Get the MovieNight app
Add it to your home screen — faster & full screen
Get the MovieNight app
Add it to your home screen — faster & full screen
Columbia Pictures
The Zanuck Company
Tim Burton Productions
Not part of a collection.
An adventure as big as life itself.
Throughout his life Edward Bloom has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years, he remains a huge mystery to his son, William. Now, to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures.
CinemaSerf
May 30, 2025 · via TMDB
I must admit I did struggle a little to wonder how Ewan McGregor could ever age into Albert Finley, but then as the whole principle of this story is to stretch the truth, then I suppose why not! It’s those very far-fetched sort of scenarios that caused this family’s problems in the first place as the young “Will” (Bully Crudup) has to return home after a three year estrangement from dad “Ed” (Finney) when the latter man is diagnosed with terminal cancer. A sort of uneasy truce breaks out between them as we realise that extent of their issues is more that the young lad actually believed some of the fantastic fables he was being spun by his enthusiastic younger dad (McGregor) and so feels that somehow he has been betrayed and lied to all these years. The most preposterous of those sees an early witchery outing for Helena Bonham Carter as the neighbour whose glass eye will espy the impending death of the startlingly naive young “Will”. The only solution here seems to be that dad acknowledges his failings to his profoundly disappointed son and maybe some form of reconciliation might emerge from these truths. “Edward” isn’t the apologising type, though, and so a bit of a Mexican stand-off seems destined to thwart any possibility of a rapprochement. Then again, could there be some truth to the old man’s stories after all? The inventive use of flashback and two really quite engaging efforts from McGregor and a sparingly used but effective Finney give this a certain poignancy as the ridiculousness of the initial premise of their falling out gives way to more serious and profound issues about truth. What might that actually be, and need it be the same truth for everyone? Maybe, just maybe, the young “Will” needs to take things a little less on face value? As the film progresses, the story becomes increasingly more touching and for that, the equally on-form Crudup can take much credit as this character study advances in the face of one tragedy, certainly, but hopefully not two. The switching around of the timelines works well and allows the production to indulge itself in two totally different eras with all of the creative benefits that offers. It’s quirky, quite funny and well worth a couple of hours.
JPV852
May 14, 2021 · via TMDB
First time seeing this since probably 2003 in theaters and it's absolutely heartfelt and charming, probably one of Tim Burton's best films, or at least one of my personal favorites of his. Great performances all around but especially Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney. Really well done. **4.5/5**
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
fuboTV
Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Plex
Ewan McGregor
Ed Bloom (young)
Albert Finney
Ed Bloom (senior)
Billy Crudup
Will Bloom
Jessica Lange
Sandra Bloom (senior)
Helena Bonham Carter
Jenny (young & senior) / The Witch
Alison Lohman
Sandra Bloom (young)
Robert Guillaume
Dr. Bennett (senior)
Marion Cotillard
Josephine
Matthew McGrory
Karl the Giant
David Denman
Don Price (age 18-22)
Missi Pyle
Mildred
Loudon Wainwright III
Beamen
Ada Tai
Ping
Arlene Tai
Jing
Steve Buscemi
Norther Winslow
Danny DeVito
Amos Calloway
Deep Roy
Mr. Soggybottom
Hailey Anne Nelson
Jenny (age 8)
R. Keith Harris
Ed's Father
Karla Droege
Ed's Mother
John Lowell
Don Price (age 12)
Darrell Vanterpool
Wilbur (age 10)
Miley Cyrus
Ruthie (age 8)
Morgan Grace Jarrett
Will's Date
Frank Hoyt Taylor
Sharecropper
Billy Redden
Banjo Man
James DeForest Parker
Shotgun Toter
Russell Hodgkinson
Some Farmer
Zach Hanner
Cashier
Lawrence Sykkmon
Chinese Emcee
Bonnie Johnson
Teller Woman
Trevor Gagnon
Will's son
Bevin Kaye
River Woman
L.C. Holt
Spectre Citizen (uncredited)
Dennis Gassner
Production Design
Nancy Haigh
Set Decoration
David Norris
Camera Operator
Philippe Rousselot
Director of Photography
Mary Ellen Mark
Still Photographer
Colleen Atwood
Costume Design
Seth Maury
CG Supervisor
Ben Shepherd
CGI Supervisor
Cynthia Onrubia
Choreographer
Carla Meyer
Dialect Coach
Tommy Harper
Second Unit
Charles Croughwell
Stunt Coordinator
Al Goto
Stunts
Bevin Kaye
Stunts
Corey Michael Eubanks
Stunts
Darlene Ava Williams
Stunts
Sonny Tipton
Stunts
Evan Schiff
Systems Administrators & Support
Tim Burton
Director
Katterli Frauenfelder
First Assistant Director
Chris Lebenzon
Editor
Katterli Frauenfelder
Associate Producer
Denise Chamian
Casting
Ingrid Jungermann
Casting Assistant
Bruce Cohen
Producer
Dan Jinks
Producer
Richard D. Zanuck
Producer
Gary A. Hecker
Foley Artist
Jeff Atmajian
Orchestrator
Danny Elfman
Original Music Composer
Petur Hliddal
Production Sound Mixer
Dennis Sands
Scoring Mixer
Craig Berkey
Sound Effects Designer
Greg P. Russell
Sound Mixer
Skip Lievsay
Supervising Sound Editor
Kevin Scott Mack
Visual Effects Supervisor
John August
Screenplay
Les Anneaux de Bicêtre
The Firebird
Theater Of Faces
Stín
My Week with Maisy
Alexandra
Hôtel Minéral
Dödens Gudson
Sayonara, Girls.
Rhubarb and Roses
Molly
1591
Spirited Away
The Green Mile
Forrest Gump
Life Is Beautiful
Howl's Moving Castle
It's a Wonderful Life
Tokyo Story
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
American Beauty
The Adventures of Nasreddin
This Is Your Song
La Strada
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
A Bronx Tale
The Notebook
Persepolis
Cries and Whispers
Dog Day Afternoon
Finding Nemo
Donnie Darko
Wings of Desire
Stand by Me
Rocky
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
Magnolia
The Celebration
Cléo from 5 to 7
A Walk to Remember
Jaws
White Heat
Groundhog Day
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Koi Aap Sa
Synecdoche, New York
Breaking the Waves
Eyes Wide Shut
The Bride with the Most Beautiful Eyes
Sorry If I Call You Love
Altas variedades
Custody
The Polar Bear Prince
Rebel Without a Cause
Open Your Eyes
Frida
Hobson's Choice
Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Ice Age
The Little Mermaid
The African Queen
The Magnificent Ambersons
Finding Neverland
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Stolen Kisses
Rocky II
We Shall Overcome
Stardust
Brian's Song
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Pleasantville
The Sword in the Stone
The Edukators
People on Sunday
Take My Eyes
The Secret
Journey to Italy
The Wedding Banquet
Strange Circus
City of the Rising Sun
Big
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Antoine and Colette
BURN THE WITCH #0.8
The Spanish Apartment
Open Hearts
High Fidelity
Tabu: A Story of the South Seas
Dear Frankie
Terms of Endearment
Flywheel
Cha Cha Real Smooth
Nanook of the North
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
A Goofy Movie
My Own Private Idaho
Monsieur Ibrahim
A River Runs Through It
Chocolat
Transamerica
Whale Rider
Away from Her
A Guy Could Change
A Beautiful Woman
Zirkus des Lebens
The Science of Sleep
Heavenly Creatures
The Unloved Woman
Sleeping Beauty
Cold Mountain
Death at a Funeral
Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams
The Horse Whisperer
The Beat That My Heart Skipped
Benny's Video
Das letzte Stück Himmel
Pauline at the Beach
We Die Alone
Underworld
One Week
The State I Am In
Lights in the Dusk
Tarnation
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
The Light
Netto
Love Story
The Craft
The Good Son
Underdogs
Ilya Muromets and Sparrow the Robber
Summer Storm
Monster's Ball
One Man and his Cow
Chasing Amy
Dark Blue Almost Black
Bruce Almighty
Not Here to Be Loved
Bridget Jones's Diary
Sex and Lucía
Games of Love and Chance
The 13th Warrior
The Nasty Girl
The Tree of Life
Dying Young
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Out of the Darkness
We Own the Night
Rambo: First Blood Part II
That's My Man
Parenthood
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Party
Grill Point
Bell, Book and Candle
Infinity
The Ref
How Old Are You
Bang the Drum Slowly
Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself
Alias
Emma's Bliss
Golden Door
The Beach
Learning to Lie
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead
Five Times Two
The Black Cauldron
Singles
Fortune Comes at Nine o'Clock
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
Hancock
Hearth Fires
The Last Mimzy
1-2-3 Corona
1st Bite
Men Up
Cassandra's Dream
Inkheart
Afternoon
Last Chance Harvey
Children of Hotel America
Las Horas Contigo
Shed Skin Papa
The Best Man's Wedding
Fat Girl
Thumbsucker
My Life Without Me
Beste Zeit
Sounds of Sand
Nathalie Granger
Snow White: A Tale of Terror
The Girl in the Lift
Agnes and His Brothers
Spanglish
The Last Witch Hunter
Bibi Blocksberg
Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts
Our Meal for Tomorrow
Sensitive Parts
Love Note
Believe
Medicine Man
Blow Dry
The Night of the Grizzly
Prague
Betrayal
Koothara
The Good German
The Ewok Adventure
Bogus
3 Ninjas
Jungle of Death
Tru Love
Rocky V
No Songs of Love
Joe Dirt
Summer '04
SommerHundeSöhne
Solo for Clarinet
The Cry of the Owl
Animal
Light of Day
Hotel Very Welcome
How to Deal
The Little Mermaid
Cracked Eggs and Noodles
Sticky Notes
The Circle
Home Alone da Riber
Love, Brooklyn
Félix and the Fish
The Next Best Thing
Hypersomnia
Restless Souls
Iron & Blood: The Legend of Taras Bulba
Her Will Be Done
36 Fillette
Red
Heartbreak Hotel
Straight Shooter
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
Deathstalker
About the Looking for and the Finding of Love
Fishtales
Sex, Party and Lies
The Piano Player
Intimate Parts
Great Great Great
Magic Men
Honey Bee 2: Celebrations
My Sister is a Tomboy
The Room
Bell Witch Haunting
Une glace avec deux boules...
Crying for Love
Čertův švagr
The Farewells
Inka
Blues
Incident Urbain
Love Child
morii
Farewell
La última función
Hadač od Saidovy zahrady
Podivná nevěsta
Suba sang Malogo
Núraddín Ali a Anísaldžalísa
O krásnej strige
O těch Martinových dudách
Clown ou La Fin du Cirque
Escape
4EVER
Daughters & Sons
A Witch Lives In The Attic
Martyr
Malamour
Almost Finished
Sofia
In Pursuit of Desires…
Hear me
Bye Bye Marnie
Untitled
Wolfwalkers
How to Train Your Dragon
A Dog's Purpose
The Wizard of Oz
A Monster Calls
The Last Unicorn
Jumanji
Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Scarygirl
Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge
The Spiderwick Chronicles
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Where the Wild Things Are
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
FairyTale: A True Story
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Inkheart
The House of Magic
Pinocchio
Nico the Unicorn
The Legend of Ochi
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
The Jungle Book
Pan
Oz the Great and Powerful
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
Come Away
The Ewok Adventure
Dec 4, 2003
Hammerstein Ballroom
Dec 10, 2003
Jan 9, 2004
© 2025-2026 MovieNight. All rights reserved.
Versus
Sign in to play →
The Stranglers - Live '78, SF
1978
Saddle Leather Law
1944
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
Versus
Sign in to play →
The Stranglers - Live '78, SF
1978
Saddle Leather Law
1944
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
We use essential cookies to run MovieNight, plus analytics (Google Analytics) and advertising (Google AdSense) cookies. By continuing to browse, you agree to this — or click No and we won't. See our Terms & Privacy Policy to learn more.