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Pee-wee's Big Adventure

PG Released Jul 19, 1985 1h 30m Kids & Family Comedy List
89% Tomatometer 53 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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Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Pee-wee's Big Adventure

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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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Critics Reviews

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Paul Attanasio Washington Post "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" isn't a movie but a collection of found objects from the garbage heap of low culture... Jan 2, 2018 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Reubens always lets us feel superior to his creation, and when his character slips, as it does more than once in this first feature outing, his own condescension shows through. Feb 9, 2010 Full Review TIME Magazine Fair warning: this movie could induce terminal boredom in adults and rot the minds of the young. Feb 9, 2010 Full Review Megan Fisher Loud and Clear Reviews With Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Tim Burton arrives on the filmmaking scene fully formed, with a ghoulishly whimsical visual style and instinct for offbeat comedy. Rated: 4/5 Sep 13, 2024 Full Review Cory Woodroof For the Win (USA Today) Pee-wee Herman is and always will be a gift to mankind. Sep 5, 2024 Full Review Erica Peplin Vague Visages The gender play, sexual politics and physical comedy shine as brightly as the 100-watt headlight on its star’s beloved bike. Dec 5, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review John D Classic scenes and lines from a talented cast. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/19/21 Full Review LB B Pee Wee is always funny! Still a great movie. Holds up well over the years! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/28/24 Full Review Euan P As a small child, the Large Marge scene had me in tears because I was so scared, otherwise good movie but what I do want to say is that its a bit scary for young viewers. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/21/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

Dennis the Menace 27% 38% Dennis the Menace Space Jam 44% 63% Space Jam TRAILER for Space Jam Big Top Pee-wee 36% 30% Big Top Pee-wee Little Giants 46% 63% Little Giants Richie Rich 26% 32% Richie Rich Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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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