“Little Women” Cast Through the Years: See the Stars from the 1949, 1994 and 2019 Movies Side-by-Side
- - “Little Women” Cast Through the Years: See the Stars from the 1949, 1994 and 2019 Movies Side-by-Side
Andrea Wurzburger, Emily KrauserDecember 28, 2025 at 6:30 AM
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Columbia Pictures
From left: Emma Watson as Meg March, Florence Pugh as Amy March, Saoirse Ronan as Jo March and Eliza Scanlen as Beth March in 2019's 'Little Women'
It's been 31 years since Winona Ryder led the charge in the 1994 remake of Little Women.
The Stranger Things star portrayed Jo March in the '90s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel, which follows the March family around the time of the U.S. Civil War. Ryder earned an Academy Award nomination for the role.
When Greta Gerwig put her own spin on Little Women in 2019, Saoirse Ronan stepped into Jo's shoes.
Ryder told Good Morning America in January 2020 that she was "very nostalgic" about her film and "glad" the timeless story was revisited.
Multiple generations have been able to see new spins on the tale, as both the 1994 and 2019 films were remakes of the coming-of-age classic — the original Little Women big screen adaptation hit theaters in 1949.
So, how do the three casts compare? Here's a look at all of the actors and actresses who played lead roles in each film.
01 of 09
Saoirse Ronan (2019), Winona Ryder (1994) and June Allyson (1949) as Jo March
Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Hulton Archive/Getty Images Saoirse Ronan (2019), Winona Ryder (1994) and June Allyson (1949) as Jo March in 'Little Women'
Jo is an aspiring writer who doesn't want to play by society's rules. She's the tomboy of the bunch with a temper she struggles to control, but she's also extremely loyal and hardworking.
The character was first portrayed by MGM golden girl June Allyson. When Ryder took on her version of the role in 1994, she was already known for the 1988 films Heathers and Beetlejuice, as well as the 1990 movie Edward Scissorhands.
As for Ronan, she had already earned three Oscar nods — including one for 2018's Lady Bird, which Gerwig wrote and directed — when she put her own fierce spin on the already tough Jo in 2019. She earned another Oscar nod for Little Women, becoming the second youngest person to secure four Academy Award nominations, following Jennifer Lawrence.
02 of 09
Timothée Chalamet (2019), Christian Bale (1994) and Peter Lawford (1949) as Theodore "Laurie" Laurence
Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Donaldson Collection/Getty Images Timothée Chalamet (2019), Christian Bale (1994) and Peter Lawford (1949) as Theodore "Laurie" Laurence in 'Little Women'
Laurie is Jo March's best friend, who is not-so-secretly in love with her. Jo turns down Laurie's proposal, and he eventually ends up with *gasp* Amy. It seems "good hair" is a main qualifier for this role —and, obviously, superb acting skills.
"Rat Pack" member Peter Lawford starred in 1945's The Picture of Dorian Gray and 1948's Easter Parade before playing Laurie in 1949. Christian Bale, meanwhile, rose to fame after his star-turning roles in the 1994 remake and his star-turning role in 2000's American Psycho.
Timothée Chalamet saw his breakthrough come two years before his 1994 turn as Laurie, when he portrayed Elio in 2017's Call Me by Your Name, which earned him his first Oscar nomination. Little Women was a reunion for him and Ronan, as they had starred together in Lady Bird. Chalamet has gone on to star in Dune (2021) and its 2024 sequel, Wonka (2023), A Complete Unknown (2024) and Marty Supreme (2025).
03 of 09
Emma Watson (2019), Trini Alvarado (1994) and Janet Leigh (1949) as Meg March
Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Hulton Archive/Getty Images Emma Watson (2019), Trini Alvarado (1994) and Janet Leigh (1949) as Meg March in 'Little Women'
First played by Psycho star Janet Leigh in 1949 and Trini Alvarado in 1994, Emma Watson took on the eldest March sister in 2019. Meg is considered the most beautiful of the bunch, and is also considered a perfect "little woman" — you know, like the title?
Watson was a well-known actress when she portrayed Meg March, having already starred in the Harry Potter film franchise, as well as 2012's The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 2013's The Bling Ring and 2017's Beauty and the Beast.
04 of 09
Meryl Streep (2019), Mary Wickes (1994) and Lucile Watson (1949) as Aunt March
Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Tim McCleary/Getty Images
Meryl Streep (2019), Mary Wickes (1994) and Lucile Watson (1949) as Aunt March in 'Little Women'
Aunt March looms large in the March household, as she is the rich widow who controls, well, pretty much everything. On the outside, she's harsh and no-nonsense, but she's secretly a bit of a softie.
This part was practically tailor-made for Meryl Streep, who followed in the footsteps of Mary Wickes in the 1994 version and Lucile Watson in the 1949 adaptation.
05 of 09
James Norton (2019), Eric Stoltz (1994) and Richard Stapley (1949) as John Brooke
Karwai Tang/WireImage; Everette Collection; Getty Images James Norton (2019), Eric Stoltz (1994) and Richard Stapley (1949) as John Brooke in 'Little Women'
John Brooke is Laurie's tutor who eventually falls in love with Meg. Together, the pair defy Aunt March and marry, later becoming parents to twins. James Norton played John, previously played by Eric Stoltz in 1994 and Richard Stapley in 1949.
06 of 09
Florence Pugh (2019), Kirsten Dunst (1994) and Elizabeth Taylor (1949) as Amy March
Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Hulton Archive/Getty Images Florence Pugh (2019), Kirsten Dunst (1994) and Elizabeth Taylor (1949) as Amy March in 'Little Women'
Amy is the baby of the family, and therefore, given everything she wants (we're still mad that Aunt March took her to Paris instead of Jo). Originally portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor in 1949 and by Kirsten Dunst as the young Amy in 1994. (Samantha Mathis played adult Amy.) Amy gets her fairy tale ending, marrying Laurie.
Florence Pugh took on the role in the 2019 adaptation, earning her first Oscar nomination. She has since starred in Don't Worry Darling (2022), Oppenheimer (2023) and Thunderbolts* (2025).
07 of 09
Eliza Scanlen (2019), Claire Danes (1994) and Margaret O'Brien (1949) as Beth March
Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Hulton Archive/Getty Images Eliza Scanlen (2019), Claire Danes (1994) and Margaret O'Brien (1949) as Beth March in 'Little Women'
Eliza Scanlen is the latest actress to take on the role of poor, sweet Beth. Beth's plotline involves contracting scarlet fever, so you can only imagine that it doesn't end happily for her.
08 of 09
Louis Garrel (2019), Gabriel Byrne (1994) and Rossano Brazzi (1949) as Friedrich Bhaer
Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images; Everette Collection; Mondadori/Getty Images Louis Garrel (2019), Gabriel Byrne (1994) and Rossano Brazzi (1949) as Friedrich Bhaer in 'Little Women'
Louis Garrel takes on the role of Friedrich Bhaer, a role previously played by Gabriel Byrne in 1994 and Rossano Brazzi in 1949. Bhaer is a German professor who meets Jo while she is in New York City, pursuing her writing career. He takes her to the opera, teaches her philosophy and pushes her to become a better writer. Swoon!
09 of 09
Laura Dern (2019), Susan Sarandon (1994) and Mary Astor (1949) as Marmee March
Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Donaldson Collection/Getty Images Laura Dern (2019), Susan Sarandon (1994) and Mary Astor (1949) as Marmee March in 'Little Women'
Strong, capable and loving, Marmee is the girls' mother and head of the household while her husband is off fighting in the Civil War. Laura Dern assumed the shawl in the 2019 silver screen adaptation previously worn by Susan Sarandon and Mary Astor.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
