Free Willy
Free Willy Image
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Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Michael Madsen
  • Summary: Captured at sea and confined in a small tank at an aquatic park, Willy (Keiko the Orca whale) is an unhappy and unpredictable attraction. No one understands Willy - except a scruffy street kid named Jesse who knows what it's like to be without a family. Together these two form a special bond -- one so strong that they're willing to risk it all to find a way home. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Rick Groen
    100
    Free Willy (for some strange reason, that tiny imperative just gives me the giggles) is a family picture that stays safely within the haven of a cozy formula, yet does a whole lot of inventive work in the process.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Leonard Klady
    100
    An astute, intelligent family picture, the film is a potent reminder that you can have your heart in the right place and still produce a gripping, satisfying entertainment.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Vincent Canby
    80
    How each frees the other is the stuff of Free Willy, which is as engaging as such films can be without offering rude surprises.
  4. Empire
    Reviewed by: Philip Thomas
    60
    Despite a cliched plot and some ropey performances, this is still a well-made and entertaining children's film.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. MovieMadness
    10
    Brilliant, just brilliant! Amazing, this is a real family favorite and can be watched by everyone, no one dislikes this film! An amazing sense of adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat and falling in love all over again and again! 10 OUT OF 10! BRILLIANT!… Expand
  2. MsMia
    10
    The best family film ever made that you can watch again and again and it never gets old! They don't ake movies like this anymore, long live Free Willy!… Expand
  3. WeKnowFilms
    10
    This is one of the greatest movies to ever watch. Simply breathtaking. Jason James Richter is an amazing actor and Keiko the whale is a true gem. This is a movie that every person in the world has to watch...… Expand
  4. J-Shap
    4
    As bland as nineties rip-offs of E.T. could get, Free Willy copies that classic down to the smallest detail, but the bond is never felt between the boy and the whale, instead coming across as assembly mind fodder.… Expand

See all 5 User Reviews

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