The Little Matchgirl

2006 • 7 min • Animation · Drama · Family · Fantasy

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Synopsis

An animated short based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale about a poor young girl with a burning desire to find comfort and happiness in her life. Desperate to keep warm, the girl lights the matches she sells, and envisions a very different life for herself in the fiery flames filled with images of loving relatives, bountiful food, and a place to call home.

Our family guide

Best from age 6

Movie Knight Score

198 reviews

75 Audience · 198 · 100%

This animated short tells the poignant tale of a poor young girl on a cold New Year's Eve. As she tries to sell matches, she finds warmth and comfort in visions sparked by their flames, dreaming of a better life and loving family.

Violence & peril: 0/10
Language: 0/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 0/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 3/10

Heads up

The girl experiences cold and hunger.
Her visions include passed loved ones.
The ending is sad and poignant.

What it models well

Empathy and compassion
Hope and imagination
Family love

Talk about it after

Helping those less fortunate
The power of imagination
The meaning of true warmth and comfort

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