250 Best Adventure Movies of All Time

Adventure films are an exhilarating and dynamic genre in cinema that transports viewers to thrilling and far-flung worlds, where daring heroes embark on epic journeys filled with excitement, danger, and discovery. This genre is celebrated for its ability to ignite the spirit of exploration and curiosity in audiences, providing a cinematic experience that satisfies the thirst for adventure.

One of the most defining features of adventure films is their capacity to transport viewers to uncharted territories and imaginative realms. These movies often explore exotic locations, ancient civilizations, unexplored jungles, and distant galaxies, allowing audiences to escape the confines of everyday life and embark on grand escapades. The sense of wonder and awe generated by these films fuels our desire to explore the unknown.

Adventure films frequently feature intrepid protagonists who undertake perilous quests and face daunting challenges. From legendary archaeologists like Indiana Jones to space-faring explorers like Han Solo, these characters become iconic figures of bravery and determination. Their courage and resourcefulness inspire viewers to embrace their own sense of adventure and resilience in the face of adversity.

The genre encompasses a wide range of subgenres, each offering its unique blend of excitement and discovery. From high-octane action-adventures like “Indiana Jones” and “James Bond” to heartwarming tales of self-discovery like “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and fantastical journeys like “The Lord of the Rings,” adventure films cater to various tastes and preferences.

Adventure films are renowned for their breathtaking visuals and awe-inspiring landscapes. Filmmakers employ cutting-edge cinematography, special effects, and location scouting to create stunning visuals that capture the imagination. The grandeur of natural wonders, the intricacies of ancient ruins, and the vastness of the cosmos are often showcased in all their splendor.

The genre also explores timeless themes, such as heroism, friendship, the pursuit of knowledge, and the triumph of the human spirit. These films often convey messages of self-discovery and personal growth, encouraging viewers to embrace challenges and take risks in their own lives.

Adventure films are an invitation to step out of one’s comfort zone and experience the thrill of discovery and the joy of exploration vicariously through the characters on-screen. They provide a sense of escapism, allowing audiences to temporarily leave behind their daily routines and embark on epic adventures from the safety of a movie theater or their own homes.

In conclusion, adventure films are a genre that sparks the spirit of exploration and curiosity, transporting viewers to worlds of excitement, danger, and wonder. They celebrate the human desire for discovery and the thrill of embarking on daring journeys. With their iconic characters, breathtaking visuals, and messages of resilience and self-discovery, adventure films continue to captivate and inspire audiences, reminding them of the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to venture into the unknown.

Here are 250 of the best Adventure movies

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – IMDb Rating: 8.4

Summary: An adventure-packed treasure hunt. Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against Nazi agents to find the lost Ark.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Lead Characters:

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)

Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) – IMDb Rating: 8.2

Summary: Indiana Jones and his father embark on extraordinary adventures in their quest for the Holy Grail, contending with Nazi agents.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Lead Characters:

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)

Professor Henry Jones (Sean Connery)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) – IMDb Rating: 8.8

Summary: Frodo Baggins and his companions, the Fellowship of the Ring, embark on a perilous journey to destroy the One Ring.

Director: Peter Jackson

Lead Characters:

Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood)

Gandalf (Ian McKellen)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) – IMDb Rating: 8.7

Summary: The Fellowship of the Ring is divided, but the quest to destroy the One Ring continues as Middle-earth’s fate hangs in the balance.

Director: Peter Jackson

Lead Characters:

Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood)

Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) – IMDb Rating: 8.9

Summary: Middle-earth reaches the climax of a great war, and the mission to destroy the One Ring comes to an end.

Director: Peter Jackson

Lead Characters:

Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood)

Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen)

Jurassic Park (1993) – IMDb Rating: 8.1

Summary: In a thematic park where dinosaurs are brought back to life, it becomes clear that dinosaurs pose a real threat to humans.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Lead Characters:

Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill)

Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern)

Jurassic World (2015) – IMDb Rating: 7.0

Summary: Jurassic World, a dinosaur-themed park familiar to people, is shaken by the chaos caused by a new creature.

Director: Colin Trevorrow

Lead Characters:

Owen Grady (Chris Pratt)

Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard)

The Revenant (2015) – IMDb Rating: 8.0

Summary: In the 1820s, a fur trapper is attacked by a bear and left for dead by his hunting team. He fights for survival.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Lead Characters:

Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio)

John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy)

Avatar (2009) – IMDb Rating: 7.8

Summary: In the distant future, a paraplegic former Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but he becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization.

Director: James Cameron

Lead Characters:

Jake Sully (Sam Worthington)

Neytiri (Zoe Saldana)

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) – IMDb Rating: 8.0

Summary: Captain Jack Sparrow, a charming rogue, teams up with a blacksmith and a governor’s daughter to save his love and reclaim his ship from a cursed pirate crew.

Director: Gore Verbinski

Lead Characters:

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp)

Will Turner (Orlando Bloom)

Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006) – IMDb Rating: 7.3

Summary: Captain Jack Sparrow owes a blood debt to the ghostly Davy Jones, and his time is running out. To save himself, he must find the heart of Davy Jones.

Director: Gore Verbinski

Lead Characters:

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp)

Will Turner (Orlando Bloom)

Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley)

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) – IMDb Rating: 7.1

Summary: Captain Barbossa, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann must sail off the edge of the map, navigate treachery and betrayal, and make their final alliances for one last decisive battle.

Director: Gore Verbinski

Lead Characters:

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp)

Will Turner (Orlando Bloom)

Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley)

The Jungle Book (2016) – IMDb Rating: 7.4

Summary: After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan forces him to flee the jungle, a man-cub named Mowgli embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the help of panther Bagheera and bear Baloo.

Director: Jon Favreau

Lead Characters:

Mowgli (Neel Sethi)

Bagheera (Ben Kingsley)

Baloo (Bill Murray)

Jumanji (1995) – IMDb Rating: 7.0

Summary: When two kids find and play a magical board game, they inadvertently release a man trapped in it for decades, and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.

Director: Joe Johnston

Lead Characters:

Alan Parrish (Robin Williams)

Sarah Whittle (Bonnie Hunt)

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) – IMDb Rating: 6.9

Summary: Four teenagers are sucked into a magical video game, and the only way they can escape is to work together to finish the game.

Director: Jake Kasdan

Lead Characters:

Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson)

Franklin “Mouse” Finbar (Kevin Hart)

Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) – IMDb Rating: 6.7

Summary: The gang is back, but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, they discover that nothing is as they expect. The players will have to brave unknown parts to escape.

Director: Jake Kasdan

Lead Characters:

Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson)

Franklin “Mouse” Finbar (Kevin Hart)

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) – IMDb Rating: 8.1

Summary: In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Max teams up with a mysterious woman, Furiosa, to try and survive a violent warlord and his army.

Director: George Miller

Lead Characters:

Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy)

Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) – IMDb Rating: 7.9

Summary: A reluctant hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home, and the gold within it, from the dragon Smaug.

Director: Peter Jackson

Lead Characters:

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman)

Gandalf (Ian McKellen)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) – IMDb Rating: 7.8

Summary: The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor from the dragon Smaug.

Director: Peter Jackson

Lead Characters:

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman)

Gandalf (Ian McKellen)

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) – IMDb Rating: 7.4

Summary: The Battle of the Five Armies is the epic conclusion to the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, and the Company of Dwarves.

Director: Peter Jackson

Lead Characters:

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman)

Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage)

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) – IMDb Rating: 6.9

Summary: Four siblings discover a magical wardrobe that leads to the land of Narnia, which is under the control of the White Witch. They join the battle to free Narnia.

Director: Andrew Adamson

Lead Characters:

Lucy Pevensie (Georgie Henley)

Edmund Pevensie (Skandar Keynes)

Peter Pevensie (William Moseley)

Susan Pevensie (Anna Popplewell)

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) – IMDb Rating: 6.5

Summary: The Pevensie siblings return to Narnia to help Prince Caspian and his allies in their quest to overthrow the evil King Miraz and restore peace to the land.

Director: Andrew Adamson

Lead Characters:

Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes)

Peter Pevensie (William Moseley)

Susan Pevensie (Anna Popplewell)

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) – IMDb Rating: 6.3

Summary: Lucy, Edmund, and their cousin Eustace join King Caspian on a voyage to the Eastern Islands in search of the seven lost Lords of Narnia.

Director: Michael Apted

Lead Characters:

King Caspian (Ben Barnes)

Lucy Pevensie (Georgie Henley)

Edmund Pevensie (Skandar Keynes)

The Mummy (1999) – IMDb Rating: 7.0

Summary: An adventurer and a librarian stumble upon a lost city and inadvertently awaken a cursed mummy who begins a quest for immortality.

Director: Stephen Sommers

Lead Characters:

Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser)

Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz)

The Mummy Returns (2001) – IMDb Rating: 6.3

Summary: The mummified body of Imhotep is resurrected once again, and it’s up to Rick and Evelyn O’Connell to stop him from unleashing an unspeakable evil upon the world.

Director: Stephen Sommers

Lead Characters:

Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser)

Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz)

National Treasure (2004) – IMDb Rating: 6.9

Summary: A historian races against time to find the legendary Templar Treasure before a team of mercenaries hired by a wealthy benefactor can steal it.

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Lead Characters:

Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage)

Riley Poole (Justin Bartha)

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) – IMDb Rating: 6.5

Summary: Benjamin Gates must follow a chain of clues to clear his family’s name and uncover a secret treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Lead Characters:

Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage)

Riley Poole (Justin Bartha)

King Kong (2005) – IMDb Rating: 7.2

Summary: In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to the mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape.

Director: Peter Jackson

Lead Characters:

Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts)

Carl Denham (Jack Black)

The Martian (2015) – IMDb Rating: 8.0

Summary: Astronaut Mark Watney is stranded on Mars and must use his ingenuity and spirit to survive while NASA works to bring him back.

Director: Ridley Scott

Lead Characters:

Mark Watney (Matt Damon)

Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain)

Cast Away (2000) – IMDb Rating: 7.8

Summary: A FedEx executive must transform himself physically and emotionally to survive a crash landing on a deserted island.

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Lead Characters:

Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks)

The Legend of Tarzan (2016) – IMDb Rating: 6.2

Summary: Tarzan, having acclimated to life in London, is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment.

Director: David Yates

Lead Characters:

Tarzan / John Clayton III (Alexander Skarsgård)

Jane Porter (Margot Robbie)

Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) – IMDb Rating: 5.8

Summary: A scientist, his nephew, and their mountain guide discover a fantastic and dangerous lost world in the center of the Earth.

Director: Eric Brevig

Lead Characters:

Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser)

Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson)

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) – IMDb Rating: 5.8

Summary: Sean Anderson partners with his mom’s boyfriend on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island.

Director: Brad Peyton

Lead Characters:

Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson)

Hank Parsons (Dwayne Johnson)

Life of Pi (2012) – IMDb Rating: 7.9

Summary: After a shipwreck, young Pi Patel finds himself on a lifeboat with the only other survivor, a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, in a mesmerizing tale of survival and adventure.

Director: Ang Lee

Lead Characters:

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma)

Richard Parker (the Bengal tiger)

The Maze Runner (2014) – IMDb Rating: 6.8

Summary: A group of young boys trapped in a mysterious maze must work together to find an escape while piecing together their memories.

Director: Wes Ball

Lead Characters:

Thomas (Dylan O’Brien)

Teresa (Kaya Scodelario)

The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) – IMDb Rating: 6.3

Summary: After escaping the maze, Thomas and his fellow Gladers face a new set of challenges in a desolate landscape known as the Scorch.

Director: Wes Ball

Lead Characters:

Thomas (Dylan O’Brien)

Teresa (Kaya Scodelario)

The Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018) – IMDb Rating: 6.2

Summary: Thomas leads a group of escaped Gladers on a mission to save their friend and uncover a conspiracy within the organization known as WCKD.

Director: Wes Ball

Lead Characters:

Thomas (Dylan O’Brien)

Teresa (Kaya Scodelario)

The Lost City of Z (2016) – IMDb Rating: 6.6

Summary: The true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett, who journeys into the Amazon at the dawn of the 20th century and discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization.

Director: James Gray

Lead Characters:

Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam)

Nina Fawcett (Sienna Miller)

The Call of the Wild (2020) – IMDb Rating: 6.8

Summary: Buck, a domesticated St. Bernard/Scotch Collie mix, is stolen from his home in California and sold into the brutal life of an Alaskan sled dog.

Director: Chris Sanders

Lead Characters:

John Thornton (Harrison Ford)

Buck (the dog)

Sahara (2005) – IMDb Rating: 6.0

Summary: Adventurer Dirk Pitt sets out to find the hidden treasure linked to a Confederate battleship known as the “Ship of Death” in the deserts of West Africa.

Director: Breck Eisner

Lead Characters:

Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey)

Al Giordino (Steve Zahn)

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) – IMDb Rating: 6.7

Summary: After the murder of his father, young Arthur’s power-hungry uncle seizes control of the crown. Arthur is then forced to acknowledge his true legacy.

Director: Guy Ritchie

Lead Characters:

Arthur (Charlie Hunnam)

Vortigern (Jude Law)

The Golden Compass (2007) – IMDb Rating: 6.1

Summary: In a parallel universe, young Lyra Belacqua journeys to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organization.

Director: Chris Weitz

Lead Characters:

Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards)

Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig)

Divergent (2014) – IMDb Rating: 6.6

Summary: In a divided society based on personality traits, Tris Prior discovers she’s Divergent, which means she doesn’t fit into any single category. She must uncover the truth about a conspiracy.

Director: Neil Burger

Lead Characters:

Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley)

Four (Theo James)

Insurgent (2015) – IMDb Rating: 6.2

Summary: Tris and Four are fugitives on the run from the Erudite faction, which seeks to eliminate them as they uncover the truth about their society’s past.

Director: Robert Schwentke

Lead Characters:

Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley)

Four (Theo James)

Allegiant (2016) – IMDb Rating: 5.6

Summary: Tris and Four venture beyond the wall enclosing Chicago to discover the shocking truth of what lies beyond.

Director: Robert Schwentke

Lead Characters:

Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley)

Four (Theo James)

The Hunger Games (2012) – IMDb Rating: 7.2

Summary: Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in a televised fight to the death in a dystopian future where a young girl and boy from each district are selected.

Director: Gary Ross

Lead Characters:

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)

Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson)

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) – IMDb Rating: 7.5

Summary: Katniss and Peeta are dethroned from their respective victory tours as the Capitol begins the 75th Hunger Games.

Director: Francis Lawrence

Lead Characters:

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)

Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) – IMDb Rating: 6.6

Summary: Katniss Everdeen reluctantly becomes the symbol of a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol.

Director: Francis Lawrence

Lead Characters:

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)

Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015) – IMDb Rating: 6.5

Summary: As the war in Panem escalates, Katniss and her team must defeat President Snow’s forces.

Director: Francis Lawrence

Lead Characters:

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)

Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) – IMDb Rating: 7.3

Summary: A daydreamer escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance, and action.

Director: Ben Stiller

Lead Characters:

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller)

Cheryl Melhoff (Kristen Wiig)

Swiss Family Robinson (1960) – IMDb Rating: 7.1

Summary: After being shipwrecked, a family builds a new home on a deserted island filled with adventure and danger.

Director: Ken Annakin

Lead Characters:

Father Robinson (John Mills)

Mother Robinson (Dorothy McGuire)

127 Hours (2010) – IMDb Rating: 7.6

Summary: A mountain climber becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah, and resorts to desperate measures to survive.

Director: Danny Boyle

Lead Character:

Aron Ralston (James Franco)

The Road (2009) – IMDb Rating: 7.2

Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, a father and his young son try to survive by any means possible as they travel across a desolate, dangerous landscape.

Director: John Hillcoat

Lead Characters:

Father (Viggo Mortensen)

Son (Kodi Smit-McPhee)

The Beach (2000) – IMDb Rating: 6.7

Summary: A young backpacker in Thailand discovers a hidden paradise on a secret beach. However, as the community unravels, he realizes that paradise comes with its own set of problems.

Director: Danny Boyle

Lead Characters:

Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio)

Françoise (Virginie Ledoyen)

The Edge (1997) – IMDb Rating: 6.9

Summary: A billionaire and two other men are stranded, unequipped, by a plane crash in a dangerous wilderness. They must rely on each other and their survival skills to escape a bear that’s stalking them.

Director: Lee Tamahori

Lead Characters:

Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins)

Robert Green (Alec Baldwin)

The Grey (2011) – IMDb Rating: 6.7

Summary: After a plane crash in Alaska, a group of oil drillers fights to survive in the wilderness, where they are hunted by a pack of aggressive wolves.

Director: Joe Carnahan

Lead Character:

Ottway (Liam Neeson)

The Shallows (2016) – IMDb Rating: 6.3

Summary: A surfer is stranded on a rock in the ocean, just a short distance from shore. However, a great white shark is between her and safety, and she must outsmart the predator to survive.

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Lead Character:

Nancy Adams (Blake Lively)

The River Wild (1994) – IMDb Rating: 6.3

Summary: A family’s white-water rafting trip takes a dangerous turn when they encounter two criminals on the run, forcing the mother to make life-threatening decisions to protect her family.

Director: Curtis Hanson

Lead Characters:

Gail Hartman (Meryl Streep)

Wade (Kevin Bacon)

Cliffhanger (1993) – IMDb Rating: 6.4

Summary: A former mountain rescuer is forced to go up against a group of criminals in the Rocky Mountains who are searching for a lost treasury.

Director: Renny Harlin

Lead Characters:

Gabe Walker (Sylvester Stallone)

Jessie Deighan (Janine Turner)

The Hunt for Red October (1990) – IMDb Rating: 7.6

Summary: A CIA analyst must convince the U.S. Navy that a renegade Soviet captain is trying to defect in a nuclear-armed submarine.

Director: John McTiernan

Lead Characters:

Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin)

Marko Ramius (Sean Connery)

The Perfect Storm (2000) – IMDb Rating: 6.4

Summary: Based on a true story, the film depicts the crew of a fishing boat caught in an unimaginable storm as they struggle to survive.

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

Lead Characters:

Captain Billy Tyne (George Clooney)

Bobby Shatford (Mark Wahlberg)

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) – IMDb Rating: 7.1

Summary: A luxury ocean liner is capsized by a tidal wave on New Year’s Eve, and the survivors must journey to the ship’s hull, which is now above water, to escape.

Director: Ronald Neame

Lead Characters:

Reverend Scott (Gene Hackman)

Belle Rosen (Shelley Winters)

Poseidon (2006) – IMDb Rating: 5.7

Summary: A remake of “The Poseidon Adventure,” this film follows a group of passengers trying to escape from a capsized luxury liner.

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

Lead Characters:

Dylan Johns (Josh Lucas)

Robert Ramsey (Kurt Russell)

The Day After Tomorrow (2004) – IMDb Rating: 6.4

Summary: A climatologist races to save his son from the impending global superstorm, which has brought about catastrophic weather events and a new Ice Age.

Director: Roland Emmerich

Lead Characters:

Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid)

Sam Hall (Jake Gyllenhaal)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) – IMDb Rating: 7.2

Summary: Based on Jules Verne’s classic novel, a ship is sent to investigate mysterious encounters with a sea monster and discovers a technologically advanced submarine commanded by Captain Nemo.

Director: Richard Fleischer

Lead Characters:

Captain Nemo (James Mason)

Ned Land (Kirk Douglas)

The Adventures of Tintin (2011) – IMDb Rating: 7.3

Summary: Young reporter Tintin and his dog Snowy uncover a centuries-old mystery involving pirates and sunken treasure, leading to a globe-trotting adventure.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Lead Characters:

Tintin (Jamie Bell)

Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis)

The Eagle (2011) – IMDb Rating: 6.2

Summary: In Roman-ruled Britain, a young Roman soldier sets out to restore his family’s honor by recovering the lost Roman Eagle standard of his father’s legion in the far north.

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Lead Characters:

Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum)

Esca (Jamie Bell)

The 13th Warrior (1999) – IMDb Rating: 6.6

Summary: An Arab emissary is exiled from his homeland and joins a band of Norse warriors on a quest to combat mysterious and deadly creatures in a distant land.

Director: John McTiernan

Lead Characters:

Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan (Antonio Banderas)

Buliwyf (Vladimir Kulich)

The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) – IMDb Rating: 6.8

Summary: Based on a true story, an engineer and a big-game hunter team up to stop two man-eating lions that are terrorizing a railroad construction crew in Africa.

Director: Stephen Hopkins

Lead Characters:

John Henry Patterson (Val Kilmer)

Charles Remington (Michael Douglas)

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) – IMDb Rating: 6.5

Summary: A research team returns to the dinosaur-infested island of Isla Sorna to study the animals, but their expedition becomes a fight for survival when the creatures run amok.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Lead Characters:

Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum)

Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore)

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) – IMDb Rating: 7.3

Summary: A timid typesetter is encouraged to spend a night in a supposedly haunted house, leading to comical and eerie events.

Director: Alan Rafkin

Lead Characters:

Luther Heggs (Don Knotts)

Alma Parker (Joan Staley)

The Great Escape (1963) – IMDb Rating: 8.2

Summary: Allied prisoners in a German POW camp plan a daring mass escape, leading to a thrilling adventure and a battle for freedom.

Director: John Sturges

Lead Characters:

Virgil Hilts (Steve McQueen)

Roger Bartlett (Richard Attenborough)The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) – IMDb Rating: 8.1

• Summary: During World War II, British prisoners of war are forced to build a railway bridge for their Japanese captors, leading to a battle of wills between the prisoners’ British colonel and the Japanese camp commander.
• Director: David Lean
• Lead Characters:
  • Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa)

The African Queen (1951) – IMDb Rating: 7.7

• Summary: A British missionary and a grumpy, rough-and-tumble boat captain set out on an adventurous journey down a dangerous river in Africa during World War I.
• Director: John Huston
• Lead Characters:
  • Rose Sayer (Katharine Hepburn)
  • Charlie Allnut (Humphrey Bogart)

Around the World in 80 Days (1956) – IMDb Rating: 6.8

• Summary: Based on Jules Verne’s classic novel, a wealthy eccentric bets that he can circumnavigate the world in 80 days and embarks on a grand adventure.
• Director: Michael Anderson
• Lead Characters:
  • Phileas Fogg (David Niven)
  • Passepartout (Cantinflas)

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) – IMDb Rating: 7.3

• Summary: The Griswold family embarks on a cross-country road trip to the fictional amusement park Walley World, leading to a series of comedic misadventures.
• Director: Harold Ramis
• Lead Characters:
  • Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase)
  • Ellen Griswold (Beverly D’Angelo)

Romancing the Stone (1984) – IMDb Rating: 6.9

• Summary: A romance novelist embarks on a perilous journey through the jungles of Colombia to rescue her kidnapped sister, encountering adventure and romance along the way.
• Director: Robert Zemeckis
• Lead Characters:
  • Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner)
  • Jack Colton (Michael Douglas)

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) – IMDb Rating: 7.5

• Summary: Indiana Jones sets out to recover a mystical stone and save enslaved children from a Thuggee cult in India.
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Lead Characters:
  • Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)
  • Short Round (Jonathan Ke Quan)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) – IMDb Rating: 6.1

• Summary: Indiana Jones returns in this adventure to find a crystal skull and uncover a Soviet plot in the 1950s.
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Lead Characters:
  • Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)
  • Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf)

The Road to El Dorado (2000) – IMDb Rating: 6.9

Summary: Two con artists accidentally discover the legendary city of gold, El Dorado, and pretend to be gods to the native people.

Directors: Bibo Bergeron, Don Paul, Jeffrey Katzenberg

Lead Characters:

Tulio (Kevin Kline)

Miguel (Kenneth Branagh)

The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) – IMDb Rating: 7.3

Summary: In this animated comedy, a selfish Incan emperor is transformed into a llama and must rely on a kind-hearted peasant to return to his throne.

Director: Mark Dindal

Lead Characters:

Kuzco (David Spade)

Pacha (John Goodman)

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) – IMDb Rating: 8.2

Summary: Two down-and-out Americans in Mexico join an old prospector to hunt for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains, leading to greed and paranoia.

Director: John Huston

Lead Characters:

Fred C. Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart)

Howard (Walter Huston)

The Flight of the Phoenix (1965) – IMDb Rating: 7.5

Summary: After a plane crash in the desert, survivors must work together to build a new plane from the wreckage to escape.

Director: Robert Aldrich

Lead Characters:

Frank Towns (James Stewart)

Heinrich Dorfmann (Hardy Krüger)

The Way Back (2010) – IMDb Rating: 7.3

Summary: A group of prisoners escapes from a Siberian Gulag in 1940 and embarks on a perilous journey to freedom.

Director: Peter Weir

Lead Characters:

Janusz Wieszczek (Jim Sturgess)

Mr. Smith (Ed Harris)

Stardust (2007) – IMDb Rating: 7.6

Summary: A young man ventures into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star for his beloved, encountering various fantastical creatures and challenges.

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Lead Characters:

Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox)

Yvaine (Claire Danes)

Treasure Planet (2002) – IMDb Rating: 7.2

Summary: A futuristic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” set in outer space, featuring a young boy’s quest for hidden treasure.

Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker

Lead Characters:

Jim Hawkins (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

John Silver (Brian Murray)

The Rocketeer (1991) – IMDb Rating: 6.4

Summary: A young pilot discovers a rocket-powered jetpack and becomes a masked hero, fighting against Nazis in 1930s Los Angeles.

Director: Joe Johnston

Lead Characters:

Cliff Secord/The Rocketeer (Billy Campbell)

Jenny Blake (Jennifer Connelly)

The Island (2005) – IMDb Rating: 6.8

Summary: In a dystopian future, two residents of a seemingly utopian facility discover the disturbing truth about their existence.

Director: Michael Bay

Lead Characters:

Lincoln Six Echo/Tom Lincoln (Ewan McGregor)

Jordan Two Delta/Sarah Jordan (Scarlett Johansson)

Speed (1994) – IMDb Rating: 7.2

Summary: A cop must prevent a bomb from exploding on a city bus if its speed drops below 50 mph, with the help of a brave passenger.

Director: Jan de Bont

Lead Characters:

Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves)

Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock)

Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997) – IMDb Rating: 3.9

Summary: A cop and his girlfriend try to prevent a hijacking on a cruise ship after it’s taken over by a madman.

Director: Jan de Bont

Lead Characters:

Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock)

Alex Shaw (Jason Patric)

Everest (2015) – IMDb Rating: 7.1

Summary: A group of climbers faces severe weather conditions while attempting to reach the summit of Mount Everest, leading to a fight for survival.

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Lead Characters:

Rob Hall (Jason Clarke)

Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin)

The Polar Express (2004) – IMDb Rating: 6.6

Summary: On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical train journey to the North Pole.

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Lead Characters:

Hero Boy / Father / Conductor / Hobo / Scrooge / Santa Claus (Tom Hanks)

Swiss Army Man (2016) – IMDb Rating: 7.0

Summary: A man stranded on a deserted island befriends a dead body and together they embark on an epic adventure to get home.

Directors: Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan

Lead Characters:

Hank Thompson (Paul Dano)

Manny (Daniel Radcliffe)

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) – IMDb Rating: 6.4

Summary: A scientist accidentally shrinks his own and his neighbor’s kids to a quarter of an inch in height. The kids must navigate their backyard to return to normal size.

Director: Joe Johnston

Lead Characters:

Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis)

Diane Szalinski (Marcia Strassman)

Hook (1991) – IMDb Rating: 6.8

Summary: A grown-up Peter Pan returns to Neverland to rescue his children from the Captain Hook, with the help of Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Lead Characters:

Peter Banning / Peter Pan (Robin Williams)

Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman)

Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005) – IMDb Rating: 6.1

Summary: Two brothers discover a space-themed board game that comes to life, leading them on a cosmic adventure.

Director: Jon Favreau

Lead Characters:

Walter (Josh Hutcherson)

Danny (Jonah Bobo)

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007) – IMDb Rating: 6.4

Summary: A young boy discovers an unusual egg on the shores of a Scottish loch, which hatches into a sea creature called the Water Horse.

Director: Jay Russell

Lead Characters:

Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel)

Lewis Mowbray (Ben Chaplin)

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) – IMDb Rating: 7.0

Summary: A professor and his companions journey deep within the Earth’s crust, encountering prehistoric creatures and strange landscapes.

Director: Henry Levin

Lead Characters:

Sir Oliver Lindenbrook (James Mason)

Alec McEwen (Pat Boone)

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) – IMDb Rating: 7.9

Summary: The legendary outlaw Robin Hood leads a band of Merry Men to fight against the oppressive Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John.

Directors: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley

Lead Characters:

Robin Hood (Errol Flynn)

Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland)