Movies in the adventure and suspense genre tend to get our hearts racing with the fast-paced action and the mysterious wilderness setting. No one knows what will pop up on the screen from which direction to startle their senses. Whether it’s a quest to unearth lost treasures, or a journey to find the center of the earth, the best jungle movies always have loads of entertainment for the audiences in store.

Some might think this genre is a little over-explored with various movies finding their own jungle to get lost in, but the charm of having an unknown wild adventure never ceases to amuse. It’s always fun to see filmmakers come up with an engaging backstory and hilarious characters to make the jungle adventure movie one heck of a ride. Fans of this genre find comfort in such forest movies and strive to live vicariously through them. There’s no shortage of the best adventure movies that heavily use the jungle setting to tell their fun and exciting stories. Which are the ones worth seeing at least once?

17 ‘Anaconda’ (1997)

Directed by Luis Llosa

In Anaconda, documentary filmmaker Terri Flores, played by Jennifer Lopez, leads a crew on a perilous mission to find a lost tribe. Their journey takes a deadly turn when they encounter the enigmatic Paul Serone (Jon Voight), who harbors a sinister secret — he’s hunting a monstrous, legendary anaconda. As the crew ventures deeper into the jungle, they become unwitting prey for the giant snake.

Viewers should prepare for heart-stopping moments when the anaconda’s terrifying power is unleashed, coiling around unsuspecting victims and launching a relentless attack. Despite the mixed reviews, Anaconda is a jungle adventure classic for a good reason. This campy gem offers a unique blend of suspense and humor, garnering a devoted following. With a gripping plot, memorable (if slightly cheesy) performances, and a truly unforgettable serpent, Anaconda is a must-watch for fans of both adventure and horror movies who appreciate a good dose of camp. – Jom Elauria

16 ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ (2001)

Directed by Simon West

Based on the best-selling video game franchise, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider sees the titular hero discovering a mysterious clock in her family mansion. This propels her to go on a global treasure hunt, leading her to search for two halves of an ancient artifact called the Triangle of Light, which is rumored to grant control over time.

Lara must decipher cryptic clues and navigate booby-trapped tombs to find the missing pieces. But a powerful secret society, the Illuminati, led by the cunning Manfred Powell, seeks the Triangle for their own nefarious purposes. Angelina Jolie entrances audiences as Lara, showcasing her acting skills as an action star. While there’s a lot left to be desired with the generic plot, the impressive stunts and incredible performances are more than enough to entice viewers. – Jom Elauria

15 ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold’ (2019)

Directed by James Bobin

Dora and the Lost City of Gold is a heartwarming coming-of-age adventure focusing on the beloved children’s cartoon character. In it, Dora (Isabela Merced) is a bright and adventurous teenager who finds herself out of her element in high school. When news arrives that her parents are missing in the Amazon, Dora jumps at the chance to rescue them. Joined by her tech-savvy cousin Diego (Jeff Wahlberg) and a group of classmates who soon become unlikely allies, Dora embarks on a dangerous journey of self-discovery.

The fun recent Nickelodeon movie is more than just a kids’ film as it’s a worthy live-action adaptation of the iconic character. It’s entertaining to both young viewers and nostalgic adults, with Moner fully embodying the character of Dora. The movie’s vibrant visuals, engaging storyline, and witty humor create a fun and memorable experience for audiences of all ages. – Jom Elauria

Rent on Apple TV

14 ‘Rugrats Go Wild’ (2003)

Directed by John Eng and Norton Virgien

Rugrats Go Wild is an animated crossover movie that brings together the beloved babies of Rugrats and the adventurous Thornberry family of The Wild Thornberrys. When the Pickles family vacation goes awry, their shipwreck on a deserted island leads to an unlikely friendship between the Rugrats and Eliza Thornberry. Together, they use their unique talents (talking to animals, diaper-clad ingenuity) to navigate the dangers of the jungle.

From a mischievous leopard on the prowl to a volcanic eruption threatening their survival, the group faces challenges that test their courage and resourcefulness. While the plot of Rugrats Go Wild may not be the most complex, the true charm lies in the individual charm of the characters. It’s a heartwarming movie about friendship and family, all wrapped up in a thrilling jungle adventure. – Jom Elauria

Rent on Amazon

13 ‘Romancing the Stone’ (1984)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Action and romance come together in the iconic ’80s movie Romancing the Stone. In it, a cryptic treasure map falls into the hands of romance novelist Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner). She then finds herself on a desperate mission to Colombia. With her kidnapped sister’s life hanging in the balance, she teams up with the rugged adventurer Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas).

The two must decipher ancient clues, navigate booby-trapped ruins, and outrun ruthless treasure hunters, all while fighting their growing attraction for each other. Praised for its blend of action and romance, plus plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, the film delivers a thrilling escape for viewers. Witty dialogue and engaging performances elevate the experience, securing Romancing the Stone a place among the great jungle adventure films of all time. – Jom Elauria

12 ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ (2012)

Directed by Brad Peyton

An ambitious sequel to the 2008 blockbuster Journey to the Center of the Earth, this feature film stars wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, and Vanessa Hudgens, who set out in response to a cryptic signal received from deep within the forest. They venture in pursuit of Sean’s lost grandfather.

Both movies are adapted from epic stories written by Jules Verne. Watch Journey 2: The Mysterious Island for golden comedy, amusing sequences, and obviously the awesome Dwayne Johnson. Its cheesy comedy and formulaic plot aren’t for cinephiles, but it’s likely one of the guilty pleasure movies that some viewers watch for an uplifted mood.

Watch on Tubi

11 ‘Uncharted’ (2022)

Directed by Ruben Fleischer

Starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, Uncharted follows the undiscovered ventures of Ferdinand Magellan with a desire to find the lost treasure. Existing fans of the game were very excited to see a feature film explore the world of the beloved game, but Uncharted‘s adaptation turned out to be nothing like the source material.

While Holland managed to capture Nate’s charm, wit, humor, and heart in a way that was uniquely his own, it couldn’t make up for the boring plot, missed opportunities, and questionable deviations from the game’s story that the creators decided to include. Still, for fans looking for a mindless flick on a boring night, Uncharted offers its fair share of fun action sequences, but not much else.

10 ‘The Lost City’ (2022)

Directed by Adam Nee and Aaron Nee

Nestled in the plot of the adventure movie The Lost City is a romantic arc that brings together an author and her cover model who goes overlooked otherwise. This modern take on the genre finds Sandra Bollock and Channing Tatum in the wild with an evil Daniel Radcliffe hampering their every move. The unlikely pair must learn to work together if they hope to survive long enough to find the treasure.

The wild plot certainly managed to capture the attention of the viewers, even though most of the jokes didn’t land. The Lost City reels you in with the mystic fonts and the legend of a hidden treasure that delighted the kings and queens for centuries, even if many of these hooks are unfortunately predictable clichés. If for nothing else, the movie is a perfect watch just for the unexpected Brad Pitt cameo.

9 ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ (2008)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

The fourth installment in the beloved adventure franchise, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull follows the exhilarating journey of the titular archaeologist (Harrison Ford), who pursues an artifact with immense power. Alongside an old flame, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy travels to the depths of the forests of Peru before being captured and taken to the Amazon.

Although not the best in the massive Indiana Jones franchise, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull still offers exciting action and gut-busting humor for fans who love the character. It’s also just nostalgic to revisit the legendary films now that its final installment had its disappointing premiere. If anything, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is worth watching just for that one epic motorcycle scene.

8 ‘Jungle Cruise’ (2021)

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra

Jungle Cruise was highly anticipated as it brought two very talented and amazing actors together on screen – Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson. In this adventurous escapade, fans see a doctor and her brother embark on a trip to the lush Amazon forests to find a lost tree with supposed magical powers.

Of course, their journey has hindrances caused by evil villains who want to use the tree for their malicious purposes and spread their villainous agenda. Jungle Cruise is a fun way to enjoy the marvelous setting and get lost in the world of the Amazon. Don’t expect any innovative twists or brilliant writing, though, as it’s a basic jungle adventure movie that doesn’t try to be anything else. For those looking for a family-friendly flick, this is the perfect one – enjoy it enough and there’s a sequel available to watch, too!

7 ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ (2017)

Directed by Jake Kasdan

Even with a simple plot, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is so hilarious that it’s impossible not to laugh. The film embraces the ridiculous concept of being sucked into a video game – which the original Jumanji game transformed into to fit modern times – but never insults the intelligence of the audience. Adult avatars from the present play alongside other players stuck in the game since the ’90s, and they all desperately try to escape.

Featuring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, and a sweet cameo by Nick Jonas, this film is an action extravaganza made to entertain. It does take inspiration from the vintage classic Jumanji game but comes out with a clearer direction and plot. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle may not live up to its predecessors, but there’s no denying it’s at least decently entertaining.

6 ‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008)

Directed by Ben Stiller

Tropic Thunder has failings, but at its core, it is an absurd and deliciously wicked satire movie that exposes everything that is wrong with Hollywood. Parodying many classic films based on the Vietnam War, Tropic Thunder follows a group of obnoxious actors shooting their own war movie. When their director accidentally dies in an accident after leaving them in a jungle, the actors have to use what little skills they have to make it out alive.

Tropic Thunder is packed with hilarious and endlessly quotable lines, as well as two scene-stealing performances by Matthew McConaughey and Tom Cruise. Some of the best comedians and actors of the twenty-first century kicked off the century with a bang in this massive ensemble production that lived up to the hype at the time of its release and is still beloved by fans today.

5 ‘King Kong’ (2005)

Directed by Peter Jackson

King Kong has been remade multiple times by different filmmakers with more diverse perspectives on the portrayal of the magnificent Gorilla aka King Kong. The movie follows Carl Denham and his crew as they come across a giant ape on Skull Island and imprison it in order to bring it to New York. They run into trouble when the giant ape is released into the city.

A fantastic and exciting film on the whole, King Kong‘s plot is epic, with more action and new astounding creatures. This remake contains more action than the original, and obviously maximizes CGI (even though it hasn’t aged entirely well). While definitely not director Peter Jackson‘s best work (an honor that remains with the Lord of the Rings trilogy), it’s a decent enough modern adaptation of the classic story.

4 ‘Tarzan’ (1999)

Directed by Kevin Lima and Chris Buck

A beloved Disney classic, Tarzan is an animated film that needs no introduction. The movie tells the tale of the titular protagonist (voiced by Tony Goldwyn), a human orphan left in the jungle who is adopted by his gorilla family. He struggles with his identity and place in the world growing up, which becomes even more prominent with the arrival of a group of humans – including the vibrant Jane Porter (Minnie Driver).

The rewatchable animated Disney film has everything, from groundbreaking animation to catchy musical numbers to an inspiring heartfelt story. Its story about identity and the meaning of family is wonderfully told against the backdrop of a gorgeous (and sometimes unforgiving) jungle. While some of its aspects haven’t aged well, the classic is still worth revisiting with family members today.

3 ‘The Jungle Book’ (1967)

Directed by Jon Favreau

The Jungle Book is an evergreen classic that has been one of the most widely read and watched movies in the history of cinema. The adventures of Mowgli, the hunger of the iconic animated villain Shere Khan, and a pack of wild animals come together to create this masterpiece of a story.

Heartwarming soundtracks and lessons about bravery, friendship, and life, in general, are some of the inspiring takeaways from The Jungle Book. With various animated and live-action iterations, this movie has been made and remade a lot of times over the years, but still manages to maintain the old-school charm of a Disney movie. The 1967 version is undoubtedly still the best, with as much heart and humor as it did when it first premiered.

2 ‘Jurassic Park’ Movies (1993 – 2001)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Colin Trevorrow, Joe Johnston, and J.A. Bayona

Spanning seven thrilling movies over almost two decades, the Jurassic Park franchise has nothing but the best in store. A first-of-its-kind plot that explored the comeback of dinosaurs to disrupt the modern world was loved by all and immediately became a huge part of cinematic history.

Along with rampaging monsters and scientific experiments gone wrong, the movies have continuously featured a strong star cast that managed to attract audiences from across the world. The most recent movie, Jurassic Park: Dominion, seemed to be the end of the franchise, which has seen a steady decline in quality. That said, those looking for a nail-biting jungle survival movie may want to check out the first three entries in this award-winning film series.

1 ‘Predator’ (1987)

Directed by John McTiernan

Predator was part of Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s string of 1980s hits: half testosterone-drenched shootout movie, half sci-fi horror that dismantles (limb by limb) the action genre and the men who feature in them, who find all their guns and unified body mass completely pointless against a superior warrior who hunts humans for sport.

Predator became an instant action classic thanks to the dreaded creature, one-liners, sweltering jungle setting, and John McTiernan‘s directorial style. It’s the ultimate jungle movie that birthed a legendary franchise that’s still going strong today, with Prey marking a great move forward for the classic film series.

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