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

219 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

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

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

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

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2010

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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

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

The sentiment behind the plot is sweet and endearing and the movie is an excellent example of Burton, the master filmmaker, at work.

Rated: 4/5

May 6, 2021

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Its abe S

This movie was pleasantly good! Its not like groundbreaking or anything but had a cool story to it and had some powerful emotion to it! Ill give a 7.5/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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Stephen C

Are you ****ing kidding me right now?

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

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Rhyan D

Tim Burton never disappoints. What a beautiful story about fathers and sons, and the importance of imagination and storytelling!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/25

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Fer S

Boring as hell. The plot is not interesting at all. 1 hour in and I wanted to quit so hard.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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Donn A

Captivating! ☺️ Classic Burton with a stellar cast!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

Full Review

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

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, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Jinks/Cohen Company
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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