Movies About Survival In The Wilderness

Updated May 1, 2024

Multiple movies have talked about Movies About Survival In The Wilderness. Here are 25 of the best ones.

Into the Wild (2007)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

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

Into the Wild is a 2007 American biographical drama film written and directed by Sean Penn. It is an adaptation of the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer, which tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man from a well-to-do family who gave away all of his money and hitchhiked to Alaska in search of a more meaningful life. Along the way, he meets a variety of colorful characters and experiences a range of emotions as he follows his dream to find himself in the wilderness. Through all the joy and sorrow, Chris ultimately learns what it means to be alive. The film stars Emile Hirsch as McCandless, along with Vince Vaughn, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, and Catherine Keener in supporting roles.

The Revenant (2015)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

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

The Revenant is a 2015 survival western film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, based in part on Michael Punke's novel of the same name, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as frontiersman Hugh Glass. After being mauled by a bear and left for dead, Glass sets out on a journey of survival and retribution, determined to exact vengeance against John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), the man who betrayed him. Along the way, Glass faces numerous hardships—from extreme weather and treacherous terrain to treacherous Native American tribes—as he struggles to stay alive. Through grueling determination and strength of will, Glass ultimately achieves his revenge, but at a heavy cost. The Revenant is a powerful and emotionally-charged story of survival and revenge that showcases DiCaprio's considerable acting talents.

Touching the Void (2003)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

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

Touching the Void is a 2003 British documentary film based on the 1988 book of the same name by Joe Simpson. It tells the story of Simpson and his friend Simon Yates' disastrous and near-fatal attempt to climb Siula Grande in the Cordillera Huayhuash in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. After summiting the peak, Simpson fell and severely injured himself, causing Yates to make the difficult decision to cut the rope that was connecting them, in order to save his own life. The documentary follows Simpson's and Yates' separate, harrowing experiences of the descent, as well as telling the story of their friendship and how it changed in the aftermath of the incident.

Life of Pi (2012)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

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

Life of Pi is a 2012 adventure drama film directed by Ang Lee. The film is based on Yann Martel's 2001 novel of the same name and is a fantastic adventure story of a young boy named Pi, who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. After the shipwreck, Pi finds himself stranded in the middle of the ocean on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The story follows Pi and Richard Parker's journey across the ocean, as Pi struggles to survive and keep himself and the tiger alive. Along the way, he encounters a variety of creatures, finds solace in his faith, and eventually discovers a story that changes his life forever. The film is a remarkable journey of faith, courage, and the strength of the human spirit.

Cast Away (2000)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

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

Cast Away is a 2000 survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. The film tells the story of Chuck Noland, a FedEx employee whose plane crashes on an uninhabited island, stranding him there for four years. Armed only with his wits and a few primitive tools, Chuck must learn how to survive in the harsh environment, with no contact with the outside world. Throughout the movie, he battles loneliness, desperation, and depression as he strives to find a way back home. Along the way, he finds a surrogate family in a volleyball he names "Wilson." Despite numerous attempts, Chuck eventually escapes the island and returns home to a life that has changed drastically in his absence.

Deep Water (2006)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Directors: Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell, starring Tilda Swinton, Donald Crowhurst, Ted Hynds, Robin Knox-Johnston
Rated PG

Deep Water is an award-winning documentary film by directors Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell that tells the story of the first solo, non-stop, round-the-world boat race, The Sunday Times Golden Globe Race of 1968-69. The film follows the lives of the nine men who took part in the race, as well as their families, friends, and rivals. The film examines the deep personal motivation of the men to take part in the race, as well as the tragedy and adventure that ensue. With interviews from the participants and dramatic historical footage and audio, Deep Water is an exciting and gripping exploration of human endurance and adventure set against a backdrop of a dangerous and unpredictable environment.

Grizzly Man (2005)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

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

Grizzly Man is a 2005 documentary film by German director Werner Herzog. The film is based on the life and death of bear enthusiast and amateur grizzly bear expert Timothy Treadwell. Treadwell spent 13 summers living with and studying wild bears in the Alaskan wilderness, and ultimately was mauled to death by one of the bears in 2003. The film combines Treadwell's own video footage of his interactions with the bears and interviews with people who knew him. Herzog provides his own commentary throughout, which gives the film a unique blend of humor, irony, and tragedy. Grizzly Man paints a vivid picture of Treadwell's life and his unique relationship with the bear population of Katmai National Park. It is also a meditation on the limits of human understanding of nature and the dangers of becoming too immersed in it.

Deliverance (1972)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From John Boorman, starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox
Rated R

Deliverance (1972) is a classic adventure drama directed by John Boorman and based on the novel of the same name by author James Dickey. The film follows four Atlanta businessmen, Lewis (Burt Reynolds), Ed (Jon Voight), Bobby (Ned Beatty), and Drew (Ronny Cox), as they embark on a weekend canoeing trip along the Cahulawassee River in rural Georgia. As the four men travel downstream, they encounter a clan of hillbillies and develop a fear of the hostile locals. When the group is ambushed and Ed is kidnapped, Lewis and Drew must find a way to rescue their friend and make it out of the wilderness alive. With the help of Bobby, the four men eventually escape, although not without suffering severe physical and psychological trauma as a result of their ordeal.

127 Hours (2010)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

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

127 Hours is a 2010 British-American biographical survival drama film directed by Danny Boyle, starring James Franco as real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston. The film is based on Ralston's memoir Between a Rock and a Hard Place (2004). The film depicts the true story of Ralston's remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah in April 2003. With no hope of rescue, Ralston is forced to resort to desperate measures in order to free himself, ultimately amputating his own arm. The film follows Ralston's journey of perseverance, self-discovery and personal triumph.