Summary
- Naval war movies provide a thrilling depiction of the harsh conditions and grueling battles at sea.
- Historical accuracy, genre-melding fiction, and nuanced character studies enhance the best naval war films.
- From Pearl Harbor to Das Boot, these iconic naval war movies showcase epic battles and incredible storytelling.
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You are watching: 15 Best Naval War Movies Ever Made
Naval war movies were among the most exciting depictions of conflict ever seen on screen, as viewers witnessed the harsh conditions of the sea and the grueling expectations of those battling within it. The debilitating realities of naval warfare have been experienced for centuries as seamen and sailors traversed the seven seas, where individuals, countries, and regions found themselves at odds with one another. From awe-inspiring action sequences to technically marvelous cinematic spectacles, the best naval war movies were among the greatest feats of filmmaking.
The greatest war movies set at sea date back to the silent film era, when directors sought to depict historical naval wars despite the limitations of early filmmaking. Naval war movies have included historically accurate presentations of real events, genre-melding fiction full of fast-paced action, and deeply nuanced character studies that got to the very heart of humanity. The best naval war movies ever made were among the most impressive battle presentations and have stood the test of time as must-watch cinematic events.
15 McHale’s Navy (1997)
McHale’s Navy was based on the 1960s television series
McHale’s Navy (1997)
PG
Action
Comedy
A retired Navy officer returns to active duty, along with a group of misfit sailors, to battle his former nemesis.
Director Bryan Spicer Release Date April 18, 1997 Writers Peter Crabbe , Andy Rose Cast Tom Arnold , dean stockwell , Ernest Borgnine , Debra Messing , David Alan Grier , Tim Curry , Bruce Campbell , French Stewart Runtime 108 Minutes Main Genre Comedy
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The military comedy McHale’s Navy failed to live up to the legacy of the popular TV series it was based on and was slated by critics upon release. Despite a star-studded cast that included Harrison Ford, Tim Curry, and the return of the 1960s series actor Ernest Borgnine, McHale’s Navy was a naval war movie that sank like a stone as it bombed at the box office. However, McHale’s Navy was not nearly as bad as its reputation and was worth checking out for Bruce Campbell’s hilarious performance alone.
14 USS Indianapolis: Men Of Courage (2016)
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage was based on the loss of the ship of the same name
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage
R
Action
Drama
History
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage is a historical drama film directed by Mario Van Peebles, starring Nicolas Cage as Captain Charles McVay. The film recounts the harrowing true story of the USS Indianapolis crew after their ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during World War II. Stranded in shark-infested waters, the survivors face the daunting struggle for survival while awaiting rescue.
Director Mario Van Peebles Release Date October 14, 2016 Writers Cam Cannon , Richard Rionda Del Castro Cast Nicolas Cage , Tom Sizemore , Thomas Jane , Matt Lanter , James Remar , Brian Presley , Yutaka Takeuchi , Johnny Wactor Runtime 128 Minutes Main Genre Drama
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Based on the true story of a sunken ship during the closing stage of the Second World War, USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage was a Nicolas Cage movie that depicted the greatest loss of life from a single ship in U.S. naval history. With more than 800 fatalities and just over 300 survivors (via CBS), USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage was a grand and dramatic story that unfortunately deserved a better film. With lackluster special effects, little nuance, and a disappointing treatment of its central story, USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage could have been great but was disappointingly average.
13 Pearl Harbor (2001)
Pearl Harbor was based on the real WWII naval base attack
Pearl Harbor (2001)
PG-13
Action
Drama
Romance
War
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Two best friends and pilots find themselves caught in a love triangle with a dedicated nurse just as the catastrophic attack on Pearl Harbor plunges America into war. The events of December 7 dramatically change their lives, and the film tells a dramatized tale set during the event that marked the United States’ entry into World War II.
Director Michael Bay Release Date May 25, 2001 Studio(s) Touchstone Pictures , Jerry Bruckheimer Films Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Randall Wallace Cast Ben Affleck , Josh Hartnett , Kate Beckinsale , Cuba Gooding Jr. , Tom Sizemore , Jon Voight , Colm Feore , Alec Baldwin Runtime 183 minutes Budget $140 Million Main Genre Drama
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Director Michael Bay’s heavily fictionalized account of the attack on Pearl Harbor was reviled by critics but was hit with audiences as it grossed $449 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo.) Telling a love story set amid the attack, Pearl Harbor was packed with special effects and intense action sequences but lacked the emotional resonance to make it work. Seemingly an attempt to recapture what worked so well in Titanic, Pearl Harbor just never struck the right balance of strong characterization and impending disaster that made that film so successful.
12 The Final Countdown (1980)
The Final Countdown was a sci-fi war film based on time travel
The Final Countdown
PG
Sci-Fi
Action
Adventure
The Final Countdown is a sci-fi war film directed by Don Taylor. It stars Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen as crew members of the USS Nimitz, a modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that mysteriously travels back in time to the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The film explores the moral and tactical dilemmas faced by the crew as they grapple with the potential to alter history.
Director Don Taylor Release Date August 1, 1980 Writers Thomas Hunter , Peter Powell , David Ambrose Cast Kirk Douglas , Martin Sheen , Katharine Ross , James Farentino , Ron O’Neal , Charles Durning , Victor Mohica , James Coleman Runtime 103 Minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi
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The Final Countdown told a story about a modern aircraft carrier that traveled through time to the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor, and it was filmed using the real US Navy ship USS Nimitz. Although a moderate success at the time of its release, The Final Countdown has since garnered a cult following for its unusual premise and oddly effective style. With Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen in the lead roles, this fascinating sci-fi story acted as a love letter to the capabilities and technologies of the Navy itself.
11 U-571 (2000)
U-571 told a story of a World War II German submarine boarded by Americans
U-571
PG-13
Action
War
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A German submarine is boarded by disguised American submariners trying to capture their Enigma cipher machine.
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Director Jonathan Mostow Release Date April 20, 2000 Writers Jonathan Mostow , Sam Montgomery , David Ayer Cast Matthew McConaughey , Bill Paxton , Harvey Keitel , Jon Bon Jovi , David Keith , Thomas Kretschmann Runtime 116 minutes Main Genre Action
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The tense thriller U-571 told a fictional story about disguised Americans boarding a German submarine to steal their Enigma cipher machine, a device used by Nazis to communicate top-secret messages. Although inaccuracies led Prime Minister Tony Blair to describe the film as an “affront” to British sailors (via BBC), that did not stop U-571 from finding success at the box office. With beautiful cinematography, a talented cast, and an engrossing story, U-571 may have issues regarding historical realism, but the film still made for riveting cinema.
10 Greyhound (2020)
Greyhound was based on the 1955 novel The Good Shepherd by C. S. Forester
Greyhound (2020)
PG-13
War
Drama
Greyhound is a 2020 Apple TV+ war film starring and written by Tom Hanks. Hanks plays Captain Krause, a US Navy Commander who must lead his crew as they are hunted by the Germans during World War II. Elisabeth Shue, Stephen Graham, and Matt Helm star alongside Hanks in this Aaron Schneider-directed film.
Director Aaron Schneider Release Date July 10, 2020 Studio(s) Apple Distributor(s) Apple Writers Tom Hanks Cast Lee Norris , Elisabeth Shue , Devin Druid , Tom Hanks , Maximilian Osinski , Rob Morgan , Grayson Russell , Karl Glusman , Craig Tate , Michael Benz , Tom Brittney , Stephen Graham , Manuel Garcia-Rulfo , Matthew Zuk Runtime 91 minutes Budget $50.3 million
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Greyhound was a fast-paced World War II thriller written by and starring Tom Hanks as Ernie Krause, an inexperienced U.S. Navy commander who must guide an Allied convoy being stalked by a German submarine. While the characterization could be stronger, the action sequences kept things moving full speed ahead as Hanks sought to avoid a total disaster. Greyhound was an insightful showcase of the logistics of battle that highlighted the more technical side of naval warfare during the Second World War.
9 Midway (2019)
Midway was based on the World War II Battle of Midway
Midway
PG-13
Drama
Action
History
Written by Wes Tooke and directed by Roland Emmerich, 2019’s Midway is a 2019 feature film starring Ed Skrein, Luke Evans, and Patrick Wilson. The film revolves around the invasion of Midway island and follows the war struggles between the United States and Japan.
Director Roland Emmerich Release Date November 8, 2019 Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Wes Tooke Cast Dennis Quaid , Nick Jonas , Ed Skrein , Woody Harrelson , Aaron Eckhart , Mandy Moore , Luke Evans , Patrick Wilson Runtime 138 minutes Budget $100 million
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The Battle of Midway was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II that took place six months after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, which was dramatized in the 2019 film Midway. While Midway failed to make much of an impact at the box office, earning just $127 million with a budget of $100 (via Box Office Mojo), it had incredible visuals but suffered from a weak screenplay. As one of the most expensive independent films of all time, Midway was overblown in its runtime, but its vivid battle sequences made it worth watching.
8 Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
Tora! Tora! Tora! was based on the attack on Pearl Harbor
Tora! Tora! Tora!
G
Action
Drama
History
Tora! Tora! Tora! is a historical war film directed by Richard Fleischer, Toshio Masuda, and Kinji Fukasaku. Released in 1970, the film offers a detailed account of the events leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The film aims to present both the American and Japanese perspectives, featuring a dual narrative that provides an in-depth look into the planning and execution of the attack.
Director Richard Fleischer , Kinji Fukasaku , Toshio Masuda Release Date September 23, 1970 Writers Larry Forrester , Hideo Oguni , Ryûzô Kikushima , Gordon W. Prange , Ladislas Farago , Akira Kurosawa Cast Martin Balsam , Sô Yamamura , Jason Robards , Joseph Cotten , Tatsuya Mihashi , E.G. Marshall , Takahiro Tamura , James Whitmore Runtime 144 Minutes Main Genre History
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Although Michael Bay’s film may be the most widely known movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor, the greatest one was Tora! Tora! Tora! As an epic war film that depicted American and Japanese scenes, the action sequences were vivid, and it has remained a favorite among aviation aficionados. With an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, Tora! Tora! Tora! was a spectacular war film whose reputation has only grown in the decades since its release.
7 Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World (2003)
Master and Commander was based on the Napoleonic Wars
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
PG-13
Action
Adventure
Drama
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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a historical drama directed by Peter Weir, featuring Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey. The film is set during the Napoleonic Wars and follows Aubrey as he navigates his ship, HMS Surprise, through treacherous waters in pursuit of a French privateer. Based on Patrick O’Brian’s series of novels, the film explores themes of leadership, strategy, and naval warfare.
Director Peter Weir Release Date November 14, 2003 Writers Patrick O’Brian , Peter Weir , John Collee Cast Russell Crowe , Paul Bettany , Billy Boyd , James D’Arcy , Edward Woodall , Chris Larkin , Max Pirkis , Jack Randall Runtime 138 Minutes Main Genre Adventure
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With a plot and characters taken from Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey–Maturin series, Master and Commanderreunited Russell Crowe and his A Beautiful Mind co-star Paul Bethany for an epic Napoleonic War drama that maintained its humanity. As a wildly entertaining film with plenty of source material to expand upon, Master and Commander’s underperformance at the box office meant its potential as a franchise was never utilized. Well overdue for reappraisal, any naval war movie lovers should do themselves a favor and watch Master and Commander.
6 The Caine Mutiny (1954)
The Caine Mutiny was based on Herman Wouk’s novel of the same name
The Caine Mutiny (1954)
Approved
War
Drama
When a U.S. Naval captain shows signs of mental instability that jeopardises the ship, the first officer is urged to consider relieving him of command.
Director Edward Dmytryk Release Date June 24, 1954 Writers Stanley Roberts , Michael Blankfort , Herman Wouk Cast Humphrey Bogart , Jose Ferrer , Van Johnson , Fred MacMurray , Robert Francis , May Wynn , Tom Tully , E.G. Marshall Runtime 124 Minutes Main Genre Drama
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Screen legend Humphrey Bogart gave one of his final performances in The Caine Mutiny, a military trial film set in World War II’s Pacific theater. Bogart played LCDR Philip Francis Queeg on board a U.S. Navy destroyer minesweeper, and it depicted his subsequent trial for mutiny. As one of the most popular movies of 1954, The Caine Mutiny was a fascinating and complex story filled with great characters, insightful performances, and a movie that packed a lot into its two-hour runtime.
5 The Hunt For Red October (1990)
The Hunt for Red October was based on Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
PG
Thriller
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1990’s The Hunt for Red October is a Thriller and Spy film directed by John McTiernan and based on the Tom Clancy novel of the same name. The film sees the United States searching for a rogue submarine that is nearly undetectable thanks to a special piece of technology.
Director John McTiernan Release Date March 2, 1990 Studio(s) Mace Neufeld Productions Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Larry Ferguson , Donald E. Stewart Cast Sean Connery , Alec Baldwin , Scott Glenn , James Earl Jones , Sam Neill , Stellan Skarsgård , Peter Firth , Tim Curry Runtime 135 Minutes Budget $30 Million Main Genre Thriller
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The incredible submarine spy story The Hunt for Red October ranked among Sean Connery’s greatest performances and was a thrilling espionage war thriller. This Cold War story featured Connery as Soviet Captain Mark Ramius defecting to the U.S. in an undertake missile submarine, which was a hit with audiences and critics. With fantastic pacing and excellent action, The Hunt for Red October was an old-fashioned thriller that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
4 Lifeboat (1944)
Lifeboat was based on a story by John Steinbeck
Lifeboat (1944)
Approved
War
Drama
Several survivors of a torpedoed merchant ship in World War II find themselves in the same lifeboat with one of the crew members of the U-boat that sank their ship.
Director Alfred Hitchcock Release Date January 28, 1944 Writers John Steinbeck , Jo Swerling , Alfred Hitchcock Cast Tallulah Bankhead , John Hodiak , Walter Slezak , William Bendix , Mary Anderson , Henry Hull , Heather Angel , Hume Cronyn Runtime 97 Minutes Main Genre War
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Lifeboat was truly one of director Alfred Hitchcock’s most underrated movies and was set almost entirely on a lifeboat filled with passengers of a ship torpedoed by a Nazi U-boat. Released while World War II was ongoing, Lifeboat received criticism at the time for including a German character who was perceived positively, as reviewers questioned if it was appropriate for its time. However, in the years since, Lifeboat has received acclaim for its incredible characterizations and interesting portrayal of Allied infighting, lack of cooperation, and general bickering, which acted as a strong metaphor for warfare as a whole.
3 Dunkirk (2017)
Dunkirk was based on the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II
Dunkirk
PG-13
History
Drama
Action
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This epic tale of World War II tells the story of soldiers from Belgium, Britain, Canada and France, who are surrounded by the German army, and the dangerous operation that evacuated and saved the lives of thousands.
Director Christopher Nolan Release Date July 21, 2017 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Christopher Nolan Cast Kenneth Branagh , Aneurin Barnard , Mark Rylance , Tom Hardy , James D’Arcy , Jack Lowden , Cillian Murphy , Harry Styles , Fionn Whitehead , Barry Keoghan Runtime 106 minutes Budget $82.5–150 million
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Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan produced one of the greatest war movies ever made with the release of Dunkirk, a powerful portrayal of the real World War II evacuation as seen from land, sea, and air. With little dialogue and an ensemble cast, Dunkirk switched perspectives throughout to give audiences the full spectrum of the historical event. With extensive use of practical effects, Dunkirk proved how older styles of filmmaking could be used to make modern movies stand out against the litany of films that overuse special effects and CGI.
2 Das Boot (1981)
Das Boot was based on Lothar-Günther Buchheim’s novel of the same name
Das Boot
Drama
War
A German U-boat stalks the frigid waters of the North Atlantic as its young crew experience the sheer terror and claustrophobic life of a submariner in World War II.
Director Wolfgang Petersen Release Date February 10, 1982 Writers Wolfgang Petersen , Lothar G. Buchheim Cast Jurgen Prochnow , Herbert Grönemeyer , Klaus Wennemann , Hubertus Bengsch , Martin Semmelrogge , Bernd Tauber , Erwin Leder , Martin May Runtime 149 Minutes Main Genre Drama
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The widely acclaimed West German film Das Boot was an epic naval war movie based on the experiencesof the German submarine U-96 crew during World War II. With depictions of the tense excitement of battle and the mundanities of everyday naval life, Das Boot was an ambitious project set around the hazardous patrol in the Battle of the Atlantic. As among the greatest German movies ever made, the legacy of Das Boot has continued in a sequel television series that began airing in 2018.
1 Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Battleship Potemkin was based on the mutiny of the Russian battleship Potemkin
Battleship Potemkin
Not Rated
Drama
History
Thriller
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Battleship Potemkin is a 1925 silent film directed by Sergei Eisenstein. It dramatizes the 1905 mutiny of the crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin against their oppressive officers. The film is renowned for its pioneering montage techniques, particularly the Odessa Steps sequence, and remains a significant work in the history of cinema.
Director Sergei Eisenstein Release Date December 24, 1925 Writers Nina Agadzhanova , Sergei Eisenstein , Grigoriy Aleksandrov Cast Aleksandr Antonov , Vladimir Barskiy , Grigoriy Aleksandrov , Ivan Bobrov , Mikhail Gomorov , Aleksandr Levshin , Nina Poltavtseva , Konstantin Feldman Runtime 66 Minutes Main Genre Drama
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When considering the best naval war movies of all time, Battleship Potemkin stood above the rest as a masterpiece widely acclaimed as one of the greatest movies ever. A Soviet silent epic from 1925, Battleship Potemkin was based on the real 1905 mutiny of the Russian battleship Potemkin, where the crew rebelled against their commanding officers. Almost a century has passed since its release, and Battleship Potemkin has remained a technical marvel and a favorite among cinephiles.
Sources: CBS, Box Office Mojo (Pearl Harbor), BBC, Box Office Mojo (Midway)
Source: https://www.kidsland.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment