Adventure movies continue to take us on an exciting journey these days. It’s one of the most rewatchable forms of storytelling after all, as recognizable classics like The Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones can tell you that it’s a genre of endless thrills and excitement. You can lose yourself in the escapism and journey into a different world full of different landscapes, fun characters, and even lost treasures.
Indeed, adventure helped shape cinema into what it is today, and there’s no denying how many extraordinary examples there are today. Some adventure tales are more beloved than others, but what about the films that are still thrilling but haven’t made that much of an impact? The following are ten underrated adventure movies that audiences really need to talk about more. They’re noteworthy tales that have the thrill of adventure but were mostly swept under the rug, but now deserve their time in the spotlight.
‘The Lost City of Z’ (2016)
2016’s The Lost City of Z takes viewers on a treacherous jungle adventure in pursuit of an ancient myth. Based on the true story of famed British geographer and explorer Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam), it follows him during two dangerous expeditions to find a supposed lost city of gold buried somewhere in the Amazon rainforest until his disappearance in 1925.
The Lost City of Z tells of one man’s determination and pursuit of knowledge and adventure, even at the cost of his life. Charlie Hunnam is at his best playing complex protagonists, and here he’s captivating and proves some charm to this often-overlooked real-life adventurer, even though parts of his performance aren’t entirely accurate. It’s a shame this film was mixed with critics and bombed hard upon release because it’s quite a fascinating adventure drama that shines a light on an untold part of history.
‘Wild America’ (1997)
Wild America is a 1997 family adventure comedy detailing the remarkable journey of three teens in their quest to document the beauty of nature. Starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Devon Sawa, and Scott Bairstow, it tells the real-life story of the three young Stouffer brothers as they go on a cross-country adventure to shoot an amateur wildlife docuseries.
It’s a heartwarming coming-of-age tale of brotherhood and ambition as it follows these boys growing up together through their shared passion for the great outdoors. The performances are all-around spectacular, particularly from the three young leads whose brotherly chemistry is at the heart of this whole story. Wild America isn’t one of the most exciting adventure films out there, but it’s touching, unique, and will put a smile on those who give it a chance.
‘Hidalgo’ (2004)
In this epic desert adventure, 2004’s Hidalgo is a pulse-pounding race story inspired by unbelievable events. Starring Oscar nominee Viggo Mortensen, it’s based on the legend of Frank Hopkins, a down-on-his-luck Wild West show performer who was given the opportunity to compete in a dangerous 3,000-mile race through the Arabian desert for a grand prize with the help of his capable mustang, Hidalgo.
Visually, it’s incredible, as the on-site shooting locations look eye-catching, and even the CGI effects look competent even by today’s standards. Of course, Viggo Mortensen is at the center of what makes it stand out, as he brings a lot of energy and emotion to this performance that easily makes you want to root for his character as he goes on his parrolling race. Honestly, with its thrilling action, palpable tension, gorgeous locations, and stellar cast, Hidalgo is a remarkable adventure that sadly doesn’t get brought up as much as it should.
‘White Fang’ (1991)
The Disney pantheon is full of hidden gems, with some harder to find than others. But one that is truly unique and deserves more attention is White Fang, a 1991 adventure drama adapted from a Jack London novel of the same name and starring a young Ethan Hawke. Set in the late 1890s, it follows a teenager as he arrives in the Alaskan wilderness in search of gold and sparks a strong bond with a wolfdog named White Fang after saving him from his abusive owner.
It’s a touchy and emotional tale of friendship and perseverance as it follows this unlikely duo working together to survive and thrive. It’s a shame it was overshadowed by many other compelling Disney classics of the 1990s, as it is truly inspiring, emotional, and gorgeous to look at. Just one watch can make anyone an instant fan of Wild Fang, especially if you’re a dog lover — and let’s face it, who isn’t?
‘The 13th Warrior’ (1999)
Adapted from the compelling novel Eaters of the Dead by Jurassic Park’s author Michael Crichton, The 13th Warrior is a 1999 big-budget action-adventure blockbuster directed by John McTiernan and starring Antonio Banderas. A loose retelling of the poem of Beowulf, it follows an exiled Muslim ambassador accompanying a group of Viking warriors in their quest to rid their land of an ancient enemy.
Despite its impressive production values, Oscar-worthy cinematography and costumes, and a cast full of well-known actors, unfortunately, The 13th Warrior is more talked about these days for being one of the biggest box-office bombs in movie history. With a reported budget of up to $160 million and only making around $61 million worldwide, it was a colossal misfire that notably didn’t make much of an impact. But the shocking box-office returns haven’t stopped it from gaining a much more positive cult following in recent years. Now it’s seen more as a stunning, albeit flawed, adventure cult classic.
‘Murphy’s War’ (1971)
1971’s Murphy’s War is perhaps one of the most overlooked World War II films ever made. And it’s a shame considering its thrilling premise and memorable characters. Starring the legendary Peter O’Toole and set in the last days of the war, it sees a vengeful sole survivor of a sunken Irish merchant ship as he goes on a dangerous quest along the shores of Venezuela to find and destroy the German U-Boat responsible.
Murphy’s War is a tense psychological tale that explores the tragedy of war and the destructive outcomes of revenge. Peter O’Toole, who is best known as the titular explorer from the 1962 classic Lawrence of Arabia, is captivating in this raw, intense role as a man consumed by his obsession with vengeance. It’s gritty and emotional, one of O’Toole’s finest performances, although not one of his most well-known. Due to a poor box office performance and weak reception, Murphy’s War hasn’t become one of the more remembered war or adventure films, but it honestly deserves a chance to be seen.
‘Everest’ (2015)
2015’s Everest is a big-budget Hollywood adaptation of one of the most tragic incidents ever to take place at the highest peak of our planet. It follows the real-life tragedy of the 1996 Mt. Everest disaster when two climbing groups became trapped in a chaotic blizzard near the summit.
Everest is a gripping tale of survival and perseverance, following climbers with different reasons for summiting the mountain as they brave the elements to reach the top, then fight for their very lives on the way down to safety. It’s quite a tragic retelling as it also doesn’t flinch away from some of the devastating losses these groups experienced. Overall, Everest is a moving story that can leave any viewer teary-eyed after seeing it.
‘Emperor of the North’ (1973)
Robert Aldrich, a pioneer of Western filmmaking, delivered one of his most underrated but exciting classics in 1973, Emperor of the North, a fast-paced, action-packed adventure tale set during the Great Depression. Starring Academy Award winners Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine, it follows a frequent train-hopping hobo as he challenges a fearsome conductor in a heated showdown on a train bound for Portland, Oregon.
It’s pulse-pounding, brutal, and spectacularly thrilling from start to finish. Not to mention, it’s boosted by two powerhouse performances by Marvin and Borginine, who expertly build up the characters’ rivalry and strong-willed determination to see the other fail. Emperor of the North is truly a must-watch for adventure fans as it’s an exciting delight that deserves more credit.
‘The Man Who Would Be King’ (1975)
From award-winning director John Huston comes The Man Who Would Be King, a 1975 adventure drama based on the novella of the same name by Rudyard Kipling. It stars future Oscar-winning actors Sir Michael Caine and Sir Sean Connery in a story of two noncommissioned British officers in India as they abandon their posts and make their way to the isolated land of Kafiristan, where, after a series of misunderstandings, they become mistaken as rulers.
It’s Huston’s direction and ability at crafting powerful character-driven stories that truly make this one shine and thrilling throughout its runtime. The performances are flawless, it’s visually breathtaking, and despite not being brought up as much these days when considering essential adventure films, it’s got a timeless feel and an exciting premise that makes it all the more worth remembering.
‘The Fall’ (2006)
Finally, one last film to mention is a now beloved cult classic that, despite bombing hard at the box office, is finally starting to get some respect among moviegoers. Released in 2006, Tarsem Singh‘s visionary film The Fall is an imaginative fantasy adventure tale that’s wonderfully unique. Starring Lee Pace and Catinca Untaru, it follows two bed-bound hospital patients as they form an unlikely friendship through a fantastical adventure story that the two share to pass the time.
Despite its lackluster box office performance and nightmarish distribution issues, The Fall is a highly enjoyable adventure that’s visually jaw-dropping and distinctly different. It’ll blow you away with its powerful visuals and heartwarming story. And although it’s been a nightmare to try and see this on streaming services for years, today it’s finally seen in all its glory as a captivating modern adventure classic that’s worth all its praise.
