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Pee-wee's Big Adventure

  • 19851985
  • K-7K-7
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
53K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,081
35
Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:23
5 Videos
99+ Photos
AdventureComedyFamily

When eccentric man-child Pee-wee Herman gets his beloved bike stolen in broad daylight, he sets out across the U.S. on the adventure of his life.When eccentric man-child Pee-wee Herman gets his beloved bike stolen in broad daylight, he sets out across the U.S. on the adventure of his life.When eccentric man-child Pee-wee Herman gets his beloved bike stolen in broad daylight, he sets out across the U.S. on the adventure of his life.

IMDb RATING
7.0/10
53K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,081
35
  • Director
    • Tim Burton
  • Writers
    • Phil Hartman
    • Paul Reubens
    • Michael Varhol
  • Stars
    • Paul Reubens
    • Elizabeth Daily
    • Mark Holton
Top credits
  • Director
    • Tim Burton
  • Writers
    • Phil Hartman
    • Paul Reubens
    • Michael Varhol
  • Stars
    • Paul Reubens
    • Elizabeth Daily
    • Mark Holton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 213User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos5

    Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
    Trailer 1:23
    Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
    Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
    Trailer 0:31
    Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
    A Guide to the Films of Tim Burton
    Clip 2:11
    A Guide to the Films of Tim Burton
    'Troop Zero' Star Mckenna Grace Has the Best Interview Ever
    Full Episode 4:23
    'Troop Zero' Star Mckenna Grace Has the Best Interview Ever
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Jan. 11, 1974 - The Death of Large Marge
    Video 2:13
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Jan. 11, 1974 - The Death of Large Marge

    Photos197

    Alice Nunn in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Alice Cooper at an event for Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    James Brolin, Josh Brolin, and Jan Smithers at an event for Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Paul Reubens and David Lee Roth at an event for Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Reubens
    Paul Reubens
    • Pee-wee Herman
    • (as Pee-wee Herman)
    Elizabeth Daily
    Elizabeth Daily
    • Dottie
    Mark Holton
    Mark Holton
    • Francis Buxton
    Diane Salinger
    Diane Salinger
    • Simone
    Judd Omen
    Judd Omen
    • Mickey
    Irving Hellman
    • Mr. Crowtray
    Monte Landis
    • Mario
    Damon Martin
    Damon Martin
    • Chip
    • (as Damon Landis)
    David Glasser
    David Glasser
    • BMX Kid
    Gregory Brown
    • BMX Kid
    Mark Everett
    • BMX Kid
    Daryl Keith Roach
    Daryl Keith Roach
    • Chuck
    • (as Daryl Roach)
    Bill Cable
    • Policeman #1
    Peter Looney
    Peter Looney
    • Policeman #2
    Starletta DuPois
    Starletta DuPois
    • Sgt. Hunter
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    • Butler
    • (as prof. Toru Tanaka)
    Ed Herlihy
    Ed Herlihy
    • Mr. Buxton
    Ralph Seymour
    Ralph Seymour
    • Francis' Accomplice
    • Director
      • Tim Burton
    • Writers
      • Phil Hartman
      • Paul Reubens
      • Michael Varhol
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jan Hooks improvised the dialogue for her scenes as the Alamo tour guide.
    • Goofs
      While making breakfast, when Abraham Lincoln flips the fifth and final pancake which sticks to the ceiling, you can see the pancake hit the ceiling and bounce to the side, revealing that the filmmakers simply dropped pancakes on the floor then inverted the shot.
    • Quotes

      Pee-wee: There's a lotta things about me you don't know anything about, Dottie. Things you wouldn't understand. Things you couldn't understand. Things you shouldn't understand.

      Dottie: I don't understand.

      Pee-wee: You don't wanna get mixed up with a guy like me. I'm a loner, Dottie. A rebel. So long, Dott.

    • Alternate versions
      There are at least 2 fullscreen versions of the film. An open matte version that shows off more vertical picture than the theatrical widescreen (the earliest VHS releases are this way), and a pan-and-scan cropped version, cropped from the theatrical widescreen.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Worst Films of 1985 (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Burn in Hell
      Written by Dee Snider

      Performed by Twisted Sister

      Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

    User reviews213

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Come back, Pee-wee! All is forgiven.
    When you look back at Paul Reubens' career, it's easy to forget what a joy "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" was. He followed it up with a disappointing sequel and, to some, an even bigger indiscretion in his personal life.

    "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" is a rarity for a live-action film: A film for kids that adults might like even more. This road movie about Pee-wee's search for his stolen bicycle is colorful, imaginative, well written and even, gulp, educational in spots. After all, who would have thought that the Alamo doesn't have a basement?

    Director Tim Burton's surrealistic touches provided an introduction to his quirky career, and Danny Elfman's score set the stage for brilliant soundtracks to come. The delightful walk-ons by Milton Berle, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks and Twisted Sister make this a good one for the time capsule, and James Brolin and Morgan Fairchild are hilarious in the "Hollywood" version of Pee-wee's adventure.

    "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" is a good movie to watch when you're depressed, and a better one to watch when you're happy. Whether you take it straight or with a shot of "Tequila," it holds up on repeated viewings.

    Come back, Pee-wee! All is forgiven. We need you now more than ever before.
    helpful•5
    2
    • WarpedRecord
    • Oct 21, 2007

    FAQ2

    • What is Pee-Wee's Big Adventure about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 9, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Official Site
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Pee-ween suuri seikkailu
    • Filming locations
      • Wheel Inn Restaurant - 50900 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Aspen Film Society
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $41,047,344
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,545,847
      • Aug 11, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $41,047,344
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

    Related news

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    By what name was Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) officially released in India in Hindi?
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