Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Big Year

  • 2011
  • PG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
50K
YOUR RATING
Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black in The Big Year (2011)
Three avid bird watchers compete to spot the rarest birds in North America at a prestigious annual event.
Play trailer1:54
14 Videos
62 Photos
Quirky ComedyComedy

Two bird enthusiasts try to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder in a year-long bird-spotting competition.Two bird enthusiasts try to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder in a year-long bird-spotting competition.Two bird enthusiasts try to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder in a year-long bird-spotting competition.

  • Director
    • David Frankel
  • Writers
    • Howard Franklin
    • Mark Obmascik
  • Stars
    • Owen Wilson
    • Jack Black
    • Steve Martin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    50K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Frankel
    • Writers
      • Howard Franklin
      • Mark Obmascik
    • Stars
      • Owen Wilson
      • Jack Black
      • Steve Martin
    • 199User reviews
    • 104Critic reviews
    • 53Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Videos14

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 1:54
    U.S. Version
    "The Bridge"
    Clip 1:09
    "The Bridge"
    "The Bridge"
    Clip 1:09
    "The Bridge"
    "Stu's Advice"
    Clip 0:45
    "Stu's Advice"
    "Sea Sick Stu"
    Clip 1:06
    "Sea Sick Stu"
    "Stu and Brad Scare Kenny"
    Clip 1:16
    "Stu and Brad Scare Kenny"
    The Big Year: The Bridge
    Clip 1:08
    The Big Year: The Bridge

    Photos62

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 56
    View Poster

    Top cast64

    Edit
    Owen Wilson
    Owen Wilson
    • Kenny Bostick
    Jack Black
    Jack Black
    • Brad Harris
    Steve Martin
    Steve Martin
    • Stu Preissler
    John Cleese
    John Cleese
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    Zahf Paroo
    Zahf Paroo
    • Prasad
    Stacey Scowley
    Stacey Scowley
    • Vicki
    Michael Karl Richards
    Michael Karl Richards
    • Vicki's Fiancée
    Rosamund Pike
    Rosamund Pike
    • Jessica
    Kevin Pollak
    Kevin Pollak
    • Jim Gittelson
    Joel McHale
    Joel McHale
    • Barry Loomis
    JoBeth Williams
    JoBeth Williams
    • Edith
    Paul Campbell
    Paul Campbell
    • Tony
    Cindy Busby
    Cindy Busby
    • Susie
    Greg Kean
    Greg Kean
    • Computer Birder
    Eva Bourne
    Eva Bourne
    • Birder's Daughter
    • (as Eva Allan)
    Bill Dow
    Bill Dow
    • Dr. Paul Elkin
    Barry Shabaka Henley
    Barry Shabaka Henley
    • Dr. Neil Kramer
    Dianne Wiest
    Dianne Wiest
    • Brenda
    • Director
      • David Frankel
    • Writers
      • Howard Franklin
      • Mark Obmascik
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews199

    6.250K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    9peter260973

    Don't expect a laugh out loud comedy...

    This i a highly underrated movie, about human interaction. I can't believe that people don't get it.

    I've always admired people who where passionate about things in life. Be it model trains, woodworking, stamps or traveling. This movie serves as inspiration to get out and do something and is a celebration of the people who do.

    I've seen this movie 3 times, and each time it leaves me with a sense of community with the characters, and i wan't to spend more time with then.

    Ignore the critics, and just enjoy.
    7imdbowley

    This is not a comedy, but it doesn't mean its not a good movie.

    This is not a comedy, but it doesn't mean its not a good movie. Its quite a shame that this is classified as a comedy when its clearly not, its not even about the birds.This is a film about relationships, and how those relationships are affected during this time of the big year, Its a very light hearted film with a dramatic undertone.

    Its teaches us about life, and that it's a journey, not a competition. It shows the sacrifices people can make to achieve their dreams & the journey of these three men that find more than just birds on this adventure.

    Some beautiful landscapes throughout this movie and beautiful birds... this is worth a watch but take it as it is. and not a laugh out loud comedy 7/10.
    9CaptMTS

    Big Year has Big Laughs and Touching Moments

    In the Big Year, bird-watching ("birding" for those serious about the activity) takes a beautiful backdrop to the story of three men in different stages of life that are all struggling with priorities and what is important in life. Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson all do a great job as lead actors and come across as real bird lovers.

    The settings are incredible - taking viewers from Attu Island in the Aleutians to Brownsville, Texas, and everywhere in between. The race to find birds results in many humorous moments between the three competitors as they scour North America in search of rare bird sightings and compete to be the world's best birder.

    Steve Martin does a wonderful job as a man on the verge of retirement, who is struggling to let go of his career. His long-time dream to spend a year birding helps him understand what is important in life. Steve's character develops a father-like relationship with Jack Black's aimless computer programmer whose passion is birds. Steve's character provides fatherly guidance and support that helps Jack Black's character move forward with his life and relationships.

    Owen Wilson is great as the obsessed world's greatest birder, who does everything that he can to stop his challengers - Steve Martin & Jack Black. The obsession and drive of Owen's character draws anger, jealousy, and respect from his competitors and other birders. Several supporting actors providing some funny moments with their hatred of Owen.

    Overall, Big Year is a funny and heart-warming movie that will make you think about your own priorities and dreams...and maybe grab some binoculars and search out some birds.
    6Howlin Wolf

    Not really 'Big', as much as gentle, and relaxing!

    I thought it was refreshing that this was one movie that DIDN'T have much conflict (aside from them going after Owen Wilson's character, that is). Throw in too much conflict in a birding movie, and you quickly tip right over into caricature. It's not the most ruthless pursuit, after all. This stayed the right side of the line.

    Interesting characters should always keep the audience engaged, whether the stakes are particularly high, or not.

    If you have too many 'moments', then you have formula, and a certain number of beats to be hit, instead of just a story.

    I do agree that Steve Martin's character needed a little more shift in his circumstances, from the beginning to where he found himself at the end, but the other two leads had plenty of revelation in their lives - they just didn't make an undue fuss about it.

    I didn't expect a birding movie to rock my world in terms of excitement… but the characters were sympathetic and pleasant, which is not something you can say about a lot of modern comedy.
    8prashanta_guha

    Highly Underrated

    I'm sorry, but I've to say that people's taste in movies is getting worse by the year. They seem to give high ratings to mindless movies and fail to appreciate the good ones.

    The Big Year is a beautiful drama-comedy picture, starring 4 of my favorite comedians - Steve Martin, Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Jim Parsons.

    It is a touching and heart warming story, which has it's comic points and showcases most valuable life lessons - family coming first, the price people pay for being the greatest in any field, choosing between priorities etc.

    It's a wonderful effort and it deserves a watch, and the a minimum 8 star rating.

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    A Raisin in the Sun
    6.5
    A Raisin in the Sun
    One Good Year
    One Good Year
    You, Me and Dupree
    5.6
    You, Me and Dupree
    The Great Year
    8.1
    The Great Year
    School of Rock
    7.2
    School of Rock
    The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
    7.3
    The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
    Yesterday We Were in America
    5.6
    Yesterday We Were in America
    The Watch
    5.7
    The Watch
    The Internship
    6.3
    The Internship
    Tower Heist
    6.2
    Tower Heist
    Starsky & Hutch
    6.1
    Starsky & Hutch
    Find a Boyfriend for My Wife... PLEASE!
    5.7
    Find a Boyfriend for My Wife... PLEASE!

    Related interests

    Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Cate Blanchett, Bud Cort, Anjelica Huston, Michael Gambon, Noah Taylor, Matthew Gray Gubler, Seu Jorge, and Waris Ahluwalia in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
    Quirky Comedy
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As of 2019, the record for a Big Year in the US is 836 species of birds.
    • Goofs
      Attu island is not closer to Tokyo than Anchorage. Anchorage is 1440 miles from the island, Tokyo is closer to 2000 miles away.
    • Quotes

      On Screen Text: [first lines, the text that appears on screen] This is a true story.

      On Screen Text: Only the facts have been changed.

    • Crazy credits
      During the end credits, photos of every bird found by the winner are shown.
    • Alternate versions
      UK BluRay sports an Extended Cut of the film, adding a good six minutes of minor background information on the three main characters and special birds. It also replaces Jack Black's narration of the story with a new narration by John Cleese who also receives a credit in the opening title sequence.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.14 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Minor Swing
      Music by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli

      Performed by Django Reinhardt

      Courtesy of Bluebird/RCA Victor

      By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ18

    • How long is The Big Year?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Extended Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 14, 2011 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Canada
    • Official sites
      • Official site (Japan)
      • Watch The Big Year on Disney+ Hotstar
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El gran año
    • Filming locations
      • Attu, Alaska, USA(Attu Island)
    • Production companies
      • Fox 2000 Pictures
      • Red Hour Films
      • Deuce Three Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $41,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,204,138
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,251,884
      • Oct 16, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $8,179,416
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • SDDS
      • Datasat
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.