Watch Free Willy

Free Willy is an iconic family adventure film released in 1993, directed by Simon Wincer and produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Jennie Lew Tugend. The film stars Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, and Michael Madsen. The storyline of the movie follows the journey of a young boy named Jesse (played by Richter) who is a troublesome teenager with a troubled past. He is taken into custody after being caught vandalizing a theme park and is sent to a foster home run by a kind-hearted couple, the Greenwoods.

In the course of his stay there, Jesse encounters Willy - a 7,000-pound killer whale held in captivity at the nearby theme park. Willy is not happy being confined in a small tank and yearns to be free in the open sea. Slowly but surely, he forms a bond with Jesse, who sees a reflection of his own loneliness in the whale's eyes.

Jesse learns about Willy's plight from Randolph, a Native American man who works at the park. Randolph tells Jesse that Willy is part of a dying breed of orcas and cannot be released into the wild due to his long years in captivity. Jesse, however, is determined to help Willy regain his freedom.

Jesse's efforts to free Willy become more urgent after he discovers that the theme park's owner is planning to kill the whale in order to collect the insurance money. Jesse enlists the help of his foster parents, Randolph, and his best friend, to create a plan to release Willy into the ocean and save his life.

Despite numerous obstacles, including a dangerous oil spill, Jesse and his team finally succeed in releasing Willy back into the wild. The movie ends on a heartwarming note as Willy jumps out of the water to say goodbye to Jesse and thank him for his help.

Free Willy is known for its iconic title song, "Will You Be There" by Michael Jackson, and its message of the importance of preserving the environment and the wild animals that live in it. It showcases the deep connection that humans share with animals and how even the smallest actions can make a significant impact in creating a better world for all living beings.

The performances in the movie are admirable, with Jason James Richter delivering an impressive portrayal of a troubled teenager learning valuable lessons about compassion and empathy. Lori Petty and Michael Madsen bring depth to their characters, delivering performances that resonate with the audience.

The movie was a massive commercial success, grossing over $153.6 million worldwide and leading to three sequels, a TV series, and even a theme park attraction. In addition to its commercial success, the film's message of environmental conservation and animal rights sparked conversations among audiences and inspired many organizations to work towards creating a better world for animals.

Overall, Free Willy remains an iconic film even today, almost three decades after its release. Its theme of the importance of fighting for animal rights and creating a better world is still very relevant and necessary in today's world. The film is a must-watch for families looking for a heartwarming adventure story that has a valuable message to share.

Free Willy is a 1993 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 79.