20. Rabbit-Proof Fence
An aboriginal girl leads her sisters and cousins out of a government ran camp, that is meant to train these girls as domesticated workers so they can blend into an all-white society.
21. Lucky Miles
This movie is about a group of men who were abandoned by a fishing boat. They were told that there was a bus just over the dunes, which only led them to a large desert. Being pursued by Army reserves, these men work together to survive and find all they’ve ever hoped for in Australia.
22. The 33
You may remember in August of 2010 when a copper and gold mine collapsed in Chile. That left 33 men trapped in the mine. This is the movie based on this true story of survival.
23. Against the Sun
This is a true story of 3 World War II US Navy airmen that crash their torpedo bomber into the Pacific Ocean. They have no food, no water, and really no chance of survival. But together, they manage to survive starvation, sharks, and a 1,000-mile journey to safety.
24. The Finest Hours
This is another true story about how a group of 12 in the Coast Guard set out on a tiny boat and managed to save those in their time of trouble. A storm actually rips a tanker in half, and it is a race against time.
25. A Hijacking
This is a story about a cargo ship that is hijacked by Somali pirates. The pirates take the crew hostage in the process of trying to extort a million dollar ransom. It becomes a twisted game of survival when the CEO of the shipping company has to face off with the pirates in order to save his people.
26. The Descent
A group of friends meets for their yearly outdoor adventure trip. They gather around the Appalachian Mountains to explore caves, but when disaster hits them under the ground they find something tragic out as well. Apparently, something else is alive under the earth besides just them.
27. Open Water
This is a true story of a couple who decide to visit a tropical paradise island. On their trip, they decide to do a little scuba diving. Unfortunately, something goes wrong because the boat leaves without them. They must fight for survival against predators of the sea and the paranoia in their minds.
28. Edge of Winter
A newly divorced man decides to take his two sons out in the woods for some quality time. Unfortunately, they soon become stranded so the boys and their father must seek shelter. However, the boys quickly realize that their father’s paranoia over losing custody is driving him to a place where he is quickly becoming the biggest danger to them.
29. The Edge
This movie is one that shows humanity being pushed to its limits. When an intelligent billionaire finds himself on a plane with a rather arrogant fashion photographer, he can’t imagine what is about to happen. When the plane crashes, these two opposite personalities must push through for survival.
30. Buried
If you love Ryan Reynolds, then you’ll want to check out this film. This isn’t his typical funny-man film. He is a truck driver and a family man who wakes up buried in an old coffin. He has only a cell phone with a low battery and poor reception. Can he be rescued in 90 minutes before his oxygen runs out?
31. 127 Hours
This is a true story of an outdoorsman who climbs rocks in Utah. However, a crashing boulder traps him for five days. Over the course of those 5 days, he has to dig deep to find the inner strength to survive this trial.
32. 5 Lost at Sea
A world sailor takes a group of people out on the sea. They hope to find paradise, but they end up finding something else instead.
33. Life of Pi
This is the story of a younger gentleman who survives a disaster at sea. When he finds a lifeboat, he also finds another survivor. This survivor is a wild Bengal tiger, and this movie follows their journey.
34. Unbroken
This movie was so well known because it was directed and produced by Angelina Jolie. The storyline follows a war hero and Olympian who survived a plane crash on a raft at sea near the end of World War II.
35. I am Legend
I actually really like this movie. Will Smith is the main character and this story follows his life after an illness has turned society into zombies. He desperately seeks a cure but has to survive in the meantime.
36. A Boy and His Dog
This is a sci-fi movie that follows a young man and his telepathic dog as they struggle to survive after World War 4 has left the world in shambles.
37. A Cry in the Wild
If you’ve ever read Gary Paulsen’s award-winning novel “Hatchet”, then you’ll love this movie because it is based on it. This movie has a family-friendly rating of PG and it follows young Brian as he lands a plane in the middle of the wilderness and must survive until he is rescued.
38. A Man Called Horse
This movie follows a wealthy man in 1825. He was captured by Native Americans. During his time in captivity, he learns a lot about them and begins to understand their ways. He is eventually made their leader.
39. Aftershock: Earthquake in New York
This is the story of two men who struggle to put New York City’s emergency plan into action when a large earthquake strikes and topples the city. They must continue to save other’s lives as they hunt for their own family members as well.
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