Returning from a hunting trip in the forest, the Henderson family's car hits an animal in the road. At first they fear it was a man, but when they examine the "body" they find it's a "bigfoot". They think it's dead so they decide to take it home (there could be some money in this). As you guessed, it isn't dead. Far from being the ferocious monster they fear "Harry" to be, he's a friendly giant.
Great watch, will watch again, and do recommend.
While the movie is quite dated at this point, it really isn't that noticeable. The biggest difference is that the information would travel much faster today, and probably the kids would be jerks and lend to the problem.
In 30+ years, I can't believe there hasn't been another Bigfoot movie that comes anywhere close to this, and none that I know of that paint Bigfoot in a positive light.
Kevin Peter Hall, as the guy in the Harry costume, is amazing in this. Granted, there is an animatronics team to perform the detailed facial moments that really make the movie, but "Harry" carries the movie. John Lithgow is right behind him as the human "every man", but it is probably the entire family cast interaction that really makes this movie as charming as it is.
And it completely is. It is really the reason to watch this movie. It's funny, it's touching, there is even some action in it.
Give this a watch, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.