Flow (2024): Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Flow is a 2024 animated adventure film directed by Gints Zilbalodis. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes and earned $30.9 million worldwide on a $3.5 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Animated Feature Film, and 4 awards in all. Critics gave it 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 24m (84 min)
- Director
- Gints Zilbalodis
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Dream Well Studio
- Budget
- $3.5M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Flow About?
The premise of Flow without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
After a devastating flood transforms his world, a brave cat embarks on a remarkable journey. He joins forces with a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog, setting sail in a boat to find dry land. Together, they face the challenges of a planet now covered in water, relying on trust, courage, and ingenuity to survive.
Flow Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- cat
- no dialogue
- animals family
- boat
- dog
- rabbit
- rescue from drowning
- capybara
- whale
- fish
- cg animation
- scene after end credits
+38 more Show fewer
- mirror
- water
- one word title
- sailboat
- flow
- spoon
- underwater scene
- dream sequence
- lemur
- breaking a mirror
- flood
- chase
- catching a fish
- sea level rise
- broken wing
- fishing
- swimming
- windmill
- flooded town
- tree
- basket
- reflection
- friendship
- natural disaster
- to stay together
- wave
- banana
- float glass
- painted cgi
- great flood
- forest
- disaster
- join
- chased by a dog
- secretary bird
- computer animation
- post apocalypse
- seafaring
The Director of Flow
Directed by Gints Zilbalodis.
- Director Gints Zilbalodis
Flow Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Flow 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).
Flow Echo Score Breakdown
Flow excels in visual storytelling and sensory immersion but its minimal dialogue and sparse plot may limit engagement for some viewers. The film’s strong animation quality and evocative sound design consistently draw praise, and many find its environmental allegory thoughtfully conveyed through imagery. However, the subdued pacing and lack of explicit narrative beats divide opinion on storytelling depth. Ultimately, Flow offers a striking audiovisual experience, even if its understated approach may not resonate equally with all audiences.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of art and craft, Flow delivers exceptional animation and refined production design that animates its post-apocalyptic world. Critics and viewers note the film’s lush color palette and fluid movements, while some observe a Pixar-like polish in texture. The measured editing reinforces the film’s contemplative rhythm without feeling sluggish. Overall, the craft of Flow stands out as a compelling example of animation that balances technical prowess with visual coherence.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, Flow relies on nonverbal cues to foster empathy with its animal protagonists. Observers frequently highlight the nuanced behavior of the cat and companion creatures, noting moments of warmth and tension that convey emotional stakes. Yet a minority find the character interactions diffuse due to the absence of dialogue and explicit backstory. In sum, the film’s emotional resonance succeeds for many, though it may feel distant to some.
- Story & Flow 65
In terms of story and flow, Flow employs a minimalist narrative that unfolds through visual allegory rather than dialogue. Supporters praise its originality and the steady revelation of post-cataclysmic survival, while critics point to loose plot structure and occasional pacing lulls. The environmental meditation imbues the film with thoughtful themes, but some may find the understated progression lacking in dramatic tension. Ultimately, the film’s narrative delivers an evocative mood, even if its coherence is uneven.
- Sensory Experience 85
When considering sensory experience, Flow excels with an evocative soundtrack and immersive sound design that complement its visual storytelling. Viewers admire the absence of dialogue as a strength, allowing ambient noises and musical cues to heighten emotional beats. The cohesive visual style, marked by organic textures and harmonious color schemes, reinforces the film’s thematic tone. As a result, the sensory elements coalesce into a richly atmospheric journey that resonates long after viewing.
- Rewatch Factor 80
Regarding rewatch factor, Flow offers ample visual detail and thematic layers that invite repeat viewing. Many find new emotional nuances and environmental motifs emerge on subsequent watches, deepening appreciation for its allegorical framing. However, some viewers note that the deliberate pacing and sparse plot may lessen enthusiasm for multiple viewings. Overall, Flow presents sufficient aesthetic and narrative depth to reward a second or third viewing, though its appeal may be selective.
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IMDb 7.8 /10
141880 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 87 Metascore
User score 8.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 81% User score
See on TMDB
Flow Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Flow from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A black cat embarks on an extraordinary adventure through a perilous forest, encountering an unexpected turn of events. As this agile creature wanders, a pack of dogs descends upon a riverbank, intent on catching fish. In the midst of their chaotic commotion, when two dogs quarrel over their catch, the clever cat seizes the opportunity to snatch the fish, prompting a frantic chase. Amidst the chaos, the cat cleverly eludes the dogs, only to witness a dramatic deer stampede. Suddenly, the tranquility shatters as an imposing tsunami crashes through the landscape. Luckily, the resourceful cat and the determined dogs manage to escape to safety on higher ground.
Full summary
The whole story of Flow, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Flow Box Office & Budget
Flow grossed $30.9 million worldwide on a $3.5 million budget, 8.8 times what it cost. $4.8 million came from the US and Canada and $26.1 million (84%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$30.9M
8.8× its budget
- US & Canada
- $4.8M
- International
- $26.1M
- Budget
- $3.5M
Flow Awards & Nominations
Flow won 1 Oscar, including Animated Feature Film, and 4 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 2025, with 1 win from 2 nominations.
4 wins14 nominations10 ceremonies
-
Gaudí Awards 2026 1 nomination- Nominated Best European Film
-
Oscars 2025 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Animated Feature Film
- Nominated International Feature Film
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Lumières 2025 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Animated Film
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Spirit Awards 2025 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best International Film – Gints Zilbalodis
Show all 10 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Golden Globes 2025 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Animated Feature Film
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Critics' Choice 2025 2 nominations- Nominated Best Animated Feature
- Nominated Best Foreign Language Film
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NAACP Image Awards 2025 2 nominations- Nominated Best Animated Film
- Nominated Best Children's & Family Film
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BAFTA 2025 2 nominations- Nominated Best Animated Film
- Nominated Best Children's & Family Film
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PGA Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures
-
Annie Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Best Animated Feature — Independent
Flow Trailers & Videos
12 videos: 3 trailers, 2 teasers, 1 clip, 5 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer Official US Trailer
- Trailer Oscar Winner | UK Trailer
- Teaser Director Teaser
- Teaser In UK Cinemas 21 March
How Well Do You Know Flow?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What animal does the story primarily follow?
Flow Also Known As
30 alternative titles, including “猫猫的奇幻漂流” and “جریان”.
- Also known as
-
- 猫猫的奇幻漂流
- جریان
- 喵的奇幻漂流
- Vooluga kaasa
- Áradás
- Течение
- 플로우
- Flow, un mundo que salvar
- Потік. Останній кіт на Землі
- ผจญภัยน้ำท่วมโลก
- 貓貓的奇幻漂流
- الانسياب
+18 more Show fewer
- Flow, le chat qui n'avait plus peur de l'eau, დინება
- Flow - Un mondo da salvare
- Kočičí odysea
- Поток
- עם הזרם
- Poplava
- มีเหมียว มีกัน วันน้ำท่วมโลก
- Flow - katten som slutade vara rädd för vatten
- Flow - À Deriva
- Valovanje
- Поплава
- Mačacia odysea
- Flow: Bir Kedinin Yolculuğu
- Potvynis
- Потоп
- Lạc Trôi
- Плынь
- Flow: Η Γάτα που δεν Φοβόταν το Νερό
Seen Flow?
Movies Like Flow
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Raining Cats and Frogs, Noah’s Ark and The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer.
Articles About Flow
4 articles about Flow. The latest: “The Ultimate 2025 Oscars Nominations Guide: Surprises, Snubs, and Must-Know Insights”.
-
Culture -
Culture2025 Oscars Nominations: Musicals, Horror, and Hollywood’s Biggest Surprises
The 2025 Oscar nominations promise a thrilling contest. Here’s a closer look at this year’s biggest contenders, snubs, and surprises. 6 min read -
Golden Globes2025 Golden Globe Nominations: Surprises, Snubs, and the Next Big Oscar Clues
A deep dive into the surprises, snubs, and game-changing nominations for the 2025 Golden Globes. Explore which films and series stunned critics, which stars got snubbed, and how these nominations may shape the Oscars race. 6 min read
Flow FAQ: Box Office, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Flow, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Flow?
Flow runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).
When was Flow released?
Flow was released on November 22, 2024.
Who directed Flow?
Flow was directed by Gints Zilbalodis.
More films by Gints Zilbalodis How much did Flow make at the box office?
Flow grossed $30.9 million worldwide ($4.8 million domestic, $26.1 million international) on a budget of $3.5 million.
How is Flow rated?
Flow has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 87 on Metacritic and 81% on TMDB.
What awards did Flow win?
Flow won 4 awards from 14 nominations, including Animated Feature Film at the Oscars 2025.
Does Flow have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Flow has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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