Big

Josh Baskin is a shy 13 year old who makes a wish at a carnival machine to be big. The wish comes true in a startling way when he wakes up the next day with the body of an adult man but the mind and heart of a kid. He suddenly faces the dizzying realities of grown up life, from finding a job to navigating dating, money, and independence. He lands a position in a bustling department store and befriends coworkers who treat him with surprising respect, even as his inexperience threatens to trip him up. He preserves a stubborn optimism and curiosity, and he discovers that maturity isn’t just about size but about choices, kindness, and who you become.

Directed by Penny Marshall, Big arrived in 1988 and became a showcase for Tom Hanks's broad range. The screenplay by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg, based on their own idea, blends whimsy with genuine emotion and strong character work throughout.

The film was a box office success drawing audiences worldwide and helping cement Tom Hanks as a versatile leading man capable of balancing laughs with genuine everyday emotion. It showed that family friendly comedies could perform strongly at box office.

The FAO Schwarz piano scene where Josh as an adult launches into a playful Chopin like rhythm on a giant keyboard remains a cultural touchstone, often cited as a defining moment of 80s cinema. The film helped popularize a warmer view of growing up and responsibility alongside humor and optimism.

Critics praised Hanks's performance and Marshall's light touch in blending whimsy with sentiment. The movie explores identity and the responsibilities of adulthood through a child's perspective, celebrating friendship, honesty, and the idea that real maturity comes from choices, empathy, and how you treat people, not the size of your frame.