2015’sIn the Heart of the Seais an epic adventure film that has been making waves since its Netflix release, and here are the 10 best movies like it.In the Heart of the Seawas a box office failure upon its release, with the film only making $94.3 million at the box office against a budget of $100 million. However, the film has had a resurgence sinceIn the Heart of the Seafound success on Netflix in early 2025, with the film becoming a global hit. So, fans of the film need to watch these 10 next.
Director Ron Howard’s2015 filmIn the Heart of the Seatells the true story of the 1820 sinking of the whaling shipEssex, which ended up inspiring the story ofMoby-Dick. Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, Cillian Murphy, and other stars bring the story to life, with the film following the various members of the ship as they attempt to survive an attack from a massive, white bull sperm whale.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Cast
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a historical drama directed by Peter Weir, featuring Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey. The film is set during the Napoleonic Wars and follows Aubrey as he navigates his ship, HMS Surprise, through treacherous waters in pursuit of a French privateer. Based on Patrick O’Brian’s series of novels, the film explores themes of leadership, strategy, and naval warfare.
In the Heart of the Seais a naval adventure epic, and fans of it need to check out one of the best entries in the genre,Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World.The Russell Crowe film follows members of the Royal Navy as they are tasked with tracking down and capturing one of Napoleon’s most powerful ships, with the critically-acclaimed epic being popular since it was released in 2003.
Much likeIn the Heart of the Sea,Master & Commander: The Far Side of the Worldfocuses on a group of sailors as they attempt to take down a powerful enemy from within the confines of their ship. However, while the former has its characters setting their sights on a whale, the latter has the characters hunting down another ship, with it taking place in the context of a grander war story.
Captain Blood
Dr. Peter Blood, unjustly convicted of treason and exiled from England, becomes a notorious pirate.
Viewers who are looking to find more films likeIn the Heart of the Seashould set their sights on the pirate genre, as it is one of the most popular subgenres within the world of naval epics. While there are plenty to choose from, one of the best is 1935’sCaptain Blood, one of the earliest pirate films. The film follows a doctor who is sold into slavery after treating the wounds of someone who rebelled against King James II, with him and his fellow slaves escaping and becoming pirates.
8 Biggest Details In The Heart Of The Sea Leaves Out From The Harrowing True Story
In the Heart of the Sea presents a gripping true story, but there are certain details that the movie leaves out that make it all even more shocking.
Similar toIn the Heart of the Sea,Captain Bloodalso follows a bunch of sailors who live on a ship, with much of the film highlighting their lives at sea. The adventure aspect is there too, although the piracy angle makes the cast ofCaptain Blooda little less altruistic than the cast ofIn the Heart of the Sea.
Mutiny on the Bounty
Mutiny on the Bounty, directed by Lewis Milestone, is a historical drama set in 1787, following the Bounty’s voyage to Tahiti. The film depicts the tension between Captain Bligh, who enforces strict discipline, and officer Fletcher Christian, leading to a mutiny on the return journey to England.
Mutiny on the Bountyis another incredibly exciting movie set at sea, with Marlon Brando starring in the 1962 hit.The film sees an abusive captain lead a ship on a voyage to Jamaica, with him punishing several of his sailors for attempting to desert once they arrive. Because of this, Marlon Brando’s Fletcher Christian decides to stage a mutiny on the way back from their expedition, leading to all kinds of conflict aboard the ship.
Mutiny on the Bountygives a heavy focus to the interpersonal relationships between the people who are on the boat, with the film having this incommon withIn the Heart of the Sea. Both movies are notable for their strong characters, all of whom share a bond due to their life on ships.
WhileIn the Heart of the Seagives a lot of focus to its epic story and its life at sea, one of the most important themes of the film is survival. Throughout the movie, the characters are attempting to survive the onslaught of attacks that the whale is carrying out, with the time period and conditions making this even harder. Luckily, there is another popular movie that also focuses on surviving a natural threat at sea, with this beingThe Perfect Storm.
The 2000 filmThe Perfect Stormfollows the crew of several boats who, on Halloween of 1991,are met with the fiercest storm in modern history. Much likeIn the Heart of the Sea,The Perfect Stormis a true story, with it focusing on the fishing boat theAndrea Gailas it attempts to survive the onslaught of weather.
The Abyss
The Abyss is James Cameron’s fourth feature film and his second water-themed movie. Starring Ed Harris, Michael Biehn, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, the 1989 drama that revolves around a team of oil workers and Navy SEALs who face a mysterious alien race at the bottom of the ocean.
SinceIn the Heart of the Seais a true story, the film is fairly grounded. However, for viewers looking for a similar story that is far less grounded,James Cameron’s classicThe Abyssis a perfect option.The Abyssfollows a group of scientists and Navy SEAL operatives who are tasked with recovering a top-secret nuclear submarine that has been sunk. However, upon doing so, they learn that they are being stalked by an extra-terrestrial threat.
WhileIn the Heart of the Seafocuses on a whale,The Abyssfocuses on aliens, even though the movies are incredibly similar at their core. Both films are about crews of expert people who find themselves facing an impossibly powerful threat out at sea, with them working together to fight for their survival.
Black Sea
Black Sea is a thriller directed by Kevin Macdonald, featuring Jude Law as a rogue submarine captain. The film centers on a crew’s perilous pursuit of sunken treasure in the Black Sea. Tensions rise as greed and desperation lead to dangerous conflicts among the crew members aboard their vessel.
The 2014 filmBlack Seais another fantastic pick for fans ofIn the Heart of the Sea, with it being a perfect follow-up movie.Black Seastars Jude Law as Robinson, a naval officer who organizes a hunt for a Nazi U-boat that has been sunk. He puts together a crew of sailors and other knowledgeable people, although the rag-tag team begins to conflict with one another during the course of the hunt.
Why Owen Chase Doesn’t Kill The Whale When It Returns During In The Heart Of The Sea
In the Heart of the Sea is based on the horrifying true story that inspired Moby Dick, but its ending is very different, with the whale being spared.
In the Heart of the Seais all about characters who are incredibly determined to kill a whale, whileBlack Seais all about characters who are incredibly determined to find the U-boat, with this being a major thematic similarity. On top of that, the naval setting of both film means that they have a lot in common, with fans of one of the films most likely liking the other.
Rush
Written by Peter Morgan and directed by Ron Howard, Rush is a Sports film set in the world of Formula One racing. The 2013 movie sees two rivals fighting against one another to reign supreme in the Formula One racing world during the 70s.
While the rest of the movies on this list shareIn the Heart of the Sea’s naval setting,Rushtells an entirely different story in an entirely different setting. The 2013 sports film follows James Hunt and Niki Lauda, two Formula 1 racers who are embroiled in a fierce rivalry. Their attempts to outdo each other begin to scare the people who surround them, although nothing can stop them from trying to come out on top.
Rushis a great pick for fans ofIn the Heart of the Seathanks to the creatives who are behind it.In the Heart of the Seawasn’t the first collaboration between director Ron Howard and Chris Hemsworth, with them previously working onRushtogether.Rushhas long been cited as one of Chris Hemsworth’s best films, which is why new fans of Ron Howard or Chris Hemsworth definitely need to see their previous work.
Jaws
Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows the residents of Amity Island as they face terror from a menacing great white shark. The town’s police chief, a marine biologist, and a seasoned shark hunter join forces to track and kill the predator threatening their coastal community. Released in 1975.
Although all kinds of movies have adapted the story of a man obsessed with killing an animal, one of the most famous ones is Steven Spielberg’sJaws. After a series of shark attacks, the mayor of Amity Island attempts to cover the deaths up, hoping to save the town’s Fourth of July celebration. Because of this, three men take killing the shark into their own hands, with them traveling out to sea in an attempt to wipe the monster out.
Jawsis often considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, and while watching it, it is impossible not to notice its parallels withMoby-Dick. Considering thatMoby-Dickwas inspired by the story thatIn the Heart of the Seatells, it should be clear thatIn the Heart of the Seahas a lot in common withJaws, making them a fantastic double feature.
The Old Man and the Sea
The Old Man and the Sea is a cinematic adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s novel, released in 1958. It follows Santiago, an elderly Cuban fisherman, who endures an epic struggle with a giant marlin after months of futile fishing efforts. Spencer Tracy stars, capturing the resilience and determination of his character.
Moby-Dickisn’t the only famous piece of literature about a man who is obsessed with killing an aquatic animal, as the nvoellaThe Old Man and the Seapulls off a very similar trick. The film follows the titular old man as he becomes obsessed with catching a massive marlin, with him hopping on a boat and heading out to sea for two days in an attempt to reel it in.
In The Heart Of The Sea Leaves Out A Wild True Story Detail About Owen Chase & Matthew Joy After The Sinking
Thomas Nickerson’s explanation of what happens after In the Heart of the Sea’s sinking leaves out a shocking detail about Owen Chase & Matthew Joy.
The 1958 adaptation ofThe Old Man and the Seamay be on a smaller scale thanIn the Heart of the SeaorMoby-Dick, but their thematic and narrative similarities mean that they have a lot in common. Thus, fans ofIn the Heart of the Seaor the story that it inspired need to check the 1958 film out.
Moby Dick
Moby Dick (1956): This film adaptation of Herman Melville’s classic novel follows Ishmael, a sailor on the whaling ship Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab. Obsessed with revenge, Ahab sets the crew on a perilous journey in relentless pursuit of the elusive great white whale, Moby Dick.
Throughout this list, the connection betweenIn the Heart of the Sea’s subject andMoby-Dickhas been cited countless times. Because of this, one of the many adaptations ofMoby-Dickobviously had to be included. While there are plenty of takes on the classic story, the best version is the1956 adaptation, starring Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab.
The film follows Captain Ahab, a sailor who goes mad as he attempts to seek the white whale who took his own leg. 1956’sMoby Dickis a fantastic adaptation of the original story, with it being necessary viewing for fans ofIn the Heart of the Sea.
In the Heart of the Sea
Based on the real-life event that inspired Moby Dick, In the Heart of the Sea is directed by Ron Howard and stars Chris Hemsworth as Owen Chase, first mate of the whaling ship Essex who must fight for his life in the middle of the ocean when a whale destroys his ship, killing most of his crew and stranding him and a few survivors on a lifeboat. Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw, and Brendan Gleeson also star.
