# A Fish Called Wanda

> 1988 British-American heist comedy film

**Wikidata**: [Q466186](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q466186)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Fish_Called_Wanda)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-fish-called-wanda

## Summary
A Fish Called Wanda is a 1988 British-American heist comedy film distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and starring Jamie Lee Curtis. The film won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and is recognized for blending crime comedy and black comedy elements. It spawned a spiritual successor, Fierce Creatures (1997), and inspired a Simpsons episode titled "A Fish Called Selma."

## Key Facts
- Released in 1988 with multiple international release dates: July 7 (US), July 15 (UK), October 14 (Sweden), October 28 (Netherlands), January 18, 20, and 26, 1989 (Finland, Portugal, and Japan).
- Classified as a heist film, crime comedy film, and black comedy film.
- Co-production between the United States and the United Kingdom.
- Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), founded in 1924.
- Stars Jamie Lee Curtis, an American actress and author.
- Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (established in 1936).
- Preceded and succeeded by the 1997 film Fierce Creatures.
- Inspired The Simpsons episode "A Fish Called Selma" (Season 7, Episode 19).

## FAQs
- **What genres is A Fish Called Wanda associated with?** It is a heist comedy film incorporating elements of crime comedy and black comedy.
- **When was the film released internationally?** Release dates varied by country, spanning July 1988 to January 1989.
- **Who stars in the film?** Jamie Lee Curtis appears in a key role.
- **What awards did the film win?** It received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
- **Is the film part of a series?** It is spiritually succeeded by Fierce Creatures (1997) and inspired a Simpsons episode.
- **Where was the film produced?** It was a co-production between the US and UK.

## Why It Matters
A Fish Called Wanda is significant for its unique blend of heist and comedy genres, earning critical acclaim and an Academy Award. Its success demonstrated the viability of international co-productions and influenced later films and media, such as Fierce Creatures and The Simpsons. The film’s Oscar win underscores its artistic and cultural impact, solidifying its status as a landmark comedy of the 1980s.

## Notable For
- Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
- Successfully merged heist, crime comedy, and black comedy genres.
- First in a thematic series followed by Fierce Creatures.
- Inspired a parody episode of The Simpsons.
- Featured a dual British-American production collaboration.

## Body

### Production Background
A Fish Called Wanda was produced as a British-American collaboration, released in 1988. The film was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), a historic American film company founded in 1924. As a co-production, it involved creative and financial contributions from both the United States and the United Kingdom.

### Release and Distribution
The film premiered in the US on July 7, 1988, followed by a UK release on July 15. International rollouts continued through 1988 and early 1989, with dates including October 14 (Sweden), October 28 (Netherlands), and January 1989 in Finland, Portugal, and Japan. MGM handled global distribution, leveraging its established networks.

### Genre and Themes
Classified under multiple genres, the film is primarily a heist comedy with intricate plots centered on theft. It incorporates crime comedy elements and black comedy, characterized by dark humor. This blend set it apart from typical heist films, emphasizing comedic timing and satire.

### Cast and Crew
Jamie Lee Curtis, an American actress and author, starred in the film. Her involvement highlighted her versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. The film’s success bolstered her career, showcasing her ability to carry a major international production.

### Awards and Legacy
The film earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, an honor established in 1936. This recognition underscored its critical acclaim and artistic merit. The award has been presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since its inception.

### Related Works
- **Fierce Creatures (1997):** A spiritual successor, also blending comedy and crime elements. It is listed as both preceded and succeeded by A Fish Called Wanda, indicating a thematic or creative link.
- **The Simpsons Episode "A Fish Called Selma" (1996):** A parody episode referencing the film’s title and themes, demonstrating its cultural influence.

### Cultural Impact
The film’s title and premise were parodied in The Simpsons, cementing its place in pop culture. Its international co-production model also influenced future collaborations between US and UK filmmakers, showcasing the viability of cross-national projects in the film industry.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095159/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/rybka-zwana-wanda)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=4413.html)
4. [Source](https://filmow.com/um-peixe-chamado-wanda-t3735/)
5. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_19181_Um.Peixe.Chamado.Wanda-(A.Fish.Called.Wanda).html)
6. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film874990.html)
7. Freebase Data Dumps
8. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-fish-called-wanda)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095159/fullcredits)
10. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1989)
11. The Movie Database
12. A Fish Called Wanda. Rotten Tomatoes
13. [Source](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/623-a-fish-called-wanda)
14. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095159/releaseinfo)
15. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095159/parentalguide/#certificates)
16. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0095159/)
17. Kinopoisk
18. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/fish-called-wanda-a/)
19. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
20. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
21. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/68764)
22. Cineplex
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24. mymovies.it
25. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/F2EE-57C9-4B18-96D8-80AD-X)
26. Danish Film Database
27. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/85672)
28. Kanopy
29. Trakt.tv
30. FilmVandaag.nl