The Best Survival Films Ever Made Ranked

Not many film genres are as powerful as survival. Stories of individuals that survive tragedy have been made into unforgettable movies. Whether it’s redemptive prisoners, Holocaust survivors or space scavengers, the genre has produced strong characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite survival movies which deserve to be appreciated.

1. Jaws

Sharks are scary creatures that have always terrified me. Ever since I was a child, I have been scared of creatures that are wild. At an early age, I became terrified of stepping foot into waters that posed damage. Swimming is one of those activities I’ve never found truly appealing. Despite my parents’ insistence, I would refuse stepping foot into oceans which were frightening sight. I always had nerve-wracking feelings that something dangerous was lurking in seas that would end up eating me. My lifelong fear of sharks with sharp jaws began I watched “Jaws”. Following release in 1975, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood test of time as the greatest film made about survival. With the greatest film of his career, Spielberg used innovative cinematic techniques capturing sailors seeking to survive sharks evoking fear. Spielberg has always had aptitude for making survival movies, and “Jaws” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker.  One of the most common techniques Spielberg uses is close-ups of characters’ faces. In “Jaws”, Spielberg used close-ups to capture reactions of individuals witnessing sharks. For instance, the scene in which the camera zooms on Chief Brody’s terrified face as he witnesses sharks on beaches for the first time causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the monster genre. At the centre of it all is a stellar performance by Roy Scheider, who embodied an anxiety-ridden hero. Ultimately, what makes “Jaws” my favourite survival film of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the monster genre, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a relatable message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about sharks with sharp jaws, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a genre that deserves a loud round of deafening applause.

2. Cast Away

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my life changed when my family experienced a bombing causing damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old. Through my parent’s strong drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. As someone haunted by a bombing that left my family cast away, I adored “Cast Away”. Released in 2000, Robert Zemeckis’ movie captured a man stranded on an island facing tragedy. Zemeckis uses silence to capture a man stranded on an island in a harrowing experience. For instance, the scene in which Chuck Noland faces silence after he lands on the island after the plane crash causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a sympathetic survivor. Ultimately, what makes “Cast Away” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about stranded individuals, its themes resonate with everyone. The film delivers a strong message about survival resonating with everyone. A captivating portrait of men surviving on islands that are cast away, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured movies which deserve to be celebrated absolutely today.

3. The Pianist

The Holocaust is a subject matter that has fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He took great pride in teaching students about a genocide. As someone treasuring a teacher that loved to list facts about the Holocaust, I adored “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie honoured a Jewish pianist that survived WWII. With the most personal film of his career, Polanski captured a real-life Jewish pianist that survived warfare. Polanski has always excelled at using point-of-view shots in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Pianist”. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents causing trauma is one of the best moments of the survival genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Adrien Brody, who embodied a Jewish pianist that survived tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about survival which would resonate with everyone. 90 years after a Jewish pianist managed to survive ghettos in WWII, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to captivate producing movies audiences commonly value.

4. The Shawshank Redemption

Hope is something I’ve always found challenging finding. Several years ago, my life hit crushing lows when I began failing classes in school causing sorrow. Unable to cope with pressure posed by high school studies, I experienced intense anxiety. As someone that witnessed a lack of hope in a tense situation without redemption, I adored “The Shawshank Redemption”. Released in 1994, Frank Darabont’s movie captured hopeful prisoners seeking to survive in a prison causing catastrophe. Darabont has always had an aptitude for demonstrating emotions through voice-over narration, and his strengths as a filmmaker are evident in “The Shawshank Redemption”. For instance, the scene in which Red narrates his harrowing memories of the time when Andy escapes the prison causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Tim Robbins, who embodied a hopeful inmate overcoming adversity. Ultimately, what makes “The Shawshank Redemption” a timeless classic is its appeal. Unlike most prison movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about hope which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Andy’s desire for redemption, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that definitely deserves immense worldwide appreciation.

5. 12 Years a Slave

Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a bond with a friend taking interest in slavery. He sought to educate people in my school about a time he came to celebrate. My friend believed movies were an art that couldn’t capture a historical tragedy that tore lives apart. Few films I’ve seen have captured slaves with a strong drive to survive a time that was grave as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”. Released in 2013, Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning movie captured a real-life slave’s survival. McQueen beautifully used production-design to capture slaves facing a decline. For instance, the scene in which Solomon discovers that he bas been deceived by friends that sell him into slavery causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the survival genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who embodies a slave in American history. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” a survival classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about slavery, it tackles strong themes everyone can relate to. The film delivers a profound message about freedom which would resonate with everyone. Centuries after Solomon Northup miraculously survived slavery, it’s a spectacular reminder of a genre that has made movies that inspire people to overcome frightening adversity.

6. Adrift

When it comes to inspiring heroes that survived catastrophe in American history, it’s worth discussing Tami Aschcraft. In 1983, Tami faced a hurricane tragedy. A courageous woman, Ashcraft survived for 41 days on the Pacific Ocean. In 2018, Baltasar Kormakur honoured the woman that was adrift on the Pacific Ocean in his film “Adrift”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Adrift” stand out is its depiction of hurricanes. Kormakur uses captivating special effects capturing a woman that survived hurricanes which are frightening. Assisted by Shailene Woodley who is spectacular in the lead role, Kormakur created a captivating survival drama. Nearly 40 years after a courageous woman survived hurricane, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated genre that has manufactured captivating movies about survival which always entertain.

7. Life of Pi

One of the most common characteristics of the survival genre is themes of hope. The genre has often captured lives of characters with hope to survive disastrous situations. Hope that allows characters to survive situations which terrify is beautifully explored in “Life of Pi”. Released in 2012, Ang Lee’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about survival. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Life of Pi” stand out is its depiction of animal-human bonds. Ang Lee uses stunning CGI to capture the powerful bond between an Indian boy and tiger stranded in seas. Assisted by Suraj Sharma who is amazing in the lead role, Lee honoured legendary literature. As strong as Pi’s bond with Richard Parker, it’s a soul-stirring reminder of a genre that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences commonly treasure.

8. The Revenant

Hugh Glass is a legendary frontiersman that survived catastrophe. During the 19th Century, Glass was attacked by a grizzly bear that caused tragedy. Through a sheer miracle, Glass survived the worst disaster imaginable. In 2015, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu honoured the frontiersman with strong commitment to survive in his film “The Revenant”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Revenant” stand out is its visuals. Inarritu uses breathtaking visuals to capture a frontiersman seeking to survive catastrophe. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is exceptional in the lead role, Inarritu honours a commemorated fur trader that survived calamity centuries ago. As strong as Hugh Glass’ desire for survival, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated genre that has made movies audiences consider extremely special.

9. Room

Isolation has impacted my identity. Several years ago, I was locked up in a room for injuring my cousin. Driven towards insanity, I couldn’t cope with isolation. As someone haunted by memories of surviving in a room, I adored “Room”. Released in 2015, Lenny Abrahamson’s movie honoured a book about isolated mothers. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Room” stand out is its larger-than-life depiction of isolation. Abrahamson uses captivating confined locations to capture long-lasting bonds between a mother and her child. Assisted by Brie Larson who is amazing in the lead role, Abrahamson honoured literature about mothers. As strong as Ma’s desire to escape a room that’s isolated, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences have commonly appreciated.

10. A Quiet Place

Few movies ever made about families seeking to survive in a quiet place are as beloved as “A Quiet Place”. Released in 2018, John Krasinski’s horror movie captured a family seeking to survive in silence. Krasinski used captivating sound-design to capture a family seeking silent survival experiencing a decline. Assisted by Emily Blunt who is extraordinary in the lead role, Krasinski created a captivating silent survival movie. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s unrealistic depiction of a family that survives through silence has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Evelyn’s desire to survive in a quiet place, it’s a powerful reminder of a genre making movies about hardships survivors face which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking I embrace.