Captain Phillips

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Captain Phillips

PG-13

2013

2h 13m

Drama

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

279 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In April 2009, the U.S. containership Maersk Alabama sails toward its destination on a day that seems like any other. Suddenly, Somali pirates race toward the vessel, climb aboard and take everyone hostage. The captain of the ship, Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), looks to protect his crew from the hostile invaders, and their leader, Muse (Barkhad Abdi). The pirates are after millions of dollars, and Phillips must use his wits to make sure everyone survives and returns home safely.

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Critics Consensus

Smart, powerfully acted, and incredibly intense, Captain Phillips offers filmgoers a Hollywood biopic done right -- and offers Tom Hanks a showcase for yet another brilliant performance.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Hanks is the casting coup here, and anchors (forgive the pun) the film with the sense of a normal, modest everyman who is in over his head.

Sep 14, 2023

Full Review

J. Hoberman

ARTINFO.com

The Navy SEALS procedural is a bit of a jumble even as it comfortingly demonstrates American competence in the face of a standoff. Still, it's the captain's passion that gives the movie its emotional intensity.

Feb 22, 2019

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

My heart was in my mouth throughout. It is nail-bitingly exciting, even if you know the outcome, and I think I can safely say it's a better film than the one I thought I was going to see.

Sep 5, 2018

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

Captain Phillips is one of the most amazing films of the year so far and is driven by incredible performances from Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi. The story, while maybe not 100% accurate, is still amazing, intense and one that you’ll love to see.

Rated: A+

Aug 15, 2024

Full Review

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Hanks, already an Academy Award winner, once again gave a masterful performance as the captain taking responsibility for his ship and crew.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 22, 2024

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Rather than villainize one side while valorizing the other ... bring out the humanity in virtually all the central characters, pulling back on the expected gallantry typical of such a dramatization to reveal something human underneath ...

Jul 19, 2024

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PayPal U

Tom Hanks, great actor, one of my top 5. If only he would just do his job and not worry about who or what I vote for.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

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Conrad C

A good down-to-earth movie, practically shot but still gripping. The story doesn't have any added drama, but feels the more real for it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

Full Review

J k

The best thing about the movie is that it seemingly accurately depicts the plight of poor Somalian fisherman and why they are driven to be pirates. Finding out that the real Captain Phillips is no hero and the story is basically Hollywood formula was very sad for me. I watched it because it was based on a real story but, while some details were accurate, the core story was a fraud. It feels dishonest.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/05/25

Full Review

Anne C

I thought captain phillip was absolutely perfect

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/27/25

Full Review

Stephanie R.

This was definitely a Good one!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

Gareth v

This is a well-crafted thriller based on the true story of a cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. Paul Greengrass with his signature handheld intensity has made an entertaining but not quite unforgettable movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

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Paul Greengrass

Director

Tom Hanks

Capt. Richard Phillips

Catherine Keener

Andrea Phillips

Barkhad Abdi

Muse

Barkhad Abdirahman

Bilal

Faysal Ahmed

Najee

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Two in the Water

3:20

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - I'm the Captain Now

3:24

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Too Much Talk

3:01

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Not Here to Negotiate

2:52

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Hit the Hoses

2:49

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - You're Safe Now

2:59

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Kidnapped Captain

2:52

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Radio Ruse

2:31

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Pirates On Board

2:59

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - We Have Your Captain

2:27

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Synopsis

In April 2009, the U.S. containership Maersk Alabama sails toward its destination on a day that seems like any other. Suddenly, Somali pirates race toward the vessel, climb aboard and take everyone hostage. The captain of the ship, Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), looks to protect his crew from the hostile invaders, and their leader, Muse (Barkhad Abdi). The pirates are after millions of dollars, and Phillips must use his wits to make sure everyone survives and returns home safely.

Director: Paul Greengrass
Producer: Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca
Screenwriter: Billy Ray
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Scott Rudin Productions, Michael De Luca, Trigger Street Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Bloody Images|Substance Use|Sustained Int. Seq. of Menace)
Genre: Drama, Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $107.1M
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat

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