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Big

PG Released Jun 3, 1988 1h 44m Kids & Family Comedy Fantasy TRAILER for Big: Trailer 1 List
98% Tomatometer 80 Reviews 82% Audience Score 250,000+ Ratings
After a wish turns 12-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) into a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks), he heads to New York City and gets a low-level job at MacMillen Toy Company. A chance encounter with the owner (Robert Loggia) of the company leads to a promotion testing new toys. Soon a fellow employee, Susan Lawrence (Elizabeth Perkins), takes a romantic interest in Josh. However, the pressure of living as an adult begins to overwhelm him, and he longs to return to his simple, former life as a boy. Read More Read Less
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Big

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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 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 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 Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Big is not laugh-out-loud farce. Instead it’s a funny take on a situation that is potentially serious. [Full review in Spanish] Jul 7, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Michael S A true classic. Still holds up today. Heartfelt and amazing Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/27/24 Full Review Michael O Brings back a time when original and great movies flourished. An oldie but a goodie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/02/24 Full Review Bennett B One of the best movies I've ever seen! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/12/24 Full Review Zinjx W How nice it is to have a reunion from the time when Tom Hanks was the laughing stock. "Big" is the film's gift to the fine culture that once was. A well-told little straight-out-of-the-road comedy, enriched by an extremely well-placed Tom Hanks, hand in hand with a charming Elizabeth Perkins Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/02/24 Full Review Mequias L A testament to simple and straightforward filmmaking, the true magic of "Big" is in Tom Hank's vivid portrayal of a minor lost in the adult world; everything from a night alone in a hotel, to how he sits in an office swivel chair, the effort Hanks puts into his creation continues to be a shining example of what acting really is. Director Penny Marshall truly put her heart into this production, while writers Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg kept the story unpretentious; to the massive benefit of the film. Further enriching this cinematic experience is all the pomp and circumstance of 80's upper / middle class Manhattan. What "Big" sheds in plot and script, it more than makes up for in how it cherishes people and setting. This movie is replete with wonderful characterization and attention to detail. It betrays the self-absorbed businessman in favor of the daring, wide-eyed creativity of youth; an aspect that exists in all of us. By the end of the movie, you might even ask yourself, "Who is more immature? The twelve-year-old or the forty-year-old?" If we all perceived the child in each other, we might make the world a better place. The unrelenting need for validation, the ease with which one takes offense, and the laze and abuse of power that exists in modern man must be stopped. "Big" presents you with the option to enjoy life, and by doing so, witness just how far you can go when you decide to let go. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/24 Full Review Timothy D Big overflows with charm thanks to a larger-than-life performance by Tom Hanks. The joys and chaos of growing up are hilariously personified by this warm, absolutely hilarious film. There's something here for everyone. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/26/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

Kazaam 5% 20% Kazaam Imagine That 41% 40% Imagine That TRAILER for Imagine That Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat 10% 57% Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Rookie of the Year 41% 52% Rookie of the Year Mrs. Doubtfire 70% 77% Mrs. Doubtfire TRAILER for Mrs. Doubtfire Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis After a wish turns 12-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) into a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks), he heads to New York City and gets a low-level job at MacMillen Toy Company. A chance encounter with the owner (Robert Loggia) of the company leads to a promotion testing new toys. Soon a fellow employee, Susan Lawrence (Elizabeth Perkins), takes a romantic interest in Josh. However, the pressure of living as an adult begins to overwhelm him, and he longs to return to his simple, former life as a boy.
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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