Movies About Wilderness Survival

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

Into the Wild is a 2007 biographical drama film directed, co-produced, and co-written by Sean Penn and based on the 1996 nonfiction book of the same name written by Jon Krakauer. The film tells the story of Christopher McCandless, a young man from a well-to-do family who gave up his material possessions, hitchhiked to Alaska in order to live in the wilderness. During his travels, Christopher encounters a series of characters who shape his life and attitudes, including an old hippie, a farmer and his family, a couple of folks on a cross-country tour, and a lonely widower. Despite the hardships, Christopher persists in his journey and experiences a spiritual awakening. In the end, Christopher's journey is both inspiring and heartbreaking, as he learns the true meaning of freedom, love, and acceptance.

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

The Revenant is a 2015 American survival drama film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is inspired by true events and depicts the story of frontiersman Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) as he embarks on a quest for survival and vengeance following a bear attack that leaves him near death. After being abandoned by his companions, Glass must battle the elements, hostile natives, and his own will to survive in order to take revenge on John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), the man who betrayed him. Along the way, Glass discovers what it means to be truly alive and confront the consequences of his actions.

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

Touching the Void is a 2003 documentary film about the true story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, two mountaineers who attempted to climb the previously unclimbed West Face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. After a successful ascent, Simpson fell and broke his leg on the descent, and Yates had to make a difficult decision to lower his friend down an ice cliff, believing him to be dead. Yates then descended alone, leaving Simpson behind. Against all odds, Simpson was able to crawl his way back to their base camp. The film follows Simpson and Yates as they recount their journey and the emotions they faced during their ordeal. The film combines interviews and dramatic reenactments to bring the story to life, and examines how two men faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles and the forces of nature and the human spirit.

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

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. Set in the near future, the story follows an astronaut's harrowing struggle to survive on Mars after being stranded there following a mission gone awry. With no foreseeable way to contact Earth, Mark Watney (Damon) must rely on his own ingenuity and resourcefulness to survive the harsh conditions and find a way to signal to Earth that he is still alive. As his crewmates and scientists around the world work to rescue him, Mark must find a way to stay alive long enough to be saved.

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

Cast Away is a 2000 American survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. The film follows the story of Chuck Noland, a Federal Express engineer whose plane crashes in the South Pacific, causing him to be stranded on a remote island for four years. During his time on the island, Chuck has to adapt to survive and eventually finds a companion in a volleyball he names Wilson. After four years, Chuck is able to devise a way to escape the island and return home, where he discovers that the outside world has moved on without him. Cast Away is a story of resilience and human determination, as Chuck has to endure extreme physical and emotional hardships in order to survive.

From Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, starring Conrad Anker, Grace Chin, Jimmy Chin, Amee Hinkley
Rated R

Meru (2015) is a documentary film by directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi which follows the stories of three world-class mountain climbers, Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk, as they attempt to ascend the Shark's Fin on Mt. Meru in the Indian Himalayas. The trio battle both the physical and mental challenges of the ascent, which is considered to be one of the most difficult climbs in the world. The film documents the three climbers' struggles as they attempt to overcome obstacles such as deteriorating weather, injury and technical difficulties. Along the way, the climbers must also confront their own personal fears and doubts, as well as the bonds of friendship which connect them to each other. In the end, the three men fight to the summit, only to find that the journey up is just as important as the journey down.

From Sydney Pollack, starring Robert Redford, Will Geer, Delle Bolton, Josh Albee
Rated GP

Jeremiah Johnson is a 1972 American Western film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Robert Redford. The film tells the story of an ex-soldier who chooses to live in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains during the mid-19th century. After being rejected by the local tribe, he is forced to learn their ways, and discovers the joys and hardships of living in the wilderness. He also becomes entangled in a battle between the U.S. Army and the local tribe. With the help of his newfound friends, Jeremiah musters the courage to defend himself, his family, and the Indian tribe from the encroaching forces of the U.S. Army.

From Nicolas Roeg, starring Jenny Agutter, David Gulpilil, Luc Roeg, John Meillon
Rated GP

Walkabout is a 1971 British-Australian drama film directed by Nicolas Roeg and starring Jenny Agutter, Luc Roeg, and David Gulpilil. The film follows two siblings, a teenage girl and her younger brother, who are stranded in the Australian outback after the suicide of their father. With the help of a local Aboriginal boy, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual transformation. Along the way, they experience the challenges of the harsh desert environment, navigate the complexities of cultural differences, and come to understand the importance of connection and community. Ultimately, the journey helps them to find their way home.

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

127 Hours is a 2010 biographical survival drama film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy. It follows the real-life story of Aron Ralston (James Franco), an American mountain climber who was forced to amputate his own arm after being trapped by a boulder in a slot canyon in Bluejohn Canyon, Utah, in April 2003. Ralston's experience over the next 127 hours is portrayed in the film, as he must use all of his ingenuity, resourcefulness, and physical strength to survive the ordeal and escape. Along the way, he deals with loneliness, despair, and visions of his past, which help him come to terms with the mistakes he has made in life and the uncertainty of his future.

From Jillian Schlesinger, starring Dick Dekker, Kim Dekker, Laura Dekker, Barbara Mueller
Rated Not Rated

Maidentrip is a 2013 documentary film about 14-year-old Dutch girl Laura Dekker’s journey to become the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone. The film follows Dekker as she embarks on the two-year voyage, despite a legal battle that was waged against her by the Dutch government, and provides a window into her experience as she battles storms, loneliness, and self-doubt. Along the way, the film also explores Dekker’s inner-strength and determination as she faces and ultimately overcomes the many obstacles that stand in her way. Ultimately, Maidentrip is a story about courage, resilience, and following one’s dreams.

From Philipp Stölzl, starring Benno Fürmann, Florian Lukas, Johanna Wokalek, Simon Schwarz
Rated Not Rated

From Peter Weir, starring Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Dragos Bucur
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg, starring Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo, Gustaf Skarsgård, Odd-Magnus Williamson
Rated PG-13

From Angelina Jolie, starring Jack O'Connell, Miyavi, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund
Rated PG-13

From Frank Marshall, starring Ethan Hawke, Vincent Spano, Josh Hamilton, Bruce Ramsay
Rated R

From Baltasar Kormákur, starring Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa, Thomas M. Wright, Martin Henderson
Rated PG-13

From John Curran, starring Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver, Lily Pearl, Philip Dodd
Rated PG-13

From Jean-Marc Vallée, starring Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Gaby Hoffmann, Michiel Huisman
Rated R

From Peter R. Hunt, starring Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Andrew Stevens, Carl Weathers
Rated R

From J.C. Chandor, starring Star: Robert Redford
Rated PG-13

From Ron Howard, starring Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Whishaw
Rated PG-13

From Joe Carnahan, starring Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo, Dallas Roberts
Rated R

From Stephen Hopkins, starring Michael Douglas, Val Kilmer, Tom Wilkinson, John Kani
Rated R

From Nick Ryan, starring Christine Barnes, Hoselito Bite, Walter Bonatti, Marco Confortola
Rated R

From Greg McLean, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Thomas Kretschmann, Alex Russell, Joel Jackson
Rated R