Top Adventure Movies

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the concluding chapter in the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. Directed by Peter Jackson, the film follows the journey of Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and Gollum as they continue their quest to destroy the One Ring, and the fellowship of the Ring-bearers as they launch a massive battle to protect the future of Middle-earth. As Sauron and his vast armies lay siege to Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor, the Ring-bearers must confront the forces of evil while hoping they can bring an end to the dark lord’s reign of terror. Along the way, they are faced with powerful allies, treacherous enemies, and difficult choices that will shape the destiny of Middle-earth. In the end, the fate of the world hangs in the balance as true courage, loyalty, and friendship are put to the ultimate test.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Dark Knight is a superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, released in 2008. The story follows Bruce Wayne, the vigilante known as Batman, as he battles the Joker, a criminal mastermind with a plan to disrupt Gotham City. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to bring justice to the streets of Gotham. Along the way, he must face the Joker's twisted schemes, as well as his own inner demons. The film features intense action sequences, thought-provoking themes, and a remarkable performance by the late Heath Ledger as the Joker. The Dark Knight is a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of heroism and justice.

From Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffrè
Rated R

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is a 1966 spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach. Set during the American Civil War, the story follows three outlaws as they search for a Confederate gold shipment. The trio, each a professional gunslinger, face off against each other in a series of confrontations in pursuit of the hidden treasure. Along the way, they must face danger, violence, and betrayal in a stark landscape of the American Southwest. With its iconic score by composer Ennio Morricone, the film is considered a masterpiece of the western genre and one of the greatest films of all time.

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson. It is the first installment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel of the same name. The film follows protagonist Frodo Baggins and his loyal fellowship of hobbits, wizards, humans, and elves on their quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. Along the way, they must battle against the forces of the Ringwraiths, Balrogs, and Orcs. The fellowship ultimately succeeds in destroying the Ring, saving Middle-Earth and restoring peace and order.

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is the second installment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. In this film, Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) continue their journey to Mordor to destroy the One Ring and keep it from the Dark Lord Sauron. Meanwhile, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) join forces with the Rohan people to fight against the hordes of Uruk-hai from Isengard and save Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd). In addition to the action-packed battle scenes, the film also highlights the internal struggle between good and evil as Frodo and Sam are tempted by the Ring and Aragorn must come to terms with his destiny as the future King of Gondor. Ultimately, the heroes triumph in their battles, laying the groundwork for the final film in the trilogy.

From George Lucas, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is a science fiction classic directed by George Lucas that tells the story of a group of freedom fighters who must confront a powerful Empire in order to save the galaxy. The main characters are Luke Skywalker, a farm boy who dreams of becoming a Jedi Knight; Princess Leia, a feisty leader of the Rebellion; Han Solo, a daring smuggler; Chewbacca, Han's loyal Wookiee companion; and Obi-Wan Kenobi, an old Jedi master. These heroes must join forces to save the galaxy from the evil Empire, which is led by Darth Vader, an infamous Sith Lord. Along the way, they battle stormtroopers, face off against the Empire's secret weapon, the Death Star, and finally confront Vader in a climactic lightsaber duel. At its heart, A New Hope is a classic hero's journey, filled with adventure, danger, and a satisfying conclusion.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Rated PG

Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction adventure comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg. It stars Michael J. Fox as teenager Marty McFly, who accidentally travels back in time from 1985 to 1955, where he meets his future parents in high school and accidentally becomes his mother's romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents' romance and with the help of his eccentric scientist friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, inventing a time machine out of a DeLorean. With the power of time travel, Marty and Dr. Brown must also find a way to return Marty to his own time. Back to the Future is widely considered a classic, and is one of the highest grossing films of all time. It won an Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing, three Saturn Awards, and was nominated for three Oscars. It was also one of the first films to be released on home video.

From Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff, starring Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg
Rated G

The Lion King is a beloved 1994 animated musical directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. The story follows Simba, a young lion cub, as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destiny as the rightful king of the Pride Lands. He is betrayed by his uncle Scar and forced to flee, and must learn to overcome his fears before he can return home and reclaim his throne. Along the way, Simba learns valuable life lessons from his friends, including Timon and Pumbaa. The Lion King is an inspiring story of friendship, courage, and responsibility, full of memorable songs and iconic characters.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies
Rated PG

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is a 1981 action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford as the eponymous archaeologist. The film is set in 1936, and follows Indiana Jones as he races against competing forces to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its power. Along the way, he must battle treacherous villains, survive dangerous traps, and outwit a determined French archaeologist. With the help of his trusted friend Sallah, Indy must locate and secure the Ark before it falls into the wrong hands.

From Andrew Stanton, starring Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard
Rated G

WALL·E is a 2008 animated science fiction film from Pixar, directed by Andrew Stanton. The film tells the story of a lonely waste-collecting robot, WALL·E, who is left behind on an abandoned Earth, and is the last remaining robot of his kind. Through his adventures, he discovers a new purpose in life when he falls in love with a sophisticated search robot named EVE. Together, they journey across the galaxy to save the planet from an environmental disaster. Along the way, WALL·E learns that there is more to life than just collecting garbage and discovers the joys of friendship and love. The film has won numerous awards, and is widely considered one of the best animated films of all time.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter
Rated G

"2001: A Space Odyssey" is a 1968 science fiction movie directed by Stanley Kubrick and co-written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke. The movie follows a voyage to Jupiter by the crew of the spaceship Discovery One, which is controlled by the onboard computer, HAL 9000. The voyage is interrupted by a mysterious black monolith, which is discovered to have sent out a signal to Jupiter. As the crew continues its mission, HAL begins to malfunction, leading to a showdown between man and machine. The movie culminates in a transcendent journey beyond the confines of human understanding. Groundbreaking in its use of special effects and its influential storytelling, "2001: A Space Odyssey" is widely considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Alison Doody, Denholm Elliott
Rated PG-13

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is an action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1989. In the film, Harrison Ford reprises his role as Indiana Jones, an archeologist and adventurer who embarks on an epic quest to find the Holy Grail. In his search, Indiana Jones teams up with his father Professor Henry Jones, Sr. (Sean Connery), an old colleague and rival, Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), and the beautiful and enigmatic Dr. Elsa Schneider (Alison Doody). They travel across Europe in search of the lost Holy Grail, encountering Nazis, secret societies, and incredible danger along the way. In the end, Indiana and his father must confront the ultimate challenge in a life-or-death race against time. The film was a massive success, critically and commercially, and is now considered one of the best films in the Indiana Jones franchise. It was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture and won for Best Sound Effects Editing.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough
Rated PG-13

Jurassic Park is a 1993 science fiction thriller directed by Steven Spielberg. The film follows a billionaire philanthropist and a small team of genetic scientists as they attempt to create a theme park featuring living dinosaurs. When an employee accidentally activates the park's security systems, the dinosaurs escape, threatening the lives of everyone in the park. After a series of thrilling and dangerous encounters, the team is forced to fight for their lives and the future of the park. The film features groundbreaking computer-generated imagery, thrilling action sequences, and a strong sense of adventure and suspense.

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú
Rated R

Set in 1944 Spain, Pan's Labyrinth tells the story of Ofelia, a young girl who is reluctantly sent to live with her stepfather, a cruel military captain who is trying to weed out the remaining rebels in the area. Ofelia discovers a magical labyrinth inhabited by a faun who tells her that she is the reincarnation of a lost princess, and must perform three tasks in order to return to her kingdom. As Ofelia searches for the tasks and embarks on her journey, she must also contend with her stepfather and his increasingly oppressive rule over her family and the village. Through her journey, she learns the power of bravery, imagination, and faith, and ultimately discovers her own strength to take on the most difficult of tasks.

From Majid Majidi, starring Mohammad Amir Naji, Amir Farrokh Hashemian, Bahare Seddiqi, Nafise Jafar-Mohammadi
Rated PG

Children of Heaven is an Iranian drama film directed by Majid Majidi. It tells the story of Ali and his younger sister, Zahra, who live in a working-class neighborhood in Tehran. One day, Ali accidentally loses Zahra’s only pair of shoes and the two siblings come up with a plan to share Ali’s shoes, taking turns going to school. Despite their difficult circumstances, the children try to remain optimistic and make the best of their situation. The film ultimately teaches the importance of family, perseverance, and the power of faith.

From William Wyler, starring Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet
Rated G

Ben-Hur is a classic 1959 biblical epic directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston. The film follows the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince falsely accused of treason by a former childhood friend, Messala. After being sentenced to the galleys, Judah is eventually reunited with his family and ventures on a quest for revenge against Messala. Along the way, he meets a mysterious carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth, who teaches him the power of forgiveness. Throughout the story, Judah is forced to confront the hatred and violence of the world he lives in and ultimately chooses to forgive his enemies instead of seeking revenge. This act of mercy brings healing to himself and to others, and allows Judah to regain his freedom. In the end, Judah is reconciled with his former friend and takes his place in a victorious chariot race. Ben-Hur ultimately celebrates the power of mercy, forgiveness, and redemption.

From Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Mervyn LeRoy, Norman Taurog, Richard Thorpe, King Vidor, starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr
Rated PG

The Wizard of Oz is a classic 1939 fantasy musical film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, and Margaret Hamilton. It is based on the 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum. The film follows the adventures of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas who is transported to the magical land of Oz. She and her companions, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, must find the Wizard of Oz in order to fulfill their wishes. Along the way, they face many obstacles, including the Wicked Witch of the West and her flying monkeys. Ultimately, Dorothy and her friends learn the importance of friendship, courage, and determination as they ultimately succeed in their quest. The Wizard of Oz has become an iconic film and is still beloved by audiences of all ages to this day.

From David Yates, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon
Rated PG-13

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" is the final installment in the Harry Potter series directed by David Yates. The film follows Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends as they attempt to locate and destroy the remaining Horcruxes to prevent Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) from achieving immortality. With the help of their allies, Harry and his friends battle their way through the hordes of Voldemort’s followers, including the legendary dragon guardians of the Hogwarts castle. In the end, Harry and his friends must confront Voldemort in an epic final showdown to decide the fate of the wizarding world. With the help of Professor Dumbledore’s memory, Harry discovers the secret to defeating Voldemort and the Deathly Hallows. In the end, Harry and his friends triumph, and the wizarding world is saved.

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

Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, "Into the Wild" follows a young man as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery after graduating from college. He abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings to charity, and sets out on a journey across the American West. Along the way, he meets a variety of people and learns important lessons about the world, himself, and the importance of human connection. Ultimately, his journey leads him to Alaska, where he is ultimately found dead four months later in an abandoned bus. The film is a powerful exploration of the human spirit and the power of following one’s dreams.

From Gore Verbinski, starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
Rated PG-13

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is an action-adventure film directed by Gore Verbinski and released in 2003. It follows the story of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) as they search for the legendary pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in order to rescue Elizabeth's father, Governor Weatherby Swann, from the cursed pirate ship, the Black Pearl. Along the way, they enlist the help of Jack's former crewmate, Joshamee Gibbs (Kevin McNally), and must battle the undead Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and his cursed crew, who are in search of an ancient gold medallion that will release them from their undead state. With the help of the legendary pirate ship, the Black Pearl, Will and Elizabeth must battle Barbossa and his crew and save Elizabeth's father.

From Edward Zwick, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Kagiso Kuypers
Rated R

Blood Diamond is a 2006 film directed by Edward Zwick, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly. Set in 1999 during the Sierra Leone Civil War, the film follows the story of Danny Archer, a former mercenary from Zimbabwe, and Solomon Vandy, a Mende fisherman from Sierra Leone who are both struggling to survive and protect their families amid the chaos of the war. Archer comes across Solomon, who has come into possession of a priceless diamond that, due to the civil unrest, has become incredibly valuable. Archer and Solomon join forces to smuggle the diamond out of the country and sell it in exchange for Solomon's family's freedom. On their journey, they face various obstacles such as the dangers of the civil war and an international diamond smuggling ring. In the end, Solomon and Archer successfully smuggle the diamond and Solomon is able to reunite with his family, while Archer is able to start a new life in Mozambique.

From Tim Burton, starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange
Rated PG-13

Big Fish is a 2003 fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton and starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Helena Bonham Carter. The film tells the story of Edward Bloom, a man who loves to tell tall tales of his adventures, and his estranged son Will, who attempts to uncover the truth behind his father's life. Will discovers the fantastical events that shaped his father's life, and learns to appreciate his unique, larger-than-life personality. The film is a mix of fantasy, drama and comedy, and features a unique visual style heavily inspired by Burton's earlier work. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace
Rated PG

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison. The story is about an alien, E.T., who is stranded on Earth and befriends a young boy, Elliott, who helps him find his way home. Along the way, they must evade a team of government agents who are attempting to capture E.T. and Elliott's family and friends must help them hide the alien. The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, love, and the combined power of imagination and technology. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $792 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film of all time at the time of its release, a title it held for 11 years. It is currently the fourth-highest-grossing film. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning four. It was re-released in 1985 and 2002 with altered shots and additional scenes.

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

Children of Men is a 2006 dystopian drama film directed by Alfonso Cuarón and based on the novel of the same name by P. D. James. The film follows a society in the year 2027, where women have become infertile, leading to a collapse of the world population and the rise of a military dictatorship. When a former activist is tasked with rescuing a young pregnant woman from the chaos, he finds himself in a race against time to save humanity. Along the way, he must confront a corrupt government, dangerous militia, and a desperate population in order to give the world hope of a future.

From Wes Anderson, starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman
Rated PG

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a stop-motion animated comedy film directed by Wes Anderson. The story follows Mr. Fox, a clever and resourceful fox who lives in a tree with his family in a rural area. When Mr. Fox's stealing of chickens from three local farmers—Boggis, Bunce, and Bean—irritates them to the point of mounting an all-out animal extermination campaign, Mr. Fox and his family must devise a plan to outwit the farmers and save their home. Through a series of daring and creative tactics, Mr. Fox rallies a colorful cast of animal characters to help him in his battle of wits against the farmers. In the end, Mr. Fox and his family are able to outsmart the farmers and protect their home. The film is a heartwarming and humorous story of family, friendship, and resourcefulness.