'

Submarine

Play trailer

Submarine

R

Released Jun 3, 2011

1h 37m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

153 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Oliver (Craig Roberts) is a Welsh teen who has some things on his mind. First is losing his virginity before his 16th birthday. He sets out to woo his feisty classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige). Then Oliver focuses on holding his family together. His father (Noah Taylor), a depressed marine biologist, seems unequal to the task of preventing Oliver's mother (Sally Hawkins) from succumbing to the dubious charms of a spiritual guru (Paddy Considine) from down the road.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Rent Now

Critics Consensus

Funny, stylish, and ringing with adolescent truth, Submarine marks Richard Ayoade as a talent to watch.

Read Critics Reviews

Leila Moore

New Statesman

The twee Tumblr-grunge aesthetic of the 2010s is not something I look back on with nostalgia, but Submarine situates itself in this aesthetic without becoming subsumed by it. As its title suggests, the story is satisfyingly contained.

Jul 26, 2023

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

The beauty of Submarine is all in the details, particularly the script's wry observations, which can be excruciating.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Nicolas Rapold

Film Comment Magazine

The movie's conception of the tender agonies and embarrassments of would-be teenage lovers is hobbled by punchline cuts and predictable musical montages (carefree dashes, setting off bottle rockets, etc.).

Jul 1, 2013

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sally Hawkins is top notch.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 24, 2020

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

I had not seen a coming of age movie as funny and philosophical as 'Submarine' in a long time. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Jun 24, 2020

Full Review

Ed Travis

Hollywood Jesus

This kid has traits that all of us remember on some level in our own adolescence. Writer/Director Richard Ayoade has crafted an adolescent reality.

Apr 1, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Fer S

Good movie! Well achieved in all senses. Great acting, beautiful photography and style and well thought characters. I would not say this is a comedy/romance movie. It is more like drama/romance/comedy (in that order).

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

Full Review

Faiz D

'Submarine' is an artfully made, wonderfully endearing and enjoyable film. Along with being very funny, it genuinely understands and insightfully explores teen anxiety and communication troubles.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Logan D

Fifteen-year-old Oliver has two goals. Get laid and make sure his parents don't break up. A hidden gem of a movie. I've certainly never heard of it. A coming of age tale with a philisophical bent, my younger self can relate to one of Oliver's goals. ;) Ayoade is great in front or behind the camera. I'm surprised he hasn't been tapped to direct more than two films. Both of his films are idiosyncratic with unique approaches to filmmaking. Recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/04/24

Full Review

annabelle j

Submarine is a great film engaging perfectly with the 2010 aesthetic of life in Wales as a teen with the grunge outfits and the overall feel of the film with amazing soundtracks done by Alex turner. the plotline is thick with multiple stories and one story teller being the main character himself , he keeps the films and plotlines separate concisely while expanding on the other peoples personal lives that somewhat intertwine. the tiny details heap so much feel into the film 10/10 my favourite film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

Full Review

Bea B

My favourite film, a coming of age from the perspective of a really awkward and off-putting boy called Oliver and his first love. Very cinematic and dry but so funny and aesthetically pleasing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

zaika -

Everything in this film works, from the relatable subjects (everyone wants to lose their virginity before 16), every star in this film works, Paddy Constantine, Craig Roberts, Noah Taylor and Yasmin Page. I think it deserves the moniker, the second best film of 2010, behind FOUR LIONS.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/11/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Richard Ayoade

Director

Craig Roberts

Oliver Tate

Yasmin Paige

Jordana

Noah Taylor

Lloyd

Paddy Considine

Graham

Sally Hawkins

Jill

Solitary Man

78%

50%

Solitary Man

Watchlist

Happythankyoumoreplease

42%

60%

Happythankyoumoreplease

Watchlist

Our Idiot Brother

70%

51%

Our Idiot Brother

Watchlist

Somewhere

71%

48%

Somewhere

Watchlist

American Animal

59%

53%

American Animal

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: X-Men: First Class is Certified Fresh

Five Favorite Films With Submarine Director Richard Ayoade

View more photos

Synopsis

Oliver (Craig Roberts) is a Welsh teen who has some things on his mind. First is losing his virginity before his 16th birthday. He sets out to woo his feisty classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige). Then Oliver focuses on holding his family together. His father (Noah Taylor), a depressed marine biologist, seems unequal to the task of preventing Oliver's mother (Sally Hawkins) from succumbing to the dubious charms of a spiritual guru (Paddy Considine) from down the road.

Director: Richard Ayoade
Screenwriter: Richard Ayoade
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Warp Films
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 6, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $466.7K
Runtime: 1h 37m

Most Popular at Home Now