14 Best Movies Like The Shape Of Water That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Movies Like The Shape Of Water

“The Shape of Water,” the latest film from director Guillermo del Toro, has won over our hearts yet again. Although it’s been dubbed a “adult fairy tale,” the film has won numerous accolades at some of the most prestigious award shows around the world. When a strange amphibious creature falls in love with a lonely mute woman, we enter a magical world called “The Shape of Water.” In the midst of Cold War tensions, the film is graced by a stellar cast, an endearing score, and striking cinematography. Here are fourteen films like ‘The Shape of Water’ that we think you’ll enjoy if you enjoy delightful fairy tales. Some of these films, such as The Shape of Water, are available on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.

14. Red Riding Hood (2011)

Red Riding Hood (2011)

According to the Grimm brothers’ classic tale, “Red Riding Hood,” the story takes place in a medieval village where the residents are constantly in danger from a werewolf. Catherine Hardwicke and David Johnson have created a captivating and surprising film based on a well-known story: Fantastic/Mystery. A well-balanced mix of action, romance and suspense makes “Red Riding Hood” a fast and furious thrill ride. There are three main actors in this film: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, and Lukas Haas.

13. Swamp Thing (1982)

Dr. Alec Holland’s goal is to create a hybrid animal/plant that can survive in the harshest of environments. A violent incident turns the scientist into the swamp plant monster he set out to make, which is a bummer. This low-budget film has great action sequences, a lively score, and stunning scenery despite its low budget. Incredibly entertaining and underappreciated, this comic book film blends action and horror. As a result, it quickly rose to the status of cult classic! Wes Craven’s film is recommended for fans of science fiction and horror.

12. Warm Bodies (2013)

Warm Bodies (2013)

Those who have survived in a post-apocalyptic America live in a city surrounded by walls, safe from the hordes of zombies. R is a zombie, but he’s not like the others… When he first meets Julie, a survivor, he has an overwhelming desire to shield her from harm. So, a strange bond is formed between two former foes. The movie “Warm Bodies” is a good choice if you like oddball comedies. This is a surprising film with a bizarre but engrossing plot that keeps you entertained from beginning to end.

11. Crimson Peak (2015)

Crimson Peak, from the director of “The Shape of Water,” tells the story of a young woman who is haunted by the death of her mother. When she marries Mr. Thomas Sharpe and moves in with him, she quickly realizes that she is living in a house that does not want her there anymore. This is yet another example of Guillermo del Toro’s mastery of the hauntingly charming gothic drama. Toro transports us to his fantastical world with the help of a large cast that includes many well-known Hollywood actors.

10. Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

This reimagining of a Disney animated classic features a new mythology and an all-star cast. This is one of the most well-known love stories, one that many of us grew up with. Because of this reimagining, viewers get a better understanding of the story behind the Beast. This film’s cast and crew put in a lot of work to make a visually stunning and emotionally stirring film. You’ll be reminded of “The Shape of Water” while watching “Beauty and the Beast,” as both films revolve around an unlikely love story.

9. Gods and Monsters (1998)

An in-depth look at the life and career of James Whale, the filmmaker behind Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). We follow his final days, during which he battles with his complicated feelings toward Clayton Boone, his young male gardener. Their romance adds a lot of tension and intrigue to the movie, while also giving it a sense of newness and originality. In addition to winning an Academy Award for Best Writing, “Gods and Monsters” also won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Jason Leigh.

8. Amélie (2001)

Amélie (2001)

According to the story, Amélie’s childhood was cut short due to her father’s misguided fears that she might have a heart defect. As a result, Amélie has very little face-to-face interaction. Because of this, Amélie begins to live in a fantasy world created by herself.

After this, Audrey Tatou was a household name in Hollywood. Despite the fact that the actress was already well-known in her native France, this performance made her a household name around the world. When it came to making “Amélie,” director Jean-Pierre Jeunet succeeded because the film features stunning cinematography as well as an engrossing story (and plenty of humor). “The Shape of Water” is a quirky and unique movie, and so is this one.

7. Starman (1984)

John Carpenter is a huge influence on Guillermo del Toro’s films, and he has admitted as much in interviews. “Starman” is a science fiction love story about an alien who disguises himself as a widow’s husband and marries her. Due to an impending deadline, he kidnaps and forces this young woman to drive him across the country from Wisconsin to Arizona. Jeff Bridges is outstanding as the film’s central character, and his performance earned him an Oscar nomination. A similarity can be found between Karen Allen’s and Charles M. Smith’s performances.

6. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

The bookish stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer flees into a creepy but alluring fantasy world in 1944 falangist Spain. An old faun tells her she’s a princess, but she has to prove it by surviving three horrendous tests of strength. In the event that she is unsuccessful, terrible consequences will follow.

The plot of “Pan’s Labyrinth” revolves around the supernatural invading children’s daily lives during dark times. Apart from the unique and magical story, the film also features an outstanding cast, including Ivana Baquero, Sergi López, and Maribel Verdu, all of whom perform magnificently throughout the film. This dark, fascinating film about innocence and brutality, which was nominated for three Academy Awards, is a must-see.

5. Stardust (2007)

The small English village of Wall hides a secret: the kingdom of Stormhold is just beyond the town’s ancient stone wall. With his heart set on winning Victoria, Tristan Thorn bets on returning a falling star that has fallen beyond the wall. As a result, his journey begins while he is focused on bringing back the fallen star in seven days so that he can win Victoria’s affections and marriage. There’s a lot of romance in “Stardust,” which also stars Claire Danes and Michelle Pfeiffer, as well as a slew of other fantastical characters. The writing is fantastic and yet grounded in reality.

4. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

In a similar vein to “The Shape of Water,” this film tells the story of a “monster” falling in love with a woman and how they both fight the idea that a monster’s appearance is all that matters. Tim Burton wrote and directed this film about a kind man who has scissors for hands and lives alone in a large castle. He is welcomed into the home of a kind lady when she discovers this. Although the community is initially friendly, things quickly turn for the worse… This is a sophisticated gothic fairytale with just the right amount of comedy and morality in “Edward Scissorhands.”

3. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948)

In the Caribbean on vacation with his wife, Mr. Peabody, a middle-aged man, hears something strange in the water. He discovers a mermaid while out fishing and the source of those strange noises. A complicated love story begins when he unexpectedly takes her home with him. The cast of “Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid” does an excellent job acting and delivering great dialogue, and the story itself is charming and lovely. It’s empathetic, heartfelt, and funny all at the same time. Consequently, fantasy readers should not overlook this underappreciated gem from the 1940’s..

2. The Red Shoes (1948)

We follow a young ballet dancer who is torn between her career as a ballerina and the man she loves, based on a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. There are mesmerizing sets and cinematography in “The Red Shoes,” a classic well-made film. Five Oscar nominations were given to the film as a result of this, along with the story’s emotional impact. Furthermore, Moira Shearer, Anton Wallbrook, and Marius Goring all put in outstanding performances. They nailed it, and “The Red Shoes” was elevated to masterpiece status as a result.

1. Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

“Creature from the Black Lagoon” is a must-see if you liked “The Shape of Water.” To some degree, this 1950s film provided inspiration for Guillermo Del Toro’s work. An amphibious half-man, half-reptile is discovered in the legendary Black Lagoon by a scientific expedition, and it is quickly captured. Jack Arnold, William Alland, and Joseph Gershenson collaborated to create a visually stunning and sonically stunning masterpiece. In addition, the movie’s clever script and stellar cast will linger in your memory for years to come. Fans of science fiction and horror films should not miss “Creature from the Black Lagoon.”.