Crimson Tide

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Crimson Tide

R

1995

1h 55m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.

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Critics Consensus

Boasting taut, high energy thrills and some cracking dialogue courtesy of an uncredited Quentin Tarantino, Crimson Tide finds director Tony Scott near the top of his action game.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

May 12, 2020

Simpson/Bruckheimer have plunged to the ocean's depths to reach the heights of commercial, big-movie filmmaking.

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Dolores Barclay

Associated Press

Feb 19, 2020

Crimson Tide is a whale of a movie, an intense and a heartstopping adventure played out against the unnerving threat of nuclear annihilation.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

This is a boy's movie all the way.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Dec 30, 2024

4.5/5

While this first (and still best) collaboration between Denzel Washington and late filmmaker Tony Scott remains a classic 1990s blockbuster, the tentative nature of the transformative path Washington’s character takes within it is often overlooked.

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Adrian Turner

Radio Times

Feb 2, 2024

4/5

This is riveting stuff, an achievement that is even more remarkable in view of the movie's restricted setting - a submarine's claustrophobic confines.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jul 19, 2023

3.5/4

...the picture’s compulsively watchable atmosphere is heightened by its emphasis on the fascinating nitty-gritty of submarine life and its surfeit of magnetic, charismatic performances...

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Alex B

@ALEXANDRIA123 Jul 26, 2026

In my view, Crimson Tide is the best directed, produced, and acted sea adventure movie ever. The action was nonstop, and the cast was superb in their roles as submariners!! Finally, Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington were incredible in the major roles and carried the movie to its best conclusion!!! A Baxter

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Saba H

@RT68421383 Jul 13, 2026

This movie is one of my absolute all-time favourites. I do not see this as a military propaganda film; rather, it is a very powerful philosophical spin on the role every level of human society could play in an event, their reasoning, their justification and the consequences they are prepared to face. This movie shows a very clear stigma on the grey area; despite the nature of the story setting being a "YES SIR" military paradox, it shows in moments the grey area is much more influential. Definitely recommend this for multiple watches. All in it is the perfect gathering of enormous talent creating a beautiful and captivating story.

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Erwin G

@Icer74win Jun 10, 2026

It was a suspenseful movie but the payoff was just okay.

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lolblog T

@RT47829063 Apr 13, 2026

incredible acting, and kept me interested the whole time, it is a good movie, but nothing special for me, that's why i put it a 6 out of 10

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Nathan H

@RT73046344 Mar 20, 2026

Interesting geopolitics against today's world. Come for the ensemble cast, stay for the surprisingly thoughtful dialog and presceint geopolitical scenario where a rogue superpower with hyper-polorization and civil war gets taken over by a radical war-hungry upstart who threatens to use nukes

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CJ D.

@CJD58 Mar 13, 2026

Good story and well done.

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Tony Scott

Director

Denzel Washington

Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter, XO, USS Alabama

Gene Hackman

Capt. Frank Ramsey

George Dzundza

Chief of the boat (COB)

Viggo Mortensen

Lt. Peter 'Weps' Ince

James Gandolfini

Lt. Bobby Dougherty, Supply Officer, USS Alabama

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Synopsis

After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.

Director: Tony Scott
Producer: Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter: Richard P. Henrick, Michael Schiffer
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 12, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $91.4M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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