Poseidon (film)

Poseidon is a 2006 American action disaster film directed and co-produced by Wolfgang Petersen. It is the third screen adaptation of Paul Gallico’s 1969 novel The Poseidon Adventure, following the 1972 film of the same name and its 1979 sequel. A loose remake of the original, the film stars Kurt Russell, Josh Lucas, and Richard Dreyfuss, with Emmy Rossum, Jacinda Barrett, Mike Vogel, Mía Maestro, Jimmy Bennett, and Andre Braugher in supporting roles.

The film was produced by Virtual Studios and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, with a simultaneous release in IMAX format. Its screenplay was written by Mark Protosevich, who reimagined the survival narrative within a contemporary setting while maintaining the premise of a luxury ocean liner capsized by a rogue wave. Principal photography took place on large-scale sets and soundstages in Los Angeles, with an emphasis on practical effects, stunts, and digitally-enhanced water sequences.

Poseidon premiered in the United States on May 12, 2006. It received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, who praised its visual effects and action set pieces but criticized its script, character development, and lack of originality. At the 79th Academy Awards, it received a nomination for Best Visual Effects. Despite grossing $181.7 million worldwide against a production budget of $160 million, the film failed to recoup its marketing and distribution costs, resulting in estimated losses of $70–80 million for the studio. It is considered a box-office disappointment.