In the Heart of the Sea

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In the Heart of the Sea

PG-13

2015

2h 2m

Adventure

Action

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

236 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In 1820, crewmen (Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy) aboard the New England vessel Essex face a harrowing battle for survival when a whale of mammoth size and strength attacks with force, crippling their ship and leaving them adrift in the ocean. Pushed to their limits and facing storms, starvation, panic and despair, the survivors must resort to the unthinkable to stay alive. Their incredible tale ultimately inspires author Herman Melville to write "Moby-Dick."

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Critics Consensus

The admirably old-fashioned In the Heart of the Sea boasts thoughtful storytelling to match its visual panache, even if it can't claim the depth or epic sweep to which it so clearly aspires.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Aug 17, 2022

As the tale unfolds, told within another tale, it becomes clear that this is also about narration and narrators, unreliable and otherwise.

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Edward Porter

The Times (UK)

Aug 15, 2022

... A plain but still rewarding account of a true story from the 1820s.

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Brent McKnight

Seattle Times

Jul 3, 2020

C

Thor and Spider-Man fight a whale.

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Matt Oakes

Silver Screen Riot

5 days ago

C

Ron Howard's 'In the Heart of the Sea' chases the white whale that is meaningful special effects films and comes up short.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Apr 23, 2022

2/4

The effect is largely a drab and plodding experience onscreen, with the occasional strong performance to keep us involved.

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Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Sep 13, 2021

In the Heart of the Sea chronicles well a fascinating era in American history.

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Eye C

@ECinc Aug 23, 2026

This is became one of my favorite movies of all time, the visual effects are simply outstanding… perhaps to say something as a con it gets large before the wreckage, but nothing too bad.

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Anna M L

@BeachLady26 Aug 8, 2026

The color grading and special effect of this movie is bad. Its not really convincing they are in the middle of the ocean. And even the town looks fake

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Mac A

@MackenzieAndres Apr 25, 2026

Moby Dick will go down into history as The American epic! And this movie, although taking on an incredible feat, did not disappoint. Absolutely jaw-dropping. Highly recommend for any classicist or history buff.

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David G.

@Mercmoon Apr 14, 2026

Beautifully photographed and well acted, In The Heart Of The Sea has had a rough time cementing itself as a work of art. It has some moments that will visually take your breath away and some that will make you scratch your head.

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Slim S

@Slimbo Mar 30, 2026

Well acted with great effects. You really feel like you could be there, fighting that white whale. Can't believe Tom Holland was so young in this film.

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Kenneth P

@RT77842348 Feb 2, 2026

A well acted movie with fine special effects. Based on the true story of the loss of the Essex in the early 1800's this is a fine piece of movie making. The story is told by the troubled only survivor decades after the event. A writer had sought him out after becoming obsessed with not knowing the truth of what really happened to the lost ship and wanted to write a book. if you like a good yarn and fine directing this is worth a watch.

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Ron Howard

Director

Chris Hemsworth

Owen Chase

Benjamin Walker

George Pollard

Cillian Murphy

Matthew Joy

Brendan Gleeson

Tom Nickerson

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Synopsis

In 1820, crewmen (Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy) aboard the New England vessel Essex face a harrowing battle for survival when a whale of mammoth size and strength attacks with force, crippling their ship and leaving them adrift in the ocean. Pushed to their limits and facing storms, starvation, panic and despair, the survivors must resort to the unthinkable to stay alive. Their incredible tale ultimately inspires author Herman Melville to write "Moby-Dick."

Director: Ron Howard
Producer: Paula Weinstein, Joe Roth, Will Ward, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
Screenwriter: Charles Leavitt
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: A.I.E., Cott Productions, Imagine Entertainment, Roth Films, Spring Creek Productions, Enelmar Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Action|Brief Startling Violence|Intense Sequences of Peril|Thematic Material)
Genre: Adventure, Action, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 11, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.1M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Atmos

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