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It’s an interesting time at the box office when even films slated to be hits have beenfalling below projected numbers. However, audiences never get tired of inspirational stories, and producerJerry Bruckheimer, the filmmaker behind hits likeTop Gun: Maverick,Remember the Titans, andArmageddonhas proven that time and time again. Bruckheimer’s latest film,Young Woman and the Sea, hopes to follow in these footsteps. The flick tells the incredible true story ofGertrude “Trudy” Ederle, an Olympic swimmer who became the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel. Once called “The Queen of Waves” by the press, Trudy was a trailblazer for women everywhere, and bringing her tale to the big screen is sure to inspire audiences around the world.
Based on the novel of the same name byGlenn Stout,Young Woman and the Seais Disney’s latest film, and is directed by the incredibly talentedJoachim Rønning(Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales). The movie found its talented lead in Star Wars star,Daisy Ridley, who is also working as an executive producer on the project. The movie co-starsTilda Cobham-Hervey(Hotel Mumbai) as Trudy’s sister;Stephen Graham(Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) asBill Burgess, the sailor tracking Trudy’s progress as she swims;Kim Bodnia(Pusher) asHenry Ederle, Trudy’s father;Jeanette Hain(The Whistleblower) asAnna Ederle, Trudy’s mother; andSian CliffordasJabez Wolffe, Trudy’s trainer. To find out all the information we know aboutYoung Woman and the Sea, check out the answers to the big questions below.
Young Woman and the Sea
Charting the true story of a pioneering female swimmer who sets out to conquer the English Channel, a feat dominated by men in the early 20th century. Her grueling preparation and the swim itself test her physical and emotional limits, challenging societal expectations and changing perceptions of women in sports.
When Does ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ Come Out?
The release date forYoung Woman and the Seais August 24, 2025. The Disney flick’s competition on that release date will be theRobert De Niro-led filmEzra, directed by actorTony Goldwyn, as well asSummer Camp, starring the iconicKathy BatesandDiane Keatonand directed byCastille Landon.
Will ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ Be in Theaters or On Streaming?
While Disney originally intended forYoung Woman and the Seato be released on their streaming service, Disney+, test screenings gained such positive reviews from audiences that the decision was made to release the film exclusively in movie theaters. For all the information on how to purchase your tickets, check out the section below.
Find Showtimes for ‘Young Woman and the Sea’
BecauseYoung Woman and the Seais only going to be in theaters for a limited time, there are also limited opportunities to see the incredible film on the big screen. To pre-purchase your tickets, check out the links below:
AMC Theatres
What Is ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ About?
Young Woman and The Seatells the incredible true story of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, a competitive swimmer from the United States who ended up being the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel. Trudy came into the public eye after winning the Olympic Gold Medal at the 1924 games, and it wasn’t until two years later that she decided to try her hand at swimming the 21-mile stretch to England.
Young Woman and the Seachronicles not only Trudy’s fears of making the journey but those of everyone around her. Because the film takes place in the 1920s, much of the conflict happening between Trudy and her disbelievers is due to her being a woman. While sexism still has a ways to go even in modern times, the era during which Trudy was in the public eye was much worse for women wanting to attempt something for the first time, or even at all. In addition to the nay-sayers in the public arena, Trudy also faced scrutiny from her father, who didn’t believe she should do the swim, either.
The official synopsis ofYoung Woman and the Seareads:
Daisy Ridley stars as the accomplished swimmer who was born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England.
Watch the Trailer for ‘Young Woman and the Sea’
“I know you’ve thought about it,” says a voice at the beginning ofthe heart-pumping trailer forYoung Woman and the Seawhile Daisy Ridley’s Trudy stares out at the ocean. It’s clear through this preview not only how badly Trudy wants to make her journey, but also the incredible trials she faced just by being a woman in the 1920s. Adding to the stress of this venture is the danger of the swim due to the unpredictability of the ocean and other outside elements out of Trudy’s control. The preview also gives a peak at some of the film’s stars, as well as its incredible cinematography byOscar Fauraand its brilliant score byAmelia Warner. For the full trailer, check out the link below.
Three Films Like ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ You Can Watch Now
For more record-breaking swimming, competitive college rowing, and a death-defying comeback after a shark attack, these three picks are sure to inspire, embolden, and motivate their viewers.
The biographical sports dramaNYADpremiered in 2023 and starred five-time Academy Award nomineeAnnette Bening(American Beauty) asDiana Nyad, a long-distance swimmer who set the record for her swim around Manhattan. Co-starring with Bening is Academy Award-winning actressJodie Foster(Silence of the Lambs) asBonnie Stoll, Nyad’s best friend. The film tells the story of Diana Nyad as she attempts, at the age of sixty, to swim 110 miles from Cuba to Florida with the help of her coach, Bonnie Stoll. The film wasnominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globesfor the performances of Bening and Foster.
Watch on Netflix
‘The Boys in the Boat’ (2023)
Another inspiring true story,TheBoys in the Boatfollows the University of Washington rowing team and their efforts to compete in the 1936 Summer Olympic Games. Directed by Academy Award-winnerGeorge Clooneyand written byThe Revenant’sMark L. Smith,The Boys in the Boatwas adapted from the book of the same name written byDaniel James Brown. The film starsJoel Edgerton(The Gift),Callum Turner(Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald),Peter Guinness(Zack Snyder’s Justice League),Sam Strike(Mindhunter),Thomas Elms,Jack Mulhern(Pet Semetary: Bloodlines). Audiences not only enjoyed the tenacity of the characters in the film but also the old-school directorial style that Clooney chose to tell the story.
Watch on Prime Video
‘Soul Surfer’ (2011)
Soul Surfertells the unbelievable true story ofBethany Hamilton(AnnaSophia Robb), a surfer who lost her arm to a Tiger Shark while in the ocean. While the horrible circumstances initially made it seem like Bethany would never be able to compete again,Soul Surferchronicles her incredible comeback and all the people she inspired along the way. The film was released eight years after the tragic event and starredHelen Hunt(As Good as It Gets)as Bethany’s mother, Cheri, andDennis Quaid(The Parent Trap) as her father, Tom. Directed bySean McNamara(The Miracle Season), the film also starred country music superstarCarrie Underwood, as well asCraig T. Nelson(Young Sheldon), andChris Brochu(Station 19).
