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Dear Frankie

2004·Movie·105 min·7.0(222)

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...

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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?

CountryStreaming onRent / Buy
United StatesKanopy, HooplaAmazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
IndiaApple TV Store, Amazon Video
United KingdomApple TV Store, Amazon Video
CanadaAmazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
AustraliaJustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
FranceCanal VOD, Orange VOD, VIVA by videofutur
JapanAmazon Video, FOD
South KoreaGoogle 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
#ship#single parent#parent child relationship#scotland#loss of loved one#deaf#abusive father#letter#father#little boy#woman director#empathetic

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.

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Cast of Dear Frankie

Gerard Butler

Gerard Butler

The Stranger

Emily Mortimer

Emily Mortimer

Lizzie

Jack McElhone

Jack McElhone

Frankie

Sharon Small

Sharon Small

Marie

Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy

Miss MacKenzie

Jayd Johnson

Jayd Johnson

Catriona

Mary Riggans

Mary Riggans

Nell

Cal MacAninch

Cal MacAninch

Davey

John Kazek

John Kazek

Ally

No photo

Anne Marie Timoney

Janet

Andrea Gibb

Andrea Gibb

Waitress

No photo

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.

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Dear Frankie (2004) — where to watch online · SearchOTT