Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Flipper

  • 1996
  • PG
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
12K
YOUR RATING
Flipper (1996)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Pictures
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
77 Photos
AdventureCrimeDramaFamily

A teenage boy sent to spend the summer with his eccentric uncle on the Florida coast befriends a remarkable dolphin and takes on local bad guys who are polluting the water.A teenage boy sent to spend the summer with his eccentric uncle on the Florida coast befriends a remarkable dolphin and takes on local bad guys who are polluting the water.A teenage boy sent to spend the summer with his eccentric uncle on the Florida coast befriends a remarkable dolphin and takes on local bad guys who are polluting the water.

  • Director
    • Alan Shapiro
  • Writers
    • Ricou Browning
    • Jack Cowden
    • Arthur Weiss
  • Stars
    • Paul Hogan
    • Elijah Wood
    • Jonathan Banks
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    12K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Alan Shapiro
    • Writers
      • Ricou Browning
      • Jack Cowden
      • Arthur Weiss
    • Stars
      • Paul Hogan
      • Elijah Wood
      • Jonathan Banks
    • 38User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
    • 43Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Flipper
    Trailer 0:31
    Flipper

    Photos77

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 70
    View Poster

    Top cast21

    Edit
    Paul Hogan
    Paul Hogan
    • Porter Ricks
    Elijah Wood
    Elijah Wood
    • Sandy Ricks
    Jonathan Banks
    Jonathan Banks
    • Dirk Moran
    Robert Deacon
    Robert Deacon
    • Bounty Fisherman #1
    Ann Carey
    • Fisherman's Wife
    Mark Casella
    • Bounty Fisherman #2
    Luke Halpin
    Luke Halpin
    • Bounty Fisherman #3
    Bill Kelley
    • Tommy
    Chelsea Field
    Chelsea Field
    • Cathy
    Jason Fuchs
    Jason Fuchs
    • Marvin
    Lindsay Treco
    • Little Girl
    Jessica Wesson
    Jessica Wesson
    • Kim
    Mal Jones
    Mal Jones
    • Russ
    Louis Seeger Crume
    • Mr. Dunnahy
    Bill Nolan
    • Bartender
    Isaac Hayes
    Isaac Hayes
    • Sheriff Buck Cowan
    Mary Jo Faraci
    Mary Jo Faraci
    • Sandy's Mom
    Allison Bertolino
    Allison Bertolino
    • Sandy's Sister
    • Director
      • Alan Shapiro
    • Writers
      • Ricou Browning
      • Jack Cowden
      • Arthur Weiss
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews38

    5.412.2K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8OllieSuave-007

    A feel-good movie reminiscent of the TV-series.

    This is a feel-good family film that very much follows the heart-warming and fun adventure elements of the 1960s Flipper TV-series. It involves teenager Sandy Ricks (Elijah Wood), who is sent by his mom to live in the Coral Key with his Uncle Porter Ricks (Paul Hogan). At first, Sandy wasn't too keen on his new home, but that soon changes when meets a dolphin named Flipper. This friendship leads to a stronger relationship between uncle and nephew fascinating adventures for Sandy.

    As Paul Hogan hasn't done much films since his Crocodile Dundee days, it was great seeing him in the Porter Ticks role, in which I think he gave a comical yet touching performance. Elijah Wood did a nice job portraying Sandy Ricks, and he has a touching on-screen chemistry with the wonderful dolphin. Luke Halpin, the original Sandy Ricks from the TV-series, plays one of the bounty fisherman in the movie. The story is a little slow at times, but the fun dolphin adventures make up for it.

    The oceanside scenery is breath-taking and beautiful, reminding you of a care-free, relaxing and therapeutic atmosphere. Overall, it is a heart-warming and innocent film that is great for the entire family and a great substitute to many of the over-the-top action and teen-flick nonsense youngsters endure.

    Grade B
    angel_jo_b

    I thought it was good.....

    well! its just finished on channel 4 about an hour ago! it was cool, better than free willy i have to say! ermm what to say...kids wud deffo like this film, the only fault is that it didnt show the rhcp's concert!! was lookin forward to seeing that when it was mentioned however...:P:P dont rent it wait for it to come on the television - pretty good acting ttfn xx
    jetergirl2001

    so I was watching the Faculty...

    We watched this movie to count the number of times EW falls. Which is 6 times. We also decided to include a gratuitious butt shot count and a buggy eyed scene count. 5 and 12 respectively. We laughed many times mostly at own commentary which was better then the movie. And the wonderful rock t-shirt collection. I recommend that you watch if you must. Like if your ever baby sitting little ones and they happen to have it go for it. Otherwise stick to LOTR as Frodo is less creepy....okay not really. I have to go --- flipper's on. p.s we are not EW fans.
    7Juni78ukr

    A sweet heartwarming movie

    Flipper is a nice heartwarming movie for whole family. It's obviously not a great movie, Free Willy looks much better almost in every component of film making. Possibly, at times it becomes a bit naive , and the writing and the script are not the best part of the movie, but it's a entertaining film with very good cinematography (including underwater shots) and some important moral messages. Elijah Wood proves himself one more time as an incredibly talented and underrated actor. He can make bad movie watchable, okay movie - good, good - great and great movie becomes all time classic. Paul Hogan performance also was very good and he is completely fit to his role. As I already say above, whole cinematography was very good. But underwater shots definitely is the best parts. So Flipper is a perfect way if you want to see nice, sweet and entertaining movie. If you like me become sick and tired of modern Hollywood trash, filled with sex, violence, vulgarity and profanity you most likely would like this movie.

    My rating: 7,7 out of 10. Feel free for mailing me about any of my comments and posts here.

    Sorry for my bad English.
    7roghache

    Fun and heartwarming fare with everyone's favourite dolphin

    I was rather appalled to see the low rating this movie received here, personally considering it fun family fare. It revolves around a young teenager, Sandy Ricks, who is sent by his mom to Coral Key to spend the summer with his Uncle Porter. While there he befriends a dolphin named Flipper. Lots of adventures ensue amid the predictable nephew / uncle bonding as well as a little romance for Sandy with a local girl.

    I'm a great Crocodile Dundee fan myself so absolutely loved Paul Hogan in his role as crusty and comical Uncle Porter. For starters, he keeps an endless stock of Spaghetti-O's in his house to serve as his usual meal, heated with a blowtorch! Elija Wood, Frodo from The Lord of the Rings, appeared quite competent playing the young Sandy, a boy at first none too fond of his forced summer vacation locale.

    Of course the dolphin is magnificent and there are some wonderful underwater scenes. Set in the Florida Keys, it was apparently filmed in the Bahamas. This adaptation of Flipper makes great family entertainment, a sweet, sentimental, and fun movie that is infinitely superior to many of the cinematic offerings for youngsters nowadays.

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home
    5.1
    Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home
    Free Willy
    6.1
    Free Willy
    Lassie
    5.9
    Lassie
    Flipper
    6.1
    Flipper
    Free Willy 3: The Rescue
    4.8
    Free Willy 3: The Rescue
    Magic in the Water
    5.4
    Magic in the Water
    Flipper
    6.3
    Flipper
    Dunston Checks In
    5.4
    Dunston Checks In
    Monkey Trouble
    5.3
    Monkey Trouble
    Flipper
    5.3
    Flipper
    Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board
    5.5
    Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board
    Shiloh
    6.3
    Shiloh

    Related interests

    Still frame
    Adventure
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Elijah Wood was scripted to have his first on-screen kiss in the film. The scene was shot, then cut out of the final movie.
    • Goofs
      Sharks are unable to make sounds.
    • Quotes

      Uncle Porter: [reading the riot act to Sandy] You're going to have to use your brain which is going to hurt because it's the weakest muscle in your body.

    • Crazy credits
      A hotline appears at the star of the credits that reads, "To help save dolphins contribute by calling 1-800-FLIPPER".
    • Alternate versions
      Post-2003 prints have an additional Universal Pictures logo at the beginning.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Twister/Captives/Boys/Dead Man/Cold Comfort Farm (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Flipper
      Written by Henry Vars and "By' Dunham'

      Produced by Richard Rudolph (as Richard Rudolph), Michael Sembello, and Matthew Sweet

      Performed by Matthew Sweet

      Courtesy of Zoo Entertainment

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ20

    • How long is Flipper?Powered by Alexa
    • What was Paul Hogan wearing on his wrist?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 17, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Фліппер
    • Filming locations
      • Stuart Cove's, New Providence Island, Bahamas(fishing village)
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • American Films
      • The Bubble Factory
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,530,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,080,020
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,209,525
      • May 19, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,080,020
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 35m(95 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.