6 Best Shipyard and Dockworker Movies

By Vlad Zakh · March 31, 2026

Drama intensethought provoking

Shipyards and waterfronts have given cinema some of its most powerful working-class dramas. A View from the Bridge has a Brooklyn longshoreman’s jealousy leading to betrayal, Blue Collar has auto workers plotting to rob their corrupt union, and The Irishman has a truck driver recounting his mob ties. The Pope of Greenwich Village, On the Waterfront and The Long Voyage Home round out the six.

The Irishman (2019) 01

The Irishman (2019)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A truck driver and hitman recounts his decades-long involvement with organised crime and a legendary union boss.

Directed by Martin Scorsese · 3h 29m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads

The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984) 02

The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984)

TMDB ★ 6.5

Two working-class cousins in New York scheme their way into a dangerous mob debt.

Directed by Stuart Rosenberg · 2h 01m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus

Blue Collar (1978) 03

Blue Collar (1978)

TMDB ★ 7.2

Three auto plant workers plot to rob their corrupt union and uncover a far larger conspiracy.

Directed by Paul Schrader · 1h 54m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

A View from the Bridge (1962) 04

A View from the Bridge (1962)

TMDB ★ 7.0

A Brooklyn longshoreman's obsessive jealousy over his niece's new fiance leads to tragic betrayal.

Directed by Sidney Lumet · 1h 50m · Rated NR

On the Waterfront (1954) 05

On the Waterfront (1954)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 99% Metacritic 91

A washed-up boxer turned dockworker struggles with his conscience after witnessing union corruption.

Directed by Elia Kazan · 1h 48m · Rated NR

Won 8 Oscars30 wins & 11 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · 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

The Long Voyage Home (1940) 06

The Long Voyage Home (1940)

TMDB ★ 7.2

Merchant sailors aboard a cargo ship face danger and camaraderie on a perilous wartime voyage.

Directed by John Ford · 1h 45m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel

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

Vlad Zakh

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.