6 Best Coast Guard Movies of All Time

By Vlad Zakh · April 14, 2026

The dangerous, heroic work of Coast Guard rescue swimmers and cutter crews has powered some of cinema’s most gripping stories of survival at sea. In 13 Lives (2022): Divers undertake a daring rescue of a youth soccer team trapped deep within a flooded cave. Just as strong is White Squall (1996): Student sailors aboard a training ship face tragedy when a violent storm strikes without warning.

13 Lives (2022)

TMDB ★ 7.5

Divers undertake a daring rescue of a youth soccer team trapped deep within a flooded cave.

Directed by Ron Howard · 2h 27m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

White Squall (1996)

TMDB ★ 6.9

Student sailors aboard a training ship face tragedy when a violent storm strikes without warning.

Directed by Ridley Scott · 2h 09m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Adrift (2018)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A young sailing couple fights for survival after their yacht is destroyed by a massive hurricane.

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur · 1h 36m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Hulu · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Finest Hours (2016)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A Coast Guard crew undertakes a daring rescue of sailors trapped aboard a sinking tanker in a violent storm.

Directed by Craig Gillespie · 1h 57m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Guardian (2006)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A legendary Coast Guard rescue swimmer trains a talented but arrogant new recruit.

Directed by Andrew Davis · 2h 19m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video · Buy: Apple TV Store

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Perfect Storm (2000)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A commercial fishing crew battles a monstrous, once-in-a-generation storm at sea.

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen · 2h 10m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Coast Guard Movies of All Time

13 Lives (2022)

White Squall (1996)

Adrift (2018)

The Finest Hours (2016)

The Guardian (2006)

The Perfect Storm (2000)

You might also like

6 Best Search and Rescue Movies of All Time

6 Best Sailing and Yacht Movies

6 Best Ferry and Cable Car Movies

6 Best Tornado, Hurricane, and Earthquake Movies

6 Best Desert Island Survival Movies

8 Best Shipwreck and Castaway Movies