GoodWatchSign up

The Cove

2009·Movie
1h 32min·PG-13
IMDb8.4Metacritic847.9Rotten Tomatoes95%94%

Where to watch

HuluPhiloThe RokuKanopyHoopla

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

The Cove fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace7

Heart

Moving and cathartic

  • Pathos8
  • Catharsis7
  • Melancholy6

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor5
  • Satire & Parody3
  • Wit & Wordplay2

World

Society, everyday modern life, and crime

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty7
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Standout direction

  • Intrigue9
  • Direction8
  • Acting7

Style

Standout editing and cinematography

  • Editing9
  • Cinematography8
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting mood

Find more like it

Suspense moviesEducational movies

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

About

Shallow Water. Deep Secret.

The Cove tells the amazing true story of how an elite team of individuals, films makers and free divers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate the hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The shocking discoveries were only the tip of the iceberg.
Environmental ActivismMarine LifeDocumentaryCovert OperationJapanese CultureAnimal CrueltyInvestigative JournalismOcean Conservation

Crew

Directed by:
Louie Psihoyos
Written by:
Mark Monroe
Produced by:
Fisher Stevens, Jim Clark, Paula DuPré Pesmen
Composed by:
Ryan Collison, J. Ralph

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Loading video…

Questions about The Cove

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Cove legally?

HuluPhiloThe RokuKanopyHooplaFandango at Home FreeFandorPlex

The Cove is included with a subscription to Hulu, Philo, and Fandor in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Fandango at Home Free. 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 The Cove worth watching?

86
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 87/100 (IMDb 8.4, Rotten Tomatoes 95%, and Metacritic 84). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Cove rated?

PG-13Disturbing imagery

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: disturbing imagery.

How long is The Cove?

1 h 32 min

The Cove runs 1 h 32 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Cove?

Critics90
Audiences86

Yes. Critics average 90 and audiences 86 out of 100, so both groups see The Cove much the same way.

What language is The Cove in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Cove?

17ATAUCACHDKESFIFRGBGGIENLNONZ+3

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Cove in 17 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Cove use?

What Measure Is a Non-Human?Honor Before ReasonCorrupt Corporate ExecutiveTown with a Dark Secret"Eureka!" MomentRevealing Cover-UpDriven to SuicideObstructive BureaucratMay Contain EvilAvengers AssembleGive Me a ReasonProperly Paranoidand 6 more

TV Tropes lists 18 storytelling tropes for The Cove, including What Measure Is a Non-Human?, Honor Before Reason, Corrupt Corporate Executive.