There Are Only 3 Perfect Adventure Movies, According To Rotten Tomatoes
These three classics are considered the best in the adventure genre.
Many of us grew up on adventure movies: some of us dreamed of conquering the seas like Captain Blood, some of us admired the antics of Lawrence of Arabia, some of us dreamed of a hat and whip like Indiana Jones, and some of us wished to be as daring a tomb raider as Lara Croft. Of course, the adventure genre is very difficult to pigeonhole, but what all these franchises do have in common is a love of the unknown, a quest for fame and glory, and an abundance of thrills along a perilous path.
The adventure genre has been around as long as cinema itself. And while plenty of these films have been critically and commercially acclaimed, not many of them have received a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes — not even any of the Indiana Jones installments have received that high of a rating! And yet they exist, and despite being decades old, each one is a great epic story. Let's take a look at three perfect adventure films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
3. Captain Blood
Release Date: December 28, 1935
Where to Watch: Prime, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft
Based on the 1922 adventure novel of the same name by Rafael Sabatini, this classic Hollywood film proved to be a true beacon of hope in the dark times of the Great Depression, offering one of the first types of 'unvanquished' male protagonists with the courage to face danger. In the late 17th century, Irish physician Peter Blood (Errol Flynn) is convicted of treason against King James II and sold into slavery in Port Royal, Jamaica. However, he and other slaves escape and become famous among the Brethren of the Coast as legendary and righteous buccaneers.
The film may seem a bit dated in 2024, but that doesn't stop it from being a great swashbuckler, and one that shaped the evolution of the adventure genre for many years to come.
2. The Adventures of Robin Hood
Release Date: May 14, 1938
Where to Watch: Tubi, Prime, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft, Spectrum
Next up is another classic swashbuckler, also starring Errol Flynn in the title role. Inspired by both the legends of Robin Hood and Walter Scott's famous novel Ivanhoe, the story follows legendary Sherwood Forest outlaw Sir Robin of Locksley, who not only robbed from the rich to help the poor, but also helped King Richard the Lionheart (Ian Hunter) regain the rightful throne usurped by his brother Prince John (Claude Rains).
The Adventures of Robin Hood not only reignited interest in English folklore, but proved to be a Technicolor masterpiece that gave pop culture one of the most recognizable adventure comedies.
1. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Release Date: January 24, 1948
Where to Watch: Prime, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft, Spectrum
Finally, with a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, is the cult adaptation of the 1927 novel of the same name by B. Traven, directed and written by John Huston. The story is typical of the Western genre and follows two broke Americans (Humphrey Bogart and Tim Holt) and a veteran prospector (Walter Huston) who head to the Sierra Madre Mountains in search of gold, encountering both outlaws and their own greed along the way.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre was one of the most unconventional films of its time, offering a brash and frank story with morally ambiguous characters rather than a polished adventure picture.