Movie · 2022 · Animation, Adventure, Action, Family, Fantasy · 1h 55m · PG · English
Curator score: 4.9/10 (236.5K ratings)
Hit the high seas.
Overview
When a young girl stows away on the ship of a legendary sea monster hunter, they launch an epic journey into uncharted waters — and make history to boot.
Ratings
Curator score: 4.9/10
IMDb: 7.0/10
Letterboxd: 3.39/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Metacritic: 74
TMDB: 7.3/10
Director
Chris Williams
Production
Netflix
Cast
Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Benjamin Plessala, Somali Rose, Kaya McLean, Davis Pak, Helen Sadler, Xana Tang, Alex Wyndham, Brian T. Delaney, Ian Mercer, Shannon Chan-Kent, Max Mittelman, Paul Chowdhry, Jim Carter, Doon Mackichan, Dan Stevens, Rajia Baroudi
Where to watch
Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A sincere, visually rich family adventure with strong sea-bound spectacle, warm character work, and enough emotional momentum to rise above its familiar beats. It’s especially appealing if you want polished animation, monster-movie wonder, and a story with anti-war, anti-hunting, and found-family energy.
Best for
families looking for a smart adventure
fans of animated swashbucklers and sea monsters
viewers who like heartfelt, accessible storytelling
people who enjoy lush action animation and creature design
Skip if
you want a highly original plot
you dislike stories that feel familiar in a good way
you prefer adult-leaning fantasy or darker maritime epics
you’re tired of heroic-kid-and-gruff-mentor dynamics
Overview
The Sea Beast is the kind of animated adventure that knows exactly what it wants to be: big, sincere, and easy to root for. It leans on familiar ingredients — monster hunting, a stowaway kid, a reluctant hero, a voyage into the unknown — but the execution is polished enough that the movie feels fresh in motion, especially in its water animation and creature work.
Worth noting
What gives it lift is the emotional clarity. The film has a strong anti-war, anti-imperial streak without turning preachy, and it treats its characters with enough warmth that the message lands naturally. The central relationship gives the story a sturdy heart, and the supporting cast helps the world feel lived-in rather than purely functional.
Bottom line
It may not reinvent the family-adventure wheel, and some turns are easy to see coming, but that’s less a flaw than a tradeoff for craft and comfort. If you want a crowd-pleasing animated voyage with real visual flair and a genuine sense of wonder, this is an easy recommendation.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Brian Tallerico (3.5★) · 4227 likes
How to Train Your Moana of the Caribbean
Really fun. A true surprise.
Joe A (4★) · 2185 likes
The underwater scene where Jacob and Maisie are staring at Red >>>>>>>>>>
Animation. Fucking. Rules.
Framesofnick (4★) · 2067 likes
the water is fucking gorgeous and red is adorable🥺
Max C. (4★) · 1668 likes
A poor orphan child abolishes the British monarchy. It’s great!
ale (3.5★) · 1300 likes
Someone watched HTTYD and said "let's turn the dragons into sea beasts and the vikings into pirates, and while we are at it, let's homage the coolest shots too".
Anyway, really cute movie.