Top 10 Greatest Adventure Movies Of All Time
#10: “The Princess Bride” (1987)
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Even the most acclaimed movies have their detractors, but you’d have to search far and wide to find somebody who didn’t adore “The Princess Bride.” This is one of those movies that has everything: comedy, romance, and of course adventure, balancing each element just about flawlessly. From the Cliffs of Insanity, to dreaded Fire Swamp, to the kingdom of Florin, the filmmakers transport us to a fantastical world right out of a fairytale. Like Fred Savage’s young character, even the most cynical child will get swept up in the gripping journey. Yet, the film is just as appealing to adults - not merely because of its self-aware humor, but because of how it captures the excitement that we all felt while reading our first storybook.
#9: “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” (1958)
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Before we associated Sinbad with a certain comedian, the name was synonymous with adventure. While Sinbad himself is a fairly straightforward hero, it’s the side characters and environments that draw us to his adventures. “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” more than delivers with a shrunken down princess, a greedy magician pursuing a magic lamp, and an island of fantastic beasts. While Nathan Juran’s live-action direction and Gil Parrondo’s art direction dazzle, the film belongs to Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion expertise. For his first color feature, Harryhausen spent almost a year animating cyclopes, dragons, and other creatures that retain an old-school, hand-crafted charm. Even when an effect looks kind of dated, the illusion is never broken because the cast and filmmakers tackle the material with such sophistication.
#8: “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (2003)
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Pirates have always been a great source of adventure, but the genre was dead in the water for several years. You wouldn’t expect an adaptation of a Disney theme park attraction to breathe new life into pirate movies. Yet, “Curse of the Black Pearl” went beyond the call of duty with unforgettable characters, inventive action, and surprisingly rich lore. Director Gore Verbinski found an unlikely balance between the old and new. He captured the swashbuckling fun of an Errol Flynn picture, but updated it with a modern sense of humor and effects that still impress almost two decades later. The film also offered a darker edge than anticipated, bringing genuine stakes to the adventure without taking itself too seriously. Drink up, me hearties, yo ho.
#7: “The Goonies” (1985)
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“The Goonies” is every kids’ ultimate fantasy brought to life. Who hasn’t dreamed of finding a mysterious map in their attic, setting out on a treasure hunt involving skeletons, water slides, and pirate ships? While the setup isn’t practical per se, the film succeeds in making the audience believe that something like this could happen. That’s largely because the young cast is so believable in their roles. Even when a character delivers a passionate speech that’s clearly a product of cinematic storytelling, it’s executed in a way that feels 100% authentic. Chris Columbus’ tight script, the late Richard Donner’s atmospheric direction, and producer Steven Spielberg’s signature magic culminate in a thoroughly enjoyable adventure with one of the genre’s most satisfying final destinations.
#6: “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” (1948)
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Director John Huston and Humphrey Bogart collaborated on numerous cinematic classics, including two Golden Age adventures. “The African Queen” may be the definitive adventure romance, earning Bogart an overdue Oscar. Huston, meanwhile, won two Oscars for “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” a completely different kind of adventure film. Instead of sweeping and romantic, this gritty mix of western and film noir explores the darkest side of any treasure hunt: greed. Most adventure movies have a covetous character, but they rarely take center stage. Bogart gives one of his most transformative performances as a seemingly honorable man with something darker lurking underneath, waiting to be awakened by that first taste of gold. Tragically ironic and thematically complex, it adds new layers to the genre.
#5: “Jurassic Park” (1993)
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Somewhere between a roller coaster and an archaeological expedition, you have the cinematic experience of “Jurassic Park.” While far from the first film to bring dinosaurs to the silver screen, “Jurassic Park” was arguably the first to truly capture the awe and terror that these prehistoric beasts encompassed. Part of this is due to the revolutionary computer-generated imagery and practical effects that are just as impressive. Yet, credit must also go to the cast, who make the audience believe that these extinct creatures are walking the earth once again. On one hand, we’re grateful that Jurassic Park doesn’t exist in real life. On the other hand, we wish that we could explore the park, especially if Alan Grant and Ian Malcolm were by our sides.
#4: “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (1938)
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Everyone associates Robin Hood with adventure, and this Technicolor Best Picture nominee is the legendary outlaw’s finest hour. Nottingham and Sherwood Forest have never appeared more vibrant. Maid Marian, played by Olivia de Havilland, isn’t merely a damsel in distress, but an intelligent woman who comes to recognize the injustice happening and takes risks for the greater good. De Havilland and co-director Michael Curtiz reunite with Captain Blood himself, Errol Flynn, who is perfectly cast here as Robin. We never see Flynn playing a character. We simply see Robin Hood in all of his dashing, charismatic, and heroic glory. The swordplay remains some of the most invigorating ever committed to film, but the swashbuckling action never overshadows the romance, humor, or sense of fun.
#3: “King Kong” (1933)
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King Kong has appeared in a variety of remakes, sequels, and spin-offs with quality ranging from beautiful to beastly. However, few interpretations define movie magic like the 1933 original. Even if some later versions might look more quote-unquote “realistic,” this is the version that triggers the imagination within every adventurous filmmaker. While it’s easy to gush over the innovative stop-motion, matte paintings, and other pre-digital technical tricks, “King Kong” is distinguished by something many other monster movies lack: heart. We fear and empathize with Kong as he’s taken out of his natural environment. As foreboding as Skull Island is, the film’s interpretation of New York is every bit as ominous. This helps us to see through Kong’s eyes during the exciting, tragic, and poetic climax.
#2: “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” might’ve started as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’ homage to adventure serials. By the end of production, though, “Raiders” took on an identity that’s all its own. Some action-adventures have one or two memorable set pieces. “Raiders” is one iconic moment after another, from the opening temple escape, to the desert chase, to the climatic opening of the ark. None of this would be nearly as exciting, however, without a compelling hero. Indiana Jones is somebody we immediately want to follow based on his cool attire and that intense look in his eyes. Then as the adventure unfolds, Indy develops into a surprisingly nuanced character who’s only made more interesting because of his flaws, such as his fear of snakes. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “The Mummy” (1999) Corny, But the Romantic Chemistry, Mythology, & Action Make for Peak 90s Fun “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1954) One of Cinema’s Most Sophisticated Steampunk Adventures “Labyrinth” (1986) Jim Henson, George Lucas, & David Bowie Deliver A One of a Kind Fantasy Adventure “Jason and the Argonauts” (1963) The Skeleton Sequence May Be Ray Harryhausen’s Masterpiece “Romancing the Stone” (1984) Michael Douglas & Kathleen Turner Make For One of The Genre’s Most Memorable Pairs
#1: “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (2001-03)
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With this epic adaptation, Peter Jackson fully realized the vast fantasy world that J. R. R. Tolkien created. “The Lord of the Rings” doesn’t just transport the audience to another world. It makes us feel as if we’re experiencing an adventure alongside the Fellowship of the Ring. The fact that the trilogy was released over three years further contributed to that sense of adventure. Every time we went to the theater to see the new installment, it felt as if we were gearing up for the journey of a lifetime. Each chapter gained momentum, and once it was over, we were both relieved to see the Ring destroyed and saddened to say goodbye. All adventures come to an end, but this trilogy’s impact is eternal.
