Big

Play trailer

2:22

Big

PG

1988

1h 44m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Fantasy

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

At a carnival, young Josh Baskin wishes he were big, only to wake up the next morning and discover his wish came true. But the more Josh experiences life as an adult, the more he longs for the simple joys of childhood.

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Critics Consensus

Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Dec 26, 2018

Director Penny Marshall doesn't hammer any themes or satire into the film; she, quite shrewdly, keeps Big likeably small. The comedy is natural and unforced, in no small part because of Hanks' wonderfully slapstick performance.

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Kathleen Carroll

New York Daily News

Jul 28, 2015

3.5/4

The film succeeds largely because of the splendid performance of Tom Hanks -- who is irresistibly funny as "big" Josh.

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Victoria Mather

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Dec 25, 2014

3/5

Tom Hanks is marvellously child-like as Josh, all restless energy, innocence and real pleasure in the liberation that being grown-up allows him.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 15, 2026

3/4

A disarmingly sweet movie.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Sep 14, 2024

Fresh-faced Hanks was a rising comic star at the time and he is absolutely winning as the 13-year-old in the body of an adult, delivering the body language and the excitable, innocent energy of a kid in every scene ...

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Zita Short

InSession Film

Feb 1, 2023

Big is warm-hearted and sweet without ever losing its edge and it engages adult viewers on an intellectual level in a way that few family films do.

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bruce C

@bruce999 Aug 3, 2026

emotional , funny, and well written. a must fun to watch on occasion also

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Landon J

@Minxsykitty Jul 29, 2026

I expected more crude humor going in, but was pleasantly surprised at the depth and execution this has to offer. Really felt like it had something to say and did it so well. Probably one of Hank's best.

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Nicholas P

@RT88054743 Jul 19, 2026

A great piano scene.

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Robert J

@Slash_wisdom Jul 19, 2026

Tom Hanks in one of his most iconic films. Big is a story of a boy who makes a wish to grow up and reminds us all to never let the kid in us die.

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Jason R

@J-Rush1411 Jun 25, 2026

A good film to watch at least once, Tom Hanks played a kid in an adults body so well

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Donald K

@Awesomestar Apr 26, 2026

Even if it was boring, over the top, strong on romance and had a somewhat unsatisfying ending, Tom Hanks was good and the movie turned out to be a cute movie with flaws

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Penny Marshall

Director

Tom Hanks

Josh

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Susan

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Big: Trailer 1

2:22

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Big: 30th Anniversary (1988): Presented by TCM Fathom Events Trailer

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Synopsis

At a carnival, young Josh Baskin wishes he were big, only to wake up the next morning and discover his wish came true. But the more Josh experiences life as an adult, the more he longs for the simple joys of childhood.

Director: Penny Marshall
Producer: James L. Brooks, Robert Greenhut
Screenwriter: Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox, Gracie Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $113.5M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround

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