I’ve compiled almost all movies about diving and divers, excluding Soviet ones. The list includes both popular, widely watched films and rarities from the 1950s. What makes old diving movies particularly interesting? Only in retro films can you fully appreciate the unique diving equipment, which was a true work of art before the technological breakthroughs.
Movies about diving
I’ve come across very few documentary films about diving while compiling this list. If you know any great documentaries about diving, feel free to share them in the comments. Movies about marine flora and fauna are also not included in this list.
Some of the films listed here are quite difficult to find for online viewing, but almost all are available on torrent platforms.
The Odyssey (2016)
The Odyssey 2016
A stunning biographical film about Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Everyone has seen the documentaries of the famed oceanographer—every Sunday for many years, we watched “The Underwater Odyssey of the Cousteau Team” and traveled with him around the entire globe, visiting all the oceans and seas. The film reveals that Jacques-Yves dreamed of becoming a pilot but “went underwater” instead. He wasn’t a perfect husband and father, and not all of his work methods were humane. He is not depicted as a heroic savior of marine fauna; instead, Cousteau appears as a simple, “earthly” person with his pros and cons.
The movie is as authentic as possible: the actors use diving equipment from the 1950s, and it was shot in the same locations where Jacques filmed his original footage for Odyssey. There’s minimal computer graphics, and the cast was well chosen. It’s highly recommended to watch as a dynamic, adventure-filled drama.
Movies about divers
Expedition to the End of the World (2013)
Expedition to the End of the World
This Danish documentary film was shot by extreme scientists in Greenland’s fjord systems. These places had not yet been stepped upon by humans, but due to glacier melting, we now have the chance to see previously hidden locations.
The scientists are able to better understand how life began on Earth, partly thanks to the thawing of permafrost. The filmmakers seized a unique opportunity to explore areas untouched by human activity. The scientific aspect of the film is seasoned with a special Nordic sense of humor and breathtaking views of the northern landscapes, which are quite rare in the world of cinema.
Movies about divers
The Dive (Dykket, 1989)
Dykket 1989 The Dive
A Norwegian movie about divers. Two diver colleagues are awaiting a well-deserved vacation, which they plan to spend back on the mainland. They repair oil rigs in the North Sea and have completed 524 dives. Just before their departure, they are called for an urgent task—to fix a technical malfunction in a pipeline valve, for which they are promised good pay.
The divers agree to the job, but at a depth of 100 meters, their diving bell gets stuck. They need to be rescued before they run out of air. The 2015 film “Pressure” could be considered a remake of this Norwegian drama.
Movies about divers and scuba divers
Expedition to the End of the Earth: Diver’s Trap (2004)
A National Geographic documentary about diving and divers exploring caves in New Zealand. Cave diving is always risky, and this time the team of divers won’t all make it back to the surface.
Around the World Underwater (1966)
Around the World Underwater
The research submarine “Hydronaut” with a crew of seismologist scientists embarks on a global journey to install special sensors capable of predicting earthquakes. During the expedition, they are ordered to investigate an underwater volcano. Following an unexpected eruption, the aquanauts are trapped underwater, blocked by debris. Their survival depends solely on their own efforts…
Movies about divers and scuba divers
The Life Aquatic (2004)
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Aquatic Life 2004
An extraordinary film by the brilliant Wes Anderson. During the filming of a documentary, a shark kills the partner and friend of the main character—a quirky oceanographer named Steve Zissou. Swearing vengeance, he gathers an expedition with the sole purpose of catching the bloodthirsty creature. However, a mutiny brews aboard the ship… This is a movie with subtle humor, a stunningly colorful aesthetic, and an overall slightly arthouse vibe, yet with grandeur and a top-tier cast. It’s not for everyone, but I still recommend it to any viewer. In case you missed it, the protagonist is based on Jacques Cousteau.
Movies About Divers and Diving
City in the Sea 1965
City in the Sea 1965
A film starring Vincent Price. On the seaside, carved into a cliff, stands the mansion of Miss Jill Egellis. Uninvited guests begin to visit this house, leaving wet footprints and seaweed from the ocean floor. Along with their visits, household items and books occasionally vanish. One day, the mistress of the mansion disappears as well. Her friend sets out in pursuit and discovers a secret passage in the cliff…
Despite its relatively low rating, the film is visually compelling and engaging, especially considering the year it was made. The visuals are gorgeous, the budget was substantial (the vintage diving suits alone will impress anyone), and it features a beautiful leading lady and a mysterious plot. One review precisely noted an intriguing observation: it’s an adventure film combining elements of Lovecraft’s “Dagon” and Edgar Allan Poe’s “Ligeia.” Highly recommended!
