The Scariest Ship Horror Movies Set on the Sea

Ranker Film
Updated April 15, 2024 35.0K views 29 items
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There's nothing scarier than a horror movie set at sea. The top horror movies set on ships feature deadly threats from real-life elements as well as supernatural occurrences and hauntings. This is a list of the top lost at sea horror movies featuring everything from Ghost Ship to Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis to Deep Rising.

What movies will you find on this list of the top ship horror films? Movie buffs will likely place Jaws right at the top. Though much of the film is set on the coast, one of Jaws' most famous lines – Roy Scheider saying, “We're gonna need a bigger boat” – was delivered while out at sea. Open Water is another terrifying movie featuring characters lost at sea. Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat is often considered one of the suspense master's most underrated films. Other movies featured on this roundup of the best horror movies set at sea include Cape Fear, Das Boot, and The Abyss.

Do you have a favorite scary movie set at sea? Give the best films a thumbs up and please add any great movies that are missing.

Latest additions: The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Over 500 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Scariest Ship Horror Movies Set on the Sea
  • Jaws
    1
    Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
    178 votes

    When a great white shark terrorizes a small island town, the local sheriff teams up with a marine biologist and a grizzled fisherman to hunt down the deadly predator. This classic film single-handedly created the summer blockbuster genre and left an entire generation wary of taking a dip in the water. With iconic music and unforgettable scenes, this film continues to be a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat experience that will keep viewers hooked.

  • Ghost Ship
    2
    Julianna Margulies, Ron Eldard, Desmond Harrington
    201 votes

    In this eerie tale of maritime horror, a salvage crew discovers a long-lost ocean liner adrift on the high seas. Upon boarding, they soon realize that the ship is haunted by the vengeful spirits of its former passengers. As the crew members struggle to unravel the ship's dark history, they find themselves drawn into an escalating series of supernatural events, culminating in a shocking revelation. The chilling atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling make this film a must-watch for fans of ghost stories and nautical nightmares.

  • Sea Fever
    3

    Sea Fever

    Connie Nielsen, Hermione Corfield, Dougray Scott
    16 votes

    A marine biology student finds herself trapped aboard an isolated fishing trawler with a crew suffering from a mysterious infection. As the afflicted crew members begin to succumb to their ghastly symptoms, the terrified student must fight to survive against both the deadly contagion and the increasingly hostile crew. Blending gripping human drama with unsettling body horror, this film is sure to leave viewers feeling thoroughly unnerved and queasy.

  • The Abyss
    4
    Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn
    114 votes

    A team of deep-sea divers is sent to investigate the wreckage of a submerged nuclear submarine. Along the way, they encounter a mysterious alien species living at the bottom of the ocean, sparking a tense and terrifying battle for survival. Featuring groundbreaking special effects and a captivating storyline, this thrilling underwater adventure will have audiences holding their breath until the very end.

  • Leviathan
    5
    Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Amanda Pays
    77 votes

    Set on a deep-sea mining facility, this terrifying tale follows a group of workers who discover a gruesome and malevolent creature lurking in the depths. As the body count rises and the monster's true nature is revealed, the survivors must unite to destroy the beast before it destroys them. With its claustrophobic setting and tense atmosphere, this film is a chilling reminder of the horrors that can hide beneath the waves.

  • Deep Rising
    6
    Treat Williams, Famke Janssen, Anthony Heald
    82 votes

    When a group of heavily armed mercenaries hijacks a luxury cruise liner, they soon find themselves facing off against a horde of bloodthirsty sea creatures determined to devour everyone on board. With the ship rapidly filling with water and time running out, the passengers must band together to survive the nightmarish onslaught. This action-packed horror flick delivers a thrilling combination of high-stakes suspense and grisly creature effects.

  • Triangle
    7
    Melissa George, Liam Hemsworth, Rachael Carpani
    92 votes

    A group of friends sailing through the Bermuda Triangle finds themselves caught in a terrifying time loop after boarding an abandoned ship. Plagued by chilling visions and pursued by a malevolent force, the group must unravel the mystery of their predicament before they're trapped in the loop forever. This mind-bending psychological thriller keeps viewers guessing until the very end, with a twist that's sure to make your jaw drop.

  • Cape Fear
    8
    Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange
    89 votes

    In this chilling tale of revenge, a convicted rapist is released from prison and sets his sights on the family of the lawyer who failed to keep him behind bars. As the predator closes in, the family must confront their deepest fears and darkest secrets in order to survive. Combining intense performances with a nail-biting script, this suspenseful thriller will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

  • Open Water
    9
    Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein
    105 votes

    Inspired by true events, this harrowing survival story follows a couple left stranded in the open ocean after their scuba diving trip goes awry. Surrounded by miles of shark-infested waters and with no hope of rescue, the pair must rely on their wits and sheer determination to stay alive. This film's unflinching portrayal of the couple's ordeal is guaranteed to make even the most hardened viewer think twice before taking a dip in the ocean.

  • DeepStar Six
    10
    Taurean Blacque, Nancy Everhard, Greg Evigan
    59 votes

    A team of underwater researchers inadvertently unleashes a deadly creature from the ocean's depths, sparking a desperate struggle to contain the beast and prevent it from reaching the surface. As the body count rises and the station's defenses fail, the survivors must band together to outwit and destroy the monster before it's too late. This claustrophobic, suspense-filled flick serves up some truly heart-pounding scares.

  • The Reef
    11
    Zoe Naylor, Adrienne Pickering, Gyton Grantley
    75 votes

    When a group of friends capsizes their boat on the Great Barrier Reef, they are forced to swim for shore while being stalked by a massive great white shark. With each stroke bringing them closer to safety yet closer to the jaws of the merciless predator, this tense thriller will have you holding your breath until the final splash. The stunning underwater cinematography and nail-biting suspense make this a must-watch for shark enthusiasts and horror fans alike.

  • Virus
    12
    Jamie Lee Curtis, William Baldwin, Donald Sutherland
    67 votes

    A salvage crew discovers a derelict Russian research ship floating in the Pacific Ocean, only to find it infested with a deadly alien life form intent on taking over the Earth. With time running out, the crew must band together to destroy the alien menace before it's too late. This action-packed sci-fi horror flick is a thrilling race against time, filled with high-tech gadgetry and gruesome creature effects.

  • The Meg
    13
    Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson
    42 votes

    In this thrilling battle of man versus nature, a deep-sea rescue diver must confront his fears when he encounters a prehistoric megalodon shark thought to be extinct. With the massive predator threatening coastal cities and wreaking havoc on the open seas, the diver leads a daring plan to capture and kill the colossal beast. Featuring jaw-dropping visual effects and a breathtaking sense of scale, this epic shark tale is guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

  • Below
    14
    Matthew Davis, Bruce Greenwood, Olivia Williams
    56 votes

    Set aboard a WWII submarine that's become haunted by mysterious supernatural forces, this atmospheric thriller follows a crew descending into paranoia and madness as they attempt to uncover the truth behind the eerie occurrences. With its claustrophobic setting and psychological horror, this film will leave viewers feeling as though they're trapped beneath the waves themselves.

  • Lifeboat
    15
    Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix, Walter Slezak
    41 votes

    This classic suspense film centers on a group of shipwreck survivors adrift in a lifeboat, forced to confront their fears and prejudices as they struggle to stay alive. When they rescue a man they believe to be responsible for their ship's sinking, tensions rise and trust begins to unravel. Featuring a gripping script and an ensemble cast, this film offers a masterclass in character-driven storytelling and tense drama.

  • Sphere
    16
    Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson
    74 votes

    When a team of scientists is sent to investigate a mysterious spacecraft discovered at the bottom of the ocean, they quickly become ensnared in a web of mind-bending psychological terror. As their deepest fears and insecurities are brought to life, the crew must confront their inner demons in order to survive the ordeal. This thought-provoking, cerebral thriller explores the nature of fear and the power of the human mind.

  • The Last Voyage of the Demeter
    17
    Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Javier Botet
    8 votes
  • Anaconda
    18
    Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight
    99 votes

    A documentary film crew in the Amazon rainforest finds themselves in a living nightmare when they're targeted by a massive, man-eating snake. As the body count rises and the crew's chances for survival dwindle, they must work together to outsmart the cunning predator and escape its deadly coils. This pulse-pounding creature feature delivers plenty of thrills and chills, with a serpentine villain that's sure to make your skin crawl.

  • Mary
    19
    Gary Oldman, Emily Mortimer, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo
    22 votes

    When a struggling family buys a dilapidated sailboat in the hopes of starting a charter business, they soon discover that the vessel is haunted by a vengeful spirit. As they fight to save their new investment and salvage their crumbling relationships, the family becomes embroiled in a supernatural struggle that threatens to tear them apart. This eerie ghost story delivers plenty of chills and atmospheric tension, making it a perfect addition to any horror aficionado's watchlist.

  • Piranha 3D
    20
    Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Jerry O'Connell
    71 votes

    In the chaotic aftermath of a seismic event, the prehistoric piranhas are unleashed upon the unsuspecting residents and vacationers gathered for a wild spring break celebration. As the ravenous fish begin their feeding frenzy, a motley group of locals and tourists must band together to stop the carnage and save their town from being devoured. With its gory, over-the-top kills and tongue-in-cheek humor, this film serves up a heaping helping of campy fun that's perfect for fans of B-movie horror and creature features.

  • Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis
    21
    David Caruso, Stacy Keach, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
    48 votes

    Based on the true story of the ill-fated U.S.S. Indianapolis, this harrowing drama follows the ordeal of the ship's crew after they're torpedoed and left to drift on the open sea. Plagued by dehydration, shark attacks, and the constant threat of enemy submarines, the men must find a way to survive their desperate situation. With its gripping storyline and attention to historical detail, this film offers a poignant look at one of the deadliest naval disasters in history.

  • Satan's Triangle
    22

    Satan's Triangle

    Kim Novak, Doug McClure, Ed Lauter
    39 votes

    This spine-chilling TV movie tells the story of a rescue mission in the Bermuda Triangle that goes horribly awry when the rescuers become trapped in a supernatural vortex of terror. As the crew members struggle to maintain their sanity and return to the safety of the real world, they find themselves confronted by a malevolent force beyond their comprehension. This suspenseful, atmospheric thriller is sure to keep viewers glued to their screens until the thrilling climax.

  • Dagon
    23
    Ezra Godden, Francisco Rabal, Raquel Meroño
    41 votes

    In this macabre Lovecraftian tale, a group of shipwrecked survivors find themselves stranded in a remote fishing village inhabited by a cult of monstrous sea creatures. As the villagers' horrifying secrets come to light, the interlopers must navigate a labyrinth of betrayal and madness to escape the nightmarish fate that awaits them. With its blend of psychological horror and visceral body terror, this film is sure to leave a lasting impression on even the most seasoned genre fan.

  • The Rig
    24

    The Rig

    William Forsythe, Art LaFleur, Sarah Laine
    43 votes

    In this nerve-wracking tale of isolation and terror, an oil rig drilling team is besieged by a vicious creature lurking in the depths of the ocean. As the monster picks off the crew one by one, the survivors must figure out a way to destroy the beast before it's too late. Featuring a claustrophobic setting and a relentless sense of dread, this horror film is sure to make viewers think twice about taking a job on an offshore platform.

  • Lost Voyage
    25
    Judd Nelson, Janet Gunn, Jeff Kober
    35 votes

    When a long-lost ocean liner reappears after thirty years, a team of paranormal investigators sets out to uncover the truth behind its mysterious disappearance. As they delve into the ship's dark past and navigate its haunted corridors, the group soon discovers that some secrets are better left buried. Offering a chilling blend of ghostly apparitions and maritime mystery, this eerie film is sure to captivate fans of supernatural suspense.

  • Ghostboat
    26
    David Jason, Crispin Bonham-Carter, Julian Wadham
    38 votes

    In this spine-tingling supernatural thriller, a British submarine that vanished during World War II resurfaces 50 years later, seemingly untouched by time. As a team of naval experts investigates the vessel's reappearance, they find themselves drawn into a nightmarish world where the ghosts of the past refuse to stay buried. With its atmospheric setting and haunting visuals, this film is a chilling reminder that some mysteries are best left unsolved.

  • The Haunted Sea
    27

    The Haunted Sea

    Krista Allen, James Brolin, Joanna Pacuła
    32 votes

    A ruthless pirate captain and her crew stumble upon a cursed treasure that awakens the wrath of an ancient sea monster. As they're pursued by the vengeful beast, the pirates must confront their own greed and treachery in order to survive the deadly onslaught. This swashbuckling horror adventure combines high-seas action with monstrous scares, making for a thrilling, rollicking ride.

  • The Ferryman
    28
    Kerry Fox, John Rhys-Davies, Sally Stockwell
    31 votes

    When a group of friends embarks on a sailing trip to an isolated island, they unwittingly unleash an ancient curse that forces them to confront their darkest fears. As the malevolent force begins to take its toll, the group must battle their own demons and unravel the island's sinister secrets in order to break the spell and escape alive. This gripping psychological horror film serves up a potent mix of supernatural chills and visceral terror.

  • REC 4: Apocalypse
    29
    Manuela Velasco, Héctor Colomé, Emilio Buale Coka
    30 votes

    In the thrilling conclusion to the popular found-footage horror series, a young reporter is rescued from the infected building where the outbreak began and taken to a quarantined oil tanker for observation. But when the virus reemerges on the ship, the terrified passengers must once again fight for their lives against the ravenous, bloodthirsty hordes. Combining claustrophobic tension with relentless action and gore, this high-octane fright-fest proves that there's no safe harbor from the undead.