The 18 Best Submarine Movies Ranked Highly


Crimson Tide (1995)
Crimson Tide (1995)

Our team compiled the best submarine movies and here is what they came up with

Submarines have been a popular subject in movies for decades, with many films featuring submarines as a central aspect of the story. From action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas, submarine movies have something for everyone. In this article, we will explore 18 of the most popular submarine movies of all time and delve into what makes them special.

Here are the 18 best submarine movies to check out on the streaming service.

1. Das Boot (1981)

Das Boot (1981)
Das Boot (1981)

This German war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, tells the story of a German U-boat crew during World War II and their experiences at sea, as well as depicting the life of the crew in the submarine. The film was critically acclaimed and was nominated for six Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $80 million (adjusted for inflation)

2. Crimson Tide (1995)

Crimson Tide (1995)
Crimson Tide (1995)

This action-thriller film directed by Tony Scott and starred Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman, tells the story of a mutiny on board a US Navy submarine. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $157 million (adjusted for inflation)

3. The Hunt for Red October (1990)

The Hunt for Red October (1990)
The Hunt for Red October (1990)

This thriller film directed by John McTiernan, is based on Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name, it tells the story of a Soviet Navy captain who defects to the United States with his experimental nuclear missile submarine. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for three Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: PG. Box office: $200 million (adjusted for inflation)

4. U-571 (2000)

U-571 (2000)
U-571 (2000)

This action-thriller film directed by Jonathan Mostow, tells the story of a US Navy submarine crew who are sent to capture a German Enigma machine during World War II. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Box office: $127 million (adjusted for inflation)

5. The Abyss (1989)

The Abyss (1989)
The Abyss (1989)

This science fiction film directed by James Cameron, tells the story of a deep-sea oil drilling team who discover an alien spacecraft on the ocean floor. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for four Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Box office: $90 million (adjusted for inflation)

6. Virus (1999)

Virus (1999)
Virus (1999)

This science fiction film directed by John Bruno, tells the story of a group of scientists who must fight for survival against a deadly virus that has taken control of a research vessel. The film was a moderate box office success and received mixed reviews. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $20 million (adjusted for inflation)

7. The Yellow Sea (2010)

The Yellow Sea (2010)
The Yellow Sea (2010)

This South Korean crime-thriller film directed by Na Hong-jin, tells the story of a taxi driver who is hired to commit a murder in Yanbian, China and must go on the run when things go wrong. The film was a commercial success and was well-received by critics. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $8 million (adjusted for inflation)

8. Down Periscope (1996)

Down Periscope (1996)
Down Periscope (1996)

This comedy film directed by David S. Ward, stars Kelsey Grammer as a submarine commander who is given command of a rusty diesel-powered submarine and must prove himself to his crew and the Navy. The film was a moderate box office success and received mixed reviews. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Box office: $40 million (adjusted for inflation)

9. The Atomic Submarine (1959)

The Atomic Submarine (1959)
The Atomic Submarine (1959)

This science fiction film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet, tells the story of a nuclear submarine that encounters a UFO beneath the Arctic ice. The film received mixed reviews and was a moderate box office success. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: Unknown

10. Black Sea (2014)

Black Sea (2014)
Black Sea (2014)

This thriller film directed by Kevin Macdonald, tells the story of a group of submariners who search for a lost Nazi treasure in the depths of the Black Sea. The film was a moderate box office success and received mixed reviews. MPAA Rating: R

11. The Enemy Below (1957)

The Enemy Below (1957)
The Enemy Below (1957)

This war film directed by Dick Powell, tells the story of the battle between an American destroyer escort and a German U-boat during World War II. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Special Effects. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $4 million (adjusted for inflation)

12. Hunter Killer (2018)

Hunter Killer (2018)
Hunter Killer (2018)

This action-thriller film directed by Donovan Marsh, tells the story of a US Navy submarine that must rescue the Russian president from a coup. The film was a moderate box office success and received mixed reviews. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $25 million (adjusted for inflation)

13. The Bedford Incident (1965)

The Bedford Incident (1965)
The Bedford Incident (1965)

This Cold War film directed by James B. Harris, tells the story of a US Navy destroyer that is ordered to intercept and board a Soviet submarine. The film was a moderate box office success and received mixed reviews. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $3.5 million (adjusted for inflation)

14. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

This James Bond film directed by Lewis Gilbert, features a plot that involves a nuclear submarine and a villain who wants to destroy the world. The film was a commercial success and was well-received by critics. MPAA Rating: PG. Box office: $185 million (adjusted for inflation)

15. The Submarine Kid (2015)

The Submarine Kid (2015)
The Submarine Kid (2015)

This drama film directed by Eric Bilitch, tells the story of a young man who suffers from PTSD and finds solace in an old submarine. The film received mixed reviews and had a limited release. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: Unknown

16. Below (2002)

Below (2002)
Below (2002)

This horror film directed by David Twohy, tells the story of a group of submariners who encounter a supernatural force while on a routine mission. The film received mixed reviews and had a limited release. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $4 million (adjusted for inflation)

17. The Finest Hours (2016)

The Finest Hours (2016)
The Finest Hours (2016)

This drama film directed by Craig Gillespie, tells the true story of the Coast Guard’s daring rescue of the crew of a sunken submarine in 1952. The film received mixed reviews and was a moderate box office success. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Box office: $52 million (adjusted for inflation)

18. Operation Pacific (1951)

Operation Pacific (1951)
Operation Pacific (1951)

This war film directed by George Waggner, tells the story of a US Navy submarine during World War II and the personal and professional challenges faced by the crew. The film was a commercial success and was well-received by critics. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $6 million (adjusted for inflation)

These submarine movies have captured the imagination of audiences for decades, with many films featuring submarines as a central aspect of the story. From action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas, submarine movies have something for everyone. Many of these films were appreciated for its story, acting, direction, and special effects or for being a true story. These movies also showcase the versatility of submarines as a setting for a wide range of genres and themes, from action and adventure to horror and comedy.

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