Survival films pit protagonists against extreme situations, often in harsh natural environments, testing their will to live and resourcefulness.

1. Cast Away (2000)

Robert Zemeckis directs Tom Hanks in this story of a FedEx employee stranded on an uninhabited island after a plane crash.

Why it’s great:

• Hanks’ powerful solo performance
• Realistic depiction of survival techniques
• Exploration of isolation and the human need for connection

2. 127 Hours (2010)

Danny Boyle directs this true story of Aron Ralston, a canyoneer trapped by a boulder in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park.

Why it’s great:

• James Franco’s committed performance
• Innovative direction maintaining tension in a confined space
• Powerful exploration of the human will to survive

3. The Revenant (2015)

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s brutal survival epic follows Hugh Glass, a frontiersman left for dead in the wilderness who embarks on a harrowing journey of survival and revenge.

Why it’s great:

• Leonardo DiCaprio’s raw, Oscar-winning performance
• Stunning cinematography capturing the harsh beauty of nature
• Intense, visceral portrayal of man’s struggle against the elements

4. Gravity (2013)

Alfonso Cuarón‘s thriller follows two astronauts stranded in space after their shuttle is destroyed.

Why it’s great:

• Stunning visual effects and cinematography
• Sandra Bullock’s powerful performance
• Intense, immersive space survival story

5. Alive (1993)

Based on a true story, this film follows the survivors of a plane crash in the Andes as they struggle to stay alive.

Why it’s great:

• Harrowing portrayal of extreme survival situations
• Exploration of moral dilemmas and group dynamics
• Powerful performances from the ensemble cast.