For the sake of clarity, we’ve divided them into categories. So no matter whether you’re watching alone, with a partner or with the whole family, there is something for everyone.
Documentaries
Racing Around the World Alone
- (Canada, 2010, 52 min, dir.: Ingrid Johansson, Benjamin Rouse)
One of the world's most famous solo races, the Vendée Globe, was the subject of this 2010 documentary. The film follows the story of thirty skippers as they embark on a 27,000 nautical mile journey around the world in 2008, competing to be the first to the finish. Alone on their boats, they are exposed to extreme conditions, facing enormous physical and emotional challenges.
Maidentrip
- (USA, 2013, 82 min, dir.: Jillian Schlesinger)
You’ll likely remember the controversy surrounding the Dane Laura Dekker, who at just 13 years of age planned to sail solo around the world on her 40-foot sailboat Guppy. When the Danish authorities wanted to prevent her from doing so, she fled the country. Finally, at the age of 14, she was able to embark on her dream voyage. The film draws us into the world of an exceptionally talented young sailor and a story which is both gripping and compelling.
Tabarly
- (France, 2008, 90 min, dir.: Pierre Marcel)
The life and career of this renowned sailor is a tale of love for the ocean, sailboats, wind and adventure. In June 1998, French sailor Eric Tabarly, hailed as the most outstanding sailor of the century, drowned after falling from the deck of his ship. Even as a boy, he had loved the sea, boats, the wind in his sails and the freedom to travel across the endless expanse of the ocean. His passion led him to the most prized victories in the international yachting community. Among them was winning a long-distance solo voyage from Plymouth across the Atlantic to Newport. Using reports, films, photographs and memories, it documents the extraordinary life of an extraordinary man. The film was nominated for the prestigious César Award for Best Documentary.
Deep Water
- (UK, 2006, 92 min, dir.: Jerry Rothwell, Louise Osmond)
This gripping 2006 film provides an account of the first non-stop round-the-world yacht race, the Golden Globe Race, which took place in 1968. The film uniquely combines period footage (both documentary and from the on-board video diaries of individual participants) with narratives from survivors and their family members. As a result it perfectly captures the atmosphere of the time, drawing you into the thrilling storyline. Unfortunately, as is often the case with documentaries, we can read up on the fate of the protagonist Donald Crowhurst beforehand. He was an outsider, the only participant without experience who had entered primarily for the £5,000 prize money to save his ailing business. The film is a wonderful probe into human pride, strength, fragility, passion and the delicate psyche of modern man.
If you prefer feature films to documentaries, then check out our picks of films based on true events in the category below. Or watch both so you can compare. After all, what better way to spend those long winter evenings than with Donald Crowhurst and his fight against the elements and himself.
Films based on real events
Adrift
- (USA/Hong Kong/Iceland, 2018, 96 min, dir: Baltasar Kormákur)
A film based on the true story of Tami Ashcraft, who, along with her fiancé Richard Sharp, ferried a 44-foot sailboat from Tahiti to San Diego in 1983. They found themselves in the middle of one of the worst hurricanes in history, battling torrents of rain, waves the size of skyscrapers and winds of up to 130 knots. But the love of sailing is eternal, as Tammy's story proves. She reportedly obtained her hundred-ton captain’s license immediately after her desperate voyage and still loves the ocean. To this day, she wears a small gold sextant around her neck – a memento of the instrument that saved her life.
The Perfect Storm
- (USA, 2000, 129 min, dir.: Wolfgang Petersen)
A must-see for meteorologists, adrenaline junkies and George Clooney fans. In October 1991, three weather fronts (including Hurricane Grace) met over the Atlantic, creating the so-called "Perfect Storm". And right in the middle of it all, was the fishing boat Andrea Gail. How will her struggle with the elements unfold?
The Mercy
- (UK, 2017, 112 min, dir.: James Marsh)
Have you seen Deep Water, the documentary about Donald Crowhurst's circumnavigation of the world? Now lure your partner in with Colin Firth and watch his story over again. The film doesn't just revolve around Colin, his struggles with the ocean, a malfunctioning boat and his own demons, but also around his family. His wife and son are rooting for Colin, but they must also deal with the consequences of his decisions…
Turning Tide
- (En Solitaire, Francie, 2013, 97 min, dir.: Christophe Offenstein)
This 2013 French film was inspired by the most famous single handed race around the world, the Vendé Globe. It follows the fate of racer Yann Kermadec, who enters as a last-minute replacement for his girlfriend's injured brother. In the meantime, she takes care of his young daughter. Yann is on top from the start, but then problems begin to arise...
The Dove
- (USA, 1974, 105 min, dir.: Charles Jarrott)
A film based on the true story of Robin Lee Graham. At the age of sixteen, he sets off on a round-the-world journey in his 24-foot sloop called Dove in search of meaning in life. During the journey, however, he meets Patti Ratteree, who he immediately falls in love with, but this only complicates his plans.
White Squall
- (USA, 1996, 129 min, dir.: Ridley Scott)
White Squall is an exciting take on the true story of the dramatic voyage of the Albatross in 1961. Back then, a group of young men from well-to-do families set off on a year-long voyage through the Caribbean Sea under the command of a skilled and rugged sea dog to test their maturity, courage and resilience.
Kon-Tiki
- (UK/Norway/Denmark/Germany/Sweden, 2012, 114 min, dir.: Espen Sandberg, Joachim Rønning)
The legendary voyage of Norwegian anthropologist, zoologist, archaeologist, writer and explorer Thor Heyerdahl and five other men across the Pacific Ocean, from the South American coast to Polynesia on a self-built raft, certainly deserved cinematic treatment, and the Norwegians have done it with honour.
Shackleton
- (UK/Australia, 2002, 2x105 min dir.: Charles Sturridge)
Perhaps the most famous story of courage and perseverance of the British polar explorer and his crew has been made into a 2-part TV film. Shackelton's Trans-Antarctic Expedition attempted to cross the continent from the Weddell Sea, across the South Pole and into the Ross Sea. However, his ship, the Endurance, became trapped in the ice at the start and the expedition turned into a fight for life.
Mutiny on the Bounty
- (USA, 1935, 132 min, dir.: Frank Lloyd nebo USA, 1962, 178 min, dir.: Carol Reed, Lewis Milestone)
Who hasn’t heard of the mutiny on the Bounty led by First Mate Fletcher Christian against Captain William Bligh? The ship set sail from England in 1787 for Tahiti to collect a cargo of breadfruit saplings. After their rough time at sea, the crew fell in love with Tahiti, enjoying an idyllic life in what they saw as a paradise. Not wanting to leave, they eventually, less than a month after departure, rose up and seized the ship, setting Bligh and those loyal to him out to sea in an open boat. The mutineers headed back to Tahiti, where some of them remained. The others, along with Fletcher and several Tahitian women, sailed to the island of Pitcairn. Descendants of the most famous mutineer in maritime history still live on the island today. Choose either the 1935 adaptation starring the legendary Clark Gable or the later 1962 version with the equally legendary Marlon Brando.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
- (USA, 2003, 138 min, dir.: Peter Weir)
Napoleon is conquering Europe and the only ones standing in his way are the British and their naval fleet, including the Surprise led by Captain Jack Aubrey. The film focuses on the relationships between the various crew members and the desire to defeat the French.
The Odyssey
- (France, 2016, 122 min, dir.: Jérôme Salle)
In 1948 Jacques-Yves Cousteau, his wife, and his two sons, live in paradise, in a beautiful house looking out over the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to his invention, an autonomous diving suit that allows him to breathe underwater, he has discovered a new world that he initiates his sons Philippe and Jean-Michel into. Cousteau’s desire for adventure and the conquest of the vast space beneath the water's surface disrupts the seemingly idyllic family life. He is willing to sacrifice everything for it, even his relationship with the sensitive Philippe. Years later, a love of the ocean unites the two men. But the father wants to conquer them, the son to protect them.
Captain Phillips
- (USA, 2013, 134 min, dir.: Paul Greengrass)
Tom Hanks stars as the commanding officer of the American cargo ship Maersk Alabama, which is hijacked by Somali pirates.
Open Water
- (USA, 2003, 79 min, dir.: Chris Kentis)
A newlywed couple go on a diving trip, but upon resurfacing they find they are all alone in the middle of the ocean, with the instructor and crew having accidentally left them behind. An unbelievable fact yet based on a true story. As the plot develops, sharks begin to encircle them…
Open Water 2: Adrift
- (Germany, 2006, 95 min, dir.: Hans Horn)
A simple film from which you should take away one important thing – never jump into the water without lowering the ladder first. This may come as a surprise, but without it you might not be able to climb back onto most boats, as this group of friends supposedly found out while partying on a luxury yacht.
YACHTING.COM TIP: The chances of getting into a dangerous situation on board a boat due to external influences, such as a tornado, are slim. Simple human error is the most common reason for accidents. Check out our article on the most common causes of accidents at sea and how to avoid them.
Dramas and thrillers
All is lost
- (USA, 2013, 106 min, dir.: J.C. Chandor)
An absolute must-see for sailors. During Robert Redford's legendary solo performance, uttering just a single word in the entire 106 minutes of action, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat as everything that can go wrong does…
Waterworld
- (USA, 1995, 135 min, dir.: Kevin Reynolds)
A sailor's dream or a climatologist's nightmare? In this infamous 1995 sci-fi film, with the melting of the glaciers the earth finds itself entirely underwater, with a handful of individuals surviving on a variety of vessels. Their lives are made even more difficult by pirate raids led by Dennis Hopper. If you like water, you can enjoy it to the fullest here.
YACHTING.COM TIP: Hopefully we'll never experience this apocalyptic nightmare and although rare, a fire on a boat is much more likely to happen, so check out our article on how to prevent a fire and what to do if it happens.
Poseidon
- (USA, 2006, 98 min, dir.: Wolfgang Petersen)
As the passengers are enjoying a New Year's Eve party on the luxury ocean liner Poseidon, officers on the bridge see a gigantic wave bearing down on the ship. With it heading for its side, the sailors try in vain to steer the ship starboard to take the wave bow-first. The alarm is raised, but nothing can prevent disaster. The wave hits the side of the ship, lifts it and capsizes it. Despite the captain ordering everyone to wait in the ballroom for rescuers to arrive, a group led by professional card player Dylan Johns heads towards the bow, where he believes that they will have the best chance of escaping from the capsized liner. With him is likeable single mother Maggie James and her eight-year-old son Conor, former New York mayor Robert Ramsey in search of his daughter Jennifer and her boyfriend Chris, and a waiter Valentin. Later, they are joined by Larry, an obnoxious drunk, and a stowaway called Elena...
Dead Calm
- (Australia/USA, 1989, 95 min, dir.: Phillip Noyce)
Even the title of the film sounds like a nightmare for a sailor. When a married couple are joined by a crazed castaway on their leisurely cruise through the Pacific Ocean, there is no shortage of tension. We’ve already learnt not to pick up strange-looking hitchhikers, but now we’ll have to watch out for castaways as well.
Lifeboat
- (USA, 1944, 96 min, dir.: Alfred Hitchcock)
Ever wondered what it’s like being stuck on a lifeboat? Undoubtedly it would put quite a strain on the psyche. During World War II, several American and British survivors of a U-boat attack pull aboard a German soldier. A psychological drama and intense thriller, all under the direction of the master of horror, Alfred Hitchcock.
The Old Man and the Sea
- (USA, 1958, 86 min, dir.: John Sturges, Fred Zinnemann)
Ernest Hemingway's literary classic adapted to a film. Wouldn't this be the perfect film for a solo voyage?
Moby Dick
- (TV film, UK/Australia/USA, 1998, 2x90 min, dir.: Franc Roddam)
Another famous literary work adapted to film. A vengeful sailor is willing to risk the safety of his crew to catch a white whale that has taken his leg.
Purple Noon
- (Plein soleil, France/Italy, 1960, 118 min, dir.: René Clément)
You may be more familiar with the 1999 remake of this film starring Matt Damon as "The Talented Mr. Ripley." But we highly recommend this original version with the fantastic Alain Delon as Tom, set on the French Riviera on the sailing ship of Tom's wealthy benefactor Philippe. Learn how a "friend" reacts when you drag him around in a dinghy for fun on a sunny day, and where never to hide a corpse on a sailing boat.
Wind
- (USA, 1992, 126 min, dir.: Carroll Ballard)
Baby from Dirty Dancing stars as a yachtswoman who wants to win the US club sailing championship with her boyfriend. Sailboats, romance, the ocean, fair-play and a custom-designed sail...
Styx
- (Germany/Austria , 2018, 94 min, dir.: Wolfgang Fischer)
A young female doctor sailing alone across the ocean encounters a boat full of refugees. A contemporary theme set in the expanse and unpredictability of the ocean.
Vikings
- (TV series, Ireland/Canada, 2013–2020, minutes: 44–51 min, creators: Michael Hirst)
This seemingly endless series (6 seasons) is inspired by the fate of the famous Viking conqueror Ragnar Lothbrok, an adventurer always looking to conquer new worlds. One of the main stars here is, of course, the Viking Drakkars, warships with a folding mast and a large transom sail.
Family films and comedies
Captain Ron
- (USA, 1992, 90 min, dir.: Thom Eberhardt)
A must-see! This classic American family comedy, full of great lines, with the fantastic Kurt Russell as Captain Ron. Type “Captain Ron's docking manoeuvres” into a search engine and learn from the master. :-D
Overboard
- (USA, 1987, 112 min, dir.: Garry Marshall)
Only part of the story takes place on a boat, but if you're going to watch Captain Ron with your family, watch this masterpiece by Kurt Russell and his partner Goldie Hawn. Guaranteed entertainment.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
- (USA, 2004, 114 min, dir.: Wes Anderson)
If you like Wes Anderson films (Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs), you won't be disappointed. If you've never seen anything by him, this film may surprise you. His fantastical, playful world doesn't always make sense, but accept his rules and you’ll be truly drawn in.
Internationally renowned oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) and his crew set sail for their next adventure. In what may be their last expedition, they intend to track down and capture the mysterious jaguar shark. No one actually believes that such an animal exists, but Steve Zissou swears that this shark ate his long-time collaborator during the making of his last documentary. Along the way, they're joined by a young pilot (Owen Wilson) who may – or may not – be Steve's long-lost son, a beautiful journalist (Cate Blanchett) tasked with writing a story about Steve, and Zissou's estranged wife and co-producer Eleanor (Anjelica Huston). Little does anyone know that they're in for a lot of complications during the voyage, including pirates, kidnapping and bankruptcy.
The Exchange Student
- (Les grandes vacances, Francie/Itálie, 1967, 86 min, dir.: Jean Girault)
A classic comedy starring Louis de Funès as a choleric high school principal whose son is supposed to spend time on an exchange visit with a British aristocrat instead of sailing. But who would prefer England to a sailboat...
The Little Bather
- (Le Petit Baigneur, France/Italy, 1967, 96 min, dir.: Robert Dhéry)
Another comedy starring Louis de Funès. After a young designer wins a sailboat race with a groundbreaking boat design, the choleric business owner, played by Funès, fires him and then tries to win the designer back before his competitors get a hold of him.
Two Years Vacation
- (Deux ans de vacances, TV series, France/Romania/West Germany/Switzerland, 1974, dir.: Sergiu Nicolaescu, Gilles Grangier)
A classic Verne film that every Czech person knows! And the opening song by Karel Cernoch is perhaps even more famous than the whole series. In the Czechoslovakia of the time, as children we didn't have much choice what we watched, so few people didn’t watch it. And perhaps it was even the inspiration for many to one day be at the helm? Maybe it's time for us to revisit our childhood again and go on a treasure hunt.
Pirates of the Caribbean
- (USA, episodes: Curse of the Black Pearl /2003/, Dead Man's Chest /2006/, At the End of the World /2007/, dir.: Gore Verbinski, On the Waves Strange /2011/, dir.: Rob Marshall, Salazar's Revenge /2017/, dir.: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg)
Your kids might refuse to watch movies from your childhood with you "because they're boring", but you're guaranteed a hit with Pirates of the Caribbean. Whatever you think of Hollywood blockbusters, you’ll become engrossed eventually. And Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow is true brilliance. Reportedly, he got his inspiration from Pepé Le Pew (Looney Tunes) and the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards who ended up playing Jack’s father in the films. Did you know Richards was reportedly so drunk during filming that the director had to prop him up in front of the camera? Some people are just natural pirates.
Captain Jack Sparrow probably didn't knock back rum for health reasons. However, rum, and later grog, was given to the crew as a prevention of seasickness. What other alcoholic specialties and traditions belong to seafaring?
Aquaman
- (USA, 2018, 143 min, dir.: James Wan)
There’s been an explosion of comic book superhero movies in recent years. This DC Comics classic starring Jason Momoa might just get your older kids excited for a holiday at sea, and at least your partner might enjoy the sight of a ripped fish man.
Films for kids
Moana
- (animated, USA, 2016, 107 min, dir.: Ron Clements, John Musker)
An adventurous teenager Vaiana, daughter of Chief Tui, sets sail on the forbidden seas on a daring mission to find the demigod Maui. With his help she can defeat the volcanic demon, return the stone heart to the mother of the islands and save the people from impending doom. This Polynesian legend, adapted by Walt Disney, is sure to entertain your kids and maybe even tempt them to sail with you.
Life of Pi
- (USA / Taiwan/UK/Canada, 2012, 122 min, dir.: Ang Lee)
After deciding to sell their zoo, an Indian family travels on a ship to Canada with their few remaining animals. When a terrible storm sinks the ship, the only human survivor is the teenage son Pi who ends up on a lifeboat with a zebra, an orangutan and a hungry hyena. After killing the zebra and orangutan, the hyena is eaten by a tiger that had been hiding on board. So it's just the two of them on the lifeboat – a Bengal tiger and a boy, and the vast ocean all around.
Around the World with Willy Fog
- (animated series, Spain/Japan 1995, directed by Claudio Biernat Boyd)
If you're going on a voyage with young children and wondering what to download for those long crossings, Willy Fog is definitely the right choice. This animated series, inspired by the Verne classic (Around the World in Eighty Days), has won the hearts of children all over the world. Following a wager, English gentleman Willy Fog embarks on a journey around the world, using a variety of means of transport, including different ships. And if you want to dive in, pack the free sequel, Willy Fog 2 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Popeye the Sailor Man
- (series, since 1933, illustration by EC Segar)
Probably the most famous sailor of all, who protects his love Olive Oyl from the muscular bully, Bluto. Good thing he always has a can of spinach tucked away.
Youtube
Every other traveller, sailor or racer has their own YouTube channel and we are no exception.
It's almost impossible to choose something from the inexhaustible amount of more or less high-quality material, so we'd welcome your tips. In the end, perhaps just the famous Mast walk of British solo racer Alex Thomson, which you should definitely not try at home.
