Hollywood’s Golden Age saw an increase in adventure films, several of which hold up well to this day and are just as exciting for modern audiences.Adventure films were popular in the preceding decades in silent films, thanks to actors like Douglas Fairbanks. However, adventure films only continued to gain popularity during the Golden Age of Hollywood, ranging from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Though the adventure genre is incredibly diverse when it comes to the type of stories being told,several of the genre’s movies during this time were set in the past. Additionally, many adventure films during the Golden Age were centered around pirates and sword-wielding protagonists.
These films introduced audiences to those who would becomeprominent actors from Hollywood’s Golden Age, including Burt Lancaster, Tyrone Power, and Errol Flynn. The greatest adventure films of the era display awe-inspiring action scenes and memorable protagonists that have allowed them to endure as some of the genre’s best all these years.
10Moby Dick (1956)
Though John Huston’s film may not always cover the scope of Herman Melville’s writing,Moby Dickis still an exciting adventure film coming from Hollywood’s Golden Age.The film stars Gregory Peck and Richard Basehart as Captain Ahab and Ishmael, respectively, telling the story of Ahab’s obsession and desire to get revenge against the titular white whale.
Certain elements of the film’s casting have earned criticism over the years, butMoby Dickstill delivers a visually striking and immersive film that keeps hold of the audience’s attention.Moby Dickmanages to gradually build up the tension throughout its runtime, leading to an intense and technically adept confrontation between man and animal.
9Captains Courageous (1937)
BeforeThe Wizard of OzandGone with the Wind, Victor Fleming directed the adventure dramaCaptains Courageous. Based on Rudyard Kipling’s novel of the same name, andworking as both an adventure and a coming-of-age movie,Captains Courageoussees the spoiled son of a business mogul embarking on a journey of self-discovery.
Freddie Bartholomew delivers an admirable performance as the young son, Harvey, and naturally gains the audience’s interest in his rewarding character arc.Balancing outCaptains Courageous' heartfelt narrative are an abundance of fun action sequences. With its strong performances and stunning cinematography,Captains Courageousholds up well as a film that’s enjoyable for all ages.
8Journey To The Center Of The Earth (1959)
Journey to the Center of the Earthfollows a geologist and a group of colleagues as they travel to the center of the Earth, bumping into various antagonists along the way. It has a few weak moments throughout, butit’s difficult not to get wrapped up inJourney to the Center of the Earthand have a good time.
More so than the other adventure films mentioned,Journey to the Center of the Earthhas a lot of fun, embracing the stock characters, predictable villains, and dated special effects that come with older sci-fi adventure movies.Journey to the Center of the Earthrevels in the absurdity of its premise, making for an amusing watch every time.
7The Sea Hawk (1940)
After movies likeThe Case of the Curious BrideandCaptain Blood, Errol Flynn and director Michael Curtiz reunited once again for the pirate adventure filmThe Sea Hawk. Centered around England’s clash with Spain,The Sea Hawkis filled with espionage and sword fights.
The film sees Flynn’s pirate Geoffrey Thorpe make a deal with Queen Elizabeth Iin which he attempts to raid a Spanish ship. At the same time, Thorpe begins falling in love with a woman captured amidst the conflict. Like many films from Hollywood’s Golden Age,The Sea Hawkhas its dated elements, but holds up well a a thrilling adventure film.
6The Crimson Pirate (1952)
Featuring one of the most famous on-screen collaborations between real-life acrobat partners Burt Lancaster and Nick Cravat,The Crimson Pirateis a high-octane comedy adventure film worth watching. Taking place in the late 18th century,The Crimson Piratefollows Lancaster’s Captain Vallo after he becomes involved in a Caribbean rebellion.
The Crimson Piratecontains the expected thrills and conflicts of a classic pirate film, but is greatly elevated thanks to Lancaster’s skills as an acrobat.Lancaster’s infectious energy keeps the film’s momentum goinguntil the very end. The actor has earned high praise for his performance, being positively compared to silent film star and celebrated swashbuckler actor Douglas Fairbanks.
5Captain Blood (1935)
Errol Flynn is well-known for his swashbuckler roles during Hollywood’s Golden Age, with his breakthrough being made possible following the success ofCaptain Blood. In the adventure film,Flynn plays Peter Blood, a formerly imprisoned doctor who escapes captivityto become a pirate.
Captain Bloodcontains all the charm and liveliness of a classic swashbuckler filmof the time, which makes up for the movie’s weaker narrative and provides the ideal setting for Flynn to show off his skills as a performer. It’s no wonder that afterCaptain Blood, Flynn began to be seen as the next Douglas Fairbanks.
420,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954)
A relatively faithful adaptation of Jules Verne’sTwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas,Richard Fleischer’s sci-fi adventure film of the same name is one of Disney’s best. Released when Hollywood’s Golden Age was coming to an end,20,000 Leagues Under the Seahas everything audiences could want out of an adventure film.
20,000 Leagues Under the Seadelivers an appreciated amount of tension, especially during a memorable confrontation with a giant squid.20,000 Leagues Under the Seafollows a master harpooner and his crew as they investigate claims of a monster attacking ships. The crew then meets the mysterious Captain Nemo aboard his submarine, portrayed with great intensity and depth by James Mason.
3King Kong (1933)
Differing slightly from the other movies mentioned,King Kongremains an essential adventure film from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Today,King Kongis celebrated asan iconic monster movieasit introduced audiences to one of pop culture’s most recognizable movie charactersand laid the groundwork for the ongoing media franchise of the same name.
Combining live action sequences with stop-motion animation,the best fights inKing Kongwere seen as groundbreaking in the early ’30s, despite their shoddy quality by today’s standards.The innovative special effects by Willis H. O’Brien inKing Konghave made a significant impact on the film industry, inspiring similar monster movies likeGodzilla.
2The Mark Of Zorro (1940)
First made famous by Douglas Fairbanks in the silent film of the same name,the character of Don Diego Vega was cemented as a swashbuckling icon in the 1940s movieThe Mark of Zorro. Portrayed by Tyrone Power in the film,Zorro has all the makings of a modern superhero, providing audiences with an adventure film ahead of its time.
The character has continued to appear in various movies and TV shows throughout the years, most notably in the Martin Campbell films starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Today,The Mark of Zorrois recognized as one ofthe best swashbuckler movies of all timeas a result of its captivating action sequences and powerful score by Alfred Newman.
1The Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938)
Setting the standard for the adventure films that followed is the Errol Flynn-led swashbuckler film,The Adventures of Robin Hood. IfCaptain Bloodpropelled Flynn into fame,it wasThe Adventures of Robin Hoodthat cemented the actor as a reliable swashbuckler protagonist. Flynn portrays the title character in the film, fighting against those oppressing commoners.
The story inThe Adventures of Robin Hoodis timeless, and the action is just as impressive by today’s standards as it was upon the film’s initial release. Easily consideredFlynn’s best movie,The Adventures of Robin Hoodsees the actor effortlessly slip into the heroic role,setting the standard for the subsequent depictions of the character.
