

They Were Expendable
Directed by John Ford
After a demonstration of new PT boats, Navy brass are still unconvinced of their viability in combat, leaving Lt. "Rusty" Ryan frustrated. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, Ryan and his buddy Lt. Brickley are told they can finally take their squadron into battle. The PT boats quickly prove their worth, successfully shooting down Japanese planes, relaying messages between islands, and picking off a multitude of enemy ships.
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Top cast

Robert Montgomery
Lt. John Brickley

John Wayne
Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan

Donna Reed
Lt. Sandy Davyss

Jack Holt
General Martin

Ward Bond
"Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate

Marshall Thompson
Ens. 'Snake' Gardner

Paul Langton
Ens. 'Andy' Andrews

Leon Ames
Major James Morton

Arthur Walsh
Seaman Jones

Donald Curtis
Lt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch They Were Expendable online?
As of November 4, 2026, They Were Expendable is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Plex Channel, and Tubi TV in United States. Use the country selector above to check availability in other regions — streaming rights are licensed per country, so catalogues differ.
Is They Were Expendable on Netflix?
No — They Were Expendable is not currently on Netflix in any of the countries we track. In United States it streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Plex Channel, and Tubi TV instead.
Can I rent or buy They Were Expendable online?
Yes. In United States, They Were Expendable can be rented on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home and purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
In which countries can I stream They Were Expendable?
As of November 4, 2026, They Were Expendable is included with a streaming subscription (or free with ads) in Canada, Spain, and United States, among the countries we track.
Streaming availability last checked on November 4, 2026. Catalogues change frequently — data from TMDB and JustWatch.
















