After watching “My Octopus Teacher” and diving deep into the mesmerizing world of marine life, I find myself utterly captivated by the beauty and mystery that lies beneath the surface of our oceans. This heartwarming documentary has not only enriched my appreciation for nature but also inspired me to engage more deeply with the other inhabitants of our planet.
71% of Earth is dominated by the oceans, serving as a food supply, transportation route, and leisure space, while also hosting creatures that can only survive underwater. Gigantic animals dwell in their depths, and peculiar ecosystems such as the benthic zone can be found in the darkest abysses of the world’s oceans. Given its immense size, it is virtually impossible for an individual to explore all facets of the ocean; however, filmmakers have been dedicated to capturing as much as they can on camera.
Moviemakers have drawn abundant inspiration from the oceans throughout the years, ensuring there’s an ocean-themed film for every taste and preference. Directors have explored a wide range of themes – from heartrending tales to heartening narratives – all while showcasing the enchanting beauty of the deep blue sea and the hidden perils beneath its surface. With numerous options available, we’ve handpicked some of the finest ocean movies, spanning genres such as gripping thrillers, captivating documentaries, book adaptations, and true-life stories.
11. Open Water
As a gamer, I found myself submerged in the chilling tale of “Open Water”. In this harrowing survival saga, I, along with characters Daniel and Susan, are stranded in the vast expanse of the ocean when our diving boat mysteriously abandons us. Faced with no means to reach land, we must navigate through treacherous waters teeming with sharks, jellyfish, and the constant threat of an encroaching storm. The narrative unfolds almost entirely on the ocean’s surface as the camera follows our desperate struggle for survival.
‘Open Water’ presents the ocean as a potentially menacing, yet authentic, backdrop. This is particularly chilling because they employed real sharks instead of computer-generated imagery or mechanical creatures, which deviates from the typical formula for shark movies. It underscores the peril that one can encounter in the water when lacking the proper gear and demonstrates how swiftly stranded individuals can succumb to dehydration and exhaustion within this unyielding ecosystem.
Despite wearing wet suits for warmth and diving gear that helps them float, the couple is unable to save themselves because they don’t know which way leads to shore or if there are other boats around, and it isn’t safe to swim randomly without any signs of civilization in sight. The movie creators skillfully portray this harrowing scenario.
- Starring: Daniel Travis, Blanchard Ryan, Michael E. Williamson
- Director: Chris Kentis
- Year: 2003
- Runtime: 1h 19m
- Rating: R
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
10. Avatar: The Way of Water
In “Avatar: The Way of Water,” we revisit the breathtaking world of Pandora, nine years after James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster “Avatar.” Here, Jake and Neytiri have grown their family and assumed leadership roles within their Na’vi tribe. As Jake has fully embraced his Na’vi avatar, having left behind his human form, they now lead a harmonious existence on this alien planet. However, trouble brews once again as the military reappears with ambitions to colonize Pandora and establish a permanent human settlement, a goal they had initially pursued in the first film.
In the sequel of “Avatar”, we witness both the enchantment and devastation of the ocean on Pandora. Humans return seeking to harvest Tulkuns, creatures akin to Earth’s whales. These remarkable beings possess an elixir, Amrita, derived from their brain glands that halts aging. The ruthless exploitation of these Tulkuns contrasts starkly with the bond formed between one of Jake Sully’s offspring, Lo’ak, and a Tulkun, reminiscent of their connection in the first “Avatar” movie.
The two plot lines show two distinctly different relationships with the ocean: One of kindness and understanding, and another that is detrimental to its life. Though set in a fictional world, it speaks to the issues plaguing our own oceans, whaling in particular. In an email he penned after being blindsided with a dolphin show while promoting “The Way of Water” in Japan, Cameron wrote (via Yahoo!) that the sequel is “all about saving whales, and treating them with empathy as equals. It’s the pivotal message of the film.”
- Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver
- Director: James Cameron
- Year: 2022
- Runtime: 3h 12m
- Rating: PG-13
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
9. Oceans
Oceans” is an enthralling nature documentary that journeys through our planet’s various oceans, revealing a vast array of creatures inhabiting each. It showcases both familiar ocean dwellers such as dolphins, seals, and turtles, along with lesser-known marine species like the Spanish dancer slug and wrasse, providing viewers a glimpse into their unique habitats.
The movie’s English version features Pierce Brosnan, a previous James Bond actor, delivering an excellent narration. His voice seamlessly complements footage gathered worldwide, making this one of the rare documentaries to traverse all five oceans. It offers viewers a glimpse into the unique characteristics of each ocean, and the film also underscores the damaging effects of human actions on our oceans. By utilizing satellite imagery and videos, it showcases the alarming amounts of debris both at the water’s surface and beneath it, as well as the unfortunate incidents of animals getting entangled in fishing nets.
This method ensures that viewers get a clear image of the topics discussed, instead of simply listening to them. While it’s captivating to watch sea turtles hatch or divers swim with sharks and whales, this is not the whole story. The documentary “Oceans” emphasizes that we can only continue to discover and appreciate these enchanting underwater realms if we change our behavior towards them.
- Starring: Jacques Perrin, Pierce Brosnan
- Director: Jacques Perrin, Jacques Cluzaud
- Year: 2009
- Runtime: 1h 24m
- Rating: G
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
8. The Deepest Breath
“The Deepest Breath” – This 2023 Netflix documentary focuses not on animals, but people. It narrates the lives of two free divers, Alessia Zecchini and Stephen Keenan. The storyline intertwines as Keenan guides Zecchini in her quest to break a world record. Free diving is an incredibly perilous and extreme underwater sport, where participants rely solely on their breath and a monofin for propulsion, attempting to dive as deep as possible before ascending back to the surface.
In “The Deepest Breath”, the film primarily explores the individual stories of Zecchini and Keenan. However, it also delves deep into the unexplored abysses of the ocean, offering a perspective rarely seen in documentaries. Visually, the movie is captivating, taking us on a journey beneath the water’s surface. The divers venture into dangerously challenging diving spots such as the arch in Dahab, Egypt. Through the captured footage, divers momentarily vanish into the darkness before reappearing, offering insights into the poor visibility at such depths.
As a passionate viewer, I must say that this movie doesn’t just showcase the thrill of the sport, but also the perils that come with it – moments when it tragically ends in despair for these characters who seem to dance with death. It leaves you pondering their fate and admiring their relentless pursuit of their shared passion, a testament to their dedication that the review from Rolling Stone beautifully captures.
- Starring: Alessia Zecchini, Stephen Keenan
- Director: Laura McGann
- Year: 2023
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Rating: PG
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
7. The Abyss
In the sci-fi thriller movie “The Abyss,” a group of Navy SEALs in the Caribbean are in a rush to locate a submerged American submarine before the Russians get to it, amidst an approaching hurricane. This oceanic adventure is another creation by James Cameron, with many considering “The Abyss” as his finest work. The storyline also involves something mysterious lurking beneath the sea causing the submarine’s sinking – and it’s not from our world. As a result, the crew confronts various technical issues, power failures, and attempts to defuse a bomb while a luminous, tentacled entity surrounds their platform.
“The Abyss” is highly praised as one of the top oceanic features due to its portrayal of a work environment that remains active today – specifically, life on underwater drilling rigs. Contrary to popular belief, these workers are not like the SEALs in the movie, but they do live and work submerged under the sea. The film provides a realistic glimpse into what it’s like to perform such labor on a water-based platform and how the surrounding environment can affect that job. Additionally, it showcases the diverse marine life that thrives on the ocean floor. Although the creatures depicted in the movie are fictional and of extraterrestrial origin, they serve as a metaphor for the unique adaptations marine life has developed to survive in dimly lit conditions. In this instance, the alien’s glow represents the light source necessary where sunlight cannot penetrate.
- Starring: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn
- Director: James Cameron
- Year: 1989
- Runtime: 2h 45m
- Rating: PG-13
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
6. Life of Pi
The novel “Life of Pi” is derived from Yann Martel’s book of the same title. In this story, Pi Patel recounts his extraordinary survival tale following a shipwreck near the Mariana Trench’s depths. After drifting for more than 200 days at sea, he eventually reaches Mexico. The narrative unfolds as Pi and his family are migrating from India to Canada aboard a cargo vessel carrying their zoo animals. A violent storm sinks the ship, leaving Pi as the sole survivor who then finds himself on a lifeboat with a tiger named Richard Parker. Together, they face numerous hardships such as harsh weather conditions, hunger, thirst, and supply depletion before finally reaching Mexico.
The movie, which won an Oscar, presents the mesmerizing blend of beauty and might found in the ocean. A remarkable moment occurs when Pi notices his lifeboat and raft are surrounded by bioluminescent krill, their glowing green bodies creating a stunning spectacle. This is further accentuated as a humpback whale, digitally crafted by Rhythm and Hues (a detail only true fans of “Life of Pi” would recognize), appears to feed. However, this majestic creature destroys the raft, forcing Pi and the tiger into the same boat, a turn of events that significantly affects Pi’s survival chances as he and the tiger are still at odds. In essence, the scene underscores the importance of every resource when stranded at sea.
- Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu
- Director: Ang Lee
- Year: 2012
- Runtime: 2h 7m
- Rating: PG
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
5. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
From the perspective of an avid gamer, I’d say: “Inspired by Jules Verne’s iconic science fiction novel, the movie ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ delves into the story of Captain Nemo, a captivating figure who voyages across the oceans in his extraordinary submarine, the Nautilus. I, along with my shipmates – Ned Land, the harpooner, Professor Pierre Aronnax, and his assistant Conseil – found ourselves aboard this marvel after a chance encounter while sailing on a Navy vessel, initially believing it to be the monster we were pursuing. As we adapted to life within the Nautilus, from gathering sustenance from the ocean floor to witnessing Nemo’s crusade against maritime injustice by sinking ships, our group eventually came face-to-face with the elusive sea beast.
In the movie “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” the visual effects and ocean scenes are remarkably advanced, even by today’s standards. For instance, the confrontation with the real monster, the colossal squid, is particularly impressive. The team behind the production combined footage shot in the Bahamas with models to craft the underwater sequences, resulting in a spectacular display that garnered the film the awards for best special effects and best color art direction at the 1955 Academy Awards.
- Starring: James Mason, Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas
- Director: Richard Fleischer
- Year: 1954
- Runtime: 2h 7m
- Rating: G
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
4. Titanic
The last James Cameron film on the list, “Titanic,” is about the romantic tale between Rose and Jack, two passengers aboard the inaugural voyage of the RMS “Titanic.” Despite their differences in social class, they embark on a passionate romance after meeting. Unfortunately, as many already know before watching, the grand ship collides with an iceberg and ultimately sinks.
Though primarily a love tale, ‘Titanic’ underscores the unforeseen dangers of the sea and the potential lethal consequences of a maritime disaster. Even the supposedly unsinkable vessel could tragically plunge into the ocean depths. The director skillfully portrays each phase of the infamous sinking in this Oscar-winning film, from the initial shock and widespread chaos to the somber realization that set in later. The movie sensitively represents one of the most memorable and historic disasters, maintaining a respectful tone throughout.
The movie “Titanic” incorporates actual footage of the sunken ship lying at the bottom of the ocean (Cameron has personally visited it over 30 times). This lends an authentic feel and demonstrates how shipwrecks can blend into marine ecosystems. As the crew searches for the safe in the initial scenes, fish flit about and plants cling to the wreckage, serving as a poignant reminder that even amidst human catastrophes, new life can thrive.
- Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane
- Director: James Cameron
- Year: 1997
- Runtime: 3h 14m
- Rating: PG-13
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
3. Jaws
Still today, “Jaws” by Steven Spielberg remains iconic as the seminal shark film. The narrative revolves around Roy Martin, a summer town’s police chief, grappling with a shark predicament at its peak tourist season. However, the mayor dismisses the problem after a tiger shark is caught, doubting that anything bigger might still be lurking in the waters, despite growing proof to the contrary piling up.
The film “Jaws” underscores the fact that, despite our perception, humans are not at the peak of the aquatic food chain. Even when a group of individuals attempt various strategies, the shark usually evades capture or continues to thrive. This underlines the shark’s status as an apex predator and highlights the need to respect their habitat. Moreover, “Jaws” demonstrates how crucial ocean-based tourism is for coastal towns, an aspect often overlooked in movies focusing on marine environments.
For approximately six months, Steven Spielberg filmed the movie in Massachusetts using a mechanical shark. To ensure an ideal setting, they ventured 12 miles off the coastline, which Spielberg described as perfect because it allowed for no land sightings but still had a sandy ocean floor just thirty feet beneath the surface, enabling them to attach their shark-mounted camera rig. Furthermore, footage of real sharks was captured in Australia and integrated into the film. Impressively, Spielberg even altered a scene to harmonize with the real shark footage.
- Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Year: 1975
- Runtime: 2h 4m
- Rating: PG
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
2. My Octopus Teacher
“My Octopus Teacher” is a 2020 Netflix documentary chronicling filmmaker Craig Foster’s transformative journey as a diver and father off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. Remarkably, Foster forms an unusual bond with a female octopus residing in the kelp forests. Over the course of a year, he delves into every aspect of her life – from feeding to resting and recovering. Through this experience, his understanding of the delicate balance of life deepens as he forges a unique relationship with marine life and nature that was previously unknown to him.
The documentary provides a detailed, up-close look at an octopus’s life, ranging from mundane to hazardous: As I observe, my new octopus companion is viciously attacked by a shark. Miraculously, the creature survives, but it spends several months regenerating the tentacle that was lost, keeping her confined to her den during this period. After mating and laying eggs, she concludes her life as an octopus, passing away naturally. Eventually, she is consumed by a shark.
Watching ‘My Octopus Teacher’ underscores the enriching aspects of our interactions with marine creatures. Craig Foster found this experience transformative, inspiring him to become more than an observer on Earth and actively engage with other life forms. It also served as a unique bond between him and his son, who shares a passion for the ocean. The film is simply stunning in every aspect.
- Starring: Craig Foster
- Director: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed
- Year: 2020
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Rating: TV-PG
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
1. Finding Nemo
Regardless of it being an animated film, without a doubt, “Finding Nemo,” produced by Pixar, stands out as the top movie portraying the ocean. It narrates the journey of Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks), a clownfish on a mission to find his son Nemo, who has been taken by divers because of his deformed fin. Along the way, Marlin encounters various marine creatures like sharks, sea turtles, and a forgetful blue tang named Dory. Eventually, he manages to reunite with his son in Sydney, Australia.
Watching “Finding Nemo” offers an engaging and relatable tale about a parent’s journey across the vast seas to find their lost child. It showcases the diverse life forms inhabiting different marine environments such as anemones, deep ocean floor, and coral reefs. In contrast to movies like “Jaws,” Marlin’s interaction with friendly vegetarian sharks offers a more favorable perspective on the species, helping dispel negative stereotypes that might have contributed to shark conservation concerns.
Beyond just being an exceptional underwater film, “Finding Nemo” significantly revolutionized the field of CGI movie-making. This groundbreaking animation was highly praised by the American Film Institute as one of the best animated films ever produced, and it marked Pixar’s first Academy Award win for Best Animated Feature – a milestone that launched a series of victories for the studio. The 2016 follow-up, “Finding Dory,” is also an enjoyable watch for adults, but “Finding Nemo” may never be surpassed in terms of oceanic adventure.
- Starring: Alexander Gould, Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres
- Director: Andrew Stanton
- Year: 2003
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Rating: G
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
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2024-10-26 19:31