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Pee-wee's Big Adventure

  • 19851985
  • K-7K-7
  • 1h 31min
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,496
143
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,496
143
  • 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
    • 212User reviews
    • 59Critic 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 Hermanas Pee-wee Herman
    Elizabeth Daily
    Elizabeth Daily
    • Dottieas Dottie
    Mark Holton
    Mark Holton
    • Francis Buxtonas Francis Buxton
    Diane Salinger
    Diane Salinger
    • Simoneas Simone
    Judd Omen
    Judd Omen
    • Mickeyas Mickey
    Irving Hellman
    • Mr. Crowtrayas Mr. Crowtray
    Monte Landis
    • Marioas Mario
    Damon Martin
    Damon Martin
    • Chipas Chip
    • (as Damon Landis)
    David Glasser
    David Glasser
    • BMX Kidas BMX Kid
    Gregory Brown
    • BMX Kidas BMX Kid
    Mark Everett
    • BMX Kidas BMX Kid
    Daryl Keith Roach
    Daryl Keith Roach
    • Chuckas Chuck
    • (as Daryl Roach)
    Bill Cable
    • Policeman #1as Policeman #1
    Peter Looney
    Peter Looney
    • Policeman #2as Policeman #2
    Starletta DuPois
    Starletta DuPois
    • Sgt. Hunteras Sgt. Hunter
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    • Butleras Butler
    • (as prof. Toru Tanaka)
    Ed Herlihy
    Ed Herlihy
    • Mr. Buxtonas Mr. Buxton
    Ralph Seymour
    Ralph Seymour
    • Francis' Accompliceas Francis' Accomplice
    • Director
      • Tim Burton
    • Writers
      • Phil Hartman
      • Paul Reubens
      • Michael Varhol
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    The cartoonish and childish character Pee-wee Herman goes on a big adventure for the first time ever when his beloved shiny new bicycle is stolen by his nemesis Francis Buxton, a fellow man-child and neighborhood rich "kid." And he sets off on an obsessive cross-country journey, determined to recover it. Pee-wee's awkward and childish attempts to be cool and mature. —Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}
    bicycleman childsearch for stolen bicycle1980sstolen bicycle108 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • You will believe a man can ride a bike.
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Comedy
      • Family
    • Certificate
      • K-7
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During the entire time Large Marge tells her story, she never blinks.
    • 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
      Edited into Everything Wrong with...: Everything Wrong With The Walking Dead "Days Gone Bye" (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Burn in Hell
      Written by Dee Snider

      Performed by Twisted Sister

      Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

    User reviews212

    Review
    Top review
    Somehow Succeeds
    "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" seems to be a prime example of a mess of a movie. However, I cannot help but like this strange film. Tim Burton's direction is uncanny and Paul Reubens' amazing enthusiasm as the title character make this film one of the strangest over-achievers in the history of the cinema. Actually a good film that never seems old or dated. 4 stars out of 5.
    helpful•4
    1
    • tfrizzell
    • Sep 11, 2000

    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
      • $40,940,662
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,545,847
      • Aug 11, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $40,940,662
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 31min
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

    Related news

    10 Ways Pee-Wee's Big Adventure Still Holds Up Today
    10 Ways Pee-Wee's Big Adventure Still Holds Up Today
    Sep 23ScreenRant.com
    Hollywood Legion Theater Sets 35Mm ‘Summer of Celluloid’ Screening Series (Exclusive)
    Hollywood Legion Theater Sets 35Mm ‘Summer of Celluloid’ Screening Series (Exclusive)
    Jun 28Variety Film + TV

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