Is Poseidon Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Poseidon is likely a skip if you enjoy Adventure movies.
It features a runtime of 98 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Poseidon Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2006, Poseidon emerges as a significant entry in the Adventure, Action, Drama, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A packed cruise ship traveling the Atlantic is hit and overturned by a massive wave, compelling the passengers to begin a dramatic fight for their lives. Unlike standard genre fare, Poseidon attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Adventure is often anchored by its ensemble, and Poseidon features a noteworthy lineup led by Josh Lucas . Supported by the likes of Kurt Russell and Jacinda Barrett , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Poseidon (2006) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Poseidon Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Poseidon is a Adventure, Action, Drama, Thriller film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A packed cruise ship traveling the Atlantic is hit and overturned by a massive wave, compelling the passengers to begin a dramatic fight for their lives. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Poseidon Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Poseidon attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to adventure resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the adventure themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Poseidon reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Poseidon?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Adventure films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Poseidon Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $160.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $181.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Poseidon Budget
The estimated production budget for Poseidon is $160.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Poseidon
- Josh Lucas – Dylan Johns
- Kurt Russell – Robert Ramsey
- Jacinda Barrett – Maggie James
- Richard Dreyfuss – Richard Nelson
- Emmy Rossum – Jennifer Ramsey
Top Highlights
Josh LucasDylan Johns
Kurt RussellRobert Ramsey
Jacinda BarrettMaggie James
Richard DreyfussRichard Nelson
Emmy RossumJennifer Ramsey
Mía MaestroElena
Mike VogelChristian
Kevin DillonLucky Larry
Freddy RodríguezValentin
Jimmy BennettConor James
Where to Watch Poseidon Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
Poseidon is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.9/10, and global collection metrics, Poseidon stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2006 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poseidon movie hit or flop?
Poseidon has received mixed reviews with a 5.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Poseidon worth watching?
Poseidon is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Adventure, Action, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Poseidon online?
Poseidon may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How Poseidon Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Poseidon
I wouldn't put a lot of faith on what the captain says. I'm an architect, and these boats weren't designed to float upside down. After playing water games with "The Perfect Storm" six years previously, director Wolfgang Petersen returns to the water to reimage 1972's "The Poseidon Adventure" (novel by Paul Gallico). Story essentially finds a cruise liner capsized by chaotic weather and survivors try to make their way out of an upside world before the boat either sinks or the inrushing water drowns them. The original is one of the highlights of the disaster genre that burst forth in the 1970s, so it really didn't need remaking, but Hollywood insists on remaking old films for cash cow purpose. As it is, this is hardly a terrible movie, it lacks character development, the plot is stripped bare without any additional depth, and ultimately it's the CGI effects (that do work handsomely enough and were Oscar Nominated) that carries the picture to just above average status. Hardly a must see disaster film but enough excitement and suspense to make it a dent time waster for fans of the genre. 6/10
Decided to give this one another shot, last time was probably when it came out on DVD. Didn't think much of it then and while it's nothing great and the CGI was spotty at times, I still thought it was fairly entertaining if not just another throwaway movie with not much of a lasting effect. On the one hand I can appreciate they didn't bother much with character development and giving us backstories that nobody gives two shits about, but on the other when a few eventually get killed, you really don't care either. Even so, albeit a pointless adaptation (why not just watch the 1972 classic?), it's still fine. **3.0/5**
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
