Is Submarine Raider Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Submarine Raider is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 64 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.

Verdict:Submarine Raider is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 5.0/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Drama, War genre.
Answer: Maybe not, Submarine Raider is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 64 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 11, 2026
Released in 1942, Submarine Raider enters the Drama genre with a narrative focused on On December 6, 1941, Captain Yamanada of the Japanese aircraft carrier "Hiranamu", orders full steam ahead for Pearl Harbor. Under the direction of Lew Landers, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
The film is anchored by performances from John Howard, Marguerite Chapman, Bruce Bennett. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
From a technical standpoint, Submarine Raider offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Beyond the narrative, Submarine Raider resonates with current cultural themes in the Drama space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
As of January 2026, Submarine Raider is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US, UK, and India, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release. Don't miss the high-definition experience provided by premium large format (PLF) screenings.
The plot of Submarine Raider centers on a unique premise within the Drama landscape. On December 6, 1941, Captain Yamanada of the Japanese aircraft carrier "Hiranamu", orders full steam ahead for Pearl Harbor. His ship encounters and sinks an American yacht and the single survivor, Sue Curry, is rescued by an American submarine, the "Sea Serpent", commanded by Commander Chris Warren. He hears her story and attempts to radio a warning to Pearl Harbor. Yamanada, hearing the signals, orders the airlines jammed, and then sends his son into the air to sink the sub. The attack fails, after the sub makes a crash dive, but they fail in their warning attempts. The next morning, December 7th, the men on the sub hear the story of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and devise a desperate plan to sink the Japanese carrier by letting the carrier know their position. The carrier comes in search of the submarine. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 1942 cinema will find fairly predictable.
The ending of Submarine Raider has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a Submarine Raider sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final verdict for Submarine Raider (1942): with an audience rating of 5/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Drama, War cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5/10, and global collection metrics, Submarine Raider stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1942 cinematic year.
Submarine Raider has received mixed reviews with a 5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Submarine Raider is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, War movies, but read reviews first.
Submarine Raider is a Drama, War movie that On December 6, 1941, Captain Yamanada of the Japanese aircraft carrier "Hiranamu", orders full steam ahead for Pearl Harbor. His ship encounters and s...
Submarine Raider has received mixed reviews with a 5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Submarine Raider is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, War movies, but read reviews first.
Submarine Raider is a Drama, War movie that On December 6, 1941, Captain Yamanada of the Japanese aircraft carrier "Hiranamu", orders full steam ahead for Pearl Harbor. His ship encounters and s...
Submarine Raider is a Drama, War movie. Please check the content rating before watching with family.
You can find streaming options and availability for Submarine Raider on popular platforms. Check movieMx for the latest updates and reviews.
Submarine Raider features a talented cast. Check our "Top Cast" section to see the full list of actors and the characters they play in this film.
The runtime and duration of Submarine Raider are available in the movie details section. It's a gripping story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
For some reason an American causing yacht finds itself in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and in the way of a Japanese aircraft carrier. The bigger ship uses it as target practice leaving only "Sue" (Marguerite Chapman) as the sole survivor. Fortunately, she manages to get of an SOS and that was picked up by a nearby American submarine which races to her rescue. The submariners are puzzled by their inability to send or receive signals until they hear of the terrible news that Pearl Harbour has been devastated by a sudden, sneaky, attack. Now, complete with their damsel in distress, they concoct quite a cunning plan to lure the offending carrier to them and sink three fish into it! It's frequently interspersed with actuality and had the editing been a bit better, that might have helped out - but it isn't and coupled with a Japanese captain who was about as menacing as "Mr. Wong" and Peter Sellers' love child - on a bad day, the whole thing really just falls well short. Sure, it was made in 1942 and is a pretty shameless piece of propaganda but I'm not sure these are excuses enough for this rather cheap and cheerfully thrown together exercise in just about everything mediocre film-making has to offer. It doubtlessly made the audience feel a bit better at a very difficult time, but it has little to recommend it now.