From sleek modern designs to timeless classics, superyachts of all sizes have graced the silver screen in numerous blockbuster movies adding an extra layer of glamour to the cinematic experience. These luxurious vessels play an integral part in setting the scene of a movie, offering any character the image of power, wealth and extravagance.

Lights, Camera, ACTION!

A popular genre where superyachts appear on the big screen is in Action films. As a former Royal Navy Commander, it is no surprise that many scenes of the James Bond saga take place on water. Expect to see a vessel of sorts in almost every Bond film, with favourites being the 86m Benetti, Nabila (now known as Kingdom 5KR) from Never Say Never Again, the Swedish-built 43m, Northern Cross of Goldeneye fame, and the impressive sail yacht, 56m Aria 1, which starred in the Daniel Craig vehicle Skyfall.

From one spy film to another, the 45.5m motor yacht White Knight built in 1985, appeared in the Matt Damon-fronted movie, The Bourne Identity.

The all-action 2019 Netflix film 6 Underground, starring Ryan Reynolds, featured perhaps one of the most impressive appearances of any superyacht. The 2014 Espen Øino- designed, 95m Lürssen Mega Yacht, Kismet (now known as Whisper) played a key role, setting one of the final scenes of the film and being blown up in the process – thankfully using the power of CGI.

 

Setting the scene

A classically styled superyacht, such as Aria 1 in Skyfall, portrays a flair and elegance that has the power to set the scene and mood for an audience. For instance, in the smash-hit 2008 musical comedy ‘Mama Mia!’, one of the oldest yachts still chartering today, Haida 1929 made her debut screen appearance. A yacht that exudes opulence, she was the backdrop to the scene in which the cast performed their rendition of the ABBA song, ‘Money, money, money’.

Though not as old as Haida 1929, another classic to have shown up in the movies is the traditional 1982 Feadship motor yacht, Synthesis 66. The 41m De Voogt-designed yacht was the locale of one of the scenes in the 1998 Lyndsey Lohan film, The Parent Trap.

Going Overboard

In the 1987 film, Overboard, the 43.7m Kong & Halvorsen motor yacht, Huntress made her big screen debut, as the yacht owned by Goldie Hawn’s character in the movie. In 1993 she made her second on-screen appearance in the star-studded drama, Indecent Proposal. Both films used the yacht to portray wealth, albeit in very different ways.

In 2018, the remake of Overboard featured a larger and slightly more lavish (in the case of the films), 50m Trinity Yacht, Aspen Alternative.

M/Y Huntress in Overboard (1987)

M/Y Aspen Alternative in Overboard (2018)

Boats named after movies

There is a myriad of superyachts currently or formerly owned by car magnate, philanthropist and yacht builder, John Staluppi and his wife Jeanette, and they all are named after Bond movies. John is the man responsible for the commission of some of the fastest mega yachts on the sea, claiming he wanted to build the first boat over 30 metres capable of speeds of over 30 knots.

 

The Film	The Boat
Diamonds Are Forever
Bond – Sean Connery Year of Release – 1971 Length – 120 mins	Builder – Benetti Yachts Year of Launch – 2011 Length – 60.95 metres
Moonraker
Bond – Roger Moore Year of Release – 1979 Length – 126 mins	Builder – Norship Year of Launch – 1992 Length – 35.27 metres
For Your Eyes Only
Bond – Roger Moore Year of Release – 1981 Length – 127 mins		Builder – Astondoa Yachts Year of Launch – 2004 Length – 31.46 metres
Octopussy
Bond – Roger Moore Year of Release – 1983 Length – 131 mins	Builder – Heesen Yachts Year of Launch – 1988 Length – 43.59 metres
World is Not Enough
Bond – Pierce Brosnan Year of Release – 1999 Length – 128 mins	Builder – Neptunus – Millenium Year of Launch – 2004 Length – 42.40 metres
Casino Royale
Bond – Daniel Craig Year of Release – 2006 Length – 144 mins	Builder – Christensen Year of Launch – 2008 Length – 49.68 metres
Quantum of Solace
Bond – Daniel Craig Year of Release – 2008 Length – 106 mins	Builder – Benneti Yachts Year of Launch – 2001 (delivered as Midlandia) Length – 52.00 metres
Skyfall
Bond – Daniel Craig Year of Release – 2012 Length – 143 mins	Builder – Trinity Yachts Year of Launch – 2010 (delivered as Mi Sueno) Length – 57.91 metres
Spectre
Bond – Daniel Craig Year of Release – 2015 Length – 148 mins	Builder – Benetti Yachts Year of Launch – 2018 Length – 69.30 metres

Bond movie images from imbd.fandom.com – Boat images from BoatInternational