Scientist have warned that we are about to enter a new era of extinction, and there are many species of living creatures that disappeared because of natural disasters, climate change, and human activities. Despite this bleak picture, we will always admire mother nature and find peace within it. If you love nature and wish you can go wild, check out our list for the best adventure movies based on true story.
Touching the Void – 2003
One of the adventure movies based on true story directed by Kevin MacDonald, the director of The Last King of Scotland. The movie tells the story of Simon Yates and Joe Simpson who went on an adventure in 1985, they climbed Siula Grande in Peru from it’s west side, and that was the first time someone did that, but when they tried to descend it quickly became very dangerous and threaten their lives.
That’s It, That’s All – 2008
A documentary about a snowboarding dream team and it’s star Travis Rice, who show everybody their new perspective for the game and present their abilities in Tokyo, New Zealand, Munich and many other places, they make everybody wonder how they can do this!
Take a Seat – 2009
A true story about a cyclist named Gill that decided to go on a biking adventure from Alaska to Argentine, a 20 thousand mile trip. It took him about two years, and during his journey he met new friends and cyclists, and discovered new places.
Who’s Singin’ Over There? – 1980
The movie is a documentation for the German attack on Belgrade in April 1941. The attack is registered in history book under the title “Operation Retribution” and it shows us the wonderful nature in Yugoslavia before it was demolished by the Nazis. You can consider it as one of the best adventure movies based on true story you can watch.
Tao of Peace – 2010
A group of people including Alok, the Zen master make a trip from Jerusalem to Libya through the Jordanian desert. The trip is 5500 kilometers long, and their goal is to sit with Colonel Qaddafi and drink tea with him. The movie shows us the picturesque nature of the desert.
Senna – 2010
The movie takes us on an adventure through Ayrton Senna’s life. Senna was a Brazilian motor racer, he becomes the most famous face of Formula One, and he does a lot of charity work for his people until his tragic death. It is an interesting movie and one of the best adventure movies based on true story you can enjoy.
Home – 2009 (adventure movies based on true story)
A documentary photographed from an airplane, flying over fifty-four countries to shows us how everything on earth is connected, and how any problem that happens anywhere can affect other places in different ways.
Being There – 2011
A documentary that follows a group of some of the best skiers doing modern free skiing. It is made by a wonderful crew of film makers and cameramen, and it will enchant you.
Das Boot – 1981
A way for some adventurers to feel like a submarine solider in World War II. It follows the crew of a Nazi German submarine patrolling Atlantic Ocean, and occasionally getting into intense battles. It is another one of the adventure movies based on true story you can watch.
Samsara – 2011 (adventure movies based on true story)
A wonderful documentary filmed on five continents, in 25 countries, and it needed about five years to finish. The film takes us on a trip between sacred grounds, industrial complexes, and disaster areas.
The Cove – 2009
The movie spots the light on a very specific case of animal abuse happening in an area near Taijii – Japan, in a small cove in the sea. The group who want to reveal that are some animal rights activists lead by Ric O’Barry, the dolphin trainer.
Last Paradise – 2016 (adventure movies based on true story)
A special experience of a group of kids from New Zealand born in the 1960s’. They tried to do something and makes a difference, they take photographs from their beautiful country for about 45 years, to encourage travelers and tourists to visit.
The Great Escape – 1963
A documentary and one of the adventure movies based on true story. The film features a collection of natural phenomena photographed by an expert photographer, and shows us the interactions between human and nature.
Paan Singh Tomar – 2012
This movie shows us the journey of a great Indian athlete called Paan Singh Tomar, he become the national steeplechase champion seven times, but the story did not end here, because he become the scariest criminal in his country after his Retirement as a player.
The Gold Rush – 1925
An iconic movie directed and starring The one and only Charlie Chaplin. It is a sarcastic display of the gold rush happening in the United States in the 1890s, from the point of view of a young man called Klondike who dreams of getting rich and marrying a beautiful girl.
For All Mankind – 1989 (adventure movies based on true story)
Another documentary about NASA missions to the moon starting with the mission of Apollo 8, how they prepared for it and the big effort to complete this missions safely and successfully.
Safe Journey – 1993 (adventure movies based on true story)
A group of musicians and dancers decided to go for a journey in Egypt, India, Romania, Hungary, Spain, France and Slovakia to share them their cultural music and know more about their Folklore.
Goold’s Gold – 2011
A movie that explores global warming from another point of view, where the ice melted in Alaska. This makes Jonathan Goold the geophysicist look for gold that was never before seen by any human, but today it is exposed after losing its icy cover.
Little Dieter Needs to Fly – 1997
The movie documented the military service of the German-American naval aviator Dieter Dengler, who served in the U.S army during Vietnam War, and his way to escape from the Viet Cong after being their prisoner.
The Fine Line – 2008
A documentary giving you a lot of information about avalanches, presented to you by avalanche professionals. It also gives tips on how you can survive if you find yourself in a similar situation. You will hear the true stories of survivors, and the rescue teams in helicopters who save lives in the Alaskan wilderness.
Sharkwater – 2006 (adventure movies based on true story)
Sharks are mysterious creatures, they have sharp teeth and a tough skin. It is only logical to be terrified when you see a big one of them while you swim in the sea, but still it is an important creature for the environment and ecosystem. There’s a mass destruction of their species’ caused by human activity.
Team Everest: A Himalayan Journey – 2007
A big group of people with disabilities decide to climb Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. The trip takes 21 days and they need to climb 17500 feet, but don’t worry because there is a professional supporting Nepali team helping them.
Deep Water – 2006 (adventure movies based on true story)
A documentary narrated by Tilda Swinton, about the epic adventure around the world by the sailor Donald Crowhurst, who sailed the ocean in a small boat in 1968, facing a lot of dilemmas and painful decisions.
Which Way Home – 2009
A documentary that puts child migrants in the spotlight, and follows them on their journey from South America through Mexico to the United States. Olga and Freddy are an example, they are nine-year-old kids from Honduras, also there’s Jose, a ten-year-old boy from El Salvador. They are immigrating alone and are exposed to all kinds of abuse.
Deliverance – 1972 (adventure movies based on true story)
Lewis Medlock and his friends are environmental activists, they went on a canoeing trip to Cahulawassee River before the government dammed it and turned it into a lake. It was their last chance to make unforgettable memories.
The African Queen – 1951
The movie set in World War I, in east Africa. Charlie Allnut is the captain of a steamer called the African Queen, He meets Rose Sayer, the sister of a British missionary, and they fall in love unexpectedly. It is based on the novel by C.S. Forester, based on a true story.
Man on Wire – 2008
A biography of Philippe Petit, who does illegal high-wire routine performances. He executes a dangerous stunt in 1974 and walks on a wire set between New York City’s World Trade Center’s twin towers. They called it “Artistic crime” at the time.
Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary – 1997
A contest in endurance and sleep deprivation between 24 contestants, and the big prize is a Nissan Hardbody truck. The winner had to stay awake for the longest time to be the last person keeping his hand on the truck.
The Abyss – 1989 (adventure movies based on true story)
A group of civilian divers went for a dangerous journey to find a lost nuclear submarine, and facing strange marine species and creatures in the deep water.
127 Hours – 2010
A biography of Aron Ralston the mountain climber, who becomes trapped between two rocks. He found himself alone and had to do unpleasant things to stay alive. It is one of best adventure movies based on true story you can enjoy.