Flipper (1996)

32% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(56,532 ratings)

In this adventure drama for the family, based on the popular TV series of the mid-'60s, Sandy Ricks (Elijah Wood) is a moody teenager from Chicago who is not dealing well with the recent divorce of his parents. In the hope that a change of scenery will do him good, Sandy is sent to spend the summer… More In this adventure drama for the family, based on the popular TV series of the mid-'60s, Sandy Ricks (Elijah Wood) is a moody teenager from Chicago who is not dealing well with the recent divorce of his parents. In the hope that a change of scenery will do him good, Sandy is sent to spend the summer with his Uncle Porter (Paul Hogan), an aging hippie and fisherman who lives on Coral Key, an island off the coast of Florida. The sun and sand do little to improve Sandy's outlook on life, even after he meets Kim (Jessica Wesson), a pretty girl who lives nearby, but he becomes sunnier when he encounters Flipper, a friendly dolphin, while boating with Porter. When Sandy helps save Flipper from a pack of bloodthirsty charter-boat fishermen, led by the mean-spirited Dirk Moran (Jonathan Banks), the dolphin becomes the boy's loyal companion (at least when Sandy is close to the water). But Sandy soon discovers that Dirk is dumping toxic waste into the waters of Coral Key, and with the help of Cathy (Chelsea Field), a friend of Porter's with a background in marine biology, Sandy and Porter try to gather enough evidence so that Sheriff Buck Cowan (Isaac Hayes) will be able to put Dirk behind bars. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Alan Shapiro
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: May 17, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jan 20, 2004
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Mike Clark, USA Today
Flipper is inoffensive, but it's also asleep in the deep.
Brian Costello, Common Sense Media
Warmhearted remake of TV classic has some scary moments.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an inoffensive yet utterly forgettable endeavor.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Formulaic kid-gets-whipped-into-shape by his ne'er-do-well uncle flick with Wood and Hogan offering likable enough performances to offset the charm of that wonderful dolphin.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Paul Hogan, Elijah Wood, and a dolphin. There, I just saved you 97 minutes.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Affirms the ties that bind us with animals.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

An easy watching, feel good, kids film.
AJ V

I saw this in theatres when it came out, and now I do not remember it... I'll re-watch it sometime. Based on how forgettable this movie was, I'll give it three stars.
Conner R

Another childhood favorite and another great update of an old animal character. Much like Lassie, this is the definitive version and deals with the character in ways that were unseen before. Elijah Wood and Paul Hogan make a great unlikely team together and help Flipper cure the seas… More
Another childhood favorite and another great update of an old animal character. Much like Lassie, this is the definitive version and deals with the character in ways that were unseen before. Elijah Wood and Paul Hogan make a great unlikely team together and help Flipper cure the seas of poachers and Hammerhead sharks. It's fun coming of age story and memorable tale of friendship between Dolphin and man.
Lenny M

Elijah Wood, ridiculously gay. Paul Hogan, stay in the Outback.
Tim S

Eh, not a fan.
Jason O

I know that "Flipper" is only averaging 3 stars because a lot of poople don't like it much because it's not anything like the Tv show. I grew up watching Flipper the Tv show and it was always one of my favorites, but I still have to say that this movie is a good… More
I know that "Flipper" is only averaging 3 stars because a lot of poople don't like it much because it's not anything like the Tv show. I grew up watching Flipper the Tv show and it was always one of my favorites, but I still have to say that this movie is a good movie even if it's not all that much inspired by the Tv show. The main theme between the Tv show and the movie are basically the same, both are mainly about the story of a boy befriended by a dolphin named Flipper. However, there are a few differences. In this movie, there's not a Bud character, there's only Sandy, unlike the show. Also, Flipper won't be saving anything or anybody in this movie. In "Flipper" the movie, Sandy (Elijah Wood) has to stay a summer with his uncle, Porter (Paul Hogan), although he doesn't want to and he doesn't even know his uncle. Sandy doesn't exactly get along with his uncle that lives mainly off of Spaghetti O's at first. If it wasn't for Sandy befriending Flipper, there's no telling what would've happened. Flipper befriends Sandy, which leads to Sandy making more friends including Kim (Jessica Wesson), Sandy getting along better with his uncle, and even some adventures and misadventures along the way. Even though "Flipper" isn't much like the old Tv classic, I still thought that this was a great movie. It has its drama throughout and it even has a few adventurous parts such as an encounter with a hammerhead shark and busting some criminals. It also has good underwater photography and pretty good acting. I recommend anybody who used to watch Flipper the Tv show or anyone who likes dolphins or just likes good movies to get "Flipper." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2001.
Film C

i saw this elijah wood is soo young if you are a dolhin lover u will love it even if your not its still a nice warm filling to the animals and wot people do to save them its a nice sweet film
Rachel F

Paul Hogan is so funny in this movie.
Jason S

Yeah, I like this movie.
Drew S

Feh.
Dillon L

Not the worst remake I've ever seen, but the original will always be superior, which is kind of sad cause the original wasn't that good to begin with.
Joseph E

Could've been better, but not bad.
Sarah B

Great film for dolphins, a young Elijah Wood and Paul Hogan fans, also for lovers of gorgeous tropical seaside scenery.
alan j

remake of the classic..falls a bit short
Haley A

Fun and entertaining. Elijah Wood shines.