Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg headlined the 2022 video game adaptation of Uncharted, dazzling moviegoers in the epic big-screen installment. Hollywood has really been thriving on transforming popular games into both successful film and television shows, with the acclaimed series The Last of Us taking the world by storm in addition to flicks like Resident Evil, Tomb Raider, and most recently The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Following the charismatic treasure hunter Nathan Drake as he and his wise partner Victor Sullivan search for a fabled fortune of the Magellan expedition, the blockbuster hit is jam-packed full of thrilling action sequences, lively humor, and rip-roaring performances. For those who couldn’t get enough of the dynamic duo and adventurers, here are ten of the best movies like Uncharted to watch next.
10 The Mummy
The 1999 action-adventure film The Mummy has the perfect blend of excitement, horror, and romance and features an ancient-old undead villain, a trio of treasure-seekers, and plenty of thrills and chills in the epic ’90s extravaganza. The Stephen Sommers hit follows spunky librarian Evelyn Carnahan and her wise-cracking brother Jonathan as they are led on the ultimate journey to the Egyptian city of Hamunaptra on a quest to explore its history and hidden gold by the swashbuckling American explorer Rick O’Connell, and inadvertently awaken a terrifying evil.
Like in Unchartered, the gang is looking for both knowledge and ancient artifacts and goes on an exhilarating adventure, and Rick has the same charisma and curious spirit that Nathan Drake possesses. The Mummy is a fun, action-packed thrill ride that helped establish a beloved, fan-favorite franchise with memorable characters audiences can’t help but love.
9 Sahara
Touting a dynamic ensemble cast led by Matthew McConaughey, Penélope Cruz, and Steve Zahn, the spellbinding 2005 flick Sahara is based on the Clive Cussler novel of the same name and centers on savvy treasure hunter Dirk Pitt as he teams up with his longtime pal and associate Al Giordino and WHO doctor Eva Rojas to not only locate a mysterious American Civil War ship that is said to have vanished but also prevent a potentially devastating global plague from spreading.
The playful and sarcastic banter between Dirk and Al is akin to that shared between Nathan and Sully, and both duos embark on a globe-spanning adventure to find a long-lost ship rich with history and lore. Both films are full of delightful humor and action, and take moviegoers on a pulse-pounding ride.
8 National Treasure
Nicholas Cage stars as ultimate historian and thrill-seeker Benjamin Franklin Gates in exciting 2004 adventure heist National Treasure, in which the eccentric actor sets out to track down a cryptic Freemason fortune whose location is concealed on the back of the Declaration of Independence. The Disney smash hit is oozing with charm and an engrossing storyline that captivated audiences with its wondrous concept and lively performances by Cage and fellow stars Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, and Jon Voight.
National Treasure is brimming with fascinating riddles and clues that the trio of treasure hunters much decipher, and it brilliantly captures the heart and overall essence of a riveting tale of adventure. The Cage staple also honors the history of the United States and will leave fans feeling both wanderlust and patriotism.
7 Romancing the Stone
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Robert Zemeckis famously directed the 1984 blockbuster action romantic comedy Romancing the Stone, in which Hollywood dream team Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner star as a brash exotic bird hunter and lonely novelist who join forces to help rescue the writer’s kidnapped sister in Colombia from dangerous antiquities smugglers. With the help of a coveted treasure map, the duo trek through the perilous jungle in search of the rare gem and concoct a plan to save the woman being held for ransom.
Romancing the Stone was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $115 million while being lauded for its sharp screenplay, endearing humor, and unforgettable performances by its sensational leads; the endearing flick won two Golden Globes and remains a celebrated romantic comedy.
6 Tomb Raider (2018)
In the 2018 adaptation of the popular video game series Tomb Raider, Alicia Vikander takes over the role of archaeologist Lara Croft from Angelina Jolie and goes on a crucial mission to locate her missing adventurer father after he disappeared from a fabled island off the coast of Japan. Along the way, Lara is aided by ship captain Lu Ren, and they face ruthless formidable foes while in search of the man and a mythical tomb he was attempting to track down.
Both Uncharted and Tomb Raider are based on two fan-favorite video games and feature headstrong heroes who refuse to back down when faced with a challenge and who constantly demonstrate their fighting spirit, and their desire to explore and seek knowledge is admirable.
5 Into the Blue
Paul Walker and Jessica Alba portray two savvy divers who find themselves caught up in a dangerous drug scheme after exploring a shipwreck and downed plane in the 2005 action-thriller Into the Blue, following the pair as they embark on a quest to locate a sunken French pirate treasure full of imaginable riches and accidentally make themselves targets by merciless drug lords in the process. The couple brave the shark-infested Caribbean waters to find the life-changing fortune while attempting to outsmart the angry, revenge-seeking criminals.
Into the Blue is a sleek and thrilling escapist adventure that includes breathtaking visuals and an exciting plot that keeps viewers on their toes as the brave treasure seekers race against time to find the life-altering riches. The thriller has the same gripping energy and stunning cinematography as Unchartered and is a fun film for fans to dive into.
4 Jungle Cruise
With a sensational cast led by Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Jack Whitehall, the lively 2021 fantasy adventure flick Jungle Cruise is based on the prominent Disney theme park ride and chronicles the efforts of a steamboat skipper, audacious botanist, and her antsy brother/assistant as they look for the Tree of Life while on the dangerous Amazon River. The trio is pursued by members of a German expedition who will stop at nothing to reach the hallowed site first, and both parties must face the treacherous waters and cursed Spanish conquistadors.
Jungle Cruise is a family-friendly blockbuster hit that is truly carried by the charming performances of its spectacular cast and is a rousing adventure picture brimming with romance, action, and an absorbing legend. Johnson and Blunt’s sizzling chemistry was singled out by both critics and fans, and its success has led to a highly-anticipated follow-up sequel.
3 Raiders of the Lost Ark
Hollywood legend Harrison Ford introduced audiences all across the world to the fedora-wearing, bullwhip-slinging professor-turned-adventurer Indiana Jones in Steven Spielberg’s 1981 lauded classic Raiders of the Lost Ark, which follows the worldly archaeologist as he squares off against nefarious Nazi German forces on a quest to find the fabled Ark of the Covenant. Along his rousing journey, Indiana gets help from the feisty Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) as they are put in imminent peril while racing against the Nazis, who want the relic for world domination.
Heavily regarded as one of the greatest films ever made while cementing the daring character as one of cinema’s most beloved heroes, the influential Spielberg juggernaut earned rave reviews for its non-stop action and effectively kicked off a lucrative and celebrated franchise featuring the magnetic Jones.
2 The Lost City of Z
Adapted from the David Grann book of the same name that recounts the efforts of explorer Percy Fawcett to locate the titular forgotten civilization, the 2016 biographical adventure drama The Lost City of Z stars Charlie Hunnam as the determined archaeologist and treasure seeker who along with his son Jack (Tom Holland) and fellow associate Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson) trek through the Amazon to search for the ancient city. Fawcett and his son tragically disappeared in the Amazon rainforest in 1925 while pursuing the mystical place, and the adaptation depicts the events leading up to their vanishing.
Unlike the majority of the entries on this list, The Lost City of Z takes on a more understated approach to telling the story of Fawcett and is a gripping biopic that highlights the man’s ambitious nature and profound belief in the eponymous city. Though it doesn’t have as much pulse-pounding action as Uncharted, the drama nonetheless dazzles audiences with its emotionally-driven script and the performances of its talented cast.
1 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Johnny Depp firmly established himself as both a major blockbuster draw and one of Hollywood’s finest leading men when he took on the iconic character of the perpetually drunk, riches-seeking pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in the 2003 swashbuckling adventure flick Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Joined by talented performers like Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Geoffrey Rush, the big screen smash hit focuses on Sparrow as he and blacksmith Will Turner set out to reclaim the eccentric pirate’s beloved ship and rescue Will’s lady love Elizabeth Swann, all the while fending off foes looking for curse-breaking Aztec gold.
The first installment in the epic film franchise was raved about by critics and audiences alike, earning praise for its rip-roaring action and memorable characters and for effectively combining elements of the fantasy, supernatural, and adventure genres. Depp is unparalleled as Jack Sparrow in the blockbuster picture and its massive success led to four exciting follow-up sequels.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
