The Best Archaeology Movies

Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Archaeology Movies
Voting Rules
Vote for your personal favorite Archaeology films, regardless of how popular or successful they were at the box office.

Here is a list of all the best archaeology movies ever made, many of which are streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime. This archaeology movie list can be sorted by cast, year, director and more. This list of archaeology films also contains archaeology movie titles that can be clicked on for more information about the film. This archaeology films list can also be copied to start your own. This list, though, contains the best archaeology movies of all time, as voted on by fans of the films This archaeology movie list can be sorted by alphabetically, by director, by year and more, but is currently ordered from best to worst. Upvote your favorite movies on the list to see them rank higher.

List of archaeology films includes archaeology movie titles that can be clicked on for more information about the film. Re-rank this page as your own by deleting movies you don't think belong, then put your personalized list up for a vote on Facebook, Tumblr or Twitter.

These are the top films in the archaeology genre, meaning that each and every one of these is a movie with at least a single element of the archaeology genre in it. Be it the motifs of the archaeology genre or just some of the most common archetypes.

The best movies on this list are the ones with the most votes, so show things like The Mummy's Shroud and The Mummy's Tomb some love. If we missed any archaeology movies on this list, please add them to the list yourself, as this is an open list which means you can add any movies whenever you like (choices are subject to moderation). The films on this list cover the most famous archaeology movies of all time and are voted on by people who really care about archaeology movie lists.
You can find the release information for any of the films listed below. It's often available in the data set, so you can even find the cast of some of these by clicking on the names of the archaeology movies. List includes photos and archaeology movie trailers next to the names of the movies.

List is made up of movies like The Mummy's Hand and The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb.

Whether you're at home and want to watch these archaeology movies on DVD, streaming Blu-ray or streaming, or if you're seeing them in theatres for the first time, this is a list of good archaeology movies that can be helpful in either situation to see where they all stack up. So from the latest, to the greatest archaeology movies, here is the full archaeology movies list, ordered from best to worst.

Terence Fisher and Christy Cabanne are among the directors who have worked on Archaeology movies in the past.


  • Unearthing excitement from every corner, this archaeological adventure film follows the bold exploits of Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, portrayed by the charismatic Harrison Ford. As he races against time to locate the fabled Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the wrong hands, the movie creates a spellbinding atmosphere, enthralling audiences all over. Garnering four Academy Awards, this Spielberg-directed gem inspired a generation of archaeology enthusiasts.

    • Actors: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Wolf Kahler, Ronald Lacey
    • Released: 1981
    • Directed by: Steven Spielberg

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  • Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
    Photo: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

    Combining gripping action and tender father-son moments, this epic masterpiece showcases the tandem adventures of Indiana Jones and his father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr. (Sean Connery). Embarking on a perilous quest for the mythical Holy Grail, the duo's dynamic approaches to archaeology provide a fascinating contrast. The enthralling chase, complete with unexpected traps and twists, remains a classic in the world of archaeological-adventure cinema.

    • Actors: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Denholm Elliott, Alison Doody, John Rhys-Davies
    • Released: 1989
    • Directed by: Steven Spielberg

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  • 3
    83 votes

    Breathing new life into a classic genre, The Mummy sees daring adventurer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and the brilliant librarian Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) confront an ancient curse. Replete with intense action sequences and stunning special effects, this epic blockbuster explores myth and history as the duo strives to prevent the resurrection of the malevolent Imhotep. The Mummy stands as a striking example of how archaeology and fantasy can meld into a captivating cinematic experience.

    • Actors: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Kevin J. O'Connor
    • Released: 1999
    • Directed by: Stephen Sommers

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  • National Treasure
    Photo: National Treasure

    A compelling blend of history, mystery, and adventure, National Treasure follows Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) as he seeks hidden clues and deciphers puzzles to uncover a new chapter of American history. Letting audiences delve into a cryptic world of Freemasons and the Founding Fathers, the film sheds light on a treasure deeply entrenched in myths and legends. Boasting an engaging narrative, National Treasure enthralls archaeological enthusiasts and cinephiles alike.

    • Actors: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Jon Turteltaub

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  • The Dig
    Photo: Netflix
    5
    13 votes

    An intimate portrayal of the 1939 Sutton Hoo excavation, The Dig delves deep into the emotional landscape of its lead characters, the distinguished landowner Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) and the astute archaeologist Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes). The film, drenched in gentle suspense and heartfelt moments, unravels the mystery of a significant Anglo-Saxon burial site. This historical drama captures the essence of human connections amidst the backdrop of archaeological discovery.

    • Actors: Lily James, Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan
    • Released: 2020
    • Directed by: Simon Stone

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  • That Beautiful Somewhere
    Photo: Equinoxe Films

    Set against a mesmerizing landscape, That Beautiful Somewhere is a Canadian film of intrigue that weaves archaeology into its enigmatic narrative. The protagonist, a detective played by Roy Dupuis, teams up with an ambitious young archaeologist to solve a mysterious death, while the pair's personal struggles add another layer of complexity. With its gripping story, the movie captivates an audience in search of unorthodox archaeological thrillers.

    • Actors: Roy Dupuis, Gordon Tootoosis, Jane McGregor, Ron Payne, Jim Calarco
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Robert Budreau

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