Sailor Movies are Sea-tastic!

Who doesn’t love movies about people on the sea? I do! Sailors seem so free and versatile. They give in to adventure and freedom. There are plenty of great films about sailors of all various kinds, and I’ve compiled a few of my favorites. These films are all classics in their own right, and perfect for party viewing. Celebrate the exciting life of the sailor!

Anchors Aweigh (1945) - Starting out with a classic. Though not as good as one similar coming up on the list, this film is still worthy of seeing. This Sinatra and Gene Kelly film has some great moments. This musical is about two sailors on leave in Los Angeles.

Popeye (1980) - "I’m Popeye the Sailor Man," says Robin Williams in this Robert Altman cult classic. This is a strange, but brilliant and underrated film. The movie chronicles Popeye’s early days of sailorhood, when he meets Olive Oyl and his mortal enemy Bluto. Get some canned Spinach and dig the heck out of this film with a load of friends.

Sinbad the Sailor (1947) - Sinbad is the mythical hero from the Arabian Nights stories. He tells tales of his eight voyages, embellishing them certainly to suit his ego. This classic film is goofy fun, with plenty of old Hollywood special FX certain to make you smile. Watch for Anthony Quinn in a supporting role.

On the Town (1949) - "New York, New York, it’s a hell of a town!" This film features the classic song you’ve probably heard before, because it is a classic Broadway-style standard. This Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra musical is the best of their collaborations and is a wonderful, sing-along film. Now this film is perfect for a sailor party, dress up, turn the volume up, and have a great time with "On the Town."

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) - Now, this makes an appearance on the sailor movies more as a technicality, but also because I love this film. The pirate action adventure is reinvented for a contemporary audience and the result is this classic movie. Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow is one of the most enjoyable screen characters to watch in recent times, as he has so much fun with it. This movie is fantastic for a pirate party. Go wild, drink rum, and sing, "Yo ho yo ho, a pirate’s life for me."

McHale’s Navy (1997) - Based on the TV Series, this rather forgettable film is now enjoyable as B-movie fare, especially when seen with friends. I’ve never been a huge Tom Arnold fan, but I AM a huge Ernest Borgnine fan, and his presence makes this film worth seeing and worthy of being on this short list. McHale’s Navy is a fun movie for a silly movie marathon.

(DRUMROLL PLEASE) Last but not least…

Sailor Moon (1995) - Okay, so this is a TV series, but how could I not include it on a list about sailor films? This classic anime series about girls who have mystic powers when they turn into sailor-type costumes is a cult classic in the States and a phenomenon in its native Japan. The perfect material for a marathon viewing with friends, you’ll be laughing and crying over the exploits of Serena and her mates.

You’ll love the combination of costume party with film marathon. It is a hoot and a half and a memorable night! If any of these ideas got you excited for your own sailor movie viewing party, why not have one with sailor or pirate costumes from halloweencostumes.