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Best Adventure Movies of All Time For Some Good Action
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
If we’re being honest, the 90’s was the greatest decade, just in general. It was also the greatest decade for adventure movies. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Godzilla featuring Matthew Broderick, The Lion King, and so many more. Adventure was not hard to find in cinema during that time. However, adventure movies have always been extremely popular for the average movie-goer. Here are the best adventure movies of all time in no particular order!
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
- National Treasure
- The Princess Bride
- The Hunger Games
- The NeverEnding Story
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Back to the Future
- Star Wars
- Cast Away
- The Adventures of Robin Hood
- Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Jurassic Park
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Goonies
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The African Queen
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- The Great Escape
- Avatar
- Apollo 13
- Wrapping Up
20 Best Outdoor Adventure Movies
2003
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Summary: In this swashbuckling adventure, Captain Jack Sparrow teams up with blacksmith Will Turner to rescue Elizabeth Swann from cursed pirates led by the sinister Captain Barbossa. As they battle against undead foes and navigate treacherous waters, Jack and Will uncover secrets and confront personal destinies. The film combines action, humor, and supernatural elements, becoming a defining blockbuster of the early 2000s.
Directors
Gore Verbinski
Where To Stream
Disney+
IMDB Rating
8.1
Cast
Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
Rating
PG-13
2004
National Treasure
Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and amateur cryptologist, is on a quest to find a legendary treasure hidden by America’s Founding Fathers. Using clues from historical artifacts, Gates races against time and adversaries to uncover the secret before it falls into the wrong hands. This action-packed adventure blends history and mystery with a dash of conspiracy.
Director
Jon Turteltaub
Where To Stream
Disney+
IMDB Rating
6.9
Cast
Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha
Rating
PG
1987
The Princess Bride
This classic fairy tale features a young woman named Buttercup and her true love, Westley, as they navigate through a series of adventures to be reunited. Along the way, they encounter memorable characters like Inigo Montoya, a revenge-seeking swordsman, and the cunning Vizzini. The film is known for its wit, charm, and timeless appeal.
Director
Rob Reiner
Where To Stream
Disney+
IMDB Rating
8.1
Cast
Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin
Rating
PG
2012
The Hunger Games
In a dystopian future, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s place in the Hunger Games, a televised event where teenagers fight to the death. With her survival instincts and determination, Katniss must navigate the deadly arena and the political machinations behind the games. The story explores themes of sacrifice, societal control, and resistance.
Director
Gary Ross
Where To Stream
Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies
IMDB Rating
7.2
Cast
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
Rating
PG-13
1984
The NeverEnding Story
A young boy named Bastian discovers a magical book that tells the tale of Fantasia, a mythical land threatened by a dark force called “The Nothing.” As he reads, Bastian realizes he has the power to save Fantasia through his imagination. The film is a beloved fantasy adventure that emphasizes the power of storytelling and belief.
Director
Wolfgang Petersen
Where To Stream
HBO Max
IMDB Rating
7.4
Cast
Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach
Rating
PG
2005
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Four siblings discover a magical wardrobe that leads to the land of Narnia, where they join forces with the noble lion Aslan to battle the evil White Witch. Their journey is one of bravery, friendship, and sacrifice. This adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s classic novel captures the wonder and adventure of the original story.
Director
Andrew Adamson
Where To Stream
Disney+
IMDB Rating
6.9
Cast
Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley
Rating
PG
1985
Back to the Future
Teenager Marty McFly accidentally travels back in time to 1955 in a DeLorean invented by the eccentric Dr. Emmett Brown. While in the past, he must ensure his parents meet and fall in love to secure his own future existence. The film is a blend of science fiction, comedy, and adventure, becoming a cultural icon.
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Where To Stream
Netflix
IMDB Rating
8.5
Cast
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson
Rating
PG
1977
Star Wars
Young farm boy Luke Skywalker embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Leia and defeat the evil Empire, led by Darth Vader. With the help of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, and other allies, Luke discovers his destiny as a Jedi Knight. The film revolutionized special effects and storytelling in cinema.
Director
George Lucas
Where To Stream
Disney+
IMDB Rating
8.6
Cast
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Rating
PG
2000
Cast Away
After a plane crash leaves him stranded on a deserted island, FedEx executive Chuck Noland must learn to survive alone. Over four years, he battles despair, finds solace in a volleyball named Wilson, and ultimately plans his escape. The film is a profound exploration of isolation and resilience.
Directors
Robert Zemeckis
Where To Stream
Netflix
IMDB Rating
7.9
Cast
Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy
Rating
PG-13
1938
The Adventures of Robin Hood
This classic film follows the legendary outlaw Robin Hood as he robs from the rich to give to the poor and fights against the tyranny of Prince John. With his band of Merry Men, Robin Hood aims to restore justice and support the rightful king, Richard the Lionheart. The film is renowned for its swashbuckling action and colorful Technicolor cinematography.
Director
Michael Curtiz, William Keighley
Where To Stream
HBO Max
IMDB Rating
7.9
Cast
Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone
Rating
PG-13
1981
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” is an action-adventure film where archaeologist Indiana Jones races against a group of Nazis to recover the powerful Ark of the Covenant. Set in 1936, Jones travels from the jungles of South America to the deserts of Egypt, facing numerous perils and traps. Along the way, he reunites with his former lover Marion Ravenwood, who becomes his ally in the quest.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Where To Stream
Disney+
IMDB Rating
8.4
Cast
Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman
Rating
PG
1993
Jurassic Park
A billionaire creates a theme park featuring living dinosaurs, but when the park’s security systems fail, the dinosaurs escape and terrorize the visitors. Dr. Alan Grant, Dr. Ellie Sattler, and Dr. Ian Malcolm must survive the chaos. The film is a groundbreaking blend of science fiction and adventure.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Where To Stream
Netflix
IMDB Rating
8.2
Cast
Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum
Rating
PG-13
2001
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” is a fantasy film where a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins inherits a powerful ring that must be destroyed to prevent the dark lord Sauron from conquering Middle-earth. Frodo, along with a diverse group of allies, embarks on a perilous journey to take the ring to Mount Doom, where it can be destroyed. Throughout their quest, they face various challenges and enemies, forming a fellowship united by their mission to save their world from darkness.
Directors
Peter Jackson
Where To Stream
HBO Max
IMDB Rating
7.7
Cast
Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen
Rating
PG
1985
The Goonies
A group of kids from the “Goon Docks” neighborhood in Astoria, Oregon, discover an old pirate map that leads them on an adventure to find the long-lost fortune of One-Eyed Willy. Along the way, they encounter booby traps, the criminal Fratelli family, and various challenges that test their friendship and resolve. The adventure ultimately helps them in their quest to save their homes from foreclosure.
Director
Richard Donner
Where To Stream
Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu, Microsoft Store, AMC on Demand
IMDB Rating
7.7
Cast
Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman
Rating
PG
2015
Mad Max: Fury Road
In a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland, Max teams up with Furiosa, a rebel warrior, to escape from a tyrant named Immortan Joe and his army. They drive a war rig filled with Joe’s precious breeding wives, aiming to find sanctuary in Furiosa’s childhood home. The high-octane chase film is filled with intense action sequences and visually stunning cinematography.
Director
George Miller
Where To Stream
HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video
IMDB Rating
8.1
Cast
Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult
Rating
R
1951
The African Queen
During World War I, a gin-loving riverboat captain and a strait-laced missionary are forced to team up on a dangerous river journey in East Africa. They aim to use their boat, The African Queen, to attack a German warship. Along the way, they face numerous hardships and develop a romantic bond.
Directors
John Huston
Where To Stream
Amazon Prime Video
IMDB Rating
7.8
Cast
Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley
Rating
PG
2013
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Walter Mitty, a timid photo editor for Life magazine, escapes his mundane life through vivid daydreams of adventure and heroism. When a crucial photo negative goes missing, Walter embarks on a real-life journey around the globe to find the elusive photographer and the lost picture. Through his adventures, he discovers his true potential and transforms his life.
Director
Ben Stiller
Where To Stream
Amazon Prime Video
IMDB Rating
7.3
Cast
Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn
Rating
PG
1963
The Great Escape
Based on a true story, the film follows a group of Allied prisoners of war who plan a massive escape from a German POW camp during World War II. Led by the resourceful Hilts, the prisoners dig tunnels and create elaborate plans to evade their captors. The movie is a gripping tale of courage, ingenuity, and resilience.
Director
John Sturges
Where To Stream
Amazon Prime Video
IMDB Rating
8.2
Cast
Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough
Rating
PG
2009
Avatar
On the alien world of Pandora, paraplegic ex-Marine Jake Sully is torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home. He becomes part of the indigenous Na’vi people through an avatar program and fights against the human colonizers trying to exploit Pandora’s resources. The film is renowned for its groundbreaking visual effects and immersive world-building.
Director
James Cameron
Where To Stream
Disney+
IMDB Rating
7.8
Cast
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
Rating
PG-13
1995
Apollo 13
The true story of the Apollo 13 lunar mission, which was thrown into crisis when an oxygen tank exploded in space. Astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert must work with mission control to figure out a way to return safely to Earth. The film is a gripping and dramatic portrayal of teamwork, ingenuity, and survival.
Director
Ron Howard
Where To Stream
Amazon Prime Video
IMDB Rating
7.6
Cast
Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon
Rating
PG-13
Wrapping Up
The best adventure movies of all time are the ones that keep us on the edge of our seats from the beginning until the end. The adventure genre teaches young boys and girls that anything is possible. It allows our imaginations to go places they would never otherwise go. From that epic battle of ancient titans to the race against time, adventure has a way of bringing out the child in all of us.
The great movies our our present time and through film history inspire us. Good adventure movies simply take us into a world unknown. I hope you’ve enjoyed this post about adventure’s greatest movies of all time! Whether you’re looking for an all star cast or a larger-than-life blockbuster, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for with this list.
About the Author
John Claborn
Hi! I’m John. Author of the post you just read. I like to write about all things adventure. Mostly things to help people live more adventurous lives and care for their families in a more meaningful way. By day, I’m a COO. By night, I’m a rad dad of 4 kids that I don’t deserve and a husband to a woman I can’t understand how I got. My goal is to show freedom to people through adventure and experiences.
