Every single Abigail Breslin movie, ranked by critics

abigail breslin ranking
Abigail Breslin was in her first movie when she was 6.
Disney; Fox Searchlight; Columbia Pictures
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Breslin's lowest-rated film is "New Year's Eve" (2011).

abigail breslin new years eve
Abigail Breslin in "New Year's Eve."
New Line Cinema

Rotten Tomatoes score7%

Synopsis: In the ensemble romantic comedy, New Yorkers on different paths fall in and out of love and friendships on New Year's Eve.

Breslin appeared as Hailey, who's working through a rouch patch with her mom, Kim (Sarah Jessica Parker).

Critics wrote "New Year's Eve" off as a film that felt more like a parade of guest stars than a cohesive movie.

Leslie Combemale wrote that the film "falls so short it feels like a cinematic hangover without the delightful drunk the night before" in her review for Cinema Siren.

Breslin appeared as Trish in "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" (2006).

abigail breslin the sanata clause 3
Abigail Breslin in "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 17%

Summary: While preparing for another holiday season as Santa Claus, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is caught by surprise when Jack Frost (Martin Short) tries to take his place. 

Breslin briefly appeared as an elf named Trish, alongside her brother, Spencer Breslin, who played head elf Curtis. 

By the time "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" premiered, critics agreed that the franchise had lost most of its charm. 

"It's sad to see the life sucked out of a series that started so well," John J. Puccio wrote for Movie Metropolis.

In "Dirty Dancing" (2017), she starred as Frances "Baby" Houseman.

abigail breslin dirty dancing
Abigail Breslin starred in the remake of the classic film.
Lionsgate Television

Rotten Tomatoes score: 19%

Summary: In the direct-to-TV remake of "Dirty Dancing" (1987), Frances "Baby" Houseman (Breslin) falls for a dance instructor (Colt Prattes) while her family vacations in the Catskills. 

Some critics appreciated the efforts from the cast, but most said it wasn't enough to save the remake from poor reviews. 

"Casting alone isn't enough to redeem it, and unless viewers plan to do some 21st century tweeting while hate-watching, 'Dirty Dancing' doesn't have enough swing in the modern era to make it mean a thing," Malcolm Venable wrote for TV Guide.

The actress voiced Zoe in "Adventures in Zambezia" (2012).

abigail breslin adventures in zambezia
Abigail Breslin voiced a character in the animated film.
Triggerfish Animation Studios

Rotten Tomatoes score: 25%

Summary: A young falcon (voiced by Jeremy Suarez) travels to the famed city of Zambezia so that he can spread his wings and join a group of fast-flying birds called the Hurricanes.

In the film, also known as "Zambezia," Breslin voiced a free-spirited black-shouldered kite named Zoe. 

Critics said the family comedy was overstuffed and best suited for very young viewers.

"The film itself is a bit of a hybrid, trying too hard to be all things, although its heart is in the right place," Louise Keller wrote for Urban Cinefile.

Breslin appeared as Sarah in "Raising Helen" (2004).

raising helen
Hayden Panettiere, Abigail Breslin, Kate Hudson, and Spencer Breslin in "Raising Helen."
Buena Vista Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 25%

Summary: In "Raising Helen," free-spirited New Yorker Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) is blindsided when her sister and brother-in-law die in a car accident — leaving her with full custody of their three children.

Breslin starred alongside Hudson as her niece, Sarah. 

Too dark to be a comedy and too fluffy to be a proper drama, "Raising Helen" bemused a lot of critics. 

"[Director Garry] Marshall pulls off some delicately serious moments," Bruce Bennett wrote for Spectrum. "Problem is, most of this movie is supposed to be funny, and more often than not, it isn't."

She played Sandra in "Perfect Sisters" (2014).

abigail breslin perfect sisters
Georgie Henley and Abigail Breslin in "Perfect Sisters."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 25%

Summary: In the psychological thriller, Sandra (Breslin) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) plan a way to kill their alcoholic mother (Mira Sorvino) without getting caught. 

Critics said that "Perfect Sisters," which was based on a true story, mishandled its subject matter.

Dennis Harvey called it a "cartoonish and crudely staged dramatization of a disturbing true crime" in his review for Variety. 

She had a small role in "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" (2004).

Abigail Breslin Princess Diaries 2 Disney
Anne Hathaway and Abigail Breslin in "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 26%

Summary: After Princess Mia (Anne Hathaway) turns 21, her grandmother (Julie Andrews), the queen, informs her that she has 30 days to find a suitor or else she risks losing her right to the throne of Genovia.

Breslin had a brief appearance as a young girl named Carolina. 

Film reviewers loved seeing Hathaway and Andrews together again, but some felt like it was an unnecessary sequel. 

"Sometimes charming, sometimes a tad too silly and all the time predictable," Sara Gebhardt wrote for The Washington Post

The actress starred as Veronica in "Final Girl" (2015).

abigail breslin final girl
Abigail Breslin in "Final Girl."
Prospect Park

Rotten Tomatoes score: 31%

Summary: In the action thriller, psychopathic teens target a high schooler named Veronica (Breslin) without knowing that she's been training her whole life for a moment like this.

Critics said Breslin could only do so much in the underwritten horror film. 

"Abigail Breslin does everything a really strong actor possibly could with this slimly conceived role, but she deserves better," Dustin Putman wrote for The Fright File.

She was Emily in "The Ultimate Gift" (2007).

abigail breslin the ultimate gift
Abigail Breslin in "The Ultimate Gift."
20th Century Fox

Rotten Tomatoes score: 33%

Summary: When Jason Stevens (Drew Fuller) sets off on a journey to unravel the mystery behind his late grandfather's inheritance, he meets and befriends Alexia (Ali Hillis) and her sick daughter, Emily (Breslin).

According to critics, "The Ultimate Gift" — which was based on the book by Jim Stovall — had all the trappings of a low-budget film. 

"Pretty much what one would expect: a sincere story of redemption delivered with all the low-key execution of one of those Hallmark-backed TV movies of the week," Matt Brunson wrote for Creative Loafing.

Breslin played Zoe in "No Reservations" (2007).

abigail breslin no reservations
Aaron Eckhart and Abigail Breslin in "No Reservations."
Castlerock Entertainment

Rotten Tomatoes score: 42%

Summary: High-strung chef Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) takes guardianship of her niece, Zoe (Breslin), while navigating a burgeoning romance with her new sous-chef, Nick (Aaron Eckhart). 

"No Reservations" earned mixed reviews from critics, who loved the cast and the chemistry but faulted the film's plotting. 

"[A]lthough it looks good on the outside and is somewhat palatable, the ingredients never quite reach a boiling point and the end result is undercooked, lacking spice and rather bland," Debbie Lynn Elias wrote for Behind the Lens.

In "The Call" (2013), she was Casey Welson.

abigail breslin the call
Abigail Breslin in "The Call."
TriStar Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%

Summary: After being rattled by a judgment error, emergency operator Jordan (Halle Berry) goes above and beyond the call of duty to save a kidnapped teen named Casey (Breslin).

Critics said "The Call" hit the ground running but ran out of steam as it reached the finale. 

"An absorbing premise that goes to great efforts to exaggerate the suspense," Mike Mass wrote for Gone With the Twins. "Unfortunately, the storytellers run out of ideas approximately three-quarters into the film."

She played Anna Fitzgerald in "My Sister's Keeper" (2009).

my sister's keeper
Abigail Breslin starred in "My Sister's Keeper."
Warner Bros.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 48%

Summary: After their daughter, Kate (Sofia Vassilieva), received a terminal leukemia diagnosis, Sara (Cameron Diaz) and Brian (Jason Patric) have Anna (Breslin), with the expectation that she will be her sister's kidney donor.

But by the time Anna is 11, she seeks out a lawyer (Alec Baldwin) to try and earn medical emancipation from her mother. 

The film, which was based on the novel by Jodi Picoult, lost some critics the further it veered from the source material. 

"Fans of Picoult's novel are likely to be at least modestly disturbed by the liberties that [director Nick] Cassavetes takes," Richard Propes wrote for The Independent Critic.

The actress was Jennifer Adams in "Fear, Inc." (2016).

abigail breslin fear inc
Abigail Breslin in "Fear, Inc."
Lone Suspect

Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%

Summary: In the indie horror film, scary-movie fan Joe Foster (Lucas Neff) pays a mysterious company to bring his worst nightmares to life. 

Breslin had a supporting role in the film as Jennifer Adams. 

Critics had mixed opinions on "Fear, Inc." But some enjoyed being along for the ride once they forgave its flaws. 

"I had a fun time with 'Fear Inc.,' despite the periodic leaps of faith it takes and the silly, all too numerous false endings it employs," Adam Patterson wrote for Film Pulse.

In "Nim's Island" (2008), she starred as Nim.

abigail breslin nims island
Abigail Breslin in "Nim's Island."
20th Century Fox

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%

Summary: In the family film — based on the book series by Wendy Orr — best-selling author Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster) travels to a distant island when her biggest fan, Nim (Breslin), requests her help in saving her father. 

Critics were split on "Nim's Island," which most said was best suited for young kids with big imaginations. 

"The movie gets plain silly, but at least it's lively, and young girls will enjoy Nim's lifestyle in her eco-friendly and frolic-packed tropical paradise," Tim Robey wrote for The Telegraph.

She played Lynette in "Freak Show" (2018).

abigail breslin freak show
Laverne Cox and Abigail Breslin appeared in "Freak Show."
IFC Films

Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%

Summary: After being raised in a loving household by his mother (Bette Midler), fearlessly expressive Billy Bloom (Alex Lawther) reckons with bullies and gender norms when he's forced to enroll at a boarding school

Breslin had a supporting role as head cheerleader Lynette in the dramedy, which was based on the book by James St. James.

Critics loved the message behind the movie, but some felt like the dazzling lead star outshone the production itself. 

"It's good natured and well intentioned, but you end up wishing that [Trudie] Styler's directorial decisions were even half as bold as Billy's wardrobe," Wendy Ide wrote for The Observer.

Breslin starred as Janie in "Janie Jones" (2011).

abigail breslin janie jones
Abigail Breslin in "Janie Jones."
Tribeca Film

Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%

Summary: In the based-on-a-true-story drama, once-famous musician Ethan Brand (Alessandro Nivola) is forced to take his daughter Janie (Breslin) on tour with him when her mother (Elisabeth Shue) checks into rehab. 

After a faltering start, "Janie Jones" won the favor of most critics by the end. 

"After a messy, clichéd first half, 'Janie Jones' is barely salvaged by the lightweight sweetness that emerges once it becomes a two-hander for Breslin and Nivola," Ian Buckwalter wrote for NPR.

She played Lisa in "Haunter" (2013).

abigail breslin haunter
Abigail Breslin in "Haunter."
IFC Films

Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%

Summary: When a serial killer threatens young Olivia (Eleanor Zichy) and her family, ghostly teenager Lisa (Breslin) tries to protect them from harm. 

Overall, critics felt like "Haunter" had a solid premise but would've benefited from a higher special-effects budget. 

"A good performance from Breslin keeps tension alive, but hope for a really scary and inventive fright dies screaming in the basement," Dee Rudebeck wrote for The Guardian.

The actress played the titular role in "Maggie" (2015).

abigail breslin maggie
Abigail Breslin in "Maggie."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%

Summary: After his daughter, Maggie (Breslin), is infected with a zombie-like virus, Wade (Arnold Schwarzenegger) does everything he can to protect her. 

According to critics, "Maggie" wasn't anywhere close to award-worthy, but the cast made up for its shortcomings. 

"It feels a little like a very special episode of 'The Walking Dead' and might be a tad low-key for its field, but Schwarzenegger and Breslin are good and the payoff is affecting," Kim Newman wrote for Empire Magazine.

She was Valentine Wiggin in "Ender's Game" (2013).

enders game abigail breslin
Asa Butterfield and Abigail Breslin in "Ender's Game."
Richard Foreman Jr. / Summit Entertainment

Rotten Tomatoes score: 62%

Summary: Based on the novel by Orson Scott Card, the film follows Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) as he prepares for a hostile alien invasion under the guidance of Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley).

Breslin appeared as Ender's sister, Valentine. 

Some critics felt like the special effects bordered on video-game quality, but others enjoyed the coming-of-age tale at the heart of the movie. 

Stephen O'Nion called it "a little long, a little questionable, a little baffling, a lot of fun" in his review for One Room With a View.

Breslin played Jean Fordham in "August: Osage County" (2013).

abigail breslin august osage county
Ewan McGregor and Abigail Breslin in "August: Osage County."
The Weinstein Company

Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

Summary: In the film adaptation of Tracy Letts' play, after her husband dies, Violet Weston (Meryl Streep) forces her daughters Barbara (Julia Roberts), Ivy (Julianne Nicholson), and Karen (Juliette Lewis) and their families to visit the Oklahoma homestead they grew up on.

Breslin had a supporting role as Barbara's daughter, Jean. 

With a litany of characters and constant shifts in tone, the film split critics. But few took any issues with its phenomenal acting performances. 

"This story of a family meltdown offers the richest payload of powerhouse female performances we're likely to see all year," Brian D. Johnson wrote for Maclean's Magazine.

In "Zombieland: Double Tap" (2019), she returned as Little Rock.

zombieland double tap
Abigail Breslin, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, and Woody Harrelson in "Zombieland: Double Tap."
Columbia Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 69%

Summary: In the sequel, Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Breslin) travel to Memphis, Tennessee, while hunting down zombies. 

Critics said that "Zombieland: Double Tap" was best enjoyed as brainless fun. 

"This party-vibe sequel to 2009's 'Zombieland' isn't much of a movie but it sure is irresistible escapism and heaps of fun," Peter Travers wrote for Rolling Stone

She was Maya Hayes in "Definitely, Maybe" (2008).

Definitely Maybe Gallery 24
Ryan Reynolds and Abigail Breslin in "Definitely, Maybe."
Universal Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%

Summary: While Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) is in the throes of a divorce, his daughter, Maya (Breslin), starts to ask him questions about his life before he met her mom. 

Sweet and surprisingly original, "Definitely, Maybe" was reviewed as a light and easily palatable romantic comedy. 

"The romantic comedy [genre] has become such a wasteland of physical humor, predictable plots, and nauseating manipulation that 'Definitely, Maybe' is more remarkable for what it doesn't do," Brian Tellerico wrote for The Deadbolt.

The actress' first movie role was Bo Hess in "Signs" (2002).

abigail breslin signs movie
Abigail Breslin in "Signs."
Touchstone Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%

Summary: When farmer Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) stumbles across crop circles on his land, he tries to protect his brother (Joaquin Phoenix) and his children (Rory Culkin and Breslin) from an unknown danger. 

"Signs" was received as a solid effort from then-emerging director M. Night Shyamalan. 

"Shyamalan may not be Hitchcock but so far he's made the best 1950s B-movie of the 21st century," Mark Steyn wrote for The Spectator.

In "Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl" (2008), she brought the titular doll to life.

abigail breslin kit kittredge
Abigail Breslin in "Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

Summary: Set in Ohio during the Great Depression, "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" centers on a bright, kind girl named Kit (Breslin). 

Based on the American Girl doll and corresponding children's book series, "Kitt Kittredge" warmed the hearts of critics. 

"Emotionally affecting but dramatically wobbly, 'Kit Kittredge: An American Girl' touchingly illustrates the sting of poverty without overly resorting to childish shenanigans," Tim Grierson noted for Screen International.

She played Kira Bedik in "Keane" (2005).

abigail breslin keane
Abigail Breslin in "Keane."
Accent Film Entertainment

Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%

Summary: Stricken by grief after losing his daughter, William Keane (Damian Lewis) finds new hope when a woman (Amy Ryan) and her daughter, Kira (Breslin), check into his hotel. 

Decidedly dark, "Keane" wowed critics who let themselves get immersed in the narrative. 

"Lewis makes 'Keane''s paranoia our paranoia. [Director Lodge] Kerrigan limits our world to his world," Roger Moore said in his review for the Orlando Sentinel. "And that's how this grimly shot, roughly felt drama pulls us in."

Breslin voiced Priscilla in "Rango" (2011).

abigail breslin rango
Abigail Breslin voiced a character in the animated flick.
Paramount Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

Summary: A sheltered chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp) becomes an unlikely hero when he steps in as the sheriff of a small Western town.

In the animated feature, Breslin voiced Priscilla. 

"Rango" took a lot of critics by surprise with its colorful animation style and inventive story. 

"'Rango' is a superbly-written, masterfully-shot feat of making us believe that yes, ugly critters can also possess the kind of heroic qualities that this world needs more of," Shubhra Gupta wrote for The Indian Express.

She played Little Rock in "Zombieland" (2009).

Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, and Woody Harrelson in "Zombieland."
Columbia Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

Summary: Cautious Columbus (Eisenberg) toughs out a zombie apocalypse alone until he meets fellow survivors Tallahassee (Harrelson), Wichita (Stone), and Little Rock (Breslin).

Critics loved "Zombieland," even with all its guts and gore.

"Packed with the genre's standard overdose of blood and guts," Perri Nemiroff wrote for CinemaBlend. "Add in a charming band of misfits and you get something thrilling, hilarious and sweet, all at the same time."

Her highest-rated film is "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006).

Little Miss Sunshine
Abigail Breslin as Olive in "Little Miss Sunshine."
Fox Searchlight

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

Summary: When lovable 7-year-old Olive (Breslin) earns a rare chance to compete in a California beauty pageant, her eccentric family piles into their van to help her achieve her dream. 

Well-written, well-acted, and expertly executed, "Little Miss Sunshine" was a winner across the board. 

"First-time screenwriter Michael Arndt's script hits all the right notes, with a first-rate cast that makes this among the year's very best films," Michael Compton wrote for the Bowling Green Daily News.

Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change. Films without critic scores were not included.
