Everyone knows about car-based movies, but movies involving boats are an oft-forgotten subgenre that has some surprisingly interesting entries! Below are some highlights, including some good, some bad, and some very, very ugly (thanks, Kevin Costner), and each one can be streamed with the corresponding streaming services right now! Let's see what the most popular boat movies on streaming are this month.
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Of course, the famed adventures of the Black Pearl has to be included as the most famous of movie ships in the 21st century. Jack Sparrow and his foolhardy crew changed the marketability of pirates forever.
Starring - Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom
Streaming on: Disney Plus
Directed by: J.C. Chandor
This solo survival story finds an unnamed veteran mariner alone, with no way of contacting anyone or escaping his certain death at sea.
Starring - Robert Redford
Streaming on: Peacock
Directed by: Sergei Eisenstein
This early technical masterpiece is still a sight to behold, hollowing the heightened retelling of a Russian naval mutiny.
Starring - Aleksandr Antonov, Vladimir Barsky
Streaming on: HBO Max, VUDU Free
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
A list of this sort would not be complete without the quote 'we're gonna need a bigger boat.' Jaws changed movies on the ocean forever, creating a generation of kids (and adults) that would hardly go near the ocean for fear of giant killer sharks.
Starring - Roy Schneider, Richard Dreyfuss
Streaming on: Tubi TV
Directed by: Wes Anderson
A fan favorite of Wes Anderson blends all of his quirky charms on a grander scale than ever before. Yes, it's known more for the submarine section, but don't forget about the sizeable portion on a boat as well (it counts).
Starring - Bill Murray, Owen Wilson
Streaming on: Tubi TV
Directed by: Kevin Reynolds
Not exactly the critic favorite of this bunch, this critical flop from the '90s has a certain charm that some masochists might find appealing. And it is without a doubt on a boat, since the whole world is flooded!
Starring - Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper
Streaming on: Peacock
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
This one has two cursed ships! And none are more cursed that the vessel of Davy Jones (played hammily by Bill Nighy covered in animated squid tentacles).
Starring - Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom
Streaming on: Disney Plus
Directed by: Ron Clements, John Musker
Set in Ancient Polynesia, gorgeous views from the boat that Maui and Moana use will leave you stunned, maybe even more so since they are animated!
Starring - Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson
Streaming on: Disney Plus
Directed by: Werner Herzog
One of the most well-regarded of the narrative features of acclaimed director Werner Herzog, Fitzcarraldo is a must-see for those who loved critically lauded films.
Starring - Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale
Streaming on: Freevee, Tubi, VUDU Free, Roku Free, Plex
Directed by: James Cameron
Cameron's epic retelling of the Titanic disaster is one of the best romances and tragedies set aboard a boat. It doesn't get better than this, folks.
Starring - Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio
Streaming on: Netflix
Directed by: Ang Lee
This primarily-set-aboard-a-boat tale is far more meditative and fascinating. This philosophical story follows the young Indian boy Pi who is shipwrecked with only animals (including a Bengal tiger) as he attempts to survive.
Starring - Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan
Streaming on: HBO Max
Directed by: Peter Weir
Now this is a serious ocean-chase adventure. A British naval captain chases down a French warship during the Napoleanic Wars. Great underrated cast in this one!
Starring - Russell Crow, Paul Bettany
Streaming on: HBO Max
Enjoy! Happy watching!