Flipper (1996): cast, story & where to watch

1996 · Film · ★ 5.6

Flipper poster

Released in 1996, Flipper is an adventure and family film directed by Alan Shapiro, running about 95 minutes. “This summer it's finally safe to go back in the water.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Sandy Ricks is sent by his mom to Coral Key, a rustic island in the Florida keys, to spend the summer with his uncle Porter Ricks. Sandy dislikes everything about his new environment until a new friend comes into his life, a dolphin named Flipper, that brings uncle and nephew together and leads Sandy on the summer adventure of a lifetime.

Who’s in it. Flipper stars Elijah Wood as Sandy Ricks, Paul Hogan as Porter Ricks, Jonathan Banks as Dirk Moran and Robert Deacon as Bounty Fisherman #1, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.6/10, Flipper has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $20.1M at the box office.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Flipper page.

If you liked it. Fans of Flipper tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception, Interstellar and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch Flipper (1996)?
Streaming, rental and purchase options for Flipper change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
Is Flipper worth watching?
Flipper holds an audience score of 5.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy adventure and family. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in Flipper?
Flipper stars Elijah Wood, Paul Hogan, Jonathan Banks, Robert Deacon and Chelsea Field.
When was Flipper released?
Flipper was released in 1996, with a runtime of about 95 minutes.