The Finest Hours

Play trailer

1:45

The Finest Hours

PG-13

Released Jan 29, 2016

1h 56m

Adventure

Action

Mystery & Thriller

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

201 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

On Feb. 18, 1952, a massive storm splits the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker's sinking stern. Engineer Ray Sybert bravely takes charge to organize a strategy for his fellow survivors. As word of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard in Chatham, Mass., Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff orders a daring rescue mission. Despite the ferocious weather, coxswain Bernie Webber takes three men on a lifeboat to try and save the crew against seemingly impossible odds.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Old-fashioned to a fault, The Finest Hours will satisfy those seeking a traditional rescue drama - but may leave more adventurous viewers wanting more.

Read Critics Reviews

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

A rousing tale of sacrifice, ingenuity and heroism.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 16, 2016

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Chesapeake Family Magazine

The Coast Guard gets its big-screen opportunity with The Finest Hours. Its great effects work well to accompany some solid performances.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 2, 2016

Full Review

Udita Jhunjhunwala

Scroll.in

This is a by-the-book disaster-rescue saga with elevated moments of drama. The ocean scenes leave you feeling a little bit seasick, but in awe of the bravery of these men.

Jun 21, 2016

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Subdued from the Ahab archetypes of most maritime characters, Pine and Affleck are not completely bland, but neither offers much inspiration or entertaining gravity, two aspects woefully missing from the film as a whole.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 13, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Its all very familiar and unremarkable filmmaking for an otherwise remarkable story.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 22, 2022

Full Review

Therese Lacson

Nerdophiles

It's not going to surprise you with any plot twists, but The Finest Hours is by far one of the most exciting disaster movie so far this year.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 9, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Korra N

I personally didn't find The Finest Hours to be outstanding, but it's still got great performances, solid direction and some stunning visuals.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

Full Review

Code4change w

I love this classic movie making approach and the cast is compelling. I enjoyed Chris Pine but it was many of the secondary characters that really keeps me coming back. I am shocked that Casey Affleck hasn't gotten more attention for this performance and while Rachael Brosnahan has a small role she really brings it home. I do wish the writing and directing was stronger, especially for the quieter moments in the movie but all together this one is going on my classics shelf.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

Dani G

Not great obviously, but it keeps you interested in the screen. Also, a good cast; maybe the leading female is the one who fell very short

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/19/24

Full Review

Dale R

Based on a book by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman, which is based on the true story of the Coast Guard rescue of the crew of the SS Pendleton in 1952. I didn’t latch on to any of the characters in this film and so wasn’t invested in the rescue attempt. Chris Pine plays a great soft-spoken and shy Coast Guardsman, but I didn’t buy into the love interest that was presented. The predicament the SS Pendleton got into, and how they got out, was more interesting to me. The special effects were good and held up today. Check this film out if you're curious.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

Full Review

Brendan F

Watched this the other day. Liked it. Not loved it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/11/24

Full Review

Rick M

Intense. In the extreme. Never lets up.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Craig Gillespie

Director

Chris Pine

Bernie Webber

Casey Affleck

Ray Sybert

Ben Foster

Richard Livesey

Holliday Grainger

Miriam

John Ortiz

Seaman Wallace Quirey

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

In the Heart of the Sea

43%

54%

In the Heart of the Sea

Watchlist

TRAILER

for In the Heart of the Sea

Ben-Hur

25%

52%

Ben-Hur

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Ben-Hur

Horizon Line

40%

20%

Horizon Line

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Horizon Line

Pompeii

27%

34%

Pompeii

Watchlist

Deepwater Horizon

82%

82%

Deepwater Horizon

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Deepwater Horizon

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

How Family-Friendly are X-Men: Apocalypse and Alice Through the Looking Glass?

Now Streaming: Boardwalk Empire, Banshee, Lady Dynamite and More

On DVD This Week: The Finest Hours, Zoolander 2, and More

The Finest Hours: Trailer 2

1:45

The Finest Hours: Trailer 1

2:31

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

On Feb. 18, 1952, a massive storm splits the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker's sinking stern. Engineer Ray Sybert bravely takes charge to organize a strategy for his fellow survivors. As word of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard in Chatham, Mass., Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff orders a daring rescue mission. Despite the ferocious weather, coxswain Bernie Webber takes three men on a lifeboat to try and save the crew against seemingly impossible odds.

Director: Craig Gillespie
Producer: James Whitaker, Dorothy Aufiero
Screenwriter: Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Whitaker Entertainment, Red Hawk Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Peril)
Genre: Adventure, Action, Mystery & Thriller, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 29, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.6M
Runtime: 1h 56m

Most Popular at Home Now