IMDb > Big (1988)
Big
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Videos (see all 6 NEW)
Big (1988) -- When a boy wishes to be big at a magic wish machine, he wakes up the next morning and finds himself in an adult body literally overnight.
Big (1988) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Big (1988) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
Big (1988) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)
Big (1988) -- Moviesbox.us - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   45,032 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Penny Marshall
Writers:
Gary Ross (written by) &
Anne Spielberg (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Big on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 June 1988 (USA) more
Tagline:
Have you ever had a really big secret? more
Plot:
When a boy wishes to be big at a magic wish machine, he wakes up the next morning and finds himself in an adult body literally overnight. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 11 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
DVD Playhouse--June 2009
 (From The Hollywood Interview. 3 June 2009, 12:41 PM, PDT)

Bollywood Firm Invests In Stars' Companies
 (From WENN. 20 May 2008, 4:58 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
This movie captures the innocence of youth beautifully more (141 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tom Hanks ... Josh Baskin

Elizabeth Perkins ... Susan

Robert Loggia ... MacMillan

John Heard ... Paul
Jared Rushton ... Billy

David Moscow ... Young Josh

Jon Lovitz ... Scotty Brennen
Mercedes Ruehl ... Mrs. Baskin

Josh Clark ... Mr. Baskin
Kimberlee M. Davis ... Cynthia Benson
Oliver Block ... Freddie Benson
Erika Katz ... Cynthia's Friend

Allan Wasserman ... Gym Teacher
Mark Ballou ... Derek
Gary Howard Klar ... Ticket Taker (as Gary Klar)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
104 min | 130 min (extended edition)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Company:
Gracie Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
To give star Tom Hanks an idea of how a 12 year-old would behave, director Penny Marshall filmed each "grown-up" scene with David Moscow (Young Josh) playing Tom Hanks's part, who then copied David Moscow's behavior. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Josh and Susan are riding in the limo, the background shots alternate between different streets, evidenced by the lights and buildings which are constantly changing between shots. more
Quotes:
Josh: [inputting toy orders] The Dinky Link... Jimmy's Toy Box...
Scotty Brennen: [in the next cubicle] Psst, hey, I'm Scott Brennan.
Josh: I'm Josh Baskin.
Scotty Brennen: Listen, what're you tryin' to do, get us all fired? You gotta pace yourself, slowly, slowly.
Josh: It's my first day.
Scotty Brennen: I know!
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Keeping the Faith (2000) more
Soundtrack:
THE WAY WE WERE more

FAQ

What songs are played on the giant piano at FAO Schwartz?
Whats the video game on the PC, Josh plays in the movie?
What are the differences between the Theatrical version and the Extended version?
more
51 out of 55 people found the following comment useful.
This movie captures the innocence of youth beautifully, 12 August 2002
10/10
Author: toffeefan from Milton Keynes, England

I saw this film again yesterday for what must now be the tenth or so time and it's a film that makes me stop whatever I'm doing and immerse myself in the unfolding story. Never mind the fact that I am by now familiar with the premise, which incidentally far exceeds similar ones of the genre released at this time - Vice Versa and 18 Again (the latter being truly dire).

I think this is one of Hanks' finest hours and see it as the pinnacle of his early pre-90's career. His later performance in Philadelphia would eclipse this role, although this was obviously more serious in its message.

It takes real talent to act the young boy in the body of a thirty something and Hanks' copes admirably, from the comical leaping around the bedroom when he is trying to put on the jeans of the child on discovering his transformation to the child-like reaction displayed on Perkins' advances toward him. He captures the essence of youthful innocence both in the company of his younger peers and older 'work' colleagues.

Elizabeth Perkins complements the performance of Hanks' and it seems a shame that on searching the database that her career perhaps hasn't mirrored the success of Hanks' since making 'Big'.

I don't know why, but I always shed a tear at the end of the film. Perhaps it is the longing in all of us to want to return to the days of our youth and that we cannot turn back the clock as one can in the imaginary world of film.

As I grow older, and watch my children grow-up it makes me realise that time is a precious commodity and that life is a gift that should be cherished and nurtured carefully. This film somehow reinforces these feelings.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Big (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Paedophilia!!! Paulious78
Tom Hanks's personality doesn't match young Josh's dispenser
BIG vs The Goonies Jazzy_James
The Rap corrine113
Did They Edit out The Twin Towers? limousineeyelash46
What would Josh have told everyone? jwinder83
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