Movies About Ships At Sea

From Victor Fleming, starring Spencer Tracy, Freddie Bartholomew, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas
Rated G

Captains Courageous is a classic adventure film directed by Victor Fleming in 1937. The film follows the story of Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew), a spoiled and arrogant rich kid who falls off an ocean liner and is rescued by a Portuguese fishing boat captained by Manuel Fidello (Spencer Tracy). Harvey is taken under Fidello's wing and soon learns the harsh realities of life out at sea. Through Manuel's guidance, Harvey begins to discover the value of hard work and the joys of friendship among his fishing boat crew. Meanwhile, Harvey's father (Lionel Barrymore) frantically searches for his missing son. The film culminates with a thrilling sea rescue and a newfound appreciation for family and life. Captains Courageous is an unforgettable classic that is sure to please audiences of all ages.

From James Cameron, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates
Rated PG-13

Titanic is a 1997 American epic romance and disaster film directed, written, co-produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. The film follows the story of wealthy American Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and aristocrat Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) who are on board the ill-fated RMS Titanic. They fall in love during the voyage, despite their social differences. When the ship collides into an iceberg, passengers are given a grim reality as the doomed vessel begins to sink. The crew and passengers struggle to survive in the freezing water, as Rose and Jack look for a way to escape the sinking ship. The film features an ensemble cast, which includes Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Gloria Stuart, and many others. Titanic went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time, until its record was broken in 2010 by another Cameron film, Avatar.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull
Rated PG

The African Queen is a 1951 film directed by John Huston, based upon the 1935 novel of the same name by C. S. Forester. The film follows the journey of a reluctant missionary, Rose Sayer (Katharine Hepburn) and a gruff boat captain, Charlie Allnut (Humphrey Bogart), as they unite to take a small boat, the African Queen, up a river in German East Africa during World War I in order to destroy a German gunboat. Along the way, they face danger and obstacles, both from the war and from nature, as they travel upstream and form a strong bond. They must overcome these obstacles and put aside their differences in order to survive and complete their mission.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Lionel Atwill, Basil Rathbone
Rated Passed

Captain Blood is a 1935 American romantic swashbuckler adventure film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, and based on the novel of the same name by Rafael Sabatini. The film tells the story of an Irish doctor, Peter Blood (Flynn), who is unjustly convicted of treason and sentenced to slavery on a Caribbean island. He escapes and becomes a pirate, leading a rebellion against the corrupt English officials. With the help of Arabella (de Havilland), a woman he falls in love with, and his loyal crew, he gains the respect of the locals and takes over the island. In the end, Blood receives a pardon and is able to return to England with Arabella by his side.

From Edward Dmytryk, starring Humphrey Bogart, José Ferrer, Van Johnson, Fred MacMurray
Rated Not Rated

The Caine Mutiny is a 1954 American war film based on the novel by Herman Wouk, directed by Edward Dmytryk and starring Humphrey Bogart. The film follows the story of lieutenant Willie Keith, who is serving aboard the USS Caine during World War II. After the captain, Queeg, is judged as mentally unstable, the officers of the crew have to decide whether or not to relieve him of command. The decision leads to a court-martial for the officers, and Keith is forced to face the consequences of his actions. The film is a powerful exploration of leadership, loyalty, and the consequences of one’s decisions.

From Preston Sturges, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette
Rated Passed

The Lady Eve is a 1941 romantic comedy directed by Preston Sturges. It stars Barbara Stanwyck as con-artist Jean Harrington and Henry Fonda as naive heir Charles Pike. The film follows Jean and her father, “Colonel” Harrington, as they attempt to swindle Charles out of his wealth. After meeting on a cruise ship, Charles and Jean begin a romance that is threatened by Jean’s attempts to steal his money. After many misadventures, Jean and Charles confess their love for one another and reunite. The film is considered a classic of the screwball comedy genre and is praised for the witty dialogue and the chemistry between its two stars.

From Peter Weir, starring Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, James D'Arcy
Rated PG-13

From Michael Apted, starring Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai
Rated PG

From Leo McCarey, starring Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer, Maria Ouspenskaya, Lee Bowman
Rated Approved

From Steven Spielberg, starring Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg
Rated PG

From Steven Spielberg, starring Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman
Rated R

From Robert Wise, starring Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster, Jack Warden, Brad Dexter
Rated Approved

From Directors: John Ford, Robert Montgomery, starring Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Donna Reed, Jack Holt
Rated Approved

From Directors: Lewis Milestone, Carol Reed, starring Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, Richard Harris, Hugh Griffith
Rated Not Rated

From Joss Whedon, starring Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, Fran Kranz, Jillian Morgese
Rated PG-13

From Roger Donaldson, starring Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Edward Fox
Rated PG

From Directors: Michael Curtiz, Busby Berkeley, starring Jack Carson, Janis Paige, Doris Day, Don DeFore
Rated Approved

From Directors: Brian Henson, David Lane, starring Tim Curry, Billy Connolly, Jennifer Saunders, Kevin Bishop
Rated G

From Byron Haskin, starring Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney, Walter Fitzgerald
Rated PG

From Directors: Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt, starring Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven, Martin Freeman
Rated PG

From Michael Apted, starring Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Will Poulter
Rated PG

From Jerry Jameson, starring Jack Lemmon, Lee Grant, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland
Rated PG

From Robert Boris, starring Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy, Amanda Pays, Julian Sands
Rated PG-13