1. The Revenant (2015)
Directed by: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Western
Plot: In the 1820s, a frontiersman named Hugh Glass sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.
The Revenant is an intense, immersive survival story set in the unforgiving American wilderness. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a raw, committed performance as Hugh Glass, a man pushed to his limits physically and emotionally as he seeks revenge. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the harsh beauty of the natural world. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu crafts a visceral, suspenseful epic about the lengths one man will go to survive.
2. The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Maia Morgenstern, Christo Jivkov, Francesco De Vito
Genre: Drama
Plot: Depicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ is a powerful, uncompromising depiction of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life. The film is notable for its commitment to authenticity, with dialogue in Aramaic, Latin and Hebrew. Jim Caviezel delivers a haunting performance as Jesus, vividly conveying his suffering. While extremely violent and at times difficult to watch, the film aims for a realistic, unflinching portrayal of the crucifixion. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, The Passion is an undeniably affecting cinematic experience.
3. Apocalypto (2006)
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Starring: Rudy Youngblood, Dalia Hernández, Jonathan Brewer, Morris Birdyellowhead
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, a young man is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression.
Apocalypto, another Mel Gibson film, is a heart-pounding action-adventure set in the twilight of the Mayan civilization. The story follows a young tribesman named Jaguar Paw who must save his family after their village is brutally attacked. Featuring a cast of mostly unknown Native American and Indigenous Mexican actors, the film aims for authenticity in its period detail. While violent, Apocalypto is an engrossing, provocative glimpse into a fascinating ancient culture on the brink of collapse.
4. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Directed by: Michael Mann
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Wes Studi
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: Three trappers protect the daughters of a British Colonel in the midst of the French and Indian War.
Michael Mann’s The Last of the Mohicans is a lush, romantic adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s classic novel. Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Hawkeye, a white man adopted by the Mohican tribe, who becomes embroiled in the French and Indian War. The film features intense battle sequences and a sweeping score. But the heart of the story is the love between Hawkeye and Cora (Madeleine Stowe), the daughter of a British Colonel. Mohicans is old-fashioned epic filmmaking, with Day-Lewis an ideal romantic hero.
5. Braveheart (1995)
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Plot: Scottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.
Mel Gibson directed and stars in Braveheart, a rousing historical epic about the 13th century Scottish hero William Wallace. Gibson plays Wallace as a passionate freedom fighter who leads his fellow Scots in a rebellion against English rule. The battle scenes are spectacularly staged, and the film has a grand, stirring quality. But it’s also an intimate story of love and loss, with Wallace romancing the Princess Isabelle (Sophie Marceau). Braveheart won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Gibson.
6. The New World (2005)
Directed by: Terrence Malick
Starring: Colin Farrell, Q’orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Plot: The story of the English exploration of Virginia, and of the changing world and loves of Pocahontas.
Terrence Malick’s The New World is a poetic, dreamlike retelling of the Pocahontas story. The film focuses on the relationship between Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher) and English explorer John Smith (Colin Farrell) as British colonists settle in Virginia. Malick’s approach is typically impressionistic, favoring voiceover, nature imagery and Emmanuel Lubezki’s fluid camerawork over traditional narrative. The result is a mesmerizing, meditative film that immerses you in the sensory world of its characters. The New World is a lyrical vision of love, loss and discovery.
7. Gladiator (2000)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.
Ridley Scott’s Gladiator is a grand-scale historical epic anchored by Russell Crowe’s commanding performance. Crowe plays Maximus, a Roman general betrayed by the emperor’s son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). After his family is murdered, Maximus is sold into slavery and becomes a gladiator, rising through the ranks of the arena to avenge his losses. With its thrilling action sequences, lush visuals and Hans Zimmer’s soaring score, Gladiator is a classic revenge story on a vast canvas. It won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
8. Dances with Wolves (1990)
Directed by: Kevin Costner
Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western
Plot: Lieutenant John Dunbar, assigned to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Native Americans, making him an intolerable aberration in the military.
Dances with Wolves, directed by and starring Kevin Costner, tells the story of a Union Army lieutenant who befriends a Native American tribe on the American frontier. A box office smash and a critical success, the film won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. It’s an epic Western with stunning cinematography of the Great Plains. But it’s also a nuanced, sympathetic portrayal of the Sioux culture, with Costner’s character gradually embracing their way of life. Dances with Wolves is a moving, thoughtful depiction of an unlikely friendship across cultural boundaries.
9. The Last Samurai (2003)
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Starring: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, William Atherton
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot: An American military advisor embraces the Samurai culture he was hired to destroy after he is captured in battle.
The Last Samurai stars Tom Cruise as an American Civil War veteran who travels to Japan to train the Imperial Army, only to be captured by the rebel Samurai. Initially at odds, he comes to respect and admire their code of honor, becoming immersed in their way of life. The film is an east-meets-west epic, contrasting the fading Samurai culture with encroaching Western influence. With its breathtaking Japanese locations, thrilling battle scenes and strong performances from Cruise and Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai is a satisfying historical drama.
10. Pathfinder (2007)
Directed by: Marcus Nispel
Starring: Karl Urban, Clancy Brown, Moon Bloodgood, Russell Means
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: A Viking boy is left behind after his clan battles a Native American tribe. Raised within the tribe, he ultimately becomes their savior in a fight against the Norsemen.
Pathfinder is a action-packed adventure about a young Viking boy raised by a Native American tribe who must confront his own people in battle. While not historically accurate, the film delivers exciting, violent Viking vs. Indian fight sequences in a visually striking ancient Nordic landscape. Karl Urban makes for a strong, stoic hero as Ghost, the Viking raised as a Native American, who must bridge the gap between the two cultures. Pathfinder is a straightforward action film with a unique historical hook.
11. The Dead Lands (2014)
Directed by: Toa Fraser
Starring: James Rolleston, Lawrence Makoare, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Xavier Horan
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: After his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery, the teenage son of a slain Maori chieftain looks to avenge his father’s murder and bring peace and honor to the souls of his loved ones.
The Dead Lands is an intense, violent action film set in pre-colonial New Zealand. When his father is murdered, a young Maori man named Hongi (James Rolleston) must avenge his death to bring honor to his family. He’s aided by a mysterious warrior (Lawrence Makoare) as he embarks on a dangerous quest through the forbidden “Dead Lands.” The film is entirely in the Maori language, which adds to its authentic feel. With its mythic story, lush New Zealand landscapes and brutal action, The Dead Lands is a unique, immersive adventure.
12. Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007)
Directed by: Sergei Bodrov
Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Amadu Mamadakov, Khulan Chuluun, Honglei Sun
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama
Plot: The story recounts the early life of Genghis Khan who was a slave before going on to conquer half the world in 1206.
Mongol is a sweeping historical epic about the early life of Genghis Khan. The film follows Genghis Khan from his harsh childhood on the Mongolian steppe to his rise as one of the world’s greatest conquerors. Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano plays Genghis Khan as a driven, ambitious warrior, but also a devoted family man. The battle scenes are appropriately massive in scale. But Mongol is also an intimate story, focusing on the personal relationships and conflicts that shaped the legendary leader. It’s a grand, old-fashioned biopic with an expansive scope.
13. Valhalla Rising (2009)
Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Maarten Stevenson, Gordon Brown, Andrew Flanagan
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: Forced for some time to be a fighting slave, a pagan warrior escapes his captors with a boy and joins a group of Crusaders on their quest to the Holy Land.
Valhalla Rising is a moody, atmospheric Viking adventure from cult director Nicolas Winding Refn. Mads Mikkelsen stars as One-Eye, a mute Norse warrior held captive and forced to fight for his survival. After escaping with a young boy, they join a band of Christian Crusaders journeying to Jerusalem. More arthouse than action movie, Valhalla Rising is a hypnotic, often surreal experience, light on dialogue and heavy on striking visuals. It’s a challenging but rewarding film, anchored by Mikkelsen’s powerful, primal performance.
14. Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001)
Directed by: Zacharias Kunuk
Starring: Natar Ungalaaq, Sylvia Ivalu, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq, Lucy Tulugarjuk
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Plot: An Inuit story of love, betrayal, murder and revenge in the Arctic wilderness.
Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner is a groundbreaking film, the first ever feature made entirely in the Inuktitut language. Based on an ancient Inuit legend, it tells the story of two brothers whose lives are upended by a shaman’s curse. The film is notable for its authentic depiction of Inuit life, with an all-Inuit cast and crew. Director Zacharias Kunuk captures the stark beauty of the Arctic landscape, immersing us in a world rarely seen on screen. Atanarjuat is a unique, culturally rich film that offers a window into a fascinating way of life.
15. The Fountain (2006)
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Sean Patrick Thomas, Ellen Burstyn
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Plot: As a modern-day scientist, Tommy is struggling with mortality, desperately searching for the medical breakthrough that will save the life of his cancer-stricken wife, Izzi.
Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain is an ambitious, metaphysical love story spanning a thousand years. Hugh Jackman plays three characters in three different eras: a Spanish conquistador searching for the Tree of Life, a modern-day scientist trying to cure his wife’s cancer, and a space traveler in the distant future. The stories intertwine in a non-linear narrative, exploring themes of love, death and the quest for eternal life. With its lush visuals and swelling Clint Mansell score, The Fountain is a heady, emotional journey that grapples with big ideas about the nature of existence.
16. Centurion (2010)
Directed by: Neil Marshall
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Olga Kurylenko, Noel Clarke
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: A splinter group of Roman soldiers fight for their lives behind enemy lines after their legion is decimated in a devastating guerrilla attack.
Centurion is a gritty, action-packed adventure set in ancient Britain. Michael Fassbender stars as Quintus Dias, a Roman centurion leading a small group of soldiers on a mission behind enemy lines. Hunted by fierce Pict warriors, they must fight for survival in the harsh wilderness. With its intense battle scenes and visceral violence, Centurion is a lean, mean historical thriller. But it also finds moments of humanity amidst the bloodshed, as the Romans and the Picts both fight for their way of life.
17. Agora (2009)
Directed by: Alejandro Amenábar
Starring: Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom
Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama
Plot: A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hope of pursuing freedom while falling in love with his mistress, the famous philosophy and mathematics professor Hypatia of Alexandria.
Agora is a thoughtful historical drama set in 4th century Alexandria. Rachel Weisz stars as Hypatia, a philosopher and mathematician at a time when Christianity is on the rise in the Roman Empire. The film explores the conflict between science and religion, as Hypatia’s intellectual curiosity clashes with the growing influence of the Christians. With its grand sets and costumes, Agora immerses you in the world of ancient Alexandria. But it’s also a deeply personal story, with Weisz delivering a luminous performance as a woman ahead of her time.
18. Black Robe (1991)
Directed by: Bruce Beresford
Starring: Lothaire Bluteau, Aden Young, Sandrine Holt, August Schellenberg
Genre: Adventure, Drama, History
Plot: In the 17th century, a Jesuit missionary nicknamed Black Robe by the natives and his small party of companions try reaching the Huron tribe before winter arrives. His guides abandon him, but he is rescued by an older Algonquin chief.
Black Robe is a powerful historical drama about the clash of cultures in 17th century Canada. Lothaire Bluteau stars as a French Jesuit priest who embarks on a perilous journey to a distant Huron mission. Along the way, he’s aided by a group of Algonquin natives who are initially distrustful of him. The film offers a nuanced, balanced portrayal of the relationship between the Europeans and the Native Americans, with neither side presented as entirely good or evil. With its stunning Canadian wilderness locations, Black Robe is a visually striking film that doesn’t shy away from the harsher realities of the period.
19. Embrace of the Serpent (2015)
Directed by: Ciro Guerra
Starring: Nilbio Torres, Jan Bijvoet, Antonio Bolivar, Brionne Davis
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Plot: The story of the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and two scientists who work together over the course of 40 years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant.
Embrace of the Serpent is a mesmerizing journey into the heart of the Amazon, told across two different time periods. The film follows the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman, and two scientists searching for a rare plant. Shot in stunning black and white, the film has a dreamlike, hallucinatory quality that draws you into its mystical world. But it’s also a powerful commentary on colonialism and the destruction of indigenous cultures. With its unique visual style and thought-provoking themes, Embrace of the Serpent is a singular cinematic experience.
20. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Directed by: Benh Zeitlin
Starring: Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Levy Easterly, Lowell Landes
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Plot: Faced with both her hot-tempered father’s fading health and melting ice-caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community and unleash ancient aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy must learn the ways of courage and love.
Beasts of the Southern Wild is a magical realist fable set in a poor Louisiana bayou community cut off from the world. At the center of the story is Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis), a fierce, imaginative six-year-old girl learning to survive in a harsh environment. As her father’s health declines and the ice caps melt, flooding her world, Hushpuppy embarks on a mythic journey. With its vibrant, folksy score and visually poetic style, Beasts is a unique, moving tale of resilience in the face of adversity. Wallis’ performance is a revelation, capturing the wonder and wisdom of a child facing an uncertain future.
These 20 films, while diverse in style and story, all share elements with Apocalypto. Whether it’s the historical setting, the depiction of indigenous cultures, the theme of survival against the odds, or the sheer visual spectacle, these movies offer similarly immersive, powerful cinematic experiences. From the visceral intensity of The Revenant to the mythic journey of Beasts of the Southern Wild, these films transport us to different worlds and leave a lasting impact. They remind us of the power of cinema to not just entertain, but to enlighten, to challenge, and to inspire. In their own unique ways, each of these films is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.
