Family FavoritePG

The Greatest Showman

The impossible comes true.

2017 • 105 min • Drama

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Synopsis

The story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Our family guide

Best from age 8

Movie Knight Score

10155 reviews

83 Reviewers · 6 · 69%
79 Audience · 10149 · 31%

P.T. Barnum, a visionary showman, rises from poverty to create a dazzling spectacle of unique performers, celebrating their differences. He faces both success and scandal while pursuing his grand dreams.

Violence & peril: 2/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 2/10
Romance & sensuality: 2/10
Scary moments: 2/10

Heads up

Brief physical altercations
Some drinking in social settings
A character briefly considers an affair

What it models well

Embracing individuality
Perseverance and ambition
The power of dreams
Family and loyalty

Talk about it after

What makes someone an "outcast" and how can we support them?
The importance of honesty and integrity, even when pursuing success.
How can we appreciate unique talents and differences in others?

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Greatest Showman. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

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Top billed cast

Director: Michael Gracey • Crew: Jenny Bicks, Bill Condon, Jenny Bicks

Trailers & clips

This is Me

Rewrite The Stars

Modern Love

Witness The Spectacle - Lead Up To Release

Covent Garden Comes Alive

Witness the Spectacle - That's a Wrap!

Witness The Spectacle - Lights, Camera, Action

Central Saint Martins Showcase

Reviewer notes

Recommended
Wow. The Greatest Showman is one of those movies where the music completely carries the whole experience. The story itself is pretty thin (and very “Hollywood” in how it paints P.T. Barnum), but once the songs kick in, it’s hard not to get swept up. Hugh Jackman is so good at throwing himself into the role, and the ensemble numbers are pure spectacle. I’ll admit the historical accuracy isn’t really there, but h...
HendoSpielberg, TMDB Community

Recommended
Like many other folks, I have a sort of allergy to hype: particularly when it is built on power ballads and an actor who just doesn't "belong" in the role. I also saw Michael Crawford doing his "Barnum" thing on stage in 1982 - so to be fair, my expectations of this were not especially high. I was pleasantly surprised! Jackman as the street urchin son of an itinerant tailor with grand dreams is really pretty good....
Geronimo1967, TMDB Community

Recommended
one of the musicals that bring you joy in life
ahmedrezik, TMDB Community

Not recommended
I thought that this was a terrible idea way before I ever saw the movie itself, and I thought this was a terrible movie way before I ever found out what P.T. Barnham was actually like. What a toilet fire in every sense, this is one of those rare examples where I just **can't** understand what everyone is loving here. _Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._
Ruuz, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
Pretty solid movie if you are into that kind of movies (musicals). Audio fine tuning to the songs were in fact somewhat excessive, but to my opinion the movie was meant to be viewed in theaters with loud sounds so everything "should" sound nearly perfect. The songs and dancing acts were well performed and I really liked Hugh Jackman's acting. Overall, it's a pleasant movie to watch and perhaps even worth watching ...
baycon792, TMDB Community

Recommended
The critics have been really harsh on this movie. While not a great movie, it's still good enough to be enjoyed by kids during the holiday season. There are fun musical numbers and Hugh Jackman excels in his role as Barnum. It's not meant to be a realistic biopic. It's an enjoyable musical fantasy.
Movie Queen41, TMDB Community