The 10 Best Submarine Movies, Ranked

Best Submarine Movies: Sweaty men, claustrophobic spaces, unnerving silence, and cat-and-mouse games – submarine movies are one of the compelling sub-genres of the war and action-adventure genre. Since its advent, the human race has wanted to conquer the seemingly unconquerable. Hence, the concept of an ocean-diving submersible vessel is as old as human civilization. Legends state that Alexander the Great descended beneath the sea using a rudimentary diving bell. However, the idea of an enclosed boat submerging beneath the sea surface was detailed in the 16th century by English Mathematician William Bourne. In the 17th century, Dutchman Cornelius Van Drebbel built a submarine-type vessel propelled by oars, although the mechanism of this prototype is unclear.

It would take another two centuries for the French Navy to launch an antecedent of the modern submarine (Plongeur). During the final years of the 19th century, Irish inventor John Phillip Holland, after many unsuccessful attempts, built the first thoroughly modern submarine. In 1900, the USS Holland was commissioned in the US Navy. But long before 1900, in 1776, America understood the military power of a hand-powered submersible as they used Turtle in combat against the Royal Navy. By the 1930s, the European powers perceived submarines’ game-changing capability in the maritime conflict. 

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At the height of the Cold War, submarines started getting powered by onboard nuclear reactors. In the ever-changing geopolitical strategies, submarines continue to be relevant (and have a lethal presence in possible naval warfare), from reconnaissance intelligence gathering to special military operations. Naturally, many of the submarine movies focus on the WWII naval conflicts and the Cold War era nuclear threat. However, submarines or submersibles have been present in cinema from earlier decades. The pioneering filmmaker George Meiles made a parody of the classic sci-fi adventure novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne in his 1907 short. But it was the 1933 German film Morgenrot (Dawn), shot during the dawn of the Third Reich, which established some of the familiar tropes of modern submarine movies.

An average submarine movie does feature a lot of chest-thumping and overt jingoism. But the good and great ones look beyond the warfare and explore the murky depths of the humans who choose or are made to submerge themselves in a metal coffin-like space. Some of the fascinating and best submarine movies are curated in this list. The films in this list focus on real-world submarines, although submarines or submersibles have been a tool in science-fiction/fantasy (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Fantastic Voyage, etc). Now, let’s delve into the unpleasant yet thrilling & darkly fascinating environs of a submarine film without further ado. 

Honorable Mentions:

U-571 (2000)

Jonathan Mostow, writer/director of the riveting 1997 thriller Breakdown, has made this ambitious yet partially tepid submarine action movie. U-571 is set in 1942 when German U-boats were a formidable force in the North Atlantic region. Subsequently, a group of American sailors, including Lieutenant Andy Tyler (Matthew McConaughey), are sent on a mission to capture a German enigma code machine from a stranded German U-boat. The crucial part of the mission is not to let the enemy know that their machine is missing. 

Tyler, his commanding officer, Dahlgren (Bill Paxton), and the other men go to sea disguised as sailors of a German supply U-boat. U-571 is a heavily fictionalized version of a similar assignment in 1941. Interestingly, it was originally carried out by the British Navy months before the US made its entry into WWII. This twisting of the fact led the then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair to call it an ‘affront to the British sailors that were killed during the war.’ Such details might irk you if you are a stickler for historical accuracy in movies. Nevertheless, U-571 is a decent action drama with zero emphasis on character development. The action-packed final submarine battle scene is quite good. But there’s nothing spectacular or particularly unique about the film.

Kursk (2018)

Thomas Vinterberg, director of The Celebration & Hunt, seemed like a fine choice to showcase the governmental apathy and negligence that followed the 2000 Kursk submarine disaster. But while Kursk, aka The Command, has great artists and some stirring emotional moments, it largely comes across as Vinterberg’s director-for-hire project. The film starts with solid dramatization as we follow Matthias Schoenaerts’ Mikhail, his blissful family life, and the camaraderie he shares with his sailor friends. Later, the underwater disaster kills many, while 23 men, including Mikhail, are alive and still onboard. 

The Russian government springs into action quite late. Still, even when it does, the malfunctioning equipment and maddening red tape extinguish any sense of hope for the surviving sailors and their families. The Kursk disaster is a story of immense tragedy since the twenty-three men are plainly the victims of Putin and his generals’ rigid adoption of Soviet-era policies. But Vinterberg’s Kursk needed a better direction and a less conventional writing. Schoenaerts and Magnus Millang offer splendid, tear-jerking performances as the entrapped sailors. Lea Seydoux is equally effective as Mikhail’s embittered wife, Tanya. But the initial tension with which Vinterberg crafts the disaster and the subsequent rescue attempts gradually sails off into bland drama. The infuriating chain of events itself keeps us occupied, but in the later half, the narrative doesn’t find any non-melodramatic ways to maintain our connection with the characters. 

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10. Operation Petticoat (1959)

Blake Edwards, known for his gloriously campy comedies, including the Pink Panther films, directs this funny submarine flick. Operation Petticoat is also a rare submarine movie with a female cast, although they are standard stereotypical characters. Cary Grant plays the commander of a broken-down submarine called Sea Tiger. Set in the early WWII days, Grant’s Matt Sherman attempts to repair his sub with the help of his new supply officer, Lt. Holden (Tony Curtis). 

Sherman overlooks Holden’s fun-loving nature and illicit scavenging abilities since that’s what helps Sea Tiger get ready for its voyage. But during their journey to Australia, Holden picks up five stranded army nurses. Sherman’s desire for combat glory is replaced with him tackling the distracted male crew. Romantic subplots develop aboard the submarine instead of plotting against the enemies. The submarine becomes a vessel of light-hearted fun as it’s painted in pink. 

There’s not much submarine action in Operation Petticoat. Whatever that’s there is pretty standard and often played for laughs. The film is that era’s equivalent of a crass comedy, and naturally, people might find some of its jokes sexist. Still, the unrealistic submarine movie withholds a lot of amusing gags and rollicking performances from Curtis and Grant.

9. The Wolf’s Call (2019)

While submarine movies usually choose a commander or an executive officer as a protagonist, the French thriller The Wolf’s Call revolves around a submarine’s sonar operator. Chanteraide (Francois Civil) is a gifted sonar specialist who can effortlessly identify a submarine’s exact model and make from little details. Set in the near future, with political tension against Russia mounting, the French submarine is active somewhere off the coast of Syria. Soon, Chanteraide detects a mysterious sub, whose sonar blast, akin to a wolf’s call, alerts their position to an Iranian frigate and a helicopter. 

Initially, Chanteraide classifies the unidentified sub as a whale. After the sub’s near escape, the sonar expert is haunted by the incident and obsessively attempts to identify the phantom submarine. Moreover, Chanteraide’s skill becomes pivotal to evading a much larger disaster approaching French. The Wolf’s Call has a Crimson Tide-like storyline in the later half, but it doesn’t have a broader context or subtext. Writer/director Antonin Baudry simply tries to offer a stylish sub thriller with a few glimpses into modern underwater warfare. He mostly succeeds in that task, although there’s nothing fascinating in terms of characterization or production design.

8. Hunter Killer (2018)

Donovan Marsh’s Hunter Killer has an unbelievably absurd plotline, even for the standard ‘Russian rogue element’ Hollywood flick. Here, the ‘good-hearted’ American high command sends its state-of-the-art submarine and valiant Navy Seals to save the Russian President from the coup initiated by the Russian Defense Minister. At the same time, this is one of those electrifying action entertainers where we can easily look past the conventional storytelling beats. 

Hunter Killer can be just watched for the way it grippingly showcases the possible reality of modern submarine warfare. Dramatic liberties are certainly taken, but the combat environment and evasive maneuvers are expertly crafted. The Los Angeles-class submarine navigating through a mine-filled fjord is one of the film’s many exciting sequences. I’d always welcome an improbable, fun sub movie than a tedious and unimaginative one like Below (2002) or Black Sea (2014). Similar to classic submarine movies, The Enemy Below and The Hunt for Red October, Hunter Killer tries to portray the humanity of people on both sides of the conflict. Though this doesn’t quite come through due to the storytelling cliches, it’s an enjoyable escapist film with decent performances from Gerard Butler and Michael Nyqvist.

7. K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)

Soviet and Russian nuclear-powered submarines have had a long history of mishaps. Long before the devastating Kursk submarine disaster, in 1961, there was the nearly catastrophic reactor failure in K-19 – the first generation of Soviet nuclear submarines. Kathryn Bigelow’s K-19: The Widowmaker is loosely based on the incident starring an A-list cast of Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, and Peter Sarsgaard. If you don’t mind watching English-speaking actors with different accents playing archetypal Russians, then The Widowmaker does offer you a poignant tale of courage and sacrifice. 

Under Alexei Vostrikov’s (Ford) command, the ballistic nuclear missile submarine, K-19, is sent to the Arctic to fire a test missile. But the submarine wasn’t truly ready as inept bureaucracy and totalitarian party apparatus were simply caught in the game of up-manship with America. Inside the submarine, captain Vostrikov and his deputy Polenin (Neeson) frequently clash over their differences in leadership perception. Nevertheless, the test missile is successfully fired during K-19’s maiden voyage. But soon, the nuclear reactor’s coolant system fails due to a leak, and the men rise above their differences to tackle a life-or-death scenario. 

The screenplay from Christopher Kyle is pretty straightforward and isn’t very innovative, yet Bigelow’s adept direction provides us with some spellbinding submarine scenes. From fluid tracking shots to evocative close-ups, the narrative flawlessly immerses us into the sub’s confines (which turns out to be a coffin for some). The missile test sequence and the scene involving Chief Engineer Gorelov are unbelievably intense. Moreover, if we can look past the accent, even the performances are satisfactory.

6. Crimson Tide (1995)

Radical Russians with nuclear launch capabilities are the boogeymen in this Tony Scott-directed submarine action thriller. Interestingly, such a paranoia-tinged atmosphere brings out the worst in a veteran US Submarine Captain, Ramsey (Gene Hackman). He goes against his new, level-headed Executive Officer (XO), Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington), over an incomplete and unverified directive that may or may not demand a pre-emptive nuclear strike against Russia.

When a movie has A-list actors like Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington, Viggo Mortensen, James Gandolfini, and George Dzundza, it is definitely watchable. Michael Schiffer’s script (with uncredited additional writing from Quentin Tarantino) also brilliantly sets up the intense clash of personalities. Tony Scott’s dependence on frenetic, shaky camera work to create tension in the narrative doesn’t always work. But the constrained, testosterone-laden submarine atmosphere keeps us on the edge. Scott’s build-up to the crescendoes is quite good, and the customary torpedo launches and flooding scenes are shot in an effective manner. 

Powerhouse performers Hackman and Washington are, as usual, incredible. They add more layers to the characters, which does get a bit uni-dimensional after a while. Even the brief final moment between the two after the administrative hearing remains a testament to their acting brilliance. Overall, Crimson Tide doesn’t have much depth but poses an interesting hypothetical ethical quandary.

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5. Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)

Submarine movies are often perfect for personality clashes. In fact, the U-boat sub-genre has often utilized the elements of claustrophobia and male aggression in a bland and unimaginative manner, such that these plotlines have become cliches. Yet when there’s robust characterization and phenomenal actors, even basic conflicts could extract high tension and thrills. Robert Wise’s Run Silent, Run Deep opens in 1942 when the veteran US Navy Submarine Commander Richardson (Clark Gable) loses his sub to the dreaded Japanese destroyer, Akikaze, near the coast of Japan in Bungo Straits. 

Haunted by the defeat, Richardson is stuck behind a desk job for a year. During that time period, three other American subs are obliterated by the Akikaze. Richardson’s desperation to return to command comes to fruition as he gets another chance. This time, as the commander of Nerka, a position that’s supposed to go to the sub’s young executive officer (XO), Lt. James Bledsoe (Burt Lancaster). Naturally, Bledsoe and the crew harbor some resentment for Richardson. Moreover, the commander’s relentless drills create more tension among the crew. But gradually, Richardson’s intentions become apparent, and his untested maneuvers might bring some advantage in their face-off against the seemingly invincible Japanese destroyer. 

Run Silent, Run Deep brings a genuine feel to the submarine operations and its atmosphere. Though the two central characters look like familiar military types at the outset, the script from John Gay and compelling performances from Gable & Lancaster make them well-rounded characters who may not always agree with each other and yet withhold mutual respect. The remarkable special and miniature effects look extraordinary for its time. Overall, Run Silent, Run Deep is a first-class submarine war drama. 

4. The Hunt for Red October (1990)

Despite its relentless aggression since World War II, America – as portrayed by its mass media – loves to assume a vulnerable role, where the ‘American way of life’ is threatened by a hostile power. Then, the ‘benevolent’ US military-industrial complex jumps in to preserve human rights and democracy. Though we have been watching such deceitful narratives for decades, Hollywood really does make entertaining flicks out of their self-avowed exceptionalism. Author Tom Clancy and his hero, Jack Ryan, are pretty good at political chicanery while fervently guiding us into his tautly constructed thriller narrative. 

The Hunt for Red October is based on the 1984 debut novel of Tom Clancy. McTiernan, known for the action classics Predator (1987) and Die Hard (1988), directs this tense action thriller. The film revolves around a new game-changing Soviet submarine, ‘Red October,’ under the command of Marko Ramius (Sean Connery), a legend in the submarine community according to the eccentric CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin). The silent submarine with a deadly first-strike ability is wading into the American waters. But Marko and a group of his officers are actually planning to defect on their maiden ‘Red October’ voyage. 

Exceptionally scripted (Larry Ferguson & Donald E. Stewart) and skillfully directed, The Hunt for Red October unfolds its complicated narrative in a brilliant fashion. There are multiple storylines, different characters with their own vested interests, and intriguing twists. Yet, the narrative never becomes confusing or dull. Also, special mention goes to the lighting and editing that easily differentiates the interiors of US and Russian submarines. McTiernan has a talent for crafting genuine tension and delivering expository text in a relatively nuanced manner. I also like Alec Baldwin’s interpretation of Jack Ryan more than Harrison Ford’s.

3. The Damned (1947)

The poetic realism of Rene Clement has brought us the memorable post-war French classics Forbidden Games (1952) and Gervaise (1956). He has also made sleek thrillers like Purple Noon (1960) and Rider on the Rain (1970). The Damned (Les Maudits) alongside Clement’s directorial debut, The Battle of the Rails (1946), however, showcases his remarkable handling of documentary realism. Perceived as the most authentic submarine movie till Wolfgang Petersen’s Das Boot (1981), The Damned is set in a German U-boat in the last days of WWII. 

The narrative unfolds as a flashback, told by the French doctor Guilbert (Henri Vidal). He narrates the strange events that led him to be kidnapped in order to tend to a sick woman in the German submarine. The inhabitants of the U-boat are elite Nazis or Nazi collaborators who are traveling from Oslo to seek refuge in South America. The doctor becomes a witness to the chaos and gradual psychological collapse within the underwater bunker. He also faces a certain death once the submarine reaches its destination. 

Made long before Downfall (2004), The Damned offers a fascinating glimpse into the individuals who occupied the higher echelons of the Third Reich: from ruthless fanatics to opportunists and naive believers. Rene Clement has made a war-time drama with a verisimilitude that even eludes most of the later-era WWII movies. The Damned doesn’t have much thrills and action usually associated with submarine movies. It’s solidly built with the characters’ interpersonal relationships, and the bleak U-boat atmosphere intensifies the boiling conflicts.

2. The Enemy Below (1957)

In American WWII submarine dramas, the enemies are often caricatured or dehumanized. Filmmaker and versatile performer Dick Powell’s The Enemy Below thankfully stays away from such reductive portrayal as Wendell Mayes’ script gives equal weight to the perspectives of US destroyer captain Murrell (Robert Mitchum) and German U-boat commander Von Stolberg (Curd Jurgens). Though the Germans speak English in a familiar, cliched manner, and the film’s humane message can be accused of being too simplistic, the riveting camerawork and highly satisfying performances keep us thoroughly engaged.

When the narrative begins, Murrell is still recovering from the traumatic events that led to the destruction of his last ship. On the other hand, Stolberg’s submarine is on its way to deliver a captured British code book. The remarkable cat-and-mouse strategies begin once the respective vessels’ leaders try to outsmart each other and emerge victorious. The film features sufficient backstories for the Captain and the Commander (without devolving into schmaltz) to make us sympathize with both the characters. And there aren’t many extraneous elements as the narrative delves deeply into the epic battle of wits. 

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Unlike most wartime and immediate post-war American war dramas, The Enemy Below is devoid of jingoism. There’s no use of the K word, and both sides feel weary from the prolonged fight. In such sea battles, we have most often either seen the impact of torpedoes or the depth charges. Here, we are placed in both spaces, and the threat of these explosives is meticulously visualized. Apart from the technical achievement (which still holds well), the film’s focus on the human element makes it one of the best submarine films.

The Bedford Incident (1965) & Greyhound (2020) are often mistakenly classified as submarine movies. Although a submarine is pivotal to the narrative, unlike The Enemy Below, those films largely unfold within the confines of a United States Destroyer-class ship.

1. Das Boot (1981) 

Only very few movies in the history of cinema can come close to Wolfgang Petersen’s Das Boot for its claustrophobic realism and dramatic intensity. There have been plenty of WWII submarine movies (primarily from Hollywood) where the action generates excitement. In Das Boot, however, we profoundly feel the panic, frustration, and fear of its U-boat inhabitants. As Roger Ebert said about the movie, “We identify not with the mission but with the job.” 

The experienced U-96 boat Captain (Jurgen Prochnow) sets out with his young crew to endure the gales of the Atlantic Ocean and attack the British navy and supply ships. The once dreaded German U-boat fleet, known as wolfpacks, is reduced to a mere 12 lone U-boats, and British Destroyers are swarming the seas. Lt. Werner (Herbert Gronemeyer), a young war correspondent, also joins the U-boat crew. This character represents the author Lothar-Gunther Buchheim, whose 1973 novel is the basis for Petersen’s movie. I’d recommend the 210-minute Director’s Cut if finding the 5-hour miniseries version is not possible. 

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The majority of Das Boot’s $15 million budget (very expensive for a German film of that time) went to building replicas of the original U-boat types. Cinematographer Jost Vacano does a phenomenal job with interior shooting, particularly the long and steady tracking shots through the entirety of the submarine. The close-ups with visible light sources are also meticulously composed. The close-up shot of the boat’s machinist, Johann’s petrified face as he suffers a temporary mental breakdown, is perhaps one of cinema’s most haunting images. The success of Das Boot facilitated Wolfgang Petersen’s Hollywood entry, where he made some entertaining flicks like The NeverEnding Story, In the Line of Fire, and Troy. But none of his other works comes close to Das Boot in terms of craftsmanship. The details of how he shot the film are as endlessly fascinating as the work itself. 

The cruel irony of the film’s ending makes us think about the invented notions like heroism and valor to sell the war. Overall, Das Boot is the best submarine movie of all time and one of the greatest anti-war films.