Pee-wee's Big Adventure is a 1985 American adventure comedy film directed by Tim Burton in his full-length film directing debut and starring Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman with supporting roles provided by Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger and Judd Omen. Reubens also co-wrote the script with Phil Hartman and Michael Varhol. It spawned two sequels, Big Top Pee-wee (1988) and Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016).
Combined theatrical financials and commercial performance across all 3 installments.
Total Worldwide Gross
$56M
Cumulative box office receipts
Total Production Budget
$26M
Combined studio investments
Average Gross / Film
$18.7M
Average theatrical return
Commercial Multiple
2.15x
Worldwide Gross vs Budget
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The eccentric and childish Pee-wee Herman embarks on a big adventure when his beloved bicycle is stolen. Armed with information from a fortune-teller and a relentless obsession with his prized possession, Pee-wee encounters a host of odd characters and bizarre situations as he treks across the country to recover his bike.
Paul Reubens stars as Pee-wee Herman in his second full-length film about a farmer who joins the circus after a storm drops a big tent in his front yard. Pee-wee, along with an outlandish cast of animals and circus performers, puts on the best show ever.
A fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday.