Born to Be Wild

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Born to Be Wild

PG

1995

1h 40m

Kids & Family

Drama

Adventure

Comedy

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9 Reviews

48%

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10,000+ Ratings

A young female gorilla is captured in the mountains of Africa and flown to California, where behavioral researcher Margaret Heller (Helen Shaver) begins teaching her sign language. Heller's moody teenage son, Rick (Will Horneff), bonds with the primate, now nicknamed Katie. When cynical circus owner Gus (Peter Boyle) claims Katie to replace the now-dead star of his centerpiece gorilla act, Rick runs away with the gorilla in an attempt to keep her out of Gus' abusive clutches.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

07/13/2020

Screenwriters Paul Young and John Bunzel... can't decide whether they're making a slapstick comedy or an impassioned ecological statement or just a harmless baby-sitter...

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

05/21/2003

The film's biggest mistake is in going after the heartstrings instead of the funnybone.

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

10/30/2001

It's a shame that the makers of "Born to Be Wild" went to such great lengths to create an absolutely convincing gorilla via technical wizardry only to waste their efforts on such a trite, predictable comedy-adventure.

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

07/13/2020

1.5/4

Most of the chances for humor are downplayed in favor of a heavy-handed, sentimental effort.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

12/18/2004

2/5

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

10/25/2002

1/5

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Deepest Bluest Suede Darius Dick Stinger Apini Emanuel Grouch Nukem III AKA The Rumble AKA Jennyanyany McPoopface Bridgerton AKA The Count of Monte Fisto

@RT91120088 05/19/2025

Born to Be Wild: The Zach Harper Story.

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Zander G

@RT60640046 05/07/2024

This movie taught me many valuable lessons about relationships and friendship! Would recommend for someone

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05/23/2022

As a 10 year old in 1995 the final scene when the camera pans away and the gorilla ran off into the wild I ugly cried for the first time watching a movie.

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steve d

@RT35616104 07/08/2020

Forgettable version of a story told a million times before.

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06/28/2018

literally best movie I have ever seen

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02/15/2015

Good movie overall with a funny & heart-warming message for the whole family to enjoy

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John Gray

Director

Will Horneff

Rick Heller

Helen Shaver

Margaret Heller

Peter Boyle

Gus Charnley

Jean Marie Barnwell

Lacey Carr

Marvin J. McIntyre

Bob the Paramedic

Buddy

22%

32%

Buddy

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Synopsis

A young female gorilla is captured in the mountains of Africa and flown to California, where behavioral researcher Margaret Heller (Helen Shaver) begins teaching her sign language. Heller's moody teenage son, Rick (Will Horneff), bonds with the primate, now nicknamed Katie. When cynical circus owner Gus (Peter Boyle) claims Katie to replace the now-dead star of his centerpiece gorilla act, Rick runs away with the gorilla in an attempt to keep her out of Gus' abusive clutches.

Director: John Gray
Producer: Jeffrey Silver
Screenwriter: Paul Young, John Bunzel
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Outlaw Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama, Adventure, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 31, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.8M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Stereo