Free Willy (PG, 1993)

common sense media says

A wayward boy befriends a moody killer whale.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is farfetched, but it's also very enjoyable. Plot complications (like insurance fraud) may be a little complex for many younger viewers. But kids, particularly animal lovers, will want to see this.

Positive messages: Depictions of trespassing, vandalism and living rough on the city streets. Climax has good guys breaking the law in order to save Willy the Whale.
Positive role models: Jesse is a street-wise delinquent who learns about friendship and love from Willy the whale.
Violence & scariness: One brief fistfight.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: None, unless you count the boy hero's angry use of "screw."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Free Willy

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about orca biology and behavior -- you might follow up with some online whale research together.
  • There's also plenty of save the whales stumping, which might excite any budding activists.
  • Talk about right and wrong? Is it okay for them to do whatever it takes to save Willy?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In FREE WILLY, 12-year-old street kid Jesse (Jason James Richter) is caught by police after joining his buddies in spray-painting a marine amusement park. With the blessing of a new foster dad (Michael Madsen), Jesse must work at the place and clean up the damage. There he meets an unlikely fellow rebel: Willy, an ill-tempered killer whale, netted from nearby Pacific coastal waters. Jesse befriends the moody animal, and secretly trains Willy to do tricks. The park's owner, seeing a chance to profit, has Jesse and Willy perform for customers, but Willy, aggravated by the crowds, doesn't cooperate. Management sabotages Willy's tank, to collect on an accidental-death insurance policy. Jesse finds out and rallies some fellow employees and his law-and-order foster family. In an exciting predawn mission they "free Willy" into the open sea.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Free Willy's plot is predictable, none-too-original, and the title gives away the end. But FREE WILLY works swimmingly, thanks to well paced, rousing direction and a fine ensemble cast, led by the very good child actor Richter. Even with its excessive ecological propaganda, the script buoys up with surprisingly credible bonding between the alienated delinquent and a penned-up creature who, like King Kong or E.T., isn't bad; he just wants to go home. It's a cheerable, feel-good moment when the father joins his adopted son in the finale.

Longtime screen villain Michael Ironside plays the standard Hollywood-issue evil businessman, and parents should be aware of the animal-liberation indoctrination in the premise. At least the filmmakers followed their own preaching, and campaigned for the freeing of Keiko, the actual killer whale who stands in for an animatronic Willy in many scenes.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Simon Wincer
Cast: Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Michael Madsen
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: January 1, 1993
DVD release: January 1, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: emotional intensity

This review was written by Charles Cassady Jr.
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6

Most useful reviews by all members

slovesdogs2000
kid, 11 years old
 
bleh..
kind a boring

Smarty1999
kid, 13 years old
 
Perfect for kids, teens, and adults!
this is the best movie ever!!! i like the part when the good guys break through the gate!

lilmissfrankie
kid, 12 years old
 
its ok....
might be too upsetting for little ones though

 
i'll always love it
i first saw free willy at a frends house when i was really little, and ever since wenever we visited i always wanted to watch it...i love animals and especially sea creatures, so this is a definate for me, but even ppl who dont really think about animals will luv the movie, especially kids! its great i love it!

r.A.i.
parent of 3 and 5 year old
 
too much unnecessary raw facts of life
The main character has been abandoned by his mother. My 5-year-old did not need to know that mothers sometime abandon kids who need to live on the streets. Running from the police, breaking in, spray painting: all not behaviors that a child should see. I'm just overwhelmed by producer's stupidity in thinking: Let's show something bad and then tell them it's bad so that they can learn what is good.

justin bieber ...
kid, 13 years old
 
Free Willy,My Review
I love tihs movie,i saw it in school for having a school party at the end of school.Anyway, I recomend this movie to everyone.I like the ending part of the movie. I wont tell you anything about the movie,so you will have to see it your self.

roxas411
kid, 13 years old
 
good movie
everytime i watch this flim it makes me cry idk why

BFF GIRL THATS ...
teen, 14 years old
 
a good story
a good story but i found the movie a bit boring.

DanzaJoy
parent of 7 and 8 year old
 
Know what you are getting into before showing to kids under 10
I watched this film when my kids were 6 and 7. I didn't know the full story. It was much darker than I expected and ended up being a big trigger for my 6-year old fost-adopted daughter still grieving the move from her foster family to our forever family. In the end, perhaps her tears were cleaning but I wish I'd know in advance to be prepared. The child acts outside of the law, sometimes with adult support so I have mixed feelings about that: integrity outweighs rules but a challenging nuance for younger kids.

Nfuzz
kid, 13 years old
 
Orca fans!!
I love this movie because i love orcas. this is very cool and makes you wish you were the main character!

Mary229
kid, 12 years old
 
It Made me CRY:(
Free Willy was so sad. It made me cry. It was about a boy who befriended a killer whale. I gave it a 5 star because it was very touching and sad. But if you watch it be shure to cry! :) :(

onterikah
kid, 13 years old
 
free willy

moviebash
teen, 15 years old
 
I cried!
Sad film about a boy befriending a killer whale.

homealonefan123
teen, 15 years old
 
awesome
this heartwarming family film is perfect for ages 8 and up.

gaby3431
teen, 16 years old
 
dolphintale
awesome movie you know

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age