From fly fishing to bait casting, fishing is a popular pastime people enjoy worldwide. So it only makes sense that there would be many great movies – another favorite pastime – featuring this beloved activity. These are, in our opinion, some of the best fishing movies of all times!

Whether you’re looking for a fun flick set on a river or a darker adventure out at sea, don’t waste your time fishing for one to watch. Here are three that stand out as the best fishing movies of all time:

From fly fishing to bait casting, fishing is a popular pastime enjoyed worldwide.

A River Runs Through It

To say that interest in fly fishing boomed after this film was released in 1992 might be an understatement. The fly fishing industry more than doubled in size by 1993.

Directed by Robert Redford and based on the 1976 novella by Norman Maclean, this classic coming-of-age story is set against the backdrop of Montana’s Rocky Mountain region. The film follows two brothers, Norman and Paul, growing up in the early 1900s in Missoula. Their father is a Presbyterian minister who considers fly fishing the only right – or rather, righteous – way to fish.

A River Runs Through It is a beautiful film that captures the majesty of nature and the simplicity of human relationships.

Norman is the more academic of the two, and Paul is the wild, rebellious one. As they grow older, their differences become more pronounced. Despite their different paths in life, the brothers share a devotion to fly fishing. The film focuses on their relationship as they grow up under their father’s shadow and how fly fishing is a metaphor for life itself.

A River Runs Through It is a beautiful film that captures the majesty of nature and the simplicity of human relationships. It’s a must-watch for any fly fishing fan.

Viewing Idea: Have a fly-fishing marathon! Start with A River Runs Through It, then check out Cast Alaska, a film that follows anglers on their unrelenting downstream pursuit of a 30-inch rainbow trout as magnificent as the film’s Alaskan setting.

Moby Dick

The film Moby Dick follows the voyage of Captain Ahab, played by Gregory Peck, a sole survivor consumed by his quest to kill a giant white sperm whale that took his leg years earlier. After chasing the whale for years with no luck, Ahab is determined to find and kill the whale no matter the cost.

The film opens with Ahab’s whaling ship, the Pequod, as his crew awaits their whaling mission. But it isn’t what they expected. Even though the crew eventually catches up to the whale, Moby Dick, Ahab’s obsession will lead to tragedy and destruction.

After Moby Dick took his leg years earlier, Captain Ahab is determined to find and kill the giant sperm whale no matter the cost.

Moby Dick is a film about revenge, obsession, and fate. It’s a dark, suspenseful story with some stunning ocean visuals. If you’re a fan of fishing movies or simply want to have more classic films under your belt, Moby Dick is worth a watch.

Viewing idea: Herman Melville’s classic novel about a man’s obsession with a white whale has been adapted to the big screen several times. Although the 1956 version starring Gregory Peck is considered the best, watch a few and pick your own favorite.

Jaws

As one of the greatest fishing movies of all time (and probably the best shark-themed one), Jaws is the perfect blend of excitement and suspense with a healthy dose of humor.

The story follows a great white shark that terrorizes a small town in Massachusetts. Regretting giving in to the mayor’s plea to keep the beaches open for business, unlikely hero Chief of Police Brody joins forces with Captain Quint, who puts a high price on his shark hunting services.

Both eager to catch the predator for their own reasons, they enlist the help of shark enthusiast and oceanographer Matt Hooper. As the plot follows the crew’s expedition from shore to sea, it’s interesting to watch how their plans and efforts to take down a three-ton shark unfold.

What makes Jaws so great is that it’s not just a movie about a shark attack. It’s a well-crafted story and commentary on human nature, society, and how we react to fear – and even money. People are often their own worst enemies, and we see that when Quint’s obsession with killing the shark without outside help leads to his downfall.

Jaws is one of the most thrilling fishing movies ever made.

The film’s iconic music and shots of the shark add to the suspense, making it one of the most thrilling fishing movies ever made.

Viewing idea: There’s still time before fall, so bring out the projector and gather in the water for one last summer pool party. And don’t forget the pool floats, as nobody wants to tread water for two hours. And if you don’t have enough to go around, well then, you’re gonna need a bigger float.