The vast, mysterious ocean has always been a backdrop for tales of love, loss, and adventure. This curated collection of 10 melodramatic films set on or near the ocean offers viewers a chance to immerse themselves in stories where the sea plays a pivotal role in the unfolding of romance. Whether it's the backdrop for a budding relationship or a symbol of the depth of human emotions, these films capture the essence of love intertwined with the ocean's majesty, providing both escapism and emotional depth for audiences seeking a cinematic journey through love and the sea.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
Description: This classic film features a widow who falls in love with the ghost of a sea captain, with the ocean providing a hauntingly beautiful setting for their romance.
Fact: The film was remade as a television series in the 1960s.


Waterworld (1995)
Description: In a post-apocalyptic world where the polar ice caps have melted, love stories emerge amidst the struggle for survival, with the ocean as the setting for these relationships.
Fact: It was one of the most expensive films ever made at the time of its release.


The Shipping News (2001)
Description: A man moves to a small town in Newfoundland to start anew, where the ocean and its harsh beauty play a significant role in his personal and romantic development.
Fact: The film was adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by E. Annie Proulx.


Message in a Bottle (1999)
Description: A woman finds a love letter in a bottle washed up on the shore, leading her to the man who wrote it, with the ocean as the conduit for their connection.
Fact: The film is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, known for his romantic stories.


The Perfect Storm (2000)
Description: While primarily a disaster film, it also touches on the personal lives and relationships of the crew, with the ocean as both a source of livelihood and a force of nature.
Fact: The film is based on the book by Sebastian Junger, which recounts the real-life events of the Andrea Gail fishing boat.


The Sea Inside (2004)
Description: This Spanish film, while not directly a romance, explores the profound love for life and the sea through the story of a quadriplegic man, with the ocean symbolizing freedom and desire.
Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.


The Deep Blue Sea (2011)
Description: This film explores the tumultuous affair between a woman and a former RAF pilot, set against the backdrop of post-war London, with the ocean symbolizing the depth of their passion and despair.
Fact: The film is based on the 1952 play by Terence Rattigan, and it was adapted for the screen by director Terence Davies.


The Finest Hours (2016)
Description: A true story of a daring Coast Guard rescue mission, this film also delves into the romantic relationship between the main characters, highlighting the ocean's role in their lives.
Fact: The film was shot in Massachusetts, with some scenes filmed on the actual location of the 1952 event.


The Light Between Oceans (2016)
Description: A lighthouse keeper and his wife face moral dilemmas and the ocean's isolation, which tests their love and commitment to each other.
Fact: The film is based on the novel by M.L. Stedman, and it was shot in New Zealand and Australia.


The Old Man and the Sea (1990)
Description: While not traditionally a romance, the film captures the love between a man and the sea, and his struggle against nature, reflecting themes of perseverance and love.
Fact: This adaptation of Hemingway's novel was directed by Jud Taylor and features Anthony Quinn as the old man.
