Skip to main content
Celluloid
DramaRomance

Water for Elephants

Directed by Francis Lawrence · 2011 ·

Short answer

Is Water for Elephants worth watching?

Yes. Water for Elephants (2011) earns a 60% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audiences (71%) responded more warmly than critics (60%). See the 4 inputs.

60%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

60% Editorial Rating
71% Audience snapshot · excluded
52 Metascore
★★★☆☆ Letterboxd 3
6.9 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 2m
Age rating
PG-13 (US) · 12A (UK) · M (Australia) · 15 (South Korea) · R15+ (Japan)
Cast
Robert Pattinson , Reese Witherspoon , Christoph Waltz , Paul Schneider , Jim Norton , Hal Holbrook , Donna W. Scott , Richard Brake , Stephen Monroe Taylor , Mark Povinelli
Language
English

Also known as Agua para elefantes De l'Eau pour les Éléphants Wasser für die Elefanten Água para Elefantes 恋人たちのパレード 워터 포 엘리펀트 大象的眼泪 大象的眼淚

Where to watch

Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists Disney+ in the United Kingdom. Check local listings for your region.

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

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

Where to watch Water for Elephants by country

Country Streaming on
Indonesia Disney+
Japan Disney+
Malaysia Disney+
South Korea Disney+
Thailand Disney+
Turkey Disney+
United Kingdom Disney+

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

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (60/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (71%).
  • Celluloid Score 60% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Crowd-pleaser seekers — audiences liked it more than critics

Not ideal for

  • Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films

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 Water for Elephants worth watching?

Yes — Water for Elephants earns a 60% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits crowd-pleaser seekers — audiences liked it more than critics, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it.

Celluloid verdict

Depression-era circus romance opposite Reese Witherspoon — a glossy vehicle from Pattinson’s franchise peak.

, Founder & Editor

Audiences (71%) responded more warmly than critics (60%).

What is Water for Elephants about?

In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he's transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena.

Watch the Trailer

Water for Elephants stills

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

Water for Elephants production still 1
Water for Elephants production still 2
Water for Elephants production still 3
Water for Elephants production still 4
Water for Elephants production still 5
Water for Elephants 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.

Water for Elephants: frequently asked questions

Is Water for Elephants worth watching?

Yes. Water for Elephants (2011) has a Celluloid Score of 60%, 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 Water for Elephants?

In the United States 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 Water for Elephants?

Water for Elephants runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

What is Water for Elephants rated?

Water for Elephants is rated PG-13 in the United States, 12A in the UK, M in Australia, 15 in South Korea and R15+ in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

Who stars in Water for Elephants?

Water for Elephants is directed by Francis Lawrence and stars Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Paul Schneider, Jim Norton.

What is the Metascore for Water for Elephants?

Metacritic's Metascore for Water for Elephants is 52 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

More Like This

Ranked by genre overlap and Celluloid Score. More movies like Water for Elephants →