Movies in the adventure and suspense genre tend to get our hearts racing with the fast-paced action and the mysterious wilderness setting. No one knows what will pop up on the screen from which direction to startle their senses. Whether it’s a quest to unearth lost treasures, or a journey to find the center of the earth, the best jungle movies always have loads of entertainment for the audiences in store.

Some might think this genre is a little over-explored with various movies finding their own jungle to get lost in, but the charm of having an unknown wild adventure never ceases to amuse. . Fans of this genre find comfort in such forest movies and strive to live vicariously through them. There's no shortage of the best adventure movies that heavily use the jungle setting to tell their fun and exciting stories. Which are the ones worth seeing at least once?

Acting as a parody of other jungle-living characters like Tarzan, is a wild comedy that sees as the titular George, a man who has lived his life raised by animals in the African jungle. As poachers find themselves entering the jungle in search of its resources, it becomes up to George to defend the jungle from all who plan to destroy it. Things soon get complicated when George ends up falling for Ursula (), an heiress from San Francisco who is already set to marry a spoiled man named Lyle van de Groot ().

Acting as a comedic parody of other jungle adventure films, George of the Jungle has a much more lighthearted and nonsensical take on its characters and plot, leaning into the absurdity of a boy growing up in the jungle. The film manages to perfectly capture the same , fully committing for the sake of comedy over everything else. It helps that Fraser has a knack for comedy, giving a performance that greatly .

In , documentary filmmaker Terri Flores, , leads a crew on a perilous mission to find a lost tribe. Their journey takes a deadly turn when they encounter the enigmatic Paul Serone (), who harbors a sinister secret — he's hunting a monstrous, legendary anaconda. As the crew ventures deeper into the jungle, they become unwitting prey for the giant snake. While the film would receive a wide array of various sequels over the years, this original film still easily stands out as the most well-put-together and most charming of the franchise.

Viewers should prepare for heart-stopping moments when the anaconda's terrifying power is unleashed, coiling around unsuspecting victims and launching a relentless attack. Despite the mixed reviews, Anaconda is a jungle adventure classic for a good reason. This campy gem offers a unique blend of suspense and humor, garnering a devoted following. With , Anaconda is a must-watch for fans of both adventure and horror movies who appreciate a good dose of camp. – Jom Elauria

, sees the titular hero discovering a mysterious clock in her family mansion. This propels her to go on a global treasure hunt, leading her to search for two halves of an ancient artifact called the Triangle of Light, which is rumored to grant control over time. While more recent Tomb Raider films tackle the more grounded and serious entries in the franchise, this original film fully embodies the chaotic fun time that came from the original Tomb Raider games.

Lara must decipher cryptic clues and navigate booby-trapped tombs to find the missing pieces. But a powerful secret society, the Illuminati, led by the cunning Manfred Powell, seeks the Triangle for their own nefarious purposes. entrances audiences as Lara, showcasing her acting skills as an action star. While there’s a lot left to be desired with the generic plot, . – Jom Elauria

is a heartwarming coming-of-age adventure focusing on the beloved children’s cartoon character. In it, Dora () is a bright and adventurous teenager who finds herself out of her element in high school. When news arrives that her parents are missing in the Amazon, Dora jumps at the chance to rescue them. Joined by her tech-savvy cousin Diego () and a group of classmates who soon become unlikely allies, Dora embarks on a dangerous journey of self-discovery.

The ore than just a kids' film as it’s a worthy live-action adaptation of the iconic character. It’s entertaining to both young viewers and nostalgic adults, with Moner fully embodying the character of Dora. Its strange and chaotically satirical sense of humor seemingly directly caters to jaded younger audiences who only loosely grew up with the children's show. The movie’s vibrant visuals, engaging storyline, and witty humor create a fun and memorable experience for audiences of all ages. – Jom Elauria

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is an animated crossover movie that brings together the beloved babies of and the adventurous Thornberry family of . When the Pickles family vacation goes awry, their shipwreck on a deserted island leads to an unlikely friendship between the Rugrats and Eliza Thornberry. Together, they use their unique talents (talking to animals, diaper-clad ingenuity) to navigate the dangers of the jungle.

With both original television series being created by studio Klasky Csupo, it was only a matter of time before these iconic nicktoons would collaborate in a cinematic experience. From a mischievous leopard on the prowl to a volcanic eruption threatening their survival, the group faces challenges that test their courage and resourcefulness. While the plot of Rugrats Go Wild may not be the most complex, . It’s a heartwarming movie about friendship and family, all wrapped up in a thrilling jungle adventure. – Jom Elauria

One of the more wild and over-the-top has to offer, combines top-of-the-line practical effects and animatronics to bring to life a self-reflective story of humanity and cultural differences. The film sees an expedition team traveling into the deep African jungles in search of an elusive artifact, where they come across a mysterious land that has gone largely unexplored due to the dangerous apes that inhabit the area.

Congo has the signature charm and goofy energy that was present throughout 90s blockbusters as a whole, . Scenery-chewing performances from the likes of Tim Curry serve to only further amplify the strange yet undeniable charm that the film has. The practical effects and monkey performances still hold up wonderfully in the modern day, cementing this as one of the quintessential' monkey movies of the 90s.

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A biographical adventure based on a real-life story, follows British explorer Percy Fawcett () as he journeys into the Amazon during the 1920s, finding evidence of a previously undiscovered advanced civilization. However, in his various attempts to find this hidden civilization, he ends up getting completely lost and disappearing in the harsh Amazonian jungles multiple times. Percy soon finds himself completely obsessed with finding the lost city, hoping to etch his name in the history books by accomplishing the impossible.

While many other jungle adventure films are soaked in the fantasy of adventure and the thrill of discovery, The Lost City of Z takes a darker and more grounded approach, tackling the fractured psyche and ego of a man who cannot stop adventuring. It's one of the most unique executions of , as a deep exploration into the very act of adventuring itself. Even outside its subtext and dramatic tone, director James Gray knows how to make the film pop off the screen with top-notch visuals, capturing the pure beauty of the Amazon jungle.

in the iconic '80s movie . In it, a cryptic treasure map falls into the hands of romance novelist Joan Wilder (). She then finds herself on a desperate mission to Colombia. With her kidnapped sister's life hanging in the balance, she teams up with the rugged adventurer Jack T. Colton (). While the action and sense of adventure are top notch, the true highlight of the film is the inherent romance and charm amplified by the directing style of .

The two must decipher ancient clues, navigate booby-trapped ruins, and outrun ruthless treasure hunters, all while fighting their growing attraction for each other. , the film delivers a thrilling escape for viewers. Witty dialogue and engaging performances elevate the experience, securing Romancing the Stone a place among the great jungle adventure films of all time. – Jom Elauria

An ambitious sequel to the 2008 blockbuster , this feature film stars , , and , who set out in response to a cryptic signal received from deep within the forest. They venture in pursuit of Sean’s lost grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical and mysterious island filled with dangerous creatures from the depths of imagination.

Both movies are adapted from epic stories written by . . The film still holds an important place in Dwayne's filmography as one of the first true blockbuster successes that launched his capabilities as a leading action-adventure star. Its cheesy comedy and formulaic plot aren't for cinephiles, but it's likely one of the guilty pleasure movies that some viewers watch for an uplifted mood.

Starring and, follows the undiscovered ventures of Ferdinand Magellan with a desire to find the lost treasure. Existing fans of the game were very excited to see a feature film explore the world of the beloved game, but the source material. The film instead takes more inspiration from other jungle adventure blockbusters, creating a half-decent buddy comedy better between Holland and Wahlberg in the process.

While Holland managed to capture Nate's charm, wit, humor, and heart in a way that was uniquely his own, it couldn't make up for the boring plot, missed opportunities, and questionable deviations from the game's story that the creators decided to include. Even with its issues, the film managed to find a great deal of success at the worldwide box office, guaranteeing a sequel down the line. Still, for fans looking for a mindless flick on a boring night, .

Nestled in the plot of the adventure movie is a romantic arc that brings together an author and her cover model who goes overlooked otherwise. This modern take on the genre finds and in the wild with an evil hampering their every move. The unlikely pair must learn to work together if they hope to survive long enough to find the treasure. The film has a sense of charm and style from a romantic adventure film that is rarely seen among films in the 2020s, making for a pleasant and refreshing experience for modern audiences.

The wild plot certainly managed to capture the attention of the viewers, even though most of the jokes didn't land. that delighted the kings and queens for centuries, even if many of these hooks are unfortunately predictable clichés. If for nothing else, the movie is a perfect watch just for .

While most of the stories that introduce King Kong end up traveling to the jungle for a part of the story, the vast majority of them have their ending climax with Kong in a major metropolitan city, an aspect that isn't shared by . The film follows a team of explorers who end up discovering the titular gigantic ape while on a journey to the treacherous primordial island. As they attempt to make more discoveries and make it off the island alive, the wide variety of prehistoric life on the island proves to be much deadlier than anticipated.

Kong: Skull Island is one of the most inspired takes on a story about the most iconic ape in cinema history, including , , , and . The film blends exceptional action and top-notch visual spectacles to make for one of the most exciting and jaw-dropping blockbusters of recent memory. Even years later, the film is still widely considered to be .

The fourth installment in the beloved adventure franchise, follows the exhilarating journey of the titular archaeologist (), who pursues an artifact with immense power. Alongside an old flame, Marion Ravenwood (), Indy travels to the depths of the forests of Peru before being captured and taken to the Amazon. While previous entries in the franchise saw Indy travel to various desert and ancient locales, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has a distinct jungle theme to its wild adventure.

Although not the best in the , for fans who love the character. It’s also just nostalgic to revisit the legendary films now that its final installment had its disappointing premiere. If anything, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is worth watching just for that one epic motorcycle scene, showing that even when he isn't at his best Spielberg still has the ability to charm and enchant as a filmmaker.

While is more commonly recognized for his blockbuster films like or his award-winning film, , one of his most underappreciated yet greatest directorial outings is . The film sees defiant young Ricky () on the run from his cantankerous foster uncle (), managing to get the both of them lost in the vast New Zealand bush. With a national manhunt searching for the two of them, they are forced to put aside their differences and team up in order to survive the harsh environment.

The New Zealand bush is one of the most unexplored yet deeply effective settings when it comes to jungle adventure films, making for . Dennison and Neill have a palpable chemistry with one another and show a genuine bond by the film's end, giving the distinct heartwarming energy and warmth that makes Waititi such a beloved filmmaker.

was highly anticipated as it brought two very talented and amazing actors together on screen – and. In this adventurous escapade, fans see a doctor and her brother embark on a trip to the lush Amazon forests to find a lost tree with supposed magical powers, complained by a charming local boat captain as they travel down river. The film harkens back to classic action adventure films like and to create a fun, blockbuster adventure.

Of course, their journey has hindrances caused by evil villains who want to use the tree for their malicious purposes and spread their villainous agenda. . Don't expect any innovative twists or brilliant writing, though, as it's a basic jungle adventure movie that doesn't try to be anything else. For those looking for a family-friendly flick, this is the perfect one – enjoy it enough and there's a sequel available to watch, too!

While many people often think of live-action ventures when considering the best jungle adventure films, is one of the best examples of how a jungle adventure story can be told in the world of animation. The film follows the story of the mythical Valley of the Wind, one of the last remaining strongholds on earth that has been untouched by a poisonous jungle that has spread across the planet following a global war. In a last-ditch effort for the sake of humanity, the courageous Princess Nausicaä finds herself engaged in a battle to restore Earth to its former glory.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is one of the and director , yet their signature style and filmmaking prowess were still on full display early in their career. The film has , weaving together a deeply intricate post-apocalyptic world that is brimming not just with originality, but with deeper meaning in every hand-drawn frame. The film is sadly overlooked compared to the wide variety of other masterpieces from Miyazaki, which is a shame considering just how well one of hist first cinematic outings holds up.

Even with a simple plot, is so hilarious that it's impossible not to laugh. The film embraces the ridiculous concept of being sucked into a video game – which the original Jumanji game transformed into to fit modern times – but never insults the intelligence of the audience. Adult avatars from the present play alongside other players stuck in the game since the '90s, and they all desperately try to escape.

Featuring Dwayne Johnson, , , , and a sweet cameo by, this made to entertain. It does take inspiration from the vintage classic Jumanji game but comes out with a clearer direction and plot that allows it to distinguish itself from the classic 90s family film. .

Tropic Thunder has failings, but at its core, it is an absurd and deliciously wicked satire movie that exposes everything that is wrong with Hollywood. Parodying many classic films based on the Vietnam War, Tropic Thunder follows a group of obnoxious actors shooting their own war movie. When their director accidentally dies in an accident after leaving them in a jungle, the actors have to use what little skills they have to make it out alive.

Tropic Thunder is packed with hilarious and endlessly quotable lines, as well as two scene-stealing performances by Matthew McConaughey and Tom Cruise. The film expertly plays into the chaos and difficulties of Hollywood culture of the era to create one of the twenty-first century's defining satires. Some of the best comedians and actors of the twenty-first century kicked off the century with a bang in this massive ensemble production that lived up to the hype at the time of its release and is still beloved by fans today.

Many jungle adventure stories find themselves centered around the vast and intricate jungles of Earth, yet the most successful and highest-grossing film of all time is arguable a jungle adventure film, it just happens to be on an interplanetary jungle. James Cameron's sci-fi masterpiece Avatar takes place in the beautiful and mesmerizing world of Pandora, a moon brimming with luscious wildlife and its own ecosystem of unbelievable alien creatures. Marine Jake Sully finds himself inhabiting one of these alien bodies in his traversal of the alien world, getting acclimated with their culture and customs in the process.

The vast jungles of Pandora still hold up as some of the most beautiful landscapes and highest bars in terms of what is technologically possible in terms of computer-generated worlds in film. Especially when combined with the mesmerizing 3D effects, Pandora seamlessly transitions off of the screen into a beautiful display of nature and sci-fi mastery. While the story behind Avatar itself has been largely criticized over the years for being basic and similar to other pro-environmentalism films, the masterful visuals keep people coming back to experience Pandora again and again.

King Kong has been remade multiple times by different filmmakers with more diverse perspectives on the portrayal of the magnificent Gorilla aka King Kong. Peter Jackson's approach to the story set out to amplify the spectacle and blockbuster feel of the film, transforming the original sense of excitement and awe that audiences felt decades ago for modern audiences. The movie follows Carl Denham and his crew as they come across a giant ape on Skull Island and imprison it in order to bring it to New York. They run into trouble when the giant ape is released into the city.

A fantastic and exciting film on the whole, King Kong's plot is epic, with more action and new astounding creatures. This remake contains more action than the original, and obviously maximizes CGI (even though it hasn't aged entirely well). While definitely not director Peter Jackson's best work (an honor that remains with the Lord of the Rings trilogy), it's a decent enough modern adaptation of the classic story.