45 Epic Sailing Movies We Will Watch Over and Over…

We saw tons of movies aboard and swapped even more with fellow boaters. Below are a few suggestions I think you will enjoy. I have divided them into genres – documentaries, drama, action…

As well as comedies and cartoons!

Because there are only so many sinking ships one can handle…

Watching movies on a laptop; huddled on the small sofa in the salon; fighting over the single best seat on the boat – those memories will sail with me forever.

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Documentaries

We love watching documentaries. However, if I may suggest, avoid the ones about boating disasters, before a passage. 

Enjoy, and send me an e-mail, let me know which one is your favorite.

1. Maiden

“The story of Tracy Edwards, a 24-year-old cook on charter boats, who became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989.” (Amazon Prime Video)

2. Sea Gypsies: The Far Side of the World

“The vessel is Infinity, a 120 ft hand-built gypsy boat, crewed by a band of miscreants. The journey, an 8,000 mile pacific crossing, from New Zealand to Patagonia, with a stop in Antarctica.” (Amazon Prime Video)

3. Losing Sight of Shore

“The extraordinary journey of four brave women known as the Coxless Crew that set out to row the Pacific Ocean from America to Australia unsupported. As they row over 8,000 miles during their nine months at sea…” (Amazon Prime Video)

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4. Chasing Bubbles

“This is the documentary film about wildman Alex Rust, who at 25, leaves the midwest to become a derelict sailboat captain. With no previous experience, he and his bearded pals dare to circumnavigate the globe… ” (YouTube Description)

5. Red Dot on the Ocean: The Matt Rutherford Story

“Once labeled a “youth-at-risk,” 30-year old Matt Rutherford risked it all in an attempt to become the first person to sail alone, nonstop around North and South America.” (Amazon Prime Video)

6. Coyote: The Mike Plant Story

“Mike Plant burned his way through life by an unconventional set of rules, leading him to dark corners of the world before finding his passion…” (Amazon Prime Video)

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7. 180° SOUTH

Jeff Johnson retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Choulnard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia. (Amazon Prime Video)

8. Deep Water

“The remarkable, true story of the first solo, non-stop, round-the-world boat race and the psychological toll it took on its competitors.” (Amazon Prime Video)

9. Morning Light

Sweeping yet intimate documentary about the “Morning Light” – a sleek boat with a group of young sailors enduring intense training for the Transpac L.A.-to-Hawaii open-ocean race. (Amazon Prime Video)

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10. The Deadly Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

“Six sailors died and five boats were lost when a terrifying storm hit Bass Strait during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Look back at this investigation…” (YouTube Description)

11. The Fastnet Disaster of 1979

“The story of the Force 10 gale which decimated the 1979 Fastnet race, the last of the Admiral’s Cup events in that year…The death toll was 15, and the ramifications are still felt today…” (YouTube Description)

Drama

A great selection for a movie night aboard. Or, if you are thinking of moving on a boat. Be inspired. 

Don’t worry about “Titanic”, just sail south. Why would anyone want to be in a freezing boat, in freezing water?

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12. Styx

“Styx depicts the transformation of a strong woman torn from her contented world during a sailing trip. When she becomes the only person to come to the aid of a group of refugees shipwrecked on the high seas…” (Amazon Prime Video)

13. Wind

“Wind is the dramatic, fictional story of an upstart group of American challengers whose drive to win back sailing’s top prize plunges them into a world where money, power, love and ambition are inextricably intertwined.” (Amazon Prime Video)

14. The Mercy

“The incredible true story of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst (Colin Firth) who competes in a historic race to sail around the world. Leaving behind a loving wife (Rachel Weisz), he embarks on a harrowing journey…” (Amazon Prime Video)

More Inspiration
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15. Titanic

“Leonardo DiCaprio and Oscar nominee Kate Winslet light up the screen as Jack and Rose, the young lovers who find one another on the maiden voyage of the “unsinkable” R.M.S. Titanic.” (Amazon Prime Video)

16. The Finest Hours

“When a massive winter storm traps more than 30 sailors on a fast-sinking ship, four U.S. Coast Guard members set out to rescue them in a 12-seat boat, braving 60-foot waves and hurricane-force winds…”(Prime Video)

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

“Russell Crowe is a 19th-century British warship captain who leads a motley crew as they prepare to attack a superior French vessel.”(Prime Video)

More Boat Life
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18. Adrift

Starring Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin, Adrift is based on the inspiring true story of two free spirits whose chance encounter leads them first to love, and then to the adventure of a lifetime. (Prime Video)

19. White Squall

Jeff Bridges leads a crew of students on the voyage of a lifetime! (Prime Video)

Action and Adventure

What can be better than watching a movie about exploring uninhabited islands, then setting sail to one yourself!

I know, liveaboards are a bit spoiled that way. In fact, our crew loved exploring so much, I begged them to follow the trails.

All of our posts on: Boat Life @ No Texting & Tacking.

20. Kon Tiki

Based on the Academy Award-winning documentary, Kon Tiki is the story of legendary explorer Thor Heyerdal’s epic crossing of the Pacific on a balsa wood raft in 1947. (Prime Video)

21. In The Heart of the Sea

“In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance.”(Prime Video)

22. All is Lost

“Academy Award winner Robert Redford “gives a solo tour-de-force in this awards-caliber adventure” (NY Post) about one man’s battle for survival against the elements on the open sea.”(Prime Video)

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23. Abandoned

“Four men set sail on the yacht Rose Noelle. The yacht capsizes in a storm, trapping the crew in a space the size of a double bed. After 119 days adrift in the Pacific, the Rose Noelle washes ashore on Great Barrier island.”(Prime Video)

24. The Perfect Storm

“An unusually severe storm pattern catches some commercial fishermen unaware and puts them in mortal danger.” (Prime Video)

25. Life of Pi

“A shipwreck leaves a boy lost at sea aboard a lifeboat with a massive Bengal tiger in Ang Lee’s visually stunning Oscar(R)-winner.” (Prime Video)

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

“Join the adventures of Jack Sparrow and his nemesis Captain Barbossa on a thrilling, high-seas adventure with a mysterious twist!” (Prime Video)

27. Poseidon

“When a rogue wave capsizes a luxury cruise ship in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, a small group of survivors find themselves unlikely allies in a battle for their lives.” (Prime Video)

28. Waterworld

“Global warming has melted the polar ice caps, leaving most of Earth under water. A new island society has emerged – and the mutated hero Mariner believes he’s found a map to the mythical Dryland!” (Prime Video)

All of our posts on: Boat Life @ No Texting & Tacking.

29. Dead Calm

“When a veteran sailor and his wife rescue the half-delirious sole survivor of a crippled schooner on a dead-calm ocean, the skeptical husband rows to the disabled boat and finds a horrifying sight.” (Prime Video)

Comedy

I don’t think I can ever get tired of watching Captain Ron. And can you really pass on anything with Bill Murray and Owen Wilson?

After a hard day on the boat, a good comedy can really help lighten up the mood. Until next time I promise to sell the “darn boat” ?

30. One Crazy Summer!

“The irreverent story of a young wanna-be cartoonist spending the summer in Nantucket – with girls, crazy buddies and a big boat race all figuring in the slapstick, sight-gag laden fun!” (Prime Video)

31. Captain Ron

“A Chicagoan inherits an old yacht. He, his wife, daughter and son fly to a Caribbean island and hire a dubious Captain Ron to sail them on an adventure to Miami.” (IMDb Description)

32. The Life Aquatic

“Internationally famous oceanographer Steve Zissou and his crew set sail on an expedition to hunt down the mysterious, elusive, possibly nonexistent Jaguar Shark that killed Zissou’s partner…” (Prime Video)

Old Films

No special effect to substitute for poor acting. These old movies have withstood the test of time.

With no subscriptions aboard, we saw many older films, And our teens enjoyed them too. They are timeless, like these sailing quotes.

33. The African Queen

“As the First World War breaks out, a proud and pious missionary finds herself navigating a multitude of perils…” (Prime Video)

34. Moby Dick

“Gregory Peck is magnificent as Captain Ahab, the surly sailor who loses his leg to a gigantic, crafty white whale in this stunning visual tribute to the great literary classic. Orson Welles co-stars.” (Prime Video)

35. Lifeboat

“A chic writer, a stoker and others drift with the U-boat captain who has sunk their ship.” (Prime Video)

All of our posts on: Boat Life @ No Texting & Tacking.

36. I Sailed to Tahiti with an All Girl Crew

“Generous’ Josh belittles the sailing abilities of his friend Terry O’Brien, and Terry counters by betting Josh $20,000 that, using an all-female crew, he can beat him in a race to Tahiti.” (IMDb description)

37. The Old Man and the Sea

“Based on Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel, Spencer Tracy shines in his portrayal of an aging fisherman battling against the elements of the sea in all its fury.” (Prime Video)

38. Captain Horatio Hornblower

“Hornblower (Gregory Peck) battles the French and the Spanish forces during the Napoleonic wars, but also finds time for romance.” (Prime Video)

Children’s and Cartoon

A few of my favorite sea and ocean movies. It is hard not to start dancing to the tune of the Little Mermaid, isn’t it?

Just be careful with balancing, if you are dancing aboard.

The kids organized a movie night with our projector, at a boatyard. When there is a will…

39. Ponyo (in English)

“From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, and Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, comes a heartwarming adventure.” (Prime Video)

40. Sea Level

“Pup discovers human poachers stealing eggs from his reef. As he leaves the sea to rescue the eggs he’ll enter the dangerous world of humans.” (Prime Video)

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41. Shark Tale

“A young fish’s false reputation as a ‘shark slayer’ earns him fame…and gets him fitted for cement fins in this animated tale.” (Prime Video)

42. The Little Mermaid

Ariel, the fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is enchanted with all things human… But can she also win a prince’s heart? (Prime Video)

43. Moana

“Moana sets sail on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way, she meets the once mighty demigod Maui–together they cross the ocean on a fun-filled, action-packed voyage.” (Prime Video)

More Boat Life
Pros and Cons of Living on a Boat. By Experienced Boaters.
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Catamaran vs Monohull: Let’s Solve This (we Lived on Both).

44. Finding Nemo

“Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken from his Great Barrier Reef home to a dentist’s office aquarium. It’s up to his worrisome father Marlin and a friendly, forgetful fish Dory to bring Nemo home.” (YTV)

45. Finding Dory

“Dory, the forgetful blue tang, is living happily in the reef with Nemo and Marlin. But when she suddenly remembers she has a family who may be looking for her, the trio set off on a life-changing adventure to find them.” (Prime Video)

To Summarize

I hope you find a few new favorites on this list. 

Next time you wonder what to pick, stop scrolling the few good options on Netflix and choose one of these instead. 

Remember to include the kids, especially when watching the old movies.

You will Also Like:

Pros and Cons of Living on a Boat. By Experienced Boaters.

Can you Live on a Boat? Yes, and Now is the Right Time

The cost of living on a boat for a family

This Sustainable Lifestyle is the Fairest of Them All. 10 Reasons Why Living on a Sailboat Matters.

Worried About Sharks? 10 Tips for a Safe Swim (by Boaters).

Catamaran vs Monohull: Let’s Solve This (we Lived on Both).