2022’sUnchartedserved as an adaptation of the popular video game of the same name.Uncharted’s castis led by MCU actor Tom Holland as Nathan Drake and Mark Wahlberg as Victor “Sully” Sullivan, two treasure hunters looking for treasure left behind by the Magellan expedition. After realizing that his brother is missing, Nate has no option but to join Sully on his quest for the treasure, but several enemies come after them along the way. While the pairing ultimately find the treasure,Uncharted’s endingsees them lose it again and raises questions about the series' future.
Now thatUnchartedis streaming on Max, the movie has become popular once again, with audiences enjoying the action sequences and the unfolding adventure. ThoughUnchartedreceived mixed reviews, it was very successful at the box office and has grossed $407.1 million (viaBox Office Mojo). While the movie did receive some criticism for its differences from the video game, a sequel was still confirmed. However, three years afterUncharted’s release,Uncharted 2is still in the works, with no filming dates, let alone a release date, set. Luckily, in the meantime, there are many great options to watch next.
The Lost City
Cast
Originally titled The Lost City of D, The Lost City is a romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. Bullock stars as Loretta Sage, a novelist, as well as Dr. Angela Lovemore, the heroine of her successful romance series. Together they attempt to escape from a billionaire who is hell-bent on discovering an ancient burial chamber that is described in one of Sage’s books.
The Lost Cityis the perfect follow-up toUnchartedfor audiences who want a more comedic take on an adventure movie. WhileUncharteddoes have some funny moments,The Lost Cityis undeniably funny throughout, due to the combination of great jokes and great delivery by stars Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. The movie sees Bullock become a reclusive archaeologist turned romance writer, with Tatum as her handsome cover model. While Bullock’s Loretta is the more uptight-intelligent character, she is perfectly balanced by Tatum’s characterization of the funny and faux-heroic Alan.
The comedy makes use of the best treasuring hunting and mystery aspects ofUncharted, and it successfully adds its own layers of romance and humor.
The unlikely, but perfect, pairing also contrasts well with Daniel Radcliffe’s intentionally ridiculous villain, who is convinced that Loretta knows the location of a hidden treasure. On the whole,The Lost Citywas very well received, and it is easy to see why. The comedy makes use of the best treasuring hunting and mystery aspects ofUncharted, and it successfully adds its own layers of romance and humor. WhileThe Lost City’s release may not have been as big asUncharted, it is definitely worth a watch.
Black Sails
Acting as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, Black Sails chronicles the story of Captain James Flint, detailing how Flint turned from a British Naval officer to a notorious pirate and his adventures with his crew in the Caribbean. Toby Stephens stars as Flint, and the series features many fictionalized versions of real-life pirates such as Anne Bonny and Blackbeard.
The seriesBlack Sails, and particularly its first season, focuses on treasure hunting pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy in the second half of the 17th century.The series serves as a prequel to the novelTreasure Islandby Robert Louis Stevensonand focuses on some of the same characters.Black Sailsdeals both with the pirates' search for the Urca de Lima treasure and with the reaction of various governments to piracy during this time period, making it a darker take on treasure hunting than the one presented inUncharted.
Though the tone ofBlack Sailsis somewhat different fromUncharted, this actually works in its favor as the show feels more targeted towards adult audiences. The series is able to explore unique storylines featuring some well-known fictional and real pirate characters, but it never loses the sense of adventure that makesUnchartedso fun to watch. On top of its entertainment value,Black Sailswas very well received throughout its run.The series won three Emmy Awards out of 10 nominations, proving that audiences and critics alike enjoyed the show.
Assassin’s Creed
Assassin’s Creed is a 2016 action-adventure film directed by Justin Kurzel. Starring Michael Fassbender as Callum Lynch, the film follows Lynch as he relives the memories of his ancestor, Aguilar, through revolutionary technology. Set within a secret society of Assassins protecting free will against a powerful Templar organization seeking control, the narrative weaves through historical and contemporary settings, illuminating ancient conflicts. The film also stars Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons.
BeforeUnchartedbecame a successful video game adaptation, there was 2016’sAssassin’s Creed, which was inspired by the game of the same name. The film stars Michael Fassbender as Callum “Cal” Lynch, along with Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, and Brendan Gleeson in supporting roles. While the character Cal and the story of theAssassin’s Creedmovie were created independently of the games,there is very clear inspiration from games present throughout certain elements of the story in the same way asUncharted.
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Assassin’s Creedfollows Cal as he learns that he is descended from the historical Order of Assassins and that, using the animus, he has the power to access the skills of those ancestors. Similar to the games, the 2016 movie questions the balance between free will and order and humanity’s place in that struggle. WhileAssassin’s Creedmay seem quite different fromUnchartedin terms of plot,the two movies both work well for fans of popular video game adaptations, and, as a bonus, each is full of nonstop action.
Relic Hunter
Sydney Fox, a globe-trotting professor, retrieves ancient artifacts for museums or rightful heirs, aided by her assistant Nigel and secretary Claudia. She often faces rival hunters seeking artifacts for financial gain.
Relic Huntermay not have become as popular as some of its filmic treasure hunting counterparts, but the series is still entertaining several decades later.Relic Hunterfollows an archaeologist named Sydney Fox and her assistant, Nigel, who work for a fictional university named Trinity College and go on adventures to find historical artifacts. Along the way, Sydney often has to fight off various other groups who want to claim the different relics for themselves.
UnlikeUncharted’s movie format, each episode ofRelic Hunteris able to tell a new story.
What makesRelic Huntersuch a great pairing withUnchartedlies precisely in the series format. The concept of the show itself has some definite similarities due to the treasure hunting and Sydney’s action-packed fights with enemy hunters. UnlikeUncharted’s movie format, each episode ofRelic Hunteris able to tell a new story. This means that the series is the perfect next watch for fans ofUnchartedwho want even more of the treasure-hunting aspect, andwith 66 episodes, there is plenty of adventure to go around.
The Mummy
The Mummy, released in 1999, follows dashing legionnaire Rick O’Connell as he discovers the hidden ancient city of Hamunaptra in 1920s Egypt. The adventure unfolds with the accidental awakening of Imhotep, a former High Priest who was cursed over three thousand years ago, threatening doom upon the world.
The 1999 action adventure movieThe Mummy,starringBrendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, creates the perfect unexpected pairingfor a treasure hunt movie. Fraser’s Rick O’Connell is confident and suave and Weisz’s Evelyn Carnahan is smart but sometimes bumbling, and their dynamic is a large part of what has made the movie so beloved throughout the years. The movie takes place in 1926 as Evelyn hopes to find the lost city of Hamunaptra and hires Rick to guide her there.
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While the pair, along with Evelyn’s brother, make their way to the city of the dead, they must race against other groups to get there first and avoid the supernatural watchers who guard the city. Most importantly, the group has to survive the mummy himself, adding an element of the supernatural to the already exciting adventure movie.The Mummy’s combination of exciting plot and charismatic performances create something special within the treasure hunt genre, as few of its successors have been able to capture that same charm.
5Blood & Treasure (2019-2022)
The Series Has Great Action
The CBS and Paramount+ seriesBlood & Treasurecombines aspects of both the treasure hunt genre and the spy genrefor a very unusual but great result. The series centers on a former FBI agent who works with a former art thief to track and repatriate stolen antiquities and, more importantly, stop terrorists who plan to use the antiquities to their own advantage. While the terrorists plan to use the stolen artifacts to fund their plans, the main characters, Danny and Lexi, attempt to remain hot on their tails.
The series cleverly incorporates historical aspects, action sequences, and adventurous travel while remaining focused on the fight between the good and evil characters.
ThoughBlood & Treasurereceived mixed reviews from critics, audiences were much more positive. The series currently holds an 87% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that it is definitely worth a watch. The series cleverly incorporates historical aspects, action sequences, and adventurous travel while remaining focused on the fight between the good and evil characters. Though the series ultimately only ran for two seasons, it was an audience favorite while it was on.
The Lost City of Z
Based on author David Grann’s nonfiction bestseller, The Lost City of Z retells the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett, who journeys into the Amazon and discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization that may have once inhabited the region. Despite being ridiculed by the scientific community, which regards the indigenous populations as “savages,” the determined Fawcett – supported by his devoted wife, his son, and his aide de camp – returns time and again to his beloved jungle in an attempt to prove his case.
After Tom Holland’s exciting performance inUncharted, instead of following up with theSpider-Manmovies,watchThe Lost City of Zinstead.The star-studded movie is led by Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattison, and Sienna Miller along with Hollandas explorers of the Amazon rainforest who believe there to be a secret city hidden in the Brazilian jungle. The movie is based on the true story of the explorer Percy Fawcett (Hunnam) who was determined to find the lost city after years of failure and multiple expeditions.
The Lost City of Zis based on the non-fiction book of the same name by David Grann, who has also written the well-known booksKillers of the Flower MoonandThe Wager.
Though bothUnchartedandThe Lost City of Zdo share the theme of treasure hunting and adventure, the two movies have very different tones. However, this difference is perfect because it allows Tom Holland to showcase very different sides of his acting abilities. WhileThe Lost City of Zunderstandably still has to be entertaining,the movie is much more focused on the seriousness of undertaking major and dangerous journeysand the historical situations of the characters.The Lost City of Zis great precisely because it takes a different approach to many popular adventure movies.
Outer Banks
Outer Banks follows a group of teenagers in the Outer Banks of North Carolina as they uncover a legendary treasure linked to the mysterious disappearance of the group’s leader’s father, leading to a series of dangerous and thrilling adventures.
Outer Banksfeels like it could take place in the same universe asUncharted, due to the show’s light and often humorous tone and non-stop adventure. The Netflix series currently has four seasons, and afifth and final season ofOuter Banksis still in the works.Outer Banksfollows a group of teenagers in the Outer Banks of North Carolina who become involved in a centuries-old treasure hunt to find lost gold. While the series began with facets of the characters' everyday lives, it has become increasingly international and the stakes have risen.
SinceOuter Banks' premiere in 2020, it has undoubtedly become one of Netflix’s most successful and popular series. To this point,its most recent season actually holds a stunning 100% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Where some critics ofUnchartedhave criticized the casting and dynamic between Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg,Outer Banks' cast has consistently great chemistry and enlivens even the most tense moments of the show. As an added bonus, Rudy Pankow, who plays JJ, even appears briefly as Sam Drake inUncharted.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, directed by Simon West, stars Angelina Jolie as the titular character. Released in 2001, the film follows the skilled archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft as she seeks to recover powerful ancient artifacts while battling enemies who wish to harness their power for nefarious purposes. The movie combines elements of action and adventure, showcasing Jolie’s portrayal of the iconic video game heroine.
Just asUnchartedbecame a sensation due to its history as a popular video game, so did the 2001 movieLara Croft: Tomb Raider. The titular character, Lara Croft, is played by Angelina Jolie, and despite negative reviews of some aspects of the movie, her performance has been praised as a high point.Similar to the game, Lara Croft is an adventurer with a background in archeology, and she fearlessly attempts to stop the Illuminati from assembling a powerful artifact known as The Triangle.
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ThoughLara Croft: Tomb Raiderreceived mostly negative reviews from critics, nothing can detract from how fun the movie is. It may not be the most serious take on the adventure genre, but its entertainment value was certainly there for audiences, asLara Croft: Tomb Raiderbecame one of the most financially successful video game adaptations of its time. It was also followed by a sequel,Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Lifein 2003, giving audiences yet another chance to enjoy the popular video game character in action.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The most popular and well-received film in the Indiana Jones movie franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark follows Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones in a race against Nazi forces to recover the famed Ark of the Covenant. Aided by his former lover, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy must work to keep the Nazis, led by Dr. Rene Belloq, from obtaining the Ark and thus becoming recipients of its power. The film is widely regarded as one of the all-time greatest movies ever made.
If any movie could be considered an inspiration for the adventure video games and movies of the past decades, it is certainlyRaiders of the Lost Ark.Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones is the archetypal adventure hero and treasure hunter, and the perfect character to pair with Tom Holland’s Nathan Drake and Mark Wahlberg’s Sully. Overall,Raiders of the Lost Arkand the following movies in the Indiana Jones series are necessary watches for any fans of treasure hunting movies.
Raiders of the Lost Arkperfectly combines the best of action and adventure movies with bits of romance and humor in a way that numerous genre movies have attempted to do since.
The Steven Spielberg film sees Indiana Jones travel to Egypt to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can, but he must face plenty of obstacles along the way.Raiders of the Lost Arkperfectly combines the best of action and adventure movies with bits of romance and humor in a way that numerous genre movies have attempted to do since. While waiting for anUnchartedsequel,Raiders of the Lost Arkand the whole Indiana Jones series show just how comforting and fun treasure hunting movies can be.
Uncharted
Uncharted is a prequel to the video games it takes its inspiration from, providing backstory into Nathan Drake and how he crossed paths with Victor “Sully” Sullivan, who becomes a friend and mentor.
