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The Hunt for Red October

Play trailer Poster for The Hunt for Red October PG 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.
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The Hunt for Red October

The Hunt for Red October

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 02/11/2015
3.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
Sheila Benson Los Angeles Times 02/11/2015
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. Go to Full Review
John Hartl Seattle Times 02/11/2015
3/4
An exciting techno-suspense thriller with a hollow center. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 06/22/2023
2.5/4
...a consistently watchable yet erratically-paced drama... Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 11/12/2022
It's a tad obsolete, but that does not impede it from being tremendously dynamic and entertaining. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Yasser Medina Cinefilia 08/25/2022
7/10
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] Go to Full Review
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Austin J @Austin765 7h An absolute must-see for sure! Connery & Baldwin should've won Oscars for their acting in this movie. One of the best Submarine movies I've watched. Definitely recommend & 5/5 Stars! See more Rohan H Oct 31 The Hunt for Red October (1990) is a masterful blend of intelligence, tension, and spectacle — a Cold War thriller that has lost none of its power with time. Directed by John McTiernan and based on Tom Clancy’s bestselling novel, the film is a gripping story of strategy, loyalty, and the razor’s edge between peace and destruction. Sean Connery delivers one of his finest late-career performances as Captain Marko Ramius, a seasoned Soviet submarine commander who sets out to defect to the United States with his state-of-the-art nuclear submarine, the Red October. Opposite him, Alec Baldwin shines as CIA analyst Jack Ryan, whose intellect and intuition become humanity’s best hope to prevent war. The dynamic between the two men — one a cool, enigmatic veteran, the other a determined and idealistic analyst — drives the film’s suspense beautifully. The supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring standout performances from Scott Glenn, Sam Neill, James Earl Jones, and Courtney B. Vance. Each actor adds authenticity and depth to the high-stakes world of naval warfare, ensuring that every scene feels grounded and believable. McTiernan’s direction is superb, balancing complex political and military details with edge-of-your-seat tension. The underwater cinematography captures the claustrophobic intensity of submarine life, while Basil Poledouris’s stirring musical score perfectly complements the film’s tone — heroic, somber, and filled with quiet dread. What makes The Hunt for Red October exceptional is its intelligence. It doesn’t rely on explosions or endless action; instead, it builds suspense through strategy, character, and atmosphere. Every decision feels meaningful, every line of dialogue charged with tension. The result is a film that respects its audience’s intelligence while delivering pure cinematic excitement. See more Carlos T Oct 25 Filme: Caçada ao Outubro Vermelho Assistido: 5-10-25 Elenco: @sir_sean_connery @alecbaldwininsta @samneill.photo @officialtimcurry Modelo: #guerra #ação Duração: 2h 15m Ano: 1990 Minha opinião: Clássico filme de nosso 007 Connery. Aqui ele faz o papel Cap. Ramius que agora esta com o mais avançado submarino russo; E como sempre tendo a tensão entre EUA e Russia. Em várias cenas de suspense e de esconde, esconde e perseguições. Um filme bem produzido com boas atuações dos atores. Bom enredo e estória. Até o momento que a verdadeira intensão de Ramius era de deserção e morar na EUA. Vale apena assistir?: Sim e se prepare para um bom suspense. Nota: 8 See more alan G. @agenser Oct 21 Great action film. Believable because of the acting. See more Chris P Sep 28 One of my top 10 movies of all time. Grew up watching this movie and it still, after all these years, works. Just watched it for probably the 30th time-it just doesn't get old. Awesome cast, sad many of them have passed away. See more Russell H Sep 20 Well acted but boring to me See more Read all reviews
The Hunt for Red October

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The Hunt for Red October

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - A Little Revolution The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - A Little Revolution 1:46 The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You Speak Russian The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You Speak Russian 2:13 The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Wrong Conclusions The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Wrong Conclusions 2:13 The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Turbulence The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Turbulence 0:38 The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Ryan's Plan The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Ryan's Plan 2:12 The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You've Killed Us The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You've Killed Us 2:13 The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Living in America The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Living in America 1:00 The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Escaping Torpedoes The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Escaping Torpedoes 2:11 The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Another Possibility The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Another Possibility 1:23 View more videos
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Movie Info

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)
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