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Loch Ness

Loch Ness

for 1500 years one legend remains undiscovered undisturbed until now LOCH NESS.

1996101 minPGMidcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
Director
John Henderson
Starring
Ted Danson, Joely Richardson, Ian Holm, Kirsty Graham

Dr. Dempsey, an American scientist, is sent to Scotland to disprove the existence of the Loch Ness Monster. He is shocked when Laura, an inn-keeper, introduces him to a small family of Nessie-dinosaurs.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Loch Ness?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Loch Ness streaming on Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Loch Ness?

Loch Ness earns 2 badges, led by Hopeful and Award Nominee.

  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Loch Ness worth watching?

Loch Ness' Midcredits score is the 29th percentile of all films, from 8.3K ratings across 4 sources. 31% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

29th percentile

Better received than 29% of films

34th percentile among Adventure31st percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)35th
Approval (how many liked it)24th

57 /100

35th percentile of all films

39th percentile among Adventure37th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.8 — solid but not unanimous.

31% liked it

24th percentile of all films

30th percentile among Adventure26th percentile among 1990s
31% rated it 7–1069% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

82nd percentile

8.3K ratings across platforms

74th percentile among Adventure75th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 113% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$7M

What reviewers say

Common ground

A slow, gentle family romance that uses the Loch Ness legend as a backdrop rather than a monster movie.

Fans praised

  • Ted Danson's performance as disillusioned scientist
  • wholesome family-friendly tone without violence
  • gorgeous Scottish scenery and atmospheric cinematography

Detractors panned

  • boring, uneventful plot with no monster action
  • weak romance and flimsy story
  • tedious pacing and childish writing

What stands out

Cinematography75

Lovely Scottish scenery and water shots

ActingDivisive70

Ted Danson and child Kirsty Graham praised; detractors find Danson wrong for role

Atmosphere70

Immersion in the loch's mystery and landscape

Emotional impactDivisive60

Warm heart-tugging but cloying to detractors

CharactersDivisive55

Thinly drawn locals and forced romance

Plot and storyDivisive45

Predictable love story with little monster payoff

PacingDivisive40

Slow and gentle; detractors find it boring

Originality35

Formulaic Disney-like family movie

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Loch Ness like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
WarmHopefulThrilling
Heaviest: throughout
Warm humor
Register
WarmAdventurous · 11% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
TonePlayed straight as a warm-hearted adventure with a touch of romance and wonder.
The rideThe film maintains a gentle, warm and optimistic atmosphere with only brief moments of mild tension.
StructureThe story follows a conventional beginning, middle, and end: arrival, discovery, and choice.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe story leaves you believing in magic and second chances, with a warm, satisfying resolution.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% (this title) · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Redemption: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).

13% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA disgraced scientist finds purpose and redemption by choosing to protect the Loch Ness monster and the community's mystery over personal fame.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Redemption · 6% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of filmsFamily bonds
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeA disgraced scientist redeems himself by choosing wonder and love over fame and vindication.
StanceThe film celebrates redemption through wonder and love, affirming that protecting a mystery is more valuable than claiming fame.

The world

ContemporaryRuralWildernessRealistic
Orchestral classicalFolkForeground music · original score · Trevor Jones
SettingLoch Ness, Scottish Highlands, and a local inn
MusicTrevor Jones's score blends sweeping orchestral themes with Scottish folk elements, underscoring the film's sense of wonder.

Content guide

Is Loch Ness okay for kids?

PG

Loch Ness is rated PG: “Rated PG for language, mild sensuality and a fist fight” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at mild (28/100), language at mild (22/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (40/100) and frightening material at mild (25/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • UKPG
  • Germany0
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (8 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (27 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Loch Ness have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Loch Ness?

Cast

Ted Danson
as Dempsey
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Joely Richardson
as Laura
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ian Holm
as Water Bailiff
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kirsty Graham
as Isabel
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
James Frain
as Adrian Foote
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Keith Allen
as Gordon Shoals
Nick Brimble
as Andy Maclean
Wolf Kahler
as Dr. Muller
John Dair
as Macleish
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Philip O'Brien
as Dr. Abernathy
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Loch Ness?

Movies like Loch Ness include The Water Horse (2007), Brave (2012) and Missing Link (2019). Of the 12 closest matches, several are redemption stories, and most are fantasy films.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its story type: family adventure. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Loch Ness?

2.2K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: scientist. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.