Moby Dick

Moby Dick

Year: 1956

Runtime: 116 mins

Language: English

DramaAdventure

In 1841, young Ishmael signs aboard the New Bedford whaler Pequod. Under the iron‑handed Captain Ahab, who lost his leg to the legendary white whale Moby Dick, the crew is driven into a relentless hunt for vengeance. Ahab’s obsessive quest consumes the ship, promising an epic and perilous adventure.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Moby Dick yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Moby Dick (1956) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Moby Dick (1956), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:24

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Obsessive quest movies like Moby Dick

Stories where a single-minded obsession consumes a character and leads to ruin.If you were captivated by the relentless, tragic obsession in Moby Dick, explore these movies about characters driven to the brink by a single, all-consuming goal. This collection features similar high-intensity dramas with dark tones and bleak endings, focusing on the destructive nature of monomania.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative arc is defined by a protagonist's escalating fixation on a goal, which alienates allies and warps their perspective. The story steadily builds tension around this obsession, leading to a final, catastrophic confrontation that underscores the futility and hubris of the quest.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a destructive character obsession, a dark and heavy emotional tone, and a narrative structure that builds steadily towards a tragic, often fatal, conclusion. The central similarity is the theme of an individual's will being shattered by the object of their pursuit.

Claustrophobic survival stories like Moby Dick

Tense stories of confined groups unraveling under pressure in hostile environments.For viewers who appreciated the confined, oppressive atmosphere of the Pequod in Moby Dick, this list features movies with similar claustrophobic settings and psychological tension. Discover other films about groups unraveling during perilous journeys, where the environment itself becomes a character driving the narrative towards disaster.

claustrophobicoppressiveparanoidunravelingsombermelancholictensefatalistic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a group confined in a dangerous, isolating environment. An external threat or a leader's dangerous obsession creates immense internal pressure, leading to fractured loyalties, rising paranoia, and a collective march towards a disastrous outcome.

Why These Movies?

These films share a potent mix of a claustrophobic setting, a dark and oppressive mood, and a focus on psychological disintegration under duress. The similarity lies in the experience of being trapped with a growing sense of dread, where the real enemy is often the madness brewing within.

Unlock the Full Story of Moby Dick

Don't stop at just watching — explore Moby Dick in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Moby Dick is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Moby Dick Timeline

Track the full timeline of Moby Dick with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Moby Dick Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Moby Dick

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Moby Dick. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Moby Dick

More About Moby Dick

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Moby Dick: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Moby Dick

Similar Movies to Moby Dick

Discover movies like Moby Dick that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.