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IMDbPro

Pee-wee's Big Adventure

  • 19851985
  • PGPG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
53K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,317
9
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
3,317
9
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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
    • 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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tim Burton and Paul Reubens brought on Danny Elfman as composer after Burton had attended concerts by Oingo Boingo, of which Elfman was lead singer and songwriter. Elfman was originally apprehensive, having no formal music training, but he was assisted by Boingo guitarist Steve Bartek as orchestrator. Elfman later said that hearing his music performed by an orchestra for the first time was one of the most thrilling experiences of his life.
    • 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
    Top review
    One of Tim Burton's best films and one of the great classic comedies of all time. ***** out of 5
    This is one of the earliest films I can remember watching as a kid. I mean I was literally obsessed with Pee Wee Herman. HEck, I even dressed up like him for Halloween and I'll even admit I dressed up like him when I got back from school. I had the white church shoes and everything.

    I even dress up like him nowadays from time to time... no no, just kidding... come back! I was only kidding.

    Anyways, Paul Reubens created one of the funniest characters to grace the big and small screens and this Tim Burton film certainly had an impact on my life. I sincerely believe this film had a lot to do with my love of films today.

    As funny as the film is, it's the look of it that probably drew me in at such a young age. I mean, there are tons of jokes that just fly right over your head at that age. The fact that this crazy guy in a red bow tie was going cross country to get back his gadget laden bicycle was really cool.

    That bike, man... how I wanted one. And still do. :-) "Brush Brush Brush... Brush Brush Brush!"

    The dream sequences are outstanding, especially the clown dream. Quite possibly why I hate clowns to this day. The visions of Pee Wee standing there while the surgeons hand surgical tools to one another in front of him is something disturbing. Not to mention the unveiling of the lead surgeon. I mean, these are some profoundly disturbing images... and let's not forget Large Marge! Sheesh!

    The music by Danny Elfman remains one of his very best scores. And to think it was his first orchestral score! Brilliant!

    The inclusion of Godzilla and Monster Zero was a real plus as I have always been a huge Godzilla fan. The chase through Warner Bros. back lot is really awesome!

    I can't praise the film enough. Definitely one that is among my Top 20 films of all time.
    helpful•17
    2
    • pumpkinhead_lance
    • Jun 29, 2005

    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-wees irre Abenteuer
    • 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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    Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) officially released in India in Hindi?
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