Das Boot (1981)

Kernel Score: 89% · 2,451 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Drama, History, War

Released: 1981-09-17

Runtime: 150 minutes

Is Das Boot worth watching?

Must-watch. A German U-boat crew goes on patrol, and the claustrophobic tension never lets up. It shows the war from inside the sub, with a human and exhausting view of the crew. Viewers rate it very highly.

Watch it if you

  • like tense, realistic war films
  • enjoy claustrophobic settings
  • want a war film focused on the crew, not heroics

Skip it if you

  • dislike long films (it's two and a half hours)
  • want fast action over slow tension

Best for: Serious war-movie night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Das Boot

  • Stream: Fubo
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-22.

Overview

A German submarine hunts allied ships during the Second World War, but it soon becomes the hunted. The crew tries to survive below the surface, while stretching both the boat and themselves to their limits.

Das Boot parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Das Boot is an intense WWII submarine war film with prolonged danger, claustrophobic tension, and depictions of combat and death.

  • Violence & scariness: Strong — Depicts naval warfare, depth-charge attacks, and death in a claustrophobic submarine setting; rated R.
  • Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Sailors are shown drinking to cope with stress aboard the U-boat.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Das Boot

If you liked Das Boot, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) — 87%: German soldiers' view of war, bleak and brutally realistic.
  • Greyhound (2020) — 86%: Naval tension at sea with a hunted ship.
  • Saving Private Ryan (1998) — 95%: Visceral, realistic war film with strong human stakes.
  • Fury (2014) — 87%: Cramped tank crew in a hard, grim war story.
  • Downfall (2004) — 87%: German perspective on WWII, intense and humanizing.
  • The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) — 89%: Classic war drama about duty and endurance.

Director

Wolfgang Petersen

Cast

  • Jürgen Prochnow as Captain Lieutenant 'Der Alte'
  • Herbert Grönemeyer as Lieutenant Werner
  • Klaus Wennemann as Chief Engineer
  • Hubertus Bengsch as First Watch Officer
  • Martin Semmelrogge as Second Watch Officer
  • Bernd Tauber as Kriechbaum
  • Erwin Leder as Johann 'Das Gespenst'
  • Martin May as Ullmann
  • Heinz Hoenig as Hinrich
  • Uwe Ochsenknecht as Chief Bosun

Das Boot FAQ

Is Das Boot worth watching?

Must-watch. A German U-boat crew goes on patrol, and the claustrophobic tension never lets up. It shows the war from inside the sub, with a human and exhausting view of the crew. Viewers rate it very highly.

Where can I watch Das Boot?

In the US you can stream Das Boot on Fubo and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Das Boot OK for kids?

Das Boot is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Das Boot is an intense WWII submarine war film with prolonged danger, claustrophobic tension, and depictions of combat and death.

What movies are like Das Boot?

If you liked Das Boot, try All Quiet on the Western Front, Greyhound, Saving Private Ryan and Fury.