Big Fish

At Will Bloom's wedding celebration, his father Edward shares a fantastical tale about the day Will was born. Edward claims that he once caught an enormous catfish using his wedding ring as bait, captivating the guests, but Will remains skeptical about his father's stories.

Three years after the wedding, Edward is diagnosed with cancer, prompting Will and his pregnant wife Joséphine to return to Alabama. They aim to spend precious time with Edward before it’s too late, reflecting on their complex relationship.

In a series of vivid flashbacks, young Edward meets a mysterious witch in his hometown of Ashton. She reveals a vision of his death, but rather than being fearful, Edward accepts his fate and begins to seek adventure beyond the confines of his small town.

Feeling like an outsider at school, Edward forms a bond with a misunderstood giant named Karl, who arrives with a traveling circus. Together, they dream of leaving their small town behind to find adventure in the wider world.

Edward and Karl part ways at a fork in the road, leading Edward to the enchanting town of Spectre. There, he meets a local poet, Norther Winslow, and the mayor's daughter, Jenny, who welcome him warmly and insist they had been expecting him.

While in Spectre, Edward forms a close connection with Jenny and promises to return to her. However, feeling the pull of his adventurous spirit, Edward realizes he cannot settle down and leaves the town behind.

After reunifying with Karl, Edward finds himself at the Calloway Circus, where he encounters Sandra, a mesmerizing woman. Though he becomes infatuated with her, he learns she is engaged to another man, Don Price, igniting a rivalry.

Despite a confrontation with Don, Edward expresses his feelings for Sandra and ultimately wins her heart. Sandra breaks off her engagement and agrees to marry Edward, marking a pivotal moment in his life.

Shortly after their wedding, Edward is drafted into the army and deployed to fight in the Korean War. Relentless in his determination to return home quickly, he undertakes dangerous missions, trying to shorten his service time.

After returning from military service, Edward becomes a traveling salesman. In a twist of fate, he unintentionally assists his friend Winslow in a bank robbery, which propels Winslow to success and provides Edward a chance to fulfill his dream of a home.

In the present, Will becomes curious about his father's legendary stories and sets out to discover their truth. His journey leads him to Spectre, where he meets an older Jenny who reveals Edward's forgotten contributions to the town.

Upon returning home, Will learns about the ordinary circumstances surrounding his birth, which starkly contrasts his father's embellished stories. This revelation helps Will appreciate Edward’s imaginative storytelling and the purpose behind it.

As Edward lies unconscious in the hospital, he conveys a desire for Will to tell him a fictional ending to his life. Will creates a tale of escapade where they escape the hospital to a magical lake populated with Edward's past characters.

At Edward’s funeral, Will is taken aback to see all the characters from his father's tall tales present. This moment signifies Will's acceptance of Edward’s vibrant spirit and storytelling legacy, inspiring him to pass it on to his own child.