Many of the most beloved and legendary movies of all time are adventure films. The genre is expansive, including fantasy epics such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Princess Bride. It also includes more contemporary classics, such as the Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean films.
The most successful adventure titles have become household names, cementing their place in popular culture. Audiences know who Jack Sparrow is even without watching his films, which is a testament to the genre’s impact. Adventure movies cater to a broad audience and can include everything from sci-fi elements to historical stories grounded in realism.
We all know the heavy hitters in the genre, but many adventure films fail to make an impression at the box office. A poor showing at the premiere doesn’t necessarily mean a movie is bad. Misguided marketing campaigns can be a death sentence, and weak trailers can leave potential audiences confused about what a movie may be about.
The film industry is brutal at times, even for adventure films, and many superb titles failed to garner attention through no fault of their own. Others slip into obscurity shortly after release and out of online conversation.
A lack of attention doesn’t always mean a movie is not worth watching, so here’s a selection of praiseworthy adventure films rarely mentioned alongside the classics. We have everything from sci-fi epics to stories based on real-life characters, so you’ll likely find a film to enjoy no matter your tastes.
10
Hidalgo (2004)
Hidalgo stars Viggo Mortensen as Frank Hopkins, a cowboy past his prime. He decides to take on one final race with his trusty steed, Hidalgo, but it’s far more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.
The race is aptly named the ‘Ocean of Fire.’ It’s a grueling 3,000-mile competition across the desert, alongside the perils of such a harsh environment. While the race is a big part of the movie, Hopkins and Hidalgo also deal with human threats and opponents who will do almost anything to win.
Hidalgo is a classic adventure tale in many ways. It’s an enjoyable one-and-done story that never gained mass appeal despite its quality and is rarely referenced today.
9
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (2005)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy movie stars Martin Freeman as Arthur Dent. He’s a regular person who suddenly finds himself one of the last humans on the planet.
It’s a bleak concept, but the 2005 Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy film is a lighthearted movie full of wild characters and stories. The plot is fairly straightforward, but you feel as lost as Dent in a universe with bizarre rules and customs where nothing is as it seems.
Many people know the movie for its famous answer to the meaning of life. Outside that pop culture reference, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is rarely discussed, which is surprising given the source material and its approachable, family-friendly sci-fi adventure.
8
John Carter (2012)
John Carter is among the most well-known Disney commercial failures. Many things went wrong with John Carter, from its marketing to its soaring budget. Despite those issues, many audiences that watched it later discovered the film isn’t nearly as bad as they expected.
Taylor Kitsch is John Carter, a former military man unwillingly whisked into a war on Mars. He meets an alien race on the planet called the Tharks and quickly becomes embroiled in their struggles as he tries to find a way home.
Despite the lukewarm reception in 2012, John Carter boasts impressive character designs and world-building. The story is clearly built
toward a sequel that never happened, but it remains an underappreciated sci-fi adventure film.
7
The Fall (2006)
The Fall is a remarkable adventure movie that also delves into psychological drama territory. It stars Lee Pace as Roy Walker, an injured stuntman bedridden in a hospital. He befriends a young girl called Alexandria (Catinca Untaru) and tells her a whimsical story.
The adventure part of The Fall is the story itself. We see Alexandria’s imagined version of Walker’s tale, including parts she misinterprets. It’s a charming concept, but the movie also explores dark, heavy themes later on.
The Fall has some surprisingly emotional moments as the lines between reality and make-belief start to blur. The movie makes the list for its unique delivery and dramatic departure from the typical adventure format.
6
Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets (2017)
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a wild sci-fi adventure movie directed by Luc Besson. The movie arguably never reaches the lofty highs of The Fifth Element, but it remains a fun, lighthearted adventure nonetheless.
Dane DeHann stars as Captain Valerian alongside Cara Delevingne as Sergeant Laureline. The pair are special operatives investigating a threat to Alpha, a massive space station home to many alien species. Valerian isn’t afraid to show off dozens of weird and wonderful creatures, and Alpha’s diverse environments are the perfect platform for thrilling sci-fi action set pieces.
The movie is praiseworthy for its incredible effects and world-building, which still hold up today. Valerian’s visuals are exceptional and do a lot of heavy lifting, even if audiences were more split on the story and casting at the time.
5
Stardust (2007)
Stardust tells an unforgettable fantasy adventure story with an all-star cast. Charlie Cox leads as Tristan, a young man on a quest to retrieve a fallen star for the love of his life.
Tristan’s journey becomes much more complicated when he discovers the star is actually a living, celestial being called Yvaine (Claire Danes). He also learns that he’s not the only person who went looking for the star and embarks on a journey to keep her safe.
Our heroes are pursued by supernatural foes and meet many unforgettable allies along the way, including Captain Shakespeare, played by Robert De Niro. Stardust is a remarkable fantasy film with a passionate fan base, though it is far less well-known outside of that.
4
The Lost City Of Z (2016)
The Lost City of Z is an underappreciated modern adventure movie. The story is inspired by real events and stars Charlie Hunnam as Percy Fawcett, a British explorer obsessed with finding a hidden civilization deep in the Amazon rainforest.
Set in the 1900s, Fawcett discovers clues he believes indicate a lost civilization he calls ‘Z.’ His journey into the unforgiving rainforest is fraught with danger, and the beautiful locale itself proves a formidable threat.
The Lost City of Z tells a thrilling yet emotional tale and takes time to explore Fawcett’s obsession and its effects on those around him. It tells an unexpectedly grounded adventure story and is arguably one of Charlie Hunnam’s best performances.
3
The Road To El Dorado (2000)
The Road to El Dorado is an underrated animated movie by DreamWorks. It tells a comical story about two con men, Tulio (Kevin Kline) and Miguel (Kenneth Branagh), who find a map to the legendary City of Gold.
The movie takes the audience along for the ride in their epic adventure. However, their plan hits a snag when they reach an island where the townsfolk believe they are Gods. Events get surprisingly tense as their facade becomes harder to maintain.
The Road to El Dorado has a fun cast of charismatic characters, gorgeous visuals, and plenty of jokes that land. Still, many people know the film only thanks to the “both, both is good” meme, even though it has garnered a growing cult following in recent years.
2
The Adventures Of Tintin (2011)
The Adventures of Tintin is an impressive adventure movie with striking animated visuals that look remarkably convincing. It stars Jamie Bell as Tintin, a reporter who finds a clue to the whereabouts of hidden treasure.
Tintin’s quest takes him across the globe with his sidekick, Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis), along for the ride. The movie tells a classic adventure story that’s easy to follow and family-friendly.
While the movie tells a fast-paced action story, The Adventures of Tintin is particularly praiseworthy for its stellar chase scene. Despite being an animated movie, the chase is directed as if it were filmed in a single shot with no cuts. It remains an impressive part of the film even after multiple rewatches.
1
The 13th Warrior (1999)
The 13th Warrior is a superb adventure movie that rarely comes up in conversation today. It stars Antonio Banderas as Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan, a poet out of his depth who unwillingly joins a band of fierce Viking warriors on a quest to confront a mysterious evil.
As a poet, Ahmed isn’t a fighter and can barely wield a sword. He’s forced to learn how to look after himself, earning the respect of his peers who previously mocked him.
The 13th Warrior starts as a historical action movie, but expands into something far grander. The story delves into the supernatural, and our heroes’ perilous journey takes them everywhere from scorching deserts to frigid, icy wastelands.
The movie underperformed at the box office and had a famously troubled development, including extensive reshoots. It has garnered appreciation in recent years, although many adventure movie fans have yet to watch it.
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