Free Willy 3: The Rescue
“A new friend. A new threat. A new adventure that will capture your heart.”
Synopsis
Willy the whale is back, this time threatened by illegal whalers making money off sushi. Jesse, now 16, has taken a job on an orca-researching ship, along with old friend Randolph and a sarcastic scientist, Drew. On the whaler's ship is captain John Wesley and his son, Max, who isn't really pleased about his father's job, but doesn't have the gut to say so. Along the way, Willy reunites with Jesse.
Part of the Free Willy Collection
Stream the entire interconnected saga and experience every installment in chronological storyline order.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Trailer #1Official
Type: Trailer • Published 2014-07-08
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Jason James Richter
Jesse
August Schellenberg
Randolph Johnson
Annie Corley
Drew Halbert
Vincent Berry
Max Wesley
Patrick Kilpatrick
John Wesley
Tasha Simms
Mary Wesley
Peter LaCroix
Sanderson
Stephen E. Miller
Dineen
Ian Tracey
Kron
Matthew Walker
Captain Drake
Roger Cross
1st Mate Stevens
Roman Danylo
Pizza Kid
Rick Burgess
Smiley
Release History & Theatrical Window
August 8, 1997
Wide Cinema Exhibition
January 23, 1998
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$35M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$3.4M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
0.1x
-$31.6M deficit
Theatrical Status
Budget Return
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Sam Pillsbury
- Screenplay & Story
- Keith Walker, John Mattson
- Original Score
- Cliff Eidelman
- Original Title
- Free Willy 3: The Rescue
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Hungarian
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Production Budget
- $35M
- Worldwide Gross
- $3.4M
- Production Studios
- Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions, Regency Enterprises, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Family Entertainment
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Sam Pillsbury
Keith Walker, John Mattson
Cliff Eidelman
Tobias A. Schliessler
Margaret Goodspeed
Richard Donner, Jennie Lew Tugend, Arnon Milchan, Lauren Shuler Donner
Department Leadership Roster
Sam Pillsbury
Director
Dan Bradley
Stunt Coordinator
John Mattson
Writer
Jennie Lew Tugend
Producer
Cliff Eidelman
Original Music Composer
Tobias A. Schliessler
Director of Photography
Margaret Goodspeed
Editor
Brent Thomas
Production Design
Maya Mani
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
FSK 0 — Approved without age restriction.
Universal — Suitable for all audiences.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Free Willy 3: The Rescue.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Free Willy 3: The Rescue
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Free Willy 3: The Rescue about?
Willy the whale is back, this time threatened by illegal whalers making money off sushi. Jesse, now 16, has taken a job on an orca-researching ship, along with old friend Randolph and a sarcastic scientist, Drew. On the whaler's ship is captain John Wesley and his son, Max, who isn't really pleased about his father's job, but doesn't have the gut to say so. Along the way, Willy reunites with Jesse.
Who directed Free Willy 3: The Rescue?
Free Willy 3: The Rescue was directed by Sam Pillsbury.
Who stars in Free Willy 3: The Rescue?
The principal cast of Free Willy 3: The Rescue includes Jason James Richter, August Schellenberg, Annie Corley, Vincent Berry, Patrick Kilpatrick.
When was Free Willy 3: The Rescue released and how long is it?
Free Willy 3: The Rescue was released in 1997 with a total runtime of 1h 26m.
What was the box office and production budget of Free Willy 3: The Rescue?
Free Willy 3: The Rescue had a reported production budget of $35M and grossed $3.4M at the worldwide box office (0.1 return on budget, classified as a underperformed).
Who composed the musical score for Free Willy 3: The Rescue?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Free Willy 3: The Rescue was composed by Cliff Eidelman.
Is Free Willy 3: The Rescue based on a book or true story?
Free Willy 3: The Rescue is adapted from the following source material: Characters: "Keith Walker".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Free Willy 3: The Rescue?
Free Willy 3: The Rescue holds official age classifications: AU: PG (Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.); DE: 0 (FSK 0 — Approved without age restriction.); GB: U (Universal — Suitable for all audiences.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).