Movies

5 Movies Based on Tom Clancy Books and How to Watch Them

Late author Tom Clancy has had numerous novels become feature films. Ahead, we list 5 books of his that have gone on to become movies.

by Mandi Kerr

Published on January 26, 2020

2 min read

The late author Tom Clancy — he passed away in 2013 at the age of 66 — amassed a net worth of $300 million writing thrillers, most notably about spies and military science. Ahead, discover five of Clancy’s titles that went on to become feature films and how to watch them.

1. ‘The Hunt for Red October’

Audiences first met Clancy’s Ryan character in 1990’s The Hunt for Red October. Alec Baldwin played the CIA analyst who usually sits behind a desk but finds himself at the center of the action.

Set during the Cold War, Ryan faces off against Sean Connery’s character, a Soviet submarine captain who the agent believes has plans to give valuable technology to the enemy while others believe he’s preparing an attack on the U.S.

Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn in 'The Hunt for Red October' on Dec. 31, 1984 — Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn in ‘The Hunt for Red October’ on Dec. 31, 1984 | Mondadori via Getty Images

Watch The Hunt for Red October on Hulu with the Showtime Add-on or rent it for $2.99 — a 4k version is also available for $5.99 — on Amazon Prime Video.

2. ‘The Sum of All Fears’

Based on Clancy’s 1991 novel of the same name, 2002’s Sum of All Fears follows Ryan — this time portrayed by Oscar-winning actor Ben Affleck — on yet another adventure as a CIA analyst in the field.

Directed by Phil Alden Robinson, The Sum of All Fears follows Ryan as he works to prevent a terrorist faction from detonating a nuclear weapon at a football game. Affleck’s co-stars include Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell, Liev Schreiber, Bridget Moynahan, and Philip Baker Hall among others.

Watch The Sum of All Fears on Amazon Prime Video for $2.99 or for $7.99 watch a 4k version.

3. ‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit’

Chris Pine picks up the mantle of Clancy’s famous character in 2014’s Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Ryan must take down a Russian financial terrorist plot with Kevin Costner. He goes to Moscow but his love interest in the film, Cathy Muller (Keira Knightley) shows up unexpectedly.

Rent Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit for $3.99 or buy it for $13.99 on Amazon Prime Video

4. ‘Patriot Games’

Harrison Ford played Clancy’s fictional character, Jack Ryan, in 1992’s Patriot Games based on the author’s 1987 novel of the same name. This film followed Ryan as he went from his desk at the CIA to the field after he foiled an assassination attempt on a member of the British royal family.

Ford stars in the film alongside Anne Archer, Samuel L. Jackson, Sean Bean, a young Thora Birch, and James Earl Jones among others.

Watch Patriot Games on Netflix for free with a subscription to the streaming service. It’s also available to watch on Amazon Prime Video for free with an IMDb TV subscription.

5. ‘Clear and Present Danger’

Ford reprised his role as Ryan in 1994’s Clear and Present Danger. This film finds Ryan as he faces new challenges as the CIA deputy director.

He’s assigned to investigate drugs after a friend of the President is murdered by a drug cartel. Ryan is then sent to Columbia to rescue forces sent who traveled the country to kill the leaders of the drug operation.

Watch Clear and Present Danger on Amazon Prime Video for $2.99 or $5.99 for a 4k version.