# Big

> 1988 film by Penny Marshall

**Wikidata**: [Q858467](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q858467)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/big

## Summary

Big is a 1988 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Penny Marshall, starring Tom Hanks as a 12-year-old boy who magically transforms into an adult. The film was produced by Gracie Films and released in 1988, becoming a critical and commercial success that earned recognition including the National Board of Review Top Ten Films award and a Saturn Award nomination for Best Writing.

## Key Facts

- **Title:** Big
- **Director:** Penny Marshall
- **Release Dates:** June 3, 1988 (premiere), December 9, 1988 (wide release), September 29, 1988 (festival)
- **Production Company:** Gracie Films (American production company, founded 1986-1987, headquartered in the United States)
- **Lead Actor:** Tom Hanks (American actor and film producer, born 1956, citizen of United States and Italy)
- **Lead Actress:** Elizabeth Perkins (American actress, citizen of United States)
- **Country of Origin:** United States
- **Genres:** Fantasy film, Drama film
- **Awards:** National Board of Review Top Ten Films (award inception: 1929), Saturn Award for Best Writing (category inception: 1975)
- **Wikidata Description:** 1988 film by Penny Marshall
- **Wikipedia Title:** Big (film)
- **Sitelink Count:** 45

## FAQs

**Who directed the 1988 film Big?**

Big was directed by Penny Marshall, an American filmmaker who became one of the most successful female directors in Hollywood history with this film.

**What is the plot premise of Big?**

The film follows a 12-year-old boy who wishes to be "big" and wakes up as a 30-year-old adult, experiencing life as an adult while retaining his childhood mind.

**Who are the main actors in Big?**

The film stars Tom Hanks as the protagonist (who plays both the child and adult versions of the character) and Elizabeth Perkins as the adult love interest.

**What production company made Big?**

Big was produced by Gracie Films, an American production company founded between 1986 and 1987 and headquartered in the United States.

**What awards did Big receive?**

Big received recognition from the National Board of Review as one of the Top Ten Films of 1988 and was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Writing.

**What genres does Big fall under?**

Big is classified as both a fantasy film and a drama film, combining elements of magical transformation with comedic and dramatic storytelling.

**When was Big released?**

Big had its premiere on June 3, 1988, with additional festival screenings on September 29, 1988, and wide theatrical release on December 9, 1988.

## Why It Matters

Big matters as a landmark film that demonstrated the commercial viability of family-friendly fantasy-comedy films with emotional depth. The film established Penny Marshall as a major Hollywood director, making her only the second female director to helm a film grossing over $100 million at the box office. Tom Hanks' performance in the dual role showcased his remarkable comedic and dramatic range, cementing his status as a leading Hollywood star and launching his career into the stratosphere. The film's exploration of childhood wishes and adult responsibilities resonated with audiences worldwide, proving that films addressing universal themes of growing up could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success. Big also contributed significantly to the revival of the body-swap and magical transformation genre, influencing countless films that followed in its wake.

## Notable For

- First major Hollywood film to gross over $100 million directed by a woman (Penny Marshall)
- Featured Tom Hanks in a career-defining dual role as child and adult
- Earned National Board of Review Top Ten Films recognition
- Received Saturn Award nomination for Best Writing
- Produced by Gracie Films, which would go on to become a prominent production company responsible for numerous acclaimed films and television series
- Combined fantasy and drama genres to appeal to both family and adult audiences
- Released through multiple distribution windows in 1988 (premiere, festival, wide release)

## Body

### Production Background

Big was developed and produced by Gracie Films, an American production company established between 1986 and 1987 and headquartered in the United States. The company, founded in the mid-1980s, was relatively new to the industry when it took on this project, making the film's success particularly significant for the emerging studio. Penny Marshall, who had previously directed the acclaimed comedy "Jumpin' Jack Flash," was attached to direct, marking one of her first major studio productions.

### Cast and Characters

Tom Hanks headlined the film in the dual role of Josh Baskin, portraying both the 12-year-old child who makes a wish to become big and the adult version of himself who must navigate the adult world. Hanks' performance was widely praised for its nuance and comedic timing, demonstrating his ability to portray childlike wonder and confusion within an adult body convincingly. Elizabeth Perkins played the role of Susan Lawrence, an adult executive who becomes romantically involved with the adult Josh, unaware of his true age. The chemistry between Hanks and Perkins contributed significantly to the film's emotional resonance.

### Release and Distribution

Big premiered on June 3, 1988, with additional festival screenings beginning September 29, 1988. The wide theatrical release followed on December 9, 1988, positioning the film for the holiday season box office. The staggered release strategy allowed the film to build buzz through festival appearances and critical screenings before expanding to mainstream audiences.

### Genre and Themes

The film falls squarely within the fantasy film genre, featuring the magical premise of a child transforming into an adult overnight. It also incorporates elements of drama film, exploring themes of growing up, the responsibilities of adulthood, and the loss of childhood innocence. The combination of fantasy elements with genuine emotional storytelling distinguished Big from simpler comedic fare and contributed to its broad appeal across demographic groups.

### Critical Recognition

Big received significant critical acclaim upon release, with the National Board of Review honoring it as one of the Top Ten Films of 1988. The film was also recognized by the Saturn Awards, receiving a nomination for Best Writing in the category that had been established in 1975. These recognitions highlighted the film's quality in both its storytelling and its innovative approach to the fantasy-comedy genre.

### Cultural Impact

The success of Big had lasting implications for the film industry, particularly regarding opportunities for female directors in Hollywood. Penny Marshall's achievement with this film demonstrated that audiences would embrace films directed by women, paving the way for future female filmmakers. Tom Hanks' performance launched him into the upper echelon of Hollywood leading men, and the film remains one of his most beloved early career works.

### Production Company Significance

Gracie Films, the production company behind Big, used the success of this film as a foundation for building a distinguished portfolio. The company would go on to produce numerous acclaimed films and television series, becoming a significant player in the entertainment industry. Big represented one of the company's earliest major productions and helped establish its reputation for quality filmmaking.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. Big. Rotten Tomatoes
4. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=big.htm)
5. Swedish Film Database
6. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094737/releaseinfo)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
9. [Source](https://www.filmratings.com/Search?filmTitle=Big)
10. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0094737/)
11. Kinopoisk
12. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/big/)
13. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=38386.html)
14. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
15. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/68294)
16. Online-Filmdatenbank
17. Bechdel Test Movie List
18. mymovies.it
19. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/65D9-0976-8263-78EE-408C-X)
20. Danish Film Database
21. TheTVDB
22. Trakt.tv
23. FilmVandaag.nl