Free Willy (1993): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Free Willy is a 1993 adventure drama directed by Simon Wincer, starring Michael Madsen, Lori Petty and Jason James Richter. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $153.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 79 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 52m (112 min)
- Director
- Simon Wincer
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Free Willy About?
The premise of Free Willy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
An orphaned orca whale named Willy lives in a marine park, growing increasingly restless and longing for the open ocean. Jesse, a lonely boy who understands what it's like to feel abandoned, develops a strong connection with Willy. Determined to help his new friend find freedom, Jesse embarks on a courageous plan to return Willy to his natural habitat, facing numerous obstacles and heartwarming moments along the way.
Free Willy Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- killer whale
- orphan
- homeless child
- human animal relationship
- 12 year old
- animal training
- boy
- coming of age
- aquarium
- foster family
- animal trainer
- character name in title
+38 more Show fewer
- title spoken by character
- oregon
- portland oregon
- breaking and entering
- female animal trainer
- summer job
- training montage
- sabotage
- crooked businessman
- underwater scene
- husband wife relationship
- child welfare worker
- absent mother
- whale
- probation
- native american
- harmonica
- vandalism
- no opening credits
- animal character name in title
- two word title
- orca
- astoria oregon
- 1990s
- scene during end credits
- west coast of the united states
- skateboard park
- begging for money
- stealing food
- foster home
- foot chase
- 12 year old boy
- child services
- playing a harmonica
- orphan boy
- washing off graffiti
- falling into a pool
- montage
Free Willy Cast
Michael Madsen leads the cast, with Lori Petty and Jason James Richter. Directed by Simon Wincer.
-
Director Simon Wincer
More from Simon Wincer
More films directed by Simon Wincer, best-rated first: Quigley Down Under, Phar Lap, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man and The Phantom.
Free Willy Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Free Willy 79 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 79 Metascore
User score 6.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB
Free Willy Plot Summary
What happens in Free Willy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Along the rugged coastline of the Pacific Northwest, a pod of orcas faces a critical threat from whalers. Among them is one particularly tenacious orca, who becomes separated from its family and is ultimately captured and sold to the Northwest Adventure Park, a place where the spectacle of human entertainment meets marine life.
Full summary
The whole story of Free Willy, scene by scene
Free Willy Box Office
Free Willy grossed $153.7 million worldwide. $77.7 million came from the US and Canada and $76 million (49%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$153.7M
- US & Canada
- $77.7M
- International
- $76M
Free Willy Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Modern Trailer
How Well Do You Know Free Willy?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Jesse's situation at the beginning of the movie?
Cars in Free Willy
30 cars on screen, including the 1992 Ford Taurus and the 1985 GMC K-3500.
-
1992 Ford Taurus Important role -
1985 GMC K-3500 Important role -
JCB Loadall 530 B Important role -
1991 Chevrolet Corvette C4 Minor role
Free Willy Also Known As
31 alternative titles, including “¡Liberad a Willy!” and “Mon ami Willy”.
- Also known as
-
- ¡Liberad a Willy!
- Mon ami Willy
- Libertem Willy
- 人鱼的童话
- Zachraňte Willyho!
- 人鱼童话
- Sauvez Willy
- Free Willy - Ruf der Freiheit
- Rädda Willy
- Liberad a Willy
- Free Willy - Un amico da salvare
- Slipp Willy fri
+19 more Show fewer
- Освободите Вилли
- Befri Willy
- Szabadítsátok ki Willyt!
- Özgür Willy
- לשחרר את ווילי
- Ελευθερώστε τον Γουίλι
- Звільніть Віллі
- Uwolnić orkę
- Волният Уили
- Išlaisvinti Vilį
- Free Willy - Pelastakaa Willy
- Liberen A Willy
- Allibereu Willy
- フリー・ウィリー
- Zachráňte Willyho
- 프리 윌리
- Moj prijatelj Willy
- Salvați-l pe Willy
- ฟรี วิลลี่ เพื่อเพื่อนด้วยหัวใจอันยิ่งใหญ่
Seen Free Willy?
Movies Like Free Willy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home, Free Willy 3: The Rescue and Flipper.
Free Willy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Free Willy, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Free Willy?
Free Willy runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).
When was Free Willy released?
Free Willy was released on July 16, 1993.
Who directed Free Willy?
Free Willy was directed by Simon Wincer.
More films by Simon Wincer Who is in the cast of Free Willy?
Free Willy stars Michael Madsen, Lori Petty and Jason James Richter.
How much did Free Willy make at the box office?
Free Willy grossed $153.7 million worldwide ($77.7 million domestic, $76 million international).
How is Free Willy rated?
Free Willy has 79 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.
Does Free Willy have a post-credit scene?
No. Free Willy has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
