June 18 is National Fishing Day, a perfect occasion to celebrate the serenity and excitement of fishing. Whether you’re an avid angler with years of experience or a beginner eager to learn, this day is all about connecting with nature, enjoying the great outdoors, and creating lasting memories by the water. From the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore to the thrill of feeling a fish tug at your line, fishing offers a unique blend of relaxation and adventure that captivates millions around the world.
And on those days when you’re not able to cast your line, there are loads of fishing movies to enjoy. From the deep sea to the riverbanks winding through the countryside, here are 20 movies for the fishing fan to enjoy.
Fishing Movies to Enjoy (in order by year)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
Directed by Richard Fleischer and written by Earl Felton, this classic adventure film is based on Jules Verne’s novel. Starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason, and Paul Lukas, it follows Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, as they explore the ocean’s depths.
Directed by John Huston and written by Huston and Ray Bradbury, this adaptation of Herman Melville’s classic novel stars Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab, who obsessively hunts the white whale, Moby Dick. The film is a dramatic tale of obsession and the dangers of the sea.
The Old Man and the Sea (1958)
John Sturges directed this adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novella. Peter Viertel wrote the screenplay, and the film stars Spencer Tracy as an aging fisherman who struggles with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. Tracy’s performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Directed by Howard Hawks and written by John Fenton Murray and Steve McNeil, this comedy stars Rock Hudson as a fishing expert who, in reality, has no fishing skills. The film is a lighthearted take on the fishing genre, with Paula Prentiss co-starring.
Steven Spielberg directed this iconic thriller, based on Peter Benchley’s novel of the same name. Written by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb, it stars Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss. The plot centers around a great white shark terrorizing a small beach town. “Jaws” won three Academy Awards, including Best Original Score.
The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964)
Directed by Arthur Lubin and written by Joe DiMona and Jameson Brewer, this fantasy-comedy stars Don Knotts as a man who transforms into a fish and assists the Navy in locating enemy submarines. The film is based on the novel “Mr. Limpet” by Theodore Pratt.
Directed by John Boorman and written by James Dickey, based on his novel of the same name, this thriller stars Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox. The film follows four friends on a canoe trip in the Georgia wilderness that turns into a harrowing fight for survival. “Deliverance” was nominated for three Academy Awards.
Directed by Mark Rydell and written by Ernest Thompson, this film is based on Thompson’s play. Starring Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda, it tells the story of an elderly couple spending a summer at their New England lake house, dealing with family issues and fishing. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Henry Fonda and Best Actress for Katharine Hepburn.
Directed by Howard Deutch and written by John Hughes, this comedy stars John Candy and Dan Aykroyd as two brothers-in-law on a family vacation in Wisconsin. The film includes memorable fishing scenes and explores themes of family and rivalry.
A River Runs Through It (1992)
Directed by Robert Redford and written by Richard Friedenberg, this film is based on the autobiographical novella by Norman Maclean. Starring Brad Pitt, Craig Sheffer, and Tom Skerritt, it follows the lives of two brothers growing up in early 20th-century Montana and their shared love of fly fishing. The film won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
Directed by Donald Petrie and written by Mark Steven Johnson, this comedy stars Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau as two feuding neighbors who both love ice fishing. Also starring Ann-Margret and Burgess Meredith, the film explores themes of friendship and rivalry.
Directed by Kevin Reynolds and written by Peter Rader and David Twohy, this post-apocalyptic film stars Kevin Costner as a drifter navigating a world covered by water. The film includes several fishing scenes as the characters struggle for survival.
Directed by Christopher Cain and written by Jill Mazursky and J.J. Abrams, this comedy stars Joe Pesci and Danny Glover as two bumbling friends on a fishing trip in the Florida Everglades. Their adventure turns chaotic, leading to a series of humorous mishaps.
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen and written by William D. Wittliff, this film is based on Sebastian Junger’s non-fiction book. Starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Diane Lane, it tells the harrowing true story of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing vessel caught in a massive storm. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by William Broyles Jr., this survival drama stars Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, a FedEx executive who finds himself stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. The film chronicles his struggle to survive and find a way back home, with fishing being one of his critical survival skills. Helen Hunt co-stars as Kelly Frears, Chuck’s girlfriend. Hanks’s performance was widely acclaimed, earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The film was also nominated for the Best Sound Academy Award.
Directed by Danny Boyle and written by John Hodge, this film is based on Alex Garland’s novel. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton, and Robert Carlyle, it follows a young traveler who discovers a secluded island paradise with a dark secret. While not solely focused on fishing, the film includes memorable fishing scenes.
Directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, this animated film from Pixar follows a clownfish named Marlin as he searches for his missing son, Nemo. The film, written by Stanton, Bob Peterson, and David Reynolds, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Tim Burton directed this whimsical drama, with a screenplay by John August based on the novel by Daniel Wallace. Starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, and Billy Crudup, it explores the tall tales of a dying father and his estranged son, many of which involve fishing adventures. The film received four Golden Globe nominations.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Directed by Wes Anderson and written by Anderson and Noah Baumbach, this quirky comedy stars Bill Murray as an eccentric oceanographer seeking revenge on a mythical shark. The film features an ensemble cast, including Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, and Anjelica Huston.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)
Directed by Lasse Hallström and written by Simon Beaufoy, this film is based on Paul Torday’s novel. Starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, and Kristin Scott Thomas, it follows a fisheries expert tasked with bringing salmon fishing to the desert. The film received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
It’s not just about the catch, but the stories shared, the lessons learned, and the peaceful moments spent in nature. Whether you spent the day on a serene lake, a rushing river, or the expansive sea, the memories made and the bonds strengthened with family and friends are what truly make National Fishing Day special. So, gear up, head out, and let the spirit of National Fishing Day inspire you to explore new waters, and movies and appreciate the simple pleasures of this timeless pastime. Happy fishing!