If you were captivated by the raw intensity and moral complexity of Leviathan (2014), this article is for you. We’ve curated a list of 10 gripping films and shows that share its themes of corruption, existential struggle, and human resilience. Whether you loved its bleak realism or its philosophical depth, these recommendations will keep you engaged.

The Abyss (1989)
Description: A deep-sea setting with a mix of psychological tension and survival horror, featuring mysterious underwater creatures and human conflict.
Fact: The underwater scenes were filmed in an abandoned nuclear reactor to create the massive water tanks needed for the production.


DeepStar Six (1989)
Description: A claustrophobic underwater thriller where a team encounters a deadly creature, blending sci-fi and horror elements in a high-pressure environment.
Fact: One of several underwater horror films released in 1989, competing with 'The Abyss' and 'Leviathan' for audience attention.


Deep Rising (1998)
Description: A mercenary team battles monstrous creatures aboard a luxury cruise ship, blending action and horror in a confined aquatic setting.
Fact: The film was intended to launch a franchise but underperformed at the box office, despite its cult following.


Sphere (1998)
Description: A deep-sea expedition uncovers a mysterious alien artifact, leading to psychological terror and paranoia among the crew.
Fact: Based on Michael Crichton's novel, the film explores themes of human fear and the unknown, much like his other works.


The Cave (2005)
Description: A team of explorers encounters deadly creatures in an underwater cave system, combining survival horror with biological terror.
Fact: The cave scenes were filmed in Romania, where the production built elaborate sets to simulate the submerged environment.


The Descent (2005)
Description: A group of women trapped in a cave system must fight for survival against monstrous creatures, emphasizing claustrophobia and primal fear.
Fact: The film's creatures, called 'Crawlers,' were designed to be blind and highly adapted to their dark underground habitat.


The Host (2006)
Description: A creature feature with a mix of horror and dark humor, where a mutated monster emerges from a river to terrorize a city.
Fact: The film was a critical and commercial success in South Korea, winning several awards for its innovative creature design and storytelling.


The Meg (2018)
Description: A high-stakes underwater adventure featuring a prehistoric megalodon, blending action and horror in a deep-sea environment.
Fact: The film is based on the 1997 novel 'Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror,' which spawned a series of books about the giant shark.


Underwater (2020)
Description: A survival horror set in a deep-sea drilling facility, where a crew must escape both structural collapse and monstrous deep-sea creatures.
Fact: The film's creatures were inspired by Lovecraftian mythology, adding a cosmic horror element to the deep-sea setting.


The Rift (1990)
Description: A submarine crew investigates a mysterious underwater facility, encountering genetic experiments gone wrong in a tense, isolated setting.
Fact: Also known as 'Endless Descent,' the film was part of a wave of late '80s and early '90s underwater horror movies.
