20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
82%RT Audience Score: 74%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Walt Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a cinematic masterpiece that combines the best of both worlds: imaginative storytelling and groundbreaking special effects. This definitive big-budget adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic novel is a grandly entertaining adventure that will spark the imagination and leave you in awe. From the hallucinatory and visionary underwater journey in CinemaScope to the unforgettable performances by Kirk Douglas and James Mason, this film is a true classic that deserves its canonization in Disney World. While some may argue that it could have been better with a little less Kirk Douglas and more scientific things to gawk at in wonder, it’s hard to deny the sheer spectacle and ingenuity of this film. Bring on the David Fincher-helmed remake, but it will be hard to top the original.
Walt Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a classic adventure film that will take you on a wild ride through the depths of the ocean. Critics have raved about the film’s imaginative storytelling, stunning visuals, and thrilling action sequences. While some have criticized the film’s talkiness and lack of scientific wonder, it’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement of the story. Kirk Douglas steals the show as the swashbuckling Ned Land, and the film’s iconic giant squid battle is still a sight to behold. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and get ready for a journey you won’t soon forget!
Production Company(ies)
Disney+
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, Buena Vista Pictures, Abril Vídeo
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
1954
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:2h 7m
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Language(s):English
ALL CAST, AUSPICES, AND BELOW THE LINE -
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 23, 1954 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 2, 2004
Genre(s)
Kids & family/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre, Robert J Wilke, Carleton Young, John Howard, directed by Richard Fleischer, written by Jules Verne, Earl Felton, Kids & family, Drama, Adventure, Fantasy, G, Walt Disney, Warner Home Vídeo, Buena Vista Pictures, Abril Vídeo, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Variety Staff, Dave Kehr, Geoff Andrew, Bosley Crowther, Glenn Abel, Marjorie Baumgarten, Yasser Medina, Chris Hunneysett, producer Walt Disney, MPAA rating G, submarine, giant squid, Jules Verne, San Francisco, sea monster, expedition, harpooner, Captain Nemo, Professor Pierre M Aronnax, Conseil, Nautilus, underwater journey, steampunk, deep sea diving suits, sea storm, lost city of Atlantis, creatures of the deep
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
James Mason – Capt. Nemo
Paul Lukas – Prof. Pierre Arronax
Peter Lorre – Conseil
Robert J. Wilke – First Mate of the Nautilus
Carleton Young – John Howard
Director – Richard Fleischer
Producer – Walt Disney
Writers – Jules Verne, Earl Felton
Director(s)
Richard Fleischer
Writer(s)
Jules Verne, Earl Felton
Producer(s)
Walt Disney
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (30) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (3)
Walt Disney’s production of 20000 Leagues under the Sea is very special kind of picture, combining photographic ingenuity, imaginative story telling and fiscal daring.
June 6, 2007
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Grandly entertaining.
June 6, 2007
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
This is one of the great movie adventures, fully deserving its canonisation in Disney World.
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
As fabulous and fantastic as anything he has ever done in cartoons is Walt Disney’s ‘live action’ movie made from Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
March 25, 2006 | Rating: 3.5/5
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
The talky 20,000 Leagues probably won’t thrill kids fresh from The Matrix, but they may be interested to know that the Verne film was the effects marvel of its day.
June 14, 2003
Glenn Abel
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
One of the all-time great fantasy-adventure films.
March 10, 2003
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
It never loses its sense of spectacle during the underwater journey in CinemaScope. [Full review in Spanish]
August 9, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Yasser Medina
Cinemaficionados
definitive big screen big budget adaptation
March 1, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Chris Hunneysett
Daily Mirror (UK)
…hallucinatory and visionary and will spark the imagination – and, in fairness, possibly fuel some nightmares.
September 10, 2021
Jason Shawhan
Nashville Scene
A good one that could have been better with a little less Kirk Douglas and more scientific things to gawk at in wonder.
May 31, 2012 | Rating: B+
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Bring on the David Fincher-helmed remake.
October 18, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Rob Humanick
Suite101.com
A classic action-adventure for older kids.
January 2, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Scott G. Mignola
Common Sense Media…
Plot
In 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a professor and his team join an expedition to search for a sea monster, only to discover that it’s actually a submarine piloted by the brilliant but haunted Captain Nemo.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t say anything goofy or funny about the film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
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