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Pee-wee's Big Adventure 1985

When Pee-wee’s beloved bike goes missing, he sets off on a cross-country journey to find it. His quest takes him through a series of bizarre and comical situations, including a stint as a fake criminal's partner and an unforgettable dance-off with the ghost of Large Marge, a truck stop proprietress who died a year prior. Along the way, he encounters eccentric characters and experiences a whirlwind of unexpected events.

When Pee-wee’s beloved bike goes missing, he sets off on a cross-country journey to find it. His quest takes him through a series of bizarre and comical situations, including a stint as a fake criminal's partner and an unforgettable dance-off with the ghost of Large Marge, a truck stop proprietress who died a year prior. Along the way, he encounters eccentric characters and experiences a whirlwind of unexpected events.

Does Pee-wee's Big Adventure have end credit scenes?

No!

Pee-wee's Big Adventure does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Explore the complete cast of Pee-wee's Big Adventure, 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 Pee-wee's Big Adventure

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


Metacritic

47

Metascore

7.4

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

89%

TOMATOMETER

review

79%

User Score

TMDB

64

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Pee-wee's Big Adventure Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Pee-wee's Big Adventure 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.


Pee-wee's Big Adventure Quiz: Test your knowledge on the quirky classic 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' and its unforgettable characters and moments.

What is Pee-wee Herman's prized possession?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Pee-wee's Big Adventure

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Read the complete plot summary of Pee-wee's Big Adventure, 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.


Pee-wee Herman’s most treasured possession, a fabulously accessorized bicycle, becomes the target of envy for his adversary, Francis Buxton. At the same time, Pee-wee remains blissfully unaware of the affection shown by Dottie, a bike shop employee, who is hopelessly infatuated with him. Chaos ensues after Pee-wee’s beloved bike is stolen, leading him to report the theft to the authorities, albeit in vain. Convinced that Francis is the mastermind behind the crime, Pee-wee confronts his neighbor, only to be pacified by Francis’ father, who assures him of his son’s innocence. In a misguided move, Pee-wee offers a generous reward of $10,000 to whoever can return his bike, inadvertently playing directly into Francis’s hands, as he orchestrated the theft himself.

As Pee-wee’s determination to recover his bike intensifies, he seeks help from various friends and neighbors, yet his obstinacy prevents him from accepting assistance. Eventually, he consults a dubious psychic, who claims that his bicycle is hidden in the depths of the Alamo Mission in San Antonio. This revelation propels Pee-wee on a cross-country adventure, hitching rides with a runaway convict named Mickey, alongside the spectral Large Marge.

During his journey, Pee-wee encounters Simone, a waitress with dreams of visiting Paris. As they share a heartfelt moment while watching the sunrise from the inside of a giant roadside dinosaur statue, Pee-wee encourages her to chase after her dreams, only to realize that her boyfriend, Andy, disapproves of her aspirations. After Andy attempts to threaten Pee-wee, our hero dives onto a moving train, firmly committing to his quest for his lost treasure.

Upon arriving at the Alamo, Pee-wee is disheartened to find out that the historic site has no basement. Nevertheless, he persists in his search and eventually reunites with Simone at a bus station. During their encounter, she expresses her desire to break free from Andy’s grip and travel to Paris, urging Pee-wee to continue his bike hunt.

Pee-wee’s heartfelt apology to Dottie signifies a shift in his self-awareness, but his moment of reflection is abruptly interrupted by Andy’s relentless pursuit. To escape, Pee-wee dons a disguise and takes part in a rodeo, narrowly avoiding a potential world record in his comedic style before being knocked unconscious. Following a stop at a biker bar, where he inadvertently riles up a bunch of tough bikers, Pee-wee impresses them by dancing to “Tequila” in his towering platform shoes. As a reward for his unexpected dance skills, they gift him a motorcycle, which he promptly crashes.

Upon regaining consciousness in a hospital, Pee-wee is stunned to see his prized bike featured in a Hollywood movie. This piques his adventurous spirit, inspiring him to devise a plan with the legendary comedian Milton Berle to infiltrate Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank. Under the cover of night, the duo sneaks onto the studio lot, navigating through active film sets and evading security in search of Pee-wee’s bike.

Their escapade leads to an unexpected crisis when they discover a burning pet shop. Without hesitation, Pee-wee rushes in to save the terrified animals, becoming an unexpected hero in the eyes of the firefighters present. However, just as he basks in the glory of his newfound fame, the authorities apprehend him and present him before Warner Bros. president, Terry Hawthorne. With all of his charm, Pee-wee argues for the rightful ownership of his bike.

In a surprising twist, Hawthorne agrees to dismiss the charges against Pee-wee, but only on the condition that he allows the studio to adapt his incredible story into a film. The resulting movie, a clever parody of the James Bond franchise, follows P.W. Herman and Dottie as they embark on a perilous mission to recover their stolen motorcycle, which curiously contains highly sensitive microfilm, from the clutches of the Soviet Union. The president of the United States himself makes an urgent phone call to P.W., emphasizing the bike’s crucial role in national security.

As Pee-wee watches the story of his cinematic counterpart unfold, he can’t resist the urge to connect with the people who have played significant roles in his journey. He sets up a mini-theater at a drive-in, treating old friends and acquaintances to snacks and drinks, celebrating their shared experiences. Amid this reunion, he encounters Francis, who tries to claim the role of Pee-wee’s closest ally. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, Francis accidentally triggers one of the bike’s clever gadgets, launching himself into the air.

Ultimately, Pee-wee acknowledges that he has relived his adventure through the magic of film. With a renewed appreciation for storytelling and the allure of Hollywood, he departs with Dottie, looking forward to fresh adventures, dear both on and off the screen.

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

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Pee-wee's Big Adventure

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


Original Theatrical Trailer

Cars Featured in Pee-wee's Big Adventure

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


BMW

1981

R 100 RT

Cadillac

1969

DeVille Convertible

Chevrolet

1957

Bel Air

Chevrolet

1977

Blazer

Chevrolet

1974

Corvette Stingray C3

Chevrolet

1977

Suburban

Citroën

1963

DS 19 Décapotable

Datsun

1972

620

Datsun

1976

F10 Coupé

Dodge

1975

Coronet

Movie 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.


bicycleman child1980ssurrealismnightmarebicycle theftfemale truck driverroad tripdrive in theaterroad moviesearch for stolen bicyclestolen bicyclenun costumecult filmcult directordisguiseanimated sequencehitchhikingcharacter name in titlealamomisunderstandingbiker gangcon artistcomic herocriminalganggirlfriendhomepistolrainy nightstreet gangvillaincampcult classiccharacter credited as selfperseverancelost walletswinging on a vineapostrophe in titlecandy cinemaslimehousedance scenereference to the devilreference to godzillareference to abraham lincolnmuseumpee wee herman characterpancakeenvybrown haired man

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