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Free Willy

Play trailer Poster for Free Willy PG Released Jul 16, 1993 1h 51m Kids & Family Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
When maladjusted orphan Jesse (Jason James Richter) vandalizes a theme park, he is placed with foster parents and must work at the park to make amends. There he meets Willy, a young Orca whale who has been separated from his family. Sensing kinship, they form a bond and, with the help of kindly whale trainer Rae Lindley (Lori Petty), develop a routine of tricks. However, greedy park owner Dial (Michael Ironside) soon catches wind of the duo and makes plans to profit from them.
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Free Willy

Free Willy

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Critics Consensus

Free Willy tugs at the heartstrings skillfully enough to leap above the rising tide of sentimentality that threatens to drown its formulaic family-friendly story.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Wilmington Los Angeles Times There's something to be said for fairy tales--when they're done with breadth and emotion. At its best, "Free Willy" jumps that barrier. Aug 4, 2020 Full Review Philip Thomas Empire Magazine Despite a clichéd plot and some ropey performances, this is still a well-made and entertaining children's film. Rated: 3/5 Aug 4, 2020 Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune With a phony kid and boring whale, there isn't much to recommend in "Free Willy." Rated: 2/4 Aug 4, 2020 Full Review Molly Haskell Ladies' Home Journal Like all memorable children's films, this one will bring tears to the eyes of parents and kids alike as it deals with the eternal themes of love, loss, trust and forgiveness. Aug 4, 2021 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times It's pretty hard to resist once Keiko and Jason James Richter are on screen together, providing you're between four and ten at heart. Rated: 3/5 Aug 4, 2020 Full Review Charles Cassady Common Sense Media A wayward boy befriends a moody killer whale. Rated: 4/5 Dec 15, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Leonard D I'll never forget going to see this in the theater when it first came out. I have a real love for orca whales, and this is one of those flicks which is proof of it! At times, it can be corny and slow, but that doesn't stop it from being a childhood favorite. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/22/24 Full Review Corey S So the people that trapped the orca was the wrong person and the people that save the orca was the great person they should trap the sailors in a jail cell. And it’s a great movie. Jesse you did the right thing! So and maybe you should also make the sailors drown too, and the jail cell. You did a great thing Jesse‘s family. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/20/24 Full Review Gareth v While this is a cheesy, cliche riddled family movie, there is just enough here to save it from slipping into trashy Hallmark movie territory. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/24 Full Review Ravi T This movie brings back memories from my childhood. Great movie imo! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/09/23 Full Review kylie b THE MOST EMOTIONAL AND HEART WRENCHING TAIL( get it) ABOUT A YOUNG BOY MEETING HIS TRUE SOULMATE IN THE FORM OF WILLY. THEY CAN RELATE TO EACH OTHER ON MANY LEVELS. THE GREATEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN. WATCH IT NOW POR FAVOR 🐳🐋 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/28/23 Full Review Aru G It's a childhood love. But well, I was a kid and didn't understand a lot in it. Watched it again today and it still is beautiful. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Free Willy

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Cast & Crew

Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home 50% 42% Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home Watchlist My Girl 2 27% 46% My Girl 2 Watchlist Fly Away Home 88% 70% Fly Away Home Watchlist Fluke 31% 69% Fluke Watchlist The Baby-Sitters Club 67% 47% The Baby-Sitters Club Watchlist TRAILER for The Baby-Sitters Club Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis When maladjusted orphan Jesse (Jason James Richter) vandalizes a theme park, he is placed with foster parents and must work at the park to make amends. There he meets Willy, a young Orca whale who has been separated from his family. Sensing kinship, they form a bond and, with the help of kindly whale trainer Rae Lindley (Lori Petty), develop a routine of tricks. However, greedy park owner Dial (Michael Ironside) soon catches wind of the duo and makes plans to profit from them.
Director
Simon Wincer
Producer
Jennie Lew Tugend, Lauren Shuler Donner
Screenwriter
Keith Walker, Corey Blechman
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Alcor Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 16, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 10, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$76.3M
Runtime
1h 51m
Sound Mix
Surround
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