Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

A Simple Wish

  • 1997
  • PG
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
Martin Short and Mara Wilson in A Simple Wish (1997)
ComedyFamilyFantasy

A bumbling fairy godfather tries to grant a girl's wish that her cabbie father lands a Broadway role.A bumbling fairy godfather tries to grant a girl's wish that her cabbie father lands a Broadway role.A bumbling fairy godfather tries to grant a girl's wish that her cabbie father lands a Broadway role.

  • Director
    • Michael Ritchie
  • Writer
    • Jeff Rothberg
  • Stars
    • Martin Short
    • Mara Wilson
    • Robert Pastorelli
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.3/10
    6.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Ritchie
    • Writer
      • Jeff Rothberg
    • Stars
      • Martin Short
      • Mara Wilson
      • Robert Pastorelli
    • 28User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Photos30

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 22
    View Poster

    Top cast38

    Edit
    Martin Short
    Martin Short
    • Murray
    Mara Wilson
    Mara Wilson
    • Anabel
    Robert Pastorelli
    Robert Pastorelli
    • Oliver
    Ruby Dee
    Ruby Dee
    • Hortense
    Francis Capra
    Francis Capra
    • Charlie
    Jonathan Hadary
    Jonathan Hadary
    • Lord Richard
    Deborah Odell
    Deborah Odell
    • Jeri
    Amanda Plummer
    Amanda Plummer
    • Boots
    Alan Campbell
    Alan Campbell
    • Tony Sable
    Kathleen Turner
    Kathleen Turner
    • Claudia
    Lanny Flaherty
    Lanny Flaherty
    • Duane
    Teri Garr
    Teri Garr
    • Rena
    Clare Coulter
    Clare Coulter
    • Ms. Bramble
    Neil Foster
    Neil Foster
    • Manny
    Jamie Tirelli
    Jamie Tirelli
    • Joe
    Jack McGee
    Jack McGee
    • Officer O'York
    Lillian Ritchie
    • Schoolgirl
    Miriam Ritchie
    • Schoolgirl
    • Director
      • Michael Ritchie
    • Writer
      • Jeff Rothberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews28

    5.36K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    5Geeky Randy

    Pretty good, but starts way too slow for a family film.

    8-year-old Wilson (still as sweet as when we saw her in MRS. DOUBTFIRE) wishes for her cabbie father Pastorelli to win the leading role in a Broadway adaptation of Dickens' A TALE OF TWO CITIES, and Short (still called a "fairy godmother" despite being a male) arrives to (attempt to) grant it to her. Fans of Short's comedy will get it, and even if you're not a fan of his work there are still some worthy moments; however, the story takes way too long to get going for a movie targeted at children. Capra's character also slows the movie down as Wilson's stereotypical punk older brother who's protective of his younger sister but is too cool to show it. The musical numbers in the theatre scenes are a nice touch, but it's difficult to give the movie brownie-points for it since the film itself is not a musical. Jaro Dick's set decoration and Luke Reichle's costume design is terrific. Hey! one of the Fairy Godmother's (Bunty Webb) was the 'Ay Caramba' Lady in TOMMY BOY!

    ** (out of four)
    Lorrana

    One of the smartest recent movies for kids

    I am a big fan of kids flicks, but I know when I see a flop. That's not the case. "A Simple Wish" is one of best children movie I've ever seen, alongside Miracle on 34th Street (the original), A Bug's Life and a few others. It's really easy to screw up when making a film for kids. They don't expect much and amuse themselves with a little dosis of real humour and no story at all. But when the movie is really well done, it can become a classic.

    The movie is about the male fairy-godmother Murray(Martin Short at his best), who's having a little trouble making Anabel's (Mara Wilson) dream come true because of his little experience in "godmothering". And above all that, they have to fight the evil ex-fairy-godmother Claudia (Kathleen Turner), who wants to rule above all her ex-mates.

    The plot sounds a little common? It might even be, but here it has been so well structured that we are carried to Anabel's life and we feel the helplessness of Murray, who's trying so hard to save the day, even though he don't have the skill to do it. He has a good heart and that's all that it takes.

    The characters are lovable. Amanda Plummer is especially funny, as Claudia's sidekick. The dialogues are clever yet simple, perfect for kids and for grown ups who enjoy real pure fantasy and delightment.
    movies2u

    A Fun And Smart Kids Movie!

    > This is a very good kids movie, that is fun and entertaining. Martin Short makes a hilarious Fairy Godmother, or should I say "Fairy Godfather" to Mara Wilson, who only wants her dad to be in a broadway show, but gets mixed up and must stop an evil witch played by Kathleen Turner, or her dad will become a statue! This movie was smart and fun, and the "frog in your throat" scene was gross-out funny! I give it 10/10.
    7TheLittleSongbird

    Simple, nice and amusing family film, with a charming performance from Mara Wilson

    A Simple Wish isn't a perfect family film, but it is a nice, simple and amusing one. Of course the story is a tad messy and predictable, it's all a bit basic and the script on the weak and cheesy side. But kids will definitely like it, and adults might too. The special effects are decent, there is some nice photography and costumes and the pacing is good, nice and skippy as I like it. Plus there are some fun moments, one of the funniest ones was the frog-in-your-throat scene, gross but quite amusing.

    The acting wasn't that bad either. Martin Short does overact a bit, but he is clearly having fun as Murray. Mara Wilson, who I really like, gives a typically charming performance. Robert Pastorelli is giving little to do though, but Ruby Dee and Francis Capra give entertaining performances. But for me, it was Kathaleen Turner who stole the show, as her performance is delightfully wicked and so captivating as the villainess of the piece. I must also say the music was surprisingly excellent. All in all, this is a nice underrated film. 7/10 Bethany Cox
    7greenheart

    Fun for the kids

    Okay, 20 years on and a few of the special effects look a little clunky, but overall this is a well produced and good looking movie. You have to remind yourself that this is a children's film and forgive it a few things. Kathleen Turner is great value although underused, Martin short for me pushes his character just a little too far, you can kind of understand it, the idea of having a male fairy godmother is a good one. This certainly made me chuckle a few times and the Nebraska scene is hilarious. All in all, a very solid children's movie.

    More like this

    Toothless
    5.9
    Toothless
    Leave It to Beaver
    5.2
    Leave It to Beaver
    Bushwhacked
    5.6
    Bushwhacked
    Double, Double Toil and Trouble
    5.8
    Double, Double Toil and Trouble
    Balloon Farm
    5.3
    Balloon Farm
    A Little Princess
    7.6
    A Little Princess
    My Favorite Martian
    5.1
    My Favorite Martian
    Life-Size
    5.6
    Life-Size
    Casper Meets Wendy
    5.3
    Casper Meets Wendy
    Shiloh
    6.3
    Shiloh
    3 Ninjas: Knuckle Up
    4.4
    3 Ninjas: Knuckle Up
    Matilda
    7.0
    Matilda

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In an interview with the Nostalgia Critic, Mara Wilson said that production was very hard for her because her mother had recently died. She claims to have some regrets over her behavior on set because her mind was in a bad place. To this day, she has little recollection of making this film and says she shouldn't have been making a film at the time.
    • Goofs
      As Oliver is chasing for the runaway driverless carriage, you can see a man driving the carriage.
    • Quotes

      Murray: One wish per customer and no wishes for more wishes. They plugged that loophole up years ago. In past years there were abuses.

    • Crazy credits
      After "The Bubble Factory" at the start of the film, tricks are played for the next 4 frames: 1) "Feivbrsel Puctorus and Thn Beabla Uictsry Present" quickly rearranges itself to read "The Bubble Factory and Universal Pictures Present"; 2} "A Sheinberg Production" is first shown with "Sheinberg" rotated 180°; 3) "A Michael Ritchie Film" is first shown with the letters squashed to the right with the bottom of each letter unmoved - they each quickly right themselves; 4) The title is first shown as "A Simqle Wish" - the "q" then spins around its vertical axis, ending up as a "p".
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Contact/This World, Then the Fireworks/A Simple Wish/4 Little Girls/The Big Sleep/Shall We Dance? (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      A Far, Far Better Thing
      Music by Lucy Simon

      Lyrics by Michael Ritchie

      Performed by Peter Samuels

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ20

    • How long is A Simple Wish?Powered by Alexa
    • Chapter headings, an unofficial version, v1.00:

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 11, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Điều ước giản đơn
    • Filming locations
      • Brooks, Alberta, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • The Bubble Factory
      • Sheinberg Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $28,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,345,056
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,732,880
      • Jul 13, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $8,345,056
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Martin Short and Mara Wilson in A Simple Wish (1997)
    Top Gap
    By what name was A Simple Wish (1997) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.