Films About Oil Rigs
Films about oil rigs explore the dangers and challenges faced by workers on offshore platforms and the environmental risks associated with oil drilling. These films often depict thrilling stories of survival, disaster, and the human struggle against powerful forces. Here are some existing films about oil rigs:
“The Abyss”, 1989
Director: James Cameron
Directed by James Cameron, this sci-fi thriller follows a team of deep-sea oil rig workers who encounter a mysterious and powerful underwater species. The crew must navigate treacherous waters and confront their own fears to survive. [[1]](https://pinedaoffshoreservices.com/films-featuring-offshore-platforms/)
Starring: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, John Bedford Lloyd, J.C. Quinn, Kimberly Scott, Captain Kidd Brewer Jr., George Robert Klek, Christopher Murphy, Adam Nelson, Dick Warlock, Jimmie Ray Weeks, J. Kenneth Campbell, Ken Jenkins, Chris Elliott, Peter Ratray, Michael Beach, Brad Sullivan, Frank Lloyd, Phillip Darlington, Joe Farago, William Wisher, Marcus K. Mukai, Wendy Gordon, Paula Cross, Thomas F. Duffy, Chris Anastasio, Emily Yancy, Michael Chapman, Tom Isbell, Mike Cameron, Daren Dochterman, Candice Hill, Randy Robertson, Robert Searle;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 140 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Abyss” on the website imdb.com
“Deepwater Horizon”, 2016
Director: Peter Berg
Based on a true story, this action-drama film depicts the events leading up to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The film focuses on the bravery and heroism of the rig workers as they fight for survival. [[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon_(film)) [[3]](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1860357/)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O'Brien, Kate Hudson, Ethan Suplee, Henry Frost, Jeremy Sande, Douglas M. Griffin, James DuMont, Joe Chrest, Brad Leland, David Maldonado, JD Evermore, Jason Pine, Jason Kirkpatrick, Robert Walker Branchaud, Jonathan Angel, Bill McMullen, Stella Allen, Juston Street, Anthony Centonze, Zachary Guerra, Chris Ashworth, Graham McGinnis, Robert Nash, Henri Esteve, Sean Carter, Elizabeth Carey, Mustafa Harris, Joel Allen, Terry Milam, Garrett Kruithof, Michael Howell, Ronald Weaver, Deneen Tyler, Jim Klock, Leighton Gonzales, Michael O'Brien, Garrett Hines, Robert Martin Steinberg, Trace Adkins, Kurt Peterson, Cierra Price, Kenneth Billings, Ilan Muallem, Wesley Figaro, Jennifer Tamminen;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“Black Gold”, 2011
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Set in the 1930s, this historical drama tells the story of two rival Arabian princes who clash over control of their oil-rich land. The film explores themes of greed, power, and the impact of oil on society. [[5]](https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-about-oil/ranker-film)
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Tahar Rahim, Mark Strong, Freida Pinto, Riz Ahmed, Liya Kebede, Corey Johnson, Akin Gazi, Eriq Ebouaney, Lotfi Dziri, Jan Uddin, Hichem Rostom, Taoufik Ayeb, Mostafa Gaafar, Driss Roukhe, Ali Bennor, Raouf Ben Amor, Jamil Joudi, Ramsi Lehner, Mohamed Ali Nahdi, Walid Nahdi, Med Kouka, Mahmoud Larnaout, Fethi Akkari, Adriano Giannini, Abdelmajid Lakhal, Mohamed Sassi Ghorbali, Tayeb Oueslati, Ziad Ghaoui, Abdellatif Kheireddine, Kaoutar Boudarraja, Rania Gabsi, Abdellatif Bouallegue, Helmi Dridi, Dalila Meftahi, Mourad Bennefla, Jamal Awar, Saifeddine Louati, Med Sayari, Bechir Salhi, Abderrazek Abdessalem, Amar Adatia, Faycal Albaker, Mohammed Alibrahim, Mondher Aouidet, Sarah Aoussaji, Chedly Arfaoui, Salah Azadou, Mohamed Hedi Bahri, Maram Ben Aziza;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, adventure, war;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Black Gold” on the website imdb.com
“The Rig”, 2023
Director: John Strickland, Alex Holmes
In this horror film, a group of oil rig workers becomes trapped on their rig during a tropical storm. As they struggle to survive, they discover that they are not alone and must confront a terrifying creature lurking in the depths.
Starring: Emily Hampshire, Iain Glen, Molly Vevers, Abraham Popoola, Rochenda Sandall, Martin Compston, Owen Teale, Stuart McQuarrie, Calvin Demba, Richard Pepple, Cameron Fulton, Neshla Caplan, Mark Addy, Nikhil Parmar, Emun Elliott, Neila Stephens, Mark Bonnar, Zach Gerard, Martin Farrell, Kyle McGuinness, Steven Barr, Dougie Rankin, Jason Alan Staines, James Matheson;
Production year: 2023;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, drama, detective;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “The Rig” on the website imdb.com
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other films about oil rigs worth exploring.
The selection of films about oil rigs offers a compelling exploration of the human experience in the challenging and often dangerous world of offshore drilling. From the gripping portrayal of the environmental and personal dilemmas faced in “The Abyss” to the high-stakes drama of “Deepwater Horizon,” these films provide a thought-provoking look at the resilience, sacrifice, and ethical dilemmas of those working in this demanding industry. Whether it's the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity or the consequences of corporate negligence, these films about oil rigs offer a powerful reflection on the complexities of this vital but often controversial aspect of modern society.
