What a Girl Wants
Performance & Direction: What a Girl Wants Review
Last updated: February 5, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is What a Girl Wants (2003) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and What a Girl Wants features a noteworthy lineup led by Amanda Bynes . Supported by the likes of Colin Firth and Kelly Preston , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: What a Girl Wants
Quick Plot Summary: What a Girl Wants is a Comedy, Romance, Drama, Family film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. An American girl, Daphne, heads to Europe in search of the father she's never met. But instead of finding a British version of her bohemian mother, she learns the love of her mom's life is an uptight politician. The only problem now is that her long-lost dad is engaged to a fiercely territorial social climber with a daughter who makes Daphne's life miserable. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: What a Girl Wants
Ending Breakdown: What a Girl Wants concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of What a Girl Wants reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch What a Girl Wants?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: What a Girl Wants
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $20.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $50.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
What a Girl Wants Budget
The estimated production budget for What a Girl Wants is $20.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: What a Girl Wants
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch What a Girl Wants Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoWhat a Girl Wants Parents Guide & Age Rating
2003 AdvisoryWondering about What a Girl Wants age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of What a Girl Wants is 105 minutes (1h 45m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, What a Girl Wants is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2003 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is What a Girl Wants worth watching?
What a Girl Wants is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find What a Girl Wants parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for What a Girl Wants identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of What a Girl Wants?
The total duration of What a Girl Wants is 105 minutes, which is approximately 1h 45m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked What a Girl Wants
How What a Girl Wants Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for What a Girl Wants
No reviews found for this filter.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
