Summary
- Adventure movies depict epic journeys of characters facing adversity and fundamental changes.
- Films like “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and “Into the Wild” showcase rediscovery and self-discovery.
- Iconic movies like “The Goonies,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “Star Wars” capture the spirit of adventure.
Adventure movies are pure popcorn cinema. From unlikely heroes to intrepid treasure hunters or daring thrill-seekers, these movies depict epic journeys filled with adversity that fundamentally change the central characters. While they can cover numerous genres, from fantasy to sci-fi to drama, at their core, these movies are about people getting out of their comfort zone for something bigger.
Related
10 Best Animated Movies of the 80s, Ranked
A lot of classic animated movies released between 1980 and 1989, and here are the best of them all.
From rediscovering themselves to uncovering hidden lost treasures to even saving the world or the galaxy, these movies encapsulate the spirit of adventure. These are films where the unknown is something to face head-on, and characters conquer obstacles with determination and perseverance.
10
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Living Life to the Fullest
While The Secret Life of Walter Mitty may not enjoy the iconic status of many films on this list, Ben Stiller crafts a heartwarming, humorous, and often inspiring movie experience.
The film follows the story of Walter Mitty, a negative assets manager for Life Magazine, who daydreams his way through life. When the photo print for the final magazine cover goes missing, Walter goes on a quest across the world to find the elusive photojournalist Sean O’Connell. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is about a man rediscovering his life and living without fear. With a fantastic soundtrack, beautifully captured scenery, and an easily likable central character, the film dares its viewers to explore the world and live life to the fullest.
9
The Motorcycle Diaries
The Early Life of a Revolutionary
Starring Gael García Bernal and Rodrigo de la Serna, The Motorcycle Diaries is a classic road movie charting the real-life adventures of the future revolutionary figure Che Guevara and his best friend, Granado.
The film follows the duo’s travels across South America on an old motorcycle as they journey to Peru to work at a remote leper colony. These travels would strongly influence Guevara’s personal and political views as he witnessed the inequality rampant across the continent. The film tells the story of friendship and perseverance as they experience life to the fullest on the edges of society.
8
The Goonies
A Definitive 80s Kids Film
Featuring a cast of future Hollywood stars, including Josh Brolin and Sean Astin, The Goonies is one of the definitive adventure films of the 1980s. The film follows a group of friends enjoying their last weekend together, before their homes in the Goon Docks face foreclosure. However, after discovering an old treasure map leading to a legendary pirate’s treasure, the group decides to set out on an adventure.
The Goonies became a staple for a whole generation and remains a beloved classic for its legion of fans. The film is a fun, silly, and timeless adventure that easily captures all the chaos of adolescence through a group of kids’ quest to save their homes.
7
Into the Wild
A Fitting Tribute to an Outsider Icon
This stunning biographical film tells the tragic story of Chris McCandless, who, in the early 90s, hiked across America into the northern Alaskan wilderness with little survival experience.
Starring Emile Hirsch in the central role, the film is a testament to self-discovery and adventure, as well as a reminder of the dangers of nature and inexperience. By rejecting societal norms and searching for a deeper connection in nature, Chris McCandless became a hero for many. With a fantastic soundtrack, wonderful cinematography, and strong performances throughout, Into the Wild is a must-watch adventure classic.
6
The Princess Bride
A Comedy Cult Classic
One of the most beloved comedy films of the 1980s, The Princess Bride remains a cult classic today. The film follows the adventures of Westley on his quest to save his love, Princess Buttercup, from the nefarious Prince Humperdinck.
Related
10 Best Fantasy Movies of the 80s, Ranked
The 1980s were a great decade for the world of fantasy film, and these enduring classics prove it.
Filled with an all-star cast, which includes wrestling legend Andre the Giant, endlessly quotable lines, and a variety of weird and wonderful characters, The Princess Bride is a timeless adventure that never fails to bring a smile to the faces of its fans. Widely considered one of the greatest comedy films of all time, it has won numerous awards and remains a beloved classic.
5
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
The Iconic Pirate Adventure Movie
Based on a popular theme park ride, Pirates of the Caribbean was an instant hit with viewers, with its epic high-seas action, comedy, and fantasy. Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow became an iconic movie character and kick-started a successful movie franchise.
The Curse of the Black Pearl follows Will Turner, played by Orlando Bloom, on his quest to save his love, Elizabeth Swan, from a crew of undead Pirates, led by Geoffrey Rush’s Captain Barbossa. Filled with daring sword fights, beautiful scenery, dashing heroes, and nefarious villains, Pirates of the Caribbean is an easy crowd-pleaser for the whole family.
4
Interstellar
An Emotional Journey Through Time and Space
This stunning sci-fi epic is set in the not-too-distant future, where disease has decimated Earth’s resources. Interstellar follows a pilot’s journey after joining a daring mission to venture through an anomaly in space in search of habitable planets.
Related
10 Greatest Dystopian Movies Of All Time
These fantastic dystopian movies make up the greatest the genre has to offer, delivering bleak and thoughtful looks at nightmarish futures.
Starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, Interstellar is a grand sci-fi spectacle that delves into the science of black holes, relativity, and gravity. However, at its core, the film is an emotional tale of a father’s mission to save his children. Director Christopher Nolan expertly crafts a personal story of love and loss through space and time, while delivering a blockbuster experience that easily sits with the best of the genre.
3
Raiders of the Lost Ark
An All-Time Classic
One of the greatest adventure films ever made, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is George Lucas’s love letter to the movie serials of the 1930s and 40s.
Set in 1936 during the height of Nazi rule, the film stars Harrison Ford as the treasure-hunting archaeologist searching for the fabled ark of the covenant. With the Nazi forces also hot on the trail, the film is an action-packed adventure from start to finish. Indiana Jones has become an iconic cinematic hero, with his trademark hat and whip. Raiders of the Lost Ark would be the first in a hugely successful series, spanning five films, a TV series, and numerous video game adaptations.
2
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
The Start of a Sci-fi Giant
One of the greatest sci-fi adventure films of all time, Star Wars is a fundamental part of our popular culture. Spanning numerous films, TV shows, books, comics, and video games, this expansive franchise defined what it means to be a blockbuster movie.
While many may have their favorite entry in the series, few can argue with the iconic status of the original movie. The classic tale of a young farm hand discovering his Jedi heritage and embarking on a grand adventure through space has captured the imagination of generations since its release. While the franchise has grown far beyond the original trilogy, with varying results, A New Hope remains a timeless classic.
1
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Definitive Fantasy Adventure
The Lord of the Rings series is unarguably one of the greatest achievements in cinema history. Filmed concurrently across 438 days of principal photography, the series would be a landmark moment in cinema history. The first of the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, would introduce the world to the magical lands of Middle-earth and its variety of characters and creatures.
Related
10 Movies About Humanity’s Struggle With Technology
Technology can be an opportunity, but it can also be a threat. These movies showcase the struggle against some of its more nefarious sides.
The film follows the hobbit Frodo Baggins and his group of friends, who find themselves on an epic adventure to destroy the fabled ring of power, before the arch-enemy Sauron can claim it and bring the world into an age of darkness. The film is an epic tale of good vs evil, filled with action and drama across stunning landscapes. Frodo is the ultimate unlikely hero, whose small stature and inexperience never stop him from carrying the burden of the ring to the very end.
More
Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies Of The 80s
The 1980s spawned quite a few post-apocalyptic gems that every cinephile should see at least once.
