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The 18 Best Sailing Movies to Watch on Netflix & Amazon

Watching one of these best sailing movies, you can sail into the ocean from the comfort of your couch.

Watching movies is a great way to take a trip without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. So, if you’re longing to take a voyage on the sea, a sailing movie is a great option!

Our favorite sailing movies include a great story and amazing views! All of the films on our list are available on Amazon Prime, Hulu, or Netflix at this time. So you can watch a great film about setting sail without ever leaving your house!

Most of these options also lend them selves to be a great outdoor movie night or pool party movie choice !

The 18 Best Sailing Movies

From action-packed thrillers set on a boat to inspiring documentaries about real-life sailors, you’re going to love each of the sailing movies in this comprehensive list.

Rated PG-13

A young couple sets sail on an adventure of a lifetime across the open sea together. But as they’re sailing across the ocean, one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in history capsizes their boat, leaving them to fight for their lives in the ocean, in this sailing thriller based on a true story.

2. Life of Pi

After surviving a shipwreck, the young son of a zookeeper is trapped on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger in this Oscar winning sailing movie directed by Ang Lee.

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3. deep water (2006).

This sailing documentary tells the true story of the first solo, non-stop boat race around the world. As the film progresses, the filmmakers work to uncover the toll the grueling sea trip took on the race’s participants. The documetary features Simon and Clare Crowhurst.

4. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

In this historical drama, Russell Crowe plays a 19th century British ship captain who struggles as he prepares rag-tag team of crew members to attack a French ship.

5. Captain Ron

After a man finds out he’s inherited a yacht, he takes his family on a trip to the Caribbean to bring the ship home in this sailing comedy. When they arrive, the family hires a shady captain to help repair the ship and sail them back to Miami, leading to plenty of trouble on the trip home.

Kurt Russell and Martin Short star in this sailing film.

A group of sailors come together to reclaim the America’s Cup for the American team after a defeat the year before in this action-packed sailing movie starring Matthew Modine and Jennifer Grey.

7. White Squall

An educational sailing trip turns into a larger life lesson for a group of prep school students when their boat gets caught in a white squall storm in this Ridley Scott sailing movie classic featuring Jeff Bridges and John Savage.

8. Dead Calm

When a seasoned sailor and his wife, played by Nicole Kidman, take their yacht out on a long vacation trip across the ocean, they come upon a sinking boat in the middle of a calm sea. After rescuing the distressed sailor, the couple uncovers a horrifying sight and works to uncover the mystery behind the capsized vessel.

9. Kon Tiki

This Academy Award winning classic sailing documentary tells the story of a group of sailors who took a 4,300 nautical mile trip across the Pacific ocean on a raft. 

10. Maidentrip

Follow 14-year-old Laura Dekker as she achieves her dream of becoming the youngest person to set sail around the world alone in this riveting sailing documentary.

11. The Old Man and the Sea

Based on the classic novel by Ernest Hemingway, this sailing movie follows Santiago on a fishing trip that ends with the biggest catch of his life. But when sharks attack his catch, he must fight to keep his fish and save himself.

12. Morning Light

Watch as 15 young sailors compete to join the crew of the Morning Light, a sleek racing boat bound for the Transpac LA to Hawaii open ocean race in this Disney sailing documentary.

13. The Perfect Storm

To help tide his crew over for the winter, a fishing boat captain insists the group go out for one more fishing trip before the cold weather arrives. But as the crew sets sail, a storm begins to brew directly in their boat’s path in this sailing movie starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg.

14. Red Dot on the Ocean

Hoping to become the first person to sail around North and South America alone, Matt Rutherford goes on a death-defying ocean journey in this popular sailing documentary.

15. The Mercy

Leaving behind a loving wife (Rachel Weisz), an amateur sailor named Donald Crowhurst (played by Colin Firth) competes in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race around the world. This movie has some of the prettiest sailing scenes and is based on a true story.

An overworked doctor takes her dream trip sailing alone across the Atlantic. But when she comes across a boat filled with refugees, she jumps in to organize the group and get them to safety.

17. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Famous Steve Zissou sets sail with this crew to find a (possibly nonexistent) Jaguar Shark. This quirky comedy stars Bill Murrary, Owen Wilson, and Cate Blanchett.

18. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Johnny Depp plays Captain Jack Sparrow in this popular Disney franchise about the days of pirates and treasure hunts.

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Whether you’re an experienced sailor or you get sea sick at the sight of water, you can enjoy a vicarious trip across the ocean with the help of a good movie. And these amazing sailing movies won’t disappoint!

If you loved this list of best sailing movies, you may also like:

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Movies thrillers about yachts

In the top there are new films of 2023, a plot description and trailers for films that have already been released.

An Australian couple take a sailing trip in the Pacific to forget about a terrible accident. While on the open sea, in dead calm weather conditions, they come across a ship with one survivor who is not at all what he seems.

Sergeant John Tyree is home on a 2 week leave from Germany. He meets Savannah after he dives into the ocean to retrieve Savannah's purse that had fallen off the pier. John falls in love with Savannah who is a student on spring break helping build a house for Habitat for Humanity. A romance occurs and Savannah falls deeply in love with John. She promises to write John overseas until he returns.

Disconnect interweaves multiple storylines about people searching for human connection in today’s wired world. Through poignant turns that are both harrowing and touching, the stories intersect with surprising twists that expose a shocking reality into our daily use of technology that mediates and defines our relationships and ultimately our lives.

Though Kevin has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher, there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the willful, observant Casey, Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him — as well as everyone around him — as the walls between his compartments shatter apart.

With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.

Set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Essex Rebellion against her, the story advances the theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford who penned Shakespeare's plays.

A thriller in which a battle of philosophies between a fundamentalist Christian and an atheist escalates into a lethal battle of wills.

A traumatized, alcoholic Dan Torrance meets Abra, a kid who also has the ability to "shine." He tries to protect her from the True Knot, a cult whose goal is to feed off of people like them in order to remain immortal. Doctor Sleep is a sequel to Stephen King's 1977 novel "The Shining". Doctor Sleep is set several decades after the events of the first "Shining".

When Lou Bloom, desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers' only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan, recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man's freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel, the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court.

Depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited.

As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.

France, 1940. In the first days of occupation, beautiful Lucile Angellier is trapped in a stifled existence with her controlling mother-in-law as they both await news of her husband: a prisoner of war. Parisian refugees start to pour into their small town, soon followed by a regiment of German soldiers who take up residence in the villagers' own homes. Lucile initially tries to ignore Bruno von Falk, the handsome and refined German officer staying with them. But soon, a powerful love draws them together and leads them into the tragedy of war.

The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.

Earl Stone, a man in his eighties, is broke, alone, and facing foreclosure of his business when he is offered a job that simply requires him to drive. Easy enough, but, unbeknownst to Earl, he's just signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. He does so well that his cargo increases exponentially, and Earl hit the radar of hard-charging DEA agent Colin Bates.

A con man on the run from a vicious gangster takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of his prison cellmate, Pete, “reuniting” with Pete’s estranged family, a colorful, dysfunctional group that threatens to drag him into a world just as dangerous as the one he’s trying to escape - and, just maybe, give him a taste of the loving family he’s never had.

An oil drilling team struggles to survive after a plane crash strands them in the wilds of Alaska. Hunting them is a pack of wolves that sees them as intruders.

An ex-cop turned con threatens to jump to his death from a Manhattan hotel rooftop. The NYPD dispatch a female police psychologist to talk him down. However, unbeknownst to the police on the scene, the suicide attempt is a cover for the biggest diamond heist ever pulled.

Jack is a young boy of 5 years old who has lived all his life in one room. He believes everything within it are the only real things in the world. But what will happen when his Ma suddenly tells him that there are other things outside of Room?

An American biologist attending a conference in Berlin awakens from a coma after a car accident, only to discover that someone has taken his identity and that no one, not even his wife, believes him. With the help of an illegal immigrant and a former Stazi agent, he sets out to prove who he is and find out why people are trying to kill him.

Tom Ripley is a calculating young man who believes it's better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody. Opportunity knocks in the form of a wealthy U.S. shipbuilder who hires Tom to travel to Italy to bring back his playboy son, Dickie. Ripley worms his way into the idyllic lives of Dickie and his girlfriend, plunging into a daring scheme of duplicity, lies and murder.

A paranoia-fueled action thriller about an unsuccessful writer whose life is transformed by a top-secret "smart drug" that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself. His enhanced abilities soon attract shadowy forces that threaten his new life in this darkly comic and provocative film.

After her son Kevin commits a horrific act, troubled mother Eva reflects on her complicated relationship with her disturbed son as he grew from a toddler into a teenager.

A Texas cop (Kevin Kline), whose own daughter might have been forced into sexual slavery, joins forces with a Mexican youth (Cesar Ramos) to find the boy's sister, who was abducted and forced into prostitution. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian woman who was promised a better life in America also becomes a victim.

Sir Robert Beaumont is behind schedule on a railroad in Africa. Enlisting noted engineer John Henry Patterson to right the ship, Beaumont expects results. Everything seems great until the crew discovers the mutilated corpse of the project's foreman, seemingly killed by a lion. After several more attacks, Patterson calls in famed hunter Charles Remington, who has finally met his match in the bloodthirsty lions.

In the midst of a searing Florida heat wave, a woman convinces her lover, a small-town lawyer, to murder her rich husband.

When a willful young man tries to venture beyond his sequestered Pennsylvania hamlet, his actions set off a chain of chilling incidents that will alter the community forever.

Two FBI agents investigating the murder of civil rights workers during the 60s seek to breach the conspiracy of silence in a small Southern town where segregation divides black and white. The younger agent trained in FBI school runs up against the small town ways of his, former Sheriff, partner.

Young lovers Sailor and Lula run from the variety of weirdos that Lula's mom has hired to kill Sailor.

Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar!

The owner of a seedy small-town Texas bar discovers that one of his employees is having an affair with his wife. A chaotic chain of misunderstandings, lies and mischief ensues after he devises a plot to have them murdered.

Doug MacRay is a longtime thief, who, smarter than the rest of his crew, is looking for his chance to exit the game. When a bank job leads to the group kidnapping an attractive branch manager, he takes on the role of monitoring her – but their burgeoning relationship threatens to unveil the identities of Doug and his crew to the FBI Agent who is on their case.

Lewis, Sheriff and Tony are three friends vacationing in Malaysia. Sheriff and Tony eventually leave to pursue careers in New York, but Lewis stays behind to work with orangutans. Two years later, Sheriff and Tony learn that, because of their past actions, Lewis has been arrested for drug possession. With Lewis facing a death sentence, the friends are left with a difficult decision: return to Malaysia and split Lewis' sentence, or let him die.

A married couple's life is turned upside down when the wife is accused of a murder. Lara Brennan is arrested for murdering her boss with whom she had an argument. It seems she was seen leaving the scene of the crime and her fingerprints were on the murder weapon. Her husband, John would spend the next few years trying to get her released, but there's no evidence that negates the evidence against her. And when the strain of being separated from her family, especially her son, gets to her, John decides to break her out. So he does a lot of research to find a way.

Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon dead bodies, $2 million and a hoard of heroin in a Texas desert, but methodical killer Anton Chigurh comes looking for it, with local sheriff Ed Tom Bell hot on his trail. The roles of prey and predator blur as the violent pursuit of money and justice collide.

Naomi Watts stars as Susan, a single mother of two, working as a waitress in a small town. Her son, Henry, is an 11-year-old genius who not only manages the family finances but acts as emotional support for his mother and younger brother. When Henry discovers that the girl next door has a terrible secret, he implores Susan to take matters into her own hands in this imaginative and emotional drama.

World War II soldier-turned-U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by his troubling visions and also by a mysterious doctor.

Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? Fourteen years ago, Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady's rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey, bibliophile Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss.

To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.

Former FBI Agent Will Graham, who was once almost killed by the savage Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter, now has no choice but to face him again, as it seems Lecter is the only one who can help Graham track down a new serial killer.

A young woman with a mysterious past lands in Southport, North Carolina where her bond with a widower forces her to confront the dark secret that haunts her.

Mitch McDeere is a young man with a promising future in Law. About to sit his Bar exam, he is approached by 'The Firm' and made an offer he doesn't refuse. Seduced by the money and gifts showered on him, he is totally oblivious to the more sinister side of his company. Then, two Associates are murdered. The FBI contact him, asking him for information and suddenly his life is ruined. He has a choice - work with the FBI, or stay with the Firm. Either way he will lose his life as he knows it. Mitch figures the only way out is to follow his own plan...

The true story of the investigation of the "Zodiac Killer", a serial killer who terrified the San Francisco Bay Area, taunting police with his ciphers and letters. The case becomes an obsession for four men as their lives and careers are built and destroyed by the endless trail of clues.

Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he's managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends his plane hurtling toward the ground. Whip pulls off a miraculous crash-landing that results in only six lives lost. Shaken to the core, Whip vows to get sober -- but when the crash investigation exposes his addiction, he finds himself in an even worse situation.

A small-time hood must choose from among love, friendship and the chance to rise within the mob.

What was supposed to be a peaceful protest turned into a violent clash with the police. What followed was one of the most notorious trials in history.

Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day's work for dispatcher Walter Garber into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime.

A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win.

Danny Ocean reunites with his old flame and the rest of his merry band of thieves in carrying out three huge heists in Rome, Paris and Amsterdam – but a Europol agent is hot on their heels.

Corky, a tough female ex-convict working on an apartment renovation in a Chicago building, meets a couple living next door, Caesar, a paranoid mobster, and Violet, his seductive girlfriend, who is immediately attracted to her.

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The Scariest Ship Horror Movies Set on the Sea

There's nothing scarier than a horror movie set at sea. The top horror movies set on ships feature deadly threats from real-life elements as well as supernatural occurrences and hauntings. This is a list of the top lost at sea horror movies featuring everything from Ghost Ship to Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis to Deep Rising.

What movies will you find on this list of the top ship horror films? Movie buffs will likely place  Jaws  right at the top. Though much of the film is set on the coast, one of Jaws' most famous lines – Roy Scheider saying, “We're gonna need a bigger boat” – was delivered while out at sea. Open Water is another terrifying movie featuring characters lost at sea. Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat is often considered one of the suspense master's most underrated films. Other movies featured on this roundup of the best horror movies set at sea include Cape Fear , Das Boot , and The Abyss .

Do you have a favorite scary movie set at sea? Give the best films a thumbs up and please add any great movies that are missing.

When a great white shark terrorizes a small island town, the local sheriff teams up with a marine biologist and a grizzled fisherman to hunt down the deadly predator. This classic film single-handedly created the summer blockbuster genre and left an entire generation wary of taking a dip in the water. With iconic music and unforgettable scenes, this film continues to be a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat experience that will keep viewers hooked.

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In this eerie tale of maritime horror, a salvage crew discovers a long-lost ocean liner adrift on the high seas. Upon boarding, they soon realize that the ship is haunted by the vengeful spirits of its former passengers. As the crew members struggle to unravel the ship's dark history, they find themselves drawn into an escalating series of supernatural events, culminating in a shocking revelation. The chilling atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling make this film a must-watch for fans of ghost stories and nautical nightmares.

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A marine biology student finds herself trapped aboard an isolated fishing trawler with a crew suffering from a mysterious infection. As the afflicted crew members begin to succumb to their ghastly symptoms, the terrified student must fight to survive against both the deadly contagion and the increasingly hostile crew. Blending gripping human drama with unsettling body horror, this film is sure to leave viewers feeling thoroughly unnerved and queasy.

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A team of deep-sea divers is sent to investigate the wreckage of a submerged nuclear submarine. Along the way, they encounter a mysterious alien species living at the bottom of the ocean, sparking a tense and terrifying battle for survival. Featuring groundbreaking special effects and a captivating storyline, this thrilling underwater adventure will have audiences holding their breath until the very end.

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Set on a deep-sea mining facility, this terrifying tale follows a group of workers who discover a gruesome and malevolent creature lurking in the depths. As the body count rises and the monster's true nature is revealed, the survivors must unite to destroy the beast before it destroys them. With its claustrophobic setting and tense atmosphere, this film is a chilling reminder of the horrors that can hide beneath the waves.

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Deep Rising

When a group of heavily armed mercenaries hijacks a luxury cruise liner, they soon find themselves facing off against a horde of bloodthirsty sea creatures determined to devour everyone on board. With the ship rapidly filling with water and time running out, the passengers must band together to survive the nightmarish onslaught. This action-packed horror flick delivers a thrilling combination of high-stakes suspense and grisly creature effects.

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A group of friends sailing through the Bermuda Triangle finds themselves caught in a terrifying time loop after boarding an abandoned ship. Plagued by chilling visions and pursued by a malevolent force, the group must unravel the mystery of their predicament before they're trapped in the loop forever. This mind-bending psychological thriller keeps viewers guessing until the very end, with a twist that's sure to make your jaw drop.

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In this chilling tale of revenge, a convicted rapist is released from prison and sets his sights on the family of the lawyer who failed to keep him behind bars. As the predator closes in, the family must confront their deepest fears and darkest secrets in order to survive. Combining intense performances with a nail-biting script, this suspenseful thriller will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

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Inspired by true events, this harrowing survival story follows a couple left stranded in the open ocean after their scuba diving trip goes awry. Surrounded by miles of shark-infested waters and with no hope of rescue, the pair must rely on their wits and sheer determination to stay alive. This film's unflinching portrayal of the couple's ordeal is guaranteed to make even the most hardened viewer think twice before taking a dip in the ocean.

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DeepStar Six

A team of underwater researchers inadvertently unleashes a deadly creature from the ocean's depths, sparking a desperate struggle to contain the beast and prevent it from reaching the surface. As the body count rises and the station's defenses fail, the survivors must band together to outwit and destroy the monster before it's too late. This claustrophobic, suspense-filled flick serves up some truly heart-pounding scares.

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When a group of friends capsizes their boat on the Great Barrier Reef, they are forced to swim for shore while being stalked by a massive great white shark. With each stroke bringing them closer to safety yet closer to the jaws of the merciless predator, this tense thriller will have you holding your breath until the final splash. The stunning underwater cinematography and nail-biting suspense make this a must-watch for shark enthusiasts and horror fans alike.

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In this thrilling battle of man versus nature, a deep-sea rescue diver must confront his fears when he encounters a prehistoric megalodon shark thought to be extinct. With the massive predator threatening coastal cities and wreaking havoc on the open seas, the diver leads a daring plan to capture and kill the colossal beast. Featuring jaw-dropping visual effects and a breathtaking sense of scale, this epic shark tale is guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

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A salvage crew discovers a derelict Russian research ship floating in the Pacific Ocean, only to find it infested with a deadly alien life form intent on taking over the Earth. With time running out, the crew must band together to destroy the alien menace before it's too late. This action-packed sci-fi horror flick is a thrilling race against time, filled with high-tech gadgetry and gruesome creature effects.

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Set aboard a WWII submarine that's become haunted by mysterious supernatural forces, this atmospheric thriller follows a crew descending into paranoia and madness as they attempt to uncover the truth behind the eerie occurrences. With its claustrophobic setting and psychological horror, this film will leave viewers feeling as though they're trapped beneath the waves themselves.

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This classic suspense film centers on a group of shipwreck survivors adrift in a lifeboat, forced to confront their fears and prejudices as they struggle to stay alive. When they rescue a man they believe to be responsible for their ship's sinking, tensions rise and trust begins to unravel. Featuring a gripping script and an ensemble cast, this film offers a masterclass in character-driven storytelling and tense drama.

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When a team of scientists is sent to investigate a mysterious spacecraft discovered at the bottom of the ocean, they quickly become ensnared in a web of mind-bending psychological terror. As their deepest fears and insecurities are brought to life, the crew must confront their inner demons in order to survive the ordeal. This thought-provoking, cerebral thriller explores the nature of fear and the power of the human mind.

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• # 19 of 31 on The 31 Scariest Ocean Horror Movies That'll Keep You On Dry Land

The Last Voyage of the Demeter

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A documentary film crew in the Amazon rainforest finds themselves in a living nightmare when they're targeted by a massive, man-eating snake. As the body count rises and the crew's chances for survival dwindle, they must work together to outsmart the cunning predator and escape its deadly coils. This pulse-pounding creature feature delivers plenty of thrills and chills, with a serpentine villain that's sure to make your skin crawl.

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• # 14 of 71 on The Scariest Animal Horror Movies Ever Made

When a struggling family buys a dilapidated sailboat in the hopes of starting a charter business, they soon discover that the vessel is haunted by a vengeful spirit. As they fight to save their new investment and salvage their crumbling relationships, the family becomes embroiled in a supernatural struggle that threatens to tear them apart. This eerie ghost story delivers plenty of chills and atmospheric tension, making it a perfect addition to any horror aficionado's watchlist.

In the chaotic aftermath of a seismic event, the prehistoric piranhas are unleashed upon the unsuspecting residents and vacationers gathered for a wild spring break celebration. As the ravenous fish begin their feeding frenzy, a motley group of locals and tourists must band together to stop the carnage and save their town from being devoured. With its gory, over-the-top kills and tongue-in-cheek humor, this film serves up a heaping helping of campy fun that's perfect for fans of B-movie horror and creature features.

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Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis

Based on the true story of the ill-fated U.S.S. Indianapolis, this harrowing drama follows the ordeal of the ship's crew after they're torpedoed and left to drift on the open sea. Plagued by dehydration, shark attacks, and the constant threat of enemy submarines, the men must find a way to survive their desperate situation. With its gripping storyline and attention to historical detail, this film offers a poignant look at one of the deadliest naval disasters in history.

In this nerve-wracking tale of isolation and terror, an oil rig drilling team is besieged by a vicious creature lurking in the depths of the ocean. As the monster picks off the crew one by one, the survivors must figure out a way to destroy the beast before it's too late. Featuring a claustrophobic setting and a relentless sense of dread, this horror film is sure to make viewers think twice about taking a job on an offshore platform.

In this macabre Lovecraftian tale, a group of shipwrecked survivors find themselves stranded in a remote fishing village inhabited by a cult of monstrous sea creatures. As the villagers' horrifying secrets come to light, the interlopers must navigate a labyrinth of betrayal and madness to escape the nightmarish fate that awaits them. With its blend of psychological horror and visceral body terror, this film is sure to leave a lasting impression on even the most seasoned genre fan.

Satan's Triangle

This spine-chilling TV movie tells the story of a rescue mission in the Bermuda Triangle that goes horribly awry when the rescuers become trapped in a supernatural vortex of terror. As the crew members struggle to maintain their sanity and return to the safety of the real world, they find themselves confronted by a malevolent force beyond their comprehension. This suspenseful, atmospheric thriller is sure to keep viewers glued to their screens until the thrilling climax.

Lost Voyage

When a long-lost ocean liner reappears after thirty years, a team of paranormal investigators sets out to uncover the truth behind its mysterious disappearance. As they delve into the ship's dark past and navigate its haunted corridors, the group soon discovers that some secrets are better left buried. Offering a chilling blend of ghostly apparitions and maritime mystery, this eerie film is sure to captivate fans of supernatural suspense.

In this spine-tingling supernatural thriller, a British submarine that vanished during World War II resurfaces 50 years later, seemingly untouched by time. As a team of naval experts investigates the vessel's reappearance, they find themselves drawn into a nightmarish world where the ghosts of the past refuse to stay buried. With its atmospheric setting and haunting visuals, this film is a chilling reminder that some mysteries are best left unsolved.

The Haunted Sea

A ruthless pirate captain and her crew stumble upon a cursed treasure that awakens the wrath of an ancient sea monster. As they're pursued by the vengeful beast, the pirates must confront their own greed and treachery in order to survive the deadly onslaught. This swashbuckling horror adventure combines high-seas action with monstrous scares, making for a thrilling, rollicking ride.

The Ferryman

When a group of friends embarks on a sailing trip to an isolated island, they unwittingly unleash an ancient curse that forces them to confront their darkest fears. As the malevolent force begins to take its toll, the group must battle their own demons and unravel the island's sinister secrets in order to break the spell and escape alive. This gripping psychological horror film serves up a potent mix of supernatural chills and visceral terror.

REC 4: Apocalypse

In the thrilling conclusion to the popular found-footage horror series, a young reporter is rescued from the infected building where the outbreak began and taken to a quarantined oil tanker for observation. But when the virus reemerges on the ship, the terrified passengers must once again fight for their lives against the ravenous, bloodthirsty hordes. Combining claustrophobic tension with relentless action and gore, this high-octane fright-fest proves that there's no safe harbor from the undead.

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Finding Fun in Michigan & Beyond

13 Of the Best Sailing Movies, You Can Watch Again and Again

I’m a recreational sailor. I’ve been sailing on Saginaw Bay since I was a little kid. We started off sailing Snarks and Sunfish. Our family loved sailing movies, and we watched them all. In the early 1970s, my dad took advantage of a marketing campaign by Kool cigarettes where we could purchase a Snark with the white and green KOOL logo on the sail. We still have this old boat and manage to bring her out to play with from time to time. One of the things that irk me is the lack of movie entertainment that revolves around my favorite pastime. I’ve managed to collect a few examples of movies with sailboats here.

Sometimes you can find these sailing movies streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu.

White Squall (1999)

The true story of a bunch of boys, a ship, and the sea.

The movie White Squall is based on the 1961 sinking of a brigantine named the Albatross—a two-masted sailing vessel with a fully square-rigged foremast—White Squall is an exciting tale of adventure, friendship, and tragedy. This sailing movie stars Jeff Bridges as Captain Christopher “Skipper” Sheldon, who takes his charges on an epic voyage around the world on the Albatross.

Along the way, the boys learn how to sail and how to work together as a team. They also develop life-long friendships and forge incredibly tight bonds that they can only get from being in such close quarters with each other.

But then tragedy strikes: A white squall appears out of nowhere, sending massive waves crashing down upon their beloved ship. With their lives on the line and all hope of survival seeming lost, Skipper urges his boys to keep fighting for their lives—and trust each other above all else, no matter what happens next.

Wind (1992)

Wind is a 1992 film directed by Carroll Ballard that follows Will Parker, played by Matthew Modine as he loses America’s Cup, the world’s biggest sailing prize, to the Australians and decides to form his own syndicate to win it back. Will hires Kate Bass, played by Jennifer Grey, to help him with his PR campaign.

The film co-stars Cliff Robertson as Morgan Weld, a businessman who offers to sponsor the team and pays for their yacht. Rounding out the cast is Jack Thompson as Michael “Brue” Brindley, a sailor who found success in racing and now manages an Australian team; Stellan Skarsgård as Bjorn Ericson, a Swedish sailor who sails for an American syndicate; and John McGlinn as Frank Hennessy, an Australian businessman who is investing in the Australian team.

All is Lost (2013)

All is Lost is one of the most harrowing survival stories ever committed to film, All is Lost is a minimalist exploration of a man’s struggle for survival in the face of adversity. In this case, “adversity” means “the Indian Ocean.”

The story begins with Robert Redford waking up halfway through a solo voyage across the Pacific. He finds that he has struck a floating shipping container, and his boat is filling with water.

Redford’s character is never given a name, but we do get to know him through his actions. He doesn’t panic when he discovers the leak; instead, he sets about repairing it as best he can. He rigs a jury-rigged sail to help him stay afloat while he waits out a storm. When the radio fails, there’s no bemoaning his fate; instead, he puts on his best poker face and keeps going. Each time he faces down yet another crisis and finds a solution, we learn more about him—and the stakes just keep getting higher.

Dead Calm (1989)

A young couple on a yacht trip in the South Pacific encounters a damaged ship and its only living inhabitant. He is looking for a ride home, so he can return to his wife and kids. The captain is suspicious and refuses to take him on board. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that the stranger was responsible for slaughtering the other crew members and that his wife may not be waiting for him at all.

The director depicts this story in an original way, shot completely on a boat, as it sails through the Pacific Ocean. Although the story is fictitious, it still gives us some real sailing skills and challenges of open water navigation.

This movie Dead Calm stars Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane.

Morning Light (2008)

Morning Light is a documentary that follows the youngest crew ever to compete in the Transpac sailing race. All crew members were between 18 and 23. The film follows the development of the Morning Light sailing team, their six months of sea training, and finally, the weeklong race across the Pacific between Los Angeles to Honolulu.

The film follows the young sailors as they develop their teamwork and learn to navigate under pressure and in high winds. The film also gives viewers a glimpse of the athletes’ personal lives: one woman struggles to find childcare so she can attend training while several others struggle with homesickness or the physical and emotional toll of leaving their families behind for months at a time.

The young sailors operate under incredible pressure: they are working hard to impress their sponsors (who have provided them with $2 million worth of equipment), they have only six months to learn how to sail, and they are constantly being compared to more experienced crews. They also must contend with a strict coach who pushes them harder than they’ve ever been pushed before.

Adrift (2018)

When you’re out on the open sea, you never know what fate may bring.

For Tami and Richard, it was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure—and one they’ll never forget.

Adrift is the true story of their journey to love and their battle with Hurricane Raymond in 1983, considered one of the most destructive storms ever recorded. Tami wakes up in the aftermath of the storm to find Richard seriously injured and their sailboat in shreds and sinking. Now, Tami must summon all her will and strength to save herself… and Richard, with no possibility of rescue.

Starring Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin, Adrift is an incredible tale for anyone who’s ever felt like they were fighting against the world.

Kon-Tiki (2012)

It’s not often that you can come away from a movie with a new appreciation for the world around you—but that’s precisely what happened when I watched Kon-Tiki!

The movie is based on an actual expedition led by Thor Heyerdahl, a famous Norwegian explorer, and ethnographer, in 1947. Thor theorized that South Americans had settled parts of the South Sea Islands, and he wanted to prove his point. So, after months of preparation, he and five other guys set sail from Peru on a balsa-wood raft. They planned to use natural elements (like stars and ocean currents) to navigate their way through the sea.

It sounds impossible, right? But they did it! And they didn’t even have modern equipment like GPS or maps—just a radio. It’s one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. You should watch this movie; it leaves you feeling inspired about what you can accomplish if you believe in your aspirations.

Maidentrip (2013)

The documentary, Maidentrip , chronicles the two-year journey of Laura Dekker as she attempts to become the youngest person to sail around the world. The video, directed by Jillian Schlesinger, is a testament to the human spirit and what can be accomplished when one pursues one’s ambition and works hard to attain it.

Dekker is depicted as a free-spirited outsider who finds her utopia in a never-ending sea. She is shown spending time with friends, getting tattoos, and enjoying life on her boat. While she does occasionally use bad language in the video, it never interferes with her message that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to if you are willing to work hard and overcome obstacles that may arise along the way.

The Endurance (2000)

The Endurance tells the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914-1916 journey to Antarctica, which is considered one of history’s greatest survival stories. Following the terrible death of legendary English polar explorer Robert Falcon Scott on his journey to the South Pole, Shackleton embarked on his third voyage.

Shackleton assembled a 27-man crew aboard his ship, Endurance, and set out in search of a new route across Antarctica from the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea. The expedition was thwarted by ice near the Weddell Sea, and Endurance was trapped for nearly a year before being crushed by the ice and sinking. The men escaped with their lives onto the floes, where they remained for another five months before reaching Elephant Island. Five men stayed behind at the site of their camp as Shackleton sailed in a small boat with five others in search of help. He sailed 800 miles through dangerous seas to reach South Georgia Island, where he arranged for a rescue ship to save his stranded crew members. All 27 men survived this ordeal, which is considered an epic feat in polar exploration history.

Sea Gypsies: Far Side of the World (2017)

Picture this: a gang of roving miscreants, with no licenses or insurance and an almost non-existent budget, is bound towards the most perilous seas on the planet.

This is almost the polar opposite of what you may have learned in your sailing classes. But for the crew of “Sea Gypsies: The Far Side of the World,” their story is one of adventure, courage, and determination.

In this heart-pounding documentary, a group of friends takes on the challenge of a lifetime: sailing from New York to Japan without any formal training, using only an old wooden boat that they built themselves.

“We knew it was crazy,” says Timmy Sniffles, one of the participants. “But we threw ourselves at it anyway.”

With three cameras on board to capture every moment and a host of experts who explain the dangers, they faced along the way, “Sea Gypsies” is a real-life thriller that will keep you glued to your seat.

The Old Man and The Sea Return to Cuba (2018)

Finbar Gittleman is a 75-year-old master sailor. He has a mythical position among sailors in Key West and the Caribbean after living a rough and perilous life at sea. As he returns to Havana, Cuba for the first time since Castro’s revolution, this is his narrative.

The Old Man and The Sea Return to Cuba : Finbar Gittleman takes you on an adventure of sailing, perseverance, and self-discovery.

In this video, Finbar recounts his life at sea and how he came to be in Florida. He also shares some of the hardships he faced along the way as he struggled to make a living in the harsh environment of Key West.

He then describes the day when he decided to sail back home – through the dangerous reefs of Cuba – with nothing but his old boat, a compass, and some provisions.

The Mercy (2018)

Featured on the Today Show and in the New York Times, this extraordinary narrative of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst’s effort to solo around the world in the first race of its type, the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, is told in “The Mercy.”

Crowhurst was an amateur sailor who dreamed of winning the race. Struggling with his business and family life, he decided to enter the race. He convinced a local businessman to support him and set about building a boat for the race.

The race was ill-fated from the start: one competitor died at sea and another disappeared without a trace. Crowhurst became increasingly unstable as he sailed around the world; radio transmissions from him became more erratic as he sailed on.

He finally returned to England, where he was declared the winner of the race due to his competitors’ fates. However, it was discovered that he had never made it past the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa and had falsified his log entries. He returned home in disgrace and committed suicide shortly after his return

The Weekend Sailor (2016)

It’s not often that a story like this comes along. “ The Weekend Sailor ” is a documentary about Ramon Carln, a Mexican man who, in 1974, wins the first crewed around-the-world sailing race on his boat Sayula II. The race is now known as The Volvo Ocean Race, and it takes place every three years.

The reason this story is so captivating? Carln wasn’t your typical sailor. He had very little experience with sailing, and he won the race with a crew of family and friends.

The film follows Carln’s journey: from his humble beginnings as a young boy when he began to dream of being a sailor, to his later years when he competed in the race and then won it (overcoming many obstacles along the way). It’s an inspiring story of determination and drive that you’ll want to watch with your whole family!

Related to Sailing Movies and Other Stuff

Upper Thumb Boating and Sailing – Here is another wonderfully produced video from LIVE Huron. This one focuses on Huron County boating and sailing opportunities with some great shots of Caseville harbor and breakwall

Interview with Author Jacki Howard – I reached out to Jacki Howard to see what she has done since the book was published 10 years ago. She is still involved with the book, but life has moved on. Like so many in the Thumb region, we are distant cousins. While we have never personally met, we found common ground with our interest in the “Dying Sparlings” Here is our exchange.

Boat Names – Transom Charm – The boat name you select may not seem like an important thing, but most of us feel that selecting the right name for our boat is important.

A Kool Little Cigarette Sailboat – In 1971 KOOL Cigarettes ran a unique marketing campaign. Magazines around the country ran an ad that if you sent in $88 and one box end from a carton of Kool cigarettes that this fully functional sailboat would be shipped to your door.

Michigan Monday – Saginaw Poet Theodore Roethke – Regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential poets of his generation, Roethke won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1954 for his book The Waking.

The Amazing Michigan Photography of Steven Donahue – Steven was born and grew up on his family farm near Port Hope. He moved away and started studying the arts, including photography, in Chicago. He was in the military during the Vietnam War and became an MP. Part of his job was to photograph deaths and burials. A job I’m sure was not pleasant.

Michael Hardy

Michael Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. Michael was born in Michigan and grew up near Caseville. In 2009 he started this fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Since then, he has authored a vast range of content and established a loyal base of 60,000 visitors per month.

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2012 great lakes water levels drop – marina’s scramble, 3 thoughts on “ 13 of the best sailing movies, you can watch again and again ”.

Substitute “Captain Ron” for “All is lost” and I am all aboard.

Charlie St Cloud was a recent movie with some sailing focus.

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12 Top Boat Movies To Inspire Nautical Adventures

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclaimer here .

As someone who watches a lot of travel-inspiring films, I love watching movies set in far-flung destinations. But as the saying goes, “It’s about the journey, not the destination” so I’m focusing on a mode of travel in this post. Everyone else might focus on planes, trains, and automobiles but I’ve created a list of the top boat movies instead!

Boating movies, ship movies, sailing movies… They all sound similar but there are so many different types of boat movies!

Many are ship disaster movies with sea creatures, storms, and iceberg crashes. Some of the best boat movies are about the stormy seas within. Others are plain old swash-buckling adventure movies, and we love those too.

There are honestly too many movies with boats to mention, but I’ve done my best. I feel like that “Boats! Boats! Boats!” character on season six of How I Met Your Mother , I’ve written the word so many damn times.

Without further delay, here is my boat and ship movies list complete with boat movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more.

List of Top Boat Movies

1. lifeboat (1944).

English | 97m | 90% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on a novella written by John Steinbeck, Lifeboat  was always going to be a brilliant boat movie.

It’s a story set during World War II about British and American citizens fleeing to lifeboats after their U-boats sink a passenger vessel. Because it was sympathetic to German soldiers and released while the war was still ongoing, many viewers didn’t rate this claustrophobic drama too highly!

Luckily, with the passage of time, the film holds up as one of the great boat films of all time.

2. The African Queen (1951)

English, German, Swahili | 105m | 96% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

Winning four Academy Awards including Best Actress for Katherine Hepburn,  The African Queen  is one of the best movies about sailing. Many think it’s a true story, but it’s a fictional tale set at the start of World War I with Hepburn playing a British missionary in German East Africa .

After the war breaks out, she is forced to flee on a little postal boat named African Queen with boat captain Humphrey Bogart. It’s one of the top classic movies about boats that stands the test of time.

Although set in the former German East African territories ( Burundi , Rwanda , the Kionga Triangle , and parts of Tanzania and Mozambique ), it was filmed in entirely different places.

Studio filming was carried out in  Shepperton Studios  in the  UK . On-location filming was in places like the Ruiki River and Ponthierville Falls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other scenes were shot in Lake Albert, Port Butiaba, and other beautiful destinations in Uganda .

3. Moby Dick (1956)

English | 116m | 84% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

Love to watch movies about boats sinking and movies about sailing ships? You’re in luck, Moby Dick  is both!

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville is an American classic (one I still need to read). It’s a tale told from the point of view of a sailor called Ishmael. He’s sailing on a Nantucket whaling ship called Pequod run by Captain Ahab. The captain has an obsession with killing a white whale called Moby Dick, even if it puts his crew in danger.

Moby Dick  is directed by John Huston and stars Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab and Orson Welles as Father Mapple. There have been several other TV and film adaptations of the 1851 novel, but out of all of these movies about ships at sea, this version is still the best.

4. Jaws (1975)

English | 124m | 97% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

Like  Jaws  wasn’t going to be on the list, right? Sure, it would be more at home on a list of thrillers or monster movies than a list of boating movies, but it definitely falls under the  nautical  movies banner. And the, “we’re going to need a bigger boat” line is iconic.

Jaws  is Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster mega-hit about a great white shark that is terrorising the fictional New England beach town of Amity Island . It was mostly shot at Martha’s Vineyard . Three men (played by Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw) hunt down the shark on a boat called Orca .

It was just big enough to accomplish the task of taking down the great white (spoilers, I guess?) but not so big for everyone to survive.

5. Dead Calm (1989)

English | 95m | 83% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

Dead Calm is an Australian psychological thriller starring Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman as a couple grieving the loss of their young son. While sailing through the Great Barrier Reef , they pick up a sailor (Billy Zane) who claims he is the sole survivor of a sinking sailboat.

They sail a 23-meter Bermudian ketch although I’m not sure of its name. But  Dead Calm  is one of the best boat trip movies with sailboats if you’re in the mood for a thriller. Plus, it’s not the only boats movie on this list with Billy Zane playing a bad guy!

6. The Hunt for Red October (1990)

English, Russian | 135m | 88% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

I don’t know if I would’ve put  The Hunt for Red October  on a list about ships in movies considering it’s about submarines, but it’s just too popular to leave out. Specifically, it’s about an undetectable typhoon-class ballistic missile submarine with a caterpillar drive.

The Hunt for Red October  is based on the Tom Clancy novel set during the Cold War. It stars Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan, a CIA agent who suspects the captain of the Red October sub, Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) of being a Russian defector. 

He must find the captain and confirm his suspicions before Ramius’s submarine is targeted by either the Americans or Russians.

Many movies about ships are naturally full of suspense and The Hunt for Red October  is no different. Hopefully, this is one of the better ship movies so you’ll forgive the fact that it’s a submarine! Unless submarines are ships?! Honestly, I’m not the person to ask.

7. Captain Ron (1992)

English | 100m | 26% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

Here’s one of the few films about ships on this list that is a comedy! Kurt Russel stars as the titular character in  Captain Ron . Martin Short’s character inherits a Formosa 51 sailing boat docked in the Caribbean and he enlists Captain Ron to sail the vessel to Miami for him.

The only trouble is that Captain Ron is what I would call a ‘bit of a character’ and not everything is plain sailing when he’s at the steering wheel.

Is this one of the best sailing ship movies of all time? Probably not, but if you’re in the mood to watch lighthearted, travel-inspiring movies on boats then you could do worse.

8. Forrest Gump (1994)

English | 142m | 71% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

Okay, so  Forrest Gump  is a film set on a boat entirely, but in my opinion, it does have one of the most famous boats in movies! Forrest’s Beaufort shrimp boat called Jenny is an icon. And, of course, all of the other Jennys that Forrest adds to his fleet of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. boats.

Forrest is a hapless, affable human who just happens to live an extraordinary life. He becomes a shrimping boat captain after promising his army friend Bubba (who dies while fighting in the Vietnam War) that they would start the company together.

After a rocky start, a storm grounds all of the other shrimping boats in the area allowing the Jenny to thrive.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve watched Forrest Gump. 10 times? Maybe more? It’s not perfect, but I watch it whenever I want to travel around the US or just be inspired by a beautiful story.

9. Titanic (1997)

English | 195m | 88% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

Yes, you knew  Titanic  would be on this list of movies with ships somewhere! James Cameron directed not only one of the most successful films at the box office (as only James Cameron can) but one of the best Hollywood ship movies ever.

Titanic  uses the real-life disaster of the RMS Titanic, a White Star Line passenger liner and now one of the most famous movie ships. It hit an iceberg and sank in the Atlantic Ocean while sailing from Southampton to New York City . The movie follows a wealthy Rose (Kate Winslet) and the lower-class Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) as they find love against the odds.

It really is one of the best ship-sinking movies for many reasons. One is that in the extended cut, the Titanic takes just as long to sink in the film as it did in real life.

10. The Perfect Storm (2000)

English | 130m | 46% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Amazon Prime

One, while it’s not one of the best films with boats,  The Perfect Storm  is a true story. And despite getting mixed reviews, it was a commercial success at least.

It tells the tale of ‘Andrea Gail’, a commercial swordfishing boat that got caught up in one of the worst storms in modern history back in 1991. Three fierce weather fronts collided creating, some might say, the perfect storm.

George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and John C. Reilly lead an all-star cast of fishermen caught up in this monumental storm somewhere between Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the  Flemish Cap . Slight spoilers, but The Perfect Storm comfortably falls within the ‘boat sinking movies’ category.

I hope you aren’t an optimist and you hoped that a small fishing boat would be able to survive one of the worst storms ever, right?

11. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

English | 143m | 80% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Disney+

Based on a ride at some of the  Walt Disney   theme parks,  Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl  is the first in a successful (yet mixed) fantasy franchise. Thinking about the movie, it has a much more complicated plot to explain than I first expected!

Basically,  Curse of the Black Pearl  stars Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow, a pirate captain without a ship who arrives in Port Royal in the Caribbean . Orlando Bloom as blacksmith Will Turner and Keira Knightley as the governor’s daughter Elizabeth Swan also star.

The Black Pearl is a ship manned by undead pirates who are in need of Will’s blood, and a coin in Elizabeth’s possession to break their curse.

It’s a family-friendly, fun adventure movie and by far the best of the series. And who doesn’t love a pirate film?! 

12. True Spirit (2023)

English | 109m | 79% Rotten Tomatoes | Watch on Netflix

You don’t have to resort to watching amateur sailing videos on YouTube to satiate your desire to watch free boat movies. If you have a Netflix subscription,  True Spirit  is one of the best boating movies on Netflix!

Based on a memoir of the same name, True Spirit  is about a 16-year-old Australian sailor. She wants to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone. Naturally, she must deal with tons of challenges and face her greatest faces (one of them being a horrendous death, I assume).

Although there aren’t many sailing movies Netflix has made as an original production, this one is a really great one. She sails a S&S 34 Ella’s Pink Lady and goes through some unbelievably scary moments.

Other Top Boat Movies on Ships: Overboard (1987), Hook (1991),  The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou  (2004), The Boat That Rocked/Pirate Radio  (2009),  Life of Pi  (2012), All Is Lost (2013),  The Mercy  (2017),  Dunkirk  (2017),  Adrift  (2018)

Top Boat Movies: That’s a Wrap!

Those are some of my favourite boat movies and ship Movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other platforms.

Have you watched any of these films or have any more recommendations? Let me know in the comments below!

75+ Best Travel Movies To Inspire Your Wanderlust

Hey! I wrote this. And I'm the human (and hair) behind Almost Ginger. I live for visiting filming locations, attending top film festivals and binge-watching travel inspiring films. I'm here to inspire you to do the same! Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me directly: [email protected] .

4 thoughts on “ 12 Top Boat Movies To Inspire Nautical Adventures ”

Wonderful list Rebecca. So many of these I love. Lifeboat is in my list of top 10 Hitchcock films, and Jaws is an all-time fav of mine. Nice to see Dead Calm make the list – a top-notch, edge-of-your-seat thriller. I must check out Captain Ron, Kurt Russell is great but this one has passed me by.

Thanks, Dan! There are so many great ones, and so many more I need to check out and add to the list!

I love this post. So many good ones. Jaws is by far my favorite on this list. So much of the fun of that film is the boat itself. I feel like I know every detail of it.

I would put Peter Weir’s Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World on a list like this. Impeccably well-made and almost entirely on a ship. I also have Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo on my mind. That is how you work with a boat on a film set.

Thanks Kevin! 🙂 Funnily enough I’d thought of Fitzcarraldo but I’d JUST included it in a list of movies about Peru so I thought it would be a bit much considering it’s a more obscure film. I can’t say if heard of the others but I do actually need to watch Jaws again, it’s been aaaages

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Home / Features / 25 best boat movies ever

25 best boat movies ever

Boats aren’t just good for ferrying people from one mass of land to another or for catching fish, they can provide the backdrop for great films, too. Here are 25 best boat movies ever, in no particular order.

Titanic (1997)

“Jack, this is where we first met.” Well, of all the stupid things to say when your ticket to America starts looking like a one-way fare to a watery grave. Even so, James Cameron’s retelling of the historic Titanic disaster as an epic romance (with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet at Cupid’s helm) turned out to be a big-budget awards magnet and it’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer scale of the production.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Peter Weir’s seafaring epic should have made off with a treasure chest of Oscars, but for one pesky detail – it came out in the same year as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. None the less, it flies the flag as one of the best boat movies ever made, with Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany leading a stellar crew through stormy waters. A long-expected sequel is yet to materialise.

The Hunt for Red October (1990)

Sean Connery goes off-mission in an undetectable Soviet sub – the titular Red October – causing the CIA’s Alec Baldwin to give chase… in person. The Russians are (figuratively) on board with the hunt, but things hot up below deck when Baldwin (literally) joins the Red October and some unlikely alliances are formed. A masterful piece of Tom Clancy-penned sub-aquatic suspense.

The Boat (1921)

Artful out-to-sea comedy from Buster Keaton, who builds a boat in his house without planning how to get it out. The ensuing project to take said vessel (plus wife and two Keaton juniors) to the water leaves the family homeless, carless and barely afloat in a storm. What’s the joke? Damfino. (Yeah, you probably need to watch this 25-minutes short to get that.)

The Perfect Storm (2000)

A nice spot of fishing, this ain’t. George Clooney leads a crew of fishermen, including Mark Wahlberg, on a late season deep sea rod-and-line trip. But things turn nasty when, as they retreat for the shoreline, their boat, the Andrea Gail, gets caught in gale force winds, tempestuous seas and all sorts of bother. Based on a true story, The Perfect Storm’s ominous reviews were stilled by box office success.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

The plot’s in the title, but Mutiny on the Bounty could also have been called Who Moved My Cheese (On My Boat). Marlon Brando and Richard Harris have their patience tested first by their captain’s light-fingered approach to cheddar, but things turn uglier as Captain Bligh (Trevor Howard) drives his crew with increasingly uncompromising fervour. In reality, it was Brando’s on-set antics that nearly caused a mutiny.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Johnny Depp threw away the Errol Flynn book of swashbuckling pirates, instead borrowing heavily from ragged Rolling Stones axeman Keith Richards for the role of Captain Jack Sparrow. Despite his scene stealing antics, the cast was peppered with talent and Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and Geoffrey Rush also turned in ace performances to make Pirates of the Caribbean’s first outing one of the finest pirate movies ever made. Three (disappointing) sequels followed.

The African Queen (1951)

As war breaks out, Humphrey Bogart – a coarse delivery man – rescues prim Methodist missionary Katherine Hepburn and the pair make an unlikely alliance aboard the African Queen. Bogart won an Oscar for his steer on the lead role, though the script had to undergo a rewrite after it transpired he couldn’t pull off the cockney accent the part originally required.

The Abyss (1989)

Although The Abyss is perhaps more at home in our list of the 25 best alien movies ever, it does have lots of boats in it, and we can’t forgo the opportunity to include a bit of sea-borne sci-fi. Fun fact: James Cameron’s original water movie was shot not in the sea, but in an unfinished nuclear power station’s containment building.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

Airport, The Towering Inferno, Earthquake… the early 1970s were rich with star-studded disaster movies. The Poseidon Adventure is the icing on that suspenseful cake, with the SS Poseidon running into suitably troubled waters. On board, the Rev Frank Scott (Gene Hackman) asks God to help him deliver survivors into the safe hands of the rescue party. Who he holds accountable for the unfavourable sailing conditions is never properly addressed.

Das Boot (1981)

The ironically dry title (The Boat, in English) belies the epic wetness of this WWII submarine movie, credited with some of the most claustrophic cinematography ever committed to film. Robert Redford and Paul Newman were considered for the lead role, but plans to bring in an American director and star were ditched in favour of an all-German cast directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

Errol Flynn stars as the eponymous Peter Blood, a man with a penchant (funnily enough) for swashbuckling antics. Sold into slavery and at his wit’s end, Blood must plot his escape and avenge his capturer. And get laid, obviously. Boats, naturally, are crucial to the ensuing plot, as they were in many of our other 25 best pirate movies ever.

The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

There’s not much Hollywood hasn’t thought of through the years, and if you thought boats and time travel hadn’t been successfully combined, you haven’t watched The Philadelphia Experiment. Disappearing boats are one thing, but we can’t help feeling the protagonists’ disbelief (on arriving from 1944) that Ronald Reagan is president was shared by plenty of non-time travellers in 1984.

Moby Dick (1956)

Sci-fi don Ray Bradbury was drafted in to pen a screen adaptation of Herman Melville’s novel, with Gregory Peck starring as Captain Ahab. Everyone knows the most famous non-Biblical whale story of all time, but not everyone knows Moby Dick was played in the film by a 12 tonne, 75ft bit of rubber specially made by Dunlop in Stoke-on-Trent. He had an appetite for 80 drums of compressed air and was lost at sea during filming. Pity the fisherman who finds him.

Knife in the Water (1962)

The movies have always taken a dim view of the hitchhiking fraternity, and Roman Polanski’s feature debut is no exception. It’s a taut drama with a cast of three, and a cautionary tale about taking strangers on sailing trips. Especially if you don’t trust your wife.

1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)

Christopher Columbus sets sail to discover… well, he doesn’t know. That’s sort of the point of Ridley Scott’s discovery movie, in which Gerard Depardieu plays the New World explorer and Sigourney Weaver puts in a turn as Queen Isabella I. It flopped at the box office, but the central motif of the soundtrack was adopted by the Portuguese Socialist Party, which has kept it ever since.

Cape Fear (1991)

Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum and Martin Balsam all had roles in the original 1962 Cape Fear, and each got a reprisal cameo in the remake starring Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange. The usual boat and storm combo is drilled up for the finale, with a psychopathic rapist, bent on vengeance, thrown in for good measure. Do not file under rom-com.

The Sea Hawk (1940)

Errol Flynn stars as (guess what?) a privateer. Based around the time of the Spanish Armada, it sees Flynn jacking the Spanish ambassador’s boat and chatting up his wife. Being that it was released during the Second World War, there’s some pretty heavy jingoism going on, but it’s still worth a watch. If you must be a purist, track down the 1924 silent version, which is more faithful to Rafael Sabatini’s novel.

Under Seige (1992)

Steven Seagal cooks up a storm in the galley of the USS Missouri when Gary Busey and Tommy Lee Jones try to hijack the boat’s weaponry for sale on the black market. But what the baddies don’t realise is that Seagal is (of course) not really a ship’s cook, but a highly trained former Navy SEAL. Uh-oh. Under Seige was a massive success, and so impressed was Harrison Ford with Andrew Davis’ film, he signed up for the director’s next outing, 1993’s The Fugitive, on the strength of it.

The Old Man and the Sea (1958)

Ernest Hemingway’s novella set sail for the big screen with Spencer Tracy at the helm, a role for which he would pick up an Oscar nomination. The story of a down-on-his-luck fisherman looking for one big catch was brought to life with a pioneering new film technology, the bluescreen. Cutting edge stuff.

Waterworld (1995)

It’s the future and rising sea levels have done away with most of Earth’s land. Enter Kevin Costner on his trimaran to become embroiled in a plot about a missing orphan, pirates called Smokers and the search for Dryland (yes, really). Eventually, Cossie upgrades to a jetski for his assault on the pirates home turf (an optimistically intact Exxon Valdez).

The Caine Mutiny (1954)

In boat movies, things generally get out of hand for three reasons: adverse weather (The Poseidon Adventure, The Perfect Storm), petty misdemeanours (Mutiny on the Bounty, Knife in the Water) and war (Master and Commander, The Hunt for Red October, The African Queen). In The Caine Mutiny, it’s all three – with a violent storm, the theft of some strawberries and enemy fire conspiring against the crew’s brief. Throw in an ace performance form Humphrey Bogart, and there’s little reason not to navigate towards the play button.

Dead Calm (1989)

The plot of this Aussie thriller (which also made our list of the 25 best Australian movies ever) has more tacks than the Sydney-Hobart boat race. An idyllic yachting getaway runs aground when a homicidal maniac (Billy Zane) joins the party of two (Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman). Cue the suspenseful action, including novel uses of harpoon and flare guns.

White Squall (1996)

What could possibly go wrong on a school sailing trip? Ridley Scott set out to discover in this based-on-a-true-story retelling of the Albatross, which sank in 1961. Jeff Bridges is the teacher who trains the boys in the ways of the waves. The white squall of the title refers to a sudden sea storm that appears without the usual foreboding clouds.

Lifeboat (1944)

If there was one thing Alfred Hitchcock liked, it was having a small stage (Rope, Dial M for Murder, Rear Window). For Lifeboat, that stage was the particularly cramped titular escape vessel. It all starts off genially enough, but needless to say tempers wear thin when there are limited rations and even more limited chance of rescue. If there was another thing Hitchcock liked, it was a twist. But we wouldn’t like to spoil the ending.

Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website.  Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.

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15 Best Sailing Movies You Can’t Miss

A true sailing enthusiast suffers when forced to stay at home… So here we are to help you, presenting our selection of the best sailing movies that a sailor absolutely cannot miss. We discussed, because the world of cinema and TV (just think of Netflix) give us an almost infinite catalogue. We finally succeeded and we are happy to present you our favorite sailing movies. Which is your favorite?

1. 180° SOUTH (2010)

“180° South” is a 2010 adventure documentary film directed by Chris Malloy. The film follows the journey of Jeff Johnson as he retraces the steps of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia, Chile. Along the way, Johnson encounters a variety of challenges, including navigating rugged terrain and dealing with extreme weather conditions. The film also explores themes of environmental conservation and the importance of protecting natural resources. It features stunning cinematography and is narrated by actor/musician/environmentalist Jack Johnson.

2. All is lost (2013)

“All Is Lost” is a 2013 survival drama film directed by J.C. Chandor. The film stars Robert Redford as an unnamed man who is stranded at sea after his sailboat is damaged by a shipping container. The man must use all of his survival skills and resourcefulness to stay alive in the face of increasingly dire circumstances. The film is notable for its minimalist approach, with no dialogue and minimal music, and Redford’s performance as the only actor on screen. It was praised for its technical achievements and the acting of Redford.

3. Captain Ron (1992)

“Captain Ron” is a 1992 comedy film directed by Thom Eberhardt and starring Kurt Russell as the titular character, a slovenly, irreverent sailor who is hired to help a family sail their yacht from the Caribbean to Miami. Along the way, they encounter a variety of mishaps and adventures, including pirates and a hurricane. The film also stars Martin Short as the head of the family, Mary Kay Place as his wife, and Benjamin Salisbury and Meadow Sisto as their children. “Captain Ron” is known for its silly and irreverent humor and the strong performances of its cast. We have to be honest: Captain Ron is our favourite between the sailing movies of this list!

We discussed, because the world of cinema and TV (just think of Netflix) give us an almost infinite catalog of sailing films

4. Chasing Bubbles (2016)

“Chasing Bubbles” is a documentary about the journey and spirit of Alex Rust , a farm boy turned day trader from Indiana who, at 25, abandoned his life in Chicago, bought a modest sailboat (called Bubbles) and set out to sail around the world.

5. Dead calm (1989)

Dead Calm is a 1989 Australian psychological thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Sam Neill, Nicole Kidman and Billy Zane. The screenplay by Terry Hayes was based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Charles Williams; the film represents the first successful film adaptation of the novel after Orson Welles struggled for years to complete his own film based on it titled The Deep . Filmed around the Great Barrier Reef, the plot focuses on a married couple, who, after tragically losing their son, are spending some time isolated at sea, when they come across a stranger who has abandoned a sinking ship. A must see among sailing movies!

6. Deep Water (2006)

“Deep Water” is a 2006 documentary film directed by Jerry Rothwell and Louise Osmond about the history of the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race , a solo sailing race around the world that was held in 1968. The film follows the stories of the race’s participants, including Donald Crowhurst, a British sailor who became embroiled in a scandal when it was revealed that he had falsified his position in the race. The film also explores themes of adventure, ambition, and the human cost of pushing oneself to the limits. It was well-received by critics and audiences and won a number of awards.

7. Maidentrip (2013)

“Maidentrip” is a 2013 documentary film about the life of Laura Dekker , a Dutch sailor who, at the age of 14, became the youngest person to sail solo around the world. The film follows Dekker’s journey as she navigates the challenges and dangers of her voyage, including rough seas, equipment failures, and isolation. It also explores Dekker’s background and her motivations for embarking on such a risky and ambitious journey. “Maidentrip” was praised for its intimate and engaging portrayal of Dekker’s journey and for its powerful depiction of the human spirit and determination.

8. Master and commander (2003)

During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America. The naval action in the Mediterranean is  closely based on the real-life exploits of Lord Cochrane , including a battle modelled after Cochrane’s spectacular victory in the brig HMS Speedy over the vastly superior Spanish frigate El Gamo.

9. Morning light (2008)

Fifteen young sailors… six months of intense training… one chance at the brass ring. This documentary tells the story of a group of intrepid and determined young men and women, on the cusp of adulthood, as they embark on life’s first great adventure. Fifteen young men and women prepare for the adventure of their lives when they enter the TRANSPAC, one of the world’s most prestigious open-ocean sailing competitions. They begin their training in Hawaii with world-class teachers, but it is the race itself, a 2,300-mile ordeal featuring top professionals, that molds them into a cohesive whole.

10. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” is a 2003 adventure film directed by Gore Verbinski and based on the popular Disney theme park attraction of the same name. The film stars Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, a wily and unpredictable pirate who teams up with a blacksmith named Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and a Governor’s daughter named Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) to rescue Elizabeth’s father and defeat the cursed pirate captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). The film also features an ensemble cast of supporting characters and is known for its action, humor, and special effects. It was a commercial and critical success and spawned a successful film franchise.

11. The Mercy (2018)

The Mercy is a British biographical drama film , directed by James Marsh and written by Scott Z. Burns. It is based on the true story of the disastrous attempt by the amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst to complete the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1968 and his subsequent attempts to cover up his failure.

12. The Odyssey (2016)

The Odyssey is a movie which chronicles the life of the great Jacques Cousteau. Jacques Cousteau is perhaps one of the most famous French persons in the world due to his pioneering work on scuba diving, underwater exploration and film-making which introduced a whole generation to the wonders of reef and marine life in the ocean.

13. Turning Tide – En solitaire (2013)

It tells the story of Yann Kermadec whose dreams suddenly come true when he has to replace the DCNS star skipper at the last minute before the start of the Vendée Globe (a round-the-world non-stop single-handed yacht race). After several days of racing, Yann, who is in the lead, has to stop to repair a damaged rudder. This will disrupt his round-the-world journey…

14. White squall (1996)

Teenage boys discover discipline and camaraderie on an ill-fated sailing voyage. It is a coming of age film in which a group of high school and college-aged teenagers sign up for several months of training aboard a sail ship, a brigantine, and travel around half the globe when suddenly they are challenged by a severe storm.

15. WIND (1992)

Will Parker, played by Matthew Modine, loses the Americas Cup, the worlds biggest sailing prize, to the Australians and decides to form his own syndicate to win it back. In 1983, yacht sailor Will Parker (Matthew Modine) leads an American crew financed by millionaire Morgan Weld (Cliff Robertson) to defeat during the America’s Cup race against an Australian crew. Determined to get the prize back, Will convinces Morgan to finance an experimental boat designed by his ex-girlfriend Kate’s (Jennifer Grey) new beau, Joe Heisler (Stellan Skarsgard). When the boat is completed, the Americans head to Australia to reclaim the cup.

Finally, what do you think about our 15 sailing movies to watch at least one time in your life?

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What about “Maiden”. Terrific women’s movie, but good for all.

The Top 10 Best Sailing Movies

For many people (no judgment over here!), the first time they imagined themselves at the helm of a sailboat was after watching a perfectly idyllic sailing scene in a movie. That was is. They were in love. And while sailing isn’t exactly the way the movies make it out to be, we are all for a little bit of cinematic inspiration.

In no particular order and with a mix of action, romance, drama, documentary, and comedy, we present to you, in our opinion…

The Top 10 Best Sailing Movies:

White squall (1996).

Starring Jeff Bridges as the captain, White Squall depicts an account of teenage students who discover fortitude, discipline, and friendship on a doomed sailing voyage through a storm.

Captain Ron (1992)

The comedy, Captain Ron , features Kurt Russell as Captain Ron who skippers the inherited vintage yacht of Martin Harvey (Martin Short) and his family.  With questionable skills, Captain Ron takes the family on an amusing family holiday filled with misadventures.

Dead Calm (1989)

Based on the novel of the same name, this thriller stars Nicole Kidman and Sam Neil.  An Australian murder mystery, Dead Calm features a beautiful yacht, dangerous sailing, and a stranger who has abandoned a sinking ship.

Chasing Bubbles (2016)

In this documentary, Alex Rust leaves his land life to sail around the world. This three/four-year adventure focuses on Alex as he learns to sail Bubbles and his search for adventure and fulfillment.

(Alex actually bought Bubbles in the British Virgin Islands – not a bad sailing destination, if you ask us!)

All is Lost (2013)

This survival drama focuses on a man lost at sea during a solo voyage.  Encountering danger, Robert Redford’s character must come to terms with his own mortality in All is Lost .  It’s a classic man vs. boat vs. sea drama.

Adrift (2018)

Based on true events, Adrift is a love and survival story. A young couple faces a catastrophic hurricane and one must find the strength and determination to survive the aftermath.

Following Seas (2016)

The documentary Following Seas gives you a front seat to a sailing family’s ocean voyages as they navigate family, adventure, sacrifices, love, heartbreak, and dreams.

Wind (1992)

Based loosely on actual events, Wind , starring Matthew Modine and Jennifer Gray, focuses on the America’s Cup series of races as a backdrop for a romantic adventure drama.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Russell Crowe stars as the brash Captain during the Napoleonic Wars in this historical adventure drama.  Ordered to capture a French vessel off the South American coast, the captain pushes his ship and crew to complete the mission while facing questions of bravery, duty, and friendship.

Maiden (2019)

This is the inspiring true story documentary of the first all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race. Join Tracy Edwards as she leads the crew in the 1989 arduous competition lasting over nine months and covering over 33,000 of sailing racing.

Have these sailing movies inspired you to get out on the water?

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The Best Boat Movies of All Time

Looking for the best boat movies of all time for movie night? We round up the best movies about sailing, including adaptions of our favourite boat books , to watch in your home cinema or the outdoor cinema on board your superyacht.

Titanic (1997)

It’s evident from this film's setting that director James Cameron has long been a fan of boats. Based on the true story of the sunken RMS Titanic , Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet portray young lovers travelling aboard the ill-fated ship.

Adrift (2018)

Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin star as a couple who sail from Tahiti to Hawaii aboard a sailing yacht named Hazaña . Based on a true story, the film shows how the characters deal with life at sea after a hurricane passes through their path.

Wind (1992)

Inspired by the events leading up to the 1987 Americas Cup, this yachting film features several of the 12-metre class yachts that participated in the actual races held off the coast of Western Australia. Need to brush up on your America's Cup knowledge first? Head over to our dedicated America’s Cup page .

Life of Pi (2012)

Adapted from the book by Yann Martel, the film follows the adventures of Pi Patel who must survive at sea after a shipwreck. Floating in the Pacific Ocean with a raft full of animals, Pi encounters some of the natural wonders only experienced by sailors such as bioluminescent plankton and flying fish.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

Marlon Brando plays the infamous Lieutenant Fletcher Christian in this classic film inspired by true events. The film follows the crew of HMS Bounty as they travel to French Polynesia and then mutiny against their Captain, William Bligh.

Captain Phillips (2013)

Tom Hanks stars as the eponymous hero in this thriller based on a real-life hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama by Somali Pirates.

Maiden (2019)

This insightful documentary tells the story of the all-female crew of the 18 metre racing yacht Maiden , as they compete in the 1989–1990 Whitbread Round the World Race.

Pirates of the Caribbean Series (2003-2017)

Captain Jack Sparrow's swashbuckling tales should lift the mood and keep family members of all ages entertained during a period of social-distancing. From the Black Pearl to the Flying Dutchman , each movie brings to life some of the spookiest ghost ships stories in maritime culture.

Jaws (1975)

This well-known Spielberg classic tells the story of a man-eating shark that is hunted down by the team on board the  Orca . Although the coastal town terrorised by the shark is fictional, filming largely took place in Martha’s Vineyard. The scenic summer colony is one of the best movie locations to visit by superyacht .

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

This Oscar-winning film offers a faithful a representation of life on board a 19th century Royal Navy frigate. Starring Russell Crowe, the film portrays a voyage around Cape Horn and the Galapagos Islands during the Napoleonic Wars.

In the Heart of the Sea (2015)

An all-star cast including Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland and Ben Whishaw play the crew of a whaling ship called the Essex . The plot is inspired by the true sinking of the ship in 1820 and the story is suggested to be the basis for Herman Melville's book Moby-Dick .

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'Triangle of Sadness' and 9 More Must-See Boat Disaster Movies

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The 10 Most Rewatchable Crime Movies of the 2010s, Ranked

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Movies love to weaponize the world around us, often turning everyday items and vehicles into killing machines capable of massive destruction. Final Destination has built a franchise around freak accidents , while other movies' plots center around the impact and aftermath of these incidents. Whether its planes, trains, or automobiles, film and television characters are never safe from an elaborate disaster sequence.

RELATED: 15 Great Thriller Movies That Will Make You Afraid of the Ocean

While the best disaster movies often subject their cast to accidents on an outrageous scale, not every movie about cursed voyages offers large-scale disaster. When looking at movies set on boats in particular, some of the most harrowing and disastrous trips involve little actual destruction. It is the feeling of isolation, being alone at sea that is the real fear, as all manner of dangers can reveal themselves when no one else is around to stop them. The most popular maritime disaster movie—many would call it the gold standard—is of course, Titanic , but there's so much more to be discovered.

1 'Triangle of Sadness' (2022)

A recent critical success that has found itself nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, Triangle of Sadness is a dark comedy that takes a bite out of high society . Set aboard a luxury cruise ship, the film follows an ensemble cast of characters comprised of guests and crew, each dealing with their own problems in their own self-absorbed way.

Needless to say things quickly escalate, and after a storm hits the ship, alongside another threat, the spoiled rich folk find themselves needing to fend for themselves for the first time. Those who are easily nauseated by bodily fluids might want to skip this one as the movie's most memorable sequence involves a literal fountain of excrement .

2 'All Is Lost' (2013)

A survival story based on one man's determination while stranded at sea, All Is Lost stars Robert Redford as its unnamed protagonist. The film opens with the man's boat flooding with water after colliding with a shipping container, and from there it follows his desperate attempts to stay alive as the situation grows increasingly dire.

Being the only actor in the film, everything relies on Redford's shoulders, and thankfully the veteran delivers one of the best performances of his career in his twilight years. It is a performance that relies on physical acting as only 51 words are spoken throughout the film, and Redford manages to endear himself to us despite being a mostly silent protagonist.

Watch on Peacock

3 'The Perfect Storm' (2000)

Released long before the age of infinite documentary shows that follow the lives of fishing crews, The Perfect Storm follows one such crew as they head out to bring in a much-needed haul during disastrous weather. It is not long before the shipmates find themselves in over their heads, as the very real risk of dying at sea presents itself.

Based on a creative non-fiction book of the same name, The Perfect Storm showcases the hazards that fishermen face as they try to make a living, asking if the potential spoils outweigh the constant danger. It is a basic story, but it is bolstered by a great cast that is led by George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg , and some impressive visual effects for the time.

4 'Project Wolf Hunting' (2022)

Pitched as Con Air on a boat, Project Wolf Hunting is set aboard a cargo ship that has been transformed to house prisoners as they are transported from the Philippines to South Korea. It does not take long for the prisoners to take control of the ship, but when a new threat emerges, the criminals and the police are soon forced to work together.

Another fine addition to the great horror scene in South Korea, Project Wolf Hunting is an extravaganza of gore. The halls of the ship are literally flooded with blood as guns and knives mutilate the cast, creating a must-watch for horror fans. The story also offers enough twists to keep viewers invested as the film's true villain shifts multiple times.

5 'Dead Calm' (1989)

A cult classic from Australia, Dead Calm follows married couple John ( Sam Neill ) and Rae Ingram ( Nicole Kidman ). After losing their son in an accident, the grieving parents vacation on their yacht to try and find some peace. They soon rescue Hughie ( Billy Zane ), a man stranded at sea who claims his ship sunk. Once aboard, however, Hughie reveals dark intentions as he brings harm to the couple.

Exploring the idea that sometimes the most dangerous things at sea are the people on board with you, Dead Calm is an effective thriller as it makes the most of its claustrophobic setting. All three leads deliver great performances, with Zane in particular proving effective as the sociopathic Hughie.

6 'Ghost Ship' (2002)

A classic of the early 2000s Blockbuster era, many children were first introduced to the horror genre after convincing their parents to rent Ghost Ship . The film follows a crew of salvagers as they board an abandoned cruise ship in search of treasure, instead only finding supernatural evil and a gruesome demise.

Despite some decent death scenes, Ghost Ship is a mostly forgettable haunted house movie at sea. Only the film's opening scene has kept it popular among genre fans, as its prologue involving the ship's guests being dismembered by a rogue wire cord is a notoriously gruesome moment that lives rent-free in gore hounds' heads.

7 'The Poseidon Adventure' (1972)

A classic of the disaster genre, The Poseidon Adventure follows the passengers of a cruise ship on New Year's Eve. When a rogue wave causes the large vessel to overturn and trap its occupants at the bottom, a small group of survivors attempts to reach the surface as they face all manner of dangers in the sinking ship.

One of the best examples of the disaster genre done right, The Poseidon Adventure works because of its exciting set-pieces, gradually growing tension, and a terrific ensemble cast. A remake simple dubbed Poseidon was released in 2006 and does a pretty good job of capturing the exhilarating spirit of the original.

8 'Deep Rising' (1998)

An underrated horror gem from the end of the 20th century, Deep Rising is set aboard a cruise ship after it is attacked by a strange underwater monster. When Captain Finnegan ( Treat Williams ) and his crew are hired to transport an armed squad of thieves to the ship, all they find are the remains of the dead passengers and the still-hungry creature.

Deep Rising copies classic action-horror films such as Aliens to create an enjoyable monster movie on the high seas. The creature in question is memorable as it is visually distinct from your average horror fare, and the film's entertaining script is bolstered by a cast of familiar faces including Famke Janssen and Djimon Hounsou .

9 'Triangle' (2009)

A mind-bending thriller that has remained popular in genre circles since release, Triangle follows Jess ( Melissa George ) as she joins her friends for a day trip on a yacht. After experiencing boat troubles, they climb aboard a nearby ship that is seemingly abandoned, except for the masked figure that is stalking them across its halls.

Triangle dips its toes into a few different genres across its duration, including horror, psychological thriller, and even science-fiction. To say anymore would ruin the surprises that it contains, but needless to say it features a well-crafted story that will have the viewer questioning everything they have seen as the characters try to escape this ghost ship.

Watch on Shudder Watch on Peacock Watch on Tubi

10 'Jaws' (1975)

The movie that ruined the ocean for mankind, Jaws ' scares are still just as effective almost fifty years later. Set in the peaceful seaside town of Amity, the community is soon shattered by the arrival of a great white shark that puts the residents on the menu and shows no mercy to any who dare to enter the water.

The real movie begins when our three heroes: police chief Brody, grizzled fisherman Quint, and marine biologist Hooper set sail to destroy the shark once and for all. Once holding the title of the highest-grossing movie of all time , Jaws is iconic as the three strangers bond at sea, risking their lives to exterminate one of Earth's deadliest killing machines, with their only safety net being the small fishing boat that could sink at any moment.

KEEP READING: 10 Films Where a Boat is the Star of the Show

22 Sailing Movies You Must Watch In 2024

If you’re looking for sailing movies you absolutely must watch then you’ve come to the right place! Here are our top picks of the best sailing films out there to keep you dreaming of your next sailing adventure.

Adam and I have spent many a winter evening huddled together under a blanket watching sailing movie after sailing movie, and we found some great ones that we’ve watched over and over (and some awful ones too!)

I have to say that some of these might not be great ones to watch with nervous family members before you head off on any kind of voyage. They also might not be great for you to watch before embarking on a sailing adventure!

But even though we were living on a sailboat when I watched most of these, and even though I’m not the best at separating real life from fantasy, I didn’t get put off sailing. So you might be fine!

Obviously, films are a personal taste, but here are our picks of the best sailing shows out there – you’ll just have to watch them all to decide whether you agree with us or not.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn from other affiliate programs. This means we may receive a small commission on products purchased through our links at no extra cost to you.

• Chasing Bubbles
• Red Dot On The Ocean
• COYOTE: The Mike Plant Story
• White Squall
• Captain Ron
• All Is Lost
• Open Water 2: Adrift (2006)
• Dead Calm (1989)
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
• In The Heart Of The Sea
• The Endurance
• True Spirit
• Untold: The Race Of The Century

Our Top Picks – The Best Sailing Films Out There

The Best Sailing Movies Based On True Events

These are our favourite sailing movies based on real events. Obviously, the filmmakers have had a lot of artistic license, and when you read up on what really happened it doesn’t always correlate with what you see in the film.

We still find these the most gripping films as you can imagine someone actually going through the events. Here are some of the best based on true events.

Adrift is probably my favourite sailing film of all time because I am in awe of Tami and her survival skills!

Although the movie itself rather overdramatises the events to pull on the heartstrings, it’s still a true story of Tami Oldham Ashcraft’s ordeal of sailing into a Pacific hurricane.

The boat rolls and she’s left unconscious. She wakes to a dismasting and then sails solo under a jury rig for 41 days alone to Hawaii with limited supplies.

It’s based on the book of her experience, ‘Red Sky In Mourning’, which you can get a copy of here .

I’d recommend reading the book first. I got so involved with the whole story that I read up on Tami afterward and her strength and courage through all she’s had to face in life, even after the catastrophic event, is really incredible.

✔ Get a copy of the DVD here

#2 Kon Tiki

Another of the best out there, in our opinion. The ones based on real-life events are so much more exciting!

This sailing movie is based on Norwegian explorer, Thor Heyerdahl, who crossed the Pacific Ocean in a balsa wood raft in 1947, together with five men, to prove that South Americans could have crossed the sea and settled on Polynesian islands back in pre-Columbian times.

We loved how the film was done, with the dramatic lead-up to a voyage that seemed so sure to fail, to the days the men spent at sea in a tiny floating raft. I won’t ruin the ending for you, but it’s a must-see film in our opinion!

✔ You can get a copy here

#3 Chasing Bubbles

If you want to see what sailing the world is really like then Chasing Bubbles is the documentary for you.

Alex was a farm boy turned day trader who set off on a voyage around the world at the age of 25. He had no idea how to sail, but stuck at his adventure for 4 years and filmed it all.

This is a true real-life sailing movie. It’s gritty, and raw, and the footage is far from professional, but that’s what makes it so compelling.

I found it hard to watch in places, and it certainly didn’t have the happy ending I was hoping for, but it’s great if you want to know what life at sea is really like.

You can watch it all for free on YouTube .

#4 The Mercy

In this sailing movie Colin Firth plays Donald Crowhurst, an amateur sailor who competed in the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in the hope of becoming the first person in history to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe without stopping.

I found this an incredible emotional watch, but it’s one of the best films about sailing out there, with some superb action shots and a great true storyline. And an all-star cast really helps too! Give this one a few hours of your time and you won’t be disappointed.

✔ Buy now on Amazon

#5 Deep Water

This is a documentary of the film above and is a great watch if you enjoyed The Mercy.

This documentary-style movie uses original 16mm footage, tape recordings, and interviews, and reconstructs Donald Crowhurst’s tragic, perhaps foolish but certainly brave and determined journey to complete the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.

It’s not always the most cheerful watch but it will certainly get you thinking!

#6 The Dove

This feel-good film tells the true story of  Robin Lee Graham , a 16-year-old boy who set sail in an attempt to be the youngest person ever to complete a solo circumnavigation.

Shortly after setting sail he falls in love, and the film shows this romance blossom as she meets him at different places around the world.

There are the obvious ups and downs, and we won’t ruin the ending, but it’s a happy one and this film is uplifting compared to some in the list!

#7 Red Dot on the Ocean (2014)

The inspirational story of Matt Rutherford, a severely troubled youth, who went on to become a sailing legend.

This film shows how Matt Rutherford overcomes obstacle after obstacle in his sailing journey, until facing his biggest ever challenge. To complete a non-stop circumnavigation of the Americas, solo.

This 27,000 mile journey saw him tackling icebergs and the legendary Cape Horn, a voyage many professional sailors declared “a suicide mission.”

It’s a truly inspirational story that you’ll want to watch if you have plans for a great sailing voyage yourself!

✔ Watch now on Amazon

#8 COYOTE: The Mike Plant Story 

This is more of a documentary than a film but it’s definitely worth a watch if you’re looking for some sailing inspiration.

It depicts the life of the single-handed American yachtsman, Mike Plant, and focuses on his sailing career. It’s an unconventional life, full of pushing boundaries and some notable successes before his tragic death at sea in advance of the 1992 Vendée Globe .

The Best Sailing Movies For Escapism

If you’re looking to forget about life for a while and be transported to the sea then check out these shows for escapism and be transported to the wind and waves!

Wind follows a sailor’s dream of winning the America’s Cup. It’s pretty cheesy to be honest, with fast boats, lots of drama, and of course a love story, but it’s a great film with some wonderful camera work – especially the sailing shots.

We really enjoyed this easy to watch classic.

✔ You can get a DVD copy here

I’m not sure if you can really class this as a sailing movie, but I’m including it in this list.

Adam and I aren’t Disney fanatics, but we did really enjoy this Disney sailing movie! It’s about a girl born to sail but held back by her family, until she just goes for it anyway and has the adventure of a lifetime.

I think any sailor will appreciate the nautical themes and the adventurous spirit of this uplifting show. If you don’t find yourself singing songs from this on your next sail then you need to watch it again, on repeat, until you know all the words!

#11 White Squall

This sailing movie is based on the 1961 sinking of the schooner,  Albatross , in the Gulf of Mexico. When caught in a white squall, the skipper tries to lead a bunch of school kid crew through survival tactics at sea.

I’ve got to be honest, we didn’t really enjoy the actual film production. The special effects are a little unbelievable and it’s a bit overdone.

But the actual boat is incredible and it’s an easy watch. It’s definitely one to make you dream of being out on the ocean again!

#12 Styx (2019)

This isn’t a feel good escapist sailing film like some of the others but it will have you completely absorbed for the duration!

Styx is the story of a young woman torn away from her own little sailing bubble, when she comes across a group of refugees shipwrecked at sea.

She faces many moral dilemmas out on the ocean that most of us hope never to have to face, yet here she is with some serious, life-saving decisions to make.

This is a film full of drama, and a little too much like real life. It will certainly make you think.

#13 Captain Ron (1992)

This is such a funny film and an absolute must-watch if you want to take your mind off things for a few hours and have some belly laughs.

Captain Ron is employed by a Chicago businessman who inherits a yacht, to skipper it from the Caribbean to Mexico. Captain Ron is perhaps not the most trustworthy of sailors! He wiggles his way into favour with the business man’s family, all while making a million and one sailing mistakes.

It’s a great watch and we highly recommend it!

#14 All Is Lost

I should really put a disclaimer here: I absolutely hated this film. But I know so many people who love and it is always recommended on sailing forums as one of the best sailing-related movies out there, so it has to make the list!

It’s a one-man show and starts with disaster when his sailboat is hit and begins to sink. It is an interesting look at all the mistakes you could make when stranded at sea, miles from anything.

My best guess is that they are trying to show how you don’t always do the most logical thing when in a tricky situation out there alone, but I couldn’t help but just feel incredibly frustrated!

#15 Open Water 2: Adrift (2006)

This is a bit of a silly story plot but I still found I wanted to watch to the end. When six friends head out for a sailing trip and jump in a calm ocean, none of them expect to be stranded in the ocean with no way of boarding their boat again.

You watch the excitement turn to terror as they realise they are lost at sea with no way to get back to safety.

✔ Watch now in Amazon

#16 Dead Calm (1989)

This psychological thriller has an all-star cast and a big reputation.

It tells of an Australian couple who take to sea to find solitude after the death of their son. They find a lone sailor who is the only survivor of a sinking ship, and he joins them on their yacht.

Obviously that’s a super simplified version and we’d recommend you give it a watch for yourself. It’s a little over-dramatised, but then aren’t all the best escapism movies!?

The Best Period Drama Sailing Movies

I love a good period drama, and throw in a set of sails and I’m happy for the evening! Here are my top choices.

#17 Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

We actually watched this in Pilos, the site of a huge sea battle, in a super calm anchorage surrounded by castle ruins and twinkling distant town lights. Maybe that had something to do with how much we enjoyed it – though I doubt it!

This critically-acclaimed film was nominated for 10 Oscars and won for best cinematography and sound editing. We could see why! It stars Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. It was based on a series of novels by the author Patrick O’Brian.

The sailing movie is set during the Napoleonic wars and dramatises the story of an arrogant captain attempting to capture a French warship.

Obviously, there are some tense battle scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but some of the real highlights of this sailing show are the depictions of friendships formed on the high seas, and the tough decisions that needed to be made in times of war.

#18 In The Heart Of The Sea

Starring Chris Hemsworth, this period drama sailing film is based on the great novel Moby Dick. This film goes into more detail than the novel, and explores the real-life events that inspired its writing. With the recent orca attacks on sailing boats in the Mediterranean, this film has even more relevance.

In the winter of 1820, a New England whaling ship was attacked by a gigantic whale with a thirst for revenge. This movie delves into the aftermath left by the whale and the unthinkable decisions the crew had to make to survive.

#19 The Endurance

This is a retelling of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s tragic expedition to Antarctica in 1914-1916. It’s fascinating because it features new footage of the actual locations and interviews with surviving relatives of key expedition members.

You’ll also hear archived audio interviews with expedition members, and get to see footage from the trip.

The Best Sailing Movies On Netflix

There aren’t many sailing movies out on Netflix, though we’re pretty sure this will change in time. We’ve added a few you can watch in the meantime.

#20 True Spirit

It’s no wonder True Spirit took the world by storm when it was released on Netflix. It’s based on the true story of Jessica Watson, who aimed to be the youngest person to sail non-stop around the world.

It’s seriously tense in places but it has such a feel-good nature that we couldn’t tear ourselves away. Seriously, what an incredible girl to have endured so much and come through smiling. It’s the perfect sailing film to get you itching to go out for a sail!

This sailing movie is the true story of Tracy Edwards, a 26-year-old female skipper who led the first-ever all-women crew to compete in the Whitbread Round the world race. We really loved this film.

She was awarded the 1990 Yachtsman of the year award – the first woman to have ever received the award. It’s an inspiring story of perseverance in the face of adversity and a must-see for any sailors – especially women!

You can get your copy here or watch it on Netflix.

#22 Untold. The Race Of The Century

This isn’t actually a film, it’s a documentary, but you can watch as though it is a film and get totally absorbed in the action.

‘Untold’ is the story of the Australia II’s historic victory at the 1983 America’s Cup. The crew tell the story of their absolute commitment to winning the race, and every step they took to get them there.

It’s really well put together and gripping from the start, with lots of great sailing footage. This one is definitely worth a watch!

Conclusion: The Best Sailing Movies

So there you have it, our pick of the best sailing films and documentaries out there for you to enjoy sailing vicariously!

Hopefully, that’s enough to lift your spirits until the next time you can make it out on the open waters and create sailing movie adventures of your own!

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you missed a big one. Mutiny on the Bounty. i enjoy all three versions.

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• Search Search Hi! We’re Emily, Adam and Tiny Cat, liveaboard sailors travelling the world on our 38ft sailboat and writing about it as we go. We hope we can inspire you to live the life you’ve always dreamed, whether that’s exploring the world or living a more simple way of life in a tiny home. Find out more. Patreon
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20 Best Sailing Movies of all Time

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

If you have been looking forward to curling up on the couch, grabbing a bowl of popcorn, and watching some captivating movies, this can be a good time. A good sailing movie can be perfect given that you'll hear a few lines that you're already familiar with when on the dock or setting sail.

This can be a perfect time to binge-watch some of the best sailing movies.

So in no particular order, we'll highlight 20 of the best sailing movies of all time. From the brutal and dramatic tales of man vs. sea to inspirational explorations and expeditions, we've covered it all. Keep reading and you'll be inspired while waiting to get off dry land when it's safe to do so.

Table of contents

All is Lost (2013)

For lone sailors, All is Lost is probably the best movie to give you a glimpse of what might go wrong for you if you decide to sail the big blue ocean alone. With a near-mute performance as an old man who loves sailing alone, Robert Redford puts in an almost quasi-silent performance by portraying the ordeal of what a lone sailor can undergo when the sea turns on you.

Directed by JC Chandor, there's only one person on the screen throughout the film. He's all alone in the vast sea with his damaged boat. He has to become tough, resourceful, and calm even when things turn against him. Single-character movies are a rarity even today but this is a great survival film that perfectly depicts what could happen even to the hardest lone sailors out there.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Directed by the talented Peter Weir, this critically-acclaimed movie was nominated for 10 Oscars and won for best cinematography and sound editing. Depicting the return of the high-seas adventure, this movie is skillfully and meticulously adapted from the historical novel by Patrick O'Brian set during the Napoleonic Wars and starring Russell Crowe.

Crowe plays an arrogant captain who pushes his ship crew to the limits while trying to capture a French warship. This movie offers action-packed battle scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This movie gives you an insight of what sailors undergo in their struggles to make it through the high-seas alive.

Captain Ron (1992)

With little sailing experience but with an inherited yacht moored on an offshore island Martin Short hires charismatic Captain Ron to take them back to Florida. The voyage isn't as easy as they expected as they have to face pirates, breakdowns, and other obstacles. They all get more than what they bargained for.

Portrayed by Kurt Russell, Captain Ron depicts the misadventures of a nominal sailing character that is hired by an upper-middle-class father to guide a yacht through the Caribbean. From the marine accidents, pirates, guerilla carnivals to malfunctioning equipment, and Russell's croaked absurdities, this movie is just full of double humor and worthy performance. 

Wind (1992)

As one of the biggest races in competitive sailing, America's Cup is often associated with rich people competing in weird-looking boats. But this movie changes this as it takes viewers through the eyes of tanned and rugged Will Parker as played by Matthew Modine. He's hired by a self-made millionaire (Cliff Robertson) to lead his crew in the competition.

Together with his girlfriend Kate who is an equally skilled sailor, Parker intends to win America's Cup but Kate is thrown off the crew leaving Parker angry. When the crew loses America's Cup to the Australians, Parker decides to form his own syndicate to win back the cup. 

White Squall (1996)

This movie follows a young man's adventure movie that follows a group of high school students who boards the brigantine ship called Albatross for their senior year at sea. They sail to the tip of South America and back. They get to accept responsibility, learn how to be sailors, and grow up.

The skipper of the ship, Christopher Sheldon together with the 13 teenage boys set sail for an eight-month voyage. The boys soon discover Sheldon's psyche gradations, rattling tension, and freak storms that sink the ship. As a sailor, you'll be disturbed by the fact that four students and two crew members drown, leaving skipper Sheldon facing a fierce tribunal, tortured conscience, and grieving parents and students.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

As one of the greatest epic movies of the 1960s, English Captain Bligh is on a sea voyage to transport breadfruit from England to Jamaica. He is so abusive that he gets on the nerves of his crew members, especially 1st Lieutenant, Fletcher Christian.

Tension eases when they reach Jamaica and the crew indulges in the island's lifestyle but the captain claps some members of his crew in irons as they try to desert. Further abuses lead Fletcher to inspire a mutiny against the Captain. Fletcher and his men set the Captain and his loyal members afloat in a rowboat. This movie offers a realistic depiction of a larger-than-life character that most sailors are known for. 

Dead Calm (1989)

Starring Billy Zane, Nicole Kidman, Sam Neil, and a gorgeous 60 ft. ketch, Dead Calm revolves around a mass-murderer who kidnaps and seduces a young beautiful woman after leaving a husband to die on a vessel whose crew he has just murdered.

This movie was filmed in the Whitsundays Islands of Australia, which is one of the best sailing destinations in the world. Bringing forth an epic combination of deadly sailing conditions , complete isolation from the rest of the world, and a skillful villain aboard the vessel, this movie is thrilling and will leave you looking behind your back whenever you're out there on the sea.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

This adventure-comedy follows the high journeys of Steve Zissou, a character adaptation of French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. It follows his ocean expedition when tracking the ‘jaguar shark' that apparently ate his partner, Esteban.

Esteban had been working with Zissou on a documentary about mysterious circumstances by a shark. This is a sharp film with lots of fun and adventure on the sea.

Kon-Tiki (2012)

Legendary Norwegian explorer and ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl believes that the South Sea Islands were originally colonized by South Americans. Thor, who fears water and doesn't know how to swim, partakes on a voyage in 1947 to prove his belief. Together with five crew members, set sail from Peru on a balsa-wood ancient raft.

Even though their only modern equipment is a radio, they have to navigate through the ocean while relying on stars and ocean currents and they achieve the impossible after exhausting three months at the sea. This is a very spirited adventure that depicts what's possible when we believe in our dreams. 

Maidentrip (2013)

A 14-year-old sailor by the name Laura Dekker sets sail on a two-year voyage in pursuit of her dream to become the world's youngest sailor. Laura sets out from Holland and sails throughout the world. Apart from the occasional foul language that Laura uses now and then on the documentary, this is an excellent film that shows what one can achieve when he/she lives her dream and works hard towards achieving it.

The documentary, however, doesn't suggest that Laura is alarmingly young to sail across the unforgiving Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Instead, she's depicted as an independent outsider who is looking for paradise in a never-ending sea. 

Adrift (2018)

In most cases, sailors seem to never anticipate that they may sail directly into a catastrophic hurricane and this is exactly what Richard Sharp and Tami Oldham do when they sail directly in one of the worst hurricanes ever recorded in history.

Tami awakes in the aftermath of the hurricane to find their boat in ruins and Richard is badly injured. And because they do not have any hope that they would ever get help or get rescued, Tami is left with two options: sit there and perish or find strength and determination to save herself as well as the only man she's ever loved.

Turning Tide (En Solitaire) (2013)

In this daring tale, this movie portrays how a fearless sailor known as Yann Kermadec finds a lot of obstacles in his biggest race as a two-hander named Turning Tide falls flat. In a nail-biting tension, the story begins when Kermadec replaces the main skipper in the Vendee Globe on short notice.

After some smooth sailing, things go eerily wrong for the sailor as his ship is damaged and he's forced to anchor off the Canary Islands to repair it. When he gets back on his journey, he soon discovers that a Mauritanian teenage boy has sneaked inside the boat and he has no option but to sail with him at least until they cross the Atlantic Ocean.

The Old Man and the Sea (1958)

An old Cuban angler known as Spencer Tracy is so unlucky that he hasn't caught any fish in 84 days. And despite the commitment of a young boy to bring him food, the angler fears that he's forever lucky but catches a small fish on his 85th day, so he decides to keep fishing.

When one of his many fishing lines hooks a large marlin, he decides not to go back to the shore until he reels it in. For almost two days and nights, he has no choice but to sit there and do everything he can to redeem himself from what seems like a perpetual failure.

Morning Light (2008)

By entering the TRANSPAC, which is one of the world's best open-ocean competitions, 15 young men and women prepare for a sailing adventure of their lives. With world-class teachers, these sailors begin intense training in Hawaii but only reach a climax in an elimination process that comes in the form of who-stays-and-who-goes process.

This documentary follows these sailors for six months as they embark on a 2,300-mile sailing ordeal, which starts in Los Angeles and ends in Honolulu.

The Perfect Storm (2000)

Created by Wolfgang Petersen, The Perfect Storm is a blockbuster that's big on visuals and depicts an action-packed escapade on the water as Captain Billy Tyne and his crew set on a fishing expedition aboard a ship known as Andrea Gail.

They're soon caught up in a catastrophic destructive storm when they decide to risk the storm and have to deal with a very powerful hurricane. At the height of their fishing expedition, their ice machine breaks down and the only way to ensure that their catch doesn't go stale is by hurrying back to the shore to sell their catch. This is exactly why they decide to risk their lives and it doesn't turn out as they expected.

Captain Phillips (2013)

When Captain Richard Phillips takes command of an unarmed container ship known as MV Maersk Alabama from the port of Salalah in Oman, they anticipate that they'll be attacked by Somali Pirates on their way to Mombasa, Kenya.

They attack the ship and Captain Phillips has to use his wits and diplomacy to negotiate with the pirates and save his crew. 

Maiden (2018)

As the saying goes; what a man can do a woman can do even better. This is exactly what's depicted by this sailing movie that follows the life of Tracy Edwards as she leads the first all-female crew when competing in the Whitbread Round the World Race.

Covering 33,000 miles and lasting for nine months, this is a truly grueling race that depicts the corrosive sexism that still exists in the sailing world as well as the ocean terrors that sailors have to deal with during voyages or competitions. 

Chasing Bubbles (2016)

This is a captivating documentary that follows the journey of Alex Rust who is a free spirit who gives the normal life to sail around the world. Alex is brought up as a farm boy but becomes a stock trader in Indiana. At the age of 25, he decides to abandon his life in Chicago, buys a modest sailboat known as Bubbles and embarks on a very unique free-spirited voyage. It takes him three years to sail around the world and to quench his insatiable curiosity while meeting great people and fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a free soul.

This is a breathtaking travelogue that depicts the sailing life of a truly absorbing character.

180° South (2010)

Directed by Chris Malloy, this is a sailing documentary that covers the journey of Jeff Johnson as he travels from Ventura, California to Patagonia in Chile. He does this to retrace the same trip covered by Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins in 1968.

While the two initial explorers made the journey on the land, Johnson travels by sea using a small boat.

Deep Water (2006)

This movie follows the true-life story of Donald Crowhurst, an inexperienced British sailor who enters the Golden Globe, which is the first nonstop boat race in the world. Donald puts up his home as collateral to gain financial backing to compete in the race but soon finds himself on the wrong end of things as he enters the race under-prepared.

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The 7 Best Sailing Movies

Watching sailing movies can be a fun way to unwind and relax on the television with friends and family.

We've compiled a list of 7 top sailing movies to watch.

The 7 best sailing movies are:

• Best Adventure : All Is Lost
• Best Romance : Adrift
• Best Drama : Kon-Tiki
• Best Period Drama : Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
• Best Classic : The Riddle Of The Sands
• Best Documentary : Maidentrip
• Best Thriller : Dead Calm

These sailing movies cover all genres and age groups so there is a choice for every viewer.

1. All Is Lost

The best adventure sailing movie is All Is Lost. We rate this movie 7/10.

All Is Lost is 1hr 46 minutes in duration. It was released in 2013 and is directed by J. C. Chandor. In 2014, it was nominated for the golden globe award for best original score. All Is Lost is rated PG-13 due to very minor amounts of strong language.

The sole cast in this movie is actor Robert Redford. He is the only person on the screen for the entire movie. There are 51 English words spoken in total in the movie with the majority of the film in silence.

The plot of the movie All Is Lost follows a lone sailor (played by Robert Redford) who is stranded in the Indian Ocean after his sailboat is damaged by a shipping container. He must use his survival skills to try to stay alive and find a way to be rescued.

The film takes the viewers through all the trials and tribulations Robert Redford encounters as he battles the sea alone on a damaged boat.

All is Lost is a great movie to watch due to its minimalist storytelling and the powerful performance of Robert Redford, who is the only actor who appears on screen for the entire film. The film's cinematography and use of sound design also add to the sense of isolation and desperation experienced by the main character. Additionally, the movie helps provide viewers with a realistic portrayal of the struggles of survival at sea, which makes it a compelling and intense watch.

People can watch the All Is Lost movie on Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube Movies, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Rakuten TV, Sky Movies, Roku TV and Vudu.

The best romantic sailing movie is Adrift. We rate this movie 6.7/10.

Adrift is 1hr 36 minutes in duration. It was released in June, 2018 and is directed by Baltasar Kormákur. The film is based on the 2002 book "Red Sky in Mourning" by Tami Oldham Ashcraft, a true story set during the events of Hurricane Raymond in 1983. In 2019, it was nominated for best romance at the Golden Trailer Awards.

Adrift is rated PG-13 due to very minor amounts of strong language and nudity.

The main cast in this movie is Shailene Woodley who played Tami Oldham and Sam Claflin who played Richard Sharp.

The plot of the movie Adrift follows Tami Oldham and Richard Sharp, who set sail on a journey across the ocean in 1983. Their plan is to travel from Tahiti to San Diego but they are caught in one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. Tami wakes up after the storm with Richard badly injured and the boat in ruins. With no hope of rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved. It is a story of survival, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Adrift is a great movie to watch because it is a critically acclaimed film that tells a powerful and emotional true story of survival and love. The performances by the lead actors, Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin are highly praised and are often cited as the highlights of the film. The movie also features stunning visuals and breathtaking cinematography that capture the beauty and dangers of the ocean.

Additionally, the film deals with important themes such as perseverance, determination, and the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. If you enjoy movies that are both visually stunning and emotionally powerful, then Adrift is a film that you should definitely watch.

People can watch the Adrift movie on Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube Movies, Google Play Movies, Rakuten TV, Sky Movies, Roku TV and Vudu.

3. Kon-Tiki

The best drama sailing movie is Kon-Tiki. We rate this movie 8.4/10.

Kon-Tiki is 1hr 58 minutes in duration. It was released in August, 2012 and is directed by Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning. In 2013, it was Oscar-nominated for best foreign language film of the year.

Kon-Tiki is rated PG-13 due to the violence against sharks in the movie.

The main cast in this movie is Pål Sverre Hagen who played Thor Heyerdahl and Tobias Santelmann who played Knut Haugland.

The plot of the movie Kon-Tiki follows the true story of the 1947 journey of Norwegian explorer and ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl and his crew, who set out to cross the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft called the Kon-Tiki to prove that ancient people could have made the trip. The film follows their journey which is filled with danger and adventure as they face storms, sharks, and other obstacles in their attempt to reach their destination. Along the way, they also make an important discovery that further supports Heyerdahl's theories about ancient ocean travel.

Kon-Tiki is a great movie to watch because it is generally considered to be a well-made and engaging film that tells an interesting and historically significant story. It received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike with many praising its strong performances, accurate depiction of the journey and breathtaking cinematography. It also won several awards and nominations, such as the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

People who are interested in historical dramas, adventure stories, and oceanic exploration tend to enjoy this movie.

People can watch the Kon-Tiki movie on Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube Movies, Google Play Movies, Rakuten TV, Sky Movies, Roku TV, Microsoft Store, and Vudu.

4. Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World

The best period drama sailing movie is Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World. We rate this movie 9/10.

Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World is 2hr 18 minutes in duration. It was released in November, 2003 and is directed by Peter Weir. It was nominated for 10 Oscars and won best cinematography and best sound editing.

Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World is rated PG-13 due to the scenes of nudity and violence.

The main cast in this movie is Jack Aubrey played by Russell Crowe, Stephen Maturin played by Paul Bettany and Thomas Pullings played by James D'Arcy.

The plot of the movie Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World follows the story of Captain Jack Aubrey (played by Russell Crowe) of the British Royal Navy frigate HMS Surprise and the ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin (played by Paul Bettany) as they pursue a powerful French privateer ship, the Acheron, around the coasts of South America and into the dangerous waters of the Galápagos Islands. The ship's mission is to intercept and capture or destroy the enemy vessel but as the chase wears on, the crew of the Surprise faces challenges such as storms, shipwrecks, and battles, as well as the personal conflicts between Aubrey and Maturin. The film explores themes of friendship, duty, and leadership, as well as the harsh realities of war and the human cost of naval conflict.

Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World is a great movie to watch because of

• Historical accuracy : The film is set during the Napoleonic Wars and is based on the historical novels by Patrick O'Brian. The film is known for its accurate depiction of the time period and naval warfare
• Action and adventure : The film features exciting action sequences, including ship-to-ship battles, and also has a sense of adventure as the ship travels through different parts of the world.
• Cinematography : The film has beautiful cinematography and also won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

Overall, Master and Commanders: The Far Side of the World is considered a well-made and engaging film that offers a combination of action, adventure, and drama, making it a worthwhile watch for those who enjoy historical dramas and war films.

People can watch the Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World movie on Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube Movies, Google Play Movies, Rakuten TV, Sky Movies, Roku TV, Microsoft Store, and Vudu

5. The Riddle Of The Sands

The best classic sailing movie is The Riddle Of The Sands. We rate this movie 6/10.

The Riddle Of The Sands is 1hr 42 minutes in duration. It was released in March, 1979 and is directed by Tony Maylam.

Riddle Of The Sand is rated PG with parental guidance suggested.

The main cast in this movie is Carruthers played by Michael York, Arthur Davies played by Simon MacCorkindale and Clara Dollmann played by Jenny Agutter.

The plot of the movie The Riddle Of The Sands follows the story of two British sailors, Carruthers (played by Michael York) and Davies (played by Simon MacCorkindale), who while sailing in the Baltic Sea, discover a German plot to invade England. They uncover the scheme while sailing in the Frisian Islands, where they come across a German ship and its crew who are conducting a military survey of the area.

Carruthers and Davies, who are initially dismissed as harmless amateur sailors become suspicious of the German's activities and decide to investigate further. They begin to uncover a plot by the Germans to invade England through the shallow waters of the Frisian Islands. As they dig deeper into the mystery, they find themselves in danger and must race against time to prevent the German invasion and warn the British government of the impending threat.

The film is a combination of espionage, adventure, and thriller and it was praised for its accurate depiction of the period, the action and the tension it creates.

The Riddle Of The Sands is a great movie to watch because:

• Suspenseful plot : The film features a suspenseful plot that keeps the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats as the characters uncover the German plot to invade England
• Accurate depiction of the period : The film is set in the early 20th century and is known for its accurate depiction of the period and its attention to historical detail
• Tension : The film creates a lot of tension as the characters race against time to prevent the German invasion and warn the British government of the impending threat
• Action and adventure : The film features exciting action sequences and a sense of adventure as the characters sail through the Frisian Islands and uncover the German plot

Overall, The Riddle of the Sands (1979) is considered a well-made and engaging film that offers a combination of action, adventure, and suspense, making it a worthwhile watch for those who enjoy espionage thrillers and historical dramas.

People can watch The Riddle Of The Sands movie on YouTube and Daily Motion.

6. Maidentrip

The best documentary sailing movie is Maidentrip. We rate this movie 8.2/10.

The Maidentrip is 1hr 22 minutes in duration. It was released in January, 2014 and is directed by Jillian Schlesinger. It won the best documentary feature at the Annapolis Film Festival.

Maidentrip is rated PG-13 with some minor strong language. The main cast in this movie is Laura Dekker, Kim Dekker, and Dick Dekker.

The plot of the movie Maidentrip follows the journey of 14-year-old Laura Dekker as she becomes the youngest person to sail solo around the world. The film documents her journey from the planning stages, through her departure, and her travels through various ports as well as the various challenges she faces along the way.

The film also explores Laura's backstory and motivations for undertaking such a dangerous and ambitious journey. It shows her life on her boat, Guppy, and the struggles she faces with loneliness, storms, and equipment failures. The film also highlights her interactions with other sailors and the support she receives from her family and friends.

Maidentrip is a coming-of-age story about a young girl who sets out to achieve her dream of sailing around the world alone. It is a story of determination, resilience and the desire to explore the unknown and push boundaries. The film was praised for its intimate portrayal of Laura's journey and for its beautiful cinematography which captures the stunning scenery and the vastness of the ocean.

The Maidentrip is a great movie to watch because:

• Inspirational : The film tells the story of a young girl who sets out to achieve her dream of sailing around the world alone, and her determination and resilience in the face of challenges are an inspiration to many
• Coming-of-age story : The film is a coming-of-age story, that documents the growth and maturity of a young person as she faces challenges and achieves her goal
• Adventure : The film documents a thrilling adventure, as Laura sails through different ports and faces different challenges and it's a great way to experience the adventure and the challenges of solo sailing
• Beautiful cinematography : The film has beautiful cinematography that captures the stunning scenery and the vastness of the ocean making it a visually stunning film
• Educational : The film provides an informative and educational look at the world of sailing and the challenges that come with it
• Personal story : The film is an intimate and personal story that provides a unique perspective on the challenges of solo sailing and the determination required to achieve a dream

Overall, Maidentrip is a well-made and inspiring film that offers a combination of adventure, personal growth and stunning visuals, making it a worthwhile watch for those who enjoy documentaries and adventure stories.

People can watch Maidentrip movie on Amazon Prime Video, Roku TV and Apple TV.

7. Dead Calm

The best thriller sailing movie is Dead Calm. We rate this movie 7.9/10.

Dead Calm is 1hr 36 minutes in duration. It was released in April, 1989 and is directed by Phillip Noyce. It won the AACTA award for best cinematography in 1989.

Dead Calm is rated 15A meaning it is suitable for people aged 15 and over. It has scenes of nudity, violence, and profanity.

The main cast in this movie is Rae Ingram played by Nicole Kidman, Hughie Warriner played by Billy Zane and John Ingram played by Sam Neill.

The plot of the movie Dead Calm revolves around a couple, John and Rae Ingram, who are sailing in the Pacific Ocean. They come across a ship that is drifting with no sign of life on board. They discover that the only survivor is a young man named Hughie Warriner, who tells them that the rest of the crew died from food poisoning. As the couple begins to suspect that Hughie may be lying, they find themselves in a fight for survival against a dangerous and unstable individual. The tension builds as the couple tries to stay alive while also trying to uncover the truth about what happened on the ship

Dead Calm is a great movie to watch because it is considered a classic psychological thriller and it is well-regarded for its intense and suspenseful story. The film is known for its tight pacing and atmosphere which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the film. The performances by the lead actors, Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill and Billy Zane are also highly praised.

Additionally, the film's cinematography, which captures the beauty and isolation of the open ocean is considered a highlight. If you enjoy psychological thrillers and suspenseful films, Dead Calm is a must-watch.

People can watch the Dead Calm movie on Amazon Prime Video, Roku TV, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store and YouTube Movies.

The Best Sailing Movies Summary

Frequently asked questions about the best sailing movies.

Below are the most commonly asked questions about the top sailing movies.

What Is The Best Overall Sailing Movie?

The best overall sailing movie is Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World. We rate this film 9/10.

What Is The Longest Top Sailing Movie?

The longest top sailing movie is Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World with a duration of 1 hour 22 minutes.

What Is The Shortest Top Sailing Movie?

The shortest top sailing movie is Maidentrip with a duration of 1 hour 22 minutes.

What Top Sailing Movies Are Based On A True Story?

The top sailing movies based on a true story are Maidentrip, Adrift and Kon-Tiki.

What Are The Genres Of The Top Sailing Movies?

The genres of the top sailing movies are thriller, romance, drama, period drama, and adventure.

Screen Rant

Every actor who has played damien in the omen movies.

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Orphan: First Kill: 10 Creepiest Killer Children In Movies, Ranked

Glen powell's new movie repeats the formula of last year's $219m hit - but is now even better, 10 hunger games characters who can return in the new prequel movie.

• Damien's role as the Antichrist in The Omen series has been played by various actors over the years, each adding their own sinister touch.
• Even though Damien is not in the most recent film, The First Omen, he remains a crucial element in the majority of The Omen series.
• From an infant to a teenager to an adult, different actors like Harvey Stephens and Sam Neill have portrayed the evolution of Damien's evil nature.

Over the years of production of The Omen movies, several actors have stepped in to play the role of Damien. As the main character in the films, Damien is an unassuming young child who turns out to be the Antichrist . From there, he wreaks havoc on the characters around him as the spirit of Satan comes out, with Damien killing all those who oppose him and for his gain. As the series continues, audiences witness Damien grow up into a genuinely evil man in The Omen series .

Damien is not featured in the most recent installment in the series, 2024's The First Omen . This exclusion is by nature of The First Omen being a prequel to the main series, showing events that lead up to the 1976 film. Even though the character is absent from the most recent installment, Damien is still the most critical element of the majority of The Omen series, and over the years, his role has been inhabited by many main actors.

Kids are supposed to be inherently innocent, which is why these killer children in horror movies left quite an impact on audiences.

Noel O’Connell

Infant damien in 1976’s the omen.

The very first iteration of Damien is played by Noel O’Connell in The Omen . O’Connell plays the baby version of Damien who is brought home by Robert and Katherine at the beginning of the movie. As an infant, O’Connell doesn't have to do any acting, but nonetheless, his presence is still pivotal. The Thorn couple is grieving the loss of their stillborn child and uses baby Damien as a point of hope in their grief.

Damien was not the only role that O’Connell played in his infancy. In the same year, the actor played Young Tommy in six episodes of When the Boat Comes In . He then appeared as a character named Job Tray in Exploits at West Poley in 1985, but did not go on to have an acting career into adulthood .

Harvey Spencer Stephens

Child damien in 1976’s the omen.

Throughout the majority of the first film, it is Stephens who takes on the role of Damien. The child actor delivers a franchise-critical performance, as he provides the series introduction to the demonic child at the film’s core. In The Omen , Damien is unaware that he is the son of Satan , so the audience must watch this child go on a journey of ignorance to sadist tendencies as he destroys his family members. The 1976 film was the only movie to feature Stephens on screen, but the 1991 sequel Omen IV: The Awakening later featured him in archival material.

Cast at five years old, The Omen was Stephens’ first on-screen performance . As in the case of O’Connell, he did not go on to have an acting career as an adult. In 2006, he made a cameo appearance in The Omen remake as Tabloid Reporter #3, but he has not appeared in any films since.

Jonathan Scott-Taylor

Teenage damien in damien: the omen ii.

Though the follow-up to The Omen was released in theaters only two years after the original film, the next feature time jumps several years. Damien: The Omen II kicks off as the character is about to turn thirteen , and finally learns about his Satanic destiny. Playing this newly-minted teenage Damien is Jonathan Scott-Taylor, who was 16 years old at the time of the film’s release.

Scott-Taylor got his start in acting a few years before The Omen sequel, playing a character named Andrew in an episode of Ten from the Twenties . After Damien: The Omen II , the young actor went on to play small roles in a couple of other TV series, including The Mill on the Floss , Tales of the Unexpected , and Saturday Night Thriller . His last on-screen role was in 1988 when he played a character named Berry in two episodes of a TV miniseries called Troubles .

Adult Damien in The Omen III: The Final Conflict

By the time the third (but, contrary to the title, not final) installment of The Omen was released in 1981, Damien’s child days were long gone. After the events of Omen II , Damien has now descended into being the Antichrist in his adult years . Sam Neill is by far the biggest and best-known actor to play Damien in any film in the franchise. He was the first adult to play the character, portraying the part at the age of 34.

Though Neill had not yet played his career-defining role in Jurassic Park when he was in The Omen III , he was already a working actor by the time he was in the horror film. A couple of years before, he played a lead role in the Australian film My Brilliant Career , as well as a few smaller roles. Now 76 years old, Neill is still a working actor whose recent projects include roles in The Twelve , Apples Never Fall , and Bring Him to Me .

Tomas Wooler

Infant damien in 2006’s the omen reboot.

Thirty years after the original release of The Omen , John Moore directed a poorly received remake of the iconic film. Rather than continue The Omen franchise, the film was a direct remake that starred Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles as Robert and Katherine Thorn . Like the 1976 version, Damien begins as a newborn baby whom the couple adopts. He then grows into infancy, where he is played by Tomas Wooler, playing the role previously occupied by O’Connell in the original film.

The Omen was, of course, Wooler's first role, and the child actor did not go on to be in any other films following his appearance in the horror film. This continues the trend of Damien child actors cutting their careers off after appearing in The Omen , as many of the actors did not go on to act in films in their adulthood.

Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick

Child damien in 2006's the omen reboot.

In the final movie with Damien, the child version is played by Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. Given Stephens’ crucial performance in the role in the original film, finding a child actor to play the antichrist role was critical. The Omen remake team decided to choose a child that looked relatively similar to Stephens , giving Damien a likeness to what the child actor looked like in the original film.

Davey-Fitzpatrick was only seven years old when The Omen was released, putting him around six years old during filming and five or six at the time of casting. Unlike many other Damien stars, the child actor went on to have several roles after his appearance in The Omen . In 2012, he played a character in Wes Anderson’s masterful Moonrise Kingdom , followed by an appearance in Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight in 2013. Now 25 years old, it seems Davey-Fitzpatrick’s career has slowed down in recent years, as he has not had an on-screen role since 2020.

The Omen (2006)

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The personal essay film is a tricky genre, because when you get right down to it, who cares? Sure, there is a brotherhood of man and all that, but is it such that we’ll be interested enough in a brother’s struggles that we’re willing to sit with them for a while in a movie theater, not to mention shell out money for the experience?

These questions represent perhaps crass generalizations that crowd out the potentially dire and potentially universal themes and narratives that a personal documentary can encompass, but you get the idea. And the idea applies with particular pertinence to this movie, “Flipside,” which winds up making us care about the existential crisis of a white, possibly upper-middle-class male with no health issues, an apparently lovely family, a high-end profession in a form of filmmaking, and a lot more to be happy about.

The writer-director of “Flipside,” Chris Wilcha , pulls us in through indirection. He starts the movie with a portrait of Herman Leonard, a music photographer, who sits in a gallery surrounded by his portraits of the likes of Nat “King” Cole and Chet Baker and muses that “every life is a trip” and “you are the captain of your boat.” These platitudes gain some real weight when Leonard tells us he’s dying. Wilcha then informs us that the footage we’re watching is from a documentary he started but never finished. Turns out he's got a bunch of them.

“Flipside” then depicts how this state of affairs came to be. Wilcha presents a brisk account of his early years, the no-sell-out grunge ethos he grew up with as a Gen Xer, and how, upon taking a corporate job at Columbia House, he interrogated a system he despised from the inside, actually finishing an eventually well-regarded 2000 documentary “The Target Shoots First.” Predictions that he could be the Gen-X Michael Moore ran headlong into Wilcha’s need to make a living, which led to ostensibly meaningful jobs like a gig at “This American Life.” But largely, Wilcha made commercials. Becoming the thing he beheld and disdained.

Seeking something like redemption or legitimacy or ... well, meaning, Wilcha found his way back to a record store in Pompton Lakes called Flipside, where he had a job as a teenager. (A Jersey boy myself, I’ve actually set foot in the joint at least once.) Its proprietor, referred to throughout only by his first name, Dan, is, like Wilcha, something of a hoarder. This gives the spot its distinct flavor but also makes it an awkward business in the digital age. Wilcha’s initial resolve to make a film to help the business diffuses over time and becomes another unfinished project.

Given that this is a finished movie, there is a story here, one with a conclusion. And one that pulls in a lot of notable names. Judd Apatow , also the movie’s executive producer, is here. He’s the guy who got Wilcha to move to Los Angeles in the first place, inadvertently setting the filmmaker’s boat in the direction of advertising work. (He also provides one of the movie’s paradoxical axioms: “It’s not hoarding if all your shit is awesome.”) “Deadwood” creator David Milch figures. So does Floyd Vivino, aka Uncle Floyd, the Jersey cult legend whose oddball VHF television show entranced the artistic cognoscenti across the Hudson to the extent that David Bowie , seen here in archival concert footage, wrote a song in which Floyd and his puppet Oogie are talismanic personae. All of whom address, in some way or another, the question of how one does work that’s meaningful in a world that often seems hell-bent on squelching meaning. Whatever “Flipside” ultimately “means,” it’s ninety minutes well, and often amusingly and movingly, spent.

Glenn Kenny

Glenn Kenny was the chief film critic of Premiere magazine for almost half of its existence. He has written for a host of other publications and resides in Brooklyn. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

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“What if there were a shark in the Seine?” is, one can only assume, a question that Parisians ponder on a daily basis. It’s also brilliant in its simplicity, if not quite as appealingly silly a high-concept premise as “what if there were snakes on a plane?” and “what if the moon … fell?” Look no further than “ Under Paris ” for an answer to the hypothetical that surely keeps Emmanuel Macron up at night, as Netflix’s new thriller swims rather than sinks as it adds life to a genre that’s been bloodless for far too long.

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Others include a blood-soaked Sophia emerging from the water after her own close encounter, Lilith sending one of those activists to a watery grave and a sequence set in the Catacombs you’ll have to see to believe. Gens is a visual storyteller first and foremost, which fits the material like a wetsuit. There isn’t any dialogue as instantly quotable as “You’re gonna need a bigger boat,” but as a sensory experience, “Under Paris” is never less than seaworthy.

The fact that you can already tell where this is all headed might make you smarter than the fictional mayor, but it’s unlikely to hinder your enjoyment of the inevitable climax. Syfy-esque premise notwithstanding, “Under Paris” (the original title, “Sous la Seine,” is, unsurprisingly, much more pleasing to the ear) is a smart blockbuster that would have been best experienced on the big screen — especially given how anemic the summer box office has been thus far.

If you can resist the joy of Bejo repeatedly declaring “c’est pas possible” upon being confronted with yet another seeming impossibility — such as, oh, the fact that mako sharks don’t live in freshwater — then perhaps your time would be better spent rewatching her Oscar-nominated turn in “The Artist” instead. You’d be missing out, however, as “Under Paris” is so assured in its plotting that it doesn’t even qualify as a guilty pleasure — and, for the record, there is an explanation for Lilith’s unique adaptation.

Few movies deserve the “often imitated, never replicated” designation quite like “Jaws” does, as every truly great shark movie that has followed in its wake can be counted on one hand with a few missing fingers. “Under Paris” might just be the best of them, which isn’t the faint praise it might sound like.

“Under Paris” is now streaming on Netflix.

• Production: (France-Belgium) A Netflix release and presentation of a Let Me Be production, in association with Umedia, Ufund, Kaly Prods., Program Store. Producer: Vincent Roget, Bastien Sirodot.
• Crew: Director: Xavier Gens. Screenplay: Yannick Dahan, Maud Heywang, Xavier Gens. Camera: Nicolas Massart. Editor: Riwanon Le Beller. Music: Alex Cortés, Anthony d'Amario, Edouard Rigaudière.
• With: Bérénice Bejo, Nassim Lyes, Léa Léviant, Anaïs Parello, Anne Marivin. (French dialogue)

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The 10 best new movies on netflix in june 2024 (updated).

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Adria Arjona and Glen Powell star in Netflix's new romantic comedy 'Hit Man.'

Of all the streaming services, Netflix is the one that continues to amaze with its prolific and eclectic output. Any given week features a cavalcade of fresh releases, including both Netflix Originals and great outside content. And this week is no different, featuring a brand new assassin movie starring Glen Powell, one of the most vibrant and colorful rom-coms of the past ten years, and this year’s Oscar winner for Best Visual Effects. And that only scratches the surface of Netflix’s best cinematic offerings in the month of June.

So where should you start? I’ve got a list that can serve as your guide. Below in the first section, you can peruse my ten picks for the best movies added to Netflix so far this month. Then at the bottom of the article, you’ll find a full list of every single new film that’s been added (and will be added) to Netflix in June 2024. Hopefully you’ll find your next favorite movie in this bunch.

The 10 Best New Movies On Netflix In June 2024

Note: this list covers all releases leading up to June 8, 2024.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Lurking beneath the ocean waters of the 96th Academy Awards, overshadowed by great moments like Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s tearful speech and John Cena’s au naturel presentation and Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling’s re-fueling of the Oppenheimer battle, there was an underdog story that might have been the best of the night. The visual effects team behind the incredible new Godzilla film Godzilla Minus One beat out the likes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Creator— despite working with just a $12 million budget. What they accomplished with such a paltry amount is truly legendary. The film is set in post-World War II Japan as the country, while trying to rebuild, faces an unparalleled threat. Amidst the ruins and the hopes for a better future, Godzilla emerges, casting a shadow over our collective chances of survival (if you’re interested in a thematic breakdown of the film, check out this great piece ). Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, who has gathered eight Japanese Academy Awards during his career, and featuring great performances by Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe, Godzilla Minus One is a must-see for fans of monster movies.

Netflix s Most Popular New Movie Is Getting Rave Reviews But Hit Man Is Pretty Bad

A ukrainian drone strike may have destroyed a russian air force su-57 stealth fighter, 2024 tesla model 3 killer lease competes with used model 3 prices, hit man (2024).

Glen Powell has had one heck of a ride aboard the Hollywood Express over the past couple years. While he garnered much praise and recognition for his role in the Emma Roberts-fronted series Scream Queens , his career took off after the box office success of both Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You (a movie available on Netflix, by the way). And it looks like his ride will continue in 2024 with both Twisters and new his Netflix movie, Hit Man . This comedic action movie delves into the murky world of professional assassins, where moral boundaries blur and the line between justice and vengeance is razor-thin. Richard Linklater, who has given us such classics as Before Sunrise , Boyhood and Dazed and Confused , directs this gripping flick, featuring Powell as Gary Johnson, a former cop turned contract killer who struggles with his own sense of right and wrong. Adria Arjona and Austin Amelio also star.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

I saw Crazy Rich Asians in theaters back in 2018 for two major reasons. The first was director Jon M. Chu, who also provides a great time at the movies, from Step Up 3D to G.I. Joe Retaliation to Now You See Me 2 (and let us not forget the upcoming adaptation of Wicked ). And the second reason was Michelle Yeoh, who, before her Oscar win for Everything Everywhere All At Once , was the star of many great Hong Kong action films like Magnificent Warriors , The Heroic Trio and Police Story 3: Supercop . And I’ve actually returned to this movie a few times over the years, as I find it endlessly watchable. Chu’s adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s satirical novel immerses us in the opulent, high-stakes world of Singapore’s elite. Rachel Chu, an economics professor in New York, discovers that her boyfriend Nick Young comes from one of the wealthiest families in Asia. Alongside Yeoh, this vibrant romantic comedy stars Constance Wu and Henry Golding in the lead roles, with Awkwafina providing electric comedic relief.

Cold Copy (2023)

Sometimes it feels like great journalism movies are a thing of the past—but, upon reflection, I’m surprised to discover just how vibrant the genre has remained. From Spotlight to The Post to She Said , there’s plenty of modern films with an investigative flair that match the magnitude of classics like All the President’s Men and Network . I think it’s safe to also include the brand new release Cold Copy with that group. This thriller from director Roxine Hleberg explores the competitive and morally ambiguous world of broadcast journalism. A young reporter, eager to make her mark, stumbles upon a high-profile case that could be her ticket to fame. This journalism flick stars Bel Powley and Tracee Ellis Ross in the leading roles, and each bring intensity and nuance to a reflective piece that should hit home with anyone who consumes news on a daily basis.

Detective Pikachu (2019)

Ryan Reynolds is as prolific as a movie star can get. From superhero blockbusters (like Deadpool ) to romantic comedies (like The Proposal ) to sci-fi spectacles (like The Adam Project ), Reynold’s face has become synonymous with box office success. But one of his biggest movies didn’t feature his face, and instead his voice . In Detective Pikachu he voices none other than Pikachu itself, bringing to life the world of Pokémon in a way fans have never seen before. In Ryme City, a place where these creatures and humans coexist, Tim Goodman (played by Justice Smith) teams up with a wise-cracking, coffee-loving Pikachu to solve the mystery of his father’s disappearance. Directed by Rob Letterman, who gave us family-friendly entertainment like Goosebumps , Monsters vs. Aliens and Shark Tale , Detective Pikachu combines humor, heart and a touch of noir for a rollicking good time in front of the screen.

Two Can Play That Game (2001)

In Netflix’s vast library, there’s a wellspring of great 1990s-through-2000s-era romantic comedies, such as The Holiday , or Knocked Up , or It Could Happen To You , or The Wedding Planner , or...actually, I should probably stop there before this gets out of hand. But there’s one particular movie that stands out to me because it’s not on the tip of everyone’s tongue, yet it’s just as good as any of those movies: Two Can Play That Game . Featuring the talents of both Vivica A. Fox (who is, without question, one of the most watchable and captivating actresses every) and Morris Chestnut (whose always churns out arresting performances), this Mark Brown-directed rom-com is a witty and insightful exploration of the complexities of modern relationships and the games people play to maintain control. The movie follows Shanté, a successful marketing executive, believes she has the perfect formula for keeping her man in line. But when her boyfriend Keith begins to act out, she decides to put her strategies to the test. It’s a classic rom-com formula that works delightfully well.

300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

No matter what your views on Zack Snyder are—and, yes, they tend to live on either end of the spectrum, from loyal supporter to ardent hater—you can’t deny that his films own a signature, unadulterated aesthetic unmatched by any other director. Which means Noam Murro had some big shoes to fill when he directed the 300 sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire . Fortunately, he was aided by a magnetic cast that included the likes of Eva Green (perhaps the most underrated actress in Hollywood), Sullivan Stapleton, Rodrigo Santoro and Lena Headey. This expansion of the ancient Greece saga focuses on the naval battles that followed the heroic stand at Thermopylae. Themistocles, a new hero, rises to confront the Persian navy led by Artemisia, a vengeful commander. While the sequel doesn’t quite live up to the original, it’s still quite an entertaining movie that’s worth watching for Green’s performance alone.

Dune (1984)

I know everybody loves Denis Villeneuve’s version of Dune . I love watching Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya’s undeniable on-screen chemistry, enduring Austin Butler’s deliciously evil performance, experiencing Greig Fraser’s Oscar-winning cinematography. But I’m here to make a bold pitch: next time you have the choice, watch David Lynch’s Dune instead. While considered by many to be a failed adaptation of Frank Herbert’s famous source novel, I would argue that it stands as a delightfully archaic example of what used to be expected of sci-fi movies. Decidedly less self-serious than Villeneuve’s version, the 1984 version of Dune thrives on style larger-than-life philosophizing and, let’s be honest, a bit of camp. Lynch’s version transports us to the vast and treacherous desert planet of Arrakis, where political intrigue and interstellar conflict unfold over the most coveted substance in the universe: the spice melange. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Francesca Annis, and Sting, Lynch's visionary style brings Herbert's classic to life with stunning visuals and a haunting score by Toto and Brian Eno.

Tangerine (2018)

LGBT movies have always held such power and presence, but over the past several years they’ve become much more of a staple in mainstream cinema. With films like Dallas Buyers Club , All of Us Strangers and Blue is the Warmest Color earning high praise and lots of awards, along with many stellar, career-defining performances, the genre has become one of the industry’s most fascinating. And perhaps 2015’s biggest addition to this growing catalog, alongside movies like Carol and The Danish Girl , was Tangerine . This vibrant film shot on a $100,000 budget from Sean Baker, who also directed The Florida Project and Red Rocket (along with this year’s Palme d'Or winner Anora ), offers a vibrant and raw portrayal of life on the streets of Los Angeles, following two transgender sex workers on Christmas Eve. This indie winner is noted for its groundbreaking use of iPhone cameras and its compelling performances by Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor.

Wonder (2017)

On top of a vibrant writing career, Stephen Chbosky has low-key had an incredibly successful movie career as well. Not only did he direct the adaptation of his most famous novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower , but he also wrote the scripts for Rent and 2017’s Beauty and the Beast . But one of his lesser known flicks has all the charm and charisma of those movies without calling too much attention to it. Wonder tells the heartwarming and inspirational story of August Pullman, The film, which has earned an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, stars Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson in the starring roles. Tremblay’s portrayal of Auggie, combined with Chbosky’s sensitive direction, creates a powerful narrative about acceptance, kindness and the challenges and triumphs of being different. It’s a great story for viewers of all ages.

Every New Movie on Netflix in June 2024

• June 1 : 1917 (2019); 30 for 30: Once Brothers (2010); A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014); Ali (2001); Baby Boy (2001); Cold Copy (2024); Detective Pikachu (2019); Divergent ; Insurgent ; Allegiant ; Dune (1984); Flushed Away (2006); Godzilla Minus One (2023); Home (2015); Janky Promoters (2009); Kicking & Screaming (2005); Land of the Lost (2006); Lumberjack The Monster (2023); National Security (2003); On the Basis of Sex (2018); Pilecki’s Report (2023); S.W.A.T. (2003); Simon (2023); Strawberry Shortcake’s Summer Vacation (2024); Tangerine (2015); The Breakfast Club (1985); The Conjuring ; The Conjuring 2 ; The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It ; The Devil’s Own (1997); The Lego Movie (2014); Two Can Play At That Game (2001)
• June 3 : 30 for 30: The Good, The Bad, The Hungry (2019); 300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
• June 5 : How to Rob a Bank (2024)
• June 6 : Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
• June 7 : Hit Man (2024)
• June 8 : Wonder (2017)
• June 13 : Remembering Gene Wilder (2024)
• June 14 : Abang Adik (2023); Tell Them You Love Me (2024); Ultraman: Rising (2024)
• June 16 : Welcome to Marwen (2018)
• June 17 : 30 for 30: June 17th, 1984 (2010); Carol (2015)
• June 18 : Fifty Shades of Grey (2015); Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (2024)
• June 19 : Black Barbie: A Documentary (2024); Inheritance (2024); The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
• June 21 : Aftersun (2021); Trigger Warning (2024)
• June 22 : Rising Impact (2024)
• June 25 : The Flash (2023)
• June 27 : Drawing Closer (2024)
• June 28 : A Family Affair (2024)

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