Navigating Cinematic Waters: 10 Must-See Movies Set Afloat
Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by Boatsetter Team
In love with seafaring movies? Or, maybe you can’t get enough of that boat racing scene, where it was a close call and a bunch of money was on the line. We love those, too! In this post, we’re going to share with you a few of our favorite movies that allow us to indulge in our wildest boating fantasies.
- “Cast Away” (2000)
- “Life of Pi” (2012)
- “Captain Phillips” (2013)
- “Moana” (2016)
- “American Made” (2017)
- “The Waterboy” (1998)
- “The Hunt for Red October” (1990)
- “Captain Ron” (1992)
- “180° South” (2010)
- “Avatar: The Way of the Water” (2022)
So, grab your popcorn, set a course for movie night, and let the sea breeze carry you away into a world of cinematic splendor. Anchors aweigh!
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1. “Cast Away” (2000)
Tom Hanks delivers a masterful performance in this survival drama. Stranded on a deserted island, he builds a makeshift raft, showcasing the enduring spirit of human determination on the high seas.
2. “Life of Pi” (2012)
A total tear jerker but totally worth watching! Embark on a visually stunning journey with Pi Patel and a Bengal tiger as they navigate the Pacific Ocean. This tale of survival and self-discovery is a mesmerizing ode to the power of storytelling.
Did you know? Suraj Sharma was never in the boat with a live tiger. Most of the tiger shots were very high-tech CGI. Only a few scenes, like the tiger swimming in the water, included a real tiger!
3. “Captain Phillips” (2013)
We’ve all seen the meme or at least said the famous line delivered by Barkhad Abdi, “I am the captain now.” Brace yourself for a high-stakes maritime thriller based on real events. Tom Hanks returns, this time as Captain Richard Phillips, in a pulse-pounding narrative of a cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates.
Speaking of captaining, if you’re considering getting your license, read this post on 7 Things to Consider Before Getting a Captain’s License.
4. “Moana” (2016)
Join the spirited Moana as she sets sail across the ocean to save her people. This Disney animated adventure not only boasts a compelling story but also showcases the profound connection between humanity and the sea.
Did you know? Polynesian people played a pivotal role in sailing history. Polynesians undertook incredible voyages, sometimes covering distances of thousands of miles across the open ocean.
These outstanding navigators memorized star patterns, observed bird migrations, and interpreted the behavior of ocean currents and waves to determine their position and the location of distant islands.
5. “American Made” (2017)
Who doesn’t love a good action film? In it, Tom Cruise, starring as Barry Seal, takes you on a wild ride through the world of drug cartels and covert operations, featuring planes and boats in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. By the end of it, you wouldn’t even believe it’s based on a true story, or that Cruise piloted the plane not for one scene but various scenes and sequences throughout the movie.
6. “The Waterboy” (1998)
Confession: We bent the rules a bit to add this one into the mix. While not a seafaring epic, Adam Sandler’s comedic gem brings us the unforgettable Bobby Boucher, a water boy with a knack for tackling. Though the water here is more about football than the open sea, we love this movie’s hilarious take of an on-the-water experience.
7. “The Hunt for Red October” (1990)
Dive into the depths of Cold War intrigue with this submarine thriller, featuring Sean Connery as a Soviet submarine captain. The film combines tense underwater sequences with geopolitical suspense.
8. “Captain Ron” (1992)
Kurt Russell takes the helm in this lighthearted comedy about a laid-back captain navigating a family’s voyage. Full of laughs and misadventures, it’s a boat trip you won’t soon forget.
9. “180° South” (2010)
This sailing documentary follows adventurer Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic journey of Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia. Filled with breathtaking landscapes and seafaring expeditions, it’s a visual feast for the adventurous soul.
Fair warning: After watching this documentary, you get the urge to embark on your own sailing expedition. We know that’s what we did!
10. “Avatar: The Way of the Water” (2022)
James Cameron’s highly anticipated sequel takes us back to the world of Pandora. In it, Jake Sully lives with his family and the Na’vi. We get to follow him in his latest adventure. Since this one is still new, we don’t want to say too much and spoil the movie. Our favorite part was when the Na’vi joined forces with the Neytiri, a tribe that lives by the water.
Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a landlubber dreaming of the open sea, these 10 movies are sure to quench your thirst for exploration.
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