Adventure movies have been one of the most successful and beloved corners of cinema since the success of franchises like Indiana Jones. The thrill of adventure dates back to the dawn of Hollywood, which pulled from novels and characters like Zorro, Tarzan, Sinbad, and Robin Hood to make fun stories. The 2000s saw an explosion in great adventure films, in no small part thanks to the momentum that had been built in the genre in the two decades prior.

From great special effects to all-star casts, the 2000s delivered some of the most entertaining tales of adventure. The decade also saw studios clamoring for new big franchises, turning to hit books and classic characters alike. Whether it’s the swashbuckler or high fantasy, the 20th century kicked off with a long list of brilliant adventures for viewers to enjoy — and some films stand out above the rest.

10 Journey to the Center of the Earth Casts Brendan Fraser In a Jules Verne Story

Journey to the Center of the Earth follows the story of Trevor Anderson and his nephew, Sean, as they set off for Iceland to try and discover the truth of what happened to the boy’s father, Max, who disappeared a decade before. Aided by a guide, Hannah, the explorers venture to the Center of the Earth, confirming a theory of Max’s that the stories of Jules Verne are based in reality. While in the dangerous land, they retrace Max’s steps, even encountering the realm’s prehistoric inhabitants.

Journey to the Center of the Earth makes for a fun exploration of the world envisioned by Jules Verne, and is full of nods to the original book’s events, effectively serving as a sequel to its story. With Brendan Fraser leading the cast, the film stands out as one of the most underrated of its decade.

9 The Mummy Returns Continued Brendan Fraser’s Success

Continuing from 1999’s first film, The Mummy Returns picks up on the story of Rick and Evey a decade later, now with a son, Alex. After obtaining an artifact, the Bracelet of Anubis, the O’Connor family is targeted by a cult that worships Imhotep, who kidnaps Alex after he wears the bracelet — which cannot be removed. Upon learning that their son’s days are numbered, with the newly-resurrected Imhotep transporting him to a lost pyramid, the couple pursues their enemy, culminating in a fight to the death.

The Mummy Returns isn’t quite as iconic as the first film, but it does take the idea to a greater, more epic scale, following the heroes in the skies over Egypt to save their son. The movie is a great continuation of the original and helped make Brendan Fraser one of the most treasured stars of his day.

8 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Isn’t As Bad As People Insist

In 2008, Disney returned to the Indiana Jones franchise in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which follows a post-war Jones getting roped into a feud with the KGB. Led by Soviet occultist Irena Spalko, a team of Russians attempts to force the archaeologist hero to lead them to a mythical lost kingdom, which ties back to the famous Roswell Crash. He is joined by Mutt Williams, who he later learns is his own son, leading to a reunion with Marion Ravenwood — and a perilous trek through the Peruvian jungle.

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the least popular in its franchise, in no small part because, after the third movie, Jones’ story seemed to have ended on a perfect note. That being said, the movie is still a fun adventure story, one that explores the idea of extraterrestrial life in a fairly unique fashion.

7 The Rundown (Welcome To The Jungle) Casts Dwayne Johnson As A Great Action Hero

The Rundown, originally called Welcome to the Jungle, follows a bounty hunter, Beck, as he’s hired by his boss to travel to the jungles of Brazil to locate his missing adventurer son, Travis. When he arrives, he’s confronted by a ruthless slaver, Hatcher, who forces the locals to perform back-breaking work in quarries and mines. After running afoul of the brutal boss, Beck and Travis flee into the jungle, where they form an imperfect friendship as, despite intending to drag him back to the US, the bounty hunter has to work with his prisoner to survive.

The Rundown was among the first movies to cast The Rock in a leading role, which he fits into effortlessly. Alongside Seann William Scott, the wrestler-turned-actor turns in one of his most enjoyable performances to date, giving viewers an Indiana Jones-inspired adventure — with a touch of Midnight Run — for the 21st century.

6 Holes Is A Hunt For Buried Treasure

Holes follows a young boy, Stanley Yelnats IV after he’s wrongly convicted of theft and sent to a juvenile detention program, where kids are made to dig holes for its ruthless warden, Louise Walker. When Stanley learns that they’re being made to dig for buried treasure, he rebels against the tyrannical adults, realizing that he and Walker have competing claims for the loot.

Holes is the film that made Shia LaBeouf’s career, casting him in a story that utilizes elements of classic movies like Goonies and even Cool Hand Luke. The film is the perfect story for fans of childhood adventure, showcasing the courage and fortitude of its young heroes as they defy their jailers.

5 National Treasure Is Elevated By Nicolas Cage’s Presence

National Treasure follows Benjamin Gates, an ambitious and patriotic treasure hunter, as he leads the effort to find and recover the lost treasure of America’s Founding Fathers. However, when his partner, Ian, betrays him when they learn that the map is on the back of the Declaration of Independence, Ben and his friend, Riley, attempt to steal it before their rival can.

National Treasure is a great combination of adventure and the heist sub-genre, splitting the movie between the build-up to stealing the Declaration and a game of cat and mouse with Ian. The film is made all the better by Nicolas Cage, who takes an intriguing idea and makes it great, perfectly conveying Gates’ passion and patriotism in every scene.

4 Van Helsing Is A Love Letter To Universal Monsters

Van Helsing follows the vampire hunter as he’s dispatched by the Vatican to Transylvania, to find and save the last descendants of the Valerious family — who’ve dedicated their lives to fighting Dracula. After arriving, he meets Anna, the only survivor following her brother’s transformation into a werewolf. Along with his assistant, a friar named Carl, they fight Dracula and his brides, even finding Frankenstein’s Monster along the way.

Van Helsing is one big love letter to the classic Universal Monsters, delivering viewers the union of Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman all in one go. Featuring Hugh Jackman at the height of his X-Men career, the movie is a brilliant, gripping combination of dark fantasy and adventure.

3 Stardust Is A Quest For True Love

Stardust follows the story of Tristian Thorne, a young shop boy who, in a bid to win the affections of his crush, Victoria, embarks on an epic quest to find a fallen star. Crossing over from England into a land of magic, he discovers that the star has taken the form of a beautiful woman named Yvaine. As the pair travel across the land, they realize that they are being hunted by princes and witches alike — the former to claim the throne of their kingdom, the latter to eat her heart to regain their youth.

Stardust is a fun adventure film that combines elements of high fantasy, swashbuckler, and romance, with Tristian slowly realizing that he’s falling in love with Yvaine. With an all-star cast that includes Robert De Niro, Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Mark Strong, and Michelle Pfeifer, the movie is a testament to what great adventure can be.

2 Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl Set A New Benchmark

Based on the Disney theme park ride of the same name, The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise tells the story of an assortment of swashbuckling characters during the Golden Age of Piracy. It all begins with the Curse of the Black Pearl, which follows the arrival of the notorious pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, to Port Royal. However, when the governor’s daughter, Elizabeth Swan, mistakenly summons the Black Pearl, she is kidnapped by Captain Barbossa and his crew, who seek relief from an ancient curse.

Curse of the Black Pearl raised the standard for adventure movies right off the bat, showing the world that a movie based on something as trivial as a ride can still lead to a fantastic story. From Johnny Depp’s instantly iconic role as Jack Sparrow to Geoffrey Rush’s brilliant villain in Barbossa, the film is made great by its characters, who captivated millions. Despite lackluster sequels, the original film is the peak of the swashbuckler sub-genre.

1 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Was Peak 2000s Cinema

Based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s novels of the same name, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy takes place in the fantastical land of Middle-earth. With the threat of the dark lord Sauron looming over the free peoples of the world, a fellowship of nine heroes come together to destroy the villain’s ring, whose power would allow his return. After the band of travelers is left in disarray following an attack by orcs, they break off into smaller groups, each of whom has their own part to play in the War of the Ring.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy elevated its decade’s standards for cinema, basically setting the benchmark for fantasy films for years to come. In fact, its success was so great that it inspired a rush of movie studios to try and adapt as many fantasy stories as possible, turning to everything from The Northern Lights to Eragon. From its perfect casting across the board to unparalleled battle sequences, Jackson’s trilogy remains the best example of filmmakers doing justice to their source material.