Harriet the Spy
“On your case!”
Synopsis
Harriet may only be in the sixth grade, but she's already found her calling: to be a spy. In a private journal she takes everywhere, Harriet records suspicious activity and keeps a running list of observations on virtually everyone she knows. It seems harmless enough until, one day, someone finds the journal and exposes Harriet's critical thoughts about her classmates. Suddenly, even her best friends are against her, and Harriet resolves to take revenge.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Harriet the Spy (1996) Trailer #1 | Michelle Trachtenberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Vanessa Lee Chester
Type: Teaser • Published 2025-03-25
Top Cast
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Michelle Trachtenberg
Harriet
Gregory Smith
Sport
Vanessa Lee Chester
Janie
Rosie O'Donnell
Ole Golly
J. Smith-Cameron
Mrs. Welsch
Robert Joy
Mr. Welsch
Eartha Kitt
Agatha K. Plummer
Charlotte Sullivan
Marion Hawthorne
Teisha Kim
Rachel Hennessy
Cecilley Carroll
Beth Ellen Hansen
Dov Tiefenbach
Boy with Purple Socks
Nina Shock
Carrie Andrews
Conor Devitt
Pinky Whitehead
Alisha Morrison
Laura Peters
Nancy Beatty
Miss Elson
Don Francks
Harrison Withers
Eugene Lipinski
George Waldenstein
Gerry Quigley
Sport's Dad
Release History & Theatrical Window
July 10, 1996
Wide Cinema Exhibition
May 27, 2003
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$12M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$26.6M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
2.22x
+$14.6M net gain
Theatrical Status
Profitable
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Bronwen Hughes
- Screenplay & Story
- Doug Petrie, Theresa Rebeck
- Original Score
- Jamshied Sharifi
- Original Title
- Harriet the Spy
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 41m
- Production Budget
- $12M
- Worldwide Gross
- $26.6M
- Production Studios
- Rastar Productions, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Bronwen Hughes
Doug Petrie, Theresa Rebeck, Louise Fitzhugh, Julie Talen, Greg Taylor
Jamshied Sharifi
Francis Kenny
Debra Chiate
Marykay Powell, Debby Beece
Department Leadership Roster
Bronwen Hughes
Director
Doug Petrie
Screenplay
Theresa Rebeck
Screenplay
Debra Chiate
Editor
Marykay Powell
Producer
Francis Kenny
Director of Photography
Lester Cohen
Production Design
Donna Zakowska
Costume Design
Ken Quinn
Stunt Coordinator
Alison Reid
Stunt Coordinator
Jamshied Sharifi
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
General — Suitable for all audiences.
Parental Guidance Suggested.
FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Harriet the Spy.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Harriet the Spy.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Harriet the Spy
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Harriet the Spy about?
Harriet may only be in the sixth grade, but she's already found her calling: to be a spy. In a private journal she takes everywhere, Harriet records suspicious activity and keeps a running list of observations on virtually everyone she knows. It seems harmless enough until, one day, someone finds the journal and exposes Harriet's critical thoughts about her classmates. Suddenly, even her best friends are against her, and Harriet resolves to take revenge.
Who directed Harriet the Spy?
Harriet the Spy was directed by Bronwen Hughes.
Who stars in Harriet the Spy?
The principal cast of Harriet the Spy includes Michelle Trachtenberg, Gregory Smith, Vanessa Lee Chester, Rosie O'Donnell, J. Smith-Cameron.
When was Harriet the Spy released and how long is it?
Harriet the Spy was released in 1996 with a total runtime of 1h 41m.
What was the box office and production budget of Harriet the Spy?
Harriet the Spy had a reported production budget of $12M and grossed $26.6M at the worldwide box office (2.22 return on budget, classified as a commercial hit).
Who composed the musical score for Harriet the Spy?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Harriet the Spy was composed by Jamshied Sharifi.
Is Harriet the Spy based on a book or true story?
Harriet the Spy is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Louise Fitzhugh".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Harriet the Spy?
Harriet the Spy holds official age classifications: AU: G (General — Suitable for all audiences.); CA: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested.); DE: 6 (FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.); FR: TP; GB: PG (Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).