Will Smith has never been shy about taking risks, even when those gambles don't quite pay off. He famously passed on The Matrix to star in Wild Wild West, and he later headlined M. Night Shyamalan's After Earth, which currently sits at a dismal 12% on Rotten Tomatoes. But perhaps his most baffling creative detour came in 2004, when he voiced a fish in an animated movie that was essentially a kids' take on The Godfather.
That film, of course, is Shark Tale, DreamWorks' underwater mob comedy that somehow paired Smith with Renée Zellweger, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and the legendary duo of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. Yes, you read that right—Scorsese lent his voice to a cartoon shark, years before his live-action cameo in The Mandalorian and Grogu. The movie was a box office success, pulling in $375 million worldwide against a modest $75 million budget, but critics were less kind. Roger Ebert himself was puzzled, writing, "It's strange that a kid-oriented film would be based on a parody of a 1972 gangster movie for adults."
Now, Shark Tale is about to disappear from Peacock. Subscribers in the U.S. have until September 1, 2026 to stream it before it's removed. If you've never seen it, this is your last chance to experience a piece of mid-2000s pop culture that feels like a time capsule from the era of Shrek.
Why does Shark Tale remain so fascinating? Partly because it's a strange hybrid: a family-friendly animated feature that's packed with adult references and celebrity cameos. The plot follows Oscar (Smith), a small-time fish who takes credit for killing a shark, only to find himself tangled in a mob conspiracy. It's a premise that shouldn't work, yet it somehow became a global hit, spawning video games and merchandise.
But the movie's legacy is complicated. It holds a 35% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it "derivative and full of pop-culture jokes." It's often compared unfavorably to Rango, the 2011 animated western that also drew from classic cinema and won an Oscar. Yet Shark Tale has its defenders, who appreciate its goofy charm and the sheer audacity of casting Scorsese as a mob boss fish.
For fans of crime cinema, Shark Tale is a bizarre footnote—a cartoon that pays homage to one of the greatest films ever made. If you're in the mood for more straightforward mob stories, check out our list of the best crime movies of the 2010s or dive into crime thrillers with flawless direction. But if you want to see Scorsese and De Niro reunite in a way you never expected, Shark Tale is your only option.
As the September 1 deadline approaches, Peacock is also saying goodbye to other titles. If you're looking for more films to catch before they vanish, check out our roundup of movies leaving Netflix in September for a different streaming platform. And for those who prefer their animated heroes with a bit more edge, keep an eye on upcoming releases that might fill the void left by this quirky classic.
So, will you give Shark Tale a rewatch before it swims away? It's a strange, flawed, and utterly unique piece of animation history—one that proves even the most unlikely ideas can find an audience. Just don't expect a masterpiece; expect a fun, forgettable ride that's perfect for a lazy weekend afternoon.
