Cast your line into the cinematic sea where tales of adventure and the tranquility of the waters are masterfully blended.
From epic struggles with the forces of nature to heartwarming tales of personal discovery, these films and shows tug at more than just your fishing line.
Eager to reel in the top fishing movies, shows, and documentaries that have netted the hearts of audiences?
Best Fishing Movies, Shows, and Documentaries:
- A River Runs Through It (1992)
- The Old Man and the Sea (1958)
- The Perfect Storm (2000)
- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)
- Big Fish (2003)
- On Golden Pond (1981)
- The River Why (2010)
- Grumpy Old Men (1993)
- Moby Dick (1956)
- Jaws (1975)
Table of Contents
#1 A River Runs Through It (1992)
- 🎬 Directed by: Robert Redford
- 🌟 Starring: Brad Pitt, Craig Sheffer, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn
In A River Runs Through It, the story follows two brothers, Norman and Paul Maclean, growing up in Montana during the early 20th century.
Under the stern guidance of their minister’s father, the boys learn the art of fly-fishing, which becomes a metaphor for their values and outlooks on life. The film beautifully explores family dynamics, nature, and the paths the brothers take as they grow into adulthood.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play Movies & TV
#2 The Old Man and the Sea (1958)
- 🎬 Directed by: John Sturges
- 🌟 Starring: Spencer Tracy
The Old Man and the Sea is based on Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel. The film stars Spencer Tracy as Santiago, an aging, down-on-his-luck Cuban fisherman.
The storyline centers on Santiago’s epic battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. It is a tale of perseverance, pride, and personal struggle.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV
#3 The Perfect Storm (2000)
- 🎬 Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
- 🌟 Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, John C. Reilly
The Perfect Storm, inspired by a true story, recounts the harrowing experience of the Andrea Gail crew, a commercial fishing vessel caught amid a monstrous storm in the North Atlantic.
The dramatic thriller plunges the audience into the dangers the crew faces as they battle the ruthless sea for survival.
Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
#4 Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)
- 🎬 Directed by: Lasse Hallström
- 🌟 Starring: Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas, Amr Waked
Salmon Fishing in Yemen is a delightful romantic comedy-drama that involves a wealthy sheik who dreams of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert.
Skeptical scientist Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor) is brought in to accomplish this near-impossible task. Along the way, the project becomes a journey of faith and fish that leads to unexpected personal and professional awakenings.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu
#5 Big Fish (2003)
- 🎬 Directed by: Tim Burton
- 🌟 Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange
Big Fish is a fantastical tale directed by Tim Burton that explores the life of Edward Bloom, a man known for his larger-than-life stories.
The film delves into Bloom’s past and the extraordinary encounters he claims to have had, including a big fish that got away, using these fish tales as an allegory for the experiences that shape our lives.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
#6 On Golden Pond (1981)
- 🎬 Directed by: Mark Rydell
- 🌟 Starring: Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Jane Fonda
On Golden Pond is a heartfelt drama about aging and family relationships. It tells the story of Norman and Ethel Thayer, an elderly couple spending their summer at their New England vacation home on the idyllic Golden Pond.
Fishing is part of the summer tradition for the Thayers, particularly Norman’s birthday fishing trip, which becomes pivotal for bonding with his estranged daughter’s stepson.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
#7 The River Why (2010)
- 🎬 Directed by: Matthew Leutwyler
- 🌟 Starring: Zach Gilford, Amber Heard, William Hurt, Kathleen Quinlan
The River Why is the story of young Gus Orviston, a passionate fly-fisherman, who seeks solitude and meaning away from his family and the chaos of modern life.
By the stunning riverside in Oregon, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery intertwined with fishing, philosophy, romance, and the beauty of nature.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#8 Grumpy Old Men (1993)
- 🎬 Directed by: Donald Petrie
- 🌟 Starring: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret
Grumpy Old Men is a comedy about the rivalry between two curmudgeonly neighbors, John and Max, who have been feuding for most of their lives.
The film is infused with humor centered around their shared love of ice fishing. Their comedic antics take a turn with the arrival of a charming new neighbor, complicating both their friendship and their competition.
Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
#9 Moby Dick (1956)
- 🎬 Directed by: John Huston
- 🌟 Starring: Gregory Peck, Richard Basehart, Leo Genn
Moby Dick is an adaptation of Herman Melville’s classic novel. The film follows the voyage of the whaling ship Pequod led by the vengeful Captain Ahab, masterfully played by Gregory Peck.
Dominated by his obsession with capturing the great white whale, Moby Dick, Ahab leads his crew on a perilous journey that delves into themes of obsession, revenge, and the struggle against nature’s might.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV
#10 Jaws (1975)
- 🎬 Directed by: Steven Spielberg
- 🌟 Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
Jaws is a seminal thriller that changed the cinematic landscape forever. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie follows the terrifying tale of a giant man-eating great white shark that terrorizes the small island community of Amity.
As the body count rises, three individuals — a police chief, a marine biologist, and a shark hunter — set out to stop the deadly predator in a harrowing battle at sea.
Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
FAQ
What is the best fishing movie of all time?
“A River Runs Through It” (1992) is the best fishing movie of all time, telling the story of two brothers united by their love of fishing.
What are some good fishing movies?
“The Old Man and the Sea” (1958), “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” (2011), and “Big Fish” (2003) are good fishing movies that captivate audiences with compelling stories.
What fishing movies, shows, and documentaries are on Netflix?
The best fishing movies, shows, and documentaries on Netflix currently are “Chasing Monsters” (2015-present), “Battlefish” (2018), and “Our Planet” (2019), which includes episodes featuring marine life.
