IMDb 6.6 1986 HD

The Boy Who Could Fly

The Boy Who Could Fly

1986
Drama Family Fantasy
114 min PG USA
6.29 / 10
6.6 IMDB

Milly and Louis, and their recently-widowed mom, Charlene, move to a new neighborhood. Once there, they all deal with a variety of personal problems, but Milly finds a…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Nick Castle
Starring
Lucy Deakins / Jay Underwood / Fred Savage / Bonnie Bedelia / Colleen Dewhurst / Fred Gwynne / Jason Priestley / Cameron Bancroft

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

heartwarming poignant magical hopeful sensitive earnest gentle emotional understated transformative affecting

Reviews

S
Sophia Chen
May 20, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This film is a quiet triumph of understated storytelling. 'The Boy Who Could Fly' excels in its portrayal of human resilience and the unexpected ways in which we find solace. The narrative, focusing on Milly's adaptation to a…

L
Liam O'Connell
May 20, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

In 'The Boy Who Could Fly', we find a story that attempts to balance the harsh realities of grief with a touch of the fantastical. The arrival of Milly and her family in a new town sets the…

I
Isabelle Dubois
May 20, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

'The Boy Who Could Fly' is a cinematic gem that deserves rediscovery. It masterfully blends the everyday struggles of a widowed mother and her children with an almost ethereal sense of wonder, primarily channelled through Eric's captivating fixation…

M
Marcus Thorne
May 20, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This 1986 offering, 'The Boy Who Could Fly', presents a rather earnest take on a family grappling with loss. The narrative pivots around Milly's encounter with Eric, her neighbour whose unique perspective on the world, particularly his obsession…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 20, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A tender exploration of grief and connection, 'The Boy Who Could Fly' is a film that lingers long after the credits roll. Lucy Deakins shines as Milly, navigating the complexities of a new home and a fractured family.…

FAQs

Audiences can anticipate sincere and affecting performances, particularly from the younger cast members who carry much of the film's emotional weight. Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood, as Milly and Eric respectively, deliver nuanced portrayals that capture the complexities of their characters' developing relationship. The adult actors provide a grounding presence, effectively conveying the challenges faced by the family.