Surviving in the wild sounds like a walk in the park – find water, catch some fish, and cook it. But these movies take that idea and toss it out the window. These films go way beyond the usual stuff and explore the untamed, where just staying alive becomes a challenge.
These movies will prove that nature can be both your best friend and your worst enemy. With that being said, here are the 10 best movies about surviving in the wild.
The Edge (1997)
In this film, we follow two men, Charles Morse (the rich one) and Bob Green (the fashion photographer), who crash their plane in the freezing Alaskan wilderness. But this is the least of their problems, as they also have a massive Kodiak bear hot on their tails.
If you don’t know, Kodiak Bears are no joke and can easily tear a human like paper. “The Edge” proves the notion that surviving in the wild ain’t a walk in the park. We see them fighting hunger, the brutal weather, and a bear that’s basically a furry tank.
The Mountain Between Us (2017)
“The Mountain Between Us” is a brilliant film with Kate Winslet, the photographer, and Idris Elba, the brain surgeon. They crash in the snowy middle of nowhere after the sudden death of their pilot.
No rescue in sight, they decide to find civilization, and save themselves from a freezing death. The pair deal with injuries, freezing cold, and hunger and must rely on each other to dodge death and make it out alive from the freezing wilderness.
Tracks (2013)
Set in 1977, “Tracks” follows the adventures of Robyn Davidson, who one day decides to ditch society’s drama and trek solo through a whopping 1,700 miles of the Aussie desert. Robyn’s only friends on this long trek are her loyal dog and four camels. For her, it’s not just a trek; it’s a soul-searching journey that tests her limits.
But, as you know, the wilderness is rarely all sunshine and dunes, and Robyn, too, faces doubt and hurdles, but National Geographic agrees to fund her and teams her up with Smolan, a photographer. Oh, and did we mention it’s all based on a true story?
Touching the Void (2003)
Even though “Touching the Void” isn’t exactly a film but a documentary, it certainly deserves to be on the list. We follow two daredevils, Joe and Simon, who decide to conquer the beastly Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. They nail the summit but hit a crazy block on the way down – Joe ruins his leg.
Now, with disaster looming and a storm on the horizon, Simon faces the ultimate dilemma: save himself or both of them. It’s a scary choice, but Simon reluctantly cuts the rope, sending Joe tumbling into a crevasse. Joe survives and takes on this insane solo mission against all odds, fighting both nature and his busted leg.
Wild (2014)
Life throws curveballs in Cheryl Strayed’s way, and she takes on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) all by herself, covering over a thousand miles from the dangerous Mojave Desert to the frigid border of Washington. The only problem is that Cheryl’s no professional, and has zero hiking experience.
As Cheryl fights with crazy weather while carrying a heavy backpack, her journey more dangerous. The film also has many flashbacks that spill the beans on why she’s out there, giving you the lowdown on her rocky past.
The Revenant (2015)
The film is set in the early 1800s, and we follow Hugh Glass, played by Leo DiCaprio, on a wild frontier expedition. Things take a brutal turn when a grizzly bear tears him up from face to toe. To make matters worse, his own hunting friends, led by Tom Hardy’s character, leave him for dead.
Despite a broken leg and some serious bear scars, Glass picks himself up to take his revenge. The Revenant is a masterpiece story of man versus nature that shows both the beauty and rage of Mother Nature.
The Shallows (2016)
In The Shallows, Blake Lively plays the role of Nancy Adams, a medical student trying to find some peace after her mom’s passing. She hits a Mexican beach for a chill surf day. What Nancy doesn’t know is that a giant shark is waiting to crash the party.
What follows is a real-life game of hide-and-seek between Nancy and this hungry shark. She’s stuck on a rock just 200 yards from safety, and with every tick of the clock, things get scarier. However, the shark isn’t the only killer out there; hypothermia can kill Nancy, too. Take my word: you’ll have a hard time picturing a tranquil beach after this.
The Way Back (2010)
This film is an absolute masterpiece, and it’ll be folly to push it down your watch list. Set during World War II, a group of prisoners, led by Jim Sturgess, break free from a Siberian Gulag in 1940. Now, these guys, including Ed Harris and Colin Farrell, are on an impossible mission to trek over 4,000 miles to freedom in India.
Just imagine their troubles as they face harsh Siberian wilderness, extreme weather, and not a snack in sight. As time slips, they form an unbreakable bond while battling nature and their own limits. Not to mention, they risk being captured at every turn.
Cast Away (2000)
Tom Hanks walks in the shoes of Chuck Noland, a time-obsessed FedEx guy whose world flips when a plane crash leaves him stuck on a deserted island in the South Pacific. The movie focuses on his troubles, dealing with isolation, scarce supplies, and dangerous fauna.
With no one to talk to, Chuck befriends a volleyball, Wilson, and shares the nooks and crannies of his life. We see Chuck going from Mr. Time-and-Routine to someone who appreciates and savours little things in life. If you’re looking for pointers to survive on an inhabited island, this one is your holy grail.
Jungle (2017)
Based on real-life events, the film chronicles Yossi Ghinsberg, an Israeli adventurer who teams up with a couple of others to make a discovery of a lifetime. Yossi wants to find the lost tribe, nestled in Bolivia’s untamed Amazon, circa the early ’80s. However, the prize is hard to get.
As the film takes flight, the group’s friendship gets tested because of the rough conditions, hunger, and whatnot. Things turn interesting when Yossi ends up traveling alone, dealing with hunger, wild creatures, and depression.
So, this was our top picks for movies about surviving in the wild. Did your favorite make the cut? Leave a comment below and let us know!