Free Willy

If you want animation that is not just for kids, Free Willy is available in Australia on Netflix and HBO Max, and in the UK on Sky Go and Now TV Cinema right now. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 1,999 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Watch it in order — the character development is cumulative. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Netflix.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Free Willy is worth clearing space for. Free Willy has the visual identity that makes it immediately recognisable, and the writing to back it up. When maladjusted orphan Jesse vandalizes a theme park, he is placed with foster parents and must work at the park to make amends. There he meets Willy, a young Orca whale who has been separated from his family. Sensing kinship, they form a bond and, with the help of kindly whale trainer Rae Lindley, develop a routine of tricks. The voice work from Jason James Richter and Keiko adds real texture, not just recognisable names. It was released in 1993. Free Willy uses the freedom of animation to tell stories live-action could not attempt. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you have been sleeping on Free Willy because of the format, the format is not the issue here. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Jason James Richter brings more to the role than the format usually demands. A harder one to justify skipping than to start.