Big

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2:22

Big

PG

Released Jun 3, 1988

1h 44m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

At a carnival, young Josh Baskin wishes he was big, only to wake up the next morning and discover his wish came true. But the more Josh experiences life as an adult, the more he longs for the simple joys of childhood.

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Critics Consensus

Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Director Penny Marshall doesn't hammer any themes or satire into the film; she, quite shrewdly, keeps Big likeably small. The comedy is natural and unforced, in no small part because of Hanks' wonderfully slapstick performance.

Dec 26, 2018

Full Review

Kathleen Carroll

New York Daily News

The film succeeds largely because of the splendid performance of Tom Hanks -- who is irresistibly funny as "big" Josh.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 28, 2015

Full Review

Victoria Mather

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Tom Hanks is marvellously child-like as Josh, all restless energy, innocence and real pleasure in the liberation that being grown-up allows him.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 25, 2014

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Fresh-faced Hanks was a rising comic star at the time and he is absolutely winning as the 13-year-old in the body of an adult, delivering the body language and the excitable, innocent energy of a kid in every scene ...

Sep 14, 2024

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Zita Short

InSession Film

Big is warm-hearted and sweet without ever losing its edge and it engages adult viewers on an intellectual level in a way that few family films do.

Feb 1, 2023

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

It remains one of the most technically thoughtful and precisely-controlled performances of [Tom Hanks's] entire career.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 22, 2022

Full Review

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William B

Great classic. It shows Hanks was a great actor ever since young.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/25

Full Review

Yoosik Ethan O

I first saw this in my university years. Just saw it again today and it still stands the test of time. This is understandably the film that changed Tom Hanks’ career because he really makes you believe he’s a kid in an adult body. Funny, serious, emotional at times. Overall a great story from start to finish.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

Full Review

Charles H

I swear 1990’s movies are the greatest made. They take such a simple idea and expand on it more than you could imagine and create something so amazing. The characters are so well crafted and the storytelling is spectacular. It might lack in comedy at some points but that’s just me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/30/24

Full Review

Simon G

One of the greatest films I’ve watched in a long time. Funny, heartwarming, clever. The script and storyline are on point throughout, you can’t get much better…

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

Full Review

David S

Impacts me emotionally for reasons I can't explain - btw several performances are great.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

Garrett B

A funny and creative comedy film

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

Full Review

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Penny Marshall

Director

Tom Hanks

Josh

Elizabeth Perkins

Susan

Robert Loggia

MacMillan

John Heard

Paul

Jared Rushton

Billy

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Big: Trailer 1

2:22

Big: 30th Anniversary (1988): Presented by TCM Fathom Events Trailer

0:30

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Synopsis

At a carnival, young Josh Baskin wishes he was big, only to wake up the next morning and discover his wish came true. But the more Josh experiences life as an adult, the more he longs for the simple joys of childhood.

Director: Penny Marshall
Producer: James L. Brooks, Robert Greenhut
Screenwriter: Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Gracie Films, 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $113.5M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround

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