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Big

Play trailer 2:22 Poster for Big PG 1988 1h 44m Kids & Family Comedy Fantasy Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 81 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
At a carnival, young Josh Baskin wishes he were 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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Critics Reviews

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Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter 12/26/2018
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. Go to Full Review
Kathleen Carroll New York Daily News 07/28/2015
3.5/4
The film succeeds largely because of the splendid performance of Tom Hanks -- who is irresistibly funny as "big" Josh. Go to Full Review
Victoria Mather Daily Telegraph (UK) 12/25/2014
3/5
Tom Hanks is marvellously child-like as Josh, all restless energy, innocence and real pleasure in the liberation that being grown-up allows him. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Feb 15
3/4
A disarmingly sweet movie. Go to Full Review
Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 09/14/2024
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 ... Go to Full Review
Zita Short InSession Film 02/01/2023
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Nicholas P @RT88054743 12h A great piano scene. See more Robert J @Slash_wisdom 1d Tom Hanks in one of his most iconic films. Big is a story of a boy who makes a wish to grow up and reminds us all to never let the kid in us die. See more Jason R @J-Rush1411 Jun 25 A good film to watch at least once, Tom Hanks played a kid in an adults body so well See more Rex K. @RT61793587 Apr 28 Good movie. It was entertaining and the plot was cool. I feel like everyone when they're younger wants to be grown up. See more Donald K @Awesomestar Apr 26 Even if it was boring, over the top, strong on romance and had a somewhat unsatisfying ending, Tom Hanks was good and the movie turned out to be a cute movie with flaws See more Rosie D. @Rosieeeee Apr 22 I’ve always found the first act a bit of a plot hole. Usually, a kid in an adult’s body would try to act mature to blend in, but Josh just lets his 'inner child' run wild. It’s a bit over-the-top compared to other body-swap flicks from the 80s and 2000, but...It’s still a heartwarming watch after all, there’s a kid in all of us. 😊. Tom Hanks has this boyish charm that saves the movie from its own clichés, and his transition into the adult world later on feels super grounded. Honestly, looking at the current crop of A-listers in their 30s, I can’t imagine a single one of them nailing this role today, with this level of sincere innocence. It’s a classic for a reason. See more Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis At a carnival, young Josh Baskin wishes he were 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
20th Century Fox, Gracie Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Drama, Romance
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