Adrift is a captivating survival drama that tells the harrowing true story of a couple stranded at sea after a catastrophic hurricane. If you enjoyed the mix of romance and adventure in Adrift, you’ll likely appreciate these 17 movies that explore similar themes of survival, resilience, and the human spirit. Discover more about Adrift here.
1. The Perfect Storm
The Perfect Storm is a gripping drama based on the true story of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing vessel caught in a deadly storm. Starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, this film showcases the crew’s desperate struggle for survival against the odds.
2. Life of Pi
Life of Pi is a visually stunning adventure drama about a young boy named Pi who survives a shipwreck and is left stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Directed by Ang Lee, this film stars Suraj Sharma and explores themes of faith and perseverance.
3. Cast Away
Cast Away features Tom Hanks in a compelling performance as a FedEx executive who finds himself stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. The film delves into his struggle for survival and the emotional toll of isolation.
4. All Is Lost
All Is Lost stars Robert Redford in a nearly wordless performance as a man battling the elements after his sailboat is damaged at sea. This intense survival drama highlights the protagonist’s resourcefulness and determination.
5. The Revenant
The Revenant is an epic tale of survival and revenge set in the 1820s American wilderness. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Hugh Glass, a frontiersman left for dead after a bear attack, who must navigate harsh conditions to seek justice.
6. 127 Hours
127 Hours is a biographical survival drama starring James Franco as Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who becomes trapped by a boulder in a remote canyon. Directed by Danny Boyle, the film chronicles Ralston’s desperate measures to escape.
7. Everest
Everest is based on the true events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster and features an ensemble cast including Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, and Jake Gyllenhaal. The film portrays the climbers’ harrowing experiences as they face extreme weather conditions.
8. The Mountain Between Us
The Mountain Between Us stars Idris Elba and Kate Winslet as two strangers who survive a plane crash in the remote mountains and must rely on each other to survive. This romantic survival drama explores their growing bond amid adversity.
9. Into the Wild
Into the Wild is a biographical drama about Christopher McCandless, a young man who abandons his possessions to live in the Alaskan wilderness. Directed by Sean Penn, the film stars Emile Hirsch and examines themes of freedom and self-discovery.
10. The Way Back
The Way Back is a historical drama about a group of prisoners who escape a Siberian gulag and traverse thousands of miles to freedom. Starring Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, and Colin Farrell, this film is a testament to human endurance.
11. Gravity
Gravity is a science fiction thriller starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts stranded in space after their shuttle is destroyed. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, the film is a visually spectacular and intense survival story.
12. The Grey
The Grey stars Liam Neeson as a man leading a group of oil workers who survive a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, only to be hunted by wolves. This action-packed survival drama explores themes of life, death, and the will to survive.
13. The Martian
The Martian is a science fiction drama featuring Matt Damon as an astronaut stranded on Mars after a mission goes awry. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film highlights the protagonist’s ingenuity and determination to stay alive.
14. Sanctum
Sanctum is an adventure thriller about a team of underwater cave divers who become trapped during an expedition. Starring Richard Roxburgh and Ioan Gruffudd, the film is inspired by true events and showcases the divers’ fight for survival.
15. The Shallows
The Shallows features Blake Lively as a surfer who becomes stranded on a rock 200 yards from shore, with a great white shark circling her. This thriller combines elements of survival and suspense as she devises a plan to reach safety.
16. Kon-Tiki
Kon-Tiki is a historical drama based on the true story of Thor Heyerdahl’s 1947 expedition across the Pacific Ocean on a wooden raft. Starring Pål Sverre Hagen, the film captures the adventurous spirit and challenges faced by the crew.
17. The Impossible
The Impossible is a disaster drama based on the true story of a family’s survival during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor, the film is an emotional portrayal of resilience and the power of family bonds.
