Free Willy

1993
PG
1h 52m

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

86K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer1:58

Adventure Drama Family

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

86K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

3,764

441

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 7 wins & 2 nominations total

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 reviews106

Featured review

10/10

Underrated movie of a charming childhood adventure

Oh, this one is underrated here. The story of Jason James Richter's character trying to escape from a life of crime and missing prospects is way beyond the average. The growing affection for Willy is not even stereotyped or clichéd. It's a genuine bond that focuses on two outcast characters who slowly but surely come to experience true friendship and the value of trust. Jason's performance really appealed to me when I saw this movie as a kid. It is a sincere depiction of friendship, of a way out, of fighting for your values against all odds and of never giving up. Right, I'm grown up now, but this is one of the movies of my childhood I'd like to watch again, and I'm sure I'd enjoy it almost as much as back then. Jason James had very few acting appearances, but the Free Willy series assured him his place in movie history. His entire performance in here is sincere and straight, he doesn't laugh nor smile if it wasn't just natural in the specific sequences. His facial expressions and body language fit into the total frame as well. The story has some profoundly human themes to it. I can't help it, I think this one is both entertaining and deep, dealing with emotions and prospects of life, with integrity and courage in the face of danger.