Crimson Tide

R

Released May 12, 1995

1 hr. 55 min.

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

List

89%

55 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Mar 01

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Crimson Tide on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Boasting taut, high energy thrills and some cracking dialogue courtesy of an uncredited Quentin Tarantino, Crimson Tide finds director Tony Scott near the top of his action game.

Read Critics Reviews

Blu B

The performances are excellent across the board with some really good dialouge throughout. The cinematography can be a bit on the style side but there is tons of substance as well. A very tight script that balances thrills with brains very well. There really isn't much else to say. Also really liked the neon/blue/red colors at times as well. It gives it a surreal feel for a crazy high stakes thriller. All Time Classic. Everyone should give it a try.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

Full Review

Alec C

In a time of paranoia and fear, our greatest enemy is ourselves! When a submarine receives a transcription concerning a potential nuclear strike, the captain and lieutenant clash over what the right decision would be: remain on stand-by or attack and risk nuclear war, which spurs the lieutenant to perform a mutiny as a desperate last resort. With tensions building to a fever pitch, this underwater thriller manages to leave us breathless as a potential nuclear holocaust looms on the horizon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/08/24

Full Review

Sebastian L

For some reason Crimson Tide has flown under my radar all these years. One slightly boring evening I picked it on random and was pleasantly surprised by the quality on display here. The level of suspense, drama and commitment from everybody involved is a bit rare to find in the genre, especially when the premise isn't the most original. Hackman and Washington bring a lot of credibility, but there are others in the cast that shine just as bright.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/12/23

Full Review

Alec B

The scenario that puts the plot in motion and the plot itself might be a little too ridiculous but I can't argue with how well tension is mined from the ever changing mutinies, counter mutinies, and counter-counter mutinies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

Jan K

An action packed submarine movie, that is American beyond doubt, with the in-your-face-type muscle-pumping patriotism to match. That's fine for the enjoyable action-movie it is, though it takes away a lot of the realism and depth that other warmovies offer. This lack of contemplation and immersion is made up by the the excellent characters and screenplay by Washington and Hackman.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/15/23

Full Review

Marshall A

A Top Tier Navy film perfectly directed by Tony Scott.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Tony Scott

Director

Denzel Washington

Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter, XO, USS Alabama

Gene Hackman

Capt. Frank Ramsey

George Dzundza

Chief of the boat (COB)

Viggo Mortensen

Lt. Peter 'Weps' Ince

James Gandolfini

Lt. Bobby Dougherty, Supply Officer, USS Alabama

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

44%

53%

The Siege

TRAILER

for The Siege

73%

75%

Backdraft

84%

80%

Fearless

61%

31%

Twilight

67%

85%

A Time to Kill

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Moana, Star Trek Beyond, and More on Netflix and Amazon Prime This Week

Denzel Washington’s 10 Best Movies

Denzel Washington’s Best Movies

View more photos

Duane Byrge

Hollywood Reporter

Simpson/Bruckheimer have plunged to the ocean's depths to reach the heights of commercial, big-movie filmmaking.

May 12, 2020

Full Review

Dolores Barclay

Associated Press

Crimson Tide is a whale of a movie, an intense and a heartstopping adventure played out against the unnerving threat of nuclear annihilation.

Feb 19, 2020

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Adrian Turner

Radio Times

This is riveting stuff, an achievement that is even more remarkable in view of the movie's restricted setting - a submarine's claustrophobic confines.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 2, 2024

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the picture’s compulsively watchable atmosphere is heightened by its emphasis on the fascinating nitty-gritty of submarine life and its surfeit of magnetic, charismatic performances...

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 19, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Neither Scott nor Schiffer seem worried about the deeper details of the crisis or the geopolitics at its center. That’s a good thing as it keeps the narrative tighter and more focused.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.

Director: Tony Scott
Executive Producer: Lucas Foster, Mike Moder, Bill Unger
Screenwriter: Richard P. Henrick, Michael Schiffer
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 12, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $91.4M
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

Most Popular at Home Now