The Big Blue
“Danger...Like Passion...Runs Deep”
Childhood friends Jacques and Enzo share a passion for the danger of free diving. Jacques, following in the footsteps of his father, who died at sea when Jacques was a boy, harbors a remarkable ability to adjust his heart rate and breathing patterns in the water, with his vital signs more closely resembling those of dolphins than men.
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Cast
28 people
Rosanna Arquette
Johana Baker
Known for
Pulp Fiction
After Hours
Jean-Marc Barr
Jacques Mayol
Known for
Europa
Nymphomaniac: Vol. II
Jean Reno
Enzo Molinari
Known for
Léon: The Professional
The Da Vinci Code
Paul Shenar
Dr. Laurence
Known for
Scarface
Raw Deal
Sergio Castellitto
Novelli
Known for
The Gentlemen
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Jean Bouise
Uncle Louis
Known for
Nikita
The Old Gun
Marc Duret
Roberto
Known for
Nikita
Franklin
Griffin Dunne
Duffy
Known for
After Hours
An American Werewolf in London
Valentina Vargas
Bonita
Known for
Hellraiser: Bloodline
The Name of the Rose
Kimberly Beck
Sally
Known for
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
Massacre at Central High
Alessandra Vazzoler
La Mamma
Known for
Ator, the Fighting Eagle
Too Much
Andréas Voutsinas
Priest
Known for
The Producers
The Twelve Chairs
Luc Besson Director · Robert Garland Screenplay Marilyn Goldin Screenplay
Worldwide gross $4M · Budget $14M · United States release August 19, 1988
Box office
Budget
$13,500,000
Worldwide gross
$4,000,000
Gross vs. budget
0.3×
Production
Gaumont
Production · Studio
Les Films du Loup
Production
France · United States
Produced in
Languages
Original title
Le Grand Bleu
Original language
French
Spoken on screen
English · French · Italian
Release dates
Switzerland · May 10, 1988
Theatrical
France · May 11, 1988
Theatrical
United States · August 19, 1988
Theatrical
Australia
November 10, 1988 · Theatrical
Brazil
July 12, 2004 · Physical · VHS / DVD
January 31, 2007 · TV · Record
Czechia
May 15, 1994 · Limited theatrical · Film clubs only
Denmark
December 26, 1988 · Theatrical
Finland
October 21, 1988 · Theatrical
France
May 11, 1988 · Premiere · Cannes Film Festival
January 11, 1989 · Theatrical · Director's Cut
Germany
September 22, 1988 · Theatrical
June 6, 2023 · Theatrical · Best of Cinema
Greece
July 1, 1988 · Theatrical
Hungary
August 2, 1990 · Theatrical
Italy
September 27, 2002 · Theatrical
Japan
August 20, 1988 · Theatrical · International ver.
June 20, 1992 · Limited theatrical · Long ver.
August 8, 1998 · Theatrical · Original (France) ver.
August 29, 2025 · Limited theatrical · Long 4K ver.
Netherlands
March 23, 1989 · Theatrical
November 13, 2012 · Physical · Blu-ray
November 16, 2012 · Physical · DVD
Philippines
April 8, 1989 · Theatrical
Poland
January 23, 2026 · Limited theatrical · 4K re-release
Portugal
October 14, 1988 · Theatrical
South Korea
May 15, 1993 · Theatrical
July 25, 2013 · Theatrical · Re-release
Sweden
September 30, 1988 · Theatrical
February 1, 1991 · Theatrical · Director's Cut
Türkiye
August 1, 1989 · Theatrical
United Kingdom
February 24, 1989 · Theatrical
Uruguay
April 6, 1989 · Theatrical
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