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The Hunt for Red October

Play trailer 1:34 Poster for The Hunt for Red October PG 1990 2h 15m Mystery & Thriller Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 75 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Based on the popular Tom Clancy novel, this suspenseful movie tracks Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius as he abandons his orders and heads for the east coast of the United States. Equipped with innovative stealth technology, Ramius' submarine, "Red October," is virtually invisible. However, when an American sub briefly detects the Russians' presence, CIA agent Jack Ryan sets out to determine Ramius' motives, fearing he may launch an attack on the U.S.
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The Hunt for Red October

The Hunt for Red October

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Critics Consensus

Perfectly cast and packed with suspense, The Hunt for Red October is an old-fashioned submarine thriller with plenty of firepower to spare.

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Critics Reviews

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Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune Feb 11, 2015
3.5/4
Clancy is known for writing difficult books, but the movie makes plausible a preposterous situation because of Baldwin's convincing, low-key approach to being a film hero. Go to Full Review
Sheila Benson Los Angeles Times Feb 11, 2015
You may not be limp from accumulated tension when this hunt is over, but its cautiously upbeat global message leaves a satisfying glow and it operates with a crackerjack premise. Go to Full Review
John Hartl Seattle Times Feb 11, 2015
3/4
An exciting techno-suspense thriller with a hollow center. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Jun 22, 2023
2.5/4
...a consistently watchable yet erratically-paced drama... Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Nov 12, 2022
It's a tad obsolete, but that does not impede it from being tremendously dynamic and entertaining. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Yasser Medina Cinefilia Aug 25, 2022
7/10
As an espionage thriller, I must say, it has a tension that runs against the clock like a torpedo under the sea as it outlines its plot of diplomacy and naval strategy in the twilight of the Cold War. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jacob W @RT17896586 4 days ago Tom Clancy was and even after his death remains one of the best crime writers of all time up there with Child’s and Grisham. So it’s fair to say that it wouldn’t be long until Hollywood would be knocking. During the 90s his adaptations to screen became a regular fixture for film fan a like. While his works have had a rebirth on amazon. This is where it all started. With an all star cast. Very enjoyable. While AB was the first of many to play the role JR. It was HF that did the better job. That said this is good. See more Huntin P @PaxVobiscum80 Sep 28, 2026 This definitely is not Das Boot, but whereas that one will drain you emotionally, The Hunt For Red October is the kind of popcorn thriller one can watch over and over again. It's tremendous Cold War fun, with a starry cast and not a bad performance anywhere. Very much a sausage fest, I suppose, but these sort of movies always are (were). See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 5, 2026 The Hunt for Red October = a *4.5 star movie* See more AC C @Mon_Alisa Aug 30, 2026 This one takes the crown in the sub category. Sean Connery commands the screen (and the vessel) and he and Alec Baldwin do Tom Clancy’s already compelling novel justice. The rest of the cast is excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed the underwater chasing. I hadn’t read the book or known the storyline beforehand so this was a VERY fun watch. See more Antoni W @Antonir Aug 21, 2026 I hadn't heard of this movie before watching it but it is GOOD See more Max M @Househuntermax Jul 31, 2026 Everything an action thriller should be. Fast paced, top notch acting, grand and cinematic. Jan DeBonts camera work is second to none. Classic absolutely must see. (Pay no attention to the accents, or lack thereof) See more Read all reviews
The Hunt for Red October

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The Hunt for Red October

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - A Little Revolution The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - A Little Revolution 1:46 Now Playing The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You Speak Russian The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You Speak Russian 2:13 Now Playing The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Wrong Conclusions The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Wrong Conclusions 2:13 Now Playing The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Turbulence The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Turbulence 0:38 Now Playing The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Ryan's Plan The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Ryan's Plan 2:12 Now Playing The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You've Killed Us The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You've Killed Us 2:13 Now Playing The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Living in America The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Living in America 1:00 Now Playing The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Escaping Torpedoes The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Escaping Torpedoes 2:11 Now Playing The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Another Possibility The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Another Possibility 1:23 Now Playing View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Based on the popular Tom Clancy novel, this suspenseful movie tracks Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius as he abandons his orders and heads for the east coast of the United States. Equipped with innovative stealth technology, Ramius' submarine, "Red October," is virtually invisible. However, when an American sub briefly detects the Russians' presence, CIA agent Jack Ryan sets out to determine Ramius' motives, fearing he may launch an attack on the U.S.
Director
John McTiernan
Producer
Mace Neufeld
Screenwriter
Larry Ferguson, Donald Stewart, John Milius
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Action, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 2, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$119.1M
Runtime
2h 15m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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