Mighty Joe Young.

Name: Mighty Joe Young
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family
Released: 1998-12-25
Duration: 114 min
Cast: Bill Paxton, Charlize Theron, Rade Serbedzija, Regina King, Peter Firth

A giant friend in a world too small for him.

Jill Young has grown up protecting Joe, an enormous gorilla living in Africa. They move to a California sanctuary to escape poachers, but a hunter from their past follows them and threatens the safety they hoped to find.

55%Tomatometer53 critics · Rotten Tomatoes

Checked Oct 20, 2026. About these scores

Why it’s a little special

Expressive creature effects support an emotional animal adventure about protection, loyalty and courage.

BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY

Know the story.
Know your little people.

Parental guidance suggested

US film rating

Poachers kill a parent and an animal early on. Later scenes include guns, animal cruelty, frantic crowds, a major fire and a child in danger.

Our notes are a starting point, not an age recommendation. G and PG films can still include intense moments. You know your family best.

BEHIND THE SCENES

The little details.

Directed by: Ron Underwood
Starring: Bill Paxton, Charlize Theron, Rade Serbedzija, Regina King, Peter Firth, Naveen Andrews, David Paymer, Robert Wisdom, Christian Clemenson, Geoffrey Blake, Lawrence Pressman, Linda Purl
Written by: Merian C. Cooper, Ruth Rose, Mark Rosenthal, Lawrence Konner
Produced by: Ralph Winter, Michael Fottrell, Ted Hartley, Tom Jacobson, Gail Katz
Release date: December 25, 1998
Runtime: 114 minutes
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Language: English