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Celluloid
DramaFantasyRomance Venice 2017

The Shape of Water

Directed by Guillermo del Toro · 2017 ·

Short answer

Is The Shape of Water worth watching?

Yes. The Shape of Water (2017) earns an 81% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (92%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (72%). See the 4 inputs.

81%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

92% Editorial Rating
72% Audience snapshot · excluded
87 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.6
7.3 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 3m
Age rating
R (US) · 15 (UK) · 17+ (Indonesia) · MA 15+ (Australia) · 19 (South Korea)
Cast
Sally Hawkins , Michael Shannon , Richard Jenkins , Octavia Spencer , Michael Stuhlbarg , Doug Jones , David Hewlett , Nick Searcy , Stewart Arnott , Nigel Bennett
Streaming
HBO Max, Cinemax
Language
English

Also known as La forma del agua La Forme de l'eau Shape of Water - Das Flüstern des Wassers A Forma da Água シェイプ・オブ・ウォーター 셰이프 오브 워터: 사랑의 모양 水形物语 水底情深

Where to watch

  • HBO Max
  • Cinemax

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home, Spectrum On Demand

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch The Shape of Water by country

Country Streaming on
Indonesia Disney+
Japan Disney+
Malaysia Disney+
South Korea Disney+
Thailand Disney+
Turkey Disney+
United Kingdom Prime Video, Disney+
United States HBO Max, Cinemax

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (92/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (72%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (87/100).
  • Celluloid Score 81% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, fantasy, romance pick
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is The Shape of Water worth watching?

    Yes — The Shape of Water earns an 81% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, fantasy, romance pick.

    Celluloid verdict

    The Shape of Water — Venice 2017 selection. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (92%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (72%).

    What is The Shape of Water about?

    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.

    Watch the Trailer

    The Shape of Water stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    The Shape of Water production still 1
    The Shape of Water production still 2
    The Shape of Water production still 3
    The Shape of Water production still 4
    The Shape of Water production still 5
    The Shape of Water production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    The Shape of Water: frequently asked questions

    Is The Shape of Water worth watching?

    Yes. The Shape of Water (2017) has a Celluloid Score of 81%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch The Shape of Water?

    In the United States, The Shape of Water streams on HBO Max, Cinemax with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Disney+ in Indonesia; Disney+ in Japan; Disney+ in Malaysia; Disney+ in South Korea. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is The Shape of Water?

    The Shape of Water runs 2 hours 3 minutes (123 minutes).

    What is The Shape of Water rated?

    The Shape of Water is rated R in the United States, 15 in the UK, 17+ in Indonesia, MA 15+ in Australia and 19 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in The Shape of Water?

    The Shape of Water is directed by Guillermo del Toro and stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Stuhlbarg.

    What is the Metascore for The Shape of Water?

    Metacritic's Metascore for The Shape of Water is 87 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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