The Perfect Storm

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The Perfect Storm

PG-13

2000

2h 9m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

137 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Based on a true story, the film tells of the courageous men and women who risk their lives every working day, pitting their fishing boats and rescue vessels against the capricious forces of nature. Their worst fears are realized at sea on Halloween of 1991, when they are confronted by three raging weather fronts which unexpectedly collide to produce the greatest, fiercest storm in modern history -- "The Perfect Storm."

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Critics Consensus

While the special effects are well done and quite impressive, this film suffers from any actual drama or characterization. The end result is a film that offers nifty eye-candy and nothing else.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 6, 2018

The discrepancy between the sophistication of the special effects and the rudimentary dramaturgy results in a $140 million film that may raise your blood pressure, but leaves the rest of you distinctly unengaged.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 28, 2010

3/5

Scary and sad are the main concerns here.

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Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Mar 22, 2002

3.5/4

Think of something with the heart and soul of a Conrad yarn, yet buttressed by very special effects and shrewdly packaged for devotees of the Outdoor Living Network

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Nov 24, 2025

3/5

The Perfect Storm may be based on a true story, but it takes far too many dramatic liberties to truly honor the men who were lost at sea.

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Joe Lipsett

Murder Made Fiction Podcast - Bloody Disgusting

Nov 11, 2025

3.5/5

A surprisingly straightforward 'based on a true story' adaptation about blue collar workers battling capitalism and dying at the hands of Mother Nature. A solid cast, great FX, and old fashioned gender norms, but composer James Horner needs to ease off!

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Oct 27, 2024

3/4

...an appealingly old-school drama that boasts a whole host of engaging, attention-grabbing elements...

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Lincoln L

@Linkolnbio2 Sep 29, 2026

It's worth a watch really it provides enough entertainment value to justify your time.

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Ashlee K

@LoveNoir Jul 16, 2026

This movie still gives me hope that the crew on the Andrea Gail are still out there. Granted, I totally wouldn’t mind a sharper remake with a little more build up, but seeing as that we truly do not know what happened on that ship this is a good use of the imagination. I loved the appreciation for the Coast Guard as well. I wish Skip would have been more of a leader and less in his ego, but the cringe captain actually added to my appeal.

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gerald H

@RottenGary Apr 21, 2026

From the very first minute, you’re submerged in a pathetic, maudlin Horner score, fully aware that we’re "supposed to" sympathize with the "endearing" village fisherman characters who will inevitably perish. Meanwhile, Wahlberg has to keep kissing Lane, which feels vaguely incestuous because she looks like his mother. A real-life tragedy, of course — but in the film, you’re almost relieved when they disappear.

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Life imitates chess O

@Thekidlovesclassics Apr 15, 2026

I love this movie cannot understand the negative reviews,A perfect storm is a classic that has aged like a fine wine, full of heart and balls

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Tom F

@RT55173143 Feb 25, 2026

The scenes of a storm at sea are just okay, the human side of the story is a mess.

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Matt L

@Mattliptak Feb 19, 2026

A stellar and emotional film, The Perfect Storm delivers one of the more powerful true-story adaptations, even with its tragic ending. George Clooney leads a strong cast including Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, all bringing authenticity and heart to the story. Great performances, strong crew chemistry, and impressive storm visuals make this a memorable and sobering watch.

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Wolfgang Petersen

Director

George Clooney

Captain Billy Tyne

Mark Wahlberg

Bobby Shatford

John C. Reilly

Dale "Murph" Murphy

Diane Lane

Christina "Chris" Cotter

William Fichtner

David "Sully" Sullivan

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Synopsis

Based on a true story, the film tells of the courageous men and women who risk their lives every working day, pitting their fishing boats and rescue vessels against the capricious forces of nature. Their worst fears are realized at sea on Halloween of 1991, when they are confronted by three raging weather fronts which unexpectedly collide to produce the greatest, fiercest storm in modern history -- "The Perfect Storm."

Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Producer: Paula Weinstein, Gail Katz
Screenwriter: Sebastian Junger, William D. Wittliff
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Baltimore Spring Creek, Radiant Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Adventure, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 30, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $182.6M
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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