A "BRITISH GEM" THAT WILL HAVE YOU "SMILING FROM THE START TO THE END" IS NOW STREAMING FOR FREE

If you're in need of a pick-me-up at the start of a new week, Fisherman's Friends is now streaming for free in the UK.

Released in 2019, the feel-good musical movie is inspired by true events and features a stacked British cast including Daniel Mays, James Purefoy, Dave Johns and Tuppence Middleton.

It's been called a "British gem" by viewers on IMDb, who also say that the movie will have you "smiling from the start to the end".

If that sounds like something you want to see, Fisherman's Friends is now streaming for free on Channel 4's streaming service, following its airing on Film4 over the weekend.

Directed by Chris Foggin, Fisherman's Friends tells the story of the real-life group of Cornish fishermen from Port Isaac who were signed by Universal Records and even achieved a top 10 hit with their debut album of sea shanties.

Related: The best British movies of the past 25 years

Line of Duty's Mays stars as cynical London music executive Danny, who heads to Cornwall for a colleague's stag do. While there, his boss tricks him into signing a group that sing sea shanties.

What started as a silly challenge turns into something more profound for Danny, who discovers the meaning of community and loyalty.

The group is made up of Jim (Purefoy), Jago (David Hayman), Leadville (Johns) and Rowan (Sam Swainsbury), with Middleton starring as Jim's daughter Alwyn.

The members of the real Fisherman's Friends group all appear in cameos, with script co-writer Piers Ashworth confirming to The Guardian that the singing in the film was a blending of the actual singers' voices and those of the actors.

Related: "Beautifully performed" British drama has just dropped on Netflix

Fisherman's Friends: One and All, a sequel focusing the group's big 2011 gig at Glastonbury, was released in 2022. Behind the camera for the follow-up were screenwriters of the first film Nick Moorcroft and Meg Leonard, who also penned the sequel's script with Ashworth.

Sadly, the sequel isn't available to stream for free at the moment. However, it will be added to Channel 4's streaming service on Sunday.

Those who wish to go for a comfort double bill and can't wait until then can buy or rent it on several digital retailers, including Prime Video.

Fisherman's Friends is available to watch for free on Channel 4's streaming service.

Digital Spy's new print issue is here! Buy Oasis - Live in '25 in newsagents or online, now priced at just £8.99.

2025-07-14T10:38:52Z