| Director | Will Gluck |
|---|---|
| Budget | $65 million |
| Box office | $136.9 million |
In Harlem, New York City, 10-year-old Annie Bennett lives in a foster home alongside four other girls - Pepper, Isabella, Tessie, and Mia – with Colleen Hannigan, an alcoholic former singer who spends her days trying to get a boyfriend and giving grueling chores to the children in her care. Every Friday, Annie waits outside of Italian restaurant Domani's, as a message on a Domani's receipt promised her parents will show up there. When a city inspector checks Colleen's apartment, Annie copies down her social security number. Hoping to find out more about herself, Annie receives what she already knows.
While trying to protect a stray dog from a group of bullies, Annie is nearly run over by a car but is saved by Will Stacks, a germaphobic cellphone mogul who is running for mayor. The incident is caught on camera and goes viral on the internet, boosting Will's popularity. Annie is persuaded by campaign manager Guy Danlily to move in with Will to continue his popularity boost. She becomes friends with Will's assistant Grace Farrell and adopts the stray dog she defended earlier, naming her Sandy. Will recalls his humble beginnings in Queens and realizes his affection for Grace.
At Annie's request, Will takes her and her friends to the premiere of Moon Quake Lake. Initially uninterested, Will becomes a fan along with Grace, and joins the premiere party. Annie shows Grace her Friday routine of waiting outside Domani's for her parents' return. Grace agrees to keep this secret from Will. Annie's friends accidentally wake Colleen who snaps at them, saying rich people are selfish and will abandon anyone they no longer care about. She laments her dislike of little girls and her desire to reclaim stardom.
Annie and Will fly around New York in a helicopter. Annie is invited to a charity event where she sings her gratitude for the opportunity she has been given. When Guy asks her to read a speech, Annie runs away as she cannot read (despite being 10 years old and attending school). Unbeknownst to Will, Guy plots with Colleen to have impostors claim Annie as their daughter as a publicity stunt for Will's campaign. Guy plans to put Annie back into foster care after the election and cut Colleen out of the deal.
When Will reveals the nice things Annie said about her, Colleen tells Will about Guy's scheme. Will confronts Guy and fires him, but Annie has already been kidnapped. Will, Grace, Colleen, Lou, and the girls board Will's helicopter and, aided by the police, chase the kidnappers' car. When Annie is rescued and the kidnappers arrested, Will announces his withdrawal from the mayoral race. Annie helps Grace and Will admit their love for each other and the three are broadcast on television as they dance and sing.
Annie announces the opening of the "Stacks Literacy Centre," to teach children to read. Everyone sings Annie's "Tomorrow" as the credits roll, and Will adopts Annie's four friends as well as Sandy.