Submarine movies often delve into the depths of suspense and drama, but what about when they take a humorous turn? This curated list brings together ten submarine comedies that promise to tickle your funny bone while exploring the underwater world. From quirky crews to absurd underwater adventures, these films offer a unique blend of comedy and the claustrophobic setting of a submarine, making for an entertaining watch that's sure to leave you in stitches.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
Description: In this classic comedy, Walter Mitty, a daydreamer, imagines himself in various heroic scenarios, including one where he's a submarine commander. The humor lies in the contrast between his mundane life and his wild fantasies.
Fact: The film was based on a short story by James Thurber, and the character of Walter Mitty has become synonymous with daydreaming.


Operation Petticoat (1959)
Description: Cary Grant stars as a submarine commander who must deal with a motley crew, including a group of nurses, aboard his pink-painted submarine during World War II. The film's humor arises from the crew's attempts to keep the sub operational while dealing with the unexpected passengers.
Fact: The film was so popular that it spawned a TV series of the same name, which ran from 1977 to


The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964)
Description: This film blends animation with live-action, where a man turns into a fish and helps the U.S. Navy during WWII. While not strictly a submarine movie, it features underwater scenes and the comedic aspect of a human-turned-fish aiding the war effort.
Fact: The film was one of the first to use rotoscoping, a technique where animators trace over live-action footage to create more realistic animation.


The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming (1966)
Description: While not exclusively about a submarine, this film features a Soviet submarine that runs aground off the coast of New England, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings and cultural clashes between the locals and the stranded crew.
Fact: The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It was also one of the first films to depict Russians in a somewhat sympathetic light during the Cold War.


The Last Detail (1973)
Description: Although not a comedy about submarines, it includes a scene where the main characters visit a submarine base, leading to humorous interactions with the crew. The film's humor comes from the characters' antics and their journey.
Fact: The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and features one of Jack Nicholson's most memorable performances.


The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Description: While a James Bond film, it includes a memorable submarine sequence where Bond teams up with a Soviet agent to thwart a villain's underwater lair. The humor comes from the interactions between Bond and his allies.
Fact: The submarine used in the film, the "Wet Nellie," was a fully operational Lotus Esprit that could transform into a submarine, a gadget that became iconic in the Bond series.


Down Periscope (1996)
Description: This film follows the misadventures of a maverick Navy officer, played by Kelsey Grammer, who is given command of the USS Stingray, a dilapidated diesel-powered submarine, to prove his worth. The crew's antics and the captain's unconventional methods make for a comedy classic in the submarine genre.
Fact: The film was inspired by the book "The Final Voyage of the USS Stingray" by Patrick Robinson. The submarine used in the movie was actually a World War II-era submarine, the USS Pampanito, which is now a museum ship in San Francisco.


The Boatniks (1970)
Description: This Disney comedy involves a Coast Guard officer who must deal with a group of inept boaters, including a bumbling crew on a submarine-like boat, leading to a series of comedic mishaps.
Fact: The film was shot on location in Newport Beach, California, and features a mix of live-action and animation, typical of Disney's style during that era.


The Navy vs. the Night Monsters (1966)
Description: This film combines elements of sci-fi and comedy, where a Navy base on an island deals with giant, carnivorous trees. While not centered around a submarine, it features naval personnel in a humorous, absurd situation.
Fact: The film was originally intended as a serious sci-fi thriller but was turned into a comedy during production.


Submarine X-1 (1968)
Description: Although primarily an action film, it has elements of comedy with its portrayal of a British submarine crew during WWII, dealing with the absurdities of war and the quirky characters on board.
Fact: The film was loosely based on real events involving the X-class midget submarines used by the Royal Navy.
