Dolphin Tale

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Dolphin Tale

PG

2011

1h 53m

Kids & Family

Drama

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

112 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

While swimming free in the ocean, a young dolphin gets caught in a trap and severely damages her tail. Though she is rescued and transported to Clearwater Marine Hospital, her tail cannot be saved, and the prognosis is dire. What the dolphin, now named Winter, needs is a miracle. She gets that miracle in the form of a marine biologist (Harry Connick Jr.), a prosthetics designer (Morgan Freeman), and a devoted boy (Nathan Gamble), who find a way to help Winter swim again.

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Critics Consensus

Wisely dialing down the schmaltz, Dolphin Tale is earnest, sweet, and well-told, a rare family film that both kids and parents can enjoy.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Don't expect miracles but this is about a kind of miracle and doesn't sentimentalise it to death.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 14, 2011

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

Two hours of redemptive hugs, triumphant whoops and tearful smiles later we learn that pinning a tail on a dolphin is, on the scale of human achievement, not far behind winning the Nobel Peace Prize and discovering a cure for cancer.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 14, 2011

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Michael Hann

Guardian

It's easy to roll one's eyes at Dolphin Tale, which is heavy on swelling music and how children - aw, shucks! - can teach adults a thing or two about holding on to hope.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 13, 2011

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

Director Charles Martin Smith tugs a little too hard on the viewer's heartstrings, but Freeman's shrewd underplaying prevents the film from drowning in schmaltz.

Dec 6, 2020

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

The real message of Dolphin Tale is that families aren't just families of birth but families of choice.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 6, 2020

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

A nice little outing for young nature enthusiasts, even if the performances are uniformly stilted. Except for the lead role, which, remarkably, is played by the real Winter herself!

Rated: 3/5

Apr 17, 2020

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Aaron N

All I remember from watching this when it came out was the begining and maybe nearly mid sections being great maybe tolerable. And quickly went downhill when it became "OH NO DOLPHIN WONT KEEP ITS TAIL ON" The Movie. It swear that happened atleast 4 times it made the movie feel so slow that it felt like 10 times swear to god. Idk get it for your kids adults just stick to sould surfer, its a dolphin whithout a tail used as a gimick.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

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Tony L

First of all, it's a true story, so no one can say it's a ridiculous unrealistic happy ending. The re-created dolphin scenes are amazingly real. The child actors are excellent. And this inspiring movie has resulted in many visits and donations to the real Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

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Sérgio V

Dolphin Tale is an extraordinary piece of art that blends heartwarming storytelling with an inspiring true story. This movie captures the essence of resilience, friendship, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals. Watching Winter the dolphin overcome her challenges with the help of a dedicated team is truly moving. The performances are genuine, with each actor bringing emotional depth to their roles. The visuals are stunning, particularly the underwater scenes, which immerse you in Winter's world. The film beautifully highlights the importance of compassion, innovation, and teamwork. What makes Dolphin Tale remarkable is its ability to resonate with viewers of all ages. It’s not just a movie; it’s a celebration of hope and determination. Every time I watch it, I’m reminded of how powerful storytelling can be. Truly, an amazing piece of art that deserves all the love it gets.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

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Jeffrey M

Dolphin Tale was an okay movie. I would probably like the movie more if I watched it in my own house. I watched this movie at school so it wasn't really the best place. Dolphin Tale had a wonderful plot and great characters, but the space in between that made the movie to a 4 and a half ⭐s to 3 and a half ⭐s. I give this a 67%.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/22/23

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Rodrigo C

this is a great movie and its also a memory for Winter the dolphin (2005-2021)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/23

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Audience Member

Nice and pathetic family movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

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Charles Martin Smith

Director

Harry Connick Jr.

Dr. Clay Haskett

Ashley Judd

Lorraine Nelson

Nathan Gamble

Sawyer

Kris Kristofferson

Reed Haskett

Cozi Zuehlsdorff

Hazel

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Synopsis

While swimming free in the ocean, a young dolphin gets caught in a trap and severely damages her tail. Though she is rescued and transported to Clearwater Marine Hospital, her tail cannot be saved, and the prognosis is dire. What the dolphin, now named Winter, needs is a miracle. She gets that miracle in the form of a marine biologist (Harry Connick Jr.), a prosthetics designer (Morgan Freeman), and a devoted boy (Nathan Gamble), who find a way to help Winter swim again.

Director: Charles Martin Smith
Producer: Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Richard Ingber
Screenwriter: Karen Janszen, Noam Dromi
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Alcon Entertainment
Rating: PG (Some Mild Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 23, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 15, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $72.3M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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