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Big (film)

Big is a 1988 American fantasy comedy film directed by Penny Marshall and starring Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin, a boy whose wish to be “big” leaves him in an adult body.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Big is a 1988 American fantasy comedy film directed by Penny Marshall and starring Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin, a boy whose wish to be “big” leaves him in an adult body. The film was written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg, produced by Gracie Films, and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It became a major box office success and received Academy Award nominations for Hanks and its screenplay.

Plot

The story centres on Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy who makes a wish on a carnival machine to be big and wakes up in a grown man's body. The premise drives the film’s comedy and its contrast between childlike identity and adult life.

Production

Big was directed by Penny Marshall and written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg. It was produced by Gracie Films and released by 20th Century Fox.

Cast

The main cast includes Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Jared Rushton, David Moscow, John Heard, and Robert Loggia. Hanks plays the adult Josh, while Moscow plays Josh as a child.

Reception

The film was a commercial success and is commonly cited as a notable fantasy-comedy of the 1980s. It also drew awards recognition, including Academy Award nominations for Tom Hanks and the screenplay.

Key facts

  • Big follows Josh Baskin, a child who wakes up in an adult body after wishing to be bigger.
  • Tom Hanks plays the adult form of Josh Baskin; David Moscow plays Josh as a child.
  • The film was directed by Penny Marshall, one of the best-known female directors of the 1980s.
  • Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg wrote the screenplay.
  • The film was released in 1988 in the United States.
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Canadian context

Big has had wide international visibility, including in Canada, as a well-known Hollywood family fantasy-comedy that remains frequently shown, discussed, and referenced in English-language film culture.

Frequently asked questions

What is Big about?
It is about a boy who wishes to be older and wakes up in an adult body, forcing him to navigate adult life while keeping his child’s perspective.
Who directed Big?
Penny Marshall directed the film.
Who stars in Big?
Tom Hanks stars as the adult Josh Baskin, with Elizabeth Perkins, Jared Rushton, David Moscow, John Heard, and Robert Loggia in supporting roles.
When was Big released?
It was released in the United States on June 3, 1988.
What genre is Big?
It is generally classified as a fantasy comedy film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_(film)
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, production company, distributor, and basic film description.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/big
    Supports: Release date, runtime, genre, rating, and synopsis.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094737/
    Supports: U.S. release date.
  4. Spirituality & Practice — https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/reviews/view/8797
    Supports: Plot summary and premise details.
  5. The Telegraph — https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11312303/Big-review.html
    Supports: Identification of the film as a Penny Marshall film starring Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins.