The Squid and the Whale movie poster

The Squid and the Whale

2005 · 1h 21m · Released

R Comedy, Drama

Ratings

Based on audience scores
7.0 The Movie Database
7.3 IMDb
81% Rotten Tomatoes
77 Metacritic

Based on the true childhood experiences of Noah Baumbach and his brother, The Squid and the Whale tells the touching story of two young boys dealing with their parents' divorce in Brooklyn in the 1980s.

Where to Stream

Powered by JustWatch
NetflixNetflix Standard with AdsSony Pictures Core Amazon Channel

Top Cast & Crew

Noah Baumbach Director
Jeff Daniels Bernard Berkman
Laura Linney Joan Berkman
Jesse Eisenberg Walt Berkman
Owen Kline Frank Berkman
William Baldwin Ivan
Halley Feiffer Sophie Greenberg
Anna Paquin Lili
DB David Benger Carl
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Frequently asked questions about The Squid and the Whale

Where can I watch The Squid and the Whale?

The Squid and the Whale is available to stream on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, and Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel in the US. Streaming availability is provided by JustWatch and can change over time.

What is The Squid and the Whale about?

Based on the true childhood experiences of Noah Baumbach and his brother, The Squid and the Whale tells the touching story of two young boys dealing with their parents' divorce in Brooklyn in the 1980s.

What are the ratings for The Squid and the Whale?

The Squid and the Whale scores 7.0 on The Movie Database, 7.3 on IMDb, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 77 on Metacritic.

Who stars in The Squid and the Whale?

The Squid and the Whale stars Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline, and William Baldwin.

When did The Squid and the Whale come out?

The Squid and the Whale was released in 2005.

Ratings and streaming availability are aggregated from third-party sources; metadata from The Movie Database (TMDB), streaming data from JustWatch. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Last updated August 2026.