Pretty Baby_
"The image of an adult world seen through a child's eyes."
In 1917 New Orleans, a 12-year-old girl is raised in a brothel by her prostitute mother.
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Hoopla
FREE
1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Box office
Pretty Baby earned $11.6M worldwide on a $3.5M budget — a 231% return on investment.
Louis Malle →
Year context
Pretty Baby was released 48 years ago in 1978.
CAST (20)
Brooke Shields
Violet
Keith Carradine
Bellocq
Susan Sarandon
Hattie
Frances Faye
Nell
Antonio Fargas
Professor
Matthew Anton
Red Top
Diana Scarwid
Frieda
Barbara Steele
Josephine
Gerrit Graham
Highpockets
Don Hood
Alfred Fuller
Seret Scott
Flora
CM
Cheryl Markowitz
Gussie
SM
Susan Manskey
Fanny
LZ
Laura Zimmerman
Agnes
MM
Miz Mary
Odette
Mae Mercer
Mama Mosebery
PP
Pat Perkins
Ola Mae
VE
Von Eric Thomas
Nonny
SH
Sasha Holliday
Justine
LS
Lisa Shames
Antonia
CREW
BOX OFFICE
$3.5M
Budget
$11.6M
Revenue
+231%
ROI
BLOCKBUSTER
Verdict
STUDIOS (1)
AWARDS (1)
B
National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
WON
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
110 min (1h 50m)
Language
English
Country
Rating
7.0/10 (400 votes)
Popularity
7
Budget
$3,500,000
Box Office
$11,600,000
Profit
+$8,100,000
IMDB
Trailer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Pretty Baby about?
In 1917 New Orleans, a 12-year-old girl is raised in a brothel by her prostitute mother.
How long is Pretty Baby?
Pretty Baby has a runtime of 110 minutes (1h 50m).
Who directed Pretty Baby?
Pretty Baby was directed by Louis Malle.
Who stars in Pretty Baby?
The cast of Pretty Baby includes Brooke Shields, Keith Carradine, Susan Sarandon, Frances Faye, Antonio Fargas.
How much did Pretty Baby make at the box office?
Pretty Baby earned $11,600,000 worldwide at the box office. The production budget was $3,500,000.
What is the rating of Pretty Baby?
Pretty Baby has a rating of 7.0 out of 10 based on 400 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (1)
Drama
KEYWORDS (15)
virgin
prostitute
photographer
photography
brothel
new orleans, louisiana
loss of virginity
young prostitute
brothel madam
1910s
child prostitution
demeaning
disheartening
distressing
inflammatory