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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

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

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Tim Burton

Director

Paul Reubens

Pee-wee Herman

E.G. Daily

Dottie

Mark Holton

Francis

Diane Salinger

Simone

Tony Bill

Terry Hawthorne

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More 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

New on Netflix in August

Jimmy Fallon’s Five Favorite Comedy Films

New on Netflix in October

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now