The Best Adventure Movies Of All Time, Ranked
What are the best adventure movies of all time? If you're a thrill-seeking, adrenaline-obsessed movie-goer, these are the top adventure movies you have to see. While it's hard to rank the best adventure movies between the greatest classics and the thrilling new releases, here's a list that ranks the best adventure movies from best to worst. Looking for an epic story? Look no further than this list of adventure films to catch as soon as you can.
Adventure movies have a special place in everyone's DVD collection, because sometimes all you want to do is get engrossed by a tale of epic proportions. Whether it's guided by love and romance or simply just the thrill of a good action/adventure movie, Hollywood continually makes the big bucks off of the films that will keep us on the edge of our seats. Adventure films will never go out of style and will keep audiences excited for years to come as graphics continue to get better. Adventure films have a way of transporting us to a different place and time, they can also be movies about finding lost worlds away from the mundanity of our regular lives and into exciting and thrilling new possibilities. When's the last time you went on an adventure?
So what are the best adventure movies of all time? Explore the top picks and rank your favorite adventure movie using this list. And, if you love the adventure genre, check out this list of the best adventure shows.
- 1Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortensen
- Released: 2001 - 2003
- Directed by: Peter Jackson
Directed by Peter Jackson and based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic novel, the fantasy adventure trilogy follows hobbit Frodo Baggins and his Fellowship on a quest to destroy the One Ring in order to defeat its creator, the Dark Lord Sauron. This film series is renowned for its grand scale and ambitious production, featuring stunning visuals captured entirely in New Zealand over eight years with an overall budget of $281 million, making it an unforgettable cinematic experience.
- 2Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Shia LaBeouf
- Released: 1981 - Present
- Directed by: Steven Spielberg
The Indiana Jones franchise follows the thrilling adventures of archaeologist Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, portrayed by Harrison Ford, in a series of films created by George Lucas and directed by Steven Spielberg. This popular media franchise captivates audiences with its exhilarating action sequences, engaging storytelling, and unforgettable performances from Ford.
- 3Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill
- Released: 1977 - Present
- Directed by: George Lucas, JJ Abrams, Rian Johnson, Irvin Kershner, Richard Marquand
Created by George Lucas, the epic space opera franchise features three trilogies in a galaxy far, far away, following the battle between the Jedi and their evil counterparts, the Sith. The franchise's greatness lies in its expansive universe that includes books, TV series, games and comic books - all contributing to its continuous growth throughout the years.
- 4Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Crispin Glover
- Released: 1985
- Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
In this beloved 1980s sci-fi adventure, teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is unexpectedly transported to the 1950s when a time-travel experiment by his eccentric scientist friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) goes wrong. The film's unique blend of humor, nostalgia, and thrilling action makes it an enduring classic for all ages.
- 5Richard Attenborough, Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum
- Released: 1993 - Present
- Directed by: Steven Spielberg, Joe Johnston, Colin Trevorrow, J.A. Bayona
In this sci-fi adventure franchise based on Michael Crichton's novels, a group of people attempt to survive and escape from an island inhabited by genetically-engineered dinosaurs brought back to life. The movie's groundbreaking special effects, captivating storyline, and memorable characters make it an unforgettable cinematic experience.
- 6Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Kiera Knightley
- Released: 2003 - Present
- Directed by: Gore Verbinski, Rob Marshall
Inspired by Disney's theme park attraction, the swashbuckling fantasy film franchise features the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and crew. Grossing over $4 billion, the series masterfully blends action, adventure, humor, and memorable characters.
