20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

In 1868, sailors are gripped by fear as rumors of a sea monster attacking ships in the Pacific Ocean spread. This creates chaos and disrupts shipping lanes across the region, prompting action from the United States government.

The United States government invites Professor Pierre M. Aronnax and his assistant, Conseil, to join an expedition to prove or disprove the existence of the monster. Along with them is the ambitious master harpooner, Ned Land, who is eager to confront the creature.

After months of searching, the crew finally spots the 'monster.' They fire cannons at it, but the creature, later revealed to be a submarine, rams their ship, causing chaos on board and throwing Aronnax and Ned overboard.

Aronnax, Ned, and Conseil drift in the ocean and discover a strange metal vessel. Upon exploring the seemingly deserted submarine, Aronnax finds a viewing window and witnesses an underwater funeral, deepening the mystery of the creature.

The crew of the Nautilus captures Aronnax, Ned, and Conseil. Captain Nemo introduces himself, acknowledging Aronnax's work and inviting him to stay aboard while allowing Ned and Conseil to return to the deck, establishing a tense relationship.

Nemo shows Aronnax the peculiarities of life on the Nautilus, including a unique seafood menu and underwater farming. Meanwhile, Ned becomes increasingly preoccupied with treasure when he learns about Nemo's crew and their procedures regarding underwater riches.

Nemo takes Aronnax to the penal colony island of Rura Penthe, revealing that he was once a prisoner there. In a display of his anger towards a nation that tormented him, Nemo rams a munitions ship, justifying his actions as saving lives.

Determined to escape, Ned discovers the coordinates of Nemo's secret island base, Vulcania. Hoping for rescue, he releases messages in bottles, indicating his desire to return to the surface world.

The Nautilus becomes stranded on a reef near New Guinea. While Ned is ostensibly allowed ashore to collect specimens, he seeks an opportunity to escape and soon finds himself in danger, chased by cannibals.

While evading a warship, the Nautilus attracts the attention of a giant squid. In a fierce battle for survival, Nemo is captured by the creature, but Ned manages to rescue him, which leads to a shift in Nemo's perspective towards peace.

As the Nautilus approaches Vulcania, it is surrounded by marines from several warships, jeopardizing Nemo's secret hideout. Ned attempts to reveal himself as the author of the messages, but Aronnax becomes furious over the potential destruction of their discoveries.

In a climactic moment, Nemo plants a bomb in Vulcania but is mortally wounded during the escape. With his dying words, he confirms his intentions to take the Nautilus down for the last time, sealing his fate with his devoted crew.

As the Nautilus begins to flood following Ned's actions to escape, Aronnax makes a desperate attempt to save his journal but is forced to flee. The companions witness Vulcania erupt in flame and destruction as the Nautilus submerges beneath the waves.

In a poignant farewell, Nemo’s last words resonate with Aronnax, expressing a glimmer of hope for humanity's future. The philosophical implications of their journey linger as the sea covers the remnants of the Nautilus and its legendary captain.