10 Best Hiking & Wilderness Movies

Although there are lots of movies that have adventure as a major theme, there are only a few that have hiking as the main topic. I have therefore taken some liberty with bringing in movies with different themes, but in all of them hiking and wilderness are major features. Do you know some other movies that should be on the list? Please add them and your ratings in the comments below!

Wild

Reese Witherspoon in Wild, based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir.

Set on the iconic North American Pacific Crest Trail, Wild explores the quintessential nature of long-distance wilderness hiking (through-hiking). It is based on the memoirs of Cheryl Strayed – played by Reece Witherspoon (which earned her an Oscar nomination) – who solo-hiked nearly 1 800 km of the trail after the breakdown of her marriage. Cheryl starts the hike as a complete rookie with an oversized backpack and no clue, and as she wrestles with the difficulties of the trail, she also journeys inward to reflect on her troubled life and the death of her beloved mom.
Metacritic rating: 76%
My rating: 85%

Into the Wild

Emile Hirsch as Christopher McCandless in Into the Wild.

The heart-wrenching, stunningly beautiful and ultimately tragic true-life story of Christopher McCandless’ search for truth, meaning and healing. His quest to make sense of life led him to rid himself of material possessions and travel across the United States, meeting people that shaped his worldview. He eventually hitch-hikes to Alaska, where he ends up living alone in the wilderness. Based on Jon Krakauer’s best-selling book, the movie contains exquisite nature scenes and a terrific soundtrack by Eddie Vedder.
Metacritic rating: 71%
My rating: 85%

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Taika Waititi’s hilarious and heartfelt New Zealand adventure.

A delightful and funny movie about Ricky, an overweight, problem-kid from the city, who gets adopted by Bella and Hector in the New Zealand countryside. When tragedy strikes and Child Services intervene, Ricky runs away and the reclusive Hector teams up with him to escape into the wilderness. Smart, quirky and heart-warming.
Metacritic rating: 81%
My rating: 80%

127 Hours

James Franco as Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle’s gripping survival drama.

Aron Ralston’s true story of survival after becoming trapped by a boulder while canyoneering in Utah. The film, with six Oscar nominations, cleverly oscillates between flashbacks and the present ordeal, culminating in the unthinkable act that saves his life. Brilliant filmmaking and unforgettable storytelling.
Metacritic rating: 82%
My rating: 80%

Captain Fantastic

Viggo Mortensen stars in Captain Fantastic, living off-grid in the Pacific Northwest.

Ben and Leslie Cash flee consumerist society and raise six children off-grid in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. When tragedy strikes, Ben must confront the outside world and his own ideals. Intelligent, funny and deeply human.
Metacritic rating: 72%
My rating: 75%

The Way Back

Peter Weir’s epic escape and endurance tale across Asia.

Based on the memoirs of Polish WWII prisoner Sławomir Rawicz, this gripping film follows prisoners escaping a Siberian gulag and walking 4000 miles through Asia to India. Even if partly fictionalised, it’s an extraordinary story of endurance and willpower.
Metacritic rating: 66%
My rating: 70%

The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey

Bilbo Baggins’ first steps into adventure.

Though lighter than the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the first Hobbit film beautifully captures Bilbo’s awakening to adventure — the moment he steps beyond comfort into the unknown. “The world is not in your books and maps, it’s out there.”
Metacritic rating: 58%
My rating: 60%

The Way

Martin Sheen walks the Camino de Santiago in The Way.

Tom, an American doctor, travels to Europe after his son dies while starting the Camino de Santiago. He decides to walk the pilgrimage himself, meeting companions who each carry their own burdens. A touching story that often inspires viewers to walk the Camino themselves.
Metacritic rating: 64%
My rating: 60%

A Walk in the Woods

Robert Redford and Nick Nolte tackle the Appalachian Trail.

Based on Bill Bryson’s best-selling memoir, this light-hearted film follows two ageing friends attempting the 2200-mile Appalachian Trail. It doesn’t reach the heights of the book but offers laughs and nostalgia for hikers and armchair travellers alike.
Metacritic rating: 51%
My rating: 55%

Bonus doccie

I did not consider the wealth of documentaries and docu-dramas out there. Here is a link, however, to the acclaimed Only the Essential documentary of the Pacific Crest Trail. Enjoy!

The acclaimed documentary Only the Essential follows hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail.