The Eel poster
Where to stream

The Eel

6.919971h 57mMovieDramaCrime

A businessman kills his adulterous wife and is sent to prison. After his release, he opens a barbershop and meets new people, talking to almost no one except for an eel he befriended while in prison.

DirectorShōhei Imamura
WritersShōhei Imamura·Motofumi Tomikawa
ProducerHisashi Iino

Where to watch

Criterion ChannelCriterion Channel
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Shōhei Imamura

KYKoji Yakusho
Koji Yakusho
Takuro Yamashita
MSMisa Shimizu
Misa Shimizu
Keiko Hattori
AEAkira Emoto
Akira Emoto
Tamotsu Takasaki
FTFujio Tokita
Fujio Tokita
Jiro Nakajima
MBMitsuko Baisho
Mitsuko Baisho
Misako Nakajima
SAShow Aikawa
Show Aikawa
Yuji Nozawa
KKKen Kobayashi
Ken Kobayashi
Masaki Saito
SKSabu Kawahara
Sabu Kawahara
Seitaro Misato
EIEtsuko Ichihara
Etsuko Ichihara
Fumie Hattori
TTTomorowo Taguchi
Tomorowo Taguchi
Eiji Dojima
CTChiho Terada
Chiho Terada
Emiko Yamashita
SSSanshō Shinsui
Sanshō Shinsui
Doctor

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More from Misa Shimizu · Co-star actress

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More from Shōhei Imamura · Director

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The Eel — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Eel?

The Eel is streaming on Criterion Channel in United States. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The Eel on Netflix?

No, The Eel is not on Netflix in United States as of October 2026. It's currently on Criterion Channel.

Is The Eel on Amazon Prime Video?

No, The Eel isn't on Amazon Prime Video in United States right now. It's on Criterion Channel instead.

Where can I watch The Eel for free?

The Eel is available on Criterion Channel in United States, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.