X
  • 1985
  • PG
  • Warner Bros.
  • 1 h 31 m
  • 1985
  • PG
  • Warner Bros.
  • 1 h 31 m

Summary When Pee Wee's beloved bike is stolen, he goes on a cross-country trip to the Alamo because a "physic" tells him it's there. On the way, he finds himself in one oddball encounter after another, from posing as an escaped convict's alibi girlfriend to dancing his way out of a biker brawl in a bar to riding in a big-rig with cackling Large...

Directed By: Tim Burton

Written By: Phil Hartman, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol

  • 1985
  • PG
  • Warner Bros.
  • 1 h 31 m
  • 1985
  • PG
  • Warner Bros.
  • 1 h 31 m

Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 14 Critic Reviews
47
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 77 User Ratings
7.4
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary When Pee Wee's beloved bike is stolen, he goes on a cross-country trip to the Alamo because a "physic" tells him it's there. On the way, he finds himself in one oddball encounter after another, from posing as an escaped convict's alibi girlfriend to dancing his way out of a biker brawl in a bar to riding in a big-rig with cackling Large...

Directed By: Tim Burton

Written By: Phil Hartman, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 14 Critic Reviews
47
64% Positive
9 Reviews
7% Mixed
1 Review
29% Negative
4 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 14 Critic Reviews
47
64% Positive
9 Reviews
7% Mixed
1 Review
29% Negative
4 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Everything about Pee-wee's Big Adventure, from its toy-box colors to its superb, hyperanimated Danny Elfman score to the butch-waxed hairdo and wooden-puppet walk of its star and mastermind, Pee-wee Herman, is pure pleasure.
By Stephanie Zacharek FULL REVIEW
80
Burton's first feature revels in the weird, the unpredictable, the infantile and the absurd. A dazzling debut.
FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 77 User Ratings
7.4
74% Positive
57 Ratings
16% Mixed
12 Ratings
10% Negative
8 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 77 User Ratings
7.4
74% Positive
57 Ratings
16% Mixed
12 Ratings
10% Negative
8 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
10
Gamepro3093
Aug 19, 2020
A fantastic movie that wastes no time with the laughs and getting into the plot. Within 15 minutes you’re into the plot proper and ready to go on a spectacular journey with Pee Wee to find his beloved bicycle. With superb and stylish direction by Tim Burton and an excellent soundtrack by Danny Elfman to complement things further you’re in for a great time!
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10
sadpanda
Aug 11, 2011
I find it astonishing that this film, Tim Burton's directorial debut Pee-wee's Big Adventure, has such a low score here at Metacritic. Although I'm not the biggest fan of Burton's style and find his work to be mostly overrated, this movie is a masterpiece of camp that led to one of the greatest 'children's shows' of all-time, Pee-Wee's Playhouse. The deadpan humor never gets old..
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75
Pee-wee's Big Adventure goes up and down the hills of Pee-wee shtick, without much concern for things like cohesiveness and consistency. What makes it wear so well is the balance achieved between Pee-wee's nitwit nervousness and his pathetic optimism. [12 Aug 1985, p.35]
FULL REVIEW
70
With all these safety features built in, this 1985 film is too well padded to qualify as genuinely radical wit, but in an even-toned, TV sort of way it's mildly amusing and inventive throughout.
By Dave Kehr FULL REVIEW
60
Children should love the film and adults will be dismayed by the light brushstrokes with which Paul Reubens (one of three credited screenwriters, but star-billed under his stage name, Pee-wee Herman) suggests touches of Buster Keaton and Eddie Cantor.
FULL REVIEW
10
The movie has the cartoonish realism of a Muppet movie. However, Mr. Herman is no Kermit the Frog, although he made me feel like Oscar the Grouch. [13 Aug 1985, p.1]
By Julie Salamon FULL REVIEW
0
Nothing, absolutely nothing, at either location is the slightest bit funny. [13 Sep 1985, p.C]
By Gene Siskel FULL REVIEW
See All 14 Critic Reviews
8
Zilcell
May 12, 2012
I find it so funny. This movie has a different style compared to most comedies. Overall, the story here is thin ice, but the humor is great.
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7
BrianMcCritic
Jun 22, 2013
A fun filled adventure that just proves you don't come between a man and his bike. A solid start in the very mixed directorial career of Mr. Tim Burton.
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3
smolheartbigpp
Jul 28, 2020
I am not a fan of Burton because he has these great characters and ideas but he uses them in such an uninspiring fashion that movie becomes painfully boring. I never laughed while watching this movie.
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See All 5 User Reviews

Details

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Production Company Warner Bros., Aspen Film Society
Release Date Aug 9, 1985
Duration 1 h 31 m
Rating PG
Genres
Tagline You will believe a man can ride a bike.
Website https://www.facebook.com/PeeWeesBigAdventure/
View All Details

Awards

Young Artist Awards
• 1 Nomination
TV Land Awards
• 1 Nomination

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