Sharknado
Performance & Direction: Sharknado Review
Last updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Sharknado (2013) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a FLOP with a verified audience rating of 3.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Sharknado features a noteworthy lineup led by Ian Ziering . Supported by the likes of Tara Reid and John Heard , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Sharknado (2013) is negative. With an audience rating of 3.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Sharknado
Quick Plot Summary: Sharknado is a Action, Comedy, Horror, Science Fiction, TV Movie film that delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The narrative structure follows a classic action blueprint: establish the protagonist's world, introduce a formidable antagonist, and escalate the stakes through increasingly intense confrontations. A freak hurricane hits Los Angeles, causing man-eating sharks to be scooped up in tornadoes and flooding the city with shark-infested seawater. Surfer and bar-owner Fin sets out with his friends Baz and Nova to rescue his estranged wife April and teenage daughter Claudia. The film balances spectacular set pieces with character moments, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it. This approach calls everyone and everything into question as the plot unfolds.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film opens with an explosive sequence that immediately establishes the stakes and introduces our protagonist in action.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The final confrontation delivers on the buildup, with stakes at their highest and the protagonist using everything they've learned.
Ending Explained: Sharknado
Ending Breakdown: Sharknado attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Sharknado reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Sharknado?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Action films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Sharknado
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $1.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Sharknado Budget
The estimated production budget for Sharknado is $1.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Sharknado
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Sharknado Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsSharknado Parents Guide & Age Rating
2013 AdvisoryWondering about Sharknado age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Sharknado is 86 minutes (1h 26m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 3.9/10, and global collection metrics, Sharknado stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2013 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sharknado worth watching?
Sharknado is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 3.9/10 and stands as a FLOP in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Sharknado parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Sharknado identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Sharknado?
The total duration of Sharknado is 86 minutes, which is approximately 1h 26m long.
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How Sharknado Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Sharknado
“For a b-grade movie this is an OK one” At the beginning concept of a city getting filled with water due to heavy flood and the sharks getting us thru there is believable and a very good concept, imagine that really happens what are we going to do, but sharks in tornado I don’t dig that cause that is impossible. I thought before seeing this movie that it was a spoof movie of all those shark movies like JAWS, Deep blue sea etc., but it turned out to be a serious shark movie with some parts in the movie that are not believable. Tornado itself can be made as a tragic movie so imagine we top it up with sharks and call it Sharknado. It’s an ok movie for a one time watch but don’t expect to be all wowed by it Notable Acting Cassandra Scerbo famous for her movie such as Bring it on Ian Ziering My Rating 6/10
It's kind of odd that _Sharknado_ is the movie that brought ridiculous Creature Feature B-movies into the public awareness. Especially seeing as it's been going on since like... The '50s, minimum... Wish it had have been a better movie that hit the zeitgeist though... _Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._
I love corny shark flicks... I mean sharktopus is one of my faves. But what the ever living hell is this? It had promise... They made lots of sequels so somebody liked it.
**Disconnect your brain and embrace the insanity. You will thank me.** Sharknado is terrible in every way, and the result is pure joy! Sharknado has some of the worst CGI, acting, and plot, but it's a blast from start to finish. I never knew how much I needed to see sharks raining from the sky getting chainsawed by B-list actors until I saw this movie. Trust me, this movie is best watched with friends ready to laugh at the ridiculousness of a tornado of sharks.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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