Free Willy (1993)

57% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(660,150 ratings)

The touching story of a boy and his killer whale made this family drama a surprise box office hit. Jesse (Jason James Richter) is a kid without parents who has bounced from one foster home to another and is living on the streets. One night, he's caught spraying graffiti with his friend Perry… More The touching story of a boy and his killer whale made this family drama a surprise box office hit. Jesse (Jason James Richter) is a kid without parents who has bounced from one foster home to another and is living on the streets. One night, he's caught spraying graffiti with his friend Perry (Michael Bacall) in a theme park. Jesse and Perry are caught red handed by Dwight (Mykel T. Williamson), a policeman who thinks that Jesse needs a more stable and disciplined environment. Dwight arranges for Jesse to stay with a new foster family, Glen and Annie Greenwood (Michael Madsen and Jayne Atkinson), with whom Jesse has an initially stormy relationship. Part of Jesse's punishment involves cleaning up the damage he caused at the park, where the new attraction is Willy, a killer whale who is being trained to do tricks. However, Willy was traumatized when he was stolen from his family by mercenary fisherman and does not respond well to the genuine concern of his trainers, Rae (Lori Petty) and Randolph (August Schellenberg). Jesse and Willy, both stranded without families in a place where they don't fit in, develop a close emotional bond, and with Jesse's help, Willy begins to display aptitude as a performer. Thanks to his friendship with Willy, Jesse develops a new sense of responsibility and a healthier relationship with the Greenwoods. However, Dial (Michael Ironside), the owner of the park, doesn't much care for animals and isn't happy with the slower-than-expected progress of Willy's training; having insured the whale for $1 million dollars, he figures that Willy is worth more dead than alive, and Jesse, Rae, and Randolph have to rescue their aquatic friend and return him to the ocean when Dial seems ready to live up to his threats. Free Willy, which featured a star performance by a killer whale named Keiko (who is doubled in some scenes by animatronic models) included the theme song "Will You Be There," a top-ten hit for Michael Jackson, and spawned two sequels. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Simon Wincer
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jul 16, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Jun 5, 2001
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
A wayward boy befriends a moody killer whale.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Save the whale! Still a good family film with a great Michael Jackson title song.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Good family flick
John Wirt, Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Schmaltzy.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
Keiko sure knows how to jump
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Gooey pap that drowns in its own phoniness.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A good family picture that does not get too sweet; worth a look.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Free Willy focuses on the friendship between a troubled 12-year-old boy and an orca at an adventure park. It will appeal tremendously to all "friends of nature," a term coined by Albert Schweitzer.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
I'd advise proceeding with caution unless you know what's in the water.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...many adults will find it too blatantly manipulative, but all the same it is decent, lightweight, juvenile entertainment.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Michael Madsen as a "good guy" foster father? Lori Petty as a whale trainer? Who cast ths movie!?).
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
It's like Lassie with whales. Only siller.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael M

The story is pretty cute and entirely inspirational but it's not that emotionally involving and a majority of its run time involves watching the orca jump. In comparison though it doesn't have enough cuteness or charm to be a memorable piece. It's worth a look. Just… More
The story is pretty cute and entirely inspirational but it's not that emotionally involving and a majority of its run time involves watching the orca jump. In comparison though it doesn't have enough cuteness or charm to be a memorable piece. It's worth a look. Just jump right in with lowered expectations.
Jeff "

Free Willy is a decent family film. I remember liking it as a kid, but it's one of those family films that doesn't really age well. I can think of many other childhood favorites that are better than this. Everyone knows the story of Free Willy. This is one of those films… More
Free Willy is a decent family film. I remember liking it as a kid, but it's one of those family films that doesn't really age well. I can think of many other childhood favorites that are better than this. Everyone knows the story of Free Willy. This is one of those films that really doesn't do anything that great. I enjoyed it as a kid, but it's not one of those films that stand out among other childhood favorites. Looking back now, the film is good, but is never anything great. The acting is average for a film like this, and so is the story. The best actor in this film is Michael Ironside and the rest of the cast are really so-so. Free Willy is a decent family film, never anything great, and compared to the films from my childhood, Free Willy is my least favorite. The film isn't really memorable. As a family film, it's perfect, but one should realize that this isn't a film that will stick with you, unlike so many other family films such as Toy Story, The Sandlot and Home Alone. Free Willy is entertaining, but it feels so ordinary in terms of a family film. This isn't the type of film that can withstand multiple viewings. Free Willy might have been good as a childhood film, but it's one that hasn't stood the test of time. I'll stick with Toy Story, at least that film is timeless, and lots of fun with good acting on the actors parts. But this, this feels like it tries too hard at being a sentimental film, and it just doesn't cut it.
Bethany M

Makes me cry everytime! A childhood favourite and a classic!
AJ V

Not your ordinary kid and animal movie, it's also an activist/political movie. It's about saving the whales, obviously, and that's cool. I really liked this movie when I saw it in theatres as a kid, and I think kids today will like it too. This movie is cute and… More
Not your ordinary kid and animal movie, it's also an activist/political movie. It's about saving the whales, obviously, and that's cool. I really liked this movie when I saw it in theatres as a kid, and I think kids today will like it too. This movie is cute and sweet, but also full of hope.
Conner R

I've got to say that this will always be a classic in my book. I really like the story and the overall feel of the movie. It's not just a trivial boy + animal adventure. This has a pretty dark theme going, having your main character be a homeless tween is pretty brave.… More
I've got to say that this will always be a classic in my book. I really like the story and the overall feel of the movie. It's not just a trivial boy + animal adventure. This has a pretty dark theme going, having your main character be a homeless tween is pretty brave. Especially when he's extremely flawed and such a troublemaker. The sideplot of killer whale poachers is not too bad either.
Unknown H

Scariest stuff out there.
Tim S

This died a horrible death and I'm so thankful.
KJ P

Really well made! Could not have been made any better!
Anthony L

Boy meets whale, boy looses whale, boy finds whale and sets him free. Willy should have bitten his head off though as it would have been more entertaining!
Jason O

Of the three "Free Willy" movies, I like this one the best. A teen (Jason James Richter) befriends a whale (Keiko) and ends up getting a job working with Keiko. However, trouble arises when some criminals bust Keiko's tank trying to get rid of the whale. Jason and his… More
Of the three "Free Willy" movies, I like this one the best. A teen (Jason James Richter) befriends a whale (Keiko) and ends up getting a job working with Keiko. However, trouble arises when some criminals bust Keiko's tank trying to get rid of the whale. Jason and his friends must find a way to save Keiko by freeing him into the ocean. "Free Willy" is an all around good movie. It'll keep you interested while you watch the movie and wonder how they're gonna get the job done. If you like good drama movies, I recommend getting "Free Willy." It's one of the best drama movies of the 90's. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. All three of the FW movies rock and I actually don't like trying to rank them compared to one another cause their level of greatness is so similar in my book. I love a great drama movie.
Thomas B

favourite movie apart from the never ending story as a kid
Drew S

I was a soulless youth and had very little patience for dumbass animal movies. This was one of them. Flash forward to a slightly tipsy night in Tahoe, ten years later, and I find that my feelings about dumbass animal movies have not changed. Lori Petty deserves some sort of award… More
I was a soulless youth and had very little patience for dumbass animal movies. This was one of them. Flash forward to a slightly tipsy night in Tahoe, ten years later, and I find that my feelings about dumbass animal movies have not changed. Lori Petty deserves some sort of award made out of plastic for having the worst Hollywood career trajectory ever. Tank Girl...Free Willy? The next logical step is Backdoor Sluts 9.
Dean M

The most family entertainment about a friendship between a troubled boy and an endangered killer whale has a true dramatic edge. Strong character development and a staunch avoidance of clichés make this a treat for the entire family.
Alexander W

Interesting American childrens movie about a boy with courage and a Killer Whale with hope.
Bobby H

Classic. I was 8 when it came out, and I remember I used to watch it on a daily basis. A few months ago, I decided to watch it just because I haddnt in so many years, and I've got to say, im still liken it! heh. Worth watching, especially with kids.
Candy R

Heart warming tale of how a boy wants to free a whale.
Dan S

How can you not like this movie?
Dean !

Great all round fun for the whole family.
Rachel F

This was a really sweet movie.
Curtis L

uhhhhhhh