A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Kernel Score: 81% · 2,377 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Comedy, Crime

Released: 1988-07-15

Runtime: 109 minutes

Is A Fish Called Wanda worth watching?

Must-watch. A sharp, fast British-American heist comedy with a gleefully chaotic cast. The jokes land, the double-crosses keep coming, and it holds up very well.

Watch it if you

  • like quick, irreverent British comedy
  • enjoy a heist where everyone's double-crossing
  • want an ensemble with great comic timing

Skip it if you

  • dislike crude humour
  • want a serious crime story

Best for: Group movie night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch A Fish Called Wanda

  • Stream: Fubo, Philo, MGM+
  • Free with ads: Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Tubi
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

While a diamond advocate attempts to steal a collection of diamonds, troubles arise when he realises he’s not the only one after the collection.

A Fish Called Wanda parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that A Fish Called Wanda is an R-rated comedy heist film with crude humor, infidelity, and dark comic violence including animal abuse.

  • Violence & scariness: Some — Includes comic violence such as a dog being run over and animal abuse played for dark laughs, rated R.
  • Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Involves infidelity and cheating as comedic plot elements, rated R.
  • Language: Moderate — R-rated crime comedy with strong language typical of the genre.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like A Fish Called Wanda

If you liked A Fish Called Wanda, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Midnight Run (1988) — 81%: Another late-80s crime comedy built on great chemistry.
  • The Sting (1973) — 88%: Classic con-artist caper with plenty of twists.
  • Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) — 89%: British crime comedy with fast, wry double-crosses.
  • Snatch (2000) — 88%: Frantic British crime comedy full of colourful crooks.
  • In Bruges (2008) — 87%: Dark, funny crime story with sharp dialogue.
  • Some Like It Hot (1959) — 89%: Classic farce with brilliant comic timing.

Director

Charles Crichton

Cast

  • Jamie Lee Curtis as Wanda Gershwitz
  • John Cleese as Archie Leach
  • Kevin Kline as Otto
  • Michael Palin as Ken Pile
  • Maria Aitken as Wendy
  • Tom Georgeson as Georges Thomason
  • Cynthia Cleese as Portia
  • Patricia Hayes as Mrs. Coady
  • Geoffrey Palmer as Judge
  • Mark Elwes as Customer in Jeweler's Shop

A Fish Called Wanda FAQ

Is A Fish Called Wanda worth watching?

Must-watch. A sharp, fast British-American heist comedy with a gleefully chaotic cast. The jokes land, the double-crosses keep coming, and it holds up very well.

Where can I watch A Fish Called Wanda?

In the US you can stream A Fish Called Wanda on Fubo, Philo and MGM+, watch it free with ads on Hoopla, The Roku Channel and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is A Fish Called Wanda OK for kids?

A Fish Called Wanda is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that A Fish Called Wanda is an R-rated comedy heist film with crude humor, infidelity, and dark comic violence including animal abuse.

What movies are like A Fish Called Wanda?

If you liked A Fish Called Wanda, try Midnight Run, The Sting, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.