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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Stuart Little

Stuart Little is a 1999 American live-action/animated family comedy film loosely based on E.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Stuart Little is a 1999 American live-action/animated family comedy film loosely based on E. B. White’s 1945 children’s novel of the same name. Directed by Rob Minkoff and released by Columbia Pictures, it stars Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Jonathan Lipnicki, and the voice of Michael J. Fox as Stuart. The film was a commercial success and received generally positive reviews.

Plot

The story follows the Little family, who adopt Stuart, a mouse with human qualities, as a new family member. Stuart must adjust to life with the family while dealing with the household cat and other challenges.

Production

The film was directed by Rob Minkoff in his live-action directorial debut and written by M. Night Shyamalan and Greg Brooker. It uses a mix of live-action filmmaking and computer-generated animation to portray Stuart and other animal characters.

Release and reception

Stuart Little premiered in Westwood in December 1999 and opened in U.S. theatres on December 17, 1999. It was reviewed positively overall and performed strongly at the box office.

Legacy

The film launched a franchise that includes sequels, and it remains a widely known adaptation of White’s children’s book. Its visual effects and family-friendly tone were central to its popularity.

Key facts

  • The film combines live-action performances with computer-animated characters.
  • It is loosely based on E. B. White’s novel, rather than being a direct adaptation.
  • Michael J. Fox voices Stuart Little, the adopted mouse character at the centre of the story.
  • The film premiered in December 1999 and was released theatrically in the United States on December 17, 1999.
  • It became a box office success, grossing over US$300 million worldwide.
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Canadian context

Stuart Little was released in Canada as a mainstream Hollywood family film and is also notable for its Quebec French title, Petit Stuart.[9][15]

Frequently asked questions

What is Stuart Little?
Stuart Little is a 1999 family film loosely based on E. B. White’s children’s novel, mixing live action and animation.
Who directed Stuart Little?
Rob Minkoff directed the film.
Who plays or voices Stuart?
Michael J. Fox provides the voice of Stuart Little.
When was the film released?
It was released in the United States on December 17, 1999.
Was Stuart Little a box office success?
Yes. Sources describe it as a box office success, with worldwide grosses of over US$300 million.
Is it a faithful adaptation of the book?
No. It is described as a loose adaptation of E. B. White’s novel.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Little_(film)
    Supports: Release date, director, cast, plot overview, critical reception, box office, and loose adaptation status.
  2. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Little_(film)
    Supports: French-language title, director, adaptation basis, release context, box office, and Oscar nomination.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/stuart-little
    Supports: Runtime, rating, basic plot and release information.
  4. Filmaffinity — https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film207711.html
    Supports: Plot summary, cast, and description of the live-action/computer-animation format.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stuart_little
    Supports: Genre, rating, theatrical release date, and U.S. box office gross.
  6. Stuart Little Fandom — https://stuartlittle.fandom.com/wiki/Stuart_Little_(film)
    Supports: Character and cast listing, but lower authority than major reference sources.