and predictable for adults.

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

04/04/2018

What a Girl Wants plays like a TV cartoon, not even a sitcom, and makes little sense on its own terms.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/29/2010

3/5

Too-cute with a few iffy moments, but tweens will eat it up.

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Anya Kamenetz

Village Voice

04/08/2003

A sanitized adventure for the Mary Kate-and-Ashley set.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

11/10/2024

1.5/4

...the arms-length atmosphere [is] compounded by a wheel-spinning narrative and Bynes’ irritatingly larger-than-life performance.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

12/28/2021

What a Girl Wants may be predictable but this comedy will never not be enjoyable.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

03/10/2021

3/5

a gawp-fest for those interested in slumming acting talent and off-kilter observations about Britishness...

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Sarai M

@RT53761076 Nov 19

The movie to me seemed like there was some kind of romantic tension between the daughter and dad i dont know i just got the vibe from it, i didnt really like that since this was supposed to be a father daughter movie

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Hannah L

@RT58033821 Oct 26

I love this movie. Quirky Amanda Bynes and awkwardly lovable Colin Firth both do an amazing job. Nostalgic, fun movie.

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Leah O

@RT39188682 Aug 22

the plot is very predictable but it is funny and very entertaining and enjoyable

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Molly S

@RT12128271 06/07/2025

I love this movie, despite popular opinion. Sure, It's not the most unpredictable, but it makes up for that in a lovable protagonist and humor. Good if you want something funny.

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Rami A

@Bunt101 05/29/2025

This was such a huge drag. It takes forever to develop the plot or get invested with the characters.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone 05/07/2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom.

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Dennie Gordon

Director

Amanda Bynes

Daphne Reynolds

Colin Firth

Lord Henry Dashwood

Kelly Preston

Libby Reynolds

Eileen Atkins

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Anna Chancellor

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Synopsis

On a whim, American teenager Daphne boards a plane to England to find the father she never met. Upon arriving there, though, she makes a startling discovery: The man she's looking for is Lord Henry Dashwood, a member of the British upper class, who is running for political office. Lord Henry didn't know Daphne existed, but he welcomes her into his life. However, she isn't so sure -- and his family and his current betrothed look on her disapprovingly.

Director: Dennie Gordon
Producer: Denise Di Novi, Bill Gerber, Hunt Lowry
Screenwriter: Jenny Hicks, Elizabeth Chandler
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Gaylord Films
Rating: PG (Mild Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 28, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.0M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)