The Princess Diaries
Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: August 3, 2001 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
52
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
14
Negative:
3
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
This charming, if unnecessarily coronation-length production gets the duckling-to-swan ambivalence just right. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
This stylish Disney production is an ideal family film. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneLoren King
Manages to wring some originality out of its fairy-tale plot. This freshness compensates for the expected hackneyed qualities in this Cinderella tale. Read full review
75
USA TodaySusan Wloszczyna
Isn't always perfect. But it fills an empty spot in the hearts of girls of all ages who have been pining all summer for a movie like this. Read full review
75
Portland OregonianChris Hewitt
It's such a delightful, amusing fairy tale that it leaves you wanting more. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Entertaining and pleasing for children and parents, and not in the schizophrenic way of most kid's movies, which toss naughty in-jokes over the kiddies' heads. Read full review
75
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
A rarity: A fun, entertaining 'G' movie. Read full review
70
Village VoiceEd Park
A modest, enjoyable fairy tale that easily outcharms its animated stablemates of the past decade. Read full review
70
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
Fitfully amusing comedy from director and one-time sitcom king Garry Marshall, the fantasy is alive and well among little girls of all ages. Read full review
63
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
A mixed bag with a huge amount of heart. Read full review
60
Mr. ShowbizKevin Maynard
Families already know exactly what they're in for, and they're likely to leave the multiplex high on the hum of a charming cast, sunny San Francisco locations, and a suitably happy ending.
60
New Times (L.A.)Robert Wilonsky
This innocuous, frothy fairy tale isn't so off-putting as you might imagine, thanks in large part to Andrews' ageless charm. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
Fluffy, candy-colored and aimed directly at tweens -- girls between the ages of 10 and 12. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyHazel-Dawn Dumpert
The director is Garry Marshall, but The Princess Diaries is no where near as nauseating a fairy tale as Marshall's "Pretty Woman." Read full review
50
Washington PostRita Kempley
The movie updates Disney's blueprint without altering it in any meaningful way. Read full review
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Goes on much too long, stretching a modest story into a marathon that outlasts its welcome by about 30 minutes. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeJoan Anderman
Unfortunately, the filmmakers seem to have forgotten that comedy is a requisite feature in a comedy.
50
Miami HeraldChristine Dolen
If Andrews oozes regal poise and Hathaway radiates movie star allure -- and they do -- credit the actresses, not this flimsy fairy tale. Read full review
50
The New York TimesA.O. Scott
This is "Pretty Woman" for children. Read full review
50
New York PostLou Lumenick
Occasionally funny but more often hackneyed, schmaltzy, predictable and overdone fairy tale that seems longer than 100 choruses of ''Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." Read full review
50
VarietyRobert Koehler
Exudes a pre-fab quality. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
Prepubescent girls might get a few safe giggles while others around them are yawning. Read full review
50
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
The extent to which The Princess Diaries succeeds is the result of how pretty Hathaway at first mimics, then internalizes, Andrews' essential majesty. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarrit Ingman
Critic-proof moviemaking, a candy pink wish-fulfillment fantasy prominently peppered with pubescent pop platters. Read full review
38
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
A march through the swamp of recycled ugly duckling stories, with occasional pauses in the marsh of sitcom cliches and the bog of Idiot Plots. Read full review
30
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Trite transformation comedy. Read full review
20
SalonStephanie Zacharek
Such weak medicine. Sure enough, it goes down. Keeping it down is another matter. Read full review
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