History Main / WalkOnWater

* In the martial arts film ''The Jade Raksha'', the title character (played by Creator/ChengPeiPei) runs across some water.
* ''Film/{{Eternals}}'': With her SuperSpeed, Makkari is able to run on water. When Phastos instructs her to find the point [[spoiler:at which Tiamut will emerge]], she runs across the Earth, over land and water, until she locates the spot in the Indian Ocean.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' has Lion showing this ability.

* A spell utilized by mages, such as Marcille, in ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon''. They use it to cross flooded areas of the titular dungeon.

* A particular kind of lizard called the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_basilisk Basilisk Lizard]] can [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45yabrnryXk sprint across water]], leading to it also being known as the "Jesus Lizard".

* ''Series/TheNevers'': The people, called [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividual the Touched]] in-universe, affected by the MassSuperEmpoweringEvent have a multitude of different powers. One is [[spoiler:Odium, an enforcer of the Beggar King]]. His turn not only allows him to walk on run, walk, stand on, and even lay upon water without sinking. In summary, his body repels it from him. He has used this new ability to kill people by rivers. He gets them in and then stalks them down, shoving their heads under or using chains to beat them. However, the same power makes it impossible for him to bathe as a consequence.

* ''Manga/DGrayMan'''s [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Tyki Mikk]] possesses the power to selectively interact with his environment. This means that, among other things, he can walk on water.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Epic}}'', the lily pads glide to Queen Tara's feet so she has places to step over the water.

A common variant is the ability to only ''run'' across water (frequently by SuperSpeed characters such as Franchise/TheFlash), which is just as cool, and somewhat more scientifically plausible -- high speed is what enables thrown rocks to skip across water and jet-ski boats to (no pun intended) run; in these cases, losing speed or coming to a stop will result in the character sinking, requiring them to swim.[[note]]In case you're wondering, estimates for how quickly you'll need to run range from 20 to 30 metres per second, or 2 to 3 times the speed of Usain Bolt.[[/note]] Characters with {{flight}} might achieve a similar effect by hovering just about the surface, and those characters who like MakingASplash might use water powers instead.

-->"Whatever, I'll walk!"

* AudioPlay/BertAndI have a bit about a man who is ''very'' religious. After the preacher gives a sermon about Christ walking on water, he goes to a nearby pond and runs in, up to his neck. Some people passing by ask him how the water is. His reply is "Not bad at all! I took two or three steps before I went down!"

* Near the end of the graphic novel ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'', as Dr. Manhattan notes his interest in creating life, he's standing on water. The implication is obvious. In TheMovie, the walking on water scene is visible in a commercial but lacks the symbolism.
* Subverted in an issue of ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'': a priest asks him if he's able to walk on water, and Superman admits that yes, he can, but he wouldn't take advantage of the priest's faith like that. Although he does this in the Batcave in ''ComicBook/KingdomCome'' (of course, he technically isn't ''walking'' on the water, but using his flying power to hover so that his feet just barely touch the water).
* In the [[FrancoBelgianComics French comic]] ''ComicBook/LesNaufragesDYthaq'', walking on water is part of the Water {{Elemental Powers}}et.

* In Marvel, the Eternals of Earth all have the ability to levitate, and while most utilize this power to fly, [[ComicBook/TheDefenders Betilakk the Interloper]] (who rarely associates with the others) uses it to walk on water.

* ''ComicBook/XFactor2006'': Monet does this using her flight powers in #226 while she, Theresa and Longshot are looking for someone. This leads to a brief conversation about Monet's Muslim faith and why she never talked about it much.

* Towards the beginning of ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'', Metro Man appears to walk on water. In fact, he is floating directly above it: his heels never touch the surface, only his toes do.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}'':

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'', Dash can run on water thanks to his SuperSpeed. If he stops, he sinks instantly.

* Spoofed in ''Film/TheTuxedo'' when Creator/JackieChan's character absent-mindedly walks across a pool. It turns out that there is a large object just below the water.

* ''Film/{{RoboCop|1987}}'' has a [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic symbolic]] variant where the resurrected Murphy walks through shallow water during his showdown with the film's villain, [[HeroKiller Boddicker]]. (The entire movie is full of religious symbolism, since the premise is more or less "Jesus of Nazareth in rundown, futuristic Detroit, only with guns.")
* Subverted in Soviet comedy ''Film/TheDiamondArm''. A smuggler who ended up resorting to robbery is stranded on an islet about a kilometer from the shore. Some boy asks him what's wrong and walks away after being told to get lost. Then the criminal notices the boy walks on water, becomes a born-again Christian and follows him to the shore. But his faith doesn't live long after he discovers it was just a strip of shallow water. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GYV6Ecqcf0 See the scene on Youtube.]]
* In a scene in ''[[Film/TheLoveBug Herbie Rides Again]]'' Herbie and his human companions are blocked from leaving the beach by a truck stopped on the only road out. So Herbie takes a detour... into the ocean. A few minutes later and he's worked his way back to the surface, skimming his tires along the water as they try to find their way back to San Francisco.

* PlayedForLaughs in ''Film/TheToy''. Eric tried to warn Jack that a creek on the Bates property was infested with imported pirahnas. Jack sank in, then the pirahnas start nipping his clothes. He ''jumps out and runs across the surface of the water'', with his clothes entirely in tatters.
* Near the end of the farce ''The Favour, the Watch and the Very Big Fish'' [[NoNameGiven the nameless pianist]], a mentally distressed man who has found an unexpected career as a Jesus Christ "model" and (through various coincidences) appears to be manifesting miraculous healing abilities, unexpectedly finds closure to his quest for {{Revenge}} upon a woman who broke his heart long ago and -- in full costume and at peace with himself -- walks out upon the surface of a city pond. [[spoiler: Subverted in that after the first few steps it becomes clear he's sinking into the water; he is finally completely submerged -- and doesn't resurface. This may or may not be suicide.]]

* ''Film/{{Eternals}}'': With her SuperSpeed, Makkari is able to run on water. When Phastos instructs her to find the point [[spoiler:at which Tiamut will emerge]], she runs across the Earth, over land and water, until she locates the spot in the Indian Ocean.

* In ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'', Michael's (developmentally disabled) love interest Rita leaves both him and the series as a whole by walking thoughtlessly across the surface of a swimming pool (in a ShoutOut to ''Film/BeingThere'', mentioned above). Michael assumes that his magician brother has rigged the pool as part of his performance, but GOB tells him, "No. That's not my trick, Michael." [[spoiler:Immediately subverted in the "next episode" trailer: "... It's my ILLUSION!!!"]]

* On the ''Series/{{Misfits}}'' Christmas Episode, an [[SinisterMinister evil Priest]] manages to acquire an array of flashy superpowers, including the ability to walk on water, in order to convince the local population that he is the second coming of Jesus (and so he can steal vast quantities of money from the poor and sexually abuse women without repercussions).
* On an episode of ''Series/{{Glee}}'' Will does this across a swimming pool whilst [[spoiler:proposing to Emma.]]
* In the 2010 christmas special episode of ''Series/TopGear'', Jeremy Clarkson claims that as "J.C.", this means he can walk on water. May and Hammond point out he's just standing on a shallow bit, so make him walk to the left. He does and falls straight in the sea, where without missing a beat:

* ''Series/AmericanGods'': Mexican Jesus does this to save one of his believers from drowning, while one of the White Jesuses sits cross-legged on Easter's swimming pool in "Come To Jesus". He tries to put his glass down on the surface and it of course [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome sinks to the bottom]]

* Implied: The ''Series/{{MASH}}'' episode "Smilin' Jack" had chopper pilot Jack Mitchell presenting a cigar to Col. Potter.

* ''Series/TheNevers'': The people, called in-universe the Touched, affected by the MassEmpoweringEvent have a multitude of different powers. One is [[spoiler:Odium, an enforcer of the Beggar King]]. His turn not only allows him to walk on run, walk, stand on, and even lay upon water without sinking. In summary, his body repels it from him. He has used this new ability to kill people by rivers. He gets them in and then stalks them down, shoving their heads under or using chains to beat them. However, the same power makes it impossible for him to bathe as a consequence.
* ''Series/VanHelsing'': One episode has Scarlet interacting with man who [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane may or may not be Jesus]]. After an episode's worth of uncertainty, Scarlet turns to say goodbye...and sees the man casually standing on water.[[spoiler:We then get a close look at him, and see he's standing on a dock which is under a ''very'' small amount of water, creating the illusion.]]

-->[[GodTest Prove to me]] that you're no fool,\\
Walk across my swimming pool.

* Franchise/{{Nasuverse}}:

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* Brother Blood in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' could do this, while strangely Aqualad could not!

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Twilight Sparkle stands on a pond, [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel as part of her training with Zecora]], while levitating spheres of water. She falls in when she loses her concentration.
* In ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'', Pearl, Steven, and Lapis Lazuli have all been shown to use this ability, however, it's worth noting that in all three instances the water was magically altered in some way. (In the former instance, Pearl stands on the waterfalls in her room, and the latter two instances both occur on [[spoiler:Lapis Lazuli's water tower.]])

* Pretty much all super-speedsters in any SuperHero continuity will be able to do this -- Franchise/TheFlash and ComicBook/{{Quicksilver}} being perhaps the two most prominent. This is supposed to be physically possible, if you can sustain a speed in excess of 60 miles per hour, obviously a snap for these guys who consider going supersonic essentially just a brisk walk to them.

'''Mr. Incredible:''' Not as cool as you ''[[LampshadeHanging running on water!]]''

* Barry does this in ''Series/{{The Flash|2014}}'' (2014) episode "Plastique" to save the city from the titlular metahuman who's about to explode. Since he runs up a building earlier in the same episode, this shouldn't be much more difficult. He's even able to outrun the large wave caused by the underwater explosion. He is, however, unsure at first if this is even possible, but his MissionControl tells him he can.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* There are other motivators -- WesternAnimation/PepeLePew spots a "belle femme skonque" on an ocean liner out at sea, and rushes to her. "You know, I suddenly realized that I never learned to swim! Silly me...(glub)" He continues [[WalkDontSwim running on the ocean floor.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', "The Savage Time": Flash runs across the Atlantic, to warn the Americans that Savage and his NoSwastikas Nazi troops are headed their way, leading to a BigDamnHeroes moment when the Atlantic Fleet arrives to shoot down Savage's bombers after they get away from the Justice League.

* ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'':
** For the first time in video gaming history ever, an [[FirstPersonShooter FPS game]] has water! But don't worry, it's actually just normal floor with a water texture.
** ''Doom II'', ''Heretic'' and ''Hexen'' copy the ability to stand, walk and run on water. At the very least, that's until ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D'' came out.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'': Vamp can not only move across the surface of water but can actually swim through [[QuicksandSucks exceptionally light water]] that your character will instantly sink to the bottom of and drown.

* Vamp in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'', can not only move across the surface of water but can actually swim through [[QuicksandSucks exceptionally light water]] that your character will instantly sink to the bottom of and drown.
* In any ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' game, the Pirate class has the ability to do this, which consequently makes them a massive pain in the ass.
** In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'', Takumi's bow allow him to ignore terrain effects in addition to dealing very high damage in its own right. As such, this means that he can walk on water.

* A puzzle in ''Franchise/TombRaider: Revelation'' is solved by dumping some ancient Egyptian chemicals into water that allows you to walk on it (okay, ankle-deep, but that's more due to engine limitations).
* The main ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' series doesn't use Suicune's ability to walk on water outside of cut scenes, but it is used in the third ''VideoGame/PokemonRanger'' game.

** A SwordFight takes place over a lake in one of the several [[TheRashomon Rashomon]] stories in ''Film/{{Hero}}''. At times, it's only the ''tips'' of their swords that need to touch the water in order for them to maintain placement. Somewhat justifiable as this particular fight is imaginary, serving as a "eulogy" by Nameless and Broken Sword to the [[NotQuiteDead "defeated"]] Flying Snow [[spoiler:and is made up by the Emperor as part of his theory of what REALLY happened. He's wrong]].

* In ''Manga/BinboGamiGa'', Ranmaru Rindou due to a [[ToughLove childhood]] [[TrainingFromHell trauma]], can't swim well but while in a contest and with [[HotBlooded spirit]] and {{determinat|or}}ion she masters an ability to run along the surface of the water to beat her opponent.

* In ''Anime/AssaultLilyBouquet'', Yuri, using FlashStep, runs on water. Soon after, Riri attempts to do so without any speed enhancement, and manages to skip on water until a shot from the MonsterOfTheWeek grazes her.

** The boots of water-walking, a magical item which has since turned up in many ''D&D'' homages.
** Also the ring of water-walking and a water-walking spell starting 2[[superscript:nd]] edition.

* In Marvel, the Eternals of Earth all have the ability to levitate, and while most utilize this power to fly, [[ComicBook/TheDefenders the Interloper]] (who rarely associates with the others) uses it to walk on water.

* In the [[FrancoBelgianComics French comic]] ''ComicBook/LesNaufragesDYthaq'', this is part of the Water {{Elemental Powers}}et.

[[folder:Comedy]]
* AudioPlay/BertAndI have a bit about a man who is ''very'' religious. After the preacher gives a sermon about Christ walking on water, he goes to a nearby pond and runs in, up to his neck. Some people passing by ask him how the water is. His reply is "Not bad at all! I took two or three steps before I went down!"
[[/folder]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}'', water freezes everywhere Elsa steps. Once she gains full control of her powers, she goes from trudging through the snow like everyone else to effortlessly walking on top of the snow without leaving footprints.

* ''Film/RoboCop1987'' has a [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic symbolic]] variant where the resurrected Murphy walks through shallow water during his showdown with the film's villain, [[HeroKiller Boddicker]]. (The entire movie is full of religious symbolism, since the premise is more or less "Jesus of Nazareth in rundown, futuristic Detroit, only with guns.")

* Jesus and the Apostles come across a body of water. Jesus strides forward confidently, but when Peter goes he flounders immediately. As he calls for help, he hears Jesus calling to him, saying "Peter, just use the stepping stones already".

* Exar Kun, a Sith Lord from [[Franchise/StarWarsLegends early Star Wars history]] used this to impress and intimidate the Massassi people of Yavin 4 by walking to his temple in the middle of a lake. But it was actually a subversion - Kun and his acolytes were walking on stones set a centimeter beneatht the surface.

* In ''Manga/AirGear'' anyone skilled enough on their [[RollerbladeGood Air Trecks]] can do this. So far only Gabishi and Orca have been seen doing it. [[spoiler:Ikki does more of a gliding on water variant when he gets the Wind Regalia.]]
* Cherry demonstrates this ability in an episode of ''Manga/UruseiYatsura'' (along with a weird fossile bird animated by Lum). As many things in this show, not to take too seriously.

** Players may obtain glyphs, which enhance the player's abilities in various ways. Rogues may obtain "Glyph of Blurred Speed", Which allows them to run over water while using sprint, which boosts their speed by quite a bit. Combine this with the fact that using sprint doesn't break stealth, and you can get certain builds of rogues ''sneaking across water''. Also, standing completely still while using sprint (thus defeating its purpose) doesn't drop you in the water, surprisingly.

-->'''White Jesus''': Goddamn it.

* For [[TropeCodifier obvious]], [[Literature/TheFourGospels Biblical-related reasons]], this one is OlderThanFeudalism.

[[folder:Webcomics]]
* The saintly hermit Calin can do this in ''Webcomic/BrunoTheBandit''. He also reminisces fondly about playing "[[http://www.brunothebandit.com/d/20030117.html Walk-On-Water Hockey]]" back in divinity school.

* Seaweed from ''Webcomic/{{Gloomverse}}'', as part of a magical performance.
* ''Webcomic/StandStillStaySilent'': The mage-exclusive dreamspace has protected areas separated by a big expanse of deep and rogue spirit ridden water. Each of the two existing mage traditions has a different way of crossing it, Icelandic tradition mages being the ones that simply walk on the surface of the water.
* ''Webcomic/SaturdayMorningBreakfastCereal'': Parodied where Jesus's thunder is stolen because the lake happens to be ''frozen''. He can still walk on water otherwise, but since he can't show it off at the moment, the Apostles are not impressed. He then attempts to levitate only to realize his sandals have frozen to the ice.
* ''Webcomic/SleeplessDomain'': Undine, with her MakingASplash powers, can easily walk on water. This makes conversation with Mark even more awkward as he's up to his armpits in water and she's casually standing there.

[[folder:Asian Animation]]
* In ''Animation/HappyHeroes and the City of Mystery'' episode 2, Careful S. runs on the surface of the water as he, Kalo, and Lisa outrun a sea monster.
[[/folder]]

* ''Series/HeyYouWhatIf'': Running on water is shown as one of the outcomes in "You Could Run At The Speed Of Sound?"

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog''

** ''Literature/TheVoyageOfMaelDuin'': The hermit from Tory relates that he took up his life of penitence because one day, on a pleasure cruise in his boat, he was blown into the open sea and encountered the spirit of a saintly monk "sitting upon the wave". The monk chastised him for his sins and enjoined him to spend the rest of his life as a hermit on a small rock in the sea.

** Amaterasu can walk on water after she obtains the Water Tablet. She ''is'' [[PhysicalGod a goddess]], after all. Otherwise, she has SuperDrowningSkills.
** Waka does this too (in fact he's introduced standing on a lake). It seems all heavenly beings can.

* ''Literature/TheVoyageOfMaelDuin'': The hermit from Tory relates that he took up his life of penitence because one day, on a pleasure cruise in his boat, he was blown into the open sea and encountered the spirit of a saintly monk "sitting upon the wave". The monk chastised him for his sins and enjoined him to spend the rest of his life as a hermit on a small rock in the sea.