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Free Willy
Free Willy
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Free Willy

Free Willy

1993
Drama, Family/Kids
1h 52m
When a boy learns that a young orca whale is to be killed by the aquarium owners, the boy risks everything to free the whale.

Directed by:

Simon Wincer

Screenwriter:

Keith Walker

Starring:

Michael Madsen, Richard Riehle, Mykelti Williamson, Danielle Harris, Michael Ironside, Michael Bacall, Lori Petty, August Schellenberg, Keiko, Jason James Richter, Jayne Atkinson

Franchise:

Free Willy

Genres:

Drama, Family/Kids, Adventure

Countries:

France, USA

Language:

English
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Free Willy

1993
Drama, Family/Kids
1h 52m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 25.55% from 4804 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(4837)
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beedubBeeDub
Rated 17 Nov 2015
75
30th
Would have given this 100 if Willy had landed on the kid.
Rated 17 Nov 2015
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 18 Apr 2015
50
13th
About as cliched and safe as it gets. There's nothing really wrong about it (except maybe the saccharin tone) but it's all just so bland and by-the-book it's hard to get involved with any of it. When you can't grab my attention with cute animals someone really fucked up something. And what's up with terrible child-actors and Hollywood?
Rated 18 Apr 2015
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 07 Aug 2021
70
37th
Benign and harmless kids film is too slowly paced for its own good; if the ultimate resolution is going to be this predictable, you need tighter pacing and more distinctive characters to avoid the slackening that happens here from time to time. Its good spirits and upbeat message help allay some of the shortfalls, as well as likable and agreeable performances by its cast, though casting Ironside as a villain and giving him little to nothing feels like a wasted opportunity.
Rated 07 Aug 2021
fuzzleshnopsfuzzleshnops
Rated 10 May 2016
50
24th
Almost all these points are for "Will You Be There?"
Rated 10 May 2016
talonmalontalonmalon
Rated 27 Jul 2013
56
25th
Free Willy has some rather nice things about it. And it's harmless. Not a bad kid's film.
Rated 27 Jul 2013
ericamblerericambler
Rated 15 Oct 2012
68
40th
It's all about those last 20 minutes that fulfill the promise of the title, a sublimely bizarre sequence that affirms the wisdom of stealing a whale and towing it to the ocean with a pickup truck.
Rated 15 Oct 2012
davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 26 Jul 2012
35
20th
It's an awful kid's movie, but I have great memories watching it, and lemme tell you why *spoilers*: So, I'm watching it in the cinema as a part of a movie marathon. I'm there with my friend Lars who has a tendency to watch movies the way other people behave at football matches. So just as the fish jumps over the boy, and they have their teary eyed moment where the kid whispers 'Bye Willy', Lars gets up an exclaims (and I swear to God this is true): "YEAH BYE WILLY! SEE YOU IN THE SEQUEL!!!"
Rated 26 Jul 2012
shithappensShitHappens
Rated 07 Mar 2012
5
22nd
This movie is so bad they completely spoil the movie on the poster, DVD cover, and just about every commercial.
Rated 07 Mar 2012
cmonsterCMonster
Rated 17 Jun 2011
15
5th
In retrospect I hate this movie. Clearly it was at least sponsored by animal rights activists but they clearly failed to realize that no aquarium would kill one of its killer whales. Those bitches are expensive and they would lose more money by killing their own whale than if the whale ate an innocent person at the aquarium. Also, the ultimate irony is the whale in the film lived in captivity.
Rated 17 Jun 2011
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 10 Oct 2010
60
26th
Worth a 60 for giving every man something else to say when depantsing.
Rated 10 Oct 2010
oldgoatoldgoat
Rated 20 Jul 2009
45
13th
By the numbers kid animal story
Rated 20 Jul 2009
cultofsamecult_of_same
Rated 04 Mar 2009
5
4th
All fat kids hated this movie.
Rated 04 Mar 2009
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 16 Feb 2009
1
6th
Wish I had a killer whale for a friend. That would be sweeet.
Rated 16 Feb 2009
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 18 Feb 2008
0
4th
This movie is so bad it made me wish I was watching Flipper
Rated 18 Feb 2008
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 15 Apr 2007
77
54th
Good family movie with a great song by MJ
Rated 15 Apr 2007
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 25 Mar 2007
75
67th
Kid-classic. Who else wanted an orca as an eight-year old? And what ever happened to Lori Petty?
Rated 25 Mar 2007
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 11 Dec 2006
9
3rd
Didn't even like it when I was a kid. Just boring, tree hugging hippy crap.
Rated 11 Dec 2006
wardenWarden
Rated 21 Aug 2024
54
17th
Bad kid becomes a good kid by connecting with a whale. It's a wholesome if standard family film with a good soundtrack, but nothing much happens and it's too long.
Rated 21 Aug 2024
talibanTaliban
Rated 18 May 2023
80
76th
Charming and technically proficient.
Rated 18 May 2023
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 19 Sep 2021
45
29th
Seen: 3+.
Rated 19 Sep 2021
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
70
45th
7???????????……free willy????????????????????????/????????????????????????????????????????/keiko??????????????????
Rated 06 Aug 2021
tubasaxttubasaxt
Rated 26 May 2020
60
8th
My kids really liked it, I was bored. Can we talk about how an auto mechanic and a writer who hasn't published anything live in a ocean-view house?
Rated 26 May 2020
cakeucakeu
Rated 05 Feb 2020
75
25th
i love it fhjniuanewif
Rated 05 Feb 2020
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 03 Feb 2019
80
77th
Catchit-soundslikeMew+streetkids-stealcakelol+bubba:P+fosterfam+likeswilly-willylikesharmonica+KOfallsin-saveshim+doesmovesforhim-sticktonguesoutlool+lyingtohimselfthathismomcomingback+hedoestheshow-willywont+theytriedtokillforinsurance$+famhelps+yeah!overhimlol+holdmeee
Rated 03 Feb 2019
atomaznatomazn
Rated 04 Jan 2019
55
7th
I remember liking this more when I was 6. Doesn't hold up.
Rated 04 Jan 2019
vv238vv238
Rated 11 Oct 2018
42
42nd
It's a superb children's film but watching this as an adult, I just get nothing out of the experience.
Rated 11 Oct 2018
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 23 Dec 2017
53
23rd
C
Rated 23 Dec 2017
movie_houseMovie House
Rated 21 Aug 2017
80
68th
No need to see the film, the poster gives away the ending. Plus, I doubt that the whale knew what was going on at any time.
Rated 21 Aug 2017
philamentalphilamental
Rated 14 Mar 2017
42
12th
Place holder score/review until I rewatch
Rated 14 Mar 2017
onacOnac
Rated 13 Aug 2016
53
32nd
This movie has its strong points. The main storyline is nothing special, but it's built up well. The side plot about how Jesse's foster parents are trying to establish a relationship with the boy is actually much more interesting than the main plot about Willy. I would have loved if more time is spent on them. I loved this movie as a kid and I can still recommend it to children. If you are a grown up, it won't torture you, but choose something else unless you want to show it to your kids.
Rated 13 Aug 2016
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 28 Apr 2016
50
38th
Does this film know it was made after the 80s? Someone should tell it.
Rated 28 Apr 2016
dorothyozDorothyOz
Rated 23 Aug 2015
55
18th
Not the best family film, very average
Rated 23 Aug 2015
rymRYM
Rated 29 Mar 2015
37
3rd
1.84/5
Rated 29 Mar 2015
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 18 Dec 2013
1
4th
I dig the Michael Jackson songs.
Rated 18 Dec 2013
aversasAversaS
Rated 13 Aug 2012
50
27th
FREEEEEE WILLY...from this stupid movie.
Rated 13 Aug 2012
baggerBagger
Rated 08 Aug 2012
50
19th
Why does noone ever talk about the fact that the kid gets put into the foster care of Michael Madsen? Michael Frickin' Madsen??? Someone get on the phone to child services.
Rated 08 Aug 2012
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 27 Mar 2012
30
3rd
My sister went to school with the (human) star of this movie, which was the only "celebrity" connection I had growing up. I cite that as the only reason I could possibly have enjoyed this from age 7-8.
Rated 27 Mar 2012
paxtonPaxton
Rated 08 Feb 2012
40
10th
I don't know. Should boys be in love with whales the way this boy is? Probably not. Should they have made not just one but multiple sequels to this? Definitely not.
Rated 08 Feb 2012
tinelovetinelove
Rated 29 Nov 2011
87
79th
Very good and endearing
Rated 29 Nov 2011
chmulcr0nchmul_cr0n
Rated 17 Nov 2011
60
28th
that Indian prayer was a bit much. :( and wtf, Michael Bacall? :D
Rated 17 Nov 2011
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 02 Jul 2011
55
28th
I really loved this as a kid and while I recognize how bad it is now, it still holds a bit of emotional value to me. I have always been an animal lover and at the time I liked the idea of a troubled youth finding some sort of salvation through an animal people don't understand, which he then ends up saving. I always wanted some unspoken emotional connection with an animal and this kid achieved it. I always thought that Michael Jackson song was lame though.
Rated 02 Jul 2011
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 20 Jan 2011
55
16th
Not bad, but not great. Good as a kid.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
pouyapouya
Rated 08 Jan 2011
2
20th
not good
Rated 08 Jan 2011
24rusguy24rusguy
Rated 27 Oct 2010
70
45th
Great family film
Rated 27 Oct 2010
dunbardunbar
Rated 10 Sep 2010
50
13th
The title could've been "save the whales", but perhaps some public relations person reasoned that changing it to something more euphimistic might make it more marketable. However, most of the conservation messages are drowned out by a kids awakening feelings for willy. His desire to free willy is something the whole family is supposed to enjoy and feel for, but really this should just stay behind locked doors.
Rated 10 Sep 2010
dirkdigglerDirkDiggler
Rated 18 Aug 2010
0
4th
Fuck this movie. It will scar you for life. FUCK WHALES!!
Rated 18 Aug 2010
herzdameHerzdame
Rated 04 Aug 2010
4
34th
I know why I found this fuddy-duddy, goody-two-shoes piece of ho-hum pleasant when I was seven years old: it awoke the terrible sin of lust within an innocent soul. "This guy is really hot!" Michael Madsen, you rock my world.
Rated 04 Aug 2010
xmulderxxmulderx
Rated 05 Jun 2010
50
50th
Okay.
Rated 05 Jun 2010
mistakesMistakes
Rated 19 Apr 2010
48
39th
Mistakes - 1) When Willy and Jesse are pulled out of the tank, both are soaked. But as they put Willy onto the trailer, he is still wet, but Jesse is completely dry. 2) When Randolph is using the crane to lift Willy out of the tank, you can see the reflection of a man in the crane window.
Rated 19 Apr 2010
lukey86lukey86
Rated 05 Jan 2010
65
23rd
For a kids movie its great.
Rated 05 Jan 2010
bcareyusafBCareyUSAF
Rated 29 Dec 2009
70
37th
Loved this shit when I was a kid, and I'm sure it will be that way with any kid.
Rated 29 Dec 2009
mangoluver4umangoluver4u
Rated 20 Dec 2009
20
18th
Free my willy
Rated 20 Dec 2009
kiralioKiralio
Rated 08 Dec 2009
40
30th
2/5
Rated 08 Dec 2009
adurraAdurra
Rated 20 Nov 2009
56
15th
Que melação
Rated 20 Nov 2009
myszatekMyszatek
Rated 10 Sep 2009
75
56th
It's a movie for kids, isn't it? And as such, it is good.
Rated 10 Sep 2009
deathcrowDeathcrow
Rated 04 Sep 2009
40
15th
Liked this as a child. Guess i wont watch it again, judging from all the bad reviews, because i'm sure i'll hate it...
Rated 04 Sep 2009
anselmi86Anselmi86
Rated 02 Aug 2009
54
29th
Michael Madsen is in this. Ha. Sort of enjoyable, I guess.
Rated 02 Aug 2009
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 01 Aug 2009
10
8th
One of the most boring kids films of all time.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 28 Jul 2009
20
23rd
It has some hilarious scenes, but they're meant to be serious. The acting is so unbelievably bad. "Hahahahaha"! "Things can happen"!
Rated 28 Jul 2009
homunculushomunculus
Rated 19 Jun 2009
3
47th
WHALES
Rated 19 Jun 2009
unclesausageunclesausage
Rated 31 May 2009
99
95th
People always ask me what's the secret to sausage-making, but I don't tell em
Rated 31 May 2009
pompousasspompousass
Rated 26 May 2009
40
71st
Effective sentimental piece, and anti-advertisement for aquatic theme parks, about the bond between a troublesome foster child (despite super-cool foster parents) and a captive killer whale. The dialogue is often disarmingly simple-minded ("You saved my life," the towhead says to his 7000-pound pal, after spitting up water and regaining consciousness at the edge of the pool), and the photography, although overreliant on slow-motion, is clear and bright.
Rated 26 May 2009
stamannas.tamanna
Rated 09 Apr 2009
75
35th
Touches my heart everytime I see this one...
Rated 09 Apr 2009
stevemoserstevemoser
Rated 01 Apr 2009
86
70th
Pretty decent. Fun and sad.
Rated 01 Apr 2009
nunstranglernunstrangler
Rated 15 Mar 2009
57
35th
Should appeal to children for its heartwarming story and delightful sea acrobatics. An electronically operated stand-in whale was used for far-off shots; a domesticated performing whale named Keiko for the close-ups. Director Wincer was known to grumble about the temperamental Keiko during shooting. Suggested viewing for students of animal behavior. Proof that family films can make money, "Free Willy" placed tenth for total boxoffice receipts in 1993.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
runforrestrunforrest
Rated 15 Mar 2009
50
32nd
Cute, but not good enough to last two hours.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
haleyeslinkyhaleyeslinky
Rated 02 Mar 2009
77
19th
Yeah Free Willy!
Rated 02 Mar 2009
elfordoElFordo
Rated 09 Feb 2009
65
63rd
A classic, really cute, apart from the fact the let the Whale go and it died :(
Rated 09 Feb 2009
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 25 Jan 2009
60
13th
Amusing
Rated 25 Jan 2009
msindpndntMsIndpndnt
Rated 23 Jan 2009
16
12th
Cheesy kids film. Love the killer whale and Michael Madsen, but the film is lame.
Rated 23 Jan 2009
youngjediYoung_Jedi
Rated 04 Jan 2009
100
75th
Family classic
Rated 04 Jan 2009
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 23 Dec 2008
68
29th
councillorCouncillor
Rated 21 Dec 2008
11
8th
F*ck Willy
Rated 21 Dec 2008
spookymaskSpookyMask
Rated 16 Dec 2008
65
46th
A stupid story that encourages kids to do stupid things like believe in themselves.
Rated 16 Dec 2008
hankhank
Rated 10 Nov 2008
40
6th
Lame.
Rated 10 Nov 2008
ams27ams27
Rated 31 Oct 2008
85
37th
What kid didnt love free willy.
Rated 31 Oct 2008
quail_butterQuail Butter
Rated 15 Oct 2008
35
22nd
Meh.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
omicron91Omicron91
Rated 15 Oct 2008
60
37th
I liked it when I was a kid.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
sahsah
Rated 12 Oct 2008
60
39th
nice whale
Rated 12 Oct 2008
tiny_ladytiny lady
Rated 04 Oct 2008
95
38th
Shows how we can fight for those we love
Rated 04 Oct 2008
teeceeteecee
Rated 17 Sep 2008
18
11th
Får lyst til sushi
Rated 17 Sep 2008
tathieltathiel
Rated 30 Aug 2008
60
16th
I liked it when I was a kid, but seeing it today I must say that this not such brilliantly done movie. Rather predictable and melodramatic.
Rated 30 Aug 2008
edkrakedkrak
Rated 20 Aug 2008
15
4th
x0
Rated 20 Aug 2008
timon88Timon88
Rated 09 Jul 2008
11
3rd
What a sap-fest... at least the title is an amusing double-entendre.
Rated 09 Jul 2008
sammy86sammy_86
Rated 08 Jul 2008
60
32nd
Amazing when i was a child :)
Rated 08 Jul 2008
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 27 Jun 2008
38
32nd
not so good
Rated 27 Jun 2008
ofallpiecesofallpieces
Rated 31 May 2008
85
71st
A timeless tale from my childhood, I remember watching this with my grandmother. It remains one of the movies buried deep in my heart. It brought my family close over the story of this boy befriending a whale.
Rated 31 May 2008
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 30 Mar 2008
76
36th
I hate to say that I liked it. So I won't. Come to own conclusion.
Rated 30 Mar 2008
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 12 Mar 2008
43
24th
This movie made me free the contents of my stomach all over the floor.
Rated 12 Mar 2008
npngNPNG
Rated 28 Feb 2008
62
42nd
Nice family movie.
Rated 28 Feb 2008
gtown1479gtown1479
Rated 20 Feb 2008
52
7th
Isn't it amazing how the kid is trying to save a killer whale from being killed. Talk about irony. Yeah this just didn't work for me. Not my cup of tea.
Rated 20 Feb 2008
stainStain
Rated 11 Feb 2008
50
33rd
Another silly kids' movie. Best bits are Michael "Mr. Blonde" Madsen playing a nice guy, and poor Michael Ironside having nothing to do but stand around and say, "Boy, do I hate that whale!"
Rated 11 Feb 2008
kazammkazamm
Rated 20 Jan 2008
67
36th
I rather loved it as a kid...
Rated 20 Jan 2008
efendiEfendi
Rated 04 Jan 2008
30
3rd
Terrible.I'm having this feeling that everything in this movie is done perforce.
Rated 04 Jan 2008
shephardShephard
Rated 29 Oct 2007
50
29th
Entertaining. Once
Rated 29 Oct 2007
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 08 Oct 2007
20
12th
The movie is very bad, a very silly story. As a child, did not like..
Rated 08 Oct 2007
joshk84joshk84
Rated 14 Sep 2007
42
14th
Why did they make this movie? Why did they let Michael Jackson sing most of the songs? Why is this movie still around?
Rated 14 Sep 2007
k44renk44ren
Rated 18 Aug 2007
70
14th
the great panda bear rescue in whale form- frothy kid stuff- sweet though
Rated 18 Aug 2007
jhmclellanjhmclellan
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
18th
Orca redone. Will Willy be free? Bet you can guess.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
5
1st
Sentimental pap.
Rated 14 Aug 2007

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