Splash

Splash has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Netflix and Disney Plus. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Tom Hanks leads a cast with real comic timing. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Splash earns its spot. Splash does what great comedies rarely manage — it is actually funny, consistently, across the whole run. A successful businessman falls in love with the girl of his dreams. There's one big complication though; he's fallen hook, line and sinker for a mermaid. Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1984. What keeps Splash from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Splash is a strong candidate. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Tom Hanks anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.