Free Willy
1993 · Movie · PG · 112 min · ★ 6.2 · 75% critics
After a troubled kid is caught vandalizing a marine park, he’s sent to live with foster parents and work off his mistake at the park. There he connects with a young orca separated from its family, and with help from a trainer, they build trust and prepare for a risky plan when the park’s owner tries to cash in.
Also known as Mon ami Willy
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Details
- Years
- 1993
- Release date
- 1993-07-16
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Critic score
- 75/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.2/10 (1,976 votes)
- Budget
- $20,000,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a warm, kid-friendly animal friendship story with an eco-minded message and a nostalgic 90s feel, similar to Fly Away Home or Babe; Not for you if you dislike sentimental, predictable family movies.
Pros: heartfelt boy-animal bond; uplifting family message; tense final stretch | Cons: predictable 90s story; slow repetitive middle; shallow villains
Themes
- whale
- social worker
- freedom
- social work
- portland, oregon
- human animal relationship
- best friend
- orphan
- killer whale
- amusement park
- aftercreditsstinger
- animal human friendship
Awards & recognition
- Genesis Award
- Kids' Choice Award — Favorite Movie · 1994 · nominated
Cast & crew
Jason James Richter
as Jesse
- KE
Keiko
as Willy
Lori Petty
as Rae Lindley
August Schellenberg
as Randolph Johnson
Michael Madsen
as Glen Greenwood
Jayne Atkinson
as Annie Greenwood
Michael Ironside
as Dial
Richard Riehle
as Wade
Mykelti Williamson
as Dwight Mercer
Michael Bacall
as Perry
Directed by Simon Wincer