Guide Note

Big is a 1988 movie about a pre-teen boy who is humiliated in front of a girl at a carnival. He uses his last quarter to wish himself grown up on a Zoltar Speaks machine.

Fast Facts

1. Directed by Penny Marshall
2. Produced by James L. Brooks, Robert Greenhut
3. Written by Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg
4. Released on June 3, 1988
5. Starring: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard
6. Running time: 104 Minutes
7. Rating: PG

13 year-old Josh Baskin wants to be big, as in big enough to ride the adult rides at a local carnival. After making the wish to be 'big' on a Zoltar Speaks machine, he doesn't feel any different despite the card the machine gave him saying that his wish had been granted. This all changes the next morning when he wakes up in a 30 year old body (Tom Hanks). After the initial shock wears off, Josh tries unsuccessfully to explain the situation to his mother. He then pays a visit to his best friend Billy (Jared Rushton) and eventually convinces him what happened. Billy gives Josh some clothes and some money, so he can get a cheap hotel room for the night. Josh then gets every kid's dream job, working for a toy manufacturer. All is going well for old Josh, including a romantic connection to his co-worker Susan (Elizabeth Perkins), until he realizes all the things he may have missed by skipping his childhood. Josh must decide to stay and live as an adult or find another Zoltar Speaks machine to try and change him back to the young Josh.