Everyone deserves a binge-watch session now and then – consider it a well-earned treat! Whether you're trying to pass the time on a long flight to your next scuba adventure, enjoying a cozy movie night with friends, or filling the gap between dives, why not dive into some of the best ocean-themed films of all time? No matter your reason, if you're planning a movie marathon, why not do it like a true diver? Here are 30 fantastic movie ideas to inspire your underwater journey. Table of Contents The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Into the Blue For Your Eyes Only Thunderball Men of Honour The Deep The Abyss The Big Blue Sanctum 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Open Water Dark Tide Fool’s Gold Deep Blue Sea Finding Nemo Sphere Aquaman The Cave Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Jaws Titanic The Perfect Storm The Little Mermaid The Hunt for Red October Life of Pi True Spirit The Dive Avatar: The Way of Water Blueback The Deepest Breath 1. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) Wes Anderson’s quirky comedy might not be Bill Murray’s most famous role, but it's definitely an entertaining one! Dedicated to the legendary Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the film follows fictional oceanographer Zissou on his mission to avenge his partner’s death by a mythical shark. With plenty of offbeat humor, you’ll be laughing throughout. And did you know? Bill Murray became a certified PADI Open Water Diver before filming – he’s part of the PADI A-listers club! 2. Into The Blue (2005) This adventurous movie follows a group of young divers searching for a legendary treasure ship in the Bahamas. Along the way, they uncover a plane wreck filled with illegal cargo, kicking off an underwater drama with plenty of shark action. With the beautiful backdrop of the Bahamas, you’ll be itching to book your next dive trip! 3. For Your Eyes Only (1981) No list of underwater movies would be complete without a James Bond film! In For Your Eyes Only, Roger Moore brings us some close-up underwater action shot in Greece and the Bahamas. Fun fact: many of the underwater scenes were actually filmed on a soundstage, with special effects added later! 4. Thunderball (1965) Sean Connery stars in this Bond classic where he faces off with sharks in the Bahamas. While plastic barriers were meant to separate Connery from the sharks during filming, they proved too clever and swam around them! Luckily, the cast made it through with a few stories to tell. 5. Men of Honor (2000) This Oscar-winning film stars Cuba Gooding Jr. as Carl Brashear, the first African-American Master Diver in the U.S. Navy. Battling against institutional racism and personal challenges, Brashear’s story is a true inspiration. Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster with plenty of feel-good moments! 6. The Deep (1977) Based on a novel by Peter Benchley, this thrilling film follows a couple who discover mysterious artifacts while wreck diving off Bermuda. Fun fact: making this film involved nearly 10,000 dives and a million cubic feet of compressed air, making it a record-breaker in more ways than one! 7. The Abyss (1989) Aliens and deep-sea diving? Yes, please! Directed by James Cameron, who is an avid scuba diver himself, this film follows a nuclear submarine as it encounters an underwater entity. If the plot doesn’t hook you, the special effects certainly will! 8. The Big Blue (1988) Set against the stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean, this European classic tells the story of two friends who grow up to become freediving rivals. With beautiful locations and unforgettable dolphin scenes, this movie is a true escape! 9. Sanctum (2011) Produced by James Cameron, this intense cave-diving thriller is based on real-life events. It will have you on the edge of your seat – though maybe not ideal for the claustrophobic or those new to diving! 10. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954) This Disney classic features battles with giant squids and underwater exploration like no other. A timeless movie that’s still thrilling audiences decades later, it even won two Academy Awards! 11. Open Water (2004) This tense movie tells the story of two divers who are accidentally left behind in the open ocean. It's gripping, but probably not the best choice for those about to embark on their first dive trip! 12. Dark Tide (2011) Starring Halle Berry as a "Shark Whisperer" overcoming past trauma, this underwater adventure might not have been a box-office hit, but it’s still a fun watch! 13. Fool’s Gold (2008) Matthew McConaughey plays a deep-sea treasure hunter, and the film is set in the stunning waters of Australia. Full of fun, treasure hunting, and humor, it’s great entertainment for the whole family. 14. Deep Blue Sea (1999) Samuel L. Jackson takes on genetically modified sharks in this action-packed thriller set in a high-tech underwater lab. You’ll be hooked from start to finish! 15. Finding Nemo (2003) This animated classic is a must-watch for all divers. It’s entertaining, heartwarming, and a great way to learn fish ID – perfect for the whole family! 16. Sphere (1998) In this sci-fi thriller, a team of scientists discovers a mysterious spaceship underwater. With an all-star cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, it’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat! 17. Aquaman (2018) This superhero blockbuster delivers non-stop underwater action, spanning across the vast oceans. Definitely one to add to your dive movie marathon! 18. The Cave (2005) A group of divers exploring hidden caves find themselves facing terrifying creatures. With high-tech diving gear and non-stop action, it’s a must-watch for thrill-seekers. 19. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015) Tom Cruise learned to freedive for this film, holding his breath for an impressive six minutes. His underwater stunts are reason enough to give this one a watch! 20. Jaws (1975) Of course, no ocean movie list is complete without Jaws! Although not much scuba is involved, it remains a classic that forever changed how we see sharks. 21. Titanic (1997) James Cameron’s epic love story set against the sinking of the Titanic features some unforgettable underwater scenes. Cameron made the movie just so he could dive the real Titanic – talk about dedication! 22. The Perfect Storm (2000) This disaster movie based on real events follows fishermen caught in an epic storm. It’s full of suspense and action, perfect for a stormy night in! 23. The Little Mermaid (1989) This Disney favorite follows Ariel, a rebellious mermaid, as she discovers life on land. A timeless classic loved by both kids and adults alike! 24. The Hunt for Red October (1990) This Cold War thriller sees Sean Connery playing a Soviet submarine commander. It’s a gripping ocean spy movie that will keep you glued to your screen. 25. Life of Pi (2012) This visually stunning movie follows a boy and a Bengal tiger stranded on a lifeboat. It’s a unique and thought-provoking story, blending adventure and philosophy. 26. True Spirit (2023) Based on the true story of Jessica Watson, this inspiring film follows her journey as the youngest person to sail solo around the world. Perfect for adventure lovers! 27. The Dive (2023) In this action-packed remake, two sisters face a life-or-death struggle after a diving accident. It’s a race against time that will keep you hooked! 28. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) The sequel to the beloved Avatar, this film showcases incredible underwater scenes. Kate Winslet held her breath for seven minutes while filming – an impressive feat for any freediver! 29. Blueback (2022) This heartwarming film tells the story of a young Australian girl who befriends a blue grouper while freediving. It’s a beautiful movie with a strong message about ocean conservation. 30. The Deepest Breath (2023) This breathtaking documentary follows a freediver and her safety diver as they navigate the world of competitive freediving. With stunning footage from top freediving locations, it’s an absolute must-watch for ocean lovers! So, grab your popcorn and dive in! After you've watched all these ocean movies, why not start your own scuba diving journey? It’s as easy as signing up for an online course and finishing your certification in beautiful open waters – just like in the movies!