The national treasure The series has two beloved films, and the third film has been in limbo for years, but every now and then new information comes to light, the most recent being that the script will be sent to Nicolas Cage for approval very soon. This is huge news for any fan of the franchise, as it looks like development is finally moving forward.
However, it’s still certainly a long way from the production stages, let alone release, and fans of the Disney series will need something to tide them over until the trio finally sees the light of day. Between a recently released video game movie, a more mature Bahamas-based adventure, and plenty of Steven Spielberg releases, there’s plenty for fans to keep busy.
Uncharted (2022)
Stream on Netflix
Based on the video game series of the same name, Unexplored follows Nathan Drake and Sully traveling the world to find a pirate’s lost treasure. The film has been criticized for being one of the biggest betrayals of the source material, as the portrayals of the characters are completely unfaithful and the film picks and chooses bits and pieces from each game to adapt.
Although fans were disappointed, it’s a perfectly enjoyable family adventure movie, and if fans are willing to look past the difference with the games, they’ll see that it really isn’t that bad. Just like with national treasure, the 2022 film sees Drake and Sully race against the bad guys to collect the treasure, but the whole concept is ridiculous because they’re not the most masterful adventurers. But that’s what makes it so fun.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
Stream on HBO Max
national treasure was pretty simple in terms of what Benjamin Gates was looking for, and even in terms of the IndianaJones series, from which the Disney franchise is so obviously influenced, there is absolutely no supernatural element. Lara Croft: Tomb Raideron the other hand, sees the titular character, once again, race against the villains to find two parts of a triangular artifact that can bend time when put together.
However, the premise of both films is essentially the same, and it’s not just Jon Voight’s father figure role that connects them. The 2001 release is an outstanding adventure film full of incredible tomb settings, and it’s something the end of National Treasure: Book of Secrets was clearly influenced by. The movie is especially worth watching now that fans think Jolie should return as Lara Croft.
Jungle Cruise (2021)
Stream on Disney+
Jungle Cruise is one of the newer adventure movies, but the story, setting, characters, and even the time period couldn’t be more different from national treasure. The film has a period setting, as it’s set in 1910s South America, and all the characters are so outgoing and almost cartoonish. However, the tone of the film is so similar to national treasureas it has the same light comedy and overall feel of a Disney adventure movie.
It was part of Jungle Cruise great appeal when it was first released, as very few movies like this are made. It’s also worth watching now that Jungle Cruise 2 has been confirmed and hopefully it will focus more on what made the movie great, like the characters and the actual cruise, than the fantasy elements.
The Mummy (1999)
Stream on Peacock & Fubo TV
However The Mummy’s legacy would normally be tarnished with its two sequels and its reboot, as each one is worse than the last, the 1999 film was never considered great when it was first released. But, many 90s kids saw it in movie theaters, and with those kids now in their 30s, some might even be critics themselves, which means it’s held in high esteem and It has also aged surprisingly well.
Audiences have become nostalgic for the practical sets and cinematography where not everything is shiny and beautiful, and that’s The Mummy in a word. Not only that, but the film features some of the most entertaining characters of the 90s, and it’s been quite influential as other adventure films have completely lifted its structure, including the recently released movie. Jungle Cruise and even national treasure.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
Stream on Starz
Dwayne Johnson seems to be making a name for himself as an essential actor in adventure films. While many might think he’s the go-to actor for everything, as he’s the most bankable star working today, he’s the lead actor in so many adventure movies, including the 2017 sequel , Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
Since the concept had completely changed, as it’s now a video game instead of a board game, and it’s just as much of a body-swap comedy, not many people thought it would be good. before its release. But Johnson and company proved those skeptics completely wrong, as the film turned out to be excellent. The movie might be a little clunkier than the Nicolas Cage-led series, but it’ll still fill that adventure movie-like hole in national treasure fan life.
Into the Blue (2005)
Stream to Amazon Prime Video
In the blue is a little more mature than national treasure, as it involves drug dealing and has much more colorful language, but the 2005 release is one of the most underrated adventure films of the 2000s. The film follows a diver who dreams of finding the one of many pirate ships lost in the Bahamas, but his life is turned upside down when he finds the remains of a pirate ship. However, he also finds a crashed plane with bricks full of cocaine.
In the blue is one of the most stressful treasure hunt films, as the characters’ lives go from bad to worse after they make one mistake after another. The movie isn’t exactly an uplifting Disney adventure, but the adventure-at-sea film goes much further.
Fool’s Gold (2008)
Stream on HBO Max
Fool’s Gold is another grounded and mature adventure film, and it once again follows a character in search of treasure in an exotic location, but this time it’s Australia. But while the film is more mature, it still showcases everything that makes a great four-quadrant adventure film.
The 2008 film is full of action, comedy and lots of romance, and despite having a low Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s a total audience delight and will satisfy any fan of adventure films. It seems Matthew McConaughey loved adventure roles in the 2000s, as he also starred in the equally fun Saharabut that was before he rebranded himself as a serious Oscar-caliber actor.
The Lost City (2022)
Stream to Amazon Prime Video
Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock appeared on screen together twice in 2022. They recently appeared in High-speed trainand they also shared screen time in The lost city. The latter is about a romance novelist who finds herself lost on an uncharted island with her cover model, and she hates every minute of it.
just like Jungle Cruise before and national treasure before that, the film sees the unlikely pair bond as they attempt to survive extremely strange circumstances. The film is made great by its supporting cast which includes Pitt and Daniel Radcliffe, who plays an evil billionaire, creating hilarious and cringe-worthy scenes.
The Adventures of Tintin (2011)
Stream on HBO Max
The Adventures of Tintin is one of the most spectacular movies of the 2010s, and we don’t talk about it enough. The film is so technically advanced when it comes to its motion capture performance, it has incredibly digital effects, especially for its time, and, at the heart of it all, there’s a terrific adventure story.
Director Steven Spielberg brought the character to life more than any other adaptation, and the film takes audiences on a globe-trotting adventure reminiscent of the IndianaJones days. Not only that, but it features one of the greatest pirate movie scenes outside of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise too. The 2011 film captured lightning in a bottle, and fans are craving a Tintin after.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Stream on Fubo TV and Paramount+
While any of IndianaJones movies would be great to fill that national treasure 3 zero, even Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, there’s nothing more fitting than the third film, The Last Crusade. The movie was the last entry in a trilogy, and it concluded perfectly with Indy literally riding into the sunset, and that’s exactly what the third national treasure should be for Benjamin Franklin Gates.
It would be nice to have several more national treasure movies, but since it’s already been 15 years since the second movie, where wanting another round of releases is asking a lot. There should be one more movie with Gates as the main character, and it should get the perfect send-off, especially since it will address the bigger question regarding page 42 of the President’s book. And if national treasure 3 is even half the quality of The Last Crusadefans are going to have a blast.
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