Top 10 Sole Survivor Movies

In the early ‘90s, real-life honors student and gifted athlete Christopher McCandless gave his $24,000 savings to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Not only did he leave his family and friends behind; he also didn’t even tell them what he was planning to do. Director Sean Penn saw something in Chris’ journey that compelled him to make a movie out of it; the result was this cinematic vision of Chris’ lone journey of courage, strength and ultimate defeat.

In this cult horror flick, five friends take a vacation in a remote cabin in the woods and unknowingly unleash flesh-possessing spirits. As luck would have it, those spirits slowly take control of them one by one. Of course, the awesome Bruce Campbell doesn’t let them get to him. Instead, he demonstrates his survival skills by kicking butt and making it out alive… or does he?!

Director Ridley Scott’s slow-burning sci-fi horror movie is a classic of the genre. Telling the story of a commercial space crew that realizes they’re not alone on their spaceship, the film didn’t only captivate us with its special effects and costumes, but also with the terrifying alien that starts to pick off members of the crew. Meanwhile, Sigourney Weaver plays a female heroine for the ages as the tough warrant officer Ripley, and she proved women couldn’t only lead action flicks, but also that she could take care of herself when push comes to shove.

Dieter Dengler may have survived having his plane shot down and crash landing in Laos, but things are about to get way worse for this Lieutenant. The American Navy pilot soon finds himself taken prisoner by Laotian communists. While living in awful conditions and under the constant threat of being killed, Dengler decides to break out along with another prisoner. Unfortunately, Duane Martin doesn’t make it and Christian Bale must go it alone in the nastiest jungle imaginable. In short, “Rescue Dawn” is a harrowing tale of survival and humanity that makes you see life in a whole new way.

In a now-desolate New York City, Dr. Robert Neville is the sole survivor of a plague that turns its victims into zombie-like creatures that use humans as their prey. As they can attack at any moment, Neville must be ready to defend himself and his dog Sam. But since Neville’s immune, he’s also simultaneously trying to reverse the effects and re-start humanity again. Based on Richard Matheson’s influential 1954 novel, “I Am Legend” is deep, loaded with surprises too juicy to reveal and features one of Will Smith’s prime performances.

Picture this: a plane crashes in Alaska and several oilmen are left stranded in the middle of nowhere. To make things worse, a pack of hungry wolves surround them. Enter Liam Neeson’s John Ottway, a sharpshooter hired by the oil refinery to keep wolves, bears and other creatures away. Directed by Joe Carnahan, “The Grey” is a thriller with relentless action, and wolves scarier than any we’ve seen before. But it’s also a thoughtful look at human survival.

Director Ang Lee deservedly won a Best Director Oscar for this adaptation of Yann Martel’s beloved novel of the same name. After a furious accident at sea, a young teen finds himself deserted in the middle of the ocean, save for several exotic animals, and most importantly, a Bengal tiger. While Lee’s 3-D visuals are a feast for the eyes and never let up in their beauty, “Life of Pi” also lands here for the emotional ride on which it takes us and for Pi Patel’s fantastic story.

Real-life climber Aron Ralston’s distressing experiences in an isolated canyon near the far reaches of Utah is the subject of this survival drama. After he’s injured by a fallen boulder, Ralston finds himself trapped with no help and no water in sight – for 5 straight days. Boasting a career-best performance by James Franco and the kinetic, visual energy expected from director Danny Boyle, the Oscar-nominated movie will lift your spirits but isn’t for the faint of heart.

Sandra Bullock plays an astronaut stuck in what’s possibly the worst place imaginable – outer space. “Gravity” isn’t only an epic tale of survival, but, thanks to the directing skills of Alfonso Cuarron, the practically one-woman sci-fi show really does make you believe you’re lost in space. What makes it a notch above the rest though is Sandra Bullock. As Dr. Ryan Stone, the actress, who’s alone in almost every scene, offers up a brave, believable and entrancing performance – “Gravity” wouldn’t be the same without it.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Lone Survivor” (2013)
- “All Is Lost” (2013)
- “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968)
- “Buried” (2010)

After his plane crashes in the South Pacific, Chuck Noland spends 4 years on a deserted island with nothing but the sound of the waves and a volleyball named Wilson. Sound boring? It isn't. Tom Hanks may be solo for most of “Cast Away” but the film has enough adventure and drama to keep us entertained and engrossed all the way through. In fact, you could say the actor gives us a master class in acting that astonishes as much as it exhilarates the senses – and multiple accolades and award nominations for the role prove it.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Lone survivor movie? For more Movie Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.