Best Submarine Games & Movies
From hardcore WWII simulations to underwater survival games - and the films that brought submarines to the big screen. Here's your complete guide to submarine entertainment.
Top Submarine Games
Silent Hunter III
2005The gold standard of WWII U-boat simulation. Command a German Type VII submarine through the Battle of the Atlantic with incredible realism and immersive gameplay.
PC
Simulation
Cold Waters
2017A modern spiritual successor to the classic "Red Storm Rising." Command a US nuclear submarine during Cold War and modern-day scenarios against Soviet/Russian forces.
PC
Simulation
UBOAT
2019 (Early Access)A unique blend of submarine simulation and crew management. Run your U-boat as a crew manager - handle morale, supplies, and survival alongside tactical warfare.
PC
Simulation / Management
Barotrauma
2023A 2D co-op submarine survival game set on Jupiter's moon Europa. Navigate hostile alien waters, maintain your sub, and fight terrifying deep-sea creatures with friends.
PC
Co-op Survival
Wolfpack
2019 (Early Access)A realistic cooperative WWII U-boat game where each player operates a different station. Up to 5 players crew a single submarine together.
PC
Co-op Simulation
Subnautica
2018While not a traditional submarine game, Subnautica offers one of the best underwater exploration experiences ever. Build submarines and explore an alien ocean planet.
PC, Console
Survival / Exploration
Silent Depth 2
2021A detailed submarine simulation focusing on Pacific Theater WWII operations. Command American submarines against Japanese naval forces.
PC, Mobile
Simulation
Submarine Titans
2000A classic real-time strategy game set entirely underwater. Build bases, research technology, and command submarine fleets in futuristic underwater warfare.
PC
RTS
Best Submarine Movies
Das Boot
1981The definitive submarine film. Follows a German U-boat crew during WWII with claustrophobic intensity.
The Hunt for Red October
1990A Soviet submarine captain attempts to defect with a revolutionary stealth submarine. Based on Tom Clancy's bestseller.
Crimson Tide
1995Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman clash over nuclear launch orders aboard a US ballistic missile submarine.
K-19: The Widowmaker
2002The true story of the Soviet nuclear submarine K-19 and its heroic crew who prevented a nuclear disaster.
U-571
2000An American submarine crew must capture an Enigma code machine from a disabled German U-boat.
Hunter Killer
2018A US submarine captain must navigate treacherous waters to prevent a Russian military coup.
Books Every Submarine Fan Should Read
- "Das Boot" by Lothar-Günther Buchheim - The autobiographical novel that inspired the legendary film. Raw and unflinching.
- "The Hunt for Red October" by Tom Clancy - The Cold War thriller that launched Clancy's career and defined the techno-thriller genre.
- "Blind Man's Bluff" by Sherry Sontag - True stories of Cold War submarine espionage that read like fiction.
- "Thunder Below!" by Eugene Fluckey - Medal of Honor recipient's account of commanding USS Barb in the Pacific.
- "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne - The 1870 classic that imagined submarine technology decades before it existed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most realistic submarine game?
Silent Hunter III (2005) is widely considered the most realistic WWII submarine simulation, especially with community mods like the Grey Wolves Expansion. For modern submarine warfare, Cold Waters (2017) offers detailed sonar, torpedo, and tactical gameplay. Dangerous Waters is the most hardcore option - it simulates individual crew stations with such fidelity that some naval academies have used it for training.
Can you play submarine games in co-op with friends?
Yes, several submarine games support cooperative multiplayer. Wolfpack lets up to 5 players crew a single WWII U-boat, with each player operating a different station (helmsman, navigator, sonar operator, etc.). Barotrauma supports up to 16 players managing a submarine together. IronWolf VR offers co-op submarine gameplay in virtual reality for up to 4 players.
What are the best submarine movies to watch?
Das Boot (1981) is the definitive submarine film, offering an unflinching look at life aboard a WWII U-boat. The Hunt for Red October (1990) is a Cold War thriller based on Tom Clancy's novel. Crimson Tide (1995) features a tense conflict over nuclear launch orders. K-19: The Widowmaker (2002) tells the true story of a Soviet submarine disaster. U-571 (2000) is a more action-oriented take on WWII submarine warfare.
Is Subnautica a submarine game?
Subnautica is an underwater survival and exploration game rather than a traditional submarine simulator. Players build and pilot submarines (the Seamoth and Cyclops) to explore an alien ocean planet. While it does not simulate realistic submarine operations, it offers one of the most immersive underwater experiences in gaming. It has earned Overwhelmingly Positive reviews on Steam and is a great entry point for anyone interested in underwater exploration.
Are there any free submarine games worth playing?
There are a few free options. Submarine Simulator (web-based) offers basic submarine control gameplay. Some older titles like Wolfpack (the 1990 version, not the modern co-op game) are available as abandonware. Steam occasionally offers free-to-play weekends for games like UBOAT and Cold Waters. For mobile, there are several free submarine games, though most are simplified arcade-style rather than realistic simulations.