Big | Rotten Tomatoes

Big

PG

Released Jun 3, 1988

1 hr. 44 min.

Kids & Family

Comedy

Fantasy

TRAILER

for Big: Trailer 1

List

98%

80 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After a wish turns 12-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) into a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks), he heads to New York City and gets a low-level job at MacMillen Toy Company. A chance encounter with the owner (Robert Loggia) of the company leads to a promotion testing new toys. Soon a fellow employee, Susan Lawrence (Elizabeth Perkins), takes a romantic interest in Josh. However, the pressure of living as an adult begins to overwhelm him, and he longs to return to his simple, former life as a boy.

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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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Zinjx W

How nice it is to have a reunion from the time when Tom Hanks was the laughing stock. "Big" is the film's gift to the fine culture that once was. A well-told little straight-out-of-the-road comedy, enriched by an extremely well-placed Tom Hanks, hand in hand with a charming Elizabeth Perkins

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

Full Review

Mequias L

A testament to simple and straightforward filmmaking, the true magic of "Big" is in Tom Hank's vivid portrayal of a minor lost in the adult world; everything from a night alone in a hotel, to how he sits in an office swivel chair, the effort Hanks puts into his creation continues to be a shining example of what acting really is. Director Penny Marshall truly put her heart into this production, while writers Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg kept the story unpretentious; to the massive benefit of the film. Further enriching this cinematic experience is all the pomp and circumstance of 80's upper / middle class Manhattan. What "Big" sheds in plot and script, it more than makes up for in how it cherishes people and setting. This movie is replete with wonderful characterization and attention to detail. It betrays the self-absorbed businessman in favor of the daring, wide-eyed creativity of youth; an aspect that exists in all of us. By the end of the movie, you might even ask yourself, "Who is more immature? The twelve-year-old or the forty-year-old?" If we all perceived the child in each other, we might make the world a better place. The unrelenting need for validation, the ease with which one takes offense, and the laze and abuse of power that exists in modern man must be stopped. "Big" presents you with the option to enjoy life, and by doing so, witness just how far you can go when you decide to let go.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

Full Review

Timothy D

Big overflows with charm thanks to a larger-than-life performance by Tom Hanks. The joys and chaos of growing up are hilariously personified by this warm, absolutely hilarious film. There's something here for everyone.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

Full Review

Tony M

Big is a fun film and one I've been re-watching since childhood. A must see if you haven't already.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/30/23

Full Review

Tabitha B

A lot of people love this movie, I honestly think it's just okay

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

Full Review

Ethan G

Tom Hanks' "BIG" is charming and heartfelt.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/23

Full Review

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Penny Marshall

Director

Tom Hanks

Josh

Elizabeth Perkins

Susan

Robert Loggia

MacMillan

John Heard

Paul

Jared Rushton

Billy

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Big: Trailer 1

2:22

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

0:30

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Duane Byrge

Hollywood Reporter

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.

Dec 26, 2018

Full Review

Kathleen Carroll

New York Daily News

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

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 28, 2015

Full Review

Victoria Mather

Daily Telegraph (UK)

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

Rated: 3/5

Dec 25, 2014

Full Review

Zita Short

InSession Film

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.

Feb 1, 2023

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

It remains one of the most technically thoughtful and precisely-controlled performances of [Tom Hanks's] entire career.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 22, 2022

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Big is not laugh-out-loud farce. Instead it’s a funny take on a situation that is potentially serious. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 7, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

After a wish turns 12-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) into a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks), he heads to New York City and gets a low-level job at MacMillen Toy Company. A chance encounter with the owner (Robert Loggia) of the company leads to a promotion testing new toys. Soon a fellow employee, Susan Lawrence (Elizabeth Perkins), takes a romantic interest in Josh. However, the pressure of living as an adult begins to overwhelm him, and he longs to return to his simple, former life as a boy.

Director: Penny Marshall
Screenwriter: Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Gracie Films, 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $113.5M
Sound Mix: Surround

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