Movies set in the ocean
Explore 20 must-watch ocean movies with high IMDb ratings. From thrilling adventures to emotional survival tales, these sea films capture the beauty and danger of the ocean.
1. Life of Pi
- IMDb: 8.0
- Director: Ang Lee
- Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Rafe Spall
- Year: 2012
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
- Category: Ocean Adventure Films
- Language: English
A young man survives a disaster at sea and finds himself in an extraordinary journey of adventure and discovery. Stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, he learns about courage, hope, and the limits of human endurance. The film’s breathtaking visuals and emotional depth make it a modern classic of ocean-based storytelling.
2. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
- IMDb: 7.4
- Director: Peter Weir
- Cast: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, James D'Arcy
- Year: 2003
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, War
- Category: Ocean Adventure Films
- Language: English
During the Napoleonic Wars, Captain Jack Aubrey leads HMS Surprise on a dangerous pursuit of a French warship. The film masterfully captures naval life, camaraderie, and strategic battles. It’s one of the finest maritime epics ever filmed.
3. The Perfect Storm
- IMDb: 6.4
- Director: Wolfgang Petersen
- Cast: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane
- Year: 2000
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller
- Category: Ocean Disaster Films
- Language: English
Based on a true story, a fishing crew sails into one of the deadliest storms in history. The towering waves and fierce winds turn their journey into a fight for survival. It’s a gripping portrayal of man versus nature.
4. Jaws
- IMDb: 8.1
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
- Year: 1975
- Genre: Thriller, Adventure
- Category: Ocean Thriller Films
- Language: English
When a great white shark terrorizes a small coastal town, a sheriff, a scientist, and a fisherman set out to stop it. The suspenseful direction and iconic score revolutionized the thriller genre. "Jaws" remains a timeless ocean horror classic.
5. Cast Away
- IMDb: 7.8
- Director: Robert Zemeckis
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy
- Year: 2000
- Genre: Adventure, Drama
- Category: Survival Films at Sea
- Language: English
After a plane crash, a man washes ashore on a deserted island. Facing loneliness, hunger, and despair, he learns to survive with limited resources. The film highlights resilience and the will to live against all odds.
6. Finding Nemo
- IMDb: 8.2
- Director: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
- Cast: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould
- Year: 2003
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Category: Ocean Animated Films
- Language: English
A clownfish crosses the ocean to find his missing son. Along the way, he encounters sharks, turtles, and unforgettable friends. This Pixar masterpiece beautifully captures the wonders of marine life.
7. Moana
- IMDb: 7.6
- Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
- Cast: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
- Year: 2016
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
- Category: Ocean Animated Films
- Language: English
A brave Polynesian girl sets sail across the ocean to save her people. Guided by the demigod Maui, she discovers her true destiny. With stunning animation and music, it’s an inspiring ocean adventure.
8. Titanic
- IMDb: 7.9
- Director: James Cameron
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane
- Year: 1997
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Category: Ocean Disaster Films
- Language: English
The story of love and tragedy aboard the ill-fated Titanic. As the ship sinks, passengers fight to survive in icy waters. The film’s emotional depth and grand visuals make it unforgettable.
9. In the Heart of the Sea
- IMDb: 6.9
- Director: Ron Howard
- Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy
- Year: 2015
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Biography
- Category: Ocean Survival Films
- Language: English
Based on the true story that inspired "Moby-Dick," sailors face a monstrous whale in the Pacific Ocean. Starvation, storms, and desperation test their endurance. It’s a powerful tale of survival at sea.
10. Kon-Tiki
- IMDb: 7.2
- Director: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
- Cast: Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo, Gustaf Skarsgård
- Year: 2012
- Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama
- Category: Exploration Films
- Language: Norwegian/English
Explorer Thor Heyerdahl sails across the Pacific on a wooden raft to prove ancient migration theories. Facing storms and sharks, the journey tests human limits. The film blends history and breathtaking ocean adventure.
11. All Is Lost
- IMDb: 6.9
- Director: J.C. Chandor
- Cast: Robert Redford
- Year: 2013
- Genre: Adventure, Drama
- Category: Survival Films at Sea
- Language: English
A sailor is left alone in the Indian Ocean after his yacht is damaged. With no dialogue and minimal resources, the film portrays raw human struggle against the sea. Robert Redford delivers a stunning solo performance.
12. The Abyss
- IMDb: 7.5
- Director: James Cameron
- Cast: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn
- Year: 1989
- Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Category: Ocean Sci-Fi Films
- Language: English
A deep-sea diving team encounters mysterious alien lifeforms underwater. As tensions rise, they face both human conflict and the unknown. The film combines groundbreaking effects with an unforgettable ocean mystery.
13. The Old Man and the Sea
- IMDb: 7.0
- Director: John Sturges
- Cast: Spencer Tracy, Felipe Pazos, Harry Bellaver
- Year: 1958
- Genre: Adventure, Drama
- Category: Classic Ocean Films
Language: English
Based on Hemingway’s novel, an aging fisherman battles a giant marlin far out at sea. The struggle becomes a symbolic fight between man and nature. It’s a timeless ocean tale of endurance and pride.
14. Adrift
- IMDb: 6.6
- Director: Baltasar Kormákur
- Cast: Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin
- Year: 2018
- Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama
- Category: Survival Films at Sea
- Language: English
A young couple’s sailing trip turns into a nightmare after a massive hurricane. With one injured and the boat damaged, survival depends on strength and determination. Based on a true story, it’s a moving tale of love and resilience.
15. The Guardian
- IMDb: 6.9
- Director: Andrew Davis
- Cast: Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Sela Ward
- Year: 2006
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
- Category: Rescue Films at Sea
- Language: English
A veteran Coast Guard swimmer trains a reckless recruit in life-saving missions at sea. Together, they face dangerous rescues and personal challenges. The film highlights sacrifice, duty, and courage on the open waters.
16. The Deep
- IMDb: 6.2
- Director: Peter Yates
- Cast: Robert Shaw, Jacqueline Bisset, Nick Nolte
- Year: 1977
- Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Thriller
- Category: Underwater Adventure Films
- Language: English
A couple discovers treasure and danger beneath the sea while diving in Bermuda. Their quest leads to confrontations with criminals and ocean perils. The film mixes underwater thrills with mystery and adventure.
17. White Squall
- IMDb: 6.6
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Cast: Jeff Bridges, Caroline Goodall, John Savage
- Year: 1996
- Genre: Adventure, Drama
- Category: Ocean Tragedy Films
- Language: English
Teenagers on a school-at-sea voyage face discipline, friendship, and tragedy when a deadly storm strikes. Based on a true story, the film explores leadership, survival, and loss. It’s both inspiring and heartbreaking.
18. Captain Phillips
- IMDb: 7.8
- Director: Paul Greengrass
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Faysal Ahmed
- Year: 2013
- Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
- Category: Piracy Films
- Language: English
Based on true events, Somali pirates hijack a U.S. cargo ship. Captain Phillips must protect his crew while negotiating with armed attackers. The intense thriller combines realism and emotional power.
19. The Hunt for Red October
- IMDb: 7.6
- Director: John McTiernan
- Cast: Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn
- Year: 1990
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
- Category: Submarine Films
- Language: English
A Soviet submarine captain attempts to defect to the U.S. with the Navy’s most advanced nuclear sub. Suspense, strategy, and Cold War tension dominate this gripping maritime thriller.
20. Mo’ Better Blues – Actually “The Sea Inside”
- IMDb: 8.0
- Director: Alejandro Amenábar
- Cast: Javier Bardem, Belén Rueda, Lola Dueñas
- Year: 2004
- Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
- Category: Ocean Drama Films
- Language: Spanish
Based on the true story of Ramón Sampedro, a paralyzed man who fought for the right to die. While not about the ocean adventure, the sea remains a powerful symbol of freedom. It’s a deeply emotional, award-winning drama.
