The 15 Best Adventure Movies Of All Time, Ranked

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The adventure genre is one that has been thrilling audiences ever since the birth of the cinematic medium, from pulp literary adaptations to action-packed blockbusters filling theaters every summer. These stories are often set in exotic locales, with hardened protagonists on some sort of quest into the unknown. Compared to more conventional action movies, adventure films are about their environments as much as the high-octane thrills. And given the flexibility of the genre, adventure movies can bridge into fantasy, science fiction, and even horror on occasion.

What keeps the adventure genre consistent is a clear sense of escapism, imbuing its popcorn set pieces with a rousing sense of fun. Whether it's uncovering buried treasure or embarking on an epic voyage, that invigorating narrative sensibility remains front and center as adventure movies whisk their audiences away to parts unknown. Here are the 15 best adventure movies of all time, ranked and ready to check out.

Of all the classic Universal monster movie properties, "The Mummy" has been resurrected a number of times, with some attempts vastly more well-received than others. The franchise's most successful reinvention was 1999's action-adventure oriented reboot starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Fraser and Weisz respectively play treasure hunters Rick O'Connell and Evie Carnahan, who lead an expedition to unearth an Ancient Egyptian city carrying a dark curse. The mummified wizard Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) is revived, unleashing all sorts of supernatural mayhem in an attempt to resurrect his lost love.

The 1999 version of "The Mummy" is solid popcorn entertainment, with thrilling action set pieces built around its charismatic leads. Much of the then-groundbreaking visual effects still hold up, and the movie deftly balances action and horror to make for a memorable thrill ride. Though contemporary critical response was mixed, "The Mummy" became a box-office smash and spawned numerous follow-ups and spin-offs. A prime example of how to reimagine a blockbuster franchise, the '90s "Mummy" remains an enduring classic that exceeded its predecessors.

Fresh off the enormous success of helming the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, filmmaker Peter Jackson was inspired to remake his favorite movie, "King Kong." Released in 2005, the movie retells the story from the 1933 original film, right down to its initial setting rather than updating the time period. Filmmaker Carl Denham (Jack Black) travels to the remote Skull Island to film his next project, hiring actor Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody). This places the expedition on a collision course with the island's hostile indigenous population and deadly fauna, including the giant ape King Kong (Andy Serkis).

Jackson takes on a reverential approach to the original source material, blended with modern storytelling sensibilities. Though running a bit long, with an extended version propelling the runtime well over three hours, the 2005 "King Kong" remake is an ambitious reimagining of the classic movie. The remake effectively introduced Naomi Watts to wider audiences from her native Australia and gave Jack Black his best performance, albeit via the movie tie-in game. Far and away, this is the most epic version of the story; Jackson's "King Kong" is a sweeping adventure saga.

Based on the longtime Disney theme park attraction, 2003's "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" successfully revived the swashbuckling pirate genre. The movie introduces Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), a pirate who lost his ship to Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), with Barbossa having since become a cursed wraith with his crew. Years later, Barbossa and his crew raid the Caribbean colony of Port Royal and kidnap the governor's daughter, Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley). Elizabeth's unrequited love, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), joins Sparrow to rescue her and stop Barbossa's supernatural menace.

To date, "Pirates of the Caribbean" is the only Disney ride turned into a hit franchise, and what a colossal hit it's been. Depp's debut performance as Jack Sparrow was so widely lauded that he earned an Academy Award nomination for the 2003 movie. The adaptation didn't so much focus on the ride's lore, but used it as a springboard to develop its own seafaring fantasy story. Still one of the best "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, "The Curse of the Black Pearl" runs on charm and its extensive genre blend.

Closing out the original Indiana Jones trilogy was 1989's "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," reuniting director Steven Spielberg with the franchise's star, Harrison Ford. Indy's worlds collide when he is tasked to recover the Holy Grail, the cup that held the blood of Christ during his crucifixion. Indy reconnects with his estranged father, Henry Jones (Sean Connery), as the two men race to keep the chalice out of the Nazis' grasp. This leads to the father and son reconciling as they face the ultimate crisis of faith together in a globe-spanning adventure.

From its prologue introducing a young Indiana Jones to its climactic three challenges that Indy overcomes, there is a lot to love in the 1989 sequel. The movie hews closer tonally and in scope to "Raiders of the Lost Ark," while delving deeper into Indiana Jones as a character than any other film. At its core is an emotional story about fathers and sons learning to appreciate each other, giving the installment a solid sense of heart. As it provides some of the coolest moments in the Indiana Jones franchise, "The Last Crusade" is easily one of the best in the series.

One of the biggest icons in the pulp swashbuckling genre is Zorro, with the masked sword fighter receiving a 1998 revival movie in "The Mask of Zorro." Anthony Hopkins plays the original Zorro, Don Diego de la Vega, who trains a younger protege, Alejandro Murrieta, to become his successor. The two vigilantes are both motivated to avenge their respective fallen loved ones from corrupt figures in 1841 California. Along the way, Alejandro romances Don Diego's long-lost daughter Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) as they liberate the region of oppression.

"The Mask of Zorro" is one of the last old-school blockbusters, utilizing practical stunts and effects throughout its production. These action set pieces are immaculately staged and choreographed, from stirring chases to frenetic sword fights. While Banderas had appeared in several major Hollywood movies before, his starring role here made him a well-deserved lead actor moving forward. A top-down love letter to the classic Zorro movies, "The Mask of Zorro" is a beautifully crafted revival.

Another beloved adventure movie executive-produced by Steven Spielberg is the 1985 film "The Goonies," directed and produced by Richard Donner. Set in the coastal suburbs of Astoria, Oregon, a group of teenage and adolescent misfits search for a legendary lost pirate treasure allegedly near their home. Using a treasure map to locate a vast subterranean system of tunnels and caverns below the town, the Goonies venture into the unknown to locate the fabled loot. The group is pursued by the Fratelli crime family after the crooks discover what the kids are up to.

"The Goonies" is a wild tale of childhood wish fulfillment that started with a simple question in Steven Spielberg's mind about rainy-day adolescent adventures. The notion that kids could not only outsmart dim-witted adult bad guys but also discover actual buried treasure is a juvenile fantasy come true. Decades later, the movie remains a streaming hit on HBO Max as a testament to its quality and staying power, and is a family-friendly masterpiece that continues to thrill subsequent generations.

British author Rudyard Kipling's 1890 poem "Gunga Din" was loosely adapted into a movie of the same name in 1939. The film follows three British soldiers stationed in India in the late 19th century, along with local water carrier Gunga Din (Sam Jaffe). As the regiment battles a murderous cult in the region, Archibald Cutter (Cary Grant), along with Din, searches for a lost temple reputed to be made of gold. This leads to a fateful confrontation as Cutter's friends come to rescue him while the British army faces the Thuggee cult in a skirmish where Din proves himself under fire.

While certain aspects of "Gunga Din" may have aged poorly in the nearly 90 years since its release, it stands as one of the best adventure movies from its era. The rapport between the three main characters is palpable, and it's thanks in part to an effortlessly charming and enthusiastic Grant. The battle scenes are still thrilling, especially the climactic attempted ambush and the regiment and Gunga Din's heroic last stand. "Gunga Din" stands the test of time as an influential classic and as one of the best Cary Grant movies.

British author Patrick O'Brian wrote a series of historical novels chronicling the exploits of fictional English navy officer Jack Aubrey, primarily during the Napoleonic Wars. Three of O'Brian's novels served as the narrative basis for 2003's "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World." Russell Crowe stars as Aubrey, who captains an English frigate in a deadly cat-and-mouse game with a French warship in the Pacific. As this suspenseful voyage unfolds, tension between the crew begins to foment, including age-old sailor superstitions.

With its sweeping look at life on the high seas, "Master and Commander" makes every frame look like a painting. Crowe and Paul Bettany lead a solid ensemble cast that realistically and engagingly brings the movie's seafaring crew to life. More than just exploring the daily life of an early 19th-century sailor, the movie's ship-to-ship battles include some of the best action scenes of the 21st century. An instant classic with timeless appeal, "Master and Commander" features Crowe at the peak of his powers leading a finely crafted historical war movie.

If there was ever a performance that cemented an actor as a classic character, it was Errol Flynn's performance as Robin of Locksley in "The Adventures of Robin Hood." Adapting the medieval English folk hero, the 1939 movie has Robin lead his Merry Men against the corrupt Prince John (Claude Rains). Robin steals from John's rich and powerful supporters, and occasionally from John himself, giving back to the impoverished and oppressed. Squaring off against John's associate, the deadly Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone), Robin finds time to romance Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland).

Nearly a century later, all depictions of Robin Hood will invariably be judged against "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and come up lacking. Flynn is as magnetically charismatic as ever playing Robin, seamlessly flitting between the happy rapscallion and the expert warrior. The movie's swashbuckling scenes alone are among the most impressive ever filmed, but the quieter moments excel as well. One of the best medieval movies ever made, "The Adventures of Robin Hood" is a pitch-perfect film from Hollywood's Golden Age.

If there is any single American filmmaker who was right in their creative wheelhouse making movies in the adventure genre, it's Steven Spielberg. A director who actually deserves the title of visionary, Spielberg has revived and redefined what adventure movies can be for decades. Spielberg adapted author Michael Crichton's science fiction novel "Jurassic Park" in 1993, detailing the creation of a remote island theme park populated by cloned dinosaurs. Among those inspecting the park before its planned wide opening is archaeologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill), who finds himself in peril with the others when the island's security systems fail.

Easily the best Michael Crichton movie adaptation, "Jurassic Park" was a seismic hit with critics and audiences during its original theatrical release. Using a combination of realistic animatronics and groundbreaking visual effects, Spielberg created an immersive experience with dinosaurs convincingly roaming the Earth. Helping sell the movie's premise is a stellar ensemble cast led by Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum, with the latter stealing every scene he's in. Whether it's the hundredth time or the first time you've ever seen "Jurassic Park," that movie magic still holds up.

1986's "Armour of God" was co-written and co-directed by star Jackie Chan. Clearly inspired by Indiana Jones, the film has Chan playing treasure hunter and former pop musician Jackie, nicknamed the Asian Hawk. Jackie reunites with his former bandmate Alan (Alan Tam) and is tasked with recovering the mythical Armor of God as a ransom demand for Alan's girlfriend Lorelei (Rosamund Kwan). This places Jackie and Alan on a collision course with the religious cult holding Lorelei hostage at their remote monastery in the Yugoslavian mountains.

"Armour of God" is Jackie Chan at the height of his powers, delivering some of his most epic stunts and fight set pieces from his extensive career. The kind of thrills that come with the Indiana Jones archetype fit well with Chan's stunt-oriented work, something clear right from the movie's opening sequence. Chan also takes advantage of the movie's primarily European setting, offering a nice change of scenery from the majority of his Hong Kong-based projects. One of the best and most overlooked movies in Chan's filmography, "Armour of God" is a ridiculously entertaining adventure flick.

French author Jules Verne's seminal novel "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was adapted into a live-action Disney film in 1954. James Mason played the enigmatic Nemo, captain of the experimental deep-sea submarine, the Nautilus, hunting warships from all nations on an obsessive quest to achieve peace at all costs. While searching for the Nautilus, Professor Aronnax (Paul Lukas), his assistant (Peter Lorre), and harpooner Ned Land (Kirk Douglas) become Nemo's prisoners. As Nemo introduces Aronnax to the wonders throughout the ocean, Ned plots a way to escape from the Nautilus.

Across its numerous counterparts, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" stands as the best movie based on a Jules Verne book by a considerable margin. True to the spirit of the source material, there is a genuine sense of awe, both from the technical marvels of the Nautilus to the undersea beauty that Nemo showcases. And more than just a tour of the oceans, the action set pieces pack a real thrill, especially the Nautilus' harrowing encounter with a giant squid. One of the best Kirk Douglas movies, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" is an early live-action knockout from Disney.

Adapting author J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" fantasy trilogy into live-action movies seemed an insurmountable task until filmmaker Peter Jackson and his team took a crack at it. The first installment, 2001's "The Fellowship of the Ring," introduced audiences to Middle-earth, with a group formed to destroy the Ring of Power and prevent the evil Sauron's return. Unassuming hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) volunteers to bear the ring, exposing himself to its corruptive allure, while escorting it to Mount Doom, where it was forged. Pursuing the fellowship are Sauron's sinister agents as Middle-earth plunges into war against the dark lord's armies.

Though there are strong arguments that its sequels are superior, "The Fellowship of the Ring" remains an essential rewatch for fantasy fans. The movie immersively guides viewers through Middle-earth before setting its characters off on the adventure of a lifetime. Jackson creates memorable environments and set pieces for the fellowship to experience in the initial stage of their journey, matched by a perfect ensemble cast. A classic immediately embraced worldwide, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" renewed Hollywood's interest in high fantasy.

B. Traven's 1927 novel "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" was adapted into a movie of the same name in 1948, written and directed by John Huston. Humphrey Bogart stars as Fred C. Dobbs, an American drifter in Mexico with his buddy Bob Curtin (Tim Holt). The two are joined by an older prospector (Walter Huston) to mine for gold in the Sierra Madre mountains. As the three men find a large deposit of gold, they not only attract the attention of murderous bandits but also begin to greedily distrust each other, particularly the paranoid Dobbs.

"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is one of the handful of Humphrey Bogart movies with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, a rare distinction that is well-earned. Deeply nuanced and with a level of moral complexity largely unheard of from major Hollywood projects of its time, the movie gives Bogart his juiciest role. The movie also popularized the notion of neo-Westerns in an era when classic projects within the genre were still very much in vogue. A universally celebrated film from Hollywood's Golden Age, and rightfully so, "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is an enduring masterpiece.

As the tagline to 1984's "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" proclaimed, if adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones. This is certainly true of 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark," which not only introduced Harrison Ford's legendary archaeologist but single-handedly repositioned adventure movies for modern audiences. Set in 1936, the film features Indy reuniting with his former lover Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) on a race to recover the biblical Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis in Egypt. As Indy battles the Nazis, he and Mario discover the Ark's true power as it's unleashed before the assembled treasure hunters.

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" is one of the rare movies where virtually every scene has cemented itself into the hearts of fans for generations. This is especially true of the movie's many action scenes, from its prologue in a Peruvian jungle to the fateful opening of the Ark. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg is firing on all cylinders to deliver his action-adventure magnum opus, joined by a cast led by Ford in top form. Still the best Indiana Jones movie, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" perfectly epitomizes the entire adventure genre.