Aliens of the Deep

G

2005

47m

Documentary

List

84%

62 Reviews

Tomatometer

49%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Director James Cameron travels with the crew of a Russian research vessel as they plunge into the depths of the ocean to explore hypothermal vents. These fissures in the Earth's surface are known to be the home of strange and unusual sea creatures, unlike anything found anywhere else on Earth. While exploring these rarely seen environments, scientists discuss the similarities between these ecosystems and the environments that may be found on alien planets.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Jul 14

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Watch Aliens of the Deep with a subscription on Disney+, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

An amazing array of images from beneath the sea.

Read Critics Reviews

Emilliano Jr S

One of the best documentary on deep sea exploration.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

James Cameron directs this documentary about exploring the depths of the oceans. This film focuses on the scientists that Cameron brings along on deep dives in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. These scientists vary from marine biologists, xenobiologists, ocean seismologists, among others. It is interesting to watch these scientists do their jobs and be excited about crabs and rocks. This movie also explores the possibilities of exploring oceans on other planets and moons in our solar system. If you are a science minded person like myself, I think you will enjoy this film, otherwise skip it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Aliens Of The Deep: Brisk, fasanating and filmed with passion. James Cameron’s second documentary is as awe inspiring as it is fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/03/20

Full Review

Audience Member

Aliens of the Deep is what a science documentary ought to be: visually awe inspiring with an amalgamation of real and rendered scenes and perhaps most importantly- narrated or explained by someone who knows what they are saying and not just reading their lines to cash in a cheque. James Cameron is the narrator, diver and director of this amazing documentary that juxtaposes a deep ocean dive with a space mission to one of the Galilean moons. The banter between the scientists aboard the Russian mission ship and Cameron's enthusiasm is a joy to watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Aliens of the Deep is what a science documentary ought to be: visually awe inspiring with an amalgamation of real and rendered scenes and perhaps most importantly- narrated or explained by someone who knows what they are saying and not just reading their lines to cash in a cheque. James Cameron is the narrator, diver and director of this amazing documentary that juxtaposes a deep ocean dive with a space mission to one of the Galilean moons. The banter between the scientists aboard the Russian mission ship and Cameron's enthusiasm is a joy to watch. (Fantastic documentary by a master filmmaker).

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Aliens of the Deep is what a science documentary ought to be: visually awe inspiring with an amalgamation of real and rendered scenes and perhaps most importantly- narrated or explained by someone who knows what they are saying and not just reading their lines to cash in a cheque. James Cameron is the narrator, diver and director of this amazing documentary that juxtaposes a deep ocean dive with a space mission to one of the Galilean moons. The banter between the scientists aboard the Russian mission ship and Cameron's enthusiasm is a joy to watch. (Unmissable educative documentary).

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

James Cameron

Director

Steven Quale

Director

James Cameron

Self

Pamela Conrad

Self

Djanna Figueroa

Self

Kevin Peter Hand

Self

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

91%

79%

Deep Sea

69%

80%

Deep Blue

94%

83%

Encounters at the End of the World

81%

75%

Oceans

61%

61%

Arctic Tale

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

James Cameron Gives Fans an Avatar Update

Trailer Bulletin: "Slither" (red band!)

New Line & Walden Team Up for an All-New "Earth" Expedition"

View more photos

Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Yes, the work they're doing is mind-boggling and important, but sometimes the images alone are more than capable of speaking for themselves.

Dec 11, 2009

Full Review

Trevor Johnston

Time Out

That IMAX 3-D cameras have plunged so deep to record an often bizarre array of sea creatures undoubtedly delivers a certain 'wow' factor, but the accompanying commentary is heavier on breathless excitement than solid fact.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Empire Magazine

The final shot, in particular, is awesome, and confirms that the sooner Cameron gets back to making proper movies, instead of Boys' Own diversions, the better.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Docu about underwater creatures has stunning visuals.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 1, 2020

Full Review

James Mottram

Film4

A fascinating science lesson for anyone interested in either deep-sea -- or outer space -- exploration.

Dec 11, 2009

Full Review

Urban Cinefile Critics

Urban Cinefile

It's not usual for documentaries to ingest the sci-fi genre, but in this case it's an eye pleasing and mind boggling excursion, beautifully realised and seamlessly integrated into the film.

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Director James Cameron travels with the crew of a Russian research vessel as they plunge into the depths of the ocean to explore hypothermal vents. These fissures in the Earth's surface are known to be the home of strange and unusual sea creatures, unlike anything found anywhere else on Earth. While exploring these rarely seen environments, scientists discuss the similarities between these ecosystems and the environments that may be found on alien planets.

Director: James Cameron, Steven Quale
Production Co: Walden Media, Buena Vista Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.0M
Runtime: 47m

Most Popular at Home Now