American Girl (film series)
Film adaptations of American Girl historical characters.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The American Girl film series consists of movies based on the American Girl line of books, dolls, and accessories, which feature pre-teen girl characters from various historical periods including the 21st century. The films began in 2004 with a collaboration between American Girl and Julia Roberts' Red Om Films production company, and have since been released as direct-to-DVD, television, theatrical, and streaming productions.
- production_companies
- Red Om Films, Picturehouse, HBO, NBC, Amazon
- mediums
- Direct-to-DVD, television films, theatrical release, TV specials, digital content
Lore & Background
Amazon released TV specials starting in 2016, including An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win, starring Marsai Martin, and An American Girl Story - Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas. In 2017, Amazon released An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance. In 2023, American Girl - Corinne Tan: The Movie was released by Amazon on July 28, after originally being slated for HBO Max and Cartoon Network in December 2022; as of early 2024, it is featured on Amazon Prime Video.
Reader's Guide
The American Girl film series holds significance as an extension of the popular American Girl brand, bringing historical and contemporary pre-teen characters to screen for a young audience. The series spans multiple formats—from direct-to-DVD and television movies to a theatrical release—reflecting the brand's adaptability. The 2008 theatrical film Kit Kittredge: An American Girl marked a notable milestone as the only wide-release theatrical entry, featuring an Academy Award-nominated lead. The series also pioneered digital content with YouTube shorts and Amazon web specials, including stories addressing cultural identity, such as Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance. The films have introduced characters from various eras, including the 21st century, and have featured actors who later gained prominence, such as Shailene Woodley and Olivia Rodrigo. The legacy of the series lies in its consistent production over two decades, its expansion into streaming platforms, and its role in adapting a beloved doll and book line into visual media.
Did You Know?
- The first American Girl movie, Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, was produced in collaboration with Julia Roberts' Red Om Films in 2004.
- Kit Kittredge: An American Girl is the only film in the series to receive a theatrical wide release, opening on July 2, 2008.
- Meg Crosbie played the title role in the 2015 film An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success.
- The 2023 film American Girl - Corinne Tan: The Movie was originally scheduled for HBO Max and Cartoon Network in December 2022 but was instead released by Amazon on July 28, 2023, and is available on Amazon Prime Video.
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