6 Best Underwater and Deep Sea Movies

By Vlad Zakh · March 18, 2026

The crushing pressure and isolation of the deep ocean has produced some of cinema’s most claustrophobic and visually striking thrillers. In The Abyss (1989): An oil rig crew searching for a sunken submarine encounters a mysterious underwater intelligence. Don’t overlook 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954): Sailors captured by a mysterious submarine captain discover the secrets of his advanced vessel and dark past.

Underwater (2020)

TMDB ★ 5.9

A deep-sea drilling crew fights for survival after their underwater station is attacked by unknown creatures.

Directed by William Eubank · 1h 35m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

47 Meters Down (2017)

TMDB ★ 5.6

Two sisters trapped in a shark cage on the ocean floor race against time and dwindling oxygen.

Directed by Johannes Roberts · 1h 29m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel · Rent: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Deep (1977)

TMDB ★ 6.1

Divers investigating a shipwreck uncover both hidden treasure and dangerous drug smugglers.

Directed by Peter Yates · 2h 03m · Rated PG

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Leviathan (1989)

TMDB ★ 5.7

An underwater mining crew is stalked by a horrifying creature after a genetic experiment goes wrong.

Directed by George P. Cosmatos · 1h 38m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Abyss (1989)

TMDB ★ 7.6

An oil rig crew searching for a sunken submarine encounters a mysterious underwater intelligence.

Directed by James Cameron · 2h 20m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, Philo, BBC America · 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

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

TMDB ★ 7.2

Sailors captured by a mysterious submarine captain discover the secrets of his advanced vessel and dark past.

Directed by Richard Fleischer · 2h 07m · Rated G

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · 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 Underwater and Deep Sea Movies

Underwater (2020)

47 Meters Down (2017)

The Deep (1977)

Leviathan (1989)

The Abyss (1989)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

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