Top 10 Best Adventure Movies of All Time

Feeling a bit down lately? Going on a trip and want to look for inspiration? We got you covered! Here are is a list of 10 best adventure movies of all time to help lift up your moods and get you pumped up for your next trip.

Top 10 Best Adventure Movies of All Time

10Point Break (1991)

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Point Break (1991) movie still

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of riding a big wave, huh? Point Break (1991) mixes both crime and surf movie genres in this film filled with incredible stunts and determined criminals.

Keanu Reeves stars as a rookie FBI agent who infiltrates a group of criminals where he befriends Patrick Swayze’s anti-hero character Bodhi who happens to be their leader. Swayze is the star of the show entertaining and kind of seducing the viewer with his favorite activities outside crime: skydiving and surfing.

9127 Hours (2010)

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127 Hours (2010) movie still

Being literally trapped between a rock and a hard place may not be your idea of a great adventure but 127 Hours (2010) is still a great watch for all you thrill-seekers out there.

The film is based on a true story about a man named Aron Ralston, a canyoneer who survived being trapped within a crevice of rocks on a trip to Blue John Canyon, Utah. The title of the film refers to and depicts the hours from when Ralston woke up the morning of his trip up until the time he was rescued and placed under anesthesia.

The film serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the crazy things a human can survive.

8Cast Away (2000)

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Cast Away (2000) movie still

Tom Hanks stars as Chuck Noland a FedEx employee who found himself stranded alone on an island (with a few FedEx packages) after his plane crashed.

See Chuck try to survive alone in a Survivor-type situation (only much more difficult). Watch as he put his resourcefulness to test by building a raft, starting a fire and keeping sane amidst his aloneness.

Don’t worry though, the film ends on a happy note. Chuck would eventually build a raft and Moana-his way out to the sea where he would be found by a passing cargo ship.

7The Beach (2000)

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The Beach (2000) stars a young Leonardo DiCaprio sporting a very late 90s spiky hairdo who’s also a backpacker itching to get away from civilization. He would, later on, find a hippie commune run by Tilda Swinton. Unfortunately, this is where things get crazy.

Directed by Danny Boyle the film is a tale featuring the worst (and okay some of the best) things about traveling off the radar in its two-hour running time. But most importantly, it teaches you not to trust strangers especially a commune of crazy isolated hippies. Yes, even if they’re as charming as Tilda Swinton.

6Life of Pi (2012)

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Life of Pi (2012) movie still

As the saying goes, “it’s about the journey, not the destination” and Ang Lee’s beautiful adaptation of Canadian author Yann Martel’s novel of the same name.

It follows 16-year old Pi’s travel on a lifeboat with a live Bengal tiger (yes) after his family dies from a shipwreck while crossing the Pacific Ocean and delves into tangents discussing topics like self-discovery, bravery, and friendship. What more it highlights the best part of going on an adventure: coming home with amazing stories to tell.

5The Mummy (1999)

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We enjoyed The Mummy (1999) as children in the late 90s but did it hold up through time? Well after a rewatch the answer is definitely YES.

Although criticized for historical and cultural inaccuracies, the film is still a fun adventure film which setting would make any kid who likes Ancient Egypt and mummies happy as a clam. Brendan Fraser plays a mercenary turned guide who helps a group of British people find their way into a secret city at the heart of the Egyptian desert. All hell (and fun) breaks loose when his love interest, Evie (Rachel Weisz) accidentally unleashes an evil mummy from his cursed sleep.

4Up (2009)

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Up (2009)

Once you get past the first 10 minutes (which we love, by the way), Up (2009) turns into a great animated adventure film featuring loveable characters and a gripping storyline.

We see an unusual pair of travelers, a boy scout, Russell, and grumpy old man Carl, fly a house to fulfill an old promise to Carl’s great love and late wife. Of course, the journey won’t be easy with plenty of challenges ahead but the characters’ antics would surely keep you entertained (and eventually crying) throughout.

The film’s message may be best summarized by Russell’s oft-repeated line, “adventure is out there!”.

3The Lord of The Rings Trilogy (2001-2004)

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Ah, we can’t count how many days we’ve spent just to marathon all three of The Lord of the Rings film in one go.

With a running time of over nine hours, Peter Jackson’s superb adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels is the perfect thing to watch with a group of friends over a weekend.

It’s got everything you’d want in a good movie— magical creatures, sword fights, scenic views, a gripping story, a love story side plot– it’s basically every kid’s dream come true. This trilogy didn’t win all those Oscars for nothing.

2The Goonies (1985)

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The Goonies (1985) movie still

The Goonies (1985) is a comedy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg about a gang of misfit kids who goes on a search for pirate gold. The film endures because it appeals to everyone whether you’re a kid or a grown up (which is basically just an overgrown kid, right?).

Spielberg takes us to an almost two-hour fun-filled quest featuring a treasure map, lots of comedy hijinks and criminal villains that we’ll never forget.

1The Raiders of The Lost Ark (1981)

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Steven Spielberg and George Lucas team up to write and direct the first and finest installment of the Indiana Jones movie franchise: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

The film introduces us to the most interesting man alive– the globe-trotting, whip-wielding archeologist Indiana Jones, played by the dashing Harrison Ford in this grand adventure filled with conspiracy, whips, swords, and airplanes. The film still rated as one of the best adventure films ever made.

Did this list get you pumped up to go on your own adventure? Spread the energy and share this list with your friends. Check out our other top 10 best movie lists.