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Big

1988·Movie
1h 44min·PG
IMDb7.3Metacritic737.7Rotten Tomatoes98%82%

Where to watch

Disney+

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Big fingerprint

Big heart, funny.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Tension4
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Heartwarming and hopeful

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Wholesome9
  • Coming of Age9
  • Hopefulness8

Humor

Plenty of situational comedy and slapstick

  • Situational Comedy8
  • Physical Comedy7
  • Wit & Wordplay6

World

Growing up, everyday modern life, and family

Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Rewatchability8
  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout performances

  • Acting8
  • Direction7
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Skip it if

You want dark or edgy material

Find more like it

Feel Good moviesFunny moviesWhimsical movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Have you ever had a really big secret?

When a young boy makes a wish at a carnival machine to be big, he wakes up the following morning to find that it has been granted and his body has grown older overnight, but he is still the same 13-year-old boy inside. Now he must learn how to cope with the unfamiliar world of grown-ups, including getting a job and having his first romantic encounter with a woman.
Body Swap ComedyComing-of-Age FantasyWholesome & HeartwarmingNostalgic 1980s VibeSituational HumorFamily FriendlyRomantic ElementsFeel-Good Movie

Crew

Directed by:
Penny Marshall, Thomas A. Reilly, Ken Ornstein
Written by:
Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg
Produced by:
James L. Brooks, Gary Ross, Barbara Harris
Composed by:
Howard Shore, Christopher Flick, Chris Jenkins

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Big

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Big legally?

Disney+

Big is included with a subscription to Disney+ in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Big worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81/100 (IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 98%, and Metacritic 73). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Big rated?

PGSexual content

It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: sexual content.

How long is Big?

1 h 44 min

Big runs 1 h 44 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Big?

Critics86
Audiences77

Not quite. Critics rate Big higher (86) than audiences (77). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Big a box office hit?

Budget$18 million
Box office$152 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $18 million to make and earned $152 million worldwide, 8.4 times its budget.

What language is Big in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Big?

96ADAEAGALARATAUAZBABBBEBGBOBR+82

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Big in 96 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Big use?

Artistic License – Law"Brave the Ride" PlotJerkassChekhov's GunThe Little Shop That Wasn't There YesterdayVillainy-Free VillainHonest Corporate ExecutiveOne of the KidsBe Careful What You Wish ForManchildIronyExact Wordsand 54 more

TV Tropes lists 66 storytelling tropes for Big, including Artistic License – Law, "Brave the Ride" Plot, Jerkass.