Top 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 an adaptation of the autobiography of the same name by Jewish-Polish musician and Holocaust survivor Władysław Szpilman. The film follows Szpilman's experiences in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II. The Pianist depicts Szpilman's struggle to survive in the Warsaw Ghetto, his effort to hide in the ruins of Warsaw, and his ultimately successful attempt to find refuge in the ruins of a bombed out building. It also features the famous scene of Szpilman playing a piano in a ruined building while an SS officer listens. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

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

12 Years a Slave is a biographical period drama film directed by Steve McQueen and based on the 1853 memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup. The film tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold into slavery in the Deep South. Northup is moved around and subjected to extreme cruelty and violence, but he never gives up hope, eventually finding allies and a chance to reclaim his freedom. The film was an instant critical and commercial success, earning numerous awards and accolades, including three Academy Awards. 12 Years a Slave serves as a powerful reminder of the horrors of slavery and the resilience of the human spirit.

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

Into the Wild is a 2007 American biographical adventure drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Sean Penn. The film follows the story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a young man who leaves civilization and travels into the Alaskan wilderness in search of a more meaningful and simpler life. Along his journey, he meets a wide range of people, some of whom become important figures in his life. Despite the obstacles he faces, he learns valuable lessons about life and his own purpose. Ultimately, his journey leads him to discover his true identity and understand the importance of human relationships.

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

Mad Max: Fury Road is a 2015 post-apocalyptic action-adventure film directed by George Miller. The movie follows Max Rockatansky, a loner and survivor of a nuclear holocaust, who is caught up in a war between two powerful factions in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The two leaders, Immortan Joe and Imperator Furiosa, fight for resources and control of a group of female prisoners. Max allies with Furiosa in order to help her escape from Joe and liberate the prisoners. The movie follows Max and Furiosa as they battle their way through the desert in an attempt to reach freedom. Along the way, they encounter numerous obstacles and face a relentless pursuit by Joe’s forces. In the end, Max and Furiosa are ultimately successful in their mission and liberate the prisoners, defeating Joe in the process. Mad Max: Fury Road is a thrilling and visually stunning film, with action sequences that will leave you at the edge of your seat.

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

Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, and Teresa Palmer. The film tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector from the United States who refused to carry a weapon into battle during World War II. Despite his status as a pacifist, Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Battle of Okinawa, where he single-handedly saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. The film follows Doss as he struggles with his convictions against killing, his family's expectations of him, and his experiences in the bloody battle of Okinawa. It is an inspiring story of courage, faith, and heroism in the face of adversity.

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

Room is a 2015 drama film directed by Lenny Abrahamson and written by Emma Donoghue, based on her novel of the same name. The film stars Brie Larson as Joy Newsome, a woman held captive for seven years in a small room with her 5-year-old son Jack, who is played by Jacob Tremblay. After a daring escape, Joy and Jack must adjust to the outside world and the overwhelming challenges that come with it. The film follows their journey as they try to reclaim their lives and find freedom. Themes such as hope, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between mother and son are poetically explored in this powerful and touching story of survival.

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

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction adventure film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. The story follows astronaut Mark Watney, who becomes stranded on Mars after a fierce storm and must rely on his ingenuity and resourcefulness to survive. With no way to communicate with Earth, Watney must figure out how to survive the harsh environment of Mars as he awaits rescue. Meanwhile, a team of scientists and engineers on Earth work to bring him home. With perseverance and courage, Watney is able to survive the unforgiving environment of Mars, and with the help of his colleagues on Earth, is successfully able to make it back home.

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

The Revenant tells the story of Hugh Glass, a legendary explorer in the American West in the early 1800s. After suffering a brutal bear attack, Glass is left alone and near death in the wilderness. He must battle the elements, the Native Americans, and the trappers who left him for dead in order to survive and seek revenge. In his quest for justice, he is driven by an unquenchable thirst for life, even in the face of death. Along the way, he discovers the true power of resilience, faith, and friendship.

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

Lion is a 2016 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 film stars Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, and Sunny Pawar, and tells the true story of Saroo, who is separated from his family in India at the age of five. After being adopted by an Australian couple, Saroo sets out 25 years later to find his long-lost family. The film follows Saroo's emotional journey as he rediscovers his past and reunites with his birth mother, and is ultimately a story of resilience, of hope, and of the power of love.

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

"Touching the Void" (2003) is an award-winning British docudrama directed by Kevin Macdonald. The film is based on the 1988 book by Joe Simpson and recounts the harrowing story of Joe and his climbing partner Simon Yates. In 1985, the two climbers attempted to summit the treacherous Siula Grande mountain in the Peruvian Andes. On their descent, disaster struck when Joe fell and suffered a broken leg. Against all odds, Joe and Simon managed to survive the ordeal, but only after pushing each other to the brink of exhaustion. Through interviews with Joe and Simon, as well as recreations of their experiences, the film recounts the incredible story of their survival and the emotional journey they undertook.

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 and based on Yann Martel's 2001 novel of the same name. The film follows the story of Pi Patel, a 16-year-old Indian boy who survives a shipwreck and is stranded in the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The film chronicles Pi's journey of faith and survival as he struggles to survive adrift in the ocean, and his spiritual journey of self-discovery as he seeks to reconcile his personal beliefs with the reality of his situation. Along the way, he forms a bond with Richard Parker, and the two develop a unique relationship as they both fight for survival. The film won numerous awards, including four Academy Awards, and was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

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

Children of Men is a 2006 dystopian science fiction film directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Set 20 years after a global infertility pandemic, the film follows the journey of a former activist turned bureaucrat who is tasked with helping to protect the only pregnant woman in the world. Along the way, he is forced to confront his own demons and the harsh realities of a world on the brink of collapse. The film examines themes such as immigration, hope, humanity, and resilience in the face of an uncertain future.

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

"Cast Away" is an 2000 American survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. The film follows a FedEx executive, Chuck Noland (Hanks), who is stranded on a deserted island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific and must find a way to survive. After four years alone on the island, Chuck finds a way to return home and must learn to reconnect with the life he left behind. Along his journey, he discovers the true meaning of friendship, faith, and the will to survive.

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

Apocalypto is a 2006 epic adventure drama film directed by Mel Gibson. Set in Mesoamerica during the period of the decline of the Maya civilization, the film follows Jaguar Paw, a young man living in a remote tribal village, who must escape human sacrifice and the collapse of his world to save his family and his people. After being captured by a rival tribe, Jaguar Paw is forced to go on a dangerous journey from his homeland to the great Mayan city of Coba, and ultimately face his captors in a fight for freedom. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters, both friend and foe, and struggles to survive as he encounters the harsh realities of the world outside his home. With its breathtaking visuals and intense action sequences, Apocalypto is an unforgettable experience.

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

Dunkirk is a 2017 war film directed, co-produced, and co-written by Christopher Nolan. It recounts the story of the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II, in which 400,000 Allied soldiers, who were stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk in northern France, were rescued by a fleet of over 800 British boats. The story is told from three perspectives: the air, land, and sea. The film stars Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, and Barry Keoghan, with Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, and Tom Hardy. The story is told in three intertwining perspectives, each with its own timeline. The first perspective is the “Air” perspective, which covers the efforts of Britain’s Royal Air Force to provide air cover for the evacuation. The second perspective is the “Land” perspective, which covers the experiences of a group of soldiers attempting to evacuate the beach, and their interactions with a French civilian. The third and final perspective is the “Sea” perspective, which tells the story of a group of civilian boat owners who respond to a British call

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

Based on a true story, Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks) is the captain of the Maersk Alabama, a cargo ship that is hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of Somalia. Despite the efforts of Phillips and his crew to protect the ship, the pirates take them hostage and demand ransom in exchange for the safety of the crew and cargo. During the ensuing standoff, Phillips must rely on his own courage and resourcefulness to save the lives of everyone on board and get his crew safely home. Faced with the danger of being killed, Phillips manages to outwit the pirates and eventually turn the tables on them. Through his courage and leadership, Phillips proves that no matter the odds, one man can make a difference.

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

The Motorcycle Diaries is a 2004 biographical film directed by Walter Salles. It follows the journey of two young friends—Ernesto Guevara (Gael García Bernal) and Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna)—as they traverse across South America in 1952 on a motorcycle. On their journey, they encounter a variety of people and circumstances that will change their lives forever. Along the way, they also learn about the harsh realities of poverty and inequality in Latin America. Through their experiences, they come to understand the importance of standing up for the rights of the oppressed and the value of justice and liberty. By the end of their journey, they have come to understand the power of the individual to effect change in the world.

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

Grizzly Man is a documentary by German director Werner Herzog about the life and death of naturalist and bear enthusiast Timothy Treadwell. Treadwell made more than a dozen trips to the Alaskan wilderness over a period of 13 years, living among grizzly bears and attempting to document their lives. He was eventually killed and eaten by a bear in 2003. The film includes interviews with Treadwell's friends and family, as well as audio and video footage that Treadwell recorded while living in the wilderness. Through these interviews and footage, the film paints a portrait of an eccentric and passionate individual whose love of nature led to his untimely demise. Herzog ultimately paints a sympathetic picture of Treadwell as a tragic figure, while also exploring the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.

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 directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. The film follows a group of men, including a police commissioner, a prosecutor, a doctor, and several police officers, as they search the Anatolian steppes for a missing corpse. As they search late into the night, they share stories, discuss life, and question their own roles in the search. Through the course of their journey, the men gradually uncover the truth about the crime, but at a cost. By the end of the film, each of the characters has changed and grown in some way. Themes of guilt, remorse, and justice are explored throughout the film, resulting in a haunting and thought-provoking experience.

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

Gravity is a 2013 science fiction movie directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The story follows Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock), a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, and Matt Kowalski (Clooney), a veteran astronaut on his last mission. When a cloud of satellite debris destroys their shuttle, they are stranded in space and must find a way to survive. As they struggle against all odds to return to Earth, their courage and determination are tested to the limit. With stunning visuals, edge-of-your-seat intensity, and a powerful story of survival, Gravity is an unforgettable cinematic experience.

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

Get Out is a 2017 American horror film written and directed by Jordan Peele. It follows Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a young African American man who visits his white girlfriend Rose Armitage's (Allison Williams) family estate for a weekend getaway. Unbeknownst to him, her family are part of a secret organization whose goal is to hypnotize and brainwash black people in order to insert white consciousnesses in their bodies. As Chris uncovers the truth, he must fight for his life and sanity before he falls victim to the family's sinister agenda. Get Out won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and earned rave reviews for its clever blend of horror, social commentary, and unexpected twists.

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 2010 documentary directed by Werner Herzog and Dmitry Vasyukov. The documentary follows the lives of Siberian fur trappers living in the remote village of Bakhtia, located deep in the Russian Taiga. Through stunning visuals, the film captures the daily challenges the trappers face while living off the land - from the harsh winter weather and dangerous hunting expeditions, to providing food and shelter for themselves and their families. The film also showcases the interpersonal relationships between the trappers, as well as their strong bond with nature and their deep appreciation for the land. Ultimately, the documentary offers viewers a unique insight into the traditional way of life in the Siberian wilderness.

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

127 Hours is a 2010 biographical drama film directed by Danny Boyle, based on the memoir Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston. The film follows Aron Ralston, an adventurous mountain climber in Utah, as he becomes trapped in a canyon and is forced to make a desperate and dangerous choice to save his life. After being trapped for 127 hours, Ralston is forced to amputate his own arm to escape. The film stars James Franco as Ralston, and features supporting performances from Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, and Clémence Poésy. 127 Hours was a critical and commercial success, receiving numerous awards including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture–Drama for Franco. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for Franco.

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 starring Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Taylor Kitsch, James Badge Dale, and Jennifer Connelly. The film is based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of elite firefighters who battled a wildfire in Arizona in 2013. As the firefighters battle the raging inferno, they must confront their own personal demons and learn to depend on each other in order to survive. In the end, they must come together as a team in order to save lives and protect their beloved community.

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

The Cave of the Yellow Dog is a 2005 Mongolian film written, produced and directed by Byambasuren Davaa. It stars Norwegian actress, Batchuluun Urjindorj, and young Mongolian actress, Batzul Khosbayar. The story follows a nomadic Mongolian family living in the steppes of Outer Mongolia, and focuses on the eldest daughter, Nansal, and her relationship with a stray yellow dog she finds while out collecting dung. As Nansal and her family struggle with the conflict between their traditional nomadic lifestyle and the growing presence of the modern world, she must choose between keeping the dog and following her father's strict rules. Through her story, the film examines the issues of family, tradition and the importance of protecting nature.