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Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger, Judd Omen ... see more see more... , Jon Harris , Carmen Filpi , Tony Bill , James Brolin , Morgan Fairchild , Susan Barnes , Simmy Bow , Luis Contreras , Lou Cutell , Bob Drew , Starletta DuPois , Mark Everett , Ed Griffith , Irving Hellman , Ed Herlihy , Jan Hooks , Monte Landis , Peter Looney , Damon Martin , Bob McClurg , Alice Nunn , Sunshine Parker , Lonnie Parkinson , Daryl Roach , Ralph Seymour , Lynne Marie Stewart , Prof. Toru Tanaka , Twisted Sister , Erica Yohn , Milton Berle , Phil Hartman , Raymond Martino , Wallis Nicita , John Paragon , Cassandra Peterson , Bill Richmond , Michael Varhol , Noreen Hennesey , Richard Brose , Bill Cable , Patrick Cranshaw , Brett Fellman , John Gilgreen , Chester Grimes , Jason Hervey , Howard Hirdler , Zachary Hoffman , John Moody , John O'Neill , David Rothenberg , George Sasaki , Gilles Savard , Drew Seward , Alex Sharp , David C. Glasser , Gregory Brown

Co-written by Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman, Pee Wee's Big Adventure marks the debut of director Tim Burton, who stamps the entire film with his quirky trademark style. The premise: Pee Wee (Reubens),... read more read more... an overgrown pre-pubescent boy sporting a molded Princeton cut, blush, lipstick, and a shrunken gray flannel suit, lives an idyllic life in his bizarre home (some have compared the remarkable set design to the expressionistic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) until someone nabs his most prized possession: a fire engine-red customized bicycle. He then embarks on an epic cross-country search to find his lost love, not to mention more than a little adventure. Along the way, he makes friends with various oddball characters, visits the Alamo, endures various hallucinatory nightmares, and has a supernatural run-in with a spectral trucker. In this reprisal of his popular standup routine, Reubens is wonderful as the nerdy man child; he plays it silly, yet he manages to imbue the role with some sensitivity without ever seeming maudlin. The score by Danny Elfman is terrific -- as is the case in nearly every film Burton has directed -- and the script is fresh and inventive. Some of the most memorable moments: the opening sequence involving Pee Wee's morning activities is a stroke of genius (note the bunny slippers and talking breakfast), as are the scenes at the truck stop, and the "Hollywood" version of Pee Wee's story at the end (starring James Brolin and Morgan Fairchild in surprise cameos). In all, Pee Wee's Big Adventure is a delightful film, enjoyable for children as well as adults. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

Flixster Users

66% liked it

103,997 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

36 critics

PG, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Tim Burton

Release Date: July 26, 1985

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DVD Release Date: May 2, 2000

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Stats: 5,081 reviews

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Pee-wee's Big Adventure PEE WEE Mr T Cereal Pee Wee Herman, dancin' his little heart out! Pee Wee Herman!! Pee Wee Herman! Pee Wee Herman! Dottie Pee-wee's Big Adventure Exhibits Magic shop Mickey Winner Dream Pee-wee's Big Adventure Butler Trick gum Alamo
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Flixster Reviews (5,081)

  • cosmo313
    April 15, 2012
    cosmo313
    In three words: manic goofy weirdness.

    This marked Tim Burton's directorial debut, and, not only was it a big breakthrough for him, but a big stepping stone for co-writer and star Paul Reubens (credited as Pee-wee Herman) and composer Danny Elfman.

    The story follows the adventu... read morere of Pee-wee Herman, a lovable goofy man child who sets out on a cross country trip to recover his beloved bicycle that was stolen from him. Along the way he meets a wide variety of zany colorful characters, gets into some nutty situations, and truly does have a big adventure.

    The film is extremely offbeat, but that's probbbaly why it has become such a beloved cult classic. It's also an exercise in style and genre hopping, from road movies to German expressionism, with bits of surrealism and a whole lot more. This is an utterly wacky and lovable movie, and I can't beieve it took me so long to finally see it.

    I always sorta dug Pee-wee, even though a little bit of his shtick goes a long way. You really have to admire Reubens for his dedication to keeping in character, which isn't easy to do, especially with someone so delirious off kilter as Herman. Elizabeth Daily is good as Pee-wee's friend (who wants to be more than friends) Dottie, Diane Salinger is fun as a waitress named Simone who longs to see Paris, and Judd Omen is great as Mickey- the criminal on the lam who Pee-wee hitches a ride from.

    Lots of Tim Burton trademarks started here, from the misunderstood social outcast protagonist, to the partnership with Elfman, the offbeat style and crazy art direction. Speaking of all of that: it's top notch, especially Elfman's delightful score.

    All in all, this is a real gem. It's definitely not for all tastes, but if you crave something wacky, and odd, but still pretty harmless, then this is the film for you.
  • skeletonking101
    February 5, 2012
    skeletonking101
    One of my earliest memories of childhood is when my sisters told me to come in to check something out when they were watching this movie with me having no context to the film. Pee Wee was in a truck with an old lady and then she goes "it looked like THIS" BLAAAAHAHHAHAHAHa! From ... read morethen I jumped three feet in the air and ran into my room. Now that I have that trip on memory lane out of the way, lets talk about Pee Wee.

    Everyone in the 90s grew up with Pee Wees playhouse, because it had things that every kid would see when they're on sugar high and can enjoy it even with the adults can enjoy it. The character of Pee Wee I think is one of those perfect embodiment's of how we all acted when we were very little and it is put in an adult body, which we can all enjoy, and with Pee Wee's big adventure, director Tim Burton exploits the heck out of it.

    Paul Reubens plays his trademarked character and he does a fantastic job at playing this character as usual and makes him both a likable character and an off the wall character. One of the best things about this character is that this film is just his comedic development with other characters he meets along the way when he tries to find his lost bike, he meets a girl who wants to go to France with a mean boyfriend, a group of thugs at a bar who he befriends when dancing to the song Tequila, and even an escaped convict. Many of these characters lead to many hysterical moments and to some of the most memorable scenes in the movie.

    The comedy in this film is quite possibly some of the best I've ever seen and it is brilliantly pulled off with some of the best slapstick and comedic lines of all time. Again, the Tequila scene is one of the funniest scenes when he entertains a group of biker thugs at a bar. But one of the funniest scenes in the movie is the pool fight with Pee Wee and his rival Francis who he thinks stole his bike. Pee Wee has some of his funniest moments when he fights with Francis just because of how these two adults act like 6 year old kids. Another one of the funniest scenes in the film is a scene involving Pee Wee hitchiking with a criminal who he is running from the cops, but when they run across the cops, Pee Wee gets the idea to dress up themselves as a traveling couple. But one of the funniest (And strangest) scenes is when Pee Wee finds his bike on a film set and takes it in the middle of a film shooting and rides through several different sets including a Godzilla style set, a Santa Claus set, and even a Twisted Sister music video.

    To conclude this review, all I can say, is that it is what really started to make Pee Wee a phenomenon and led to his TV show and being considered one of the strangest shows of all time, and I definitely agree. And if you are in the mood for a great and bizarre comedy, definitely check this out.
  • fb729949618
    October 2, 2011
    fb729949618
    Fun and clever. Great film for anyone.
  • fb100001581602053
    March 9, 2011
    fb100001581602053
    My favorite film of all time and the most entertaining film of all time.
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    February 1, 2011
    LoughnerWasLucid
    This to me is the one movie that never gets old. i could watch it every week. And its a different experience seeing it with other people, than it is by yourself. I wish i loved a woman like he loves his bike.
  • ajv2688
    January 18, 2011
    ajv2688
    I love this movie, it's hilarious and so much fun! Even if you've never seen Pee-Wee's Playhouse, you'll laugh and love this movie. I highly recommend it.
  • coollala0910
    November 9, 2010
    coollala0910
    In Tim Burton's directorial debut, Pee-Wee Herman is an immature child-like man who loves his bike. One day it disappears and Pee-Wee goes out to look for it. He then embarks on a road trip all over the U.S. in order to find it. ALong the way, he meets strange people and runs int... read moreo tons of hilarious mischeif.

    Pee-Wee's Big Adventure is bizarre, surreal, sometimes downright creepy, but most of all funny. Despite being immature, Pee-Wee is not annoying. He can make anyone laugh.

    This is probably the best movie where the protagonist is immature and child-like. Very funny! Check it out if you haven't!

    "I meant to do that."

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzolCu-QLw0
  • CloudStrife84
    October 19, 2010
    CloudStrife84
    Colorful, quirky and highly original. Oh, this sure is a Tim Burton movie all right, no mistake about that. What was less obvious, however, was how I was gonna rate it. I mean, it's so random and childish, that there are as many annoying parts as there are amusing ones. The kind ... read moreof film that you really need to be in the right mood for, or you might end up hating it. As for my opinion, I stand a little conflicted. Overall, I liked it though, even if it won't land a position on my Top 10 Movies by Tim Burton list.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    May 15, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    This was a must see at some point. It's a Tim Burton film after all...
    I think what cracked me up the best was the Hollywood interpretation of his adventure at the end. LOL! Very clever. Even his ride through WB studios. Funny!
    Didn't see a lot of the Tim Burton style, but he was... read more still a youngin at this point. The portrayal of Texas hurt my heart a little...
  • ythelastman89
    January 19, 2010
    ythelastman89
    A completely bizarre and hilarious take on the character of Pee-Wee. Paul Reubens is priceless and just makes the role so much fun. While it has almost no relation in form to the show (besides Pee-Wee himself), it is an amazing ride that could only be helmed by Tim Burton. The co... read moremedy is like no other and has an extremely sarcastic tone to it.

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Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
February 9, 2010
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Reubens always lets us feel superior to his creation, and when his character slips, as it does more than once in this first feature outing, his own condescension shows through. Full Review

February 9, 2010
TIME Magazine

Fair warning: this movie could induce terminal boredom in adults and rot the minds of the young. Full Review

Variety Staff
February 9, 2010
Variety Staff, Variety

Children should love the film and adults will be dismayed by the light brushstrokes with which Paul Reubens (one of three credited screenwriters, but star-billed under his stage name, Pee-wee Herman) ... Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

You have been warned. Full Review

Peter Canavese
October 14, 2011
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

A purely creative movie that one must admit has no equal in cinema history (for better or worse). [Blu-ray] Full Review

February 9, 2010
Film4

It's surreal, funny, clever and disarming in equal measures. Full Review

February 9, 2010
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Two stars were born with the release of this film -- one in front of the camera and one behind it. Full Review

February 9, 2010
Empire Magazine

Burton's first feature revels in the weird, the unpredictable, the infantile and the absurd. A dazzling debut. Full Review

Beth Accomando
July 8, 2008
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org

The filmmakers create a zany and surreal world for Pee-wee yet it all seems perfectly natural and credible. Plus, it's all infused with a subdued yet rampant silliness that's enchanting. Full Review

Carol Cling
September 29, 2006
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Tim Burton's visual imagination proves a perfect match for Pee-wee's fanciful exploits.

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Facts

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    • Pee-Wee Herman: I brought you guys....FRENCH FRIES!
    • Simone: Do you have any dreams?
    • Pee-Wee Herman: Yeah, I'm all alone. I'm rolling a big doughnut and this snake wearing a vest...
    • Pee-Wee Herman: (After he noticed his bike was stolen] Dottie!
    • Pee-Wee Herman: I know you are, but what am I?
    • Pee-Wee Herman: there's things about me you don't know, there's things about me you don't want to know.
Submit a Fact | View All

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Pee-wee's Big Adventure Trivia

  • In the Tim Burton film Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, what was Pee-Wee searching for?  Answer »
  • In the movie PeeWee's Big Adventure, what is the name of PeeWee's dog?  Answer »
  • True or False: Phil Hartman was one of the writers for PeeWee's Big Adventure.  Answer »
  • Ron Howard directed all these movies but one. which one?  Answer »
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