Movies about war have become a way for audiences to reflect on the horrors of conflict and the sacrifices of veterans. Stories centered around naval warfare offer unique perspectives on battles that reshaped history. Many of these movies take inspiration from real events and fictionalize the stories and characters to make broader commentary on war itself. These movies use the backdrop of naval warfare to create larger social commentary or to focus on one character and their leadership.
Some movies, like Dunkirk, use an ensemble cast to recreate real-life naval battles that impacted history. Others, like Mister Rogers, are fictionalized versions of real wartime events that make broader commentaries on how sailors see themselves in the context of war. These movies look at the unique challenges that exist for those fighting war on the seas. The best movies about naval warfare balance character studies with a broader look at how humans react to the violence of war.
15
'Greyhound' (2020)
Directed by Aaron Schneider
Image via Apple TV+
Greyhound is based on the novel The Good Shepherd by C.S. Forester. Greyhound is a fictionalized account of real events during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Naval Commander Ernest Krause (Tom Hanks) captains the USS Keeling, a naval destroyer tasked with intercepting and fighting German U-boats and protecting a fleet of ships. The crew of the USS Keeling must use early radar equipment to track these U-boats and achieve their mission.
What makes Greyhound so effective is its use of fictional characters and a fictional story to capture the horrors of the Battle of the Atlantic. The movie also portrays the issues with such early radar technology, making it an effective commentary on the ingenuity that battles like this would have required. Tom Hanks's performance as a leader, trying his best with the tools he is given and the difficult circumstances, is enough to make this movie magnetic.
Midway is a fictionalized version of the actual Battle of Midway. The story follows characters who deal with the fallout of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. When the decision is made to invade Midway Islands, the characters shown here are thrown into chaos. The movie follows the experiences of several veterans of the Battle of Midway, including Lieutenant Dick Best (Ed Skrein), and Lieutenant Commander Edwin Layton (Patrick Wilson), among others.
While Midway lacks a compelling screenplay, it makes up for this with stunning visuals and an attempt at capturing how disorienting war is. Midway also highlights the skill and courage the actual men involved in these events had to demonstrate. The movie also effectively uses modern technology to recreate this particular World War II battle. This creates an immersive experience of one of the most well-known World War II battles.
Midway
Release Date
November 8, 2019
Director
Roland Emmerich
Runtime
138 minutes
13
'Sink the Bismarck!' (1960)
Directed by Lewis Gilbert
"Sink the Bismark!". Image Courtesy of 20th Century-Fox.
Lewis Gilbert's Sink the Bismarck! is a movie based on C.S. Forester's book The Last Nine Days of the Bismarck. The movie stars Kenneth More as Captain Jonathan Shepard, a British naval officer tasked with hunting down a German battleship. The movie shows the British crew and their single-mindedness in completing their mission. Sink the Bismarck! highlights the drama of naval warfare and how closed quarters up the stakes.
Sink the Bismarck! is unique as a movie about naval warfare because it highlights so many details. The movie was one of many World War II movies from the 1960s that focused on various battles of World War II. Sink the Bismarck! set itself apart by also showcasing how fast naval warfare has always moved. Ultimately, the movie is about the decisions and judgment calls that have always been necessary to successfully execute naval missions.
Sink the Bismarck!
Release Date
February 11, 1960
Director
Lewis Gilbert
Cast
Dana Wynter
, Kenneth More
, Carl Möhner
, Laurence Naismith
, Geoffrey Keen
, Karl Stepanek
, Michael Hordern
, Maurice Denham
, Michael Goodliffe
, Esmond Knight
, Jack Watling
, Jack Gwillim
, Mark Dignam
, Ernest Clark
, John Horsley
, Peter Burton
, John Stuart
, Walter Hudd
, Sydney Tafler
, Sean Barrett
, Thomas Waldron Price
, Edward R. Murrow
, John Stride
, Peter Dyneley
, Victor Maddern
Sailor of the King poster. Image Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
Sailor of the King is a 1953 British war movie based on another C.S. Forester book, Brown on Resolution. The story follows Canadian Signalman Andrew Brown (Jeffrey Hunter) who single-handedly holds off a German warship long enough for the Royal Navy to bring extra ships to battle it. Saville's backstory is also explored, including his history of serving in World War I. Sailor of the King also features two different endings.
What makes Sailor of the King such a compelling movie about naval warfare is the fact that it focuses on the toll such warfare takes on individuals. The movie also shows how Canadians were invaluable contributors to the war effort. Sailor of the King shows how heroism was shown on an individual level during World War II, mainly in naval battles. The movie is another example of a story that shows how naval warfare provides a dramatic backdrop to show the perils of war.
Sailor of the King
Release Date
June 11, 1953
Director
Roy Boulting
Cast
Jeffrey Hunter
, Michael Rennie
, Wendy Hiller
, Bernard Lee
, Victor Maddern
, John Horsley
, Patrick Barr
, Robin Bailey
, James Drake
Runtime
83 minutes
Sailor of the King is not currently available for streaming in the US.
11
'In Which We Serve' (1942)
Directed by Noël Coward and David Lean
Noël Coward and Celia Johnson in "In Which We Serve". Image Courtesy of British Lion Films.
In Which We Serve is a British classic that was directed and written by Noël Coward, who also starred in the movie. The story follows various British military personnel and civilians as they face the destruction of World War II. In particular, In Which We Serve features stories of those aboard a ship attacked by German forces. The movie is told through flashbacks, and the personal tragedies caused by war are given the spotlight.
In Which We Serve uses naval warfare as a springboard to tell a story about British patriotism. The story is structured in such a way that showcases the personal stakes that underline the maritime warfare of World War II. Each story that is introduced also showcases British unity in the face of attacks from all angles. In Which We Serve is a fascinating inside look at how the British perceived themselves and their military personnel, including those fighting naval battles.
In Which We Serve
Release Date
September 17, 1942
Director
David Lean
Cast
John Mills
, Noël Coward
, Bernard Miles
, Celia Johnson
, Kay Walsh
, Joyce Carey
, Derek Elphinstone
, Michael Wilding
, Robert Sansom
, Philip Friend
, Chimmo Branson
, Ballard Berkeley
, Hubert Gregg
, James Donald
, Michael Whittaker
, Kenneth Carten
, John Varley
, Caven Watson
, Geoffrey Hibbert
, Richard Attenborough
, Frederick Piper
, Lionel Grose
, Leslie Dwyer
, Charles Russell
, John Singer
Runtime
115 minutes
10
'Mister Roberts' (1955)
Directed by John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy
Image via Warner Bros.
Mister Roberts is based on the 1946 novel of the same name, previously adapted into a play in 1948. The story follows the crew of a US Navy cargo ship in the final days of World War II. Cargo Chief and Executive Officer Lieutenant Doug Roberts (Henry Fonda) keeps the crew's morale up in the face of boredom and a tyrannical captain, Lieutenant Commander Morton (James Cagney). While Roberts has a friendly relationship with crew members, they are mystified when he turns on them and gets closer to Morton.
What makes this story so compelling is that it showcases the very real struggle of military personnel who face identity crises in times of war. Mister Roberts is an honest reflection on the complicated feelings that people can feel in the middle of a war. Roberts is a fascinating character to follow as he processes the fact that he feels so far away from the most intense fighting. Mister Roberts is also significant in that it features the iconic 1950s movie starWilliam Powell in his final film appearance.
Release Date
July 10, 1955
Director
John Ford
, Mervyn LeRoy
Cast
Henry Fonda
, James Cagney
, William Powell
, Jack Lemmon
Dunkirk portrays the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II. The movie follows various groups of Allied soldiers as they are stranded on the beach and awaiting rescue. There is little dialogue throughout, which only makes the tension more palpable. The story shifts between the soldiers on the beach, the doomed ships, and those in power making decisions regarding the fate of those needing rescue. Dunkirk showcases the crucial role that civilian fishermen and sailors played in making this evacuation a success.
Christopher Nolan's vision shines through in every moment of this movie. There is a sense of claustrophobia that is captured effectively by the fact that each character is shown with a sense of doom. Dunkirk also captures the sobering reality that, in war, great victories so often come at terrible costs. The story is tremendously compelling as it showcases the absolute destruction naval warfare can cause and how it impacts those in the middle of the chaos.
Release Date
July 21, 2017
Runtime
106 minutes
8
'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World' (2003)
Directed by Peter Weir
Image via 20th Century Studios
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World takes place during the Napoleonic Wars and follows Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) of the HMS Surprise, who is ordered to intercept a privateer. Aubrey and his crew travel to the Galápagos Islands, where they fall into disarray as the privateer continues to elude them. This game of cat-and-mouse becomes a character study for Aubrey. This role is a kind of precursor to Russell Crowe's role in Les Misérables, where he chases a certain Jean Valjean.
Showcasing excellent scenes of naval warfare, Master and Commander is a period piece and a commentary on the chaos that characterized the Napoleonic Wars in particular. Watching the crew of the HMS Surprise devolve into superstition and mistrust highlights the fact that this story is very in tune with human nature. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World demonstrates the unique claustrophobia that exists in a naval vessel that is at the mercy of its captain.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Release Date
November 14, 2003
Runtime
138 minutes
7
'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (2014)
Directed by Kim Han-min
Image via CJ Entertainment
The Admiral: Roaring Currents is a Korean epic that chronicles the Battle of Myeongnyang, which took place around 1597. Specifically, the movie spotlights Admiral Yi Sun-sin (Choi Min-sik) and one of his greatest military accomplishments: leading a fleet of just 12 ships against 333 Japanese naval vessels. The story is a showcase of Yi's leadership and how he was able to inspire those under his command to achieve this massive victory.
Any story of such a small group of people going up against and defeating an invading force will always be captivating.
The set pieces alone make The Admiral: Roaring Currents enthralling to watch. Any story of such a small group of people going up against and defeating an invading force will always be captivating. Additionally, Choi's performance effectively humanizes a significant figure in military history in the midst of massive naval battles. In addition to being a character study of Yi, the movie features an ensemble that further adds depth to an already compelling narrative.
The Bedford Incident follows photojournalist Ben Munceford (Sidney Poitier) on assignment aboard a United States Navy destroyer. He documents the daily lives of the crew, as well as their mission once they are sent to stalk a Soviet submarine that they detect off the coast of Greenland. Munceford documents the day-to-day life of the crew as well, and brings to light the various political disagreements that exist within the group.
The Bedford Incident is a Cold War story that captures the fear and paranoia that characterized this time in history. The movie demonstrates how necessary cohesion is on any naval vessel, and how catastrophic it can be when there is division in the crew. The Bedford Incident also highlights how politics is always part of naval warfare, evening during "cold" wars. Ultimately, the movie is a horrifying what-if scenario that is ripped right from the headlines of the time.
The Bedford Incident
Release Date
October 11, 1965
Director
James B. Harris
Cast
Richard Widmark
, Sidney Poitier
, James MacArthur
, Martin Balsam
, Wally Cox
, Eric Portman
, Michael Kane
, Colin Maitland
, Paul Tamarin
, Frank Lieberman
, James Caffrey
, Burnell Tucker
, Mike Lennox
, Bill Edwards
, Stephen Schreiber
, Ronald Rubin
, Eugene Leonard
, Gary Cockrell
, Roy Stephens
, George Roubicek
, John McCarthy
, Shane Rimmer
, Glenn Beck
, Brian Davies
, Ed Bishop
, Paul Carson
, Laurence Herder
, Phil Brown
, Donald Sutherland
, Warren Stanhope
Directed by Richard Fleischer, Toshio Masuda, and Kinji Fukasaku
Image via 20th Century Studios
Tora! Tora! Tora! chronicles the events that led up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The movie incorporates both Japanese and American perspectives and highlights the ordinary people who were caught up in what would become a massive tragedy. Tora! Tora! Tora! portrays real-life officers and naval personnel who tried to achieve peace, those who were committed to continuing the war, and those who missed opportunities to prevent the Pearl Harbor attacks.
What makes the movie so effective is its use of tension, even when viewers know where the story ultimately ends. Pearl Harbor was such a tragic and pivotal event in American and Japanese history, and the film does an impressive job depicting the chaos and warfare, even if it comes at the expense of emotional resonance. It is devastating to think about all the people who attempted to either stop the attacks or who had chances to prevent the worst of the damage. The fact that Tora! Tora! Tora! highlights both Japanese and American perspectives gives it a nuance that makes it more authentic.
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Release Date
September 23, 1970
Director
Richard Fleischer
, Kinji Fukasaku
, Toshio Masuda
Cast
Martin Balsam
, Sô Yamamura
, Jason Robards
, Joseph Cotten
, Tatsuya Mihashi
, E.G. Marshall
, Takahiro Tamura
, James Whitmore
Runtime
144 Minutes
4
'The Caine Mutiny' (1954)
Directed by Edward Dmytryk
The Caine Mutiny is a 1954 drama based on the Pulitzer-winning novel of the same name. The story takes place in the Pacific theater of World War II and depicts the crew of the USS Caine, a mine-sweeper. Humphrey Bogart plays Lt. Commander Philip Francis Queeg, who becomes increasingly paranoid and takes drastic actions, including conducting an elaborate investigation when strawberries go missing from the ship. Crew members face mutiny charges, and Queeg is ultimately dismissed from command.
What makes The Caine Mutiny so riveting is the blend of naval life with tense legal drama. A reminder of why he is considered one of Hollywood's Golden Era greats, The Caine Mutiny showcases Humphrey Bogart's talent. Queeg becomes progressively more unhinged, tying this movie together. Watching the rest of the ensemble navigate the difficulties of war while being under the command of a man losing touch with reality creates a sense of urgency.
Release Date
June 24, 1954
Director
Edward Dmytryk
CastHumphrey Bogart
, Jose Ferrer
, Van Johnson
, Fred MacMurray
, Robert Francis
, May Wynn
, Tom Tully
, E.G. Marshall
Based on Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan novels that changed the action and thriller genres in literature, The Hunt for Red October is a Cold War thriller that follows a Soviet naval captain trying to defect to the United States. Captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) commands the Red October, a Soviet ballistic missile submarine. CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) follows Ramius as he plans and executes his defection.
The Hunt for Red October effectively captures the fear and paranoia that characterized the Cold War, specifically around the use of nuclear weapons. The story is a snapshot of how critical naval forces were throughout the Cold War, with the anticipation that nuclear weapons would eventually be used. Broadly, the Jack Ryan universe remains so compelling because it features high-octane action with a character study of a simple CIA agent who is evidently just trying his best. Tense, precise, and far more intelligent than expected, The Hunt for Red October is a masterclass in tension that boasts some impressive naval sequences to boot.
Release Date
March 2, 1990
Runtime
135 Minutes
2
'Das Boot' (1981)
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Image via Neue Constantin Film
Das Boot is a German film depicting Germany's role in the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by author Lothar-Günther Buckheim and follows the crew of a German U-boat, specifically Ensign Werner (Herbert Grönemeyer), a war correspondent who reports on his experience on the submarine. The crew must manage boredom punctuated by moments of high-octane drama.
Authentic to a fault, Das Boot portrays naval officers and sailors as deeply human. It is clear throughout the story that these are ordinary men who simply want to do right by themselves and their brothers-in-arms. There is a palpable and much-appreciated authenticity in this story, as it portrays the ironies of war, with periods of high stress surrounded by tedious boredom. International movies such as Das Boot that depict war offer a broader perspective for viewers to consider.
Release Date
September 17, 1981
Cast
Jurgen Prochnow
, Herbert Grönemeyer
, Klaus Wennemann
, Hubertus Bengsch
, Martin Semmelrogge
, Bernd Tauber
, Erwin Leder
, Martin May
Battleship Potemkin is a Soviet silent film that dramatizes the mutiny of an actual Russian battleship. The crew of the Potemkin played an important role in the Bolshevik Revolution. Through five acts, the film follows the crew as they work together to rebel against their leadership, inspiring the ordinary citizens watching them. The crew must sacrifice so much when they mutiny in the name of justice for themselves and their fellow citizens.
Soviet films never shied away from showing war in all of its horrors, and Battleship Potemkin is no exception. The massacre scene alone is both jarring and unforgettable. The movie captures Soviet self-perception during this tumultuous time in history. Battleship Potemkin is a time capsule of Soviet propaganda and provides valuable insight into how real events influenced art. It is an unflinching look at how ordinary sailors can hold great influence and change the world.
Battleship Potemkin
Release Date
December 24, 1925
Director
Sergei Eisenstein
Cast
Aleksandr Antonov
, Vladimir Barskiy
, Grigoriy Aleksandrov
, Ivan Bobrov
, Mikhail Gomorov
, Aleksandr Levshin
, Nina Poltavtseva
, Konstantin Feldman
Custom Image by Zanda Rice
Image via Apple TV+
Image via Lionsgate
"Sink the Bismark!". Image Courtesy of 20th Century-Fox.
Sailor of the King poster. Image Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
Noël Coward and Celia Johnson in "In Which We Serve". Image Courtesy of British Lion Films.
Image via Warner Bros.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
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