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Blackfish

Play trailer Poster for Blackfish PG-13 2013 1h 23m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 132 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
The story of Tilikum, a captive killer whale that has taken the lives of several people, underscores problems within the sea-park industry, man's relationship to nature, and how little has been learned about these highly intelligent mammals.
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Blackfish

Blackfish

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Blackfish is an aggressive, impassioned documentary that will change the way you look at performance killer whales.

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Critics Reviews

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Roxana Hadadi Punch Drunk Critics Jan 9, 2017
4.5/5
You won't forget Cowperthwaite's documentary, and you shouldn't. Go to Full Review Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Jan 1, 2014
4/5
Save the whale? After watching this documentary about the mistreatment of killer whales, you'll never mock that sentiment again. Go to Full Review Joshua Rothkopf Time Out Jan 1, 2014
4/5
A troubling expos of Sea World's hazardous entertainment trade. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Dec 31, 2023
4.5/5
That Blackfish led SeaWorld to phase out both orca breeding and performances speaks to how we should view the film's legacy over ten years later. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 19, 2022
3.5/5
It often gives definitive statements about ambiguous events, and it does try to frame opinions as facts. But it also gave me a greater appreciation for these incredible animals and it challenged my past apathy towards their plight. Go to Full Review Gem Seddon SFX Magazine Feb 3, 2022
This story is one that continues to make waves – should animals be kept in captivity for our entertainment? – making this a must-see Netflix documentary. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tyler H. @TCHxo May 4, 2026 This documentary has had such an impact on me and how I view parks like Sea World. These whales don’t belong in captivity. It’s such an amazing piece of work and they really took their time to educate the viewer. The pace and layout is perfect and it contains opinions/excerpts from a decent amount of people. Very informative!! BRAVO! See more Stephen C @bob25009 Apr 21, 2026 Rated PG-13 for Mature Thematic Elements and Disturbing Violent Images. See more Julia P @juliapons Dec 12, 2025 Blackfish is a powerful documentary about the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity at marine parks. It uses interviews, footage, and expert commentary to show how confinement, stress, and artificial social groups harm orca health and behavior. The film raises serious questions about whether entertainment justifies the environmental and ethical costs of exploiting highly intelligent marine mammals. It challenges viewers to rethink what real conservation and animal welfare should look like. See more Alexander S @RT61935749 Oct 20, 2025 Blackfish offers a sobering examination of the dangers of keeping orcas in captivity for entertainment, highlighting the depressing lives of whales in tanks and the tragic consequences of their anger turning against trainers. Grading: A+ See more Ange L @RT28947043 Feb 9, 2025 Gut punching feeling! A reminder, we humans don’t deserve this planet. Shameful practices on these precious animals. See more Faith A @RT27355828 Aug 19, 2024 this documentry really shows you the suffering these animals go through while in these tiny concreate pools that 100% are not big enough for the beutiful creatures. it also shos how stupid humanity really is, you would think that after the first attack on a human or when they were being agressive with their tankmates we would realise these animals are too big to be kept in captivity. and i understand the animals born in captivitiy wou;dnt be able to survive in the wild but they still deserve the chance to feel the open sea on their skin. See more Read all reviews
Blackfish

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Cast & Crew

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Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Director

Tilikum

Self

John Hargrove

Self

Samantha Berg

Self

Mark Simmons

Self

Kim Ashdown

Self

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Blackfish

Blackfish (2013) Blackfish (2013) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The story of Tilikum, a captive killer whale that has taken the lives of several people, underscores problems within the sea-park industry, man's relationship to nature, and how little has been learned about these highly intelligent mammals.
Director
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Producer
Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Manuel Oteyza
Screenwriter
Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Eli B. Despres, Tim Zimmerman
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Manny O Productions, CNN Films
Rating
PG-13 (Mature Thematic Elements|Disturbing Violent Images)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 19, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.1M
Runtime
1h 23m
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