Best Treasure Hunt Movies, Ranked (2024)

Is there anything as exciting as a treasure hunt? We don’t think so! Something about the thrill of the chase and the promise of untold riches gives you a feeling you just can’t get anywhere else. Whether you prefer to pore over baffling clues in hopes of finding the answer first or you’d rather enjoy the high-octane race to the light at the end of the rainbow, it’s easy to find something to love about the treasure hunting genre.

Thankfully, great treasure hunt movies are aplenty. The concept of the treasure hunt has been interpreted differently by tons of creators, but the results are fairly consistent: audiences around the world get to enjoy that adventurous feeling you can only experience in a great movie about seeking out the world’s most coveted prizes. Here’s our list of the best treasure hunt movies of all time.

8 Uncharted

The newest addition to the treasure hunting genre, Uncharted is based on the wildly successful adventure video game of the same name. We first meet young Nate and his older brother Sam as they attempt to steal from a museum, and the latter is finally kicked out of the orphanage they call home. 15 years later, Nate finally gets his foot in the door of the explorer's world when he's approached by Victor Sully to find Magellan's lost treasure. It quickly becomes a race against time as the duo pursues a trail that leads them to previously untouched pieces of history.

Related: Why Uncharted Shouldn't Press Its Luck with a Sequel

7 O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Equal parts comedy, musical, mythology and treasure hunt, O Brother, Where Art Thou is a treat for viewers. A ragtag trio of convicts makes a daring escape from their chain gang and sets off to find a mysterious treasure drowned at the bottom of a lake. The twists just keep coming in their adventure as they find themselves fending off sirens, facing down a cyclops, and evading the vicious KKK. Fun fact: per The Guardian, this satirical film is loosely based on The Odyssey and even references author Homer in the script!

6 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl introduces us to three protagonists, all bound by their connections to the pirate life. Jack Sparrow is a disgraced pirate captain searching for the fastest ship in the seven seas, Will Turner is a descendant of a famous swashbuckler (unbeknownst to him), and wealthy socialite Elizabeth Swan is kidnapped by pirates after lying about her identity. The trio collectively comes together as the greatest band of seafarers to ever live, and the entire movie is filled with hilarious antics, action and even a great love story. What's more, the adventure continues as the franchise consists of five Pirates of the Caribbean movies in total, and according to Screen Rant, a sixth movie is currently in development.

5 The Goonies

The Goonies gave a lot of famous actors their start, and the story is fun, family-friendly, and full of laughs! When the construction of a new country club threatens to destroy their home, a group of local kids — dubbed "The Goonies" — bands together to search for the treasure of the infamous pirate One-Eyed Willy. This ancient pirate is considered to be the original Goonie, but the kids realize they've bitten off more than they can chew when a local crime family wants in on the gold.

4 National Treasure

The entire National Treasure saga is packed with high-stakes adventure and plenty of historical artifacts. From his early childhood, Ben Gates learns of the incredible treasures hidden away by the Founding Fathers of the United States. He first pulls off a heist to steal the Declaration of Independence to follow the hidden map on its back, and he later kidnaps the President to gain access to the Presidential Book of Secrets. The premise is truly insane, but the over-the-top narrative makes these movies truly memorable.

Related: Nicolas Cage's National Treasure 3 Still in the Works, Producer Says

3 Treasure Planet

You might remember this movie from your childhood! Treasure Planet is a breathtaking animated feature that follows Jim Hawkins, a troubled young man with a deep obsession for the legendary pirate Nathanial Flint. When a spaceship crashes in his hometown, he's entrusted with a map that will finally lead him to the fabled Treasure Planet (the hidden world of Flint's loot). He soon finds himself caught in a whirlwind of adventure between cyborg pirates, aliens and other bizarre treasure seekers.

2 Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones is a household name at this point — you know him, you love him, and you've probably at least heard of him in the past. Raiders of the Lost Ark is easily one of his most beloved flicks, and it involves his search for the mythological Ark of the Covenant. Said to make anyone who finds it unstoppable, Jones must seek out this crucial artifact before it falls into the hands of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Army.

1 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

There's no denying that Clint Eastwood is one of the most world-famous actors and directors of all time, and this spaghetti Western is just another gem in his repertoire. When a slew of mercenaries, bandits and drifters catch wind of a stash of Confederate gold during World War II, they're willing to turn the whole world upside down to get their piece of the pie! The Good, The Bad and The Ugly gave way for some unforgettable cinematic moments, including Eastwood's iconic 'Mexican standoff' sequence.