The Abyss (1989): cast, story & where to watch
1989 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1989, The Abyss is an action, thriller, adventure and science fiction film directed by James Cameron, running about 140 minutes. “When you get there, you will understand.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search and rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver soon finds himself on a spectacular odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface where he confronts a mysterious force that has the power to change the world or destroy it.
Who’s in it. The Abyss stars Ed Harris as Virgil 'Bud' Brigman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Lindsey Brigman, Michael Biehn as Lieutenant Hiram Coffey and Leo Burmester as Catton ‘Catfish’ De Vries, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, The Abyss has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $90M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Disney Plus, Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Abyss page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Abyss tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Abyss (1989)?
- In US, The Abyss is available to stream on Disney Plus, Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Abyss worth watching?
- The Abyss holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action, thriller, adventure and science fiction. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Abyss?
- The Abyss stars Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester and Todd Graff.
- When was The Abyss released?
- The Abyss was released in 1989, with a runtime of about 140 minutes.