What is Free Willy about?

Free Willy is an animated television series, inspired by the 1993 film of the same name. This television series was produced by Warner Bros. Television, Regency Enterprises and the Canadian company Nelvana for Warner Bros. Studios. The show, which aired for one season on American Broadcasting Company, continues the adventures of the orca Willy and Jesse, the boy who freed him from captivity as shown in the film. In retrospect, the series also anticipates multiple plot elements of the film sequel, Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home, released the following summer. The overarching conflict is reminiscent of Moby-Dick: a powerful oil baron, known to the main characters only as a cyborg called "The Machine" until the final episodes, loses his arm and part of his face to Willy while committing an environmental atrocity and wants revenge upon "that rotten whale... and his boy".

Latest episode

S1 · Episode 1 — Truth Talker · 1994-09-24

Jesse begins his new job at Misty Island Park. However, just as he meets Mr. Naugle, Randolph, and Marlene—the crew of the rescue center—he quickly becomes unpopular. His friend Willy, the orca, eats all the fish intended for the sick and injured animals. Shortly after, Jesse has a confrontation with Mr. Naugle, the center's director, and decides to quit his job abruptly. Then something extraordinary occurs: Jesse suddenly realizes that he can understand Willy, and the whale seems to understand him as well. Randolph, a Native American, explains to Jesse that there are children who can communicate with animals. Are Willy and Jesse soul brothers?

Genres: Animation, Kids, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
First aired: 1994-09-24
Rating: ★ 5.0 / 10

Top cast

Zachary Bennett Jesse (voice)
Paul Haddad Willy (voice)
Alyson Court Lucille (voice)
Rachael Crawford Marlene (voice)
Gary Krawford The Machine (a.k.a. Rockland Stone) (voice)
Michael Fletcher Randolph (voice)

How to Watch Free Willy on XCIPTV

Watching Free Willy on XCIPTV takes about a minute: start a free trial, open the app on your TV, phone, Fire Stick or browser, and press play — all in 4K Ultra HD.