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Free Willy

  • 1993
  • PG
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
85K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,407
329
Jason James Richter and Keiko in Free Willy (1993)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:58
2 Videos
88 Photos
AdventureDramaFamily

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.

  • Director
    • Simon Wincer
  • Writers
    • Keith Walker
    • Corey Blechman
  • Stars
    • Jason James Richter
    • Lori Petty
    • Michael Madsen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    85K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,407
    329
    • Director
      • Simon Wincer
    • Writers
      • Keith Walker
      • Corey Blechman
    • Stars
      • Jason James Richter
      • Lori Petty
      • Michael Madsen
    • 107User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos2

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

    Photos88

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    + 81
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    Top cast26

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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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 variant featuring Bugs Bunny spinning the banner hoop after placing it on the WB shield appears in the fullscreen version of the film. This plaster can only be found in the VHS prints, 1990's HBO airing, and standard side of the 1997 DVD. The latter release used a similar version where the main logo is the first variant but with audio taken from the second variant.
    • 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 reviews107

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10

    Glorious Motion Picture; exciting, thrilling, and safe for the entire family!

    I absolutely adore Free Willy. It ranks well above any movie about whales or dolphins, even Flipper. Free Willy provides an exciting story about a troubled boy who befriends an orca whose situation is much like his own. And of course, we all love the star of the show, Keiko! Keiko had a life filled with traveling from one theme park to the other, and in a lot of ways he experienced much more that Willy did. Keiko played the part of the whale terrifically! James did a great job too acting as Jesse, and gave the perfect image of a young boy who has lived on the streets. Some people call it the best friendship movie since ET. This movie rocks over ET!, and shows us the true meaning of friendship. We all should learn that caring for another person or animal goes a long way.
    • twisterchaser3
    • Jun 2, 2005
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Free Willy?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 16, 1993 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Giải Cứu Willy
    • Filming locations
      • Astoria, Oregon, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Regency Enterprises
      • StudioCanal
    • 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

    Tech specs

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

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