The Best Movies Ever Made About Seas Ranked

Not many settings elevate movies like seas. Since the 1970’s, the ocean has often been used as a backdrop for engaging movies. Whether its shipwreck disasters, sharks with frightening jaws or naval commanders, the genre has created many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films set at seas that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Titanic

The Titanic is a tragic shipwreck disaster that always fascinated my brother. I remember forming strong bonds with a brother that was fascinated by the historic shipwreck disaster. At an early age, I bonded with a brother that had great knowledge about a grim shipwreck causing damage. Through his fascination with the Titanic, my brother gave me a lifelong love for watching movies that’s gigantic. In 1997, James Cameron did an extraordinary job of depicting the tragic shipwreck that forever changed the world in his iconic film “Titanic”. Ever since its release in 1997, James Cameron’s iconic film has stood the test of time as the greatest movie ever made about seas. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a heartbreaking historic shipwreck that caused the world to face despair. Cameron is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for making movies about underwater exploration, and “Titanic” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Cameron effectively used practical effects to recreate the devastating sinking of the Titanic. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Rose are sadly torn apart when the ship begins sinking causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances from Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodied lovers aboard doomed ships facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Titanic” my favourite film about seas of all-time is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of the Titanic shipwreck to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about social class that would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years following the catastrophic sinking of the Titanic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a great genre that has always made terrific movies which have often captivated the public.

2. Jaws

Sharks are scary creatures that have always terrified me. Ever since I was a child, I have been scared of creatures that are wild. At an early age, I became terrified of stepping foot into waters posing damage. I always had a nerve-wracking feeling that something dangerous was lurking in seas that would end up eating me. My lifelong fear of sharks with sharp jaws began when I watched “Jaws”. Released in 1975, Steven Spielberg’s classic film captured dangers posed by sharks in seas. With the most frightening film of his career, Spielberg used innovative cinematic techniques to capture dangerous sharks in seas evoking fear. One of the most common techniques Spielberg uses in his movies is close-ups of characters’ faces. For instance, the scene in which the camera zooms on Chief Brody’s terrified face as he witnesses sharks on the beach for the first time causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. Ultimately, what makes “Jaws” a jaw-dropping classic is its universal appeal. It delivers a relatable message about survival which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as sharks with sharp jaws, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated genre that deserves a loud round of applause for making great movies without flaws.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Pirates of the Caribbean is a fantastic franchise about seas earning my cousin’s appreciation. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a cousin appreciating Jack Sparrow. I remember he would love seeing movies in theatres about pirates travelling across treacherous seas. My cousin’s love for seeing Caribbean seas that unfurl began when he watched “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”. Released in 2001, Gore Verbinski’s movie introduced the iconic franchise about pirates travelling across seas. Verbinski has always had aptitude staging sea spectacle in movies, and “The Curse of the Black Pearl” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Jack Sparrow is first introduced travelling across Caribbean seas facing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Johnny Depp, who created one of the most iconic pirates in cinematic history. Ultimately, what makes “The Curse of the Black Peal” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about teamwork that would resonate with everyone. As strong as Jack Sparrow’s love for Caribbean seas, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies.

4. Life of Pi

Life of Pi is a legendary book about seas that my mother would always glorify. I remember my mother grew up to treasure an iconic book about tigers surviving disaster. My mother always believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour a book holding a precious place in her heart. In 2012, Ang Lee honoured the book about tigers which terrify in his movie “Life of Pi”. Lee has always had an aptitude for creating awe-inspiring spectacle in his movies through stunning special effects, and “Life of Pi” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Pi first becomes aware that he is stranded on a boat with a tiger causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Suraj Sharma, who embodied a commemorated Indian boy seeking to survive sea disaster. Ultimately, what makes “Life of Pi” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about survival which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Pi’s bond with Richard Parker, it’s a stirring reminder of a great genre that has made timeless films which audiences treasure.

5. Cast Away

Movies about survival have resonated with me. At an early age, my life changed when my family faced bombings causing damage. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a bombing in Saudi Arabia. Truth be told, I was only five years old. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. As someone haunted by a bombing that left my family cast away, I adored “Cast Away”. Released in 2000, Robert Zemeckis’ movie captured a man stranded in seas facing tragedy. Zemeckis deftly uses silence to capture a man stranded on an island in a sad tragedy. For instance, the bold scene in which Chuck Noland faces silence after he lands on the island following the plane crash causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Tom Hanks, who embodied a survivor of a plane crash disaster. Ultimately, what makes “Cast Away” a classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A strong portrait of men surviving on islands that are cast away, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has always manufactured memorable movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

6. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

One of the most common characteristics of the sea genre is its strong sense of spectacle. The genre has made memorable movies about spectacle on seas. This strong sense of spectacle on seas occurring in the world is clearly evident in the film “Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World”. Released in 2003, Peter Weir’s movie offered a captivating portrait of naval warfare. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Master and Commander” stand out is its strong sea spectacle. Weir uses breathtaking special effects capturing obstacles naval commanders are facing. Assisted by Russell Crowe who is amazing in the lead role, Weir honoured naval commanders that achieved fame years ago. A breathtaking portrait of naval warfare, its a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made rare movies about which audiences care.

7. Greyhound

The Greyhound is a WWII vessel that built a legacy that’s profound. During WWII, the Greyhound was a ship that participated in warfare. A powerful vessel, the ship ensured that naval warfare victories were possible. In 2020, Aaron Schneider honoured the profound vessel in his movie “Greyhound”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Greyhound” stand out is its use of diegetic sounds. Schneider uses captivating diegetic sounds to capture a commemorated ship crossing treacherous seas that are frightening. Assisted by Tom Hanks who is exceptional in the lead role, Schneider honoured a commemorated vessel in WWII history. As powerful as the Greyhound vessel, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated genre that has made great films about treacherous seas in which enjoyment can always be found.

8. Captain Phillips

When it comes to the finest sea heroes in American history, it’s worth discussing Richard Phillips. An American mariner, Phillips was a brave captain. In 2009, Phillips faced a nerve-wracking situation when his ship was attacked by Somali pirates. In 2013, Paul Greengrass honoured the naval captain in his movie “Captain Phillips”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Captain Phillip” stand out is its suspense. Greengrass uses captivating handheld camerawork to capture a heroic captain that faced a hostage situation which is frightening. Assisted by Tom Hanks who is amazing in the lead role, Greengrass honoured an American hero. Nearly 15 years after a captain guiding a cargo ship faced a hijacking, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced engaging movies which are worth watching.

9. Adrift

Survival is a strong theme that is often explored in sea movies. The genre has often made memorable movies about individuals surviving tragic adversities. The genre’s strength for making movies about people that are adrift is clearly evident in the film “Adrift”. Released in 2018, Baltasar Kormakur’s movie honoured a woman that was adrift on the Pacific Ocean. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Adrift” stand out is its strong theme of survival. Kormakur used handheld camerawork to capture a woman that survived a catastrophic sea tragedy. Assisted by Shailene Woodley who is exceptional in the lead role, Kormakur honoured a sea survivor. Nearly 40 years after a courageous woman survived a dangerous hurricane, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies which entertain.

10. Avatar: The Way of Water

Few movies ever made about underwater exploration are as beloved as “Avatar: The Way of Water”. Since its release in 2021, James Cameron’s movie has become a classic. Cameron used captivating motion-capture effects capturing seas that are frightening. Assisted by Kate Winslet who is fantastic in the lead role, Cameron created a groundbreaking sea blockbuster. However, the film’s spectacle leaves little room for storytelling. Cameron’s focus on special effects affects the storytelling. We’re barely given reasons to care for avatars. Nevertheless, it’s still a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Jake Sully’s desire to protect his planet, it’s a bold reminder of a genre making great movies about oceans facing a threat that are hard to forget which I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of writing movie reviews on the internet.