X
  • 1993
  • PG
  • Warner Bros.
  • 1 h 52 m
  • 1993
  • PG
  • Warner Bros.
  • 1 h 52 m

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 ...

Directed By: Simon Wincer

Written By: Keith Walker, Corey Blechman

  • 1993
  • PG
  • Warner Bros.
  • 1 h 52 m
  • 1993
  • PG
  • Warner Bros.
  • 1 h 52 m

Free Willy

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 14 Critic Reviews
79
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 73 User Ratings
7.2
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

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 ...

Directed By: Simon Wincer

Written By: Keith Walker, Corey Blechman

Where to Watch

Top Cast

View All
View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 14 Critic Reviews
79
86% Positive
12 Reviews
14% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

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

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 14 Critic Reviews
79
86% Positive
12 Reviews
14% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
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.
By Leonard Klady FULL REVIEW
90
There's a muscular sincerity to this movie, a power and spread to its imagery that triumphs over the occasional candied purple patches or strained plot twists. [16 Jul 1993 Pg. F1]
By Michael Wilmington FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 73 User Ratings
7.2
60% Positive
44 Ratings
34% Mixed
25 Ratings
5% Negative
4 Ratings

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

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 73 User Ratings
7.2
60% Positive
44 Ratings
34% Mixed
25 Ratings
5% Negative
4 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
10
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
Report
10
Jollyjoe1000
Nov 3, 2015
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
Report
90
Actually, the film's more serious side is beautifully balanced by the joy we experience as both Jesse and Willy come into their own.
By Hal Hinson FULL REVIEW
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.
By Vincent Canby FULL REVIEW
63
The film does what it can to dramatize the bond, but Richter has a disproportionate acting load because his co-star's emoting is below the water line. Happily, he carries it. [16 Jul 1993 Pg. 08.D]
By Mike Clark FULL REVIEW
63
This is one of those unusual films that is capable of enthralling those under twelve while not sending older members of the audience rushing for the exit.
By James Berardinelli FULL REVIEW
50
It's all pretty involving and sweetly ingratiating in a Charlotte's Web-by kind of way.
By Marjorie Baumgarten FULL REVIEW
See All 14 Critic Reviews
10
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!
Report
10
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!
Report
10
WeKnowFilms
May 31, 2011
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...
Report
5
Iky009
Jan 5, 2014
Não grande coisa
Report
4
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.
Report
See All 12 User Reviews

Details

 View All
Production Company Warner Bros., Alcor Films, Canal+, Regency Enterprises, StudioCanal, Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions, Donners' Company, New Regency Productions, Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A., Warner Bros. Family Entertainment
Release Date Jul 16, 1993
Duration 1 h 52 m
Rating PG
Genres
Tagline A 12 year old street kid. A 3 ton orca whale. A friendship you could never imagine. An adventure you'll never forget.
Website https://www.facebook.com/Free-Willy-195155847263490/
View All Details

Awards

MTV Movie + TV Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
Young Artist Awards
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
BMI Film & TV Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

Related Movies

Lawrence of Arabia (re-release)

100
Universal Acclaim

Pinocchio

99
Universal Acclaim

The Wild Bunch

98
Universal Acclaim

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

98
Universal Acclaim

North by Northwest

98
Universal Acclaim

Dumbo

96
Universal Acclaim

Spirited Away

96
Universal Acclaim

Toy Story

96
Universal Acclaim

Ratatouille

96
Universal Acclaim

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

96
Universal Acclaim

WALL-E

95
Universal Acclaim

The Searchers

94
Universal Acclaim

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

94
Universal Acclaim

Inside Out

94
Universal Acclaim

Faces Places

94
Universal Acclaim

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

94
Universal Acclaim

Stagecoach

93
Universal Acclaim

The Wizard of Oz

92
Universal Acclaim

King Kong

92
Universal Acclaim

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

92
Universal Acclaim

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

92
Universal Acclaim

Toy Story 3

92
Universal Acclaim

Related News

2024 Movie Release Calendar

2024 Movie Release Calendar

Jason Dietz

Find release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated weekly.

  • movie
Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

With the arrival of Zack Snyder's latest Rebel Moon chapter on Netflix, we rank every one of the director's films—from bad to, well, less bad—by Metascore.

  • movie
Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

We rank every one of the British director's movies by Metascore, from his debut Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels to his brand new film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

  • movie
April Movie Preview (2024)

April Movie Preview (2024)

Keith Kimbell

The month ahead will bring new films from Alex Garland, Luca Guadagnino, Dev Patel, and more. To help you plan your moviegoing options, our editors have selected the most notable films releasing in April 2024, listed in alphabetical order.

  • movie
DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

Jason Dietz

Find a list of new movie and TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray (updated weekly) as well as a calendar of upcoming releases on home video.

  • movie