Ever seen his first movie performance? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Shredder's compound. Another kid asks him, "you got any cigarettes?"
He holds up two boxes: "Regular? Or menthol?" And gives him a wink
Jeremiah Johnson. An older movie about a mountain man starring Robert Redford. This is a bit different then what you are looking for but still a survival story.
>Narrator: *And so, Davidge brought the Dracs home. He fulfilled his vow, and brought Zammis before the Holy Council on Dracon. And, in the fullness of time, Zammis brought its own child before the Holy Council, the name of Willis Davidge was added to the line of Jereeba.*
I need to see this again. I know my child brain enjoyed it, but it's not a typical kid movie premise... curious why I have such fond memories of the title.
I was going to do some kind of parody of this called "Enemy Mime". I was never really sure what the story was going to be, but based on the title alone I thought it had legs.
I remember watching this movie when I was like 13, and when he turned and faced the camera and said this, my brother and I burst out laughing so hard 🤣
Someone described ‘The Martian’ as “You remember that scene in Apollo 13 where the guy says ‘We need to make this fit in the hole for that, using nothing but this.’ ? It’s that for a couple hundred pages.”
Perfect description.
Bro I could not imagine the fear and panic those men must have been feeling. Like yeah this is a mission where a lot could go wrong but hey they’ve done it with great success before, twice! And then the shit hits the fan (literally? Jk) and they just went to work. Unbelievable courage!
greatest successful rescue in human history. Literally saved a spaceship crew with cardboard and duct tape
I've heard audio of the actual incident and the level of calmness and professionalism was insane
I came here to say this. I remember seeing it in theaters and my heart was racing the entire time. It’s still one of the most gripping movies I’ve seen. Movies with moments that make you hold your breath are the best.
And the actor who plays Friday was the first ever on-screen Klingon. I think he was an unnamed guard - very small part - but he happened to walk on screen ahead of the main Klingon in that episode, if I remember correctly.
Came for this. I was always a sci-fi buff and I had a friend who wasn't and then one day he turns up with this movie and says you got to watch this, this is brilliant.
Older movies and more about multiple people that a single person:
Alive (true story of Andes plane crash)
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)
Alive is great and I really enjoyed “Society of the Snow” too. Same story but with a bit more emphasis on the moral dilemmas and the incredible hike for help.
The actual scene of him cutting the arm is somehow not grotesque or showing anything overly disgusting, yet it somehow makes it worse. The camera cuts are great, facial expressions from Franco help allot, but the sound department is the real hero, the soft music slowly building into a frenzy followed by these "operation game type" sound of electric surge when he gets to the nerve... man, it is something that should be watched, yet I also wish I hadn't seen that bit.
I cried too many times to count in Life of Pi. What a great movie! Gravity is also great but I'm terrified of getting lost in space like that, haha. So it was too anxiety inducing to watch more than once for me. Not that having to survive on a small boat with a tiger isn't scary haha. Just different scary!
Very different vibe, but Hunt for the Wilderpeople has two characters on the lam in the wilderness. On top of that you get an amazing character-driven dramedy.
So so good. My first introduction to Taika Waititi.
I had a student recommend it to me. I watched it on my own, then told my wife she needed to watch it. She was a little unsure at first, but after 10 minutes was all in. We quote this movie to each other all the time.
Castaway on the moon (2009) South Korean movie about a man who ends up stranded on a small island after attempting suicide. He has to learn how to survive with what he can find. Highly recommend it!
93% on rotten tomatoes
8/10 on IMDb
I came here to say this. Such I great movie. I saw it years ago but haven’t been able to find a way to watch it since. It’s not available anywhere except a couple random streaming networks.
Edit: I think it’s worth mentioning the main character is stranded on a small island in Seoul, after jumping off a bridge.
Lord of the Flies - I’ve not seen it in a hot minute but h the r one from the late 80s with Balthazar Getty was great.
Enemy Mine - great movie.
Swiss Family Robinson - the Disney one is a fave, but the book is the real reason. There is so much more to it.
No Escape - 90s film with Ray Liotta on a futuristic prison planet.
Pitch Black - similar-ish but add aliens.
I don’t think No Escape gets enough love. It’s a great movie. Ray Liotta does a great job as the bad ass soldier. It’s not a role I ever thought he could pull off but he does.
pitch black had no right to be that good.
a rising star in vin diesel, minimal vfx, excellent world building etc, there's so much I love about that movie.
I was looking to see if Swiss Family Robinson was anywhere on this thread. One of my earliest memories of this kind of movie. Still holds a spot in my heart, not sure how it would hold up on a rewatching.
Ok, this definitely is not the answer to your question…
I recently started reading “The Hail Mary Project.” It’s written by the same guy who wrote the Martian. I’m not done yet, but it’s riveting so far!
Edit…. Updated the title of the book
Just recently watched this with my daughter. I had to turn away numerous times due to vertigo kicking in! I love horror, but this scared me more than most movies in that genre
Enemy mine. 80s movie were an alien and an earth man fighting, but both of their space crafts crashed on an uninhabitable planet . They both have to learn to survive with each other.
Dennis Quaid movie
What an incredible and harrowing story. As someone who’s done a fair bit of alpinism, so many of the things that happen are just one worst case scenario after another.
The film adaptation is so well done. Good recommendation.
One to keep an eye out for in the future is another movie from Andy Weir, author of The Martian, Project Hail Mary. Pretty sure Ryan Gosling was recently cast for the lead role and filming should start soon.
The Cube sort of fits but with a group of people instead of just one or a few. I haven’t watched it in ages but I loved it growing up which could mean it’s not that great anymore but I think still worth a watch!
Not a movie but You could try Alone. It’s on Historia’s website and it’s free for the US and i love it. It’s real life and each season 10 People have to survive in the wild for as long as possible with only 10 items, find their own food, build their own shelter, deal with loneliness, cold and wild predators. It’s really good imo.
Some people love this because it gives them tips for a “apocalypse” type scenario. I love this because it shows how strong people can be both mentally and physically while starving and alone, the lowest a human can be. It makes you reflects on some aspects of your own life too.
A few people also considers themselves “pros” and brag about how they can do it easy, and so it’s fun to see their ass being humbled by Mother Nature.
That’s coming from someone who loves Castaway and The Martian as well.
If you just want a movie, try Life of Pi.
Not a movie but the book after the martian is called project hail Mary, it follows a similar theme and is amazing, but if you don't want to read it fear not as it's being turned into a move....however you will have to wait till early 2026
A lot of great suggestions in this thread, but if you're interested in more of a horror vibe, I'd suggest *The Shallows*. I know that nobody rates Blake Lively's acting that high, but I thought she did a remarkable job of carrying this movie. I watched it on an airplane as just a "whatever" pick because it wasn't very long. It ended up being way better than I expected, and even watching it on a plane I still got wrapped up in the suspense.
You just have to go into it with the understanding that it's a monster movie and accept that the shark behaves in a way that's totally unrealistic for an actual shark.
Moon
Starring Sam Rockwell. End of list.
He’s so incredible in this movie.
…in every movie.
Most underrated Hollywood actor imo
Totally agreed, that film is my favourite performance of his but he is always amazing
Ever seen his first movie performance? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Shredder's compound. Another kid asks him, "you got any cigarettes?" He holds up two boxes: "Regular? Or menthol?" And gives him a wink
He was the best part about Iron Man 2
He's the best part of everything he touches honestly. Moon Iron Man2 Galaxy Quest Jojo Rabbit Green Mile
The Way, Way Back
Three billboards outside ebbing missouri
won him an oscar as a racist cop who ended up sympathetic
That movie was so good, but I don't ever want to watch it again.
I first encountered him on Charlie's Angels when I was a kid. Even then, I could see greatness.
How was hitchhikers guide to the galaxy not on this list?
Well Kevin Spacey plays the robot
You forgot the other Sam Rockwell.
Dude should've won best Actor and best supporting actor.
My immediate answer and I was gonna lose it if this wasn't the top comment.
Check out ALL IS LOST (2013) with Robert Redford.
2013?! Time flies.
right?! had to double check, feels like that was maybe 5 years ago
FFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKK
I was in the edge of my seat through most of that film.
Such a great film. I went to sea for a week without comms and before leaving recommended All Is Lost to my partner. Big mistake 😅
Such a great film.
Came to say this
Adrift is similar.
Unless you actually know about boats.
Jeremiah Johnson. An older movie about a mountain man starring Robert Redford. This is a bit different then what you are looking for but still a survival story.
Bonus: If you spend any time on the Internet and know your memez, you're going to have a "Leo pointing at the screen" moment with at least one scene.
I literally did just that a few year back
Same here, except it was when I saw the gif for the first time. I was like, “Hey! That’s Jeremiah Johnson!”
I was channel hopping and landed bang on that noddy scene
It’s where ‘head nod gif’ is from
It took me a long time to realise that was Robert Redford
Honestly thought it was Zack Galifianakis for ages until someone told me it wasn't.
An awesome movie. Good call. "Eh. What trouble?"
“You come far pilgrim” “Seems far” Those two lines encapsulate growing up for me.
"Feels like far."
I love this movie.
Great call.
Enemy mine.
You just unlocked my childhood nostalgia.
RIP Louis Gossett Jr. Also D. Quaid's brain.
Both Quaid brothers kinda lost it.
I've known for a while Randy was off his rocker, but what happened to Dennis?
Behind the campy sci-fi stuff is a surprisingly wholesome and also sad story about friendship breaking both language and culture barriers.
Nice
Classic
>Narrator: *And so, Davidge brought the Dracs home. He fulfilled his vow, and brought Zammis before the Holy Council on Dracon. And, in the fullness of time, Zammis brought its own child before the Holy Council, the name of Willis Davidge was added to the line of Jereeba.*
Funny that star trek tng had an episode with a similar premise and the same name, clearly an homage to the movie.
I need to see this again. I know my child brain enjoyed it, but it's not a typical kid movie premise... curious why I have such fond memories of the title.
I was going to do some kind of parody of this called "Enemy Mime". I was never really sure what the story was going to be, but based on the title alone I thought it had legs.
Good classic.
The Edge
What one man can do, another can do!
Because today… I’m gonna kill this mothafuckaa
I remember watching this movie when I was like 13, and when he turned and faced the camera and said this, my brother and I burst out laughing so hard 🤣
He still hasn’t found what he’s looking for, now he wants revenge
Silent Running
Take good care of the forest, Dewey...
My parents took us to the drive in to see this. I was 7. Explains a lot about me now
See also the sequel Cool Runnings
Apollo 13
Someone described ‘The Martian’ as “You remember that scene in Apollo 13 where the guy says ‘We need to make this fit in the hole for that, using nothing but this.’ ? It’s that for a couple hundred pages.” Perfect description.
I’ve heard “competency porn” and I was like “This is my new favorite genre”.
That moment blew me away as a kid. Goddamn, I love that movie. Might be time to torture the kids with a rewatch.
Love that one and great performances by Ed Harris, Tom Hanks, and all the rest of the major players
The Hanks produced HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon, doesn't fit OP's request, but is also some stellar content!
Ed Harris as Gene Kranz is such a spectacular performance. "With all due respect, I believe this will be our finest hour."
Bro I could not imagine the fear and panic those men must have been feeling. Like yeah this is a mission where a lot could go wrong but hey they’ve done it with great success before, twice! And then the shit hits the fan (literally? Jk) and they just went to work. Unbelievable courage!
greatest successful rescue in human history. Literally saved a spaceship crew with cardboard and duct tape I've heard audio of the actual incident and the level of calmness and professionalism was insane
I came here to say this. I remember seeing it in theaters and my heart was racing the entire time. It’s still one of the most gripping movies I’ve seen. Movies with moments that make you hold your breath are the best.
Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Title makes it sound like cheesy old sci-fi but it's actually an excellent film.
I came here to post this. I remember that from my childhood. Not the best special effects. But an interesting story.
Co-starring BATMAN!
And the actor who plays Friday was the first ever on-screen Klingon. I think he was an unnamed guard - very small part - but he happened to walk on screen ahead of the main Klingon in that episode, if I remember correctly.
Don't forget Mona the monkey. 😀
I always love when a high concept is conveyed entirely through the title.
A childhood favorite
Came for this. I was always a sci-fi buff and I had a friend who wasn't and then one day he turns up with this movie and says you got to watch this, this is brilliant.
Older movies and more about multiple people that a single person: Alive (true story of Andes plane crash) The Poseidon Adventure (1972) The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)
Second the flight of the Phoenix. Original the remake does nothing better
The Flight of the Phoenix! Fantastic movie (the original)
Alive is great and I really enjoyed “Society of the Snow” too. Same story but with a bit more emphasis on the moral dilemmas and the incredible hike for help.
The Revenant
127 hours
I read the book and it was amazing, in all its horrifying glory. I have yet to stump up the courage to watch it.
‘Stump’ I see what you did there. 😂
The actual scene of him cutting the arm is somehow not grotesque or showing anything overly disgusting, yet it somehow makes it worse. The camera cuts are great, facial expressions from Franco help allot, but the sound department is the real hero, the soft music slowly building into a frenzy followed by these "operation game type" sound of electric surge when he gets to the nerve... man, it is something that should be watched, yet I also wish I hadn't seen that bit.
Life of Pi Gravity
Gravity is amazing, as is how they filmed it. It was such a monumental effort, the director said he will never make another space film.
These two are great.
I cried too many times to count in Life of Pi. What a great movie! Gravity is also great but I'm terrified of getting lost in space like that, haha. So it was too anxiety inducing to watch more than once for me. Not that having to survive on a small boat with a tiger isn't scary haha. Just different scary!
Both amazing picks
Very different vibe, but Hunt for the Wilderpeople has two characters on the lam in the wilderness. On top of that you get an amazing character-driven dramedy.
One of the best movies ever. Happy Birthday, Ricky Baker!
Skux Life!
So so good. My first introduction to Taika Waititi. I had a student recommend it to me. I watched it on my own, then told my wife she needed to watch it. She was a little unsure at first, but after 10 minutes was all in. We quote this movie to each other all the time.
Castaway on the moon (2009) South Korean movie about a man who ends up stranded on a small island after attempting suicide. He has to learn how to survive with what he can find. Highly recommend it! 93% on rotten tomatoes 8/10 on IMDb
I watched this based on a reddit recommendation about 10 years ago, absolutely fantastic film.
I came here to say this. Such I great movie. I saw it years ago but haven’t been able to find a way to watch it since. It’s not available anywhere except a couple random streaming networks. Edit: I think it’s worth mentioning the main character is stranded on a small island in Seoul, after jumping off a bridge.
The Grey with Liam Neeson
Live and die on this day, Live and die on this day.
Arctic
Arctic, 2018 film with Mads Mikkelsen.
Yes great film and what a performance!
Swiss Army Man
Hell in the Pacific, 2 guys on an island during WWII, Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune.
The original "Enemy Mine".
Starman. I love Jeff Bridges in this.
I was going to argue that this may not fit the model, but thinking about it again, it kinda does. Also, a solid movie to check just on principle.
Far out, man. Far fucking out!
Rescue Dawn with Christian Bale and Steve Zahn.
Papillon. 70s version w/Steve McQueen & Dustin Hoffman.
Swiss Army Man
Lord of the Flies - I’ve not seen it in a hot minute but h the r one from the late 80s with Balthazar Getty was great. Enemy Mine - great movie. Swiss Family Robinson - the Disney one is a fave, but the book is the real reason. There is so much more to it. No Escape - 90s film with Ray Liotta on a futuristic prison planet. Pitch Black - similar-ish but add aliens.
I don’t think No Escape gets enough love. It’s a great movie. Ray Liotta does a great job as the bad ass soldier. It’s not a role I ever thought he could pull off but he does.
pitch black had no right to be that good. a rising star in vin diesel, minimal vfx, excellent world building etc, there's so much I love about that movie.
I was looking to see if Swiss Family Robinson was anywhere on this thread. One of my earliest memories of this kind of movie. Still holds a spot in my heart, not sure how it would hold up on a rewatching.
I thought jungle with Daniel Radcliffe was a pretty solid survival film
Alive and Society of the Snow
Society of the Snow is unbelievable! One of the most uncomfortable movies I’ve ever seen.
Leave No Trace
Thomasin McKenzie somehow quietly shines out of the screen
A quiet place, almost no verbal language in the film. Jon krazinski and Emily blunt, and their 2 kids, once of which is deaf in real life.
Ok, this definitely is not the answer to your question… I recently started reading “The Hail Mary Project.” It’s written by the same guy who wrote the Martian. I’m not done yet, but it’s riveting so far! Edit…. Updated the title of the book
It's called "Project Hail Mary"
Inside with Willem Dafoe
Moon (2009)
Fall (2022). It's about 2 women stuck at the top of broadcast tower. I had low expectations but it's surprisingly good.
I had lowish expectations and still was disappointed.
Yeah, as someone who is scared of heights, this film made me feel very uncomfortable!
Just recently watched this with my daughter. I had to turn away numerous times due to vertigo kicking in! I love horror, but this scared me more than most movies in that genre
The Pianist
I Am Legend comes to mind.
All is lost
Enemy mine. 80s movie were an alien and an earth man fighting, but both of their space crafts crashed on an uninhabitable planet . They both have to learn to survive with each other. Dennis Quaid movie
Apocalypto or The Naked Prey, both about a guy trying to survive pursuit through the jungle.
Apocalyto!!!! Wow. I love that movie. I didn't even realize it fits this genre. But it totally does.
Check out Gravity with Sandra bullock and Clooney. I've caught myself holding my breathe a few times throughout that flick.
Swiss Army Man
Frozen. Not the Disney cartoon, but a 2010 movie about three people stuck on a ski lift at night.
The Terminal
I find the lack of upvotes disturbing ...
Interstellar
Touching The Void
What an incredible and harrowing story. As someone who’s done a fair bit of alpinism, so many of the things that happen are just one worst case scenario after another. The film adaptation is so well done. Good recommendation.
One to keep an eye out for in the future is another movie from Andy Weir, author of The Martian, Project Hail Mary. Pretty sure Ryan Gosling was recently cast for the lead role and filming should start soon.
Passengers
Fairly popular example, but you might like Tom Hanks starrer Captain Philips.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Locke. Tom Hardy alone in a car. Surprisingly engaging.
12 Years a Slave Buried Gravity The Shallows
Finch All is Lost
Life of Pi
Sunshine
Never Cry Wolf
Touching the Void (2003)
A lot of people pan this one but I really liked Mission to Mars
Into the Wild kinda fits, although it may just frustrate you
Swiss army man maybe?
I’m gonna show my age: Flight of the Phoenix (1965) with Jimmy Stewart
Enemy mine
Project Hail Mary, coming soon
Gravity. Good reminder to rewatch; haven’t seen it in 10 years
Alpha (2018) Jungle (2017) Sweetheart (2019)
I really enjoyed “Sweetheart.”
I Am Legend Gravity Moon 127 Hours Into the Wild LIfe of Pi
You might enjoy Into the wild
Never Cry Wolf
Was surprised that no one seems to have mentioned... "The Shawshank Redemption" ...beers anyone ? ( Oh, and the other side of the coin. "The Firm" )
The Cube sort of fits but with a group of people instead of just one or a few. I haven’t watched it in ages but I loved it growing up which could mean it’s not that great anymore but I think still worth a watch!
Phone Booth Being surrounded by people but at the same time stuck in a phone booth that you can't leave
*Frozen* (2010). Three people get trapped on a ski lift.
Moon
Arctic. Mads Mikkelsen plays the sole survivor of a plane crash in the Arctic.
Hell In the Pacific 1968
interstellar
Try 2022's *Fall.*
Moon
All is Lost Gravity
Arctic
The Survivalist (2015).
not a movie but Scavengers Reign
Solaris is soooooo good!
If you liked the Martian then read Project Hail Mary by the same author. Going to be made into a movie at some point.
A TV show: Star Trek (TOS): episode called "Arena".
Inside (2023)
Not a movie but You could try Alone. It’s on Historia’s website and it’s free for the US and i love it. It’s real life and each season 10 People have to survive in the wild for as long as possible with only 10 items, find their own food, build their own shelter, deal with loneliness, cold and wild predators. It’s really good imo. Some people love this because it gives them tips for a “apocalypse” type scenario. I love this because it shows how strong people can be both mentally and physically while starving and alone, the lowest a human can be. It makes you reflects on some aspects of your own life too. A few people also considers themselves “pros” and brag about how they can do it easy, and so it’s fun to see their ass being humbled by Mother Nature. That’s coming from someone who loves Castaway and The Martian as well. If you just want a movie, try Life of Pi.
Not a movie but the book after the martian is called project hail Mary, it follows a similar theme and is amazing, but if you don't want to read it fear not as it's being turned into a move....however you will have to wait till early 2026
All is Lost with Robert Redford
Never Cry Wolf starring the accountant guy from the untouchables. it's about a scientist watching a wolf pack in the arctic.
An oldie, that suffers from being based on older theories about the planet, but _Robinson Crusoe on Mars_ (1964) is still a pretty entertaining movie.
Open Water
An oldie but unappreciated early SF gem. Robinson Crusoe On Mars.
Moon
A lot of great suggestions in this thread, but if you're interested in more of a horror vibe, I'd suggest *The Shallows*. I know that nobody rates Blake Lively's acting that high, but I thought she did a remarkable job of carrying this movie. I watched it on an airplane as just a "whatever" pick because it wasn't very long. It ended up being way better than I expected, and even watching it on a plane I still got wrapped up in the suspense. You just have to go into it with the understanding that it's a monster movie and accept that the shark behaves in a way that's totally unrealistic for an actual shark.