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Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Play trailer Poster for Pee-wee's Big Adventure PG Released Jul 19, 1985 1h 30m Kids & Family Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 63 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

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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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Michael Wilmington Los Angeles Times Burton has a real flair for comic horror and tension, an ability to dance right on that thin line between terror and hilarity. Jul 29, 2025 Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune The clumsy chase through the movie studio that ends the film is an act of utter desperation. Rated: 0/4 Jul 29, 2025 Full Review Jay Carr Boston Globe "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" is a shrewdly observed, deftly executed looney tune. Jul 29, 2025 Full Review Peter Stack San Francisco Examiner Crazy fun. Rated: 3/4 Jul 29, 2025 Full Review Jo Berry Movies4Kids It’s all completely bonkers in a way that kids will love, and a lot of the enjoyment depends on whether you love the man-child that is Pee-wee or find him squeakily irritating. Watch and decide for yourself… Rated: 4/5 Jul 28, 2025 Full Review IGN Staff IGN Movies There is no way I can overstate how amazing Danny Elfman's score for this movie is. It's fantastic. Rated: 9/10 Jul 28, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Sarah F Brought back great memories. And the audience participation was a bonus. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/09/25 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Pee-wee's Big Adventure

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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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