Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- sunny
- nostalgic
- gentle
- family movie night
- summer afternoon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the family adventure appealing in performance and animal effects but weakened by a thin, predictable plot.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Flipper’s friendship with Sandy brings the boy and his uncle Porter closer together.
Sandy is sent to spend the summer on rustic Coral Key and initially rejects his new surroundings.
Critical reception specifically highlighted the film’s animatronic work and its dolphin-centered set pieces.
Coral Key and the surrounding Florida waters provide the film’s defining landscape and adventure context.
Films like Flipper, and why
The Black Stallion
family adventure centered on a child, an animal companion, and an emotionally transformative summer
Dolphin Tale
warm coming-of-age adventure in a coastal environment with a strong child-animal bond
The Adventures of Milo and Otis
family-friendly island adventure involving children, wildlife, and adult-child reconciliation
Movie Details
- Director
- Alan Shapiro
- Release Date
- 1996-05-17
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (362)
Cast
- Elijah Wood
- Paul Hogan
- Jonathan Banks
- Robert Deacon
- Chelsea Field
- Mary Jo Faraci
- Allison Bertolino
- Jessica Wesson
- Jason Fuchs
- Mark Casella
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Flipper about?
- A reluctant boy finds friendship, family connection, and summer adventure through an extraordinary dolphin in the Florida Keys.
- What is Flipper like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Flipper as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Flipper violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Flipper as mild.
- What did critics think of Flipper?
- Critics broadly found the family adventure appealing in performance and animal effects but weakened by a thin, predictable plot.
- Which films are like Flipper?
- Films with a similar feel include The Black Stallion, Dolphin Tale, and The Adventures of Milo and Otis.
- How long is Flipper?
- Flipper runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Flipper?
- In United States, Flipper is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
