Big Fish

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Big Fish

PG-13

Released Jan 9, 2004

2h 5m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

220 Reviews

89%

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250,000+ Ratings

When Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) becomes ill, his son, William (Billy Crudup), travels to be with him. William has a strained relationship with Edward because his father has always told exaggerated stories about his life, and William thinks he's never really told the truth. Even on his deathbed, Edward recounts fantastical anecdotes. When William, who is a journalist, starts to investigate his father's tales, he begins to understand the man and his penchant for storytelling.

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Critics Consensus

A charming father-and-son tale filled with typical Tim Burton flourishes, Big Fish is an impressive catch.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

When it catches fire, this great-looking movie offers hilarious diversions. And as father and son struggle toward a hard-won reconciliation, Big Fish reveals its beating heart.

Mar 12, 2018

Full Review

Will Self

London Evening Standard

Big Fish really belongs to Albert Finney, who proves that when it comes to large performances there is no one who can quite match a British Shakespearean with good camera sense.

Jan 9, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Delightful, sad father-son story for teens and up.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

This is perhaps Burton’s most soulful film besides Edward Scissorhands, a lovely fable weaved with tall tales and a grand heart.

Sep 5, 2024

Full Review

Paul Klein

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

That melancholy mutes much of it so as the film goes to an idyllic town, a bank robbery, dances, and a circus, it never actually turns into something like Batman Returns or Beetlejuice

Rated: 4/5

Jul 4, 2024

Full Review

Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

Tim Burton's lone outstanding, heartfelt film of the last two decades may not seem like a natural fit with his horror-tinged oeuvre. But in some ways it's his most intimate, personal movie.

Rated: 4.5/5

Sep 20, 2021

Full Review

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Riley P

I may be slightly biased because this film is filled with actors who I trust in their choices! Tim Burton brings a complex father and son story to life through his well-known magic. Jessica Lange is so believable in this movie that she brought me to tears with how heart-felt her character seemed. Ewan McGregor was a perfect fit for his role as Edward Bloom - a man on a mission to win the love of his life while simultaneously spreading kindness into the world through his endless courage with entrepreneurship and hard work. Tim Burton does a great job of making you feel like you’re in the center of a mosaic painting through the entire movie with breath taking and colorful scenes. If you’re looking for a story with true love, plot twists, and the complexities of losing a parent, watch Big Fish. (The ending is the best part.)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

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Vik D

A heartwarming absolute must see

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, a história é desinteressante e os personagens meio fracos, o filme não teve cenas relevantes e também cenas que deixaram o filme bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

Full Review

Ruan S

Big Fish tem uma ótima narrativa sobre um contador de histórias, que é uma forma do protagonista de recontar uma realidade não tão interessante, a mensagem do filme está no próprio nome peixe grande que está interligado ao filme a drama acompanhamos William Bloom, um jovem rapaz que está começando sua vida conhecendo amigos e conhecendo seu grande amor. Bloom tem uma astúcia incrível em sua jornada e tem amor a vida, tanto que big fish é uma metáfora que é descrita no filme, "-sabe como os peixes ficam grandes? "-Eles não são pegos tão facilmente". Alusão ao próprio Bloom. Para mim esse é um dos melhores filmes de Tim Burton, que não perde a mão dosando seu estilo gótico com fantasia e com uma grande lição que nós todos somos grandes peixes!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

Full Review

Franck J N

Hermosa película, una profunda reflexión respecto a las relaciones personales y la tolerancia. Y ese final, ¡ESE FINAL! No puedo evitar llorar cada vez que lo veo

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

Full Review

James M

Easily Tim Burton's best movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

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Tim Burton

Director

Ewan McGregor

Young Edward Bloom

Albert Finney

Edward Bloom

Billy Crudup

Will Bloom

Jessica Lange

Sandra Bloom

Helena Bonham Carter

Jenny

Big Fish: Official Clip - Gigantificationism

2:13

Big Fish: Official Clip - Leaving Spectre

2:13

Big Fish: Official Clip - The Story of My Life

2:13

Big Fish: Official Clip - Always Been a Fool

2:11

Big Fish: Official Clip - Field of Daffodils

2:13

Big Fish: Official Clip - Giant Ambition

2:13

Big Fish: Official Clip - The Witch's Eye

2:12

Big Fish: Official Clip - Time Stands Still

2:08

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Synopsis

When Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) becomes ill, his son, William (Billy Crudup), travels to be with him. William has a strained relationship with Edward because his father has always told exaggerated stories about his life, and William thinks he's never really told the truth. Even on his deathbed, Edward recounts fantastical anecdotes. When William, who is a journalist, starts to investigate his father's tales, he begins to understand the man and his penchant for storytelling.

Director: Tim Burton
Producer: Richard D. Zanuck, Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks
Screenwriter: John August
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Zanuck Company, Jinks/Cohen Company, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG-13 (Some Nudity|Fight|Suggestive Reference)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $66.3M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

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