Free Willy

Name: Free Willy
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family
Released: July 16, 1993
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Michael Madsen

1993

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 71 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 71 Ratings

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Free Willy

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: July 16, 1993 | PG

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 itCaptured 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

Director: Simon Wincer

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 112 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Rick Groen

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. Read full review

100

Leonard Klady

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. Read full review

Hal Hinson

Actually, the film's more serious side is beautifully balanced by the joy we experience as both Jesse and Willy come into their own. Read full review

Desson Thomson

There are extremely touching moments between Jesse and mystical Randolph, who seems to understand just about everything; and, more tellingly, between Jesse and mechanic Jim. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

It's an irony too significant to ignore that the movie, which proselytizes against penning up whales in order to make them do cute tricks for humans, spends much of its time making Willy do cute tricks for humans. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff(not credited)

Shamelessly manipulative and heavyhanded, it may be an endurance test for those not absolutely entranced by large aquatic mammals. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

It's all pretty involving and sweetly ingratiating in a Charlotte's Web-by kind of way. Read full review

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User Reviews

Kingofdanerds

Nov 10, 2016

This is one of my favorite movie involving animals and friendship. The movie has memorable moments and one of the best songs by Michael Jackson. This is the best one in the Free Willy series. 10/10

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieMadness

Jun 5, 2011

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!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MsMia

Jun 5, 2011

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!

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

robertoiglesias

Jan 13, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I must say, Free Willy is one of the best films ever made! The relationship between a boy(Jason James Richter) and a whale named Willy remains strong through hard times. Sadly, Jason James Richter then starred in The Neverending Story III(one of the worst films ever made) and now it's hard for me to believe that he was in a good movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

EpicLadySponge

May 27, 2016

Call me crazy, but I managed to love Free Willy's entire plot and lovable characters without any scratch attached to it. Also, who could expect a killer whale to be this friendly when they have 'killer' in their name?

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Tyranian

Jun 21, 2019

A fairly moving film with good acting and quite touching story. Great family film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

J-Shap

Aug 27, 2011

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.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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