Who can mistake the child-like appeal of movies like The Goonies and television shows like The Librarians where there are no limits as they go off in search of dazzling treasures worth more than money and adventures they'll remember forever? With some buzz around a possible National Treasure 3 in development, treasure-hunting movies and series must be binged.
While the tropes of travel, history, mysteries, and artifacts stay the same, these treasure-hunting films and series include unique ways of telling each adventurous journey into the unknown. With some being adapted from movies and video games to original stories, these action-packed series and movies will get you in the mood for treasure-hunting! TV shows and movies about treasure hunting aren't going out of style, with the very best ones capturing the thrill that comes with the search.
35 'Digman!' (2023)
Though critics don't particularly love it, those who love the sense of humor of Andy Samberg and The Lonely Island are sure to find tons to enjoy about Digman!, one of the best adult animated series of the 2020s so far. It's a tale of adventure and treasure-hunting set in a world in which archaeologists are massive celebrities and seen as the coolest people on the planet.
It's a silly, goofy romp; so, people looking for precisely that will be entirely satisfied. After all, every fan of treasure-hunting shows and movies loves to watch one that doesn't take itself too seriously from time to time. Loud, funny, and with charming animation that doesn't take too long to grow on you, it may not be a modern classic, but it sure is really enjoyable. —Diego Pineda Pacheco
34 'Without a Paddle' (2004)
There's something endearing about underrated early 2000s comedies, and Without a Paddle is a classic! After the death of a close childhood friend, Matthew Lillard, Seth Green, and Dax Shepard star as Jerry, Dan, and Tom decide to take the trip they dreamed of as children, to find DB Cooper's Treasure.
A down-to-earth adventure film, Without a Paddle is a story about friendship and keeping the inner child alive. The mix of personalities from Seth Green's paranoid doctor to Dax Shepherd's compulsive liar makes for a perfect combination of ridiculous encounters, including Burt Reynolds, who has been isolated in a cabin since the '70s.
33 'Mackenna's Gold' (1969)
Based on the novel of the same name, Mackenna’s Gold follows Mexican outlaw, John Colorado (Omar Sharif), who kidnaps US Marshal Sam Mackenna (Gregory Peck), believing that Mackenna has a treasure map of fabled gold hidden in the Cañon del Oro, which is guarded by Apache spirits. The rest of the ensemble cast features Telly Savalas, Ted Cassidy, Camilla Sparv, and Julie Newmar in leading roles.
A classic Hollywood Western, Mackenna’s Gold recounts how the lure of gold corrupted various people from all walks of life. The film is recognized for its visuals, sound effects, and effective use of Panavision. Even though it has been critiqued for its absurdity, Mackenna’s Gold is a fun and fast-paced treasure hunt film that effectively leans into its campiness. Despite its commercial failure in North America, the film garnered widespread popularity in international markets and became a major box office success in the Indian subcontinent. —Maddie P
32 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' (2017)
The fifth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, begins 13 years from At World’s End and follows the story of Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), Will Turner’s (Orlando Bloom) 12-year-old son, who lost his father to a curse on the Flying Dutchman, which can only be broken by the Trident of Poseidon. Henry recruits Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), and together they embark on a perilous mission to retrieve the mythical trident, while dodging the raging seas and Jack’s old and undead nemesis, Captain Armando Salazar (Javier Bardem).
While Depp’s Jack Sparrow steals the screen with his witty humor and eccentricity, as always, it does not discount the fine performances by Javier Bardem and Kaya Scodelario. Despite its mixed reviews, the brilliant visual effects and a high-stakes, swashbuckling escapade make Dead Men Tell No Tales a fun and exciting watch for franchise fans. —Maddie P
31 'King Solomon's Mines' (1985)
One of many cinematic adaptations of the classic 1885 novel, King Solomon's Mines transforms the classic adventure novel with a more comedic angle, deliberately parodying the success of the Indiana Jones series. The film follows acclaimed explorer Allan Quatermain (Richard Chamberlain) embarking on a journey with Jesse Huston (Sharon Stone) to help her locate her abducted archaeologist father, kidnapped for his extended knowledge of King Solomon's mines. Allan and Jesse travel into the depths of Africa as they encounter various natives and dangerous creatures on their perilous journey.
While the film may not have aged as gracefully as the Indiana Jones films, the distinct parody angle of the classic treasure-hunting adventure makes for a lighthearted fun time filled with 80s charm. If you can look past the array of untimely caricatures that have left the film dated, the sublime practical effects and cartoonish style of the film are enough to make it a great complementary watch to a more standard treasure-hunting adventure.
30 'Dora and the Lost City of Gold' (2019)
While the cutesy and colorful world of a preschooler's animated series doesn't initially seem like it would be the best fit for a treasure-hunting film, Dora and the Lost City of Gold is a pleasant surprise of comedy and adventure. The film follows the titular Dora, who, after having spent the vast majority of her childhood roaming and exploring the jungle, finds herself in unfamiliar territory when forced to attend a normal high school. However, she and her new classmates find themselves kidnapped and sent to the jungle, as they are on a race to find the elusive city of Parapata.
Dora and the Lost City of Gold finds success not by attempting to directly adapt and cater to the younger audiences of the original preschool show, but instead by acting as a manic, irony-soaked comedy for jaded audiences loosely familiar with the series. The comedy of the film is top-notch, combining classic coming-of-age high school tropes with the premise and setting of an adventure film to make for a hilarious, if not entirely original, treasure-hunting experience.
29 'Uncharted' (2022)
An adaptation of a popular video game of the same name, Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg headline this action-adventure film. Uncharted focuses on the origin of the classic treasure-hunting duo, Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan, as they search for the fortune of Ferdinand Magellan.
Uncharted's charm in the lovable characters is brought to life with the mix of tuxedo parties and lost caverns in the jungle. It may not be among the best treasure hunt movies, but being the origin story of the two main characters in the games, this fun film is the perfect gateway into treasure-hunting films!
28 'Tomb Raider' (2018)
Alicia Vikander's Tomb Raider is a film that's closer to the rebooted video game of the same name from 2013, which is a more gritty and realistic origin story. Lara Croft travels to Asia when she discovers her father's last known destination, when he is reported missing. Convinced he is still alive, she follows his footsteps in discovering a mystery surrounding the mythical Queen of Yamatai.
Following the Angelina Jolie Tomb Raider films of the early 2000s, Norwegian director Roar Uthaug took on the colossal task and delivered a suspenseful mystery and entertaining adventure full of twists and turns and packed with incredible stunts.
27 'Ready Player One' (2018)
Proving that treasure-hunting films don't have to take place in the vast, unexplored territories of nature to have a compelling adventure, Ready Player One takes its treasure-hunting escapades into an expansive future virtual world. The film takes place in a not-so-distant future where the vast majority of humanity spends their daily lives logged on a popular video game world that features limitless possibilities. When the creator of the game dies, he leaves behind clues to keys hidden within the game, with ownership of the game going to whoever can find all the keys.
While the constant creative expression and Easter eggs were a major selling point for Ready Player One, the treasure-hunting story and coming-of-age elements that Spielberg is famous for are what make the film work at its core. The film plays out like any other treasure-hunting movie would, with its heroes using various clues to explore vast locales and inching closer and closer to uncovering the location of the treasure, simply with a distinct sci-fi flair that is rarely seen in treasure-hunting movies.
26 'Jungle Cruise' (2021)
Taking inspiration from Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise attempts to adapt another one of Disney's classic theme park attractions into its own wild adventure film, this time with a distinct flair for treasure hunting and exploration. The film follows Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt), who, while on an expedition through the Amazon, enlists the help of wisecracking boatman Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) in a search for an ancient tree that could hold the answer to modern medicine.
While it's easy to see Jungle Cruise as just a simple romp that banks on the success of the Pirates franchise, the film does a great job of paralleling the same type of excitement and fervor that made the initial entries so enthralling. Blunt and Johnson are a great charismatic duo that work wonders off of one another, and the action present throughout the film is endlessly captivating and exciting to watch unfold. The film is certainly worth checking out, not just for treasure-hunting fanatics, but for those looking for a film that can scratch the same itch that the Pirates films were able to do.