Sometimes, you just need to curl up with a bowl of popcorn and a great movie. With that in mind, we put our heads together and came up with a list of our favorite ocean films. Some are funny, some are cute, some are sad, and others are a bit outlandish. With no further ado, here are seven great ocean movies you'll want to watch at least once.
The Life Aquatic (2004)
This eccentric and entertaining homage to the great Jacques Cousteau features Bill Murray, who plays a has-been ocean explorer named Steve Zissou, along with Owen Wilson, Angelica Huston, Cate Blanchett, and other favorite actors. Not only is this movie hilariously madcap, with a fantastic underwater odyssey you'll love, it also features a great soundtrack, courtesy of Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo fame.
The Cove (2009)
First, brace yourself for an emotional ride. This film received an Oscar for Best Documentary; in it, ocean activist Rick O'Barry, a former dolphin trainer, attempts to uncover mass dolphin slaughter in Tajii, Japan. This is real - and the slaughter continues. If you don't view yourself as much of an ocean conservationist now, you might change your mind after viewing this beautifully produced film.
Jaws (1975)
Ok, we've got to admit that this one is just a little corny, and it does portray sharks in a bad light. At the same time, this Spielberg classic is suspenseful and entertaining, with Robert Shaw playing a maniacal WWII shipwreck survivor. Enjoy a good laugh, then watch Shark Week archives to remind yourself of the fact that sharks aren't scary, and that they're actually important players in maintaining ocean ecosystem health.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
If you've been dreaming of taking a liveaboard trip to the Galapagos, then this fantastic film featuring Russell Crowe is sure to heighten your longing. Directed by Peter Weir, this epic ocean adventure film received a well-deserved Oscar for Best Cinematography. You'll almost feel the wind in your hair and the breeze on your face as you enjoy this look into historic navigation, piracy, and even field surgery. If you visit San Diego, you can visit the HMS Surprise at the Maritime Museum - it's smaller than it looks in the film, but fascinating nevertheless.
Big Blue (1988)
For a fantastic look into the world of free diving, Big Blue is a movie not to be missed. It dramatizes the lives of a pair of real-life freediving champions Enzo Maiorca (Jean Reno) and Jacques Mayol ( Jean-Marc Barr), and is set in the Sicilian town of Taormina. The film explores not just freediving, but the meaning of life and the importance of family and love, along with the human search for a sense of wholeness.
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
In this classic, Clark Gable plays Fletcher Christian opposite Charles Laughton as evil villain William Bligh. Mutiny on the Bounty received an Oscar for Best Picture, and depicts the story of the HMS Bounty, which undertook a two year voyage to Tahiti way back in 1787. Not only are the sets incredible, the ocean scenes are beautifully filmed. If you love old-school Hollywood films, this is one not to be missed.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Newly re-released in 3D in 2012, Finding Nemo is a beautifully produced animated feature film in which a clown fish named Nemo (Alexander Gould) is separated from his family, abducted, and added to an aquarium. Nemo's father, a timid fish called Marlin (Albert Brooks), goes to search for him, assisted by a blue tang named Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) who suffers from short-term memory loss. Great for kids, and fun for adults to watch too, this movie offers a fantastic look into life beneath the sea.
Some other favorites include classics like Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Titanic, Hunt for Red October, The Secret of Roan Innish, The Perfect Storm, and many others. Next time bad weather chases you indoors, cuddle up with one of these great films, and enjoy!