Free Willy

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Free Willy

PG

1993

1h 51m

Kids & Family

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

50%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When maladjusted orphan Jesse (Jason James Richter) vandalizes a theme park, he is placed with foster parents and must work at the park to make amends. There he meets Willy, a young Orca whale who has been separated from his family. Sensing kinship, they form a bond and, with the help of kindly whale trainer Rae Lindley (Lori Petty), develop a routine of tricks. However, greedy park owner Dial (Michael Ironside) soon catches wind of the duo and makes plans to profit from them.

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Critics Consensus

Free Willy tugs at the heartstrings skillfully enough to leap above the rising tide of sentimentality that threatens to drown its formulaic family-friendly story.

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Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

Aug 4, 2020

There's something to be said for fairy tales--when they're done with breadth and emotion. At its best, "Free Willy" jumps that barrier.

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Philip Thomas

Empire Magazine

Aug 4, 2020

3/5

Despite a clichéd plot and some ropey performances, this is still a well-made and entertaining children's film.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Aug 4, 2020

2/4

With a phony kid and boring whale, there isn't much to recommend in "Free Willy."

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Molly Haskell

Ladies' Home Journal

Aug 4, 2021

Like all memorable children's films, this one will bring tears to the eyes of parents and kids alike as it deals with the eternal themes of love, loss, trust and forgiveness.

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

Aug 4, 2020

3/5

It's pretty hard to resist once Keiko and Jason James Richter are on screen together, providing you're between four and ten at heart.

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Mike S

@bigMike675 Oct 1, 2026

Great movie,l would love to see more movies like it.

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Ryan T

@RT91888008 Sep 28, 2026

Such childhood memories!

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 17, 2026

Free Willy = a *3* star Movie!

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Jay V

@RT14984755 Jul 15, 2026

Great movie, an all time classic

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Jason R

@J-Rush1411 Jun 25, 2026

Troubled boy connects with a whale, people want to steal the whale so boy resorts to setting Willy free

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Liam H

@Liam_House Apr 20, 2026

absolute desolation of smaug. no self respecting hobbit would watch this peice of kee-rap it makes my tummy tingle and i throw up my second breakfast. do not watch, especially if your name is ryan.

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Simon Wincer

Director

Jason James Richter

Jesse

Lori Petty

Rae Lindley

Jayne Atkinson

Annie Greenwood

Michael Madsen

Glen Greenwood

Michael Ironside

Dial

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Synopsis

When maladjusted orphan Jesse (Jason James Richter) vandalizes a theme park, he is placed with foster parents and must work at the park to make amends. There he meets Willy, a young Orca whale who has been separated from his family. Sensing kinship, they form a bond and, with the help of kindly whale trainer Rae Lindley (Lori Petty), develop a routine of tricks. However, greedy park owner Dial (Michael Ironside) soon catches wind of the duo and makes plans to profit from them.

Director: Simon Wincer
Producer: Jennie Lew Tugend, Lauren Shuler Donner
Screenwriter: Keith Walker, Corey Blechman
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Alcor Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 16, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 10, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $76.3M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround

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