Let’s be honest—when most people hear “fishing movie,” they picture someone sitting by a lake for two hours watching a bobber. Maybe there’s some deep philosophical voice-over about life’s patience or finding inner peace. Sounds riveting, right?

Though these uninspired angling films certainly exist, every genre has its duds—and its magnum opuses. Here, we’re going to review seven fishing movies that are actually good and exciting. Each of these films prominently features fishing, and they all have much to offer in the way of incredible storytelling, unforgettable characters, and genuine engagement.

Captains Courageous

Spencer Tracy won an Oscar for his role in this 1937 classic, and it’s easy to see why. The story follows Harvey, a spoiled rich kid who falls overboard from a luxury liner and gets rescued by a Portuguese fishing boat. What starts as a rescue mission becomes a coming-of-age tale as Harvey learns the value of hard work alongside the boat’s crew.

Tracy plays Manuel, the fisherman who becomes Harvey’s mentor and father figure. The relationship between these two characters drives the entire film, with fishing serving as the vehicle for Harvey’s transformation from entitled brat to responsible young man.

The film captures the reality of commercial fishing in the early 20th century, complete with storms, equipment failures, and the constant threat of injury. It’s a movie about earning respect, finding your place in the world, and learning that the most valuable lessons can come from the most unexpected teachers.

A River Runs Through It

Directed by Robert Redford and starring Brad Pitt, this 1992 film tells the story of two brothers growing up in Montana, where fly-fishing isn’t just a hobby—it’s a family religion.

The movie uses fishing as a metaphor for life itself. The methodical, spiritual practice of fly-fishing reflects the father’s approach to raising his sons, while the different fishing styles of the two brothers reveal their contrasting personalities.

What makes this film exceptional is how it weaves fishing into every aspect of the story. The brothers’ relationship, their connection to their father, and their understanding of themselves all play out against the backdrop of Montana’s pristine rivers.

The Peanut Butter Falcon

This 2019 gem starring Shia LaBeouf follows Zak, a young man with Down syndrome who escapes from his care facility to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Along the way, he meets Tyler (LaBeouf), a small-time crab fisherman running from his own problems.

Tyler’s not some romantic fisherman-philosopher—he’s a guy trying to make ends meet in a tough industry. The scenes on his boat show both the mundane reality of crab fishing and how the work can become a form of therapy for someone dealing with loss and guilt.

This film has genuine heart. The friendship between Zak and Tyler develops naturally as they navigate both literal and metaphorical waters together. The fishing backdrop provides a perfect setting for two lost souls to find direction.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Don’t let the expositional title fool you—this 2011 film is a sophisticated romantic comedy that uses an absurd fishing project to explore themes of faith, love, and cultural understanding. The plot centers around a British fisheries expert who gets recruited to help a wealthy Yemeni sheikh introduce salmon fishing to the desert.

The movie cleverly uses the seemingly impossible task of creating a salmon run in Yemen as a metaphor for bridging cultural divides. As the characters work together on this quixotic project, they discover that the most unlikely partnerships can lead to profound personal growth. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt have wonderful chemistry as they navigate both the technical challenges of the project and their growing attraction to each other.

Grumpy Old Men

Who knew ice fishing could be hilarious? This 1993 comedy starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau turns a lifelong fishing rivalry into pure comedy gold. The two neighbors have been feuding for decades, and their competitive ice fishing becomes just another battleground in their ongoing war.

This movie uses fishing as both the source of conflict and the path to resolution. The characters’ knowledge of how weather affects fishing success becomes part of their competitive edge, with each trying to outsmart the other by reading conditions and finding the perfect spot. Their elaborate schemes to sabotage each other’s fishing efforts provide some of the film’s biggest laughs.

But beneath the comedy, the movie is really about friendship, aging, and the importance of having someone who challenges you. The fishing scenes capture the particular camaraderie of ice fishing—the shared misery of cold weather, the patience required, and the triumph of landing a good catch.

CODA

This 2021 Oscar winner uses fishing as the foundation for an incredibly moving family drama. The story follows Ruby, the only hearing member of a deaf family that runs a commercial fishing business. As Ruby discovers her passion for singing, she must choose between pursuing her dreams and supporting her family’s livelihood.

The fishing scenes in CODA feel completely authentic because they are. The sailing and angling aren’t staged—the cast actually learned to work on fishing boats, and that is shown in the film. It doesn’t romanticize commercial fishing. It shows the early mornings, the physical demands, and the economic pressures facing small fishing operations.

Fishing With John

Okay, this one’s technically a TV series, but it deserves a mention for being completely unlike anything else on this list. Created by musician John Lurie, this surreal comedy features Lurie taking celebrity friends on fishing trips that become increasingly bizarre adventures.

Each episode follows the same basic format: John and a famous friend go fishing somewhere exotic. But reality quickly breaks down as the show becomes a meditation on celebrity, friendship, and the absurdity of trying to impose structure on the natural world. Tom Waits builds a campfire that defies physics. Willem Dafoe gets lost in Maine. Dennis Hopper searches for the giant squid in Thailand.

The fishing itself becomes almost incidental as the show explores what happens when you put interesting people in unfamiliar situations. It’s funny, weird, and oddly profound.

These seven films prove that fishing movies can be just as exciting as any other genre. Whether they’re using angling as a metaphor for life’s deeper meanings or simply as the backdrop for great storytelling, each of these movies brings something unique to the table. Which one will you enjoy for your next movie night? Let us know in the comments!