Netflix Pulls 'Shark Stunt' During Chicago River Dyeing

Fake fins spotted in the emerald waters were a promotion for upcoming thriller film

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:03am

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During the annual St. Patrick's Day tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green, some onlookers reported seeing what appeared to be shark fins circling in the water. However, these were not real sharks, but rather a "visual stunt" orchestrated by Netflix to promote their upcoming thriller film "THRASH," which centers on the aftermath of a hurricane that brings hungry sharks to a coastal town.

Why it matters

The Chicago River dyeing is a beloved annual event that draws large crowds, so Netflix's promotional stunt was a clever way to generate buzz for their new movie while also tapping into the excitement of the holiday tradition.

The details

Starting at 11:30 a.m. and running until 4 p.m. on the day of the river dyeing, the "surprise shark fins" were seen swimming up and down the main stretch of the Chicago River between Columbus Drive and the south side. A Netflix spokesperson confirmed this was a promotional stunt for the upcoming film "THRASH," which is set to release on April 10 and stars Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak, and Djimon Hounsou.

  • The annual St. Patrick's Day river dyeing event took place on Saturday, March 15, 2026.
  • The "shark fin" stunt ran from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of the river dyeing.

The players

Netflix

The streaming entertainment company that orchestrated the "shark fin" promotional stunt during the Chicago River dyeing event.

"THRASH"

An upcoming thriller film from Netflix that centers on the aftermath of a hurricane and the subsequent storm surge that brings hungry sharks to a coastal town.

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What they’re saying

“Starting at the south side of Columbus Drive and the river, the "surprise shark fins" swam up and down the main stretch of the river between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.”

— Netflix spokesperson (nbcchicago.com)

What’s next

The release of "THRASH" on Netflix is scheduled for April 10, 2026, following the promotional stunt during the Chicago River dyeing.

The takeaway

Netflix's clever promotional stunt during the beloved Chicago River dyeing event highlights the company's savvy marketing tactics to generate buzz for their upcoming thriller film "THRASH" by tapping into a popular local tradition.