By Anna Menta
Updated April 29, 2021
Photos: Everett Collection
Who’s ready to avenge some stuff? Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse is premiering on Amazon Prime Video tomorrow, starring Michael B. Jordan as a Navy SEAL officer hellbent on getting revenge on the Russian assassins who murdered his wife.
The film—directed by Stefano Sollima and written by Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples—is based on Clancy’s 1993 novel of the same name, and serves as an origin story for the character of John Clark (or John Kelly, as he used to call himself) from the Jack Ryan book and film series. That said, you certainly don’t need to know all the ins and out of the Clancy-verse to enjoy Without Remorse—Michael B. Jordan looking hot and beating up bad guys in increasingly creative ways is pretty much a universal language.
But it may enhance your experience to familiarize yourself with the world of Jack Ryan, the most successful and famous character created by novelist Tom Clancy. Ryan first appeared in the 1984 book The Hunt for Red October,but who has time to read, am I right? There have been plenty of movies based on Tom Clancy’s books over the years, including The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and more. To help you out, Decider has compiled a list to help you know how to watch the Tom Clancy movies on streaming, in order of their release date.
(We didn’t include Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan starring John Krasinski—which first aired in 2018—given that it’s a TV show, but it’s certainly a fun watch if you want to check it out.) Happy streaming!
1
'The Hunt for Red October' (1990)
It’s always good to start at the beginning, and in this case, that’s this 1990 movie based on Clancy’s novel of the same name, starring Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan and Sean Connery as Marko Ramius. This movie is the first installment of the Jack Ryan film series, and it’s available to rent or buy on Prime Video, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, and more.
Where to watch The Hunt for Red October
2
'Patriot Games' (1992)
Don’t get confused—Patriot Games is the sequel to The Hunt For Red October, despite having a different actor in the lead role. This time around, Harrison Ford stars as Jack Ryan. Why? Alec Baldwin failed to reach a negotiation with the studio. Whoops! It’s available to stream free on Prime and on Epix, or for rent or purchase wherever you rent movies.
Where to watch Patriot Games
3
'Clear and Present Danger' (1994)
Harrison Ford returned as Jack Ryan for the third and final of the Jack Ryan film trilogy directed by Phillip Noyce. You can catch this one free on Amazon Prime, or you can rent or buy it on your preferred digital platform. But there’s still more Tom Clancy content to watch!
Where to watch Clear and Present Danger
4
'NetForce' (1999)
If you really have Clancy fever, you can track down this 1999 made-for-tv film based onTom Clancy’s Net Force series of novels, starring Scott Bakula and Kris Kristofferson. However, it’s hard to find the movie—it’s not on streaming, and you’d have to buy the DVD on Amazon—and Jack Ryan isn’t involved, so you have our permission to skip it.
5
'The Sum of All Fears' (2002)
Before he was Batman, Ben Affleck had a crack at Jack Ryan, too, in this 2002 reboot of the Jack Ryan films directed by Phil Alden Robinson. While some critics prefered Harrison Ford in the role, you can check out the film for yourself by streaming it free on Prime or Epix, or renting or buying the film on your preferred digital platform.
Where to watch The Sum of All Fears
6
'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' (2014)
What’s that? You want to watch another Jack Ryan reboot? Well then, by all means, check out Kenneth Branagh’s 2014 film, starring Chris Pine in the titular role alongside Keira Knightley and Kevin Costner. You can buy or rent the film on Prime Video, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, and more.
Where to watch Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
7
'Without Remorse' (2021)
Last but certainly not least, you’ll be able to stream Without Remorse free with Amazon Prime exclusively, beginning Friday, April 30. Technically, the movie is a prequel and spin-off for the Jack Ryan films—an origin story for the character of John Clark, played by Michael B. Jordan. Honestly, whatever order you want to watch the Tom Clancy movies in will likely work out fine for you—these movies are pretty straightforward! Enjoy!
- Prime Video
- tom clancy
- Without Remorse
