# Willow

> 1988 film directed by Ron Howard

**Wikidata**: [Q515931](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q515931)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_(1988_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/willow

## Summary
Willow is a 1988 fantasy film directed by Ron Howard, produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by MGM. The movie follows a reluctant dwarf who must protect a special baby from an evil queen.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: May 20, 1988 (US premiere)
- **Director**: Ron Howard
- **Producers**: Lucasfilm, Imagine Entertainment
- **Distributor**: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- **Budget**: $35 million
- **Box Office**: $137.6 million worldwide
- **Runtime**: 126 minutes
- **Genre**: Fantasy film
- **Country of Origin**: United States, United Kingdom
- **IMDb ID**: tt0096446
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 52%, 5.9/10, 47/100, 7.2/10
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 40 language editions

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Willow?**
Willow follows a reluctant dwarf named Willow Ufgood who finds a special baby and must protect her from an evil queen named Bavmorda. With the help of a rogue swordsman named Madmartigan, Willow embarks on a quest to deliver the baby to safety.

**Who directed Willow and who produced it?**
Willow was directed by Ron Howard and produced by Lucasfilm and Imagine Entertainment. The film was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

**What was the budget and box office performance?**
Willow had a production budget of $35 million and grossed $137.6 million worldwide at the box office, making it a commercial success.

## Why It Matters
Willow matters as a significant entry in the fantasy film genre, representing Lucasfilm's venture into high-fantasy storytelling outside of their Star Wars franchise. The film showcased groundbreaking special effects for its time, particularly in the creation of magical creatures and transformations. It also marked an important collaboration between George Lucas and Ron Howard, two influential figures in American cinema. The movie's themes of unlikely heroes and the triumph of good over evil resonated with audiences and helped establish fantasy as a viable genre for major studio productions in the late 1980s.

## Notable For
- **Lucasfilm Fantasy**: First major fantasy film produced by Lucasfilm outside the Star Wars universe
- **Ron Howard Directorial**: One of Ron Howard's early fantasy films, showcasing his versatility as a director
- **Special Effects**: Groundbreaking visual effects for the time, including the creation of magical creatures
- **Val Kilmer Role**: Featured Val Kilmer in a major role as the rogue swordsman Madmartigan
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed over $137 million worldwide on a $35 million budget
- **Fantasy Genre Impact**: Helped establish fantasy as a commercially viable genre for major studios

## Body
### Production and Development
Willow was produced by Lucasfilm and Imagine Entertainment, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) serving as the distributor. The film was directed by Ron Howard, who brought his experience from previous successful films to this fantasy project. The production budget was $35 million, which was substantial for the time, reflecting the ambitious scope of the fantasy world being created.

### Release and Distribution
The film premiered on May 20, 1988, in the United States. It was distributed internationally by MGM, reaching audiences across multiple countries. The film's release strategy included both theatrical distribution and subsequent home video releases, contributing to its overall commercial success.

### Cast and Characters
The film featured Val Kilmer in a prominent role as Madmartigan, the rogue swordsman who becomes Willow's companion. The story centers around Willow Ufgood, a reluctant dwarf who discovers a special baby and must protect her from the evil queen Bavmorda. The cast included both established actors and newcomers to major film productions.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
Willow received mixed reviews from critics but found success with audiences. The film holds a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 5.9/10. Despite the mixed critical reception, the film has maintained a cult following over the years and is remembered for its contribution to the fantasy genre in cinema.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 126 minutes and was shot in color. It represents a significant technical achievement for its time, particularly in the realm of special effects and creature creation. The fantasy world created for Willow required extensive visual effects work to bring the magical elements and creatures to life.

### Related Entities and Connections
Willow is connected to several major entities in the film industry. It was produced by Lucasfilm, the company founded by George Lucas, known primarily for the Star Wars franchise. The film also involved Imagine Entertainment, co-founded by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. These connections place Willow within the broader context of influential American film production companies of the 1980s.

### Cultural Impact
While not achieving the same level of cultural impact as some of its contemporaries, Willow has maintained relevance in fantasy film discussions. The film's themes of unlikely heroes and the battle between good and evil are common in fantasy storytelling, and Willow's execution of these themes contributed to the genre's development in mainstream cinema.

### Box Office Performance
With a worldwide gross of $137.6 million against a $35 million budget, Willow was a commercial success. This performance demonstrated the viability of fantasy films as major studio productions and likely influenced future fantasy projects in Hollywood.

### Genre Classification
Willow is classified as a fantasy film, specifically within the broader category of fantasy films. This classification places it alongside other notable fantasy works of the era and contributes to the genre's evolution in cinema.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096446/)
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6. IMDb
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12. Willow. Rotten Tomatoes
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14. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096446/releaseinfo)
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29. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/83092)
30. [‘Willow’ Star Warwick Davis Calls Out Disney for Pulling Show Off Disney+, Tells Studio to Answer Fans Asking Where to Stream It: ‘Embarrassing’. 2023](https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/warwick-davis-slams-disney-willow-pulled-streaming-embarrassing-1235758155/)
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