Captain Phillips

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Captain Phillips

PG-13

2013

2h 13m

Drama

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

280 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In April 2009, the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama sails toward its destination on a day that seems like any other. Suddenly, Somali pirates race toward the vessel, climb aboard and take everyone hostage. The captain of the ship, Richard Phillips, looks to protect his crew from the hostile invaders, and their leader, Muse. The pirates are after millions of dollars, and Phillips must use his wits to make sure everyone survives and returns home safely.

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Critics Consensus

Smart, powerfully acted, and incredibly intense, Captain Phillips offers filmgoers a Hollywood biopic done right -- and offers Tom Hanks a showcase for yet another brilliant performance.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Sep 14, 2023

Hanks is the casting coup here, and anchors (forgive the pun) the film with the sense of a normal, modest everyman who is in over his head.

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J. Hoberman

ARTINFO.com

Feb 22, 2019

The Navy SEALS procedural is a bit of a jumble even as it comfortingly demonstrates American competence in the face of a standoff. Still, it's the captain's passion that gives the movie its emotional intensity.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Sep 5, 2018

My heart was in my mouth throughout. It is nail-bitingly exciting, even if you know the outcome, and I think I can safely say it's a better film than the one I thought I was going to see.

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Carla Renata

The Curvy Film Critic

Mar 24, 2026

Tom Hanks gives a performance so riveting you felt like a fly on the wall watching this whole scenario play out. Barkhad Abdi and Barkhad Abdiraman break our hearts while leaving your veins as cold as ice-water simultaneously.

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Guillermo Troncoso

Screen Realm

Jan 24, 2026

4.5/5

Exhausting and thrilling, Captain Phillips earns its impact through sheer immediacy, placing you on the deck, in the hold, and inside the rising panic. Greengrass and his team deliver an intensely immersive experience.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Aug 15, 2024

A+

Captain Phillips is one of the most amazing films of the year so far and is driven by incredible performances from Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi. The story, while maybe not 100% accurate, is still amazing, intense and one that you’ll love to see.

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PayPal U

Sep 24, 2024

Tom Hanks, great actor, one of my top 5. If only he would just do his job and not worry about who or what I vote for.

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Sisa W

@yeorumbam Aug 18, 2026

Un poco larga, pero vale la pena echarle un vistazo.

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Damon G

@Dmoney420 Feb 22, 2026

I like high jacking movies and this one is super good

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Kaylen W

@JustKay234 Jan 30, 2026

He truly is the captain now

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Dec 11, 2025

Captain Phillips delivers a tense and layered experience once it finally gets moving, even though the slow opening makes it hard to settle into at first. The first twenty to twenty-five minutes feel stretched out and unfocused, creating a confusing setup that doesn’t match the intensity the film eventually reaches. Still, once the hijacking begins, the movie sharpens into a gripping and unsettling thriller that keeps you locked in, wondering how everything will unfold. Tom Hanks carries the film with a grounded and emotional performance that elevates even the quieter moments. The movie becomes far more engaging as the danger escalates, building real suspense and giving weight to every decision the characters face. It’s a well-crafted story overall, just one that demands patience to get through its slower sections. Even if it’s not something you’d revisit, it remains a strong and memorable one-time watch.

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Jace E

@thefilmguy Oct 22, 2025

"I'm the captain now." Bone-chilling. This movie is high-anxiety from start to finish. The performances are so brilliant that I have no desire to watch this film again. Also, the poster with the pirates climbing up the side of the boat is genius. Best Character: Muse Best Quote: "I'm the captain now" - Muse Best Scene: The pirates board the boat Best Piece of Score: "Safe Now"

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Paul Greengrass

Director

Tom Hanks

Capt. Richard Phillips

Catherine Keener

Andrea Phillips

Barkhad Abdi

Muse

Barkhad Abdirahman

Bilal

Faysal Ahmed

Najee

Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Two in the Water

3:20

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Captain Phillips: Official Clip - I'm the Captain Now

3:24

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Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Too Much Talk

3:01

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Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Not Here to Negotiate

2:52

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Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Hit the Hoses

2:49

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Captain Phillips: Official Clip - You're Safe Now

2:59

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Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Kidnapped Captain

2:52

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Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Radio Ruse

2:31

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Captain Phillips: Official Clip - Pirates On Board

2:59

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Captain Phillips: Official Clip - We Have Your Captain

2:27

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Synopsis

In April 2009, the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama sails toward its destination on a day that seems like any other. Suddenly, Somali pirates race toward the vessel, climb aboard and take everyone hostage. The captain of the ship, Richard Phillips, looks to protect his crew from the hostile invaders, and their leader, Muse. The pirates are after millions of dollars, and Phillips must use his wits to make sure everyone survives and returns home safely.

Director: Paul Greengrass
Producer: Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca
Screenwriter: Billy Ray
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Scott Rudin Productions, Michael De Luca, Trigger Street Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Bloody Images|Substance Use|Sustained Int. Seq. of Menace)
Genre: Drama, Action, Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $107.1M
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat

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