The Annihilation of Fish

Play trailer

1:42

The Annihilation of Fish

R

Released Nov 2, 2001

1h 48m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

99%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A woman (Lynn Redgrave) who believes a dead composer is in love with her falls in love with a man (James Earl Jones) who constantly fights an imaginary man named Hank.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

The Annihilation of Fish is one of the tenderest films ever made about finding purpose and love long after one expects to do so.

Jun 23, 2025

Full Review

Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune

The movie’s a rom-com at heart, but there is no other one like it.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 21, 2025

Full Review

Tim Grierson

Los Angeles Times

A tale of two troubled souls who find each other, the movie has become an even stronger tribute to the people (not to mention the art) we so easily push aside.

Feb 21, 2025

Full Review

Anna Hoang

Boston Hassle

It’s not an exaggeration to say that it feels like a dog-eat-dog world out there, which makes it certain that we need Fish and Poinsettia to show us what’s possible...but it’s also certain that in their own configured lives that they don’t need us at all.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 12, 2025

Full Review

Fletcher Powell

KMUW - Wichita Public Radio

There’s a lot in the film that isn’t meant to be taken literally, and if you insist on a literal reading of it, you may struggle with its strangeness and silliness. But metaphor exists for a reason...

Jul 10, 2025

Full Review

Armond White

National Review

As an American neorealist, drawn to depict historic spiritual struggle, Burnett just can’t lie, which makes The Annihilation of Fish an awkward presentation of the discordant elements in Hollywood race ideology.

Jun 27, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

Successful in 1 hour and 48 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $69,200.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

Full Review

Alec B

Jones and Redgrave are incredible and are probably the main reason this thoroughly bizzare romantic comedy succeeds.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

Full Review

Lucas S

turns out i was the one who annihilated the fish and officer paul was the guy who hid the fish but foldly and pac man smelled them from far away so it was hard to win sisgh

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/03/25

Full Review

Robin

One of the Best movies I’ve seen for a long time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

Full Review

Jopan G

Kerenn habisss awww ayok nonton

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/08/25

Full Review

Fikri I

it`s pretty interesting, like i they tell a story about 2 old couple who have strugle about their live. its kinda give me an insigt of how its becoming old and fat... and someone whos`s there beside u... really coll

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/05/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Charles Burnett

Director

Lynn Redgrave

Poinsettia

James Earl Jones

Fish

Margot Kidder

Mrs. Muldroone

Paul M. Heller

Producer

William Fabrizio

Producer

How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog

59%

73%

How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog

Watchlist

Breakfast of Champions

28%

32%

Breakfast of Champions

Watchlist

Lush

0%

%

Lush

Watchlist

Sparkler

55%

47%

Sparkler

Watchlist

American Virgin

29%

10%

American Virgin

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Annihilation of Fish: Trailer 1

1:42

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A woman (Lynn Redgrave) who believes a dead composer is in love with her falls in love with a man (James Earl Jones) who constantly fights an imaginary man named Hank.

Director: Charles Burnett
Producer: Paul M. Heller, William Fabrizio, John Remark, Eric Mitchell
Distributor: Regent Entertainment
Production Co: American Sterling Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 2, 2001, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Feb 14, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $69.2K
Runtime: 1h 48m

Most Popular at Home Now