Free Willy

PG

Released Jul 16, 1993

1 hr. 51 min.

Kids & Family

Drama

List

71%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

50%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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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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

Natabug

Great classic family movie! Starting to watch it again for my kids. Wish they would make good family movies like this now but unfortunately don’t.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A childhood flick that sticks with me even 30 years later All i could remember was a boy and a whale, the score, and that infamous Michael Jackson song It's unbelievable it made $150 million and they made 3 sequels but they all pale in comparison Michael Masden, Jason James Richter, Jayne Atkinson, Lori Petty, August Schellenberg, a young Danielle Harris, and director Simon Wincer Jesse is a young orphan living on the streets He cons his way through life with other kids trying to get money and food Working at a run down water park after getting arrested he then encounters a killer whale named Willy The both of them make an unexpected bond and he plans to release him back into the ocean before the park's nefarious owner can claim a large sum of money from exterminating the animal The film had us rethink the way killer whales are bred in captivity even making an awareness campaign to free the titular whale actor himself Love, loss, trust, and forgiveness are important themes here We're used to seeing stories like this before about a small boy and his animal buddy so this doesn't necessarily break new ground The human stuff is serviceable at best Plus some things don't make sense like having the characters not call the police or even animal control for that matter But it's about a budding friendship of two different characters who want to belong again to a family to call their own

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

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Simon Wincer

Director

Jason James Richter

Jesse

Lori Petty

Rae Lindley

Jayne Atkinson

Annie Greenwood

Michael Madsen

Glen Greenwood

Michael Ironside

Dial

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50%

42%

Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home

27%

46%

My Girl 2

88%

70%

Fly Away Home

31%

68%

Fluke

67%

47%

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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

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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
Executive Producer: Arnon Milchan, Richard 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
Sound Mix: Surround

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