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15 Movies like National Treasure Full of Thrill-seeking Adventure

May 27, 2023
movies like national treasure

There’s nothing quite like the thrill you get while searching for treasure. This is probably why reality shows of that nature have been highly successful over the years. Hollywood does what it does best and puts this interesting concept on a massive scale through cinema, with huge stakes and frantic set pieces. Fans do love a good treasure hunt and this is why we’ve created a list of movies like National Treasure for you to go through.

National Treasure, directed by Jon Turteltaub, follows the story of Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and treasure hunter, who has gone on a life-long search for a treasure that dates back to the creation of the United States. He soon discovers a clue, which necessitates him getting his hands on the Declaration of Independence. This movie is a fun ride for fans, despite its somewhat unbalanced plot, which garnered some ire from movie critics. If you enjoyed National Treasure all the same, then here are 15 movies like Treasure Island that we’re sure you will enjoy too.

List of Movies like National Treasure

  1. The Mummy 
  2. Lara Croft: The Tomb Raider 
  3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 
  4. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 
  5. Fool’s Gold 
  6. Uncharted 
  7. Black Sea 
  8. The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines 
  9. Atlantis: The Lost Empire 
  10. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time 
  11. Lost City Raiders 
  12. TinTin and the Golden Fleece 
  13. Gold 
  14. Treasure Island 
  15. Blood Diamond 

1. The Mummy (1999)

The Mummy is among the list of suspenseful and epic movies like National Treasure. It follows the story of some explorers looking for treasure in the Sahara Desert. Set in the 1920s, these explorers get more than they bargained for when they release a 3000-year old priest who is back for revenge.

This movie is exciting from start to finish, and gained good reviews from fans and critics alike. It was praised for its great use of visual effects, and more energetic tone compared to the 1932 original which it is based off of, instead opting for a style more like an Indiana Jones film. 

2. Lara Croft: The Tomb Raider (2001)

Angelina Jolie is the titular character in Lara Croft: The Tomb Raider. The movie follows the story of Lara Croft, an orphaned millionaire heiress and archaeologist who goes on a dangerous adventure to retrieve an ancient artifact that has the power to control time itself.

Lara Croft is a movie which has widely varying reception from critics and audiences respectively. It was widely panned by critics, but got favorable reviews from movie goers, due to its exciting plot and the allure of Angelina Jolie. If you’re looking for a rollercoaster ride similar to films like National Treasure, then this might be the one for you.

3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

The Indian Jones franchise isthe benchmark for epic adventure stories, rivaling other franchises like Star Wars, Pirates of the Carribeans, and other movies similar to National Treasure. This is the franchise’s fourth installment, taking place 19 years after the events of the previous film. It’s set in 1957 and follows Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones as he searches for a telepathic crystal skull. 

The movie was a massive box office success earning $790.7 million from a $185 million budget. It’s a thrilling watch, And Harrison Ford gives a great and energetic performance well into his latter years, especially for a role so demanding. This is a movie that you definitely have to watch.

Also Read: Movies like Avatar

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is one of the epic adventure movies similar to National Treasure. For the first time we are introduced to the eccentric and hilarious Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp. Depp fully embodies the role of the pirate who leads his crew in pursuit of a valuable piece of treasure.

It was deemed as the best blockbuster of the summer of 2003, boosted by an ensemble cast of comically funny characters, and a good amount of frantic and exciting action set pieces. If you’re a fan of over-the-top action movies, then this one is made just for you.

5. Fool’s Gold (2008)

Matthew McConaughey shows up for the first time on this list, but not the last. He plays the character of Ben ‘Finn’ Finnegan, who is reeling from a wrecked marriage and a wrecked boat, while on a quest to find a treasure known as the Queen’s Dowry, in a similar vein to films like National Treasure.

Despite negative reviews, Fool’s Gold was able to garner a whopping $111 million at the box office, and has some recognizable faces in its cast, alongside McConaughey, including Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland, and comedian Kevin Hart. If you’re looking to sit back and enjoy a good mix of rom-com and action, then this movie is for you.

6. Uncharted (2022)

The most recent movie in this list is Uncharted. Uncharted, directed by Ruben Fleischer,features our friendly neighborhood Spider-man, Tom Holland, who plays Nathan Drake, and Mark Wahlberg as Victor Sullivan. Together they go on an adventure to recover a 500-year old fortune belonging to famous explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Uncharted is based on the best-selling video games series developed and published by Naughty Dog. It suffers a bit of the same pitfalls as most video game adaptations, but still found its audience especially fans of the franchise, as it made upward of $400 million at the box office. A high octane adventure similar to films like National Treasure, you definitely have to give it a watch.

7. Black Sea (2014)

Black Sea is another risky adventure similar to movies like National Treasure. The story is centered on a former naval officer Robinson, played by Jude Law, who puts together a crew of out-of-work sailors for a mission to find a huge stash of gold. Everyone is promised their fair share, but greed threatens to get in the way of everything.

Jude Law gives a magnetic and powerful performance in Black Sea, helping elevate this suspenseful thriller. It’s a story of how greed can always creep its way in. You should give this a watch if you’re a fan of films with a darker tone compared to movies similar to National Treasure.

8. The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines (2006)

In The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines, we follow the story of Noah Wyle’s Flynn Carlsen, an adventurer and Gabrielle Anwar’s Emily Davenport, a more highly qualified archaeologist than Carlsen. Together they use a map to search for the mines of King Solomon.

The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines is the second movie in the The Librarian franchise series, centered on Carlsen, who takes it upon himself to protect secret artifacts around the world. If you’re a fan of globe-trotting adventures, then why not give this one a try?

Also Read: Movies like Limitless

9. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

We have an animated feature next in Atlantis: The Lost Empire, which follows the story of an inexperienced young adventurer who discovers that he is the key to solving an ancient mystery. But to do that he needs to find the lost empire of Atlantis, an interesting adventure in the same vein as films similar to National Treasure.

Michael J. Fox voices Milo Thatch, a cartographer who has the goal of completing his late grandfather’s quest. This vision becomes a reality when a billionaire funds the expedition to discover the lost city of Atlantis, kicking everything into gear.

10. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

It’s another epic adventure similar to films like National Treasure, and yet another video game adaptation in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Dastan, the adopted son of the King of Persia, who gains access to unquantifiable power known as The Sands, after he is given a dagger.

With the help of an Alamut princess known as Tamina, played by Gemma Aerton, he goes on the run after being accused of killing his adoptive father. Together, they try to uncover the real truth behind the king’s death and those who plan on destroying their kingdom.

11. Lost City Raiders (2008)

In the Lost City Raiders, the year is 2048, the Earth and its inhabitants are suffering from massive flooding, with large bodies of water sinking huge skyscrapers. The story is centered on a man and his two sons who are given the task of finding an ancient lost relic located in one of these submerged buildings.

Full of dangerous adventures as in movies similar to National Treasure, the writers also manage to infuse a cool romantic subplot into its otherwise action-packed story. So if you’re looking for a mix of the two then you should give Lost City Raiders a watch.

12. TinTin and the Golden Fleece (1961)

An old-timey movie, TinTin and the Golden Fleece is full of thrills and adventure in the same way as films similar to National Treasure. It centers around the characters of TinTin, Professor Haddock, and Captain Haddock, all of whom inherit a ship known as the Golden Fleece.

They get caught in the middle between a group of pirates and the police, as they go on an adventure to search for treasure. It was first released in France and was followed up by its sequel, TinTin and the Blue Oranges, another whirlwind adventure, released in 1964, with the same actors reprising their roles.

13. Gold (2016)

As promised, Matthew McConaughey shows up again on Gold, a globe-trotting adventure similar to films like National Treasure. McConaughey is Kenny Wells, a prospector who goes on a journey to the Indonesian jungle to find gold.

The adventure through the forest contrasted well with his boardroom adventures back in Wall Street. The movie has been praised for the impressive acting performance by Matthew McConaughey as well as an exciting premise. If you enjoyed National Treasure, you’ll like this too.

14. Treasure Island (1990)

Treasure Island is based on the classic 1883 novel of the same name. A classic story that has been adapted countless times, and the benchmark for adventure storytelling, that movies like National Treasure seek to recreate or build upon. It stars Charlton Heston as Pirate Long John Silver who wants a boy’s treasure map for himself.

This young boy is Jim Hawkins, played by Christian Bale, during his child actor days. It stays true and accurate to source material. It makes use of a replica ship constructed solely for the purpose of filming, which is quite impressive if I say so myself.  

15. Blood Diamond (2006)

Leonardo DiCaprio is a white South African mercenary who goes on a quest to recover a rare gem in a war-ridden 1990s Sierra Leone. With the help of Jennifer Connelly’s Maddy Bowden and a black Mende fisherman they embark on their adventure to recover this potentially life-changing gem.

Of course, we are treated to a great performance by DiCaprio, as well as Djimon Hounsou’s performance as Solomon Vandy. All in all, it’s an enthralling watch full of gripping scenes and a frantic final act. It’s a must watch if you love adventure films like National Treasure.

Honorable Mentions

Here are a few movies like National Treasure that didn’t quite make the list but you can watch regardless:

1. Night at the Museum (2006)

2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

3. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)

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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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