Great Expectations (1998): cast, story & where to watch
1998 · Film · ★ 6.6
Released in 1998, Great Expectations is a comedy, drama and romance film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, running about 111 minutes. “Let desire be your destiny.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s 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’s in it. Great Expectations stars Ethan Hawke as Finnegan Bell, Gwyneth Paltrow as Estella, Chris Cooper as Joe and Robert De Niro as Prisoner / Lustig, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.6/10, Great Expectations has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $55.5M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Great Expectations page.
If you liked it. Fans of Great Expectations tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Great Expectations (1998)?
- In US, Great Expectations is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Great Expectations worth watching?
- Great Expectations holds an audience score of 6.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Great Expectations?
- Great Expectations stars Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Cooper, Robert De Niro and Anne Bancroft.
- When was Great Expectations released?
- Great Expectations was released in 1998, with a runtime of about 111 minutes.