Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Ghosts of the Abyss

Play trailer Poster for Ghosts of the Abyss G 2003 1h 0m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
80% Tomatometer 101 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Veteran filmmaker James Cameron delves into the inspiration for his film "Titanic" by traveling to the mammoth cruise liner's final resting spot. Accompanied by a team of historians and friend Bill Paxton, Cameron uses unprecedented technology to take the viewer on an unscripted tour of this famous wreckage. This look back through time allows audiences to see never-before-photographed images and understand more about what transpired on that fateful night.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Ghosts of the Abyss

Ghosts of the Abyss

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The underwater footage is both beautiful and awe-inspiring.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Alexander Walker London Evening Standard 01/10/2018
Cameron reconstructs life aboard in the shape of living tableaux of passengers and crew, seen in spectral mode, eating, drinking, dancing or promenading among the watery remnants of their vessel. It is done with finesse and, oddly, is deeply touching. Go to Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films 09/28/2012
B+
If you see only one James Cameron-directed movie about theTitanic -and you should - see the one that doesn't star Kate and Leo. Go to Full Review Ted Shen Chicago Reader 12/11/2009
This hour-long feature, edited down from 900 hours of footage, is both a technical marvel and a heartfelt memorial to those who died when the ship sank in 1912. Go to Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch 11/18/2023
It's in [the] moments where the ghost of a human touch lingers that the doc really comes alive. Go to Full Review R.L. Shaffer IGN DVD 09/26/2012
8/10
A bit slow-going and strangely emotionless at times. But Bill Paxton's nervous expressions add humor, and the film's jaw-dropping glimpse at the Titanic are powerful, to say the least. Go to Full Review Jules Brenner Cinema Signals 09/15/2012
3.5/5
James Cameron's latest memorial to the spirit that exists mournfully and sadly in utter silence as the effects of time and salinity slowly and inexorably take their toll. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
johann m @Johann33 09/22/2021 James Cameron and Bill Paxton, director and actor of the 1997 film Titanic, travel to the final undersea resting place of the ill-fated ship of dreams and reconstructs life aboard in the shape of living tableaux of passengers and crew, seen in spectral mode, eating, drinking, dancing or promenading among the watery remnants of their vessel. Very touching. See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 04/26/2017 Ghosts of the Abyss is an amazing documentary. It is about James Cameron and Bill Paxton who travel to the final undersea resting place of the ill-fated ship of dreams, the Titanic. Bill Paxton did an awesome job narrating the film. James Cameron also did a great job directing the movie. I enjoyed it because of my interest in this magnificent ship. See more 11/13/2016 Brilliantly made film with some excellent footage and great technology in use. See more 03/11/2015 Really pointless didn't see or hear anything new complete waste of time easily could of been made and show at the end of the titanic movie in a 3 minute segment really was not needed See more 03/05/2015 Ghosts of The Abyss is an interesting continuation of James Cameron's exploration of the Titanic wreckage. Complete with Bill Paxton, this documentary feels like it would have been better suited as a special feature to compliment the 1997 movie. Although it's a bit lackluster for a feature film, it is a fascinating viewing experience. Many of the shots are breathtaking, especially when superimposed with CGI images of the original ship and passengers. There's a surreal feeling to this film, as the dates of this exploration overlapped with the events of September 11th, 2001. As the crew was focused on this historic tragedy, another one was taking place. I enjoyed this for what it is, but I can't give it a very high rating. Sadly, there's just not a whole lot to it. See more 04/27/2014 Definitely Worth The 3D Experience. It Is A Good Trip Deep Into The Atlantic Ocean & Resting Place Of This Ship, Which Never Completed It's Maiden Voyage. See more Read all reviews
Ghosts of the Abyss

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

James Cameron

Director

James Cameron

Self

Bill Paxton

Self

James Cameron

Producer

Ed W. Marsh

Creative Producer

Chuck Comisky

Producer

More Like This

View All
Aliens of the Deep 84% 49% Aliens of the Deep Watchlist America's Heart and Soul 49% 46% America's Heart and Soul Watchlist Morning Light 29% 50% Morning Light Watchlist Encounters at the End of the World 94% 83% Encounters at the End of the World Watchlist Winged Migration 95% 88% Winged Migration Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Ghosts of the Abyss

View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Veteran filmmaker James Cameron delves into the inspiration for his film "Titanic" by traveling to the mammoth cruise liner's final resting spot. Accompanied by a team of historians and friend Bill Paxton, Cameron uses unprecedented technology to take the viewer on an unscripted tour of this famous wreckage. This look back through time allows audiences to see never-before-photographed images and understand more about what transpired on that fateful night.
Director
James Cameron
Producer
James Cameron, Chuck Comisky, Gig Rackauskas, Janace Tashjian
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Walden Media, Earthship Productions, Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 31, 2003, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$17.0M
Runtime
1h 0m
Aspect Ratio
IMAX (1.43:1)
Most Popular at Home Now