See the Stars from the 1949, 1994 and 2019 Movies

Saoirse Ronan (2019), Winona Ryder (1994) and June Allyson (1949) as Jo March

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.

Timothée Chalamet (2019), Christian Bale (1994) and Peter Lawford (1949) as Theodore “Laurie” Laurence

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).

Emma Watson (2019), Trini Alvarado (1994) and Janet Leigh (1949) as Meg March

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.

Meryl Streep (2019), Mary Wickes (1994) and Lucile Watson (1949) as Aunt March

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.

James Norton (2019), Eric Stoltz (1994) and Richard Stapley (1949) as John Brooke

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.

Florence Pugh (2019), Kirsten Dunst (1994) and Elizabeth Taylor (1949) as Amy March

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).

Eliza Scanlen (2019), Claire Danes (1994) and Margaret O’Brien (1949) as Beth March

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.

Louis Garrel (2019), Gabriel Byrne (1994) and Rossano Brazzi (1949) as Friedrich Bhaer

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!

Laura Dern (2019), Susan Sarandon (1994) and Mary Astor (1949) as Marmee March

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.