Check Google Play Movies availability
Rent or buy
LOADING
MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
The Shape of Water
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Guillermo del Toro. With Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins.
7.2/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S 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 NowWatch trailer
7.2/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTAn 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 h…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.
RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for The Shape of Water.
MoviHero lists December 1, 2017 as the release date for The Shape of Water. Guillermo del Toro is the listed director. The listed cast includes Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito, Michael Shannon as Richard Strickland, Richard Jenkins as Giles, Octavia Spencer as Zelda Fuller. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateDecember 1, 2017
GenresDrama · Fantasy · Romance
Runtime2h 3m
DirectorGuillermo del Toro
CastSally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito, Michael Shannon as Richard Strickland, Richard Jenkins as Giles, Octavia Spencer as Zelda Fuller
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is The Shape of Water right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
The Shape of Water runs 2h 3m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 5/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 5/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 7/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with The Shape of Water. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 7.2/10 from 13,183 votes. Updated Nov 3, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
What did you think?
Your movie rating. Your audience score.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
Check The Shape of Water on Google Play Movies or Apple TV Store
Find rental or purchase options. Confirm availability, price and quality in your region on the store.
Check Apple TV Store availability
Rent or buy
Quality isn’t confirmed yet. Check the viewing option on the provider’s site.
OPTION 2
Other ways to watch The Shape of Water
Compare reported U.S. streaming, free, rental and purchase options in one place.
United States
HBO Max Amazon Channel
SubscriptionCheck quality on provider
Price varies by providerWatch on Prime Video
Cinemax Amazon Channel
SubscriptionCheck quality on provider
Price varies by providerWatch on Prime Video
HBO Max
SubscriptionCheck quality on provider
Price varies by providerVisit HBO Max
WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing5/10
Emotional Impact7/10
Mind-Bending3/10
Scary1/10
Violence5/10
Rewatchability5/10
Attention Required5/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about The Shape of Water
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“Just finished watching this movie and despite the other critical reviews I enjoyed it!”
Viewer reaction
“GDT's first truly great flick. The R-Rated Family Movie schtick always came off as silly or had a story too dull to carry its own…”
Viewer reaction
“Bend me, shape me, anyway you want me!”
More reactions (2)
Viewer reaction
“It's a good movie, but not as good as I was expecting.”
Viewer reaction
“My girlfriend and I called it "the Fish Fer Movie" and that is really what it is...but it's also green, very, very green.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“You know, sometimes I think I was either born too early or too late for my life.”
A CLOSER LOOK
Stay with the image.
CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherDr. Robert HoffstetlerDr. Robert Hoffstetler appears in The Shape of Water (2017).Open character guide otherRichard StricklandRichard Strickland appears in The Shape of Water (2017).Open character guide otherElisa EspositoElisa Esposito appears in The Shape of Water (2017).Open character guide otherZelda FullerZelda Fuller appears in The Shape of Water (2017).Open character guide otherAmphibian ManAmphibian Man appears in The Shape of Water (2017).Open character guide otherBernardBernard appears in The Shape of Water (2017).Open character guide otherGilesGiles appears in The Shape of Water (2017).Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
7.3/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEWhen Wine Meets Coffee
2026·Drama · Mystery · Comedy · Fantasy · Romance
7.4/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEThe Table: Day and Night
2026·Drama · Romance
3.0/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWarm Blooded Animals
2026·Drama · Romance