Good Survival Movies

From Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox
Rated R

The Pianist is a 2002 biographical drama film directed by Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody. It is based on the autobiography of the same name by the Polish-Jewish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman. The film tells the story of Szpilman's experiences during the Nazi occupation of Poland, as he struggles to survive the Holocaust. After Szpilman is separated from his family, he becomes the target of Nazi persecution, and is forced to hide in the ruins of the Warsaw Ghetto. Despite the danger and desperation of his situation, he manages to survive by relying on the kindness of strangers, and his own strength of will. In the end, he is rescued by a German officer who admires his skills as a pianist. The Pianist is a powerful and moving film that shows how the human spirit can overcome even the most desperate of circumstances.

From Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt
Rated R

12 Years a Slave is a 2013 British-American historical drama film directed by Steve McQueen, based on the memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup. The film tells the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C. in 1841 and sold into slavery. After being held captive by a ruthless slave trader for 12 years, he is eventually rescued by a Canadian abolitionist. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong'o and Brad Pitt. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning three, including Best Picture. The film is a powerful exploration of the horrors of the slave trade and a testament to the strength of human spirit.

From Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

Into the Wild is a 2007 biographical drama directed by Sean Penn and based on the 1996 nonfiction book by Jon Krakauer about Christopher McCandless. It stars Emile Hirsch as Christopher McCandless, a young, recently graduated college student from a well-to-do family who decides to forgo the comforts of society and embark on an adventure across the United States. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery, traveling from the Midwest to Alaska, surviving solely on the kindness of strangers. Along the way, he meets several people who shape and affect his journey, including a hippie couple, a former Vietnam War veteran, and a crop-duster pilot. Despite his extreme isolation and the harsh conditions, McCandless continues his quest and eventually reaches his final destination in the wilderness of Alaska. There, he finds true happiness and a newfound appreciation for life, but ultimately meets a tragic end.

From George Miller, starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz
Rated R

Mad Max: Fury Road is a 2015 action-adventure film directed by George Miller and starring Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky. The film follows Max, a loner searching for a new home in a post-apocalyptic world, as he teams up with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) to battle against a tyrannical ruler, Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), and his army of War Boys in an attempt to free a group of enslaved women. With breathtaking action sequences and a powerful score, Mad Max: Fury Road is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride from start to finish. The film also stars Nicholas Hoult, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton, Nathan Jones, Zoë Kravitz, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

From Mel Gibson, starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer
Rated R

Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war drama directed by Mel Gibson and written by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan. It tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a Christian pacifist who served in the United States Army during World War II. Despite his refusal to carry a weapon or take a life, Doss is accepted into the army and deployed to Okinawa, Japan. In the heat of battle, Doss single-handedly saves 75 of his fellow soldiers and is awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and courage under fire. The story of Doss’s bravery, faith, and determination to save lives without taking another life serves as an inspirational testament to the human spirit.

From Lenny Abrahamson, starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Wendy Crewson
Rated R

Room is a powerful drama written by Emma Donoghue and directed by Lenny Abrahamson. It tells the story of a young mother, Joy Newsome (Brie Larson), and her five-year-old son Jack (Jacob Tremblay). Joy and Jack have been held captive in a small room for years, never seeing the outside world. As Jack’s curiosity grows, Joy must find a way to escape and give them both the freedom they crave. With the help of the outside world, Joy and Jack must face the ultimate challenge: to survive and find a way out of their prison. Along the way, they must confront their past and learn to live in the real world. Room is a powerful and moving exploration of the power of the human spirit.

From Ridley Scott, starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara
Rated PG-13

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. The story follows astronaut Mark Watney (Damon), who is part of a manned mission to Mars and is presumed dead after a fierce storm. Watney has, in fact, survived and is now stranded on the planet with no way to contact or return to Earth. Determined to survive, Watney must use his scientific knowledge and ingenuity to grow food, generate water, and sustain himself until a rescue mission can be launched. With the help of NASA and his crewmates, Watney must find a way to survive in the hostile environment of Mars and make it back home alive.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, Domhnall Gleeson
Rated R

The Revenant is a 2015 American survival drama film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and written by Mark L. Smith and Iñárritu, based in part on Michael Punke's 2002 novel of the same name. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, and Will Poulter. Set in 1820s America, the film revolves around the trapper Hugh Glass, who, after being mauled by a bear and left for dead, sets out on a journey of revenge and survival. Along the way, Glass encounters Native Americans who help him on his journey and fur trappers who are out to get him. In the end, Glass is able to find the man responsible for his near-death experience and seek justice.

From Garth Davis, starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, Sunny Pawar
Rated PG-13

Lion is a 2016 biographical drama film directed by Garth Davis, and written by Luke Davies, based on the non-fiction book A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley. The movie follows the true story of Saroo, a five-year-old Indian boy who gets lost on a train and then is adopted by an Australian family. Twenty-five years later, Saroo embarks on a journey to find his birth family, using only a few memories and Google Earth. With the help of his adoptive family, Saroo eventually reunites with his mother and brother in India, learning not only the joys of family but also the power of perseverance and faith.

From Kevin Macdonald, starring Simon Yates, Joe Simpson, Brendan Mackey, Nicholas Aaron
Rated R

Touching the Void is a 2003 documentary film directed by Kevin Macdonald. The film chronicles the true story of two young British climbers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, on their ill-fated attempt to climb the Siula Grande mountain in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. The climbers are beset by storms, avalanches and treacherous terrain as they attempt to summit the mountain. After a successful ascent, Simpson falls and breaks his leg, leading to a harrowing and desperate descent. Simpson and Yates must face seemingly insurmountable odds to survive, and the film ultimately reveals how their story of courage, friendship and survival against all odds made them legends in the world of mountaineering.

From Ang Lee, starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain, Tabu
Rated PG

Life of Pi is an adventure drama based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Yann Martel. The film follows the story of Pi Patel, a teenage Indian boy who, along with his family, survives a shipwreck and finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. With nothing but his wits and courage to guide him, Pi embarks on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, facing danger and incredible hardship as he struggles to survive in the vast and unpredictable ocean. Along the way, he forms a unique bond with the tiger and discovers a strength he never knew he had. In the end, Pi's story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

From Alfonso Cuarón, starring Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Caine
Rated R

Children of Men is a science-fiction film directed by Alfonso Cuarón and released in 2006. Set in the dystopian future of 2027, the film centers around a world in which infertility has caused the human race to become extinct. British civil servant Theo Faron (Clive Owen) is tasked with the mission of escorting a young refugee named Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) to a group of humanitarians who hope to save humanity. Along the way, Theo and Kee must confront an oppressive government, a powerful religious cult, and an extremist rebel group. As they journey through this dangerous world, Theo and Kee come to understand the importance of hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Paul Sanchez, Lari White
Rated PG-13

Cast Away is a 2000 American survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, a FedEx employee stranded on an uninhabited island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific Ocean. After four years of desperate attempts to survive, Noland eventually manages to make it back home. Along the way, he learns to cope with his loneliness and come to terms with the fragility of life. He also must make difficult decisions in order to survive, including relying on a volleyball, which he names Wilson. Eventually, Noland is able to escape the island and return home to his beloved fiancée.

From Mel Gibson, starring Gerardo Taracena, Raoul Max Trujillo, Dalia Hernández, Rudy Youngblood
Rated R

Apocalypto is a 2006 action-adventure film directed by Mel Gibson and set in 16th century Central America. The film follows a young Mayan hunter named Jaguar Paw as he fights to save his family from the oppressive forces of a Mayan kingdom that is crumbling under the weight of its own decadence. After his village is attacked and destroyed, Jaguar Paw is taken prisoner along with the other villagers and must make a daring escape from a human sacrifice ritualdesigned to appease the gods. Along the way, he encounters a number of dangers including wild animals, treacherous terrain, and ultimately, the dreaded Mayan military. In the end, he must rely on his wits, strength, and resourcefulness to survive and save his family.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy
Rated PG-13

Dunkirk is a 2017 war film directed, co-written, and co-produced by Christopher Nolan. It is set during the events of the Dunkirk evacuation in World War II. The film follows the story of a group of Allied soldiers who are surrounded by the German Army and must be evacuated from the beach of Dunkirk, France. It is told from three perspectives: the land, sea, and air. Through these perspectives, the film conveys the struggles and desperate courage of the soldiers and civilians who risked their lives to evacuate the soldiers. The film stars Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D'Arcy, Barry Keoghan, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, and Tom Hardy.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Catherine Keener
Rated PG-13

Captain Phillips is a 2013 American biographical thriller film directed by Paul Greengrass, starring Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi. The film chronicles the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama, a U.S. container ship, by Somali pirates in April 2009. The film follows the freighter's captain, Richard Phillips (Hanks), who is taken hostage by the pirates and his subsequent rescue by U.S. Navy SEALs. Captain Phillips shows the lengths that Phillips and his crew went to in order to survive the hijacking. It also highlights the bravery of the Navy SEALs who risked their own lives to save Phillips and his crew. The film is both thrilling and thought-provoking, as it explores the motivations behind the hijacking and the courage of those who endured the ordeal.

From Walter Salles, starring Gael García Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna, Mía Maestro, Mercedes Morán
Rated R

The Motorcycle Diaries is a 2004 biopic drama film directed by Walter Salles, based on the memoirs of Ernesto Guevara, who would later become famous as the iconic Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara. The film follows Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado on a motorcycle trip across Latin America, exploring rural villages and cities as they gain an appreciation for the region and its people. Along the way, their travels bring them face to face with poverty, injustice and exploitation, inspiring Guevara to embrace his political ideology and become a leader for social and political change. The film is a powerful and moving portrait of Guevara's transformation, and the experiences that shaped his life and changed the course of history.

From Werner Herzog, starring Timothy Treadwell, Amie Huguenard, Werner Herzog, Carol Dexter
Rated R

Grizzly Man (2005) is a documentary film directed by Werner Herzog that tells the story of Tim Treadwell, a naturalist and environmentalist who spent 13 summers living among the bears of Alaska. The film uses Treadwell's own footage of his life among the bears, as well as interviews with his family and friends, to document his eccentric and ultimately tragic life. Through the film, Herzog explores the complex relationship between Treadwell, the bears and the environment, as well as the dangers of living in nature. The film ultimately serves as a cautionary tale about confronting nature on its own terms.

From Nuri Bilge Ceylan, starring Muhammet Uzuner, Yilmaz Erdogan, Taner Birsel, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan
Rated Not Rated

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is a 2011 Turkish drama film written and directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Set in the Anatolian steppes of Turkey, the film follows a group of men as they search for the body of a dead man in the darkness of the night. The group includes a doctor, a prosecutor, a police commissioner, and a murder suspect, all of whom are tired, exhausted, and disoriented as they struggle to find the corpse. As they search, they discuss the meaning of life and death, and the men's inner thoughts and feelings are revealed through conversations and flashbacks. Even though the men are unable to find the body, their journey is a spiritual one, as they find a kind of understanding in the darkness of the night.

From Alfonso Cuarón, starring Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris, Orto Ignatiussen
Rated PG-13

Gravity is an Academy Award-winning 2013 science fiction film directed by Alfonso Cuaron and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. In the film, a medical engineer (Bullock) and a veteran astronaut (Clooney) are left stranded in space after a satellite mission goes wrong. With few resources available and rescue seeming impossible, they must rely on each other and their wits to survive and make it back to Earth. Along the way, they must face the physical and psychological challenges of being trapped in space, as well as the human drive to make it home.

From Jordan Peele, starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener
Rated R

Get Out is a horror/comedy film written and directed by Jordan Peele in 2017. The story follows Chris Washington, an African American man who visits his white girlfriend's family estate. As the weekend progresses, he soon discovers a disturbing secret about the family that puts him in immediate danger. With the help of his best friend, Rod, Chris must face his fears and unravel the mystery of what is happening with the family before it is too late.

From Directors: Werner Herzog, Dmitry Vasyukov, starring Werner Herzog, Gennady Soloviev, Anatoly Blumei, Gennady Tiganov
Rated Not Rated

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga is a two-part documentary directed by Werner Herzog and Dmitry Vasyukov. The film chronicles the lives of the indigenous people in the remote Siberian region of Bakhtia, who hunt, fish, and trap in the unforgiving Taiga. The documentary follows a year in the lives of the people, from the cold winter months to the warmer summer months, highlighting their unique way of life, culture, and struggles. The film also explores the beauty of nature and the deep connection between the people and their environment. Through interviews with the people of Bakhtia, the documentary paints a portrait of a resilient people who have managed to live in harmony with the land despite the harsh conditions. The documentary also highlights the importance of preserving and protecting the Taiga, an ancient wilderness that is increasingly being threatened by human activity and climate change.

From Danny Boyle, starring James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Sean Bott
Rated R

127 Hours is a biographical drama directed by Danny Boyle and starring James Franco. It tells the true story of Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who is forced to amputate his own arm to free himself after being trapped in a crevasse for five days. The film follows Ralston as he embarks on a dangerous adventure and is ultimately faced with a life-or-death decision. Along the way, he reflects on his life, his relationships, and the choices that led him to his current situation. After his ordeal, Ralston is rescued and goes on to tell his story to the world. 127 Hours explores themes of resilience, courage, and self-discovery.

From Joseph Kosinski, starring Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly
Rated PG-13

Only the Brave is a 2017 American biographical drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ken Nolan and Eric Warren Singer. The film follows the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of firefighters from Prescott, Arizona, who risked their lives to protect the town and its residents. The film stars Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Taylor Kitsch, James Badge Dale, Jennifer Connelly, Andie MacDowell, and Geoff Stults. The story follows Eric Marsh (Brolin) and his wife Amanda (Connelly) as they strive to create the first municipal hotshot crew in history, a team of firefighters who battle the deadliest wildfires in the country. With the help of an elite crew of local firefighters, they fight to protect the town of Prescott and its residents from the dangers of out-of-control wildfires. The film chronicles the team’s journey, from the initial training and recruitment process, to the physical and emotional struggles of fighting some of the most destructive fires in history. It is based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, who died in the Yarnell Hill Fire of 2013.

From Byambasuren Davaa, starring Batchuluun Urjindorj, Buyandulam Daramdadi, Nansal Batchuluun, Nansalmaa Batchuluun
Rated G

The Cave of the Yellow Dog is a 2005 Mongolian drama film directed by Byambasuren Davaa. The story is centered around a young nomadic girl named Nansal and her family, who live in the Mongolian steppe. One day, while out gathering dung for fuel, she finds a small, yellow dog. Despite her family's concerns, she takes the dog in and names him Zochor. As time goes on, Zochor becomes part of the family and helps them in their daily tasks. Conflict arises, however, when the youngest member of the family, Urjii, becomes jealous of the attention Nansal gives to the dog. When her father decides the dog must go, Nansal must make a difficult decision between her family and her beloved pet. Ultimately, she decides to take the dog and go on a journey to find a place for it to call home. The film follows her as she discovers the strength of family bonds, learns about the value of independence, and finds a home for the yellow dog.