During its opening weekend, the film opened in second place behind Crocodile Dundee II, earning $8.2 million. The Italian film Da grande (1987) has been said to be the inspiration for Big. After sharing an emotional goodbye with Susan, Josh transforms into a child again before reuniting with his family and Billy. Josh is grateful for their time together and suggests she use the machine to turn herself into a little girl. At the park, Josh finds the machine, unplugs it, and makes a wish to become a child again. Josh learns from Billy that the Zoltar machine is now at Sea Point Park, and he leaves in the middle of his presentation to MacMillan and the other executives.

Directed by Mike Ockrent, and choreographed by Susan Stroman, it opened on April 28, 1996, and closed on October 13, 1996, after 193 performances. In June 2008, AFI named it the tenth-best film in the fantasy genre. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of “A” on an A+ to F scale. It was the first feature film directed by a woman to gross over $100 million.

The next morning, Josh discovers that he has grown into an adult overnight. It dispenses a card stating “Your wish is granted,” but Josh notices the machine has been unplugged the entire time. Thirteen-year-old Josh Baskin tries to impress a girl by going on a carnival ride but is rejected as he is too short. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor (Hanks) and Unli Slots Casino Best Original Screenplay.