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Free Willy

  • 19931993
  • PGPG
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
75K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,608
208
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:58
2 Videos
93 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • Family

When a boy learns that a beloved killer whale is to be killed by the aquarium owners, the boy risks everything to free the whale.When a boy learns that a beloved killer whale is to be killed by the aquarium owners, the boy risks everything to free the whale.When a boy learns that a beloved killer whale is to be killed by the aquarium owners, the boy risks everything to free the whale.

IMDb RATING
6.0/10
75K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,608
208
  • Director
    • Simon Wincer
  • Writers
    • Keith Walker(story)
    • Corey Blechman(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jason James Richter
    • Lori Petty
    • Michael Madsen
Top credits
  • Director
    • Simon Wincer
  • Writers
    • Keith Walker(story)
    • Corey Blechman(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jason James Richter
    • Lori Petty
    • Michael Madsen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 99User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Free Willy
    Trailer 1:58
    Free Willy
    Free Willy
    Trailer 0:17
    Free Willy

    Photos93

    Michael Madsen, Jayne Atkinson, and Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
    Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
    Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
    Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
    Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
    Free Willy (1993)
    Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
    Free Willy (1993)
    Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
    Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
    Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)
    Jason James Richter in Free Willy (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jason James Richter
    Jason James Richter
    • Jesseas Jesse
    Lori Petty
    Lori Petty
    • Rae Lindleyas Rae Lindley
    Michael Madsen
    Michael Madsen
    • Glen Greenwoodas Glen Greenwood
    Jayne Atkinson
    Jayne Atkinson
    • Annie Greenwoodas Annie Greenwood
    August Schellenberg
    August Schellenberg
    • Randolph Johnsonas Randolph Johnson
    Michael Ironside
    Michael Ironside
    • Dialas Dial
    Richard Riehle
    Richard Riehle
    • Wadeas Wade
    Mykelti Williamson
    Mykelti Williamson
    • Dwight Merceras Dwight Mercer
    Michael Bacall
    Michael Bacall
    • Perryas Perry
    Danielle Harris
    Danielle Harris
    • Gwenieas Gwenie
    Isaiah Malone
    Isaiah Malone
    • Vectoras Vector
    Betsy Toll
    • Passerby #1as Passerby #1
    Rob Sample
    • Passerby #2as Passerby #2
    Merrilyn Jones
    • Passerby #3as Passerby #3
    Mickey Gaines
    • Waiteras Waiter
    Justin R. Hall
    • Fish Throweras Fish Thrower
    Robert M. Duque
    • Fish Throweras Fish Thrower
    Sam Samson
    • Fish Throweras Fish Thrower
    • Director
      • Simon Wincer
    • Writers
      • Keith Walker(story) (screenplay)
      • Corey Blechman(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Fishermen separate a young orca whale (Willy) from his parents and he ends up in a fish bowl at a marina. Meanwhile, a street kid runs afoul of the law and gets caught vandalising the marina, but his social worker gets him off the hook (so to speak) provided he cleans up his mess at the marina. While there, he befriends the whale and teaches him tricks, something the trainer hasn't been able to do. But when Willy is a dud in front of the audience, the marina owner plans some bad things, and the boy and his friends must try to (*** MAJOR SPOILERS ***) free Willy. —Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>
    • whale
    • killer whale
    • animal
    • no opening credits
    • animal character name in title
    • 58 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A 12 year old street kid. A 3 ton orca whale. A friendship you could never imagine. An adventure you'll never forget.
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Drama
      • Family
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for some mild language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After the movie was released, it brought the living conditions of the star orca, Keiko (Willy) to the world's attention. His tank was too small, with too-warm chlorinated artificial salt water. Keiko suffered from a weakened immune system and a skin condition around his pectoral fins. There was a monumental effort to release Keiko. A custom tank was built in the Oregon Coast Aquarium and in 1996, the whale was flown from Mexico to Oregon. He recovered well, and was moved to a sea pen in 1998. In July 2002, Keiko was released into the wild after spending 22 years in captivity. Unfortunately he did not fully adapt to the wild and died in December 2003 in Norway. Keiko became the second oldest orca to live in captivity.
    • Goofs
      When Willy is jumping over the stone wall at the end of the movie, the bottom of the actual whale does not match the pattern of the CGI whale that lands the jump.
    • Quotes

      Rae: You like whales?

      Jesse: I like him.

      Rae: Well, he doesn't like anybody. So you be careful around him. You see, Willy's a case. A very special case.

      Jesse: So? Who isn't?

    • Crazy credits
      A disclaimer at the end of the first half of the end credits following A Donner-Shuler Donner Production reads, "No whales were harassed or mistreated during the making of this film and all scenes involving a live animal were supervised by the American Humane Association."
    • Alternate versions
      The first Warner Bros. Family Entertainment fanfare featuring Bugs Bunny spinning the banner appears exclusively in the VHS releases and 1990's HBO airing.
    • Connections
      Edited into Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Will You Be There
      (Theme from "Free Willy")

      Written and Produced by Michael Jackson

      Co-Produced by Bruce Swedien

      Performed by Michael Jackson

      Courtesy of Epic Records

    User reviews99

    Review
    Top review
    Very heart-warming film
    Even though I didn't grow up with this film, I can see why this would have had an impact on someone who was a child when this was originally released. It is a very sweet, charming, and touching film. Although the overall the plot is a little shaky and so is some of the dialogue.

    I love the ending but still feel that they could have extended the ending to wrap up other plot points.

    And Willy (Keiko) was probably the best character and somehow still underused in my opinion. But it is a pretty good film that people of all ages could enjoy together.
    helpful•1
    0
    • KinoBuff2021
    • Apr 17, 2022

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 16, 1993 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Mexico
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Giải Cứu Willy
    • Filming locations
      • Astoria, Oregon, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros. Family Entertainment
      • Warner Bros.
      • Canal+
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $77,709,806
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,868,829
      • Jul 18, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $153,709,806
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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