Great Expectations
“Let desire be your destiny.”
Synopsis
Loosely based on the Charles Dickens' classic novel, "Great Expectations" is a sensual tale of a young man's unforgettable passage into manhood, and the three individuals who will undeniably change his life forever. Through the surprising interactions of these vivid characters, "Great Expectations" takes a unique and contemporary look at life's great coincidences.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Throwback TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2023-01-30
Top Cast
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Ethan Hawke
Finnegan Bell
Gwyneth Paltrow
Estella
Hank Azaria
Walter Plane
Chris Cooper
Joe
Anne Bancroft
Ms. Dinsmoor
Robert De Niro
Prisoner / Lustig
Josh Mostel
Jerry Ragno
Kim Dickens
Maggie
Nell Campbell
Erica Thall
Gabriel Mann
Owen
Jeremy Kissner
Finnegan at Age 10
Raquel Beaudene
Estella at Age 10
Stephen Spinella
Carter Macleish
Marla Sucharetza
Ruth Shepard
Isabelle Anderson
Lois Pope
Peter Jacobson
Man on Phone
Drena De Niro
Marcy
Lance Reddick
Anton Le Farge
Release History & Theatrical Window
January 30, 1998
Wide Cinema Exhibition
August 17, 2005
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$25M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$55.5M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
2.22x
+$30.5M net gain
Theatrical Status
Profitable
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Alfonso Cuarón
- Screenplay & Story
- Mitch Glazer
- Original Score
- Patrick Doyle
- Original Title
- Great Expectations
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 51m
- Production Budget
- $25M
- Worldwide Gross
- $55.5M
- Production Studios
- 20th Century Fox, Linson Entertainment
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Alfonso Cuarón
Mitch Glazer, Charles Dickens
Patrick Doyle
Emmanuel Lubezki
Steven Weisberg
Art Linson, Deborah Lee
Department Leadership Roster
Steven Weisberg
Editor
Mitch Glazer
Screenplay
Patrick Doyle
Original Music Composer
Alfonso Cuarón
Director
Emmanuel Lubezki
Director of Photography
Art Linson
Producer
Tony Burrough
Production Design
Judianna Makovsky
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Great Expectations.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Great Expectations
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Great Expectations about?
Loosely based on the Charles Dickens' classic novel, "Great Expectations" is a sensual tale of a young man's unforgettable passage into manhood, and the three individuals who will undeniably change his life forever. Through the surprising interactions of these vivid characters, "Great Expectations" takes a unique and contemporary look at life's great coincidences.
Who directed Great Expectations?
Great Expectations was directed by Alfonso Cuarón.
Who stars in Great Expectations?
The principal cast of Great Expectations includes Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hank Azaria, Chris Cooper, Anne Bancroft.
When was Great Expectations released and how long is it?
Great Expectations was released in 1998 with a total runtime of 1h 51m.
What was the box office and production budget of Great Expectations?
Great Expectations had a reported production budget of $25M and grossed $55.5M at the worldwide box office (2.22 return on budget, classified as a commercial hit).
Who composed the musical score for Great Expectations?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Great Expectations was composed by Patrick Doyle.
Is Great Expectations based on a book or true story?
Great Expectations is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Charles Dickens".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Great Expectations?
Great Expectations holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); FR: 12 (Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.); GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).