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The Wave

2015·Movie
1h 45min·R
IMDb6.6Metacritic686.4Rotten Tomatoes83%65%

Where to watch

PrimefuboTVPhiloThe RokuKanopy

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

What's your score?

Your score

The Wave fingerprint

High energy, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Nerve-racking and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension9
  • Adrenaline8
  • Fast Pace8

Heart

Moving and cathartic

Much of it is about family.

  • Pathos7
  • Catharsis7
  • Family Dynamics7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Physical Comedy2

World

Everyday modern life and family

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability6
  • Novelty6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensPure Escapism

Skip it if

You want something quiet and calm

Find more like it

Suspense moviesBittersweet movies

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

About

It was only a matter of time.

Although theorised, no one is really ready when a mountain pass above the scenic and narrow Geiranger fjord in Norway collapses and creates a tsunami over 300 feet high. A geologist is one of those caught in the middle of it.
Disaster ThrillerNorwegian CinemaTsunamiGeological DisasterFamily in CrisisNatural DisasterVisual SpectacleSuspenseful

Crew

Directed by:
Roar Uthaug, Maja Storbekken
Written by:
Harald Rosenløw-Eeg, Roar Uthaug, Martin Sundland
Produced by:
Martin Sundland, Tomas Eskilsson, Andrea Eckerbom
Composed by:
Fredric Vogel, Espen Rønning, Roy Fenstad

Sequels and Prequels

GoodWatch70
Poster for The Wave

Media

Questions about The Wave

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Wave legally?

PrimefuboTVPhiloThe RokuKanopyHooplaFandango at Home FreePlex

The Wave is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads 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 Wave worth watching?

70
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 71/100 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 83%, and Metacritic 68). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Wave rated?

RViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Wave?

1 h 45 min

The Wave runs 1 h 45 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Wave?

Critics76
Audiences65

Not quite. Critics rate The Wave higher (76) than audiences (65). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Wave a box office hit?

Budget$6 million
Box office$13 million

Yes. It cost about $6 million to make and earned $13 million worldwide, 2.2 times its budget.

What language is The Wave in?

Norwegian

It was made in Norwegian. Produced in Norway.

In how many countries can I watch The Wave?

57AGARATAUBBBEBMBOBRBSBZCACHCL+43

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Wave in 57 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Wave use?

Bittersweet EndingPlot ArmorHeroic SacrificeShown Their WorkEarn Your Happy EndingHope SpotForeboding Fleeing FlockRule of CoolCPR: Clean, Pretty, ReliableOutrun The Giant WaveOh, Crap!Impaled with Extreme Prejudiceand 27 more

TV Tropes lists 39 storytelling tropes for The Wave, including Bittersweet Ending, Plot Armor, Heroic Sacrifice.