Do you enjoy movies about treasure hunters searching for lost treasure? If so, you’re in luck because there are plenty of great movies like “National Treasure” that fit this description.
About “National Treasure”
“National Treasure” is an exciting adventure film starring Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates.
Gates is a historian and amateur cryptographer searching for a substantially lost treasure. The loot includes precious metals, jewelry, artwork, statues, and many other historic artifacts accumulated over time.
The movie “National Treasure” follows Gates and his team trying to decipher clues left by the Masons. He must find the treasure before it falls into the wrong hands.
Along the way, they must outwit jealous rivals, and dodge traps set by the treasure’s previous guardians. Ultimately, whether or not they find the treasure is secondary to the thrill of the hunt itself.
If you loved “National Treasure, ” you’re in for a treat! Here are some movies like “National Treasure” that will get your adrenaline pumping.
The Lost City of Z (2016)
“The Lost City of Z” is based on the 2009 book of the same name by David Grann. In 1905, Fawcett ventured into the Amazon jungle, searching for a lost city that he believed was the home of an ancient civilization.
Accompanied by his son Jack and fellow explorer Raleigh Rimell, Fawcett faced many dangers during his journey. The adventure includes dangerous animals, harsh weather conditions, and hostile tribes.
Despite the risks, the treasure hunter, Fawcett, was determined to find the lost city. He believed it would prove that a great civilization had once existed in the Amazon.
Although Fawcett ultimately disappeared during his final expedition in 1925, his story fascinates people to this day.
If you’re looking for a movie based on a book full of adventure, then this is the perfect film for you.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
“Sherlock Holmes” is a 2009 mystery thriller film directed by Guy Ritchie. Produced by Joel Silver, it’s based on the same name characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as his trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $524 million at the box office. It also earned two Academy Award nominations.
The film’s story revolves around Holmes and Watson’s investigation of a series of murders that have been committed by a sinister villain known as Professor Moriarty.
As they try to solve the case, they must outsmart Moriarty at every turn, leading to a showdown that could have deadly consequences.
If you’re looking for adventure movies with plenty of twists and turns, then “Sherlock Holmes” is the perfect film for you. A sequel, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”, was released in 2011; you can check it out too.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Director Steven Spielberg’s action-packed 1981 adventure film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is now considered one of the greatest films ever made.
The film, which had a budget of $20 million and went on to earn more than $389 million at the box office, stars Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones.
He played the role of an archaeologist who gets information from an intelligence officer that the Nazis were digging at Tanis, Egypt, for the Ark of the Covenant.
Jones now has to race against time to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the wrong hands.
Along the way, Jones now has to contend with vicious snakes, treacherous traps, and a rival archaeologist (played by Paul Freeman) who will stop at nothing to claim the Ark for himself.
Thanks to Spielberg’s masterful direction and Ford’s magnetic performance, Raiders of the Lost Ark remains a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
The film opens with Indiana Jones arriving in India in 1935. He is quickly met by a group of desperate villagers who ask him to find a treasure map that will lead them to a mystical stone.
Indiana agrees to help the villagers and sets off on an adventure to find the treasure. He encounters a Thuggee cult practicing child slavery, black magic, and ritualistic human sacrifice. Indiana ultimately defeated the cult and went on a treasure hunt, leading him to Doom’s Temple.
Inside the temple, Indiana finds a considerable treasure trove of priceless artifacts. He also rescues the villagers’ children from the cult and returns them safely to their homes.
It is the second part of the Indiana Jones franchise, a prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Harrison Ford reprises his role as Indiana Jones. If you are a fan of movies similar to “National treasure,” the Indiana Jones franchise is a great pick.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” is a 1989 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, from a story by executive producer George Lucas. The archaeologist professor, Indiana Jones, is played by Harrison Ford in the third installment of the Indiana Jones film series.
The film is full of Nazi villains, booby traps, car chases, and fistfights. In the film, Jones is on a quest to find his father, Henry Jones Sr., who has disappeared while searching for the Holy Grail. Indiana has to overcome obstacles such as snakes and traps set by the Grail’s guardians to see him.
If you’re looking for some action-packed treasure hunt adventure movies like National Treasure, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ” is a perfect choice.
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
“The Da Vinci Code” is a 2006 American mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard, written by Akiva Goldsman, and based on Dan Brown’s 2003 best-selling novel.
The film stars Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Sir Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina, Jürgen Prochnow, Jean Reno, and Paul Bettany.
The story follows Robert Langdon, a professor of religious symbology from Harvard University, who becomes the prime suspect in the grisly and unusual murder of Louvre curator Jacques Saunière.
Langdon now has to decipher a series of clues left at the crime scene to clear his name and solve the mystery of who killed Saunière.
The budget for “The Da Vinci Code” was $125 million. Box office receipts totaled $760 million, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of 2006.
This film is not about lost treasure but is undoubtedly a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. It is an epic family film that will keep you guessing the next scene like the twists in the movie “National Treasure.”
Angels & Demons (2009)
“Angels & Demons” is a 2009 American mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard. The film is based on Dan Brown’s 2000 novel of the same title.
It is the second installment in the Robert Langdon film series, and it is a sequel to “The Da Vinci Code” (2006), also directed by Howard. On the other hand, the novelization was released first and served as a prequel to “The Da Vinci Code” book.
The story follows symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) as he tries to solve a murder and prevent a terrorist attack in Rome.
The film grossed over $485 million worldwide and received mixed reviews from critics; many praised the direction, cinematography, and production design.
If you’re looking for an exciting mystery thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, “Angels & Demons” is worth watching.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
Director Simon West brought exciting action and non-stop thrills to the movie “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.” Starring Angelina Jolie in the title role, the film opened in packed theaters and grossed impressively on its opening weekend.
The first film of the franchise, The sequel, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, was released two years later and was also a huge success.
The story follows treasure hunter Lara Croft as she travels the world searching for rare and valuable artifacts. Along the way, she has to outwit treacherous villains and overcome deadly traps. The film crossed over $274.7 million at the worldwide box office.
If you’re looking for more movies like National Treasure, then the “Tomb Raider” series is a great choice. West expertly balances thrilling action sequences with moments of humor, resulting in a highly entertaining film. This movie is a fun and exciting ride from start to finish and will please fans of the video game series.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)
In “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life,” directed by Simon West, Angelina Jolie stars as the titular treasure hunter.
The story follows Lara t as she searches for the legendary Pandora’s Box. According to legend, the box contains a deadly virus that could wipe out half of the world’s population.
The film was released in 2003 to mixed reviews, with critics praising the action sequences but criticizing the lack of character development. The film was not as successful as the first film; despite this, it grossed $156 million at the box office, making it a financial success.
Jolie’s performance as Lara got praised by both critics and audiences, and she won several awards for her portrayal of the iconic character.
Croft must find the box before it falls into the wrong hands. If you are a fan of the video game, This is an action-packed adventure that will please fans of movies like National Treasure.
Sahara (2005)
“Sahara” is an action-packed adventure film released in 2005 and stars Matthew McConaughey as treasure hunter Dirk Pitt, who sets out to find a lost Civil War battleship.
Along the way, he and his team face challenges from both the elements and other treasure hunters. “Sahara” is based on the best-selling novel by Clive Cussler. The film has it all, be it ancient artifacts or epic stories about the treasure hunt; it is one of the best movies similar to the film National Treasure.
The movie received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the visuals and action sequences while others criticized the plot and characters.
The film was directed by Breck Eisner and also starred Penelope Cruz and Steve Zahn. “Sahara” was a box office success, grossing over $119 million worldwide. If you’re looking for a movie with an ancient palace, treasure map, and many challenges, then “Sahara” is the perfect film for you.
Romancing the Stone (1984)
If you’re in the mood for a thrilling adventure with plenty of laughs, then “Romancing the Stone” is the perfect movie for you. Starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner Danny DeVito.
Writer Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) receives a treasure map in the mail from her recently murdered brother-in-law. This leads her on a dangerous journey to Colombia and exchanges it for her kidnapped sister.
The film was a huge success, grossing over $115 million at the box office on a budget of just $10 million. Zemeckis’ direction is fast-paced and exciting, and the chemistry between Douglas and Turner is electric.
This film is worth checking out if you’re looking for a fun and entertaining ride like National Treasure.
The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
Director Lewis Teague does a great job of picking up where “Romancing the Stone” left off. “The Jewel of the Nile” is as exciting as its predecessor.
Joan Wilder is once again thrust into the role of damsel in distress. She manages to hold her own against her kidnappers with the help of her trusted sidekick, Jack Colton.
The chemistry between Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner is still palpable. Their on-screen antics are sure to keep viewers entertained from beginning to end.
If you’re looking for an adventure with a touch of romance, “The Jewel of the Nile” is worth checking out.
If you’re a fan of adventure movies with a healthy dose of mystery, you’ll enjoy the films on this list. From treasure hunts to ancient conspiracies, these movies will keep you guessing until the very end.
So kick back, relax, and enjoy some of the best movies like “National Treasure.”
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