Pee-wee's Big Adventure

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Pee-wee's Big Adventure

PG

Released Jul 19, 1985

1h 30m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

113 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens), an eccentric child-like man, loves his red bicycle and will not sell it to his envious neighbor, Francis (Mark Holton). While Pee-wee visits his friend Dottie (Elizabeth Daily), the bike is stolen. Thinking his bike is at the Alamo, Pee-wee sets off on a trip, where he meets many remarkable people, including waitress Simone (Diane Salinger) and a motorcycle gang. Eventually, Pee-wee discovers that his bike is being used in a movie and tries to recover it.

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Critics Consensus

Pee-wee's Big Adventure brings Paul Reubens' famous character to the big screen intact, along with enough inspired silliness to dazzle children of all ages.

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David Edelstein

Village Voice

Pee-wee's Big Adventure is spun out of childish delight and childish malice.

Jul 30, 2025

Full Review

Archer Winsten

New York Post

For me the film was like a nightmare that left an indelible impression of Pee-wee Herman himself, simpering, mincing, smiling his tight little smile, eternally hopeful. But the action itself remains a total blank.

Jul 30, 2025

Full Review

Scott Cain

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Nearly all of the laughs occur in the first 10 minutes.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 30, 2025

Full Review

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Staff

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

[A] tale of zany invention and fascinating images.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 12, 2025

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Carolyn Clay

Boston Phoenix

The film is funniest at the beginning.

Jul 30, 2025

Full Review

Lou Cedrone

Baltimore Sun

The film is great fun.

Jul 30, 2025

Full Review

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Jimmy C

Love the movie, it's a classic and Paul Rueben, the late Phil Hartman and Tim Burton created a piece of history with this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

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Sarah F

Brought back great memories. And the audience participation was a bonus.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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James R

I called it a classic and it said, “I know you are, but what am I?”

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

Bluesideup

Just a great story about a boy and his bike. And by the way, the cast is excellent, brilliant director and writers, the perfect score and lots of wonderful low budget effects.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/23

Full Review

marlen m

A true joy to see on the big screen. Non stop nostalgia and Pee Wee with his cooler than you devil may care attitude make it difficult to look away. All the quotes, so many by the time this is over you'll find yourself saying can we do this again?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/22

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John D

Classic scenes and lines from a talented cast.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/21

Full Review

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Tim Burton

Director

Paul Reubens

Pee-wee Herman

E.G. Daily

Dottie

Mark Holton

Francis

Diane Salinger

Simone

Tony Bill

Terry Hawthorne

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28%

39%

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36%

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50%

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Richie Rich

27%

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Synopsis

Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens), an eccentric child-like man, loves his red bicycle and will not sell it to his envious neighbor, Francis (Mark Holton). While Pee-wee visits his friend Dottie (Elizabeth Daily), the bike is stolen. Thinking his bike is at the Alamo, Pee-wee sets off on a trip, where he meets many remarkable people, including waitress Simone (Diane Salinger) and a motorcycle gang. Eventually, Pee-wee discovers that his bike is being used in a movie and tries to recover it.

Director: Tim Burton
Producer: Richard Abramson, Robert Shapiro, Paul Reubens
Screenwriter: Phil Hartman, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Aspen Film Society
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 19, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $40.9M
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Surround

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