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Ocean Waves

1993·Movie
1h 12min·PG-13
IMDb6.6Metacritic736.3Rotten Tomatoes89%63%

Where to watch

HBO Max

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Ocean Waves fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension3
  • Fast Pace3
  • Adrenaline2

Heart

Romantic and nostalgic

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Coming of Age9
  • Romance8
  • Nostalgia8

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy3
  • Cringe Humor2

World

Everyday modern life and growing up

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and dialogue

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Standout score and cinematography

  • Music Composition9
  • Cinematography8
  • Music Centrality8

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Nostalgic moviesBittersweet moviesPeaceful moviesRomantic moviesAtmospheric movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

At Kichijōji Station, Tokyo, Taku Morisaki glimpses a familiar woman on the platform opposite boarding a train. Later, her photo falls from a shelf as he exits his apartment before flying to Kōchi Prefecture. Picking it up, he looks at it briefly before leaving. As the aeroplane takes off, he narrates the events that brought her into his life...
Studio GhibliSlice-of-Life DramaComing-of-Age RomanceRealistic High School LifeNostalgic & ReflectiveQuiet & MelancholyBeautifully AnimatedCharacter StudySubtle Emotions

Crew

Directed by:
Tomomi Mochizuki
Written by:
Keiko Niwa, Saeko Himuro
Produced by:
Toshio Suzuki, Nozomu Takahashi, Hiroyuki Ito
Composed by:
Shigeru Nagata, Yoko Sakamoto

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about Ocean Waves

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Ocean Waves legally?

HBO Max

Ocean Waves is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Ocean Waves worth watching?

72
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73/100 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 89%, and Metacritic 73). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Ocean Waves rated?

PG-13

It's rated PG-13 in the United States.

How long is Ocean Waves?

1 h 12 min

Ocean Waves runs 1 h 12 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Ocean Waves?

Critics81
Audiences64

Not quite. Critics rate Ocean Waves higher (81) than audiences (64). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Ocean Waves in?

Japanese

It was made in Japanese. Produced in Japan.

In how many countries can I watch Ocean Waves?

131ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBGBH+117

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Ocean Waves in 131 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Ocean Waves use?

Product PlacementTomboy and Girly GirlDaddy's GirlIn Vino VeritasOrdinary High-School StudentCovers Always LieAll of the Other ReindeerInformed AttractivenessLast-Name BasisLove TriangleBookendsCompany Cross-Referencesand 8 more

TV Tropes lists 20 storytelling tropes for Ocean Waves, including Product Placement, Tomboy and Girly Girl, Daddy's Girl.