If you loved the thrilling underwater adventure of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), you're in for a treat! This article explores 10 movies and shows that capture the same sense of wonder, danger, and exploration beneath the waves. Whether you're a fan of Jules Verne's classic tale or just crave more oceanic escapades, these picks will keep you hooked.

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
Description: A classic monster movie about a prehistoric creature awakened by nuclear testing. The maritime setting and the theme of humans confronting a powerful sea creature align with the reference.
Fact: The film was one of the first to feature a stop-motion animated creature by Ray Harryhausen. It inspired many later monster movies, including Godzilla.


The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Description: A disaster film about a capsized ocean liner, focusing on survival against overwhelming odds. The maritime setting and themes of human resilience and adventure are similar to the reference.
Fact: The film won two Academy Awards and was one of the highest-grossing films of its time. The capsized ship set was one of the largest ever built.


The Deep (1977)
Description: A treasure-hunting adventure set in the ocean, featuring underwater exploration and danger. The film's focus on maritime adventure and discovery is similar to the reference.
Fact: The film was based on a novel by Peter Benchley, who also wrote Jaws. It was one of the first films to use underwater IMAX cameras.


The Abyss (1989)
Description: This film explores deep-sea exploration and encounters with mysterious, advanced underwater entities, blending science fiction with adventure. Its underwater setting and themes of discovery and survival resonate strongly.
Fact: The underwater scenes were filmed in an abandoned nuclear reactor, and the cast underwent rigorous diving training. The film pioneered new underwater filming techniques.


DeepStar Six (1989)
Description: A deep-sea horror film where a military crew encounters a deadly creature. The underwater setting and the theme of humans versus nature align closely with the reference.
Fact: Released the same year as two other underwater horror films, creating a mini-genre trend. The creature effects were done by the same team behind Aliens.


Leviathan (1989)
Description: A sci-fi horror film about a deep-sea mining crew who discover a sunken Soviet ship and a deadly secret. The underwater setting and the blend of horror and adventure mirror the reference.
Fact: The film was heavily inspired by Alien, but set underwater. The creature effects were created by Stan Winston, a legendary special effects artist.


The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Description: A thriller about a Soviet submarine captain defecting to the U.S., featuring intense underwater sequences. The maritime setting and themes of adventure and suspense align with the reference.
Fact: The film was based on Tom Clancy's debut novel. It was the first film to be released by Paramount Pictures in Dolby Stereo.


Crimson Tide (1995)
Description: A tense submarine thriller about a conflict between officers during a nuclear crisis. The underwater setting and themes of leadership and survival resonate with the reference.
Fact: The film's script was heavily researched with real submariners to ensure accuracy. The submarine sets were built to scale and highly detailed.


Sphere (1998)
Description: A psychological thriller set in the deep sea, featuring a team of scientists investigating a mysterious spacecraft. The film combines elements of science fiction, suspense, and the unknown, much like the reference.
Fact: The novel it's based on was written by Michael Crichton, who also wrote Jurassic Park. The underwater sets were among the largest ever built at the time.


The Meg (2018)
Description: A modern take on deep-sea adventure, featuring a massive prehistoric shark. The film's blend of action, science fiction, and underwater exploration aligns with the reference.
Fact: The Meg is based on a series of novels by Steve Alten. The film's budget was one of the highest ever for a creature feature.
