

Dear Frankie
Nine-year-old Frankie and his single mum Lizzie have been on the move ever since Frankie can remember, most recently arriving in a seaside Scottish town. Wanting to protect her deaf son from the truth that they've run away from his father, Lizzie has invented a story that he is away at sea on the HMS Accra. Every few weeks, Lizzie writes Frankie a make-believe letter from his father, telling of his adventures in exotic lands. As Frankie tracks the ship's progress around the globe, he discovers that it is due to dock in his hometown. With the real HMS Accra arriving in only a fortnight, Lizzie must choose between telling Frankie the truth or finding the perfect stranger to play Frankie's father for just one day...
Where to watch Dear Frankie in United States
Click a service to open Dear Frankie there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.
Where is Dear Frankie streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Kanopy, Hoopla | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| India | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Canada | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | — |
| Australia | — | JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| France | — | Canal VOD, Orange VOD, VIVA by videofutur |
| Japan | — | Amazon Video, FOD |
| South Korea | — | Google Play Movies |
About Dear Frankie
Dear Frankie is a 2004 English-language drama and family film directed by Shona Auerbach. The cast is led by Gerard Butler, Emily Mortimer, Jack McElhone. It has a runtime of 1h 45m. Viewers rate it 7.0/10 across 200 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on Kanopy, Hoopla.
Dear Frankie was produced by Inside Track, Pathé Pictures International, and UK Film Council and made in United Kingdom and Ireland. It was released on May 18, 2004. At the box office it grossed around $2 million worldwide.
- Director
- Shona Auerbach
- Writers
- Andrea Gibb
- Release date
- May 18, 2004
- Original language
- English
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United Kingdom, Ireland
- Box office
- $2 million
- Production
- Inside Track, Pathé Pictures International, UK Film Council
Dear Frankie cast & crew
Dear Frankie was directed by Shona Auerbach and written by Andrea Gibb.
The cast features Gerard Butler as The Stranger, Emily Mortimer as Lizzie, Jack McElhone as Frankie, Sharon Small as Marie, Katy Murphy as Miss MacKenzie, and Jayd Johnson as Catriona.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Alex Heffes, cinematography is by Shona Auerbach, and it was produced by Caroline Wood.
Is Dear Frankie worth watching?
Dear Frankie holds an audience score of 7.0/10 from 222 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed drama films.
At 1h 45m, it's a standard feature-length watch.
If you enjoy drama and family, Dear Frankie is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Dear Frankie
In United States, you can stream Dear Frankie on Kanopy and Hoopla, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
Rate & review
Your rating and review are saved privately in this browser — no account needed.
Cast of Dear Frankie

Gerard Butler
The Stranger

Emily Mortimer
Lizzie

Jack McElhone
Frankie

Sharon Small
Marie

Katy Murphy
Miss MacKenzie

Jayd Johnson
Catriona

Mary Riggans
Nell

Cal MacAninch
Davey

John Kazek
Ally
Anne Marie Timoney
Janet

Andrea Gibb
Waitress
Sophie Main
Serious Girl
Dear Frankie — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Dear Frankie in United States?
Dear Frankie is streaming on Kanopy, Hoopla in United States.
▸Is Dear Frankie on Kanopy?
Yes — Dear Frankie is currently available on Kanopy in United States.
▸What language is Dear Frankie in?
Dear Frankie is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Dear Frankie?
Dear Frankie runs 1 hours 45 minutes (105 minutes).
▸What is Dear Frankie rated?
It holds a 7.0/10 audience score from 222 ratings.











