Boat movies bring the excitement of open water to the screen, from dangerous storms and naval battles to unforgettable speedboat chases. This roundup highlights five memorable films for boating enthusiasts, including The Perfect Storm, Jaws, The African Queen, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and From Russia With Love. Each movie features a memorable vessel and a story shaped by the water. Until the next boating season arrives, these films offer an entertaining way to enjoy maritime adventures from home.
As the cold, dank days of December drag into the even colder-and-danker days of January, many of us are facing long, lonely hours of separation from our boats and our beloved open water. Hang in there, captain — springtime is coming, and in the meantime, we’ve got some ideas for getting your boating fix, Hollywood style. When it does arrive, the hull is usually the first job, and black streaks and oxidation are the part that takes longest.
Yes, Tinseltown has given us some of the world’s best eye candy for boat lovers, from heart-pounding speedboat chases to almost-too-realistic storms at sea to historic naval battles. So if you must be confined to the land for a few more weeks, here are a few boat-lovers’ classics to queue up and enjoy:
A crew of commercial fishermen, led by George Clooney’s Billy Tyne, fight for their lives when they encounter a once-in-a-lifetime killer storm in the North Atlantic. Real crews come home to a duller problem, which is the mold and mildew stains that a week of wet gear leaves behind in a cabin. The special effects team went above and beyond in creating the storm sequences for this true-life drama.
Boat: The Andrea Gail
Best Line: “You can say what you want, but … I’m sure glad you know how to swim.”
Admit it — the first two notes of the theme music are enough to send chills up your spine, right? Yes, it’s still holding strong as one of the best sea-monster movies of all time, with a timeless performance by Robert Shaw as the classic old seafarer Quint.
Boat: The Orca
Best Line: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
Bogart, Hepburn, World War I, and a broken-down river steamboat that goes up against a German warship — what’s not to love? Rumor has it that the boat actually sank and had to be raised during filming … twice. Any hull that spends time under water comes back up wearing a coat of slime, and algae stains on boat bottoms are what is left once it dries.
Boat: The African Queen
Best Line: “Now that I’ve had a taste of it I don’t wonder why you love boating.”
During the Napoleonic Wars, a British frigate must hunt down and capture a French privateer off the coast of South America. Look for a memorable performance by Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey.
Boat: The H.M.S. Surprise
Best Line: “So it’s every hand to his rope or gun, quick’s the word and sharp’s the action. After all… surprise is on our side.”
Okay, it’s not a “boat movie” per se, but this list wouldn’t be complete without at least one James Bond flick, and this one happens to be set in Venice. By the way, did you know that the character James Bond is a former commander in the Royal Navy?
Boat: Several Fairey Huntress speedboats
Best Line: “Ah, the old game. Give a wolf a taste and then leave him hungry.”
Okay, now grab your popcorn and a cold one, and happy viewing! And if the popcorn ends up on the upholstery, use a cleaner appropriate for the surface and follow the product directions.
Popular boat movies include Jaws, The Perfect Storm, The African Queen, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and From Russia With Love.
The Orca from Jaws is one of the most recognizable movie boats. It became closely associated with the film’s famous shark-hunting story.
Yes. The Perfect Storm is based on the 1997 book by Sebastian Junger and dramatizes the 1991 loss of the fishing vessel Andrea Gail and its crew.
The film’s boat was the African Queen, a small steam-powered vessel that carries the main characters through the African wilderness during World War I.
Boat movies combine adventure, exploration, suspense, history, and life on the water. They also showcase memorable vessels and the challenges of boating in different environments.
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