Annie

Annie

Year: 1999

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Rob Marshall

ComedyFamilyMusicSong and danceDazzling vocal performances and musicals

Disney’s new take on the classic musical amps up the magic with vibrant sets and lively songs. Orphan Annie endures a hard‑knock life under the cruel Miss Hannigan and runs away, determined to find her parents. Her adventure spans gritty New York streets to the generous billionaire Oliver Warbucks, delivering mischief, heart and unforgettable music.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Annie (1999)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Annie (1999). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1933

The events unfold in the height of the Great Depression in the United States. Economic hardship shapes daily life in New York and the struggles of the orphanage. The era's political backdrop is reflected in Roosevelt's appearance and the sense that help and reform may come.

Location

New York City, NYC Municipal Orphanage Girls Annex, Warbucks Mansion

Set in New York City during the Great Depression, the story juxtaposes crowded, grim city spaces with the opulence of a billionaire's estate. The NYC Municipal Orphanage Girls Annex represents the harsh conditions endured by the orphans, while Warbucks' mansion provides a stark contrast of wealth and opportunity. The locations anchor Annie's journey from hardship to a hopeful new life.

🏙️ New York City 🏚️ Orphanage 🏰 Warbucks Mansion

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:01

Main Characters – Annie (1999)

Meet the key characters of Annie (1999), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Annie Bennett (Alicia Morton)

Annie is an eleven-year-old orphan who lives at the NYC Municipal Orphanage. She is resilient, hopeful, and resourceful, carrying a half-heart locket and a note from her parents. Her warmth and optimism draw others to her and fuel her quest to find her real family.

🧒 Orphan 💫 Optimistic 🗺️ Adventurous

Miss Agatha Hannigan (Kathy Bates)

The tyrannical head of the NYC Municipal Orphanage, she starves the orphans and uses them for labor to gain control. She partners with her con-artist brother Rooster to harvest a reward from Annie, and punishes the children when her plans go awry.

👑 Tyrant 🧼 Cruel 🧭 Schemer

Oliver Warbucks (Victor Garber)

A wealthy billionaire who offers to take in an orphan for Christmas and forms a growing bond with Annie. He makes a public appeal with a large reward and ultimately adopts Annie, marking a turning point from wealth to family.

💎 Billionaire 🏰 Philanthropist 🤝 Benefactor

Grace Farrell (Audra McDonald)

Warbucks' secretary who helps coordinate the plan to adopt Annie. She becomes an ally to Annie and Warbucks, guiding the process and sharing in the emotional journey toward a real family.

🗂️ Secretary 🤝 Ally 🧭 Organizer

Daniel Francis 'Rooster' Hannigan (Alan Cumming)

Miss Hannigan’s younger con artist brother, scheming to claim Annie’s reward. He partners with Lily and uses deception to manipulate the situation, but is eventually thwarted by the truth and legal authorities.

🃏 Con artist 💰 Greedy 🗺️ Impostor

Lily St. Regis (Kristin Chenoweth)

Rooster’s partner and a conniving accomplice who helps him try to cash in on Annie. She ends up disclosing the plan and faces the consequences of the scheme when the truth comes to light.

🎭 Schemer 🐍 Co-conspirator 💸 Ambitious

Franklin D. Roosevelt (Dennis Howard)

The President whose arrival and intervention exposes Hannigan, Rooster, and Lily and helps ensure a happy ending. His involvement reflects the era’s politics and sense that reform and justice can triumph.

🎖️ President 🗳️ Reformer 🇺🇸 Leader

Sandy

Annie’s loyal dog who accompanies her on her adventures and shares in her hopes and friendships.

🐶 Loyal companion

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:01

Major Themes – Annie (1999)

Explore the central themes of Annie (1999), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

✨ Hope

Annie’s resilient optimism anchors the story, turning hardship into a path toward a brighter future. Her hope inspires those around her to believe in better possibilities and to reach for help and connection. The contrast between deprivation and moments of kindness drives the emotional core of the film.

💖 Family

The film centers on the longing for belonging—Annie seeks a real family, Warbucks discovers a paternal bond with her, and the orphans dream of stable homes. Relationships grow from care, trust, and responsibility rather than blood alone. Adoption becomes a transformative act that reshapes their lives.

🎭 Deception

Rooster and Lily’s plot to exploit Annie’s situation creates tension and conflict. Miss Hannigan’s manipulation of the system shows another kind of deceit—the abuse of power for personal gain. The truth eventually surfaces through the President’s involvement, and justice is pursued.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:01

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Annie Summary

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Annie Summary

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Annie (1999) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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