The Hunt for Red October

Play trailer

The Hunt for Red October

PG

Released Feb 2, 1990

2h 17m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

76 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Based on the popular Tom Clancy novel, this suspenseful movie tracks Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) as he abandons his orders and heads for the east coast of the United States. Equipped with innovative stealth technology, Ramius' submarine, "Red October," is virtually invisible. However, when an American sub briefly detects the Russians' presence, CIA agent Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) sets out to determine Ramius' motives, fearing he may launch an attack on the U.S.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Perfectly cast and packed with suspense, The Hunt for Red October is an old-fashioned submarine thriller with plenty of firepower to spare.

Read Critics Reviews

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Clancy is known for writing difficult books, but the movie makes plausible a preposterous situation because of Baldwin's convincing, low-key approach to being a film hero.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 11, 2015

Full Review

Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

You may not be limp from accumulated tension when this hunt is over, but its cautiously upbeat global message leaves a satisfying glow and it operates with a crackerjack premise.

Feb 11, 2015

Full Review

John Hartl

Seattle Times

An exciting techno-suspense thriller with a hollow center.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 11, 2015

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a consistently watchable yet erratically-paced drama...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 22, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

It's a tad obsolete, but that does not impede it from being tremendously dynamic and entertaining. [Full review in Spanish]

Nov 12, 2022

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

As an espionage thriller, I must say, it has a tension that runs against the clock like a torpedo under the sea as it outlines its plot of diplomacy and naval strategy in the twilight of the Cold War. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Aug 25, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Gregory T

25 years later and still spot on. All the legends combine for the ultimate Cold War Classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

Full Review

Tyler S

I mean, I can see why this is loved, but it really wasn't for me. Was kinda bored the first half, then it picked up later. Was a bit confused at times but I got the idea. It was just kinda there.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/25

Full Review

Daniel C. M

Fun mix between political-thriller and action film that manages to balance it's brains and it's brawls quite a bit. Never felt boring. Awesome and carismathic performance by Sean Connery and really good performances by everyone in the cast in general; great soundtrack; and also has nice visuals and a nice dynamic direction; though the special effects are very dated and bad.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

Full Review

Matt W

One of my top 10 favorite films of all time. I've seen this movie so many times I've lost count. Everything is perfect. I've read the book and somehow they took a masterpiece in suspense writing and nailed it. I can't think of one flaw in the movie. Still as good as when it first came out.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/20/24

Full Review

Audience Member

My third favorite film of all time. It aged like wine.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

Full Review

william s

I love this movie. At 2 hours and 15 minutes long, it never feels like it drags or slows down in a bad way. Modern movies often require dumb character decisions, luck and coincidence to keep the plot moving. I love how nearly everyone in the film is competent, making mostly logical decisions. Its just a bunch of people, who are extremely good at what they do, competing against each other. It's so darn refreshing. Also, I'm a huge fan of the entire cast. Even Sean Connery's bizarre accent seems to fade into the background noise, and I couldn't imagine anyone else in his role.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

John McTiernan

Director

Sean Connery

Captain Marko Ramius

Alec Baldwin

Jack Ryan

Scott Glenn

Captain Bart Mancuso

Sam Neill

Captain Vasily Borodin

James Earl Jones

Admiral James Greer

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - A Little Revolution

1:46

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You Speak Russian

2:13

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Wrong Conclusions

2:13

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Turbulence

0:38

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Ryan's Plan

2:12

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You've Killed Us

2:13

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Living in America

1:00

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Escaping Torpedoes

2:11

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Another Possibility

1:23

View more videos

The Living Daylights

72%

66%

The Living Daylights

Watchlist

Top Gun

59%

83%

Top Gun

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Top Gun

The Man With the Golden Gun

40%

55%

The Man With the Golden Gun

Watchlist

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

86%

90%

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Dr. No

95%

82%

Dr. No

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New Certified Fresh Movies and TV on Netflix and Amazon Prime

Sam Raimi, Meet Jack Ryan

Ryan Gosling Starring in Jack Ryan Franchise Reboot?

View more photos

Synopsis

Based on the popular Tom Clancy novel, this suspenseful movie tracks Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) as he abandons his orders and heads for the east coast of the United States. Equipped with innovative stealth technology, Ramius' submarine, "Red October," is virtually invisible. However, when an American sub briefly detects the Russians' presence, CIA agent Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) sets out to determine Ramius' motives, fearing he may launch an attack on the U.S.

Director: John McTiernan
Producer: Mace Neufeld
Screenwriter: Larry Ferguson, Donald Stewart
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 2, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $119.1M
Runtime: 2h 17m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now