2019 Vs. 1994: Side-By-Side Pics Of The Little Women Casts

The 1868 coming-of-age novel "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott has had multiple film and television adaptations through the years. Written in two volumes (the second one released in 1869), the story follows the lives of the four March sisters as they transition into adulthood and face numerous challenges along the way. In 1994, a film directed by Gillian Armstrong brought the story to life on the big screen, while Greta Gerwig's 2019 version introduced the story to an even younger audience. How do these adaptations compare to each other?

While both films have become beloved among fans of the book, they do have their differences. In the earlier adaptation, '90s icons like Winona Ryder and Kirsten Dunst gave us stellar performances, foreshadowing just how successful they would become. The late 2010s brought us Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh as the faces of what the new generation could bring to the table. Both the 1994 and 2019 versions are incredible adaptations, and these women were undeniably a big reason why both films were a success.

In the 1994 version of "Little Women," the main protagonist Jo March was portrayed by Winona Ryder, whose throwback '90s looks will give you all the moody fashion inspo. In 2019, the role went to Irish star Saoirse Ronan, who brought the strong-willed and ambitious character to life. Both did amazing jobs, but subtle differences in their versions of Jo are noticeable. While Ryder's Jo was brown-eyed with brown hair put into classic period styles, Ronan's was blue-eyed with dark blond hair that had flyaways representing her adventurous personality. 

Meg March, the eldest of the four sisters, was played by Trini Alvarado in the 1994 version. In 2019, the role went to "Harry Potter" star Emma Watson, whose stunning style transformation left us in awe. Side-by-side photos showcase the similarity between the two actors, both of whom did an incredible job portraying the character. Notably, the clothing, hair, and accessories were somewhat different, giving each movie its distinct aesthetic, but in both films, Meg was a brunette with brown hair and eyes and a sophisticated wardrobe. 

In the 1994 adaptation of "Little Women," Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis played the youngest sister, Amy March, with the cast change happening as the character grew older. In 2019, the character was portrayed by Florence Pugh, who is known for not being afraid of trying out the latest hair trends. While playing younger Amy, Pugh rocked bangs and braids, which eventually evolved into period updos. While the '90s version had two stars play the character to convey Amy's aging, Pugh portrayal gave the adaptation more continuity, with her hairdo changes in the 2019 film signifying this change.

The shiest of the March sisters, Beth, was portrayed by blue-eyed and brown-haired Claire Danes in 1994, kickstarting the Hollywood star's career. In 2019, the role went to Eliza Scanlen, who was somewhat of a departure from what we've seen in the book's adaptations so far, primarily because the actor had a very warm-toned, almost copper hair color. Paired with her green eyes, Scanlen is among the actors who look the most different compared to their 1994 counterparts. 

In the 1994 film, Marmee March, the mother of the four March sisters, was played by Hollywood star Susan Sarandon, and in 2019, the role went to Laura Dern. The two films have gone different ways when it comes to Marmee's appearance, with Sarandon playing her as a brown-eyed, warm-toned brunette and Dern's version being a blond with blue eyes. Costume-wise, there have been differences too, with Dern's Marmee often rocking more colorful looks. Regardless of the differences, both Academy Award-winning actors did a marvelous job.

The late Mary Wickes played Aunt March in the 1994 version of "Little Women." Two and a half decades later, Meryl Streep brought the same character to life in Greta Gerwig's version. Both actors rocked silvery hair and dramatic hats and headscarves, and side-by-side pics from 1994 and 2019 showcase just how similar the costumes for the two characters looked. That said, Wickes' hair was styled in bigger curls compared to Streep's, whose signature look featured tight ringlets surrounding her face.