The Shape of Water (2017)
Kernel Score: 81% · 12,724 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Released: 2017-12-01
Runtime: 123 minutes
Is The Shape of Water worth watching?
Worth watching. A tender, strange romance between a mute cleaner and a captive sea creature, set in a Cold War lab. Beautifully designed and well acted. The fairy-tale tone will win you over or it will not.
Watch it if you
- love fantasy romances
- enjoy lush, hand-made production design
- like stories about outsiders
Skip it if you
- dislike fantasy romance
- want a realistic love story
Best for: Date night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Shape of Water
- Stream: HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
An other-worldly story, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962, where a mute janitor working at a lab falls in love with an amphibious man being held captive there and devises a plan to help him escape.
The Shape of Water parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Shape of Water is an R-rated fantasy romance involving a mute woman's relationship with a captive amphibious creature, government cover-ups, and mature content.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes scenes of captivity, government interrogation, and violent conflict in a Cold War-era laboratory setting.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Strong — Contains sexual content and nudity as part of a romantic relationship, including scenes reviewers describe as unconventional (an interspecies romance).
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Shape of Water
If you liked The Shape of Water, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Pan's Labyrinth (2006) — 87%: Guillermo del Toro's other dark, beautiful fairy tale.
- Edward Scissorhands (1990) — 86%: Gentle fantasy romance about an outsider and a lonely girl.
- Frankenstein (2025) — 87%: Del Toro's take on the classic monster story.
- The Devil's Backbone (2001) — 82%: Earlier del Toro ghost story with real heart.
- Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) — 91%: Del Toro's dark, tender animated fairy tale.
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) — 86%: Gentle, imaginative romance with a fantastical premise.
Director
Cast
- Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito
- Michael Shannon as Richard Strickland
- Richard Jenkins as Giles
- Octavia Spencer as Zelda Fuller
- Michael Stuhlbarg as Dr. Robert Hoffstetler
- Doug Jones as Amphibian Man
- David Hewlett as Fleming
- Nick Searcy as General Hoyt
- Stewart Arnott as Bernard
- Nigel Bennett as Mihalkov
The Shape of Water FAQ
Is The Shape of Water worth watching?
Worth watching. A tender, strange romance between a mute cleaner and a captive sea creature, set in a Cold War lab. Beautifully designed and well acted. The fairy-tale tone will win you over or it will not.
Where can I watch The Shape of Water?
In the US you can stream The Shape of Water on HBO Max and Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Shape of Water OK for kids?
The Shape of Water is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Shape of Water is an R-rated fantasy romance involving a mute woman's relationship with a captive amphibious creature, government cover-ups, and mature content.
What movies are like The Shape of Water?
If you liked The Shape of Water, try Pan's Labyrinth, Edward Scissorhands, Frankenstein and The Devil's Backbone.