6 Best Sailing and Yacht Movies

By Vlad Zakh · March 23, 2026

The vast, unpredictable open ocean has always been a natural stage for tension, testing sailors against the elements and each other. In Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003): A British naval captain relentlessly pursues a French warship across the treacherous high seas. Another standout is Dead Calm (1989): A grieving couple’s ocean voyage turns deadly after they rescue a mysterious, dangerous stranger.

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

All Is Lost (2013)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A solitary sailor fights for survival after his yacht is critically damaged in the middle of the ocean.

Directed by J.C. Chandor · 1h 46m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A British naval captain relentlessly pursues a French warship across the treacherous high seas.

Directed by Peter Weir · 2h 18m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

▶ 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

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

Dead Calm (1989)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A grieving couple's ocean voyage turns deadly after they rescue a mysterious, dangerous stranger.

Directed by Phillip Noyce · 1h 36m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or 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 Sailing and Yacht Movies

Adrift (2018)

All Is Lost (2013)

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

The Perfect Storm (2000)

White Squall (1996)

Dead Calm (1989)

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