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A teenager's wish to be older comes true when he mysteriously transforms into an adult. Suddenly faced with the challenges of adulthood, he must learn to cope with the unexpected responsibilities and navigate a world that's become surprisingly complicated. He grapples with the consequences of his wish and the difficulties of growing up too fast, all while trying to find his place.

A teenager's wish to be older comes true when he mysteriously transforms into an adult. Suddenly faced with the challenges of adulthood, he must learn to cope with the unexpected responsibilities and navigate a world that's become surprisingly complicated. He grapples with the consequences of his wish and the difficulties of growing up too fast, all while trying to find his place.

Does Big have end credit scenes?

No!

Big does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Big

Explore the complete cast of Big, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Big

See how Big is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Big stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

73

Metascore

7.7

User Score

IMDb

7.3 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

72

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Big Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Big with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Big Movie Quiz: Test your knowledge on the 1988 classic 'Big', exploring its themes, characters, and memorable moments.

What does Josh ask for when he uses the fortune-telling machine?

Awards & Nominations for Big

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by Big, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Big and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


16th Saturn Awards 1990

Tom Hanks
Win

Best Actor

Tom Hanks
Win

Best Supporting Actor

Nomination

Best Director

46th Golden Globe Awards 1989

Nomination

Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical

Tom Hanks
Nomination

Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Actor)

Tom Hanks

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Big

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Read the complete plot summary of Big, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Twelve-year-old Josh Baskin stands in line for a carnival ride when he catches the attention of a girl from school who starts chatting with him. However, when he reaches the front, he finds out he’s too short to ride, leading to a moment of deep humiliation. In a bid to escape his embarrassment, he makes a wish at a nearby fortune-telling machine, longing to be “big.”

To his shock, when Josh wakes up the next morning, he discovers that his wish has come true. Now in the body of an adult, he finds himself unrecognizable to his own mother and must navigate life independently. As he grapples with his new reality, he secures a job at a toy company, where his understanding of children’s preferences impresses the higher-ups, eventually landing him an executive position.

Despite his youthful spirit and charm, Josh experiences the complexities of adult relationships, particularly when he attracts the attention of a female executive at his firm. Their romantic connection is both thrilling and overwhelming for him, leading to moments of confusion. When he finally reveals his secret to her, she is initially skeptical but starts to piece together the truth as she observes his unique behavior.

Eventually, Josh encounters the arcade machine that transformed his wish into reality. In a heartfelt moment, he wishes to reverse the spell, allowing him to return to his mother after weeks of separation. The film beautifully encapsulates the bittersweet essence of maintaining youthful exuberance into adulthood, conveying its message through an unconventional yet insightful narrative. It emphasizes that an adult who retains the spirit of a child is someone to be envied.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

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Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Big

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Big. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Big (1988) Trailer A

Official Trailer

Elizabeth Perkins Talks About Working With Tom Hanks On BIG

Big 1988 TV trailer

Cars Featured in Big

See 20 more

Explore all cars featured in Big, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Buick

1984

LeSabre

Cadillac

1983

Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine

Chevrolet

1985

Impala

Datsun

1980

210

Ford

1979

LTD Landau

Ford

1982

LTD-S

Ford

1981

LTD-S Wagon

Ford

1986

Mustang

GMC

1967

TDH 5305 A

Iveco

1981

Z-Range

Big Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


new york citytoybody switchingwishteenage boyfriendcarnivalface on a milk cartonwalking on piano keysunplugged electronic workstitle spoken by characterchopsticks the songice creammale protagonistcigarette smokingcrying babyhomesicknesscryingpenny arcadebiting fingernailsdouble dippingchild in adult bodysexoffice rivalryclassmate classmate relationshipbelchingcalling someone an assholejobbest friendbody transformationone word titleloss of virginitybirthday songbirthday partytitle directed by femalesilly stringthirty somethingringofficegunshotcarnival wishing machinemanhattan new york cityboyfriend girlfriend relationshipfriendshipfish out of watercareerage differenceaffectionunderwearpolice

Big Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Big across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


Big - Isoksi yhdessä yössä 飞越未来 ビッグ ビッグ:1988 Segítség felnőttem! Большой Велики Velký 长大 Μπιγκ ביג Petit bonhomme Quero Ser Grande Vreau să fiu mare Големият Quisiera ser grande Duży Velik Büyük Великий 飛進未來 Lielais 飛越未來 Veľký Veliki บิ๊ก อยากโตก็ได้โต Didelis

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