The Cove | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

95% Tomatometer 133 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings

In Taiji, Japan, local fishermen hide a gruesome secret: the capture and slaughter of dolphins. Activist Ric O'Barry, who trained dolphins for the "Flipper" TV series, joins forces with filmmaker Louis Psihoyos and the Ocean Preservation Society to expose the brutal practice, risking life and limb in the process.

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The Cove

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Critics Consensus

Though decidedly one-sided, The Cove is an impeccably crafted, suspenseful expose of the covert slaughter of dolphins in Japan.

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Critics Reviews

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The Cove | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Ben Kenigsberg Time Out Rated: 2/5 Nov 18, 2011 Full Review The Cove | Rotten Tomatoes (2) S. James Snyder Time Out Rated: 4/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review The Cove | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Christine Champ Film.com The Cove does what every great documentary with a cause should: It educates, entertains, and inspires audiences to take action. Rated: A- May 6, 2011 Full Review The Cove | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Though the thriller aspects work to create an unexpected level of suspense, what is shown in the film delivers the cause’s most powerful blow. Rated: 4/4 Aug 28, 2023 Full Review The Cove | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Tom Meek Cambridge Day Disturbing beyond its graphic nature namely because of the widespread complicity in the town and unwavering cruelty. Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 11, 2020 Full Review The Cove | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Felicia Feaster Charleston City Paper In this thriller-doc, the entertainment value of a heist flick combines with the merits of a cause. Jan 24, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Dolphins are real life unicorns of the sea, if unicorns were real we would hunt them too. Dolphins are being killed for meat, even though it is extremely poisonous - filled with mercury. This meat is brought as mandatory food to children in schools or alternatively sold under the guise of whale meat.What can one even say to this?In this documentary you learn how intelligent dolphins are, and then hear their unique screams as they are being murdered. Blood baths are committed for unknown, and vague reasons like national pride.This is done in secret, and most people living around the areas have no idea. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/18/24 Full Review Bahad j This idea of ​​the film shooting technique director made the film more attractive to people. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/24 Full Review T T 是的时候是最大谷歌胡雨雨雨雨后彩虹🌈?是的一款适合夏天使用率较多滴小宝宝都可以理解的感觉真的好 Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/24 Full Review Gnr E This movie deserved more than a 5 star ngl Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/01/24 Full Review Geke g No wonder why this film’s review is so high. 5 star. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/28/24 Full Review Munkhchimeg T Come and watch the animal friendly people. Very informative and inspire us to take some action against some cruel things. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

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Louie Psihoyos Director Hayden Panettiere Self Isabel Lucas Self Louie Psihoyos Self Richard O'Barry Self Paul Watson Self

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Synopsis In Taiji, Japan, local fishermen hide a gruesome secret: the capture and slaughter of dolphins. Activist Ric O'Barry, who trained dolphins for the "Flipper" TV series, joins forces with filmmaker Louis Psihoyos and the Ocean Preservation Society to expose the brutal practice, risking life and limb in the process.

Director
Louie Psihoyos

Producer
Paula Dupré Pesmen, Fisher Stevens

Screenwriter
Mark Monroe

Distributor
Roadside Attractions

Production Co
Diamond Docs

Rating
PG-13 (Disturbing Content)

Genre
Documentary

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 31, 2009, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 20, 2015

Box Office (Gross USA)
$869.7K

Runtime
1h 34m
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The Cove | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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