Captains Courageous

Play trailer

Captains Courageous

Released Jun 25, 1937

1h 57m

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

When spoiled Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew) is suspended from boarding school, his businessman father (Melvyn Douglas) takes him to Europe on a business trip. When the rebellious lad falls overboard from the steamship, he is saved from death by humble fisherman Manuel Fidello (Spencer Tracy) and forced by the captain of the fishing schooner (Lionel Barrymore) to become a low-ranking member of the ship's crew alongside the captain's own son (Mickey Rooney).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

Though dragged out and often weepy, it is a corking yarn.

May 23, 2024

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Spencer Tracy delivers a superb performance as the reluctant but unquestionably inspiring father figure, brimming with ideal values, morals, work ethics, and courage.

Rated: 8/10

Jul 25, 2020

Full Review

Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

At once the most virile and the tenderest of recent Hollywood photoplays; should rank high on any list of best pictures of all time.

May 5, 2020

Full Review

Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Captains Courageous is such a beautiful and thrilling picture that one hesitates to classify it as a family film for fear people who haven't any families may be alarmed into staying away.

Oct 2, 2019

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

If that's a Portuguese accent Tracy is sporting, then I'm Katharine Hepburn -- if anything, his performance appears to be based on Chico Marx. Nevertheless, this is top-notch entertainment.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 25, 2018

Full Review

Dan Jardine

Cinemania

An unlikely love story of two opposites splendidly directed by Fleming.

Rated: 87/100

Jan 10, 2016

Full Review

Read all reviews

Angelle H

One of my all-time favorite classic films. This was one of my mom's favorites, and she shared it with me when I was a teen, and I rewatch it to this day when I need a feel-good movie that also makes me sob. Make sure you have tissues handy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

Jim M

Classic Hollywood with a young Mickey Rooney, Spencer Tracy and Lionel Barrymore. It is a great yarn and It is the type of movie my father would have loved. I've never seen Freddie Bartholomew but I enjoyed his performance so much.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

Full Review

Grant H

If you don't swallow hard or wipe away a tear at the film's climax, check your pulse. One of the great films from Hollywood's greatest era.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

george l

This is a great film. It's a classic Kipling story. The shots of the schooners and fishing off the Grand Banks are spectacular and beautiful.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The greatest 01 hour: and 57 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring the late Mickey Rooney!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very good movie with a solid story and great acting

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Victor Fleming

Director

Spencer Tracy

Manuel Fidello

Freddie Bartholomew

Harvey Cheyne

Lionel Barrymore

Capt. Disko Troop

Melvyn Douglas

Frank Burton Cheyne

Charley Grapewin

Uncle Salters

Treasure Island

100%

73%

Treasure Island

Watchlist

Mutiny on the Bounty

96%

84%

Mutiny on the Bounty

Watchlist

China Seas

80%

72%

China Seas

Watchlist

San Francisco

92%

71%

San Francisco

Watchlist

Strange Cargo

75%

60%

Strange Cargo

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

When spoiled Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew) is suspended from boarding school, his businessman father (Melvyn Douglas) takes him to Europe on a business trip. When the rebellious lad falls overboard from the steamship, he is saved from death by humble fisherman Manuel Fidello (Spencer Tracy) and forced by the captain of the fishing schooner (Lionel Barrymore) to become a low-ranking member of the ship's crew alongside the captain's own son (Mickey Rooney).

Director: Victor Fleming
Producer: Louis D. Lighton
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 1937, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 1h 57m

Most Popular at Home Now