safari based movies

19 Inspirational Safari Movies

Watch a classic safari movie before you go.

Getting excited about an upcoming African safari holiday? Hollywood has a long history of creative safari movies about all things Africa and wildlife – dating back to 1932’s “Congorilla” documentary of jungle and savannah wildlife activity in Belgian Congo (now D.R. Congo).

The genre has evolved over the decades, meaning there is now a good choice of films available to bring the magic of the safari experience into your living room. Check out our list below of the most inspirational safari movies to watch before you go – the first section of the list features traditional movies, and the latter section focusses on documentary safari movies. All are highly recommended and well worth viewing!

Out of Africa

A Hollywood classic, Out of Africa is one of those rare films that you can’t fail to fall in love with. Whether you’re watching it for the dazzling scenery of the Kenyan landscapes or the drama and romance, Meryl Streep and Robert Redford make for compelling viewing in this tale of Africa, war, and wildlife.

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Gorillas in the Mist

Like Out of Africa , the movie is based on a true story, but here the similarities end. Instead of a romantic interest, Gorillas in the Mist tells the tale of naturalist Sigourney Weaver’s touching relationship with the group of primates she studies in the Rwandan jungle . With the threat of poachers hovering in the background and strife all around in Rwanda, there’s high drama as well as some magnificent footage of real gorillas in their natural habitat.

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The Lion King

When you think of safaris and big game, it’s hard not to immediately imagine the Circle of Life scene from the beginning of Disney’s epic African adventure, The Lion King. It might be animation and talking lions rather than real-life nature scenes, but adults and kids alike can’t fail to be inspired to take a safari holiday after watching Simba on screen!

Lion King fan? Read our take on Hakuna Matata meaning .

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The African Queen

An old fashioned tale of action, romance, and daring exploits in the wilds of the jungle, The African Queen is a fantastic romp with two of the era’s best-loved actors – Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Shot in Uganda and the Congo, it was one of the first movies to use real locations and backgrounds which adds an unparalleled realism to the story.

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White Hunter Black Heart

Clint Eastwood’s film is based loosely on the experiences of writer Peter Viertel and director John Huston on the set of The Africa Queen. But whilst love triumphs over all in the 1950s classic, this movie is much darker and explores the morality of hunting wild animals. When filmmaker John Wilson becomes obsessed with the safari and elephants, disaster begins to stir. White Hunter Black Heart is a must watch!

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This interesting film starring the legendary John Wayne removes the cowboy from his favourite setting and transports him to a vast African landscape. Filmed in Tanzania , it’s a dramatic story about a group of hunters, a female wildlife photographer and the race to save a group of baby elephants from a terrible fate – life in a zoo. With exhilarating wildlife chases and magnificent Mount Meru providing a dramatic backdrop, Hatari! is a thrilling romp of a safari movie.

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Road to Zanzibar

After the success of contemporary films in the safari genre, Bob Hope parodies African adventures with this comic farce. Involving love triangles, races through the jungle, swimming with leopards and plenty of jewels, the fast-paced comedy is a fun trip set in 1940’s Africa.

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The Naked Prey

Set in the veld of South Africa, The Naked Prey is an eerie movie starring Cornel Wilde in a dark tale that switches the traditional roles of a hunting safari. The guide (Wilde) leads a troop of hunters through an African tribe to start the hunt, but when the group offends the locals, he finds himself in the role of the animals – naked and being chased through the landscape by warriors from the tribe.

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Everyone’s favourite African jungle hero has been the subject of many films over the Hollywood years, but in 1999 Disney gave him a 3D makeover and plenty of animated jungle action before the happy ending with Jane. Featuring a paranoid elephant and a smart-mouthed gorilla, Tarzan   is a family film that brings the jungle to life with sweeping scenes.

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Married couple George Adamson and Joy Adamson live in northern Kenya for George’s work as a senior game warden. After George’s team have to kill a man-eating lion and its lioness, their three young female cubs being orphaned. Although difficult to begin with, George and Joy wean and take care of the three cubs, who they adopt as pets. Born Free is a classic film about safari life in Africa, heartwarming, and with stunning human – big cat interaction.

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To Walk With Lions

To Walk With Lions follows the later years of the life of George Adamson who was featured saving a lion cub in the safari movie Born Free . His life was transformed with this action, and he went on to become a lifelong animal activist. Well worth a watch in tandem with Born Free .

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Something of an amusingly naff found footage film set in the South African bush. In a wild corner of the country, a young Zulu girl teams up with an American tourist group on safari. The group enters an uncharted area where they are forced to face the untamed wild.

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Documentary Safari Movies:

The six-part mini-series, narrated by David Attenborough, takes an in-depth look at various African habitats and the wildlife that inhabit them. Each episode is wonderful, and the highlights for pre-safari viewing are on the African deserts – the Kalahari, Namib, and Sahara, the savanna of East Africa, and the rainforests of the Congo Basin.

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The Last Lions

This is a feature-length National Geographic documentary filmed in Botswana’s Okavango Delta region  and narrated by Jeremy Irons. It focusses on one lioness raising her cubs and protecting them against the many threats they face, including poaching. Whilst the film is about this one mother, it deals more broadly with the decline of the African lion from a population of many millions in the 20th century to just 20,000 today.

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The Ivory Game

This 2016 documentary examines the global ivory trade and the various actors sustaining and fighting it, examine the actions of governments, environmental preservationists, poachers, and ivory merchants. The film takes viewers from the elephant’s home ranges in Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia to China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam where ivory is seen as a status symbol, and demand is rife. As with so many other movies on this list, it’s one that’s well worth watching if you hope to see elephants on your next safari.

Watch now on Netflix

Battle at Kruger

OK, we know it’s not actually a safari move, but no list of this nature would be complete without reference to the most epic homemade safari video ever! If you’ve not yet seen it, set aside eight minutes right now to watch this confrontation between a herd of buffalo , a pride of lions and a crocodile . (Read up on battle at Kruger .)

Any classic safari movies we’re missing from the list? Please let us know in the comments below! Made it to the end of our safari film list and still have itchy feet? Check out these 50 movies to inspire wanderlust .

Other significant African movies

Whilst not specifically safari movies, these films listed below are all set – and filmed – in Africa, where the landscape and culture play a significant part. All well worth adding to your ‘to watch’ list before you take a safari!

Blood Diamond (2006)

Leonardo DiCaprio stars in a  war thriller smuggling diamonds, set against the backdrop of the Sierra Leone civil war.

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Hotel Rwanda (2004)

This moving drama is based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager of  Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali during the Rwandan civil war.

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The Last King of Scotland (2006)

A historical drama about Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan who becomes the personal physician and close confidante of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

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BORN FREE should also be included in this list. One of the best African / Kenya / Safari movies ever!!

Great shout Vince – added!

My candidate for the single best safari film of all time is King Solomon’s Mines, the one with Debra Kerr and Stewart Granger (it made him an international star). It was the third of five filmings of H. Rider Haggard’s novel.

It had the most authentic tribesmen, and its iconic drum music was recycled in countless safari “B” movies as well as in John Ford’s Mogambo, another good African movie.

I’m going to have to check that one out David, thanks for the recommendation!

Nowhere in africa

Safari movies: Mogambo, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, The Ghost and the Darkness

All around Africa movies: The Power of One,Tarzan: The Legend of Greystoke, Cry Freedom, Hotel Rwanda, Sometimes in April, Blood Diamond

Hey Mark – some excellent choices there, and a couple I haven’t seen yet. Will check them out, thanks!

Pls I want to know the name of a comedy movie in Africa jungle where in one occasion in the movie African man was squatting then a helicopter with rope hanging catched his pants and continue flying then the man eventually got his head straight into a hippopotamus’s anus.

One I enjoyed from my childhood was A Far Off Place, starring Reese Witherspoon.

Thanks for the tip – I’ve not heard of that one, will check it out!

Oh, and George of the Jungle and Sahara. I realize they’re not Safari films, but set in Africa, at least.

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Top 18 Safari Movies to watch before your African Safari

• January 29, 2020
• Author & Photographer: Teri Didjurgis

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. ( Disclosures )

Films to inspire your African Safari

My earliest memory of opening up a National Geographic magazine was seeing elephants, lion, zebras, rhinos and other animals in Africa along with tribes and cultures so distant to mine.

Going on safari has been a dream to have a unique experience of seeing this wildlife adventure, experiencing different cultures and spectacular scenery! 

Until my first trip to Africa, I explored through these safari films featuring the breathtaking landscapes, historical events of locals and human interactions with wildlife and the stars of the savannah featuring conservation programs and struggles to preserve them.

Out of Africa (1985)

• Available on Amazon

The movie, Out of Africa , inspired many a traveler to take a trip to Africa and specifically Kenya. The movie features breathtaking scenery of Kenya including the areas around Nairobi and the Maasai Mara.

The movie, based on the book by Karen Blixen , is a memoir of her life in the early 1900’s in Kenya, then known as British East Africa to colonists. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford play the lead characters for this romance, though I believe the true romance of the film is Karen falling in love with the land and people of Kenya.

Karen writes and reveals in the movie her own personal experience as a woman in this time period running a coffee plantation in spite of her absent husband and interactions with locals many of which were part of the infamous Happy Valley Set of the Kenya Colony in the 1920’s. The story touches on events of the time including colonialism, World War I, shooting safaris and her interactions with the local Kikuyu tribe. A distance time.

On a trip to Kenya, you can visit her home and conversations with the locals will reveal that the love went both ways. Karen introduced Kenya to many in the world both through her 1937 book and the subsequent 1985 Academy Award winning film.

Gorillas in the Mist (1988)

Gorillas in the Mist is another true story based on the life of Dian Fossey. The story tells the tale of the naturalist, played by Sigourney Weaver, and her relationship with the group of primates she studies in the Congo.

Studying them at close quarters, Fossey develops a means of communicating with the gorillas, and in so doing becomes obsessed with the beasts’ well-being. Appalled by the poaching of the gorillas for their skins, Fossey complains to the Ugandan government, which dismisses her by explaining that poaching is the only means by which some of the Ugandan natives can themselves survive.

With the threat of poachers hovering in the background and strife all around in Rwanda, there’s high drama as well as some magnificent footage of real gorillas in their natural habitat.

BBC Africa (2013)

The BBC created this incredible six-part mini series, BBC Africa , on Africa’s wild places and wildlife.

Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, he takes us on an awe-inspiring journey through on of the most diverse places on earth including the Kalahari desert, the Sahara Desert, the savannah of East Africa, and jungles of the Congo as well as diverse wildlife including black rhinos, mountain gorillas, and much more of Africa’s amazing wildlife.

The Last Lions (2012)

From the lush wetlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, this documentary focuses on one lioness, named Ma di Tau (“Mother of Lions”), as she tries to protect her cubs against the many threats they face in the wild including poaching.

The Last Lions is a documentary film about the heartbreaking decline of the lion population in Africa. Fifty years ago there were close to 500 million lions in Africa. Today there are around 20,000.

Lions, unlike elephants which are far more numerous, have virtually no protection under government mandate or through international accords. The safari eco-tourist industry brings in over 200 billion dollars per year with lions being a top “must-see” and yet little is done to protect the lions. In addition, big cats are at the very top of the food chain and their elimination would wreak havoc on all species below them in ecosystem collapse.

The documentary was made in collaboration between National Geographic and their Explorers-in-Residence, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who are filmmakers from Botswana. The film is narrated by Jeremy Irons.

The Ivory Game

• Available on Netflix

It takes 2 seconds seeing a parade of elephants in the wild to be enthralled by these highly intelligent and emotional beasts. The interactions between the young bulls and then groups of mothers and their calves show the complexity of their family relationships.

The movie, Ivory Game , is a documentary revealing the Ivory Trade industry endangering the elephants. The filmmakers show all side of this Ivory industry from the insatiable Chinese market and the local poachers to the wildlife conversationalists and government programs to save the elephants.

I watched this movie on the night before I went on a week long safari in Tanzania where the documentary is partially filmed. As a tourist, I just in awe of seeing these animals, but the documentary provided the rich context of ecosystems in Africa where local poachers living in poverty are enticed to sell off the expensive ivory by dealers and also local people are losing crops when the elephants migrate.

The filmmakers looks at all sides working on solutions to save both the elephants and locals interests while stopping the Ivory Trade.

Born Free (1966)

Born Free  is a 1966 British drama film starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers as Joy and George Adamson, a real-life couple who raised Elsa the Lioness, an orphaned lion cub, to adulthood, and released her into the wilderness of Kenya.

At a national park in Kenya, English game warden George Adamson (Bill Travers) and his wife, Joy (Virginia McKenna), care for three orphaned lion cubs. The lion cubs parents were killed after attacking villagers.

After the two larger lions are shipped off to a zoo in the Netherlands, the smallest of the three, Elsa, stays with the couple. When Elsa is blamed for causing an elephant stampede in the nearby village, head warden John Kendall (Geoffrey Keen) demands the young lion either be trained to survive in the wilds of the Serengeti or be sent to a zoo.

The making of the film was a life-changing experience for actors Virginia McKenna and her husband Bill Travers, who became animal rights activists and were instrumental in creating the  Born Free Foundation .

To Walk with Lions (1999)

To Walk with Lions  is a 1999 film directed by Carl Schultz and starring Richard Harris as George Adamson. 

It follows the later years of wild game preserver/naturalist Adamson whose life was transformed into an animal activist after his experience saving a lion cub shown in the movie Born Free .

After his marriage to Joy Adamson ended, Adamson spent the latter part of his life protecting the lions and other wildlife in the Kora National Reserve, Kenya. His program helps ease zoo-bred lions into their natural habitat. The fact-based film focuses on his struggle against poachers and government corruption blocking his quest for wildlife preservation.

The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)

Set in 1898 and starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas, The Ghost and the Darkness is based on the true story of two lions in East Africa that killed dozens of people working on a railroad.

Sir Robert Beaumont (Tom Wilkinson) is behind schedule on a railroad in Africa. Enlisting noted engineer John Henry Patterson (Val Kilmer) to right the ship, Beaumont expects results. Everything seems great until the crew discovers the mutilated corpse of the project’s foreman (Henry Cele), seemingly killed by a lion. After several more attacks, Patterson calls in famed hunter Charles Remington (Michael Douglas), who has finally met his match in the bloodthirsty lions.

Don’t let this movie put you off safaris. This true story will highlight the struggles in Africa between local populations, development and wildlife that has been a part of their story for over a hundred years.

The Lion King (1994)

When you think of safaris and big game, it’s hard not to immediately imagine the Circle of Life scene from the beginning of Disney’s epic African adventure,  The Lion King . It might be animation and talking lions rather than real life nature scenes, but adults and kids alike can’t fail to be inspired to take a safari holiday after watching Simba on screen.

The Disney imagineers definitely did their homework. On safari, you will find many of the names of the animals are Swahili and the characteristics of the animals is spot on. I especially saw it in cranky old bachelor lions and the Pummba.

The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

Everyone’s favorite jungle hero has been the subject of many films over the Hollywood years.

In The Legend of Tarzan , it’s been nearly a decade since Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), also known as John Clayton III, left Africa to live in Victorian England with his wife Jane.

Danger lurks on the horizon as Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), a treacherous envoy for King Leopold, devises a scheme that lures the couple to the Congo.

Rom plans to capture Tarzan and deliver him to an old enemy in exchange for diamonds. When Jane becomes a pawn in his devious plot, Tarzan must return to the jungle to save the woman he loves.

Other Disney Animated versions

• Tarzan (2014)
• The Jungle Book (2016)
• The Jungle Book (1967)

I will always be partial to The Jungle Book (1967) for the music.  You can’t help but hum “The Bare Necessities”  or “I wanna be like you” after hearing it.

Road to Zanzibar (1941)

Road to Zanzibar is a trip back to old Hollywood. 

After the success of contemporary films in the safari genre, Bob Hope parodies African adventures with this farce.

The movie is classic Hollywood with ridiculous scenarios including love triangles, races through the jungle, swimming with leopards and plenty of jewels, the fast-paced comedy is a fun trip.

The African Queen (1952)

Another one from old Hollywood, Th e African Queen focuses on life in Africa during World War II.

After religious spinster’s (Katharine Hepburn) missionary brother is killed in WWI Africa, dissolute steamer captain (Humphrey Bogart) offers her safe passage. She’s not satisfied so she persuades him to destroy a German gunboat. The two spend most of their time fighting with each other rather than the Germans. In true Hollywood fashion, time alone on the river leads to love.

The movie, shot in Uganda and the Congo, was one of the first movies to use real locations and backgrounds.

White Hunter Black Heart (1990)

Clint Eastwood’s film is based loosely on the experiences of writer Peter Viertel and director John Huston on the set of The African Queen . 

Love trumps in the 1950s classic The Africa Queen, but White Hunter Black Heart is much darker and explores the morality of hunting wild animals.

Hard-living, macho movie director John Wilson (Clint Eastwood) arrives in 1950s Zimbabwe to prepare for his next film. Accompanied by screenwriter Pete Verrill (Jeff Fahey), Wilson becomes far more interested in shooting an elephant than getting ready for the shoot.

Determined, Wilson moves production to a village where a native hunter helps him in his quest. Obsessed with this goal even as filming grows ever more chaotic, the director begins to question the ethics and origins of his fixation.

King Solomon’s Mines (1950)

King Solomon’s Mines , based on H. Rider Haggard’s novel is about a rescue party that sets out to find an explorer who has disappeared on an African treasure hunt.

The search leads the party across the continent and through the terrors of jungle, swamp, and desert.

Their ultimate destination is the fabled lost mine of Solomon, a source of unimaginable wealth and deadly danger.

There is also a 1985 version of King Solomon’s Mines starring Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone, which has a more Indiana Jones feel.

Mogambo (1953)

In M ogambo , Victor Marswell (Clark Gable) is a big-game hunter in Kenya. After Eloise Kelly (Ava Gardner) is stood up by a friend there, she falls in with Marswell.

Shortly thereafter, the Nordleys (Grace Kelly, Donald Sinden) arrive for a gorilla safari. Mrs. Nordley, disillusioned with her husband, takes a liking to Marswell, and the two have a brief affair. Kelly grows jealous, and the two women engage in a battle of wills over the hunter, while Mr. Nordley remains oblivious to it all. 

This is an old classic Hollywood triangle filmed in Kenya and Uganda. The music featured in the film was mostly performed by local native tribes.

Hatari! (1962)

Hatari , meaning “Danger” in Swahili , stars the legendary John Wayne takes the cowboy from the Old West to the African landscape. Filmed in Tanzania in the Ngorongoro Crater, this old Hollywood film is about a group of who traps animals for zoos. While not an activity I endorse today, this was the historical reality at the time.

A female wildlife photographer joins the group to document and finds herself the mother of baby elephants she tries to save.

The movie features the amazing scenery and wildlife of Tanzania and I recognized many of the places still from my recent safari.

The Naked Prey (1966)

The Naked Prey is set in the South African veld. This eerie movie starring Cornel Wilde is a dark tale that switched the traditional roles of a hunting safari.

The guide leads a troop of hunters through a tribe’s colony to start the hunt, but when the group offends the locals, he finds himself in the role of the animals – naked and being chased through the landscape by warriors from the tribe.

Young Indiana Jones Chronicles: Passion for Life

The Young Indiana Jones is a TV series, created by Steven Spielberg, featuring a 10 and later 17-year-old Indiana Jones on his adventures in his early year.  The set includes 3 seasons and 24 episodes

The “Passion for Life” episode focuses on a 10-year-old Indiana Jones as he goes on safari with his parent in British East Africa in September 1910.

Young Jones befriends a Massai boy named Meto who helps him in his search for the rare Fringe-Eared Oryx for former US President Teddy Roosevelt.

The scenery is spectacular and in typical Indiana Jones style, an adventure ensues as Indy finds himself in the middle of it all.   The episode is one hour, but the DVD set also has a complimentary disc with documentaries exploring the themes in each episode with historical clips and commentary.

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The 45 Best Movies Based in Africa

Africa has long served as a backdrop for some of cinema's most compelling narratives. The continent's rich history, diverse cultures, and breathtaking landscapes have inspired films that captivate viewers and evoke deep emotions. Whether they depict harrowing tales of survival or light-hearted adventures, these movies shed light on different aspects of African life, providing valuable insights into the people and places that call this vast continent home. 

The best movies based in Africa weave together engaging stories with powerful themes, complex characters, and authentic representations of African life. The continent's vibrant traditions, timeless struggles, and captivating beauty are reflected in each narrative, offering a unique glimpse into the soul of Africa.These movies pay homage to the indomitable spirit of this land and its inhabitants. 

Some of cinema's finest examples of movies set in Africa include the powerful film Hotel Rwanda , which sheds light on the Rwandan genocide, highlighting the courage and resilience of those who fought against unimaginable odds. The Lion King, an animated favorite, showcases the breathtaking beauty of Africa's landscapes and wildlife while exploring themes of responsibility, love, and the circle of life. Further, Blood Diamond offers a gripping portrayal of the dangers and ethical dilemmas faced by diamond miners in conflict-ridden Sierra Leone. These acclaimed films are but a few of the many movies about Africa that have captured the hearts and minds of cinephiles worldwide. 

Movies based in Africa present an opportunity for viewers to immerse themselves in the captivating world of African culture, history, and identity. Connecting audiences to the myriad stories born from this magnificent continent, these films serve as powerful artistic expressions, transcending borders and resonating with viewers across the globe. They inspire reflection, admiration, and, ultimately, a deeper understanding of this awe-inspiring land known for its vibrant heart and rich tapestry of stories. 

The Lion King

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Jungle Book, Tarzan, Brother Bear, Madagascar, Bambi Why Should I Stream?  Witness the breathtaking animation and timeless themes of family, loyalty, and self-discovery in Disney's classic, The Lion King . This beloved film boasts an unforgettable soundtrack by Elton John and a star-studded voice cast that includes James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, and Whoopi Goldberg. Don't miss out on the magic that has inspired countless adaptations and made it a staple in popular culture.

• Dig Deeper... 13 Messed Up Things You Never Noticed About The Lion King
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• # 3 of 50 on The Biggest Movies Of The '90s, Ranked

Hotel Rwanda

Watch This Show If You Love :  Schindler's List, Sometimes in April, Beasts of No Nation, Life is Beautiful, Tears of the Sun Why Should I Stream?  For a poignant exploration of humanity amid chaos and brutality, Hotel Rwanda is an essential watch. This critically acclaimed film offers a powerful depiction of courage, compassion, and resilience during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. With riveting performances from Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo, it serves as a crucial reminder of our shared humanity.

• # 139 of 264 on The 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
• # 15 of 126 on The 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
• # 6 of 133 on The Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made

Blood Diamond

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Last King of Scotland, Lord of War, The Constant Gardener, Beast of No Nation, City of God Why Should I Stream?   Blood Diamond combines intense action with thought-provoking themes surrounding conflict diamonds and their human cost in war-torn Sierra Leone. Featuring exceptional performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly, this gripping drama exposes viewers to the harsh realities faced by millions while shining light on corporate greed within the diamond industry.

• # 124 of 253 on The 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
• # 168 of 468 on The Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
• # 7 of 101 on The Best Movies Of 2006

The African Queen

Watch This Show If You Love :  Casablanca, Romancing the Stone, Key Largo, Out of Africa, To Have and Have Not Why Should I Stream?  Experience one of cinema's most celebrated classics with The African Queen , starring screen legends Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Set against the backdrop of World War I-era Africa, this captivating tale of companionship amidst adversity showcases extraordinary acting talent alongside stunning visuals that transport viewers to another time.

• # 22 of 41 on The 100+ Best Movies Streaming On The Criterion Channel
• # 47 of 200 on The 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
• # 15 of 45 on 50+ Quirky Romance Movies With Unique Love Stories

Watch This Show If You Love :  Gone with the Wind, Roman Holiday, An Affair to Remember, Some Like It Hot, Breakfast at Tiffany's Why Should I Stream?  Get swept away by Hollywood's golden age with Casablanca , an undisputed masterpiece featuring unparalleled chemistry between Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. This timeless love story set against a backdrop of wartime intrigue remains relevant today as it explores themes like sacrifice for the greater good; its iconic lines have etched themselves into pop culture history.

• # 60 of 264 on The 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
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• # 454 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

Black Hawk Down

Watch This Show If You Love :  Saving Private Ryan, Lone Survivor, Zero Dark Thirty, American Sniper, We Were Soldiers Why Should I Stream?  Riveting battle sequences and a stellar cast, including Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and Tom Sizemore, make Black Hawk Down a must-watch war film. Based on the true story of a disastrous U.S. mission in Somalia in 1993, this intense drama sheds light on the complexities and chaos of modern warfare, making it an essential viewing experience.

• # 4 of 264 on The 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
• # 419 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
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Out of Africa

Watch This Show If You Love :  A Passage to India, Doctor Zhivago, Nowhere in Africa, The English Patient, Lawrence of Arabia Why Should I Stream?  Savor the sweeping landscapes and breathtaking cinematography in Out of Africa , which earned seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford's passionate performances as star-crossed lovers offer an intimate exploration of love, loss, and personal transformation set against Kenya's stunning backdrop.

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The Snows of Kilimanjaro

Watch This Show If You Love :  For Whom the Bell Tolls, Farewell to Arms, To Have and Have Not, Across the River and Into the Trees, Under My Skin Why Should I Stream?  Witness the mesmerizing beauty of African landscapes juxtaposed with human struggles in The Snows of Kilimanjaro . This classic adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's short story explores themes such as ambition, regret, and mortality through the eyes of a critically injured writer played by Gregory Peck.

Watch This Show If You Love :  Gorillas in the Mist, Duma, Living Free, Two Brothers, The Bear Why Should I Stream?  Feel inspired by the enduring bond between humans and wildlife in Born Free , a heartwarming tale based on a true story that explores conservation efforts to protect African lions. Not only does it boast beautiful cinematography showcasing Kenya's wilderness; it also features compelling performances from Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers that resonate with viewers even today.

Gorillas in the Mist

Watch This Show If You Love :  Born Free, Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist, Out of Africa, The Ghost and the Darkness, Sigourney Weaver: Expedition Koko Why Should I Stream?  Discover Sigourney Weaver's acclaimed portrayal of primatologist Dian Fossey in Gorillas in the Mist – a moving tribute to her groundbreaking work studying mountain gorillas amid Africa's lush jungles. This inspiring film offers viewers an intimate glimpse into Fossey's dedication to protecting these magnificent animals from extinction.

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The Last King of Scotland

Watch This Show If You Love :  Idi Amin Dada, Beasts of No Nation, Blood Diamond, Cry Freedom, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Why Should I Stream?  Delve into the gripping portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin by Forest Whitaker in his Oscar-winning performance for The Last King of Scotland ; this captivating character study is not to be missed. Expertly exploring themes such as power dynamics and political manipulation underlines its broader resonance beyond Uganda's troubled history.

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The Battle of Algiers

Watch This Show If You Love :  Zulu, Black and White in Color, Hotel Rwanda, Zero Dark Thirty, Lawrence of Arabia Why Should I Stream?  Witness one of cinema's most influential political dramas with The Battle of Algiers ; its combination of documentary-style realism and thought-provoking subject matter has had a lasting impact on modern filmmaking. Delving into the complexities of colonialism, nationalism, and guerrilla warfare during the Algerian War makes it an essential watch for film enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

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Watch This Show If You Love :  300, The Alamo, Gladiator, Braveheart, The Battle of Algiers Why Should I Stream?  Experience the intense battle sequences and riveting action in Zulu , which chronicles Britain's heroic defense against thousands of warriors during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War. Michael Caine gives a breakout performance, making this historical drama an unmissable portrayal of bravery and camaraderie under fire.

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Lawrence of Arabia

Watch This Show If You Love :  Doctor Zhivago, A Passage to India, Bridge on the River Kwai, Gandhi, Ben-Hur Why Should I Stream?  Be captivated by director David Lean's epic masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia ; its stunning cinematography, sweeping desert vistas, and unforgettable score have cemented its place in film history. Peter O'Toole delivers a brilliant portrayal of T.E. Lawrence that explores themes such as identity, loyalty, and the chaos of war.

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The Ghost and the Darkness

Watch This Show If You Love :  Jaws, Roar, Predator, Jurassic Park, Primeval Why Should I Stream?  Get your adrenaline pumping with The Ghost and the Darkness – a chilling tale based on true events featuring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas as they face off against deadly man-eating lions terrorizing workers constructing railroads through Africa's wilderness. This suspenseful thriller showcases masterful storytelling that will keep viewers enthralled throughout.

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Watch This Show If You Love :  Remember the Titans, Friday Night Lights, Coach Carter, Moneyball, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom Why Should I Stream?  Celebrate unity amidst adversity with Invictus – an inspiring sports drama focusing on South Africa hosting Rugby World Cup after apartheid. Morgan Freeman shines as Nelson Mandela while Matt Damon delivers a compelling performance as rugby captain Francois Pienaar; it serves as a potent reminder that sport can bring people together despite differences.

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Watch This Show If You Love :  Zulu, Lawrence of Arabia, El Cid, Gunga Din, Beau Geste Why Should I Stream?  Journey back to 19th-century Sudan with Khartoum , featuring Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier in a gripping historical epic about British efforts to quell a religious uprising led by the enigmatic Mahdi. Its grand scale, rich historical context, and engrossing performances make it an essential watch for fans of classic cinema.

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Stanley and Livingstone

Watch This Show If You Love :  King Solomon's Mines, The Lost City of Z, The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: My First Adventure, Mountains of the Moon, Tarzan Finds a Son! Why Should I Stream?  Explore the depths of Africa's wilderness through the eyes of journalist Henry M. Stanley (Spencer Tracy) as he searches for missing explorer Dr. David Livingstone (Cedric Hardwicke) in Stanley and Livingstone . This adventure-packed film provides fascinating insights into perseverance, curiosity, and human nature.

Nowhere in Africa

Watch This Show If You Love :  Out of Africa, The English Patient, Far and Away, Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Atonement Why Should I Stream?  Experience the powerful storytelling of Nowhere in Africa – this Oscar-winning German film follows a Jewish family fleeing Nazi Germany and finding refuge on a remote Kenyan farm. Stunning visuals accentuate its exploration of cultural adaptation, identity, and resilience during tumultuous times.

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The English Patient

Watch This Show If You Love :  Doctor Zhivago, Cold Mountain, Gone With the Wind, Out of Africa, Legends of the Fall Why Should I Stream?  Immerse yourself in The English Patient's hauntingly beautiful world; this Academy Award-winning film boasts captivating performances from Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Juliette Binoche set against stunning North African landscapes. Its non-linear narrative structure weaves an intricate tale that delves into themes such as love, betrayal, memory, and fate.

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The Sheltering Sky

Watch This Show If You Love :  Lawrence of Arabia, A Passage to India, Morocco, Bitter Moon, The Endless Summer Why Should I Stream?  Get lost in the mesmerizing sights of Morocco with The Sheltering Sky ; this visually stunning adaptation of Paul Bowles' novel stars Debra Winger and John Malkovich as travelers seeking solace from their troubled lives amid alien landscapes they can't quite comprehend—making it a thought-provoking examination of existential alienation.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Watch This Show If You Love :  Queen of Katwe, Beasts of No Nation, Slumdog Millionaire, Life, Above All, Duma Why Should I Stream?  Witness determination triumph over adversity in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind – based on a true story, this uplifting film showcases the power of innovation and resourcefulness as a young Malawian boy constructs a wind turbine to save his drought-stricken village.

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Africa: The Serengeti

Watch This Show If You Love :  Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Life, Human Planet, Wild Africa Why Should I Stream?  Venture into the heart of Africa's most iconic wildlife reserve with Africa: The Serengeti – this awe-inspiring documentary captures the breathtaking beauty, incredible diversity, and dramatic spectacles of life unfolding throughout the Serengeti ecosystem. Narrated by James Earl Jones, its rich visuals transport viewers to one of Earth's last great wild places.

Watch This Show If You Love :  Amores Perros, Traffic, Syriana, Crash, Magnolia Why Should I Stream?  Experience the masterful storytelling of Babel ; this multi-narrative drama interweaves stories from Morocco, Japan, Mexico, and the United States in a poignant exploration of human connection and cultural barriers. With an all-star ensemble cast including Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, this emotionally charged film will captivate viewers worldwide.

The Constant Gardener

Watch This Show If You Love :  Syriana, Blood Diamond, Michael Clayton, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Eastern Promises Why Should I Stream?  Unravel a gripping mystery set against Kenya's vibrant backdrop with The Constant Gardener – featuring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz in powerhouse performances that delve into themes such as political corruption and global pharmaceutical industry ethics while challenging our perceptions about love and morality.

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Mountains of the Moon

Watch This Show If You Love :  Stanley and Livingstone, King Solomon's Mines, Congo, Tarzan Finds a Son!, The River Wild Why Should I Stream?  Embark on an epic journey through uncharted territory with Mountains of the Moon – this historical adventure follows explorers Sir Richard Burton (Patrick Bergin) and John Hanning Speke (Iain Glen) on their quest to find the source of the Nile River amid beautiful African landscapes filled with danger at every turn.

Endangered Species

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Hunted, Prey, No Country for Old Men, Rogue, Shooter Why Should I Stream?  Witness nature's raw power in Endangered Species – an action-packed thriller starring Eric Roberts as a cop tracking down an illegal poaching ring targeting African wildlife for high-stakes profit. This exciting tale serves as both pure entertainment and stark reminder about ongoing conservation efforts needed worldwide.

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Watch This Show If You Love :  Jurassic Park, Jumanji, Anaconda, King Solomon's Mines, Mighty Joe Young Why Should I Stream?  Embrace your adventurous side with Congo – a thrilling adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel that combines action, intrigue, and suspense as a group of explorers ventures into the heart of Africa in search of fortune. With groundbreaking special effects and an engaging story, this film is sure to entertain.

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The Flight of the Phoenix

Watch This Show If You Love :  Alive, Cast Away, Lord of the Flies, Unbroken, Hell in the Pacific Why Should I Stream?  Struggle alongside survivors of a plane crash stranded in the Sahara Desert with The Flight of the Phoenix – this suspenseful drama showcases human ingenuity and determination amid harsh environments. Stellar performances from James Stewart and Richard Attenborough make it an unforgettable viewing experience.

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I Dreamed of Africa

Watch This Show If You Love :  Out of Africa, Gorillas in the Mist, White Mischief, Born Free, Anna and the King Why Should I Stream?  Be captivated by Kim Basinger's powerful portrayal in I Dreamed of Africa as she embraces a new life on a Kenyan ranch after surviving a car crash; this visually breathtaking film explores themes such as personal growth, family dynamics, and commitment to conservation efforts amidst Africa's wild beauty.

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The 10 Best Safari Movies to Watch Before Traveling to Africa

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Africa is home to some of the most beautiful and exotic wildlife in the world. Going on a safari is an experience of a lifetime, but it can be even more exciting if you have an idea of what to expect. Watching safari movies is a great way to prepare for your trip and get excited about all the animals you’ll see.

In this article, we’ll be looking at the 10 best safari movies to watch before traveling to Africa. From classic Hollywood movies to documentaries, we’ve got you covered. 

1. Out of Africa (1985).

Out of Africa is a classic romantic drama film set in Kenya during the early 20th century. It follows the story of a Danish baroness who falls in love with a big-game hunter while on safari. The movie features stunning landscapes and wildlife, and it’s a great way to get a sense of what life was like in colonial Africa.

2. The African Queen (1951)

The African Queen is a classic adventure film set in East Africa during World War I. It stars Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn as two people who team up to take down a German warship. The movie features beautiful scenery and some thrilling action sequences, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the excitement of safari life. 

3. Gorillas in the Mist (1988).

Gorillas in the Mist is a biographical drama film based on the life of Dian Fossey, a scientist who devoted her life to studying and protecting mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The movie features stunning footage of these amazing creatures and the beautiful African landscape, and it’s a must-watch for anyone interested in wildlife conservation. 

4. Hatari! (1962).

Hatari! is a classic adventure film set in Tanzania. It stars John Wayne as the leader of a group of big-game hunters who capture wild animals for zoos. The movie features some exciting action scenes and beautiful landscapes, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the excitement of a safari.

5. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996).

The Ghost and the Darkness is a historical adventure film set in Kenya during the late 19th century. It follows the story of two man-eating lions that terrorize a group of workers building a railroad. The movie features stunning scenery and some intense action scenes, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the dangers of safari life. 

6. The Lion King (1994).

The Lion King is a classic animated film set in the African savanna. It follows the story of a young lion named Simba who learns about life and leadership from his father, the king of the Pride Lands. The movie features stunning animation and a memorable soundtrack, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the beauty. 

7. Blood Diamond (2006).

Blood Diamond is a political thriller set in Sierra Leone during the late 1990s. It follows the story of a smuggler who finds a rare pink diamond while working in the country’s civil war. The movie features stunning landscapes and powerful performances, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the political and social issues that affect African countries. 

8. The Last King of Scotland (2006).

The Last King of Scotland is a historical drama film set in Uganda during the 1970s. It follows the story of a Scottish doctor who becomes the personal physician of the country’s dictator, Idi Amin. The movie features stunning scenery and powerful performances, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the political turmoil that has affected many African countries.

9. Born Free (1966).

Based on the true story of George and Joy Adamson, this movie tells the story of their efforts to raise and release a lioness named Elsa back into the wild. Filmed on location in Kenya, the movie features stunning landscapes of the African savannah and offers a unique glimpse into the challenges of wildlife conservation. 

10. The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980).

The Gods Must Be Crazy is a comedy film set in Botswana. It follows the story of a bushman who finds a Coca-Cola bottle and tries to return it to the gods. The movie features beautiful scenery and some hilarious moments, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the humor and everyday life in rural Africa. 

Conclusion .

Watching safari movies before traveling to Africa can enhance your safari experience by familiarizing you with the African wildlife and landscapes, preparing you for your journey, and inspiring you for the adventure ahead. From the classic romance of Out of Africa to the thrilling action of The Ghost and the Darkness, the movies on this list offer a diverse and captivating glimpse into the beauty and complexity of Africa.

Are these movies suitable for children?

Most of the movies on this list are suitable for children, but some, such as Blood Diamond and The Ghost and the Darkness, may contain violence and adult themes.

Where can I find these movies?

Many of these movies are available for streaming on popular platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. They can also be rented or purchased on DVD or Blu-ray.

Do I need to watch all of these movies before my safari?

No, you don’t need to watch all of these movies before your safari. You can pick and choose the ones that interest you the most.

Are there any other safari movies you would recommend?

Yes, there are many other great safari movies out there, including Hatari!, The Lion in Winter, and The Naked Prey, to name a few.

How can I make the most of my safari experience?

Be sure to follow the guidance of your safari guide and respect the wildlife and their natural habitats. Bring plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable clothing and shoes, and most importantly, enjoy the adventure of a lifetime!

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10 Best African Safari Movies

If you’re thinking about going on an African safari and need a bit of visual inspiration, here’s our pick of the 10 Best African Safari Movies and documentaries , ranging from edge-of-your-seat thrillers to true life conservation stories.

Our must-watch African movies & documentaries:

Dive into the thrilling world of African safaris with our top picks for the best African safari movies. These films offer a cinematic journey through the wild landscapes of Africa, capturing the essence of adventure, wildlife, and the spirit of the safari experience. Perfect for those dreaming of or planning an African adventure, these movies range from gripping thrillers to heartfelt stories of conservation and connection with nature.

1. The Lion King

This classic Disney movie is still great to watch (after more than two decades) for its amazing music, powerful story and of course all your favourite animal characters, from loveable Pumbaa to wise Rafiki.

2. BBC Africa

You can’t go on a safari to Africa without watching the BBC’s incredible six-part mini series on the continent’s wild places and wildlife, narrated by the wonderful Sir David Attenborough.

This series covers black rhinos, the Kalahari desert, the savannah of East Africa, the wildlife of the Congo, animals living in southern Africa, the Sahara Desert and the future of conservation.

3. Gorillas in the Mist

Based on the true story of Diane Fossey, an American naturalist who dedicated her life to mountain gorilla research and conservation in the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The movie, which stars Sigourney Weaver, shows the challenges Fossey faced in fighting poachers and bureaucrats, and the sacrifices she made to help the severely endangered primates with beautiful shots of real gorillas in their natural habitat.

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4. the last lions.

A collaboration between National Geographic and filmmakers  Beverly Joubert, The Last Lions is a documentary film about the heartbreaking decline of the lion population in Africa.

The film is focused on one lioness as she tries to protect her cubs against the many threats they face in the wild.

5. The Ghost and the Darkness

Set in 1898 and starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas, this movie is based on the true story of two lions in East Africa that killed dozens of people working on a railroad. The railroad company decides to bring in a famed American hunter to kill the lions, but the carnage continues. Don’t let this story put you off going on safari to see lions though!

6. Out of Africa

This classic film, directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, beautifully captures the essence of life in Kenya during the early 20th century. It’s a must-watch for those interested in historical depictions of African safaris and wildlife.

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These films offer a window into the diverse and captivating world of African safaris. They not only entertain but also educate about the unique wildlife and challenges faced in African conservation. These movies are essential viewing for anyone passionate about adventure, wildlife, and the enduring beauty of Africa’s natural landscapes.

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5 Classic Safari Movies to Watch Before a Safari

Safari movies can increase the anticipation and excitement of going on safari in Africa . They can also be quite educational and inspire interesting ideas to enhance upcoming safari adventures. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of creative films involving humans interacting with untamed animals in the wild. Hollywood has been producing them for decades, and there is now a decent selection of movies that can bring the magic of the safari experience right into your living room. We have listed a handful of the classics below.

Classic Safari Movies for Safari-Goers

Safari (2013).

Safari is a found footage film in the thriller genre. In the movie, a group of young Americans book a trip to the South African bush and one of them documents the experience. They arrive in the country for a Kruger Park safari , where a safari tour guide escorts them to their lodge. From the safari lodge, the group embarks on a game drive with some South African lodge guests to view wildlife. However, the tourists become frustrated when they don’t encounter lions. The guide, after arguing with a junior guide, decides to take them into hunting territory where lions sightings are guaranteed. Then, things take a turn for the worse. Their vehicle breaks down, forcing the safariers to face the many dangers in the wild. They find a local girl and try to navigate the African wilderness. Ultimately, they are picked off by lions, hyenas, snakes and poachers.

A thrilling found footage movie set in the South African wild.

Out of Africa (1985)

This compelling biographical romance drama features beautiful African scenery and incredible performances by award-winning actors. In Out of Africa , a popular safari movies classic, an aristocratic Danish woman (Meryl Streep) travels to Kenya to join her husband (Klaus Maria Brandauer), who ends up spending her money on establishing a coffee plantation rather than a cattle ranch, as agreed upon originally. After discovering that her husband is unfaithful, she develops feelings for an independent big-game hunter (Robert Redford). She comes to realize that he prefers a simplistic lifestyle, though, whereas she has a noble background and leads a life on par with upper-class colonists in the area. The two continue on in a series of events until the hunter dies in a plane crash and the Dane leaves Africa with nothing but bittersweet memories.

In colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness has a romantic affair with an adventurous big-game hunter.

Gorillas in the Mist (1988)

Gorillas in the Mist , like Out of Africa , is a biographical American drama film with award-winning performers. This one does not focus on romance, however. Instead, the movie concentrates on the touching relationship between a naturalist and a group of primates that she studies in the mountain forests of Rwanda. The film also highlights the protagonist’s efforts in preventing the extinction of gorillas due to rampant poaching and corruption. With the threat of poachers ever lingering and strife around every corner, viewers can count on high drama from this moving 80s flick. As a bonus, the movie includes remarkable footage of real gorillas in their natural habitat. Sigourney Weaver stars as Dian Fossey, the real-life primatologist and conservationist that Gorillas in the Mist is based on. Australian actor Bryan Brown plays Dian’s love interest in the film.

The story of Dian Fossey, who went to Africa to study mountain gorillas and later fought to protect them.

To Walk with Lions (1999)

A factual adventure drama directed by Carl Schultz, To Walk with Lions showcases the dramatic continuation of George Adamson’s struggle to preserve the wildlife of Kenya. The film came 33 years after the award-winning movie Born Free , in which Adamson saves a lion cub. In To Walk with Lions , the Adamson brothers realise that the lions on their game reserve have become targets. The elephants and rhinos on the land are also being killed. Together with George’s assistant, the brothers battle to protect the animals, which poachers and herdsmen are killing for their pelts, tusks and horns, but the odds are against them. Academy Award Nominee Richard Harris of Gladiator and the first two Harry Potter films portrays George Adamson. Ian Bannen plays the role of George’s brother, and John Michie, George’s young male assistant.

To Walk with Lions takes you to the wilds of Africa for an inspirational story about a conservation crusade.

The Lion King (1994)

Safari-goers who’ve not yet seen the epic African musical Disney drama The Lion King absolutely should. It’s an inspiring and heart-warming animation – one of the top classic safari movies for people taking kids on safari! Can children go on safaris? Yes, they normally can. In fact, there are many fun activities for kids on safari . In The lion King , which spawned a 2019 remake, a young lion prince is born in Africa. This makes his uncle second in line to the throne. The uncle plots with hyenas to kill the king and prince in an effort to take the throne. The king dies and the uncle manages to convince the lion prince that it was his fault. Feeling ashamed, he flees the kingdom. After years in exile, the prince returns home to overthrow his usurping uncle. He then rightfully claims the kingdom as his own, completing the “Circle of Life”.

The Lion King follows the adventures of the young lion Simba, the heir of his father, Mufasa.

– Have yet to book your African safari adventure? We offer comprehensive Big 5 safaris and tours to the best South African wildlife sites. Contact us for assistance in planning an amazing holiday trip to Africa!

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Safari Movies To Watch Before You Travel To Africa

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Since the genre has developed over the years, there are now a number of films that can recreate the magic of a safari in your living room.

See our selection of the most inspirational safari movies to watch below; the first portion of the list focuses on classic safari movies, and the latter section is devoted to movies. All are quite advisable and definitely worth watching!

I Dreamed Of Africa

Although it didn't merit any Oscars, this movie nonetheless managed to make me want to travel to Africa. The movie is based on the true story of an Italian woman, Kuki Gallman, who moved to Africa to manage a farm. similar to Under the Tuscan Sun but taking place in Africa.

The movie, which is based on Kuki's memoir I Dreamed of Africa, is both devastating and uplifting at various points. It's unquestionably one of the best movies about an African safari you can see before visiting.

The Lion King

It's difficult not to picture the Circle of Life moment from the opening of Disney's epic African adventure, The Lion King , when you think about safaris and large game.

Children and adults alike can't help but be motivated to book a safari vacation after watching Simba on screen, even though it features animation and talking lions instead of authentic natural scenes.

Gorillas In The Mist

Another movie based on Dian Fossey's true story is Gorillas in the Mist (played by Sigourney Weaver). In the movie, primatologist Dian Fossey is seen visiting the Congo to observe gorilla behavior.

Although she must battle poachers who kill her after years of working to save the mountain gorillas from extinction, she learns their language and gestures.

The African Queen

The African Queen is a classic story of adventure, romance, and daring escapades in the wilds of the jungle. It stars Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, two of the most well-known performers of the time.

It was one of the first movies to employ genuine locales and backgrounds, giving the plot an unmatched level of realism. It was shot in Uganda and the Congo.

Out Of Africa

Oh, Merryl Streep and Robert Redford, you two co-wrote and co-starred in a fantastic African safari film when you were young. A movie called Out of Africa, which takes place in colonial Africa, won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The movie chronicles Karen Blixen's life as she starts a coffee plantation in Africa.

Our film, which is based on the autobiographical book of the same name, illustrates Karen's tumultuous existence in Kenya and includes a side plot about a youthful love affair with Robbie Red. It is one of the movies on this list that depicts elements of an African safari.

Tarzan from Disney is the best safari film for kids to watch. Most of us are familiar with Tarzan's made-up tale. a baby human who was raised by gorillas in the deepest part of the Congo.

Although there are several movies about Tarzan, I believe Disney does the finest job of bringing it to life. Both adults and children will enjoy this tale, which is a feel-good safari film with killer music by Phil Collins. One of the best animated movies from disney according to Bingepost so this is one recommendation you can't miss.

George and Joy Adamson, a married couple, reside in northern Kenya due to George's employment as a senior game warden. The three tiny female pups of the man-eating lion and its lioness were left orphaned after George's crew had to kill them.

George and Joy wean and care for the three cubs, whom they adopt as pets, despite the initial difficulty. Born Free is a beloved movie about African safari life that features touching human-big cat interactions.

African Cats

This movie follows two families as they try to build a house in an unexplored area in one of the most isolated parts of the world. Stunning photographs will steal your breath away as you come face to face with these majestic rulers of the savanna and their real-life love, humor, and tenacity.

It's a heartwarming, exhilarating event that brings together family ties and the strength and majesty of the wild.

White Hunter, Black Heart

This drama, which stars Clint Eastwood in both the lead role and the director role, centers on a film director who is driven to distraction by a dangerous obsession. Based on Peter Viertel's 1953 novel about his relationship with director John Huston while making The African Queen in central Africa, "White Hunter, Black Heart" tells the story of that relationship.

Road To Zanzibar

Hope and Crosby play Fearless and Chuck, two American sideshow artists lost in the jungle, in the comedy-adventure movie Road to Zanzibar.

After their human cannonball act caused a fire that destroyed the circus, they became involved with a larcenous duo of Brooklyn performers (Dorothy Lamour and Una Merkel) who were eager to take their money from them. After being tricked into joining the ladies on a safari, Chuck and Fearless soon find themselves in the hands of barbaric tribesmen who force Fearless to engage in a wild wrestling match with a gorilla.

People Also Ask

Is safari based on a true story.

The Movie "Safari" is a real footage taken in 2016.

What Are Some Films About Africa?

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - Malawi.
• Gorillas in the Mist - Rwanda.
• I Dreamed of Africa - Kenya.
• King Solomon's Mines - Zimbabwe.
• The Constant Gardener - Kenya.
• Born Free - Kenya.
• Out of Africa - Kenya.
• Jock of the Bushveld - South Africa.

What Should I Watch Before Safari?

• Out of Africa (1985)
• Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
• To Walk with Lions (1999)
• The Lion King (1994)

Are you eager to visit Africa? Safari movies have never received much attention, but they are excellent if you want to visit Africa soon because they provide you with a preview of what to expect there. Never forget to have fun with your loved ones and friends when getting ready for your subsequent safari.

About The Authors

Tara Weaver - I love Tanzania Wildlife Safaris. 🇹🇿 🦁

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Safari Movies

In the top there are new films of 2021, a plot description and trailers for films that have already been released.

In the not-too-distant future: after a global catastrophe has wiped out nearly all of humanity on Earth, an elite astronaut from Space Colony Kepler must make a decision that will seal the fate of the people on both planets.

An American family on holiday in Africa becomes lost in a game reserve and stalked by lions.

When her husband abruptly ends their marriage, empty nester Kate embarks on a solo second honeymoon in Africa, finding purpose and potential romance.

An American web designer inherits an animal reserve in South Africa. A no-nonsense ranger takes her on a safari in hopes that she will fall in love with the land, the animals and him.

Writer Harry Street reflects on his life as he lies dying from an infection while on safari in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Victor Marswell runs a big game trapping company in Kenya. Eloise Kelly is ditched there, and an immediate attraction happens between them. Then Mr. and Mrs. Nordley show up for their gorilla documenting safari. Mrs. Nordley is not infatuated with her husband any more, and takes a liking to Marswell. The two men and two women have some difficulty arranging these emotions to their mutual satisfaction, but eventually succeed.

The ReZort, a post apocalyptic safari, offers paying guests the opportunity to kill zombies in the wake of an outbreak.

Richard Dacier owns a tour agency specialized on organizing safaris for European tourists eager to confront the African wild life. Actually, he took the job after his father and never went into the savanna by himself. As he owes big money to some mobster, he is compelled to convey a fake tourist, with a suspicious suitcase, toward Mozambic. To avoid suspicion from the authorities, he is supposed to tour a group of tourists as usual. The only problem - he is completely unexperienced as a guide!

Inspector Rizzo in Napoli gets a message from a policeman from South Africa who wants to meet him. Immediately before this meeting the south African policeman is killed. Dying he shows Rizzo a picture of his little son Bodo. Rizzo travels to Johannesburg to find out what the policeman was working on and to find Bodo.

Against all the odds, a thirteen year old boy in Malawi invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine.

The extraordinary story of three Rwandan children who attempt to realize the dream of their life: to attend the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2010 at Johannesburg.

Out of Africa tells the story of the life of Danish author Karen Blixen, who at the beginning of the 20th century moved to Africa to build a new life for herself. The film is based on the autobiographical novel by Karen Blixen from 1937.

Corporate billionaire Edward Cole and working class mechanic Carter Chambers are worlds apart. At a crossroads in their lives, they share a hospital room and discover they have two things in common: a desire to spend the time they have left doing everything they ever wanted to do and an unrealized need to come to terms with who they are. Together they embark on the road trip of a lifetime, becoming friends along the way and learning to live life to the fullest, with insight and humor.

During World War One an English adventurer, an American elephant poacher and the latter's attractive young daughter, set out to destroy a German battle-cruiser which is awaiting repairs in an inlet just off Zanzibar. The story is based on a novel by Wilbur Smith, which in turn is very loosely based on events involving the light cruiser SMS Königsberg, which was sunk after taking refuge in Rufigi delta in 1915.

Scouring the ocean depths for treasure-laden shipwrecks is business as usual for a thrill-seeking underwater adventurer and his wisecracking buddy. But when these two cross paths with a beautiful doctor, they find themselves on the ultimate treasure hunt.

An orphaned cheetah becomes the best friend and pet of a young boy living in South Africa.

An ex-mercenary turned smuggler. A Mende fisherman. Amid the explosive civil war overtaking 1999 Sierra Leone, these men join for two desperate missions: recovering a rare pink diamond of immense value and rescuing the fisherman's son conscripted as a child soldier into the brutal rebel forces ripping a swath of torture and bloodshed countrywide.

Based on the true story of Robin, a handsome, brilliant and adventurous man whose life takes a dramatic turn when polio leaves him paralyzed.

Young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan decides it's time for an adventure after he finishes his formal education, so he decides to try his luck in Uganda, and arrives during the downfall of President Obote. General Idi Amin comes to power and asks Garrigan to become his personal doctor.

Two westerners, a priest and a teacher find themselves in the middle of the Rwandan genocide and face a moral dilemna. Do they place themselves in danger and protect the refugees, or escape the country with their lives? Based on a true story.

Inspired by true events, this film takes place in Rwanda in the 1990s when more than a million Tutsis were killed in a genocide that went mostly unnoticed by the rest of the world. Hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina houses over a thousand refuges in his hotel in attempt to save their lives.

A tough female reporter and her cameraman boyfriend team up with a four-man commando unit in the New Guinea jungle whom are fighting flesh-eating zombies. NB: Not to be confused with the 1981 American-made film with the same title.

Tells the story of Rainbow Randolph, the corrupt, costumed star of a popular children's TV show, who is fired over a bribery scandal and replaced by squeaky-clean Smoochy, a puffy fuscia rhinoceros. As Smoochy catapults to fame - scoring hit ratings and the affections of a network executive - Randolph makes the unsuspecting rhino the target of his numerous outrageous attempts to exact revenge and reclaim his status as America's sweetheart.

Sir Robert Beaumont is behind schedule on a railroad in Africa. Enlisting noted engineer John Henry Patterson to right the ship, Beaumont expects results. Everything seems great until the crew discovers the mutilated corpse of the project's foreman, seemingly killed by a lion. After several more attacks, Patterson calls in famed hunter Charles Remington, who has finally met his match in the bloodthirsty lions.

A girl, Carola, whose vacation in Kenya takes an interesting turn when she becomes infatuated with a Masai. Carola decides to leave her boyfriend to stay with her lover. There, she has to adapt to the Masai's way of life and get used to their food which includes milk mixed with blood. She also has to face her husband's attitude towards women and what he expects from a wife. Nonetheless, Carola is welcomed warmly into the tribe she has chosen to join.

Laura has spent years looking for her sister Sara who went missing in the depths of the jungle in the Congo. Neither the NGO she works for, nor the embassy, have news on her whereabouts until a photo appears of Sara in a mining town. Apparently, Sara is being held captive by The Hawk, the fearsome rebel leader who controls the mafias behind the prized mineral coltan.

Along the Atlantic coast, a soon-to-be-inaugurated futuristic tower looms over a suburb of Dakar. Ada, 17, is in love with Souleiman, a young construction worker. But she has been promised to another man. One night, Souleiman and his co-workers leave the country by sea, in hope of a better future. Several days later, a fire ruins Ada’s wedding and a mysterious fever starts to spread. Little does Ada know that Souleiman has returned.

Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters and his elite squadron of tactical specialists are forced to choose between their duty and their humanity, between following orders by ignoring the conflict that surrounds them, or finding the courage to follow their conscience and protect a group of innocent refugees. When the democratic government of Nigeria collapses and the country is taken over by a ruthless military dictator, Waters, a fiercely loyal and hardened veteran is dispatched on a routine mission to retrieve a Doctors Without Borders physician.

King T'Challa returns home from America to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country's new leader. However, T'Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T'Challa assumes the Black Panther mantel to join with girlfriend Nakia, the queen-mother, his princess-kid sister, members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan 'special forces') and an American secret agent, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

Chronicles a single day in the summer of 1989 when the future president of the United States, Barack Obama, wooed his future First Lady on an epic first date across Chicago's South Side.

Miguel, a heroic Spanish doctor, puts himself in harm's way to deliver medical treatment to the victims of military uprisings in Africa.

The story of humankind's last stand against a cataclysmic alien invasion. Set in the war-ravaged African countryside, a U.S. soldier and a French foreign aid worker team up to survive the alien onslaught. Their bond will be tested as they search for refuge across a crumbling world.

African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion.

After a bad blind date, a man and woman find themselves stuck together at a resort for families, where their attractions grows as their respective kids benefit from the burgeoning relationship.

From his childhood in Poland to his adolescence in Nice to his years as a student in Paris and his tough training as a pilot during World War II, this tragi-comedy tells the romantic story of Romain Gary, one of the most famous French novelists and sole writer to have won the Goncourt Prize for French literature two times.

Ginger Baker is known for playing in Cream and Blind Faith, but the world's greatest drummer didn’t hit his stride until 1972, when he arrived in Nigeria and discovered Fela Kuti's Afrobeat. After leaving Nigeria, Ginger returned to his pattern of drug-induced self-destruction, and countless groundbreaking musical works, eventually settling in South Africa, where the 73-year-old lives with his young bride and 39 polo ponies. This documentary includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Carlos Santana and more. Beware of Mr. Baker! With every smash of the drum is a man smashing his way through life.

Irish Commandant Pat Quinlan leads a stand off with troops against French and Belgian Mercenaries in the Congo during in the early 1960s.

A 25 year old young man with dreams of becoming a dancer despite the fact that he's paralyzed from the waist down. His dreams are shattered when his uncle falls seriously ill. To save him, he decides to go work for petrol traffickers.

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10 Inspiring Africa Movies to Watch

At African Travel we love to connect to the places we love. One way for us to do this is through movies.

Get the popcorn and consider one of these 10 Inspiring Africa movies. Some are old favorites, some are documentaries, some will spur you into action.  Some will make you cry, and some will make you laugh.  Many will make you want to be in Africa right now.

Born Free When most people think of visiting Africa, they think of wildlife.  For a certain generation, Born Free was the film that sparked a desire to see Africa and a movement towards animal rights.  This classic, released in 1966 and based on the nonfiction book, it tells the story of Elsa, an orphaned lion cub in Kenya and of George and Joy Adamson, the couple who forged an emotional bond with her.  You can’t help but for fall for Elsa, whose story ignited a movement around the way we perceive relationships between humans and animals and whose tale pushed the door open wide towards animal conservation.

Out of Africa Another classic that fired people up to explore Kenya, Out of Africa is the story of Danish author Karen Blixen and her passionate love affair with a big game hunter.  Set during colonial time in colonial British East Africa, it doesn’t always show Blixen at her best, but the cinematography will satisfy the desire to escape into the wilds of a place most people only dream about.  

Queen of Katwe If you like a defying all odds kind of story, you’ll love Queen of Katwe . It’s the inspirational real-life story of Phiona Mutesi, a girl growing up in the slums of Uganda who helps her mother sell food in the market and care for her baby brother.  When she meets Robert Katende, a coach who teaches children to play chess, Phiona goes on to become one of the country’s best female chess champions.  The hardship she and her family face offer hefty dose of reality, but her success will win you over.

Searching for Sugarman The power of oral storytelling is revealed in the following the singer Rodriguez generated amongst fans who passed his music along by word of mouth.   Searching for Sugarman is the surprise hit documentary about South Africa’s greatest ‘70s rock icon who never was.  An American folk singer whose bootleg recording made it to a nation struggling through a dark period, Rodriguez’s song “I Wonder” became an anti-apartheid anthem.  The documentary follows two South Africans who came of age listening to him and their journey to find the singer whose sound captured a nation and who became a mythical legend because, despite his popularity, no one had ever seen him perform.  Chase the myth with them, by end you just might become a fan, too.

Virunga This Academy Award Oscar nominated film is the true story of the rangers risking their lives to save Africa's most precious national park and its endangered gorillas from war and damaging oil exploration activity within the UNESCO World Heritage site.   Virunga spotlights the brave people who have dedicated their lives to build a better future for themselves and the animals they protect in Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth.  If you’ve ever seen a mountain gorilla, or have a desire to see one, this film is a must.  It will restore your faith in humanity, it will break your heart, but it may also spur you to action.

BBC Planet Earth:  Africa We’ll be honest, we’d be happy to watch a continuous loop of BBC’s Planet Earth Africa on Netflix.  So, sit back and relax as the amazing cinematography and narration carries you away on a journey through five regions of this stunning and diverse continent.  From extraordinary wildlife to unexplored rainforests and mountain ranges, the wow factor doesn’t get much better than this armchair adventure!

The First Grader Another film based on a true story, The First Grader is about a Kenyan farmer and former Mau Mau tribesman Kimani Maruge who enrolled in elementary school at the age of 84 when the country introduced universal education in 2003.  Despite opposition to admitting him into a classroom of six-year-olds, his determination finds him an ally in one teacher.  It’s the story about the power of education, perseverance and the will to learn no matter one’s age.  We hope this hero’s journey inspires you.

The Ivory Game Another Netflix original series, The Ivory Game is about the team of front-line rangers and undercover operatives who embark on dangerous missions to expose and disrupt the dark world of ivory trafficking.  From fighting poachers in Africa to exposing illegal ivory shops in China, the team risks their lives to save our elephants from those in pursuit of “white gold.”  If you support wildlife conservation, it will inspire you into action.

Our Planet It would be wrong of us to tell you to focus on just one episode of Our Planet, but we are partial to the ones that shine a light on Africa and features the wild dogs of the Serengeti.  The wonderous beauty of our planet is revealed in breathtaking cinematography and guided by Sir David Attenborough who explains how we can take charge of our future from the climate change that impacts all living creatures.  

Black Panther We couldn’t help ourselves with this one!  Whether you’re seeing it for the first time or enjoying it the second, third for fourth time around, Black Panther is just what we need right now.  This Marvel classic tells the story of T’Challa, who returns to his family’s kingdom home of fictional Wakanda, an African nation under threat from a rival warlord. In our hero’s battle against evil and his fight to reclaim his throne, this action movie challenges us to think about class structure, racism and our humanity and it also highlights African culture and traditions.  By the end of the film you’ll swear Wakanda is a real place and that’s a good thing.   Wakanda Forever!

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The 12 Best Jungle Adventure Movies, Ranked

Are you brave enough to venture into the wild?

Movies in the adventure and suspense genre tend to get our hearts racing with the fast-paced action and the mysterious wilderness setting. No one knows what will pop up on the screen from which direction to startle their senses. Whether it’s a quest to unearth lost treasures, or a journey to find the center of the earth, the best jungle movies always have loads of entertainment for the audiences in store.

Some might think this genre is a little over-explored with various movies finding their own jungle to get lost in, but the charm of having an unknown wild adventure never ceases to amuse. It’s always fun to see filmmakers come up with an engaging backstory and hilarious characters to make the jungle adventure movie one heck of a ride. Fans of this genre find comfort in such forest movies and strive to live vicariously through them. There's no shortage of the best adventure movies that heavily use the jungle setting to tell their fun and exciting stories. Which are the ones worth seeing at least once?

12 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' (2012)

Directed by brad peyton.

An ambitious sequel to the 2008 blockbuster Journey to the Center of the Earth , this feature film stars wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson , Josh Hutcherson , and Vanessa Hudgens , who set out in response to a cryptic signal received from deep within the forest. They venture in pursuit of Sean’s lost grandfather.

Both movies are adapted from epic stories written by Jules Verne . Watch Journey 2: The Mysterious Island for golden comedy, amusing sequences, and obviously the awesome Dwayne Johnson . Its cheesy comedy and formulaic plot aren't for cinephiles, but it's likely one of the guilty pleasure movies that some viewers watch for an uplifted mood.

journey 2: the mysterious island

Watch on USA Network

11 'Uncharted' (2022)

Directed by ruben fleischer.

Starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg , Uncharted follows the undiscovered ventures of Ferdinand Magellan with a desire to find the lost treasure. Existing fans of the game were very excited to see a feature film explore the world of the beloved game, but Uncharted 's adaptation turned out to be nothing like the source material.

While Holland managed to capture Nate's charm, wit, humor, and heart in a way that was uniquely his own, it couldn't make up for the boring plot, missed opportunities, and questionable deviations from the game's story that the creators decided to include. Still, for fans looking for a mindless flick on a boring night, Uncharted offers its fair share of fun action sequences, but not much else .

Rent on Apple TV

10 'The Lost City' (2022)

Directed by adam nee, aaron nee.

Nestled in the plot of the adventure movie The Lost City is a romantic arc that brings together an author and her cover model who goes overlooked otherwise. This modern take on the genre finds Sandra Bollock and Channing Tatum in the wild with an evil Daniel Radcliffe hampering their every move. The unlikely pair must learn to work together if they hope to survive long enough to find the treasure.

The wild plot certainly managed to capture the attention of the viewers, even though most of the jokes didn't land. The Lost City reels you in with the mystic fonts and the legend of a hidden treasure that delighted the kings and queens for centuries, even if many of these hooks are unfortunately predictable clichés. If for nothing else, the movie is a perfect watch just for the unexpected Brad Pitt cameo .

The Lost City

Watch on Amazon Prime

9 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008)

Directed by steven spielberg.

The fourth installment in the beloved adventure franchise, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull follows the exhilarating journey of the titular archaeologist ( Harrison Ford ), who pursues an artifact with immense power. Alongside an old flame, Marion Ravenwood ( Karen Allen ), Indy travels to the depths of the forests of Peru before being captured and taken to the Amazon.

Although not the best in the massive Indiana Jones franchise , The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull still offers exciting action and gut-busting humor for fans who love the character . It’s also just nostalgic to revisit the legendary films now that its final installment had its disappointing premiere. If anything, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is worth watching just for that one epic motorcycle scene.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Indiana Jones becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.

Watch on Disney+

8 'Jungle Cruise' (2021)

Directed by jaume collet-serra.

Jungle Cruise was highly anticipated as it brought two very talented and amazing actors together on screen – Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson . In this adventurous escapade, fans see a doctor and her brother embark on a trip to the lush Amazon forests to find a lost tree with supposed magical powers.

Of course, their journey has hindrances caused by evil villains who want to use the tree for their malicious purposes and spread their villainous agenda. Jungle Cruise is a fun way to enjoy the marvelous setting and get lost in the world of the Amazon. Don't expect any innovative twists or brilliant writing, though, as it's a basic jungle adventure movie that doesn't try to be anything else. For those looking for a family-friendly flick, this is the perfect one – enjoy it enough and there's a sequel available to watch, too!

Jungle Cruise

7 'jumanji: welcome to the jungle' (2017), directed by jake kasdan.

Even with a simple plot, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is so hilarious that it's impossible not to laugh. The film embraces the ridiculous concept of being sucked into a video game – which the original Jumanji game transformed into to fit modern times – but never insults the intelligence of the audience. Adult avatars from the present play alongside other players stuck in the game since the '90s, and they all desperately try to escape.

Featuring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart , Jack Black , Karen Gillan , and a sweet cameo by Nick Jonas , this film is an action extravaganza made to entertain. It does take inspiration from the vintage classic Jumanji game but comes out with a clearer direction and plot. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle may not live up to its predecessors, but there's no denying it's at least decently entertaining.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Four teenagers are sucked into a magical video game, and the only way they can escape is to work together to finish the game.

Watch on Hulu

6 'Tropic Thunder' (2008)

Directed by ben stiller.

Tropic Thunder has failings, but at its core, it is an absurd and deliciously wicked satire movie that exposes everything that is wrong with Hollywood. Parodying many classic films based on the Vietnam War, Tropic Thunder follows a group of obnoxious actors shooting their own war movie. When their director accidentally dies in an accident after leaving them in a jungle, the actors have to use what little skills they have to make it out alive.

Tropic Thunder is packed with hilarious and endlessly quotable lines , as well as two scene-stealing performances by Matthew McConaughey and Tom Cruise . Some of the best comedians and actors of the twenty-first century kicked off the century with a bang in this massive ensemble production that lived up to the hype at the time of its release and is still beloved by fans today.

Tropic Thunder

5 'king kong' (2005), directed by peter jackson.

King Kong has been remade multiple times by different filmmakers with more diverse perspectives on the portrayal of the magnificent Gorilla aka King Kong. The movie follows Carl Denham and his crew as they come across a giant ape on Skull Island and imprison it in order to bring it to New York. They run into trouble when the giant ape is released into the city.

A fantastic and exciting film on the whole, King Kong 's plot is epic, with more action and new astounding creatures. This remake contains more action than the original, and obviously maximizes CGI (even though it hasn't aged entirely well). While definitely not director Peter Jackson 's best work (an honor that remains with the Lord of the Rings trilogy), it's a decent enough modern adaptation of the classic story.

4 'Tarzan' (1999)

Directed by kevin lima, chris buck.

A beloved Disney classic, Tarzan is an animated film that needs no introduction. The movie tells the tale of the titular protagonist (voiced by Tony Goldwyn ), a human orphan left in the jungle who is adopted by his gorilla family. He struggles with his identity and place in the world growing up, which becomes even more prominent with the arrival of a group of humans – including the vibrant Jane Porter ( Minnie Driver ).

The rewatchable animated Disney film has everything, from groundbreaking animation to catchy musical numbers to an inspiring heartfelt story. Its story about identity and the meaning of family is wonderfully told against the backdrop of a gorgeous (and sometimes unforgiving) jungle. While some of its aspects haven't aged well, the classic is still worth revisiting with family members today.

3 'The Jungle Book' (1967)

The Jungle Book is an evergreen classic that has been one of the most widely read and watched movies in the history of cinema. The adventures of Mowgli, the hunger of the iconic animated villain Shere Khan, and a pack of wild animals come together to create this masterpiece of a story.

Heartwarming soundtracks and lessons about bravery, friendship, and life, in general, are some of the inspiring takeaways from The Jungle Book . With various animated and live-action iterations, this movie has been made and remade a lot of times over the years, but still manages to maintain the old-school charm of a Disney movie. The 1967 version is undoubtedly still the best, with as much heart and humor as it did when it first premiered.

2 'Jurassic Park' Movies (1993 - 2001)

Spanning seven thrilling movies over almost two decades, the Jurassic Park franchise has nothing but the best in store. A first-of-its-kind plot that explored the comeback of dinosaurs to disrupt the modern world was loved by all and immediately became a huge part of cinematic history.

Along with rampaging monsters and scientific experiments gone wrong, the movies have continuously featured a strong star cast that managed to attract audiences from across the world. The most recent movie, Jurassic Park: Dominion , seemed to be the end of the franchise, which has seen a steady decline in quality. That said, those looking for a nail-biting jungle survival movie may want to check out the first three entries in this award-winning film series.

Jurassic Park

1 'predator' (1987), directed by john mctiernan.

Predator was part of Arnold Schwarzenegger 's string of 1980s hits : half testosterone-drenched shootout movie, half sci-fi horror that dismantles (limb by limb) the action genre and the men who feature in them, who find all their guns and unified body mass completely pointless against a superior warrior who hunts humans for sport.

Predator became an instant action classic thanks to the dreaded creature, one-liners, sweltering jungle setting , and John McTiernan 's directorial style. It's the ultimate jungle movie that birthed a legendary franchise that's still going strong today, with Prey marking a great move forward for the classic film series.

Watch on Max

NEXT: The Best Adventure Movies of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb

50 Movies Where the Action Happens in Africa

Top 50 movies set in africa you have to see.

If you cant travel to Africa, Africa comes to you.  We all know movies like Last King of Scotland with Leonardo di Caprio, Blood Diamond, Hotel Rwanda, The English Patient, The Constant Gardener,  Goodbye Bafana, and evergreen classics Out of Africa and Gorillas in The Mist.

But there is more! 50 Movies Where the Action Happens in Africa is list of less known films shot in Africa with great stories and insights into African continent.

Unfortunately  many  movies filmed in Africa  get overlooked due to lack  of the publicity. Below is the list of less known  50 movies set in Africa. Many movies from the list are  award winners or nominees  on international festivals like Cannes, Toronto, Tribeca, Sundance…

On top list of movies set in Africa you will find everything: from shocking and eye opening documentaries revealing problematic issues in Africa, stories inspired by real life events, to drama action and love. We have gathered and seen many from the list of 50 movies where the action happens in Africa. How many movies have you seen?

Movies set in Africa With Child Soldiers and Rebel Topic

Set in Northern Uganda, a country ravaged by more than two decades of civil war, WAR/DANCE tells the story of Dominic, Rose, and Nancy, three children whose families have been torn apart, their homes destroyed, and who currently reside in a displaced persons camp in Patongo.

When they are invited to compete in an annual music and dance competition, their historic journey to their nation’s capital is also an opportunity to regain a part of their childhood and to taste victory for the first time in their lives.

The Silent Army

Child soldiers in Africa are at the fore in this tale of a white restaurant owner in an African town bordering a conflict zone. When his son’s African friend Abu is abducted, he sets out to find the boy, and walks right into a training camp exploiting children like Abu.

War Witch paints a poignant and harrowing portrait of Komona, a 14-year-old girl (wonderfully played by nonprofessional actress Rachel Mwanza) who has been kidnapped from her African village by rebels to become a child soldier.

She escapes from the camp with an older albino soldier and experiences for the very first time the joys of a peaceful and loving life, but a fresh tragedy will force her to confront and fight the ghosts haunting her mind.

Movies Set in Rwanda Based on True Events from Genocide War

Sometimes in april.

If you really want to find out a bit more about the genocide in Rwanda of 1994, this is THE movie to go! It’s a wonderful, yet uncompromisingly sad and bitter movie. Whereas “Hotel Rwanda” was more like Schindlers List in Africa.

More focusing on a Hollywood-like hero & love story, “Sometimes in April” leads you right into the very depths of hell. The characters are well pointed out, the acting is always impressive and the film-making is very subtle and pleasantly calm.

Beyond the Gates  aka Shooting Dogs

Based on a true story. An exhausted Catholic priest (Hurt) and a young idealistic English teacher (Dancy) finds themselves caught in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. They must now choose whether to stay with the thousands of Tutsis about to be massacred or to flee for safety.

A Sunday in Kigali

In April 1994, the middle-aged Canadian journalist Bernard Valcourt is making a documentary in Kigali about AIDS. He secretly falls in love for the Tutsi waitress of his hotel Gentille, who is younger than him, in a period of violent racial conflicts.

When the genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus in Rwanda begins, Bernard does not succeed in escaping with Gentille to Canada. When the genocide finishes in July 1994, Bernard returns to the chaotic Kigali seeking out Gentille in the middle of destruction and dead bodies.

Kinyarwanda

A young Tutsi woman and a young Hutu man fall in love amidst chaos; a soldier struggles to foster a greater good while absent from her family; and a priest grapples with his faith in the face of unspeakable horror.

A local Hutu official is persuaded to implement the government’s policy against the Tutsi: To completely wipe them out. Josette, a beautiful young Tutsi girl struggles to survive the killing by taking refuge in a church, supposedly protected by the UNO forces.

Meanwhile, Josette’s brother is hunted down and murdered and her boyfriend rescued by the rebels. But the Hutu Catholic priest betrays Josette’s family and only agrees to spare her life is to submit to the nightly violations.

By the time she is reunited with her boyfriend, neither of them can face the brutal reality of their situation: she is pregnant and bears the priest’s child, which she immediately abandons. 100 Days was shot in Kibuye, the beautiful landscape had been the back drop to some of the worst atrocities in 1994.

In Kibuye Church, the site of an actual massacre, Rwanda actors played killers and victims that were only too familiar to them.

Hotel Rwanda

The true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda.

Movies Set in South Africa

In Johannesburg, a small time criminal, Tsotsi, is a teenager without feelings, hardened by his tough life. After a series of violent gang hits, Tsotsi hijacks a car. However, whilst driving, Tsotsi finds that there is a baby on the back seat. He brings the baby to his house in the slum. The next six days bring about a change in him that couldn’t be foreseen

The Bang Bang Club

A must see movie for photojournalism lovers! A drama based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa. The “Bang-Bang Club” was a moniker given to a group of primarily four South African photographers who gained notoriety for consistently putting themselves in harm’s way to obtain photographs of the “silent war” between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Inkatha.

Inkhata raged from 1990 to 1994, leading up to the first free elections in South Africa that resulted in Nelson Mandela becoming President. The Bang Bang Club is a film version of those years, focusing on the primary members of this group, Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and Joao Silva.

 Gangsters Paradise: Jerusalema

Inspired by a true story, GANGSTERS PARADISE: JERUSALEMA is an unflinching look into the crime, corruption and the transgressions of those looking to survive in the most crime—infested district of Johannesburg. Starting off with simple smash and grabs, and petty crime, Lucky Kunene quickly graduates to more aggressive heists such as armed robbery and carjacking.

Soon, Lucky realizes he needs a bigger score to fulfill his goals of making it big, and escaping from the slums, to a dream house by the sea. Lucky hatches an elaborate and violent plan to make his fortune hijacking building from landlords of Johannesburg tenements by winning the favor of the tenants and then holding their rent hostage from the landowners.

His high—profile real estate acquisitions attract the attention of the local police force who have no qualms about using unprovoked brutality to bring him down. His trouble with the law, coupled with an escalating war between a local drug lord, creates a tense standoff: both sides are closing in, and Lucky must stay one step ahead, or his empire, and his life, will come crashing down.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Nelson Mandela is a South African lawyer who joins the African National Congress in the 1940s when the law under the Apartheid system’s brutal tyranny proves useless for his people.

Forced to abandon peaceful protest for armed resistance after the Sharpeville Massacre, Mandela pays the price when he and his comrades are sentenced to life imprisonment for treason while his wife, Winnie, is abused by the authorities herself.

Over the decades in chains, Mandela’s spirit is unbowed as his struggle goes on in and beyond his captivity to become an international cause. However, as Winnie’s determination hardens over the years into a violent ruthlessness, Nelson’s own stature rises until he becomes the renowned leader of his movement.

Life, Above All

In the dusty small town of Elandsdoorn, a South African township not far from Johannesburg, life is simple and serene. A prevailing sense of deep pride tightly bonds together the entire community – but beware to those who step out of line … 12-year-old Chanda is a hardworking promising young student with a bright future, but her life changes dramatically when her baby sister unexpectedly dies.

Heartbroken, Chanda’s mother, Lillian, in turn becomes severely ill. Her stepfather drowns himself in alcohol, leaving the young girl to take care of her two smaller siblings. Meanwhile, the formerly friendly neighbors become increasingly distant and gossip spreads. “Auntie” Tafa does what she can to help by getting Lillian to leave town, but not even “Auntie” is immune to the cloud of fear filtering across Elandsdoor.

7 Days in Entebbe (2018)

In July 1976, an Air France flight from Tel-Aviv to Paris via Athens was hijacked and forced to land in Entebbe, Uganda. The Jewish passengers were separated and held hostage in demand to release many terrorists held in Israeli prisons. After much debate, the Israeli government sent an elite commando unit to raid the airfield and release the hostages.

Beat the Drum

Young Musa is orphaned after a mysterious illness strikes his village in KwaZulu Natal. To help his grandmother, Musa sets out for Johannesburg with his father’s last gift, a tribal drum, in search of work and his uncle. The journey confronts him with the stark realities of urban life, but his indomitable spirit never wavers; he returns with a truth and understanding his elders have failed to grasp.

Inspired by true story. A dark skinned girl born to white South African parents attempts to explore her identity in the era of apartheid as her government, her parents, and society as a whole struggle with what it means to be a black child of Caucasian descent in a nation deeply divided by race. The year is 1955.

Sandra Laing, Sophie Okonedo, has just been born to a pair of white Afrikaner parents, her brown skin and curly hair the surprising result of genetic throwback. As the government’s rigid apartheid system struggles with whether to classify Sandra as white or black, the young girl and her parents gradually realize that the complications they face due to her appearance run deep and wide.

The Colour of Freedom aka Goodbye Bafana

GOODBYE BAFANA is the true story of a white South African racist whose life was profoundly altered by the black prisoner he guarded for twenty years. The prisoner’s name was Nelson Mandela.

Movies Set in Kenya

Paradise: love.

On the beaches of Kenya they’re known as “Sugar Mamas” — European women who seek out African boys selling love to earn a living. Teresa, a fifty-year-old Austrian and mother of a daughter entering puberty, travels to this vacation paradise. She goes from one beach boy to the next, from one disappointment to the next and finally she must recognise: On the beaches of Kenya, love is a business.

The White Massai

The Swiss Carola Lehmann develops a crush on the Samburu warrior Lemalian Mamutelil during a ferry trip on the last day of her two week vacation in Kenya, although traveling with her boyfriend, Stefan. She strikes up a conversation with Lemalian and, the next morning, instead of returning to Biel (Switzerland), Carola decides to leave Stefan and seek out Lemalian.

She travels to Nairobi by bus. From there to Maralal, where she befriends Elizabeth Muzungu, a Caucasian married to a Kikuyu. She explains some important details of the Samburu culture to Carola. Wwhen Lemalian meets with her, they walk together to his isolated tribe in Barsaloi.

Carola is welcomed by his people, she sells her shop in Switzerland and marries Lemalian, having a daughter with him. She also opens up a store. However, their differences of cultures force Carola to make an ultimate decision.

Nowhere in Africa

A love story spanning two continents, “Nowhere In Africa” is the true tale of a Jewish family who flees the Nazi regime in 1938 for a remote farm in Kenya.A Jewish family in Germany emigrate short before the Second World War.

They move to Kenya to start running a farm, but not all members of the family come to an arrangement with their new life. Shortly after their departure, things are changing in Germany very quickly, and a turning back seems impossible. So everyone has to arrange himself with the new life in a new continent.

 Nairobi Half Life

A movie made by Kenyans for Kenyans. A young, aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya dreams of becoming a success in the big city. In pursuit of this and to the chagrin of his brother and parents, he makes his way to Nairobi:the city of opportunity.

The First Grader

Set in a mountain village in Kenya the film tells the remarkable true and uplifting story of a proud old Mau Mau veteran who is determined to seize his last chance to learn to read and write – and so ends up joining a class alongside six year-olds. Together he and his young teacher face fierce resistance, but ultimately they win through – and also find a new way of overcoming the burdens of the colonial past.

Out of Africa

This is one of those rare movies that has something for everybody and is nearly perfect in many respects.OUT OF AFRICA is based on the memoirs of Danish writer Karen Blixen (pen name, Isak Dinesen) in a coffee plantation in present day Kenya.

It explains how this brave woman overcomes the stereotype of a dainty, colonial British lady by running the coffee farm while her husband Bror Blixen (Brandauer) led a life of hunting and infidelities.

Meryl Streep is great as Karen Blixen. She manages to maintain the realistic Danish accent through the whole film. Redford is great as Denys Finch-Hatton, the Etonian hunter who keeps companion in her loneliest and hardest. But the real attraction of the film is he outstanding photography of the African landscape.

The Constant Gardener

In a remote area of Northern Kenya, activist Tessa Quayle is found brutally murdered. Tessa’s companion, a doctor, appears to have fled the scene, and the evidence points to a crime of passion. Members of the British High Commission in Nairobi assume that Tessa’s widower, their mild-mannered and unambitious colleague Justin Quayle, will leave the matter to them.

They could not be more wrong. Haunted by remorse and jarred by rumors of his late wife’s infidelities, Quayle surprises everyone by embarking on a personal odyssey that will take him across three continents.

Using his privileged access to diplomatic secrets, he will risk his own life, stopping at nothing to uncover and expose the truth – a conspiracy more far-reaching and deadly than Quayle could ever have imagined.

Social Documentaries Set in Africa

Darwin’s nightmare.

A documentary on the effect of fishing the Nile perch in Tanzania’s Lake Victoria. The predatory fish, which has wiped out the native species, is sold in European supermarkets, while starving Tanzanian families have to make do with the leftovers.

The larger scope of the story explores the gun trade to Africa that takes place under the covers — Russian pilots fly guns into Africa, then fly fish back out to Europe. The hazards and consequences of this trade are explored, including the pan-African violence propagated by constant flow of weapons into the continent.

If it is a “survival of the fittest” world, as Darwin concluded, then the capitalist interests that fund the gun runners are climbing the evolutionary ladder on the backs of the Africans in this stark Darwinian example.

Much like the foreseeable extinction of the Lake Victoria perch, and death of Lake Victoria itself, the Africans are in grave jeopardy, even as they survive in the only ways they know how.

God Grew Tired of Us: The Story of Lost Boys of Sudan

In 1987, Sudan’s Muslim government pronounced death to all males in the Christian south: 27,000 boys fled to Ethiopia on foot. In 1991, they were forced to flee to Kenya; 12,000 survived to live in a U.N. camp in Kakuma. Archival footage documents the 1,000 mile flight; we see life in the camp.

We follow three young men who repatriate to the U.S. John Bul Dau goes to Syracuse, and by the film’s end, becomes a spokesperson for the Lost Boys and Lost Girls of Sudan; Daniel Abol Pach and Panther Bior go to Pittsburgh. All work several jobs, send money back to the camp, search for relatives lost in the civil war, acclimatize to the U.S., seek an education, and miss their homeland

The New Sudan

After 20 years of terror-filled nights, there is dawn in Southern Sudan. The people of the land peek out from the doorways of their huts. They ask each other, “Will the sun stay? Will there be morning tomorrow and the next day?” The long war is over. Southern Sudan becomes New Sudan.

Peace treaties are inked and enemies shake hands. But other wars still rage. The war of awakening hope against the habit of despair. The war of new alliances against decades of mistrust. The war of joyful homecoming against the lack of homes remaining. Above all, it is a war for the human heart against the heart of darkness.

We Come as Friends

WE COME AS FRIENDS is a modern odyssey, a dizzying, science fiction-like journey into the heart of Africa. At the moment when the Sudan, the continent’s biggest country, is being divided into two nations, an old “civilizing” pathology re-emerges – that of colonialism, the clash of empires, and new episodes of bloody (and holy) wars over land and resources.

The director of DARWIN’S NIGHTMARE takes us on this voyage in his tiny, self-made, tin and canvas flying machine. He leads us into most improbable locations and into people’s thoughts and dreams, in both stunning and heartbreaking ways.

Chinese oil workers, UN peacekeepers, Sudanese warlords, and American evangelists ironically weave common ground in this documentary, a complex, profound and humorous cinematic endeavor – a tale of very old and rather sinister verses.

In the forested depths of eastern Congo lies Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places in the world and home to the last of the mountain gorillas. In this wild, but enchanted environment, a small and embattled team of park rangers – including an ex-child soldier turned ranger, a carer of orphan gorillas and a Belgian conservationist – protect this UNESCO world heritage site from armed militia, poachers and the dark forces struggling to control Congo’s rich natural resources.

When the newly formed M23 rebel group declares war in May 2012, a new conflict threatens the lives and stability of everyone and everything they’ve worked so hard to protect.

‘The Square’ is an intimate observational documentary that tells the real story of the ongoing struggle of the Egyptian Revolution through the eyes of six very different protesters.

Starting in the tents of Tahrir in the days leading up to the fall of Mubarak, we follow our characters on a life-changing journey through the euphoria of victory into the uncertainties and dangers of the current ‘transitional period’ under military rule, where everything they fought for is now under threat or in balance

Half The Sky

Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, two sequences are shot in Africa, one in Kibera and the other in Somalia. 

In August 2009, Shining Hope for Communities founded The Kibera School for Girls, the first tuition-free school for girls in Kibera. By providing a superior education, daily nourishment, uniforms, and schools supplies all free of charge, they were able to give the brightest and most at-risk girls the power of hope and education.

Ross Kemp Extreme World and Piracy Series

Lagos, Nigeria – Ross kemp looks at the link between poverty and piracy in Lagos’s biggest slum Ajegunle:

Ross Kemp Extreme World: DR Congo

Ross Kemp flies to RWANDA to find out more about The Congo war, which has been fought for over a decade, and is the bloodiest conflict that has been fought since the 2nd world war.

Ross Kemp on Gangs: Kenya Special

In this 90-minute special, Ross Kemp travels to Kenya to investigate the Mungiki, an outfit labelled as the most dangerous “gang” in Africa.

Movies Set in West Africa

Not far from the ancient Malian city of Timbuktu, proud cattle herder Kidane (Ibrahim Ahmed aka Pino) lives peacefully in the dunes with his wife Satima (Toulou Kiki), his daughter Toya (Layla Walet Mohamed), and Issan (Mehdi Ag Mohamed), their twelve-year-old shepherd.

In town, the people suffer, powerless, from the regime of terror imposed by the Jihadists determined to control their faith. Music, laughter, cigarettes, even soccer have been banned. The women have become shadows but resist with dignity.

Every day, the new improvised courts issue tragic and absurd sentences. Kidane and his family are being spared the chaos that prevails in Timbuktu. But their destiny changes abruptly

Caught in the middle of a brutal civil war, six Liberian missionaries in Monrovia flee the widespread violence of their native country. Their destination: Freetown, Sierra Leone. With the help of local church leader Phillip Abubakar (Henry Adofo), the missionaries make the difficult journey, only to have their troubles compounded by a rebel fighter bent on killing one of their own.

Based on true events, FREETOWN is a thrilling and inspiring story of hope and survival.

Tall as Baobab Tree

Coumba and her little sister Debo are the first to leave their family’s remote African village, where meals are prepared over open fires and water is drawn from wells, to attend school in the bustling city. But when an accident suddenly threatens their family’s survival, their father decides to sell 11-year-old Debo into an arranged marriage.

Torn between loyalty to her elders and her dreams for the future, Coumba hatches a secret plan to rescue her young sister from a fate she did not choose. A powerful voice from Africa’s young generation, Grand comme le Baobab (Tall as the Baobab Tree) poignantly depicts a family struggling to find its footing at the outer edge of the modern world… where questions of right and wrong are not always black and white.

Blood Diamond

The film opens in Sierra Leone, 1999 when Civil war rages for control of the diamond fields…According to devastating reports, these stones are being used with both rebels and government forces to purchase more weapons and finance civil war…A story following Archer, a man tortured by his roots.

With a strong survival instinct, he has made himself a key player in the business of conflict diamonds. Political unrest is rampant in Sierra Leone as people fight tooth for tooth. Upon meeting Solomon, and the beautiful Maddy, Archer’s life changes forever as he is given a chance to make peace with the war around him.

Dreams of Dust

A Nigerian peasant comes looking for work in Essakane, a dusty gold mine in Northeast Burkina Faso, where he hopes to forget the past that haunts him.

Other Movies Where the Action Happens in Africa

Where are you taking me.

Employing an observational style, this contemplative documentary reveals multifaceted portraits of Ugandans in both public and private spaces. The film travels through Uganda, roaming the vibrant streets of Kampala and the rural quiet of the North, to reveal a diverse society where global popular culture finds expression alongside enduring Ugandan traditions.

White Material

Denis revisits Africa, this time exploring a place rife with civil and racial conflict. A white French family outlawed in its home and attempting to save its coffee plantation connects with a black hero also embroiled in the tumult. All try to survive as their world rapidly crumbles around them

Desert Flower

The autobiography of a Somalian nomad circumcised at 3, sold in marriage at 13, fled from Africa a while later to become finally an American supermodel and is now at the age of 38, the UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation.

African Proverbs Wildebeest Migration in Tazania  

The Good Lie

Four Sudanese children are orphaned after their village is massacred in the Second Sudanese Civil War. Consequently, they make an arduous and dangerous trek through the plains, enduring hardship, death and sacrifice all the way until they reach safety in a refugee camp in Ethiopia.

Years later, these youths are among 3600 selected for resettlement in America, only to have the one girl among them sent to Boston, while the three boys must to make a new life in Kansas City.

Together, these young men must adjust to an alien culture even as the emotional baggage of their past haunts them. However, these newcomers, and their new friends like employment counselor Carrie Davis, strive to understand each other in this new home, as they make peace with their histories in a challenge that will change all their lives.

Unfolds the poignant story of three women and their search for justice from the daily plight of sexual harassment in Egypt.

The Lost Number

An international action drama, The lost Number is the story of a redemption-seeking English woman going against all odds to save a remote slum in Africa.After going renegade on a Foray, Kathleen an English woman goes down south to Ngara Town.

Seeking redemption, Kathleen saves Ngara Town and becomes her new hero. But when Diwani (point man of the Foray) comes to Ngara to retrieve from Kathleen what belongs to the Foray, Kathleen must go against the odds to save Ngara from Diwani and a Foray striking for the very soul of Ngara Town.

Long Way Down

Actors and best friends Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman travel from John O’Groats, Scotland down to Cape Town, South Africa on motorcycles. They travel down through Europe and Africa, getting an up-close view of the local cultures. They also stop at various UNICEF projects to offer support and assistance to the children there.

Long Way Down is the feature cut of the second season of the road trip documentary featuring Ewan McGregor and his buddy Charlie Boorman on their motorcycle adventure from the Northern tip of Scotland, to the southern tip of Africa. Brushing up on the past adventure is not a requirement for getting your visa for this trip.

The film suffers mildly from the lack of build-up and planning for the trip, which would have added more of an introduction to the traveling company, but the ramping right into the adventure helps the pace of the 2+hr film.

As a whole the film works as an African postcard, a buddy road trip, and the greatest advertisement for adventure tourism ever made. It is impossible to watch this film and not have an immediate desire to skip the beaches of Hawaii for the far-reaches of the African wilderness.

The Last King of Scotland

In the early 1970s, Nicholas Garrigan, a young semi-idealistic Scottish doctor, comes to Uganda to assist in a rural hospital. Once there, he soon meets up with the new President, Idi Amin, who promises a golden age for the African nation.

Garrigan hits it off immediately with the rabid Scotland fan, who soon offers him a senior position in the national health department and becomes one of Amin’s closest advisers. However as the years pass, Garrigan cannot help but notice Amin’s increasingly erratic behaviour that grows beyond a legitimate fear of assassination into a murderous insanity that is driving Uganda into bloody ruin.

Realizing his dire situation with the lunatic leader unwilling to let him go home, Garrigan must make some crucial decisions that could mean his death if the despot finds out.

Gorillas in The Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey

The story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them. Based on Dian Fossey’s own autobiography, this true life story is inspiring and has helped these amazing animals in many ways by waking us up to their plight.

Originally Dian herself was helping to make the film, until she was murdered and the production team had to go back and start it all over again several years later in 1988.

Based on the real-life experiences of Mende Nazer,the story unfolds as twelve-year-old Malia,daughter of champion wrestler Bah,is abducted from her Sudanese village in the Nubar Mountains by pro-government Arab militia and sold into slavery to a woman in Khartoum,who beats her for touching her daughter.

After six years she is sent to London, where her name is changed, but her miserable life of servitude continues.

Her passport is taken and she is told that her father will die if she goes to the authorities. Fortunately she meets a sympathetic person who seems to offer her the hope of escape and reunion with Bah,back in Sudan. For all the film’s optimism an end title states that there are around 5,000 ‘slave’ workers currently in Britain.

The Last Lions

Fifty years ago there were close to half-a-million lions in Africa. Today there are around 20,000. To make matters worse, lions, unlike elephants, which are far more numerous, have virtually no protection under government mandate or through international accords.

This is the jumping-off point for a disturbing, well-researched and beautifully made cri de coeur from husband and wife team Dereck and Beverly Joubert, award-winning filmmakers from Botswana who have been Explorers-in-Residence at National Geographic for more than four years.

Pointing to poaching as a primary threat while noting the lion’s pride of place on the list for eco-tourists-an industry that brings in 200 billion dollars per year worldwide-the Jouberts build a solid case for both the moral duty we have to protect lions (as well as other threatened “big cats,” tigers among them) and the economic sense such protection would make.

And when one takes into account the fact that big cats are at the very top of the food chain-and that their elimination would wreak havoc on all species below them, causing a complete ecosystem collapse-the need takes on a supreme urgency.

Movie synopsis taken from imdb.com

About the Author: Nina Zara

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Fantastic list ! Thanks for sharing..

You are welcome, will be updating this list!

Lookong for a movie about an african stock fighter looking for revenge for the death of his daughter. Great movie woth all afrocan cast. 1970s I think

Super seznam. Hvala. Dodajam pa jih še nekaj: Capitan Phillips Tears of the sun Invictus Black Hawk Down Lion des Hommes The constant gardner Lord of the war Invictus Goodbye bfana

Hvala Matjaz, za dodatke, Bafana in gardener sta na listi, ampak se hitro kaj spregleda ob tako dolgi listi:) Lp, Nina Zara

Im looking for a movie from the 60s or 70s black and white about a man looking for a stick fighter who killed his daughter to gain power. English speaking i think. Title is a single african word

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Top 10 Lion Movies [Updated - 2021]

By | 01 April 2020

Lions are truly majestic animals to observe in the wild, inspiring many famous documentaries, TV series, animations and movies over the years.   With our camps situated within the territories of famous prides of lion and their prey, Asilia has played a part in the making of several well-known big cat documentaries and films , including some mentioned below.  We asked our Asilia Facebook followers to pick their all-time best lion movies and documentaries; count down with us to see which one occupies the number one spot.

Top 10 Lion Movies

10. madagascar – dreamworks animation (2005).

We begin with an all-time classic, loved by both children and adults.  Madagascar is a comedy animation with a hilarious ensemble cast of holywood stars: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Sacha Baron Cohen, David Schwimmer, Cedric the Entertainer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Andy Richter, Bob Saget and more.  It was a huge commercial success which resulted in several sequels and spin-offs: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa , Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted , Penguins of Madagascar , and All Hail King Julien.

9. The Ghost and the Darkness – Paramount (1996)

The Ghost and the Darkness tells the historical story of a pair of man-eating lions that attacked and killed a number of construction workers who were building the Kenya-Uganda Railway In 1898.  Hollywood stars Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas play the role of an engineer and a veteran hunter who set out to hunt the two lions, named by locals as “the Ghost” and “the Darkness”.

8. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and Wardrobe – Disney (2005)

The Chronicles of Narnia are a series of famous and beloved books written by C. S. Lewis in the 1950s. They have been adapted for radio, plays, television and film.  Set in the realm of Narnia, home to magic and talking animals, including a lion named Aslan.  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe fantasy film was released in 2005 and starred Liam Neeson (as the voice of Aslan) and Tilda Swinton as the White Witch.  The movie was followed by Prince Caspian (2008) and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010), making over $1.5 billion globally.

7. African Cats – DisneyNature (2011)

This is a true life adventure documentary telling the dramatic, real story of two families of big cats living in Kenya’s famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.  The Maasai Mara and surrounding conservancies (such as Naboisho Conservancy) is one of the few remaining places on Earth where lions, cheetahs and leopards live in high numbers within the same territory, competing with one another for food.  Having operated in the region for decades and having camps situated in ideal locations to access these big cats, Asilia provided logistical support for the filming.  The film is narrated by Samuel L Jackson as well as by Patrick Stewart (in the UK release), and proceeds from the documentary resulted in thousands of acres of land being protected in Kenya.

6. Christian the Lion – Morningstar Productions (1972)

This incredible true story took place in the 1970’s and was covered by the newspapers of the time, with the documentary film being made in 1971.  The story was revived and went viral in 2002 after a clip was posted on YouTube . 

Christian was born in a zoo in 1969, and was subsequently bought and sold by Harrods to friends John Rendall and Ace Bourke, who kept him in the basement of their London furniture store. In 1971 they returned him to his ancestral home of Kenya, where lion expert George Adamson carefully and successfully reintroduced him to the wild, with Christian eventually heading his own pride.  Having not seen him in nine months, the famous clip shows the reunion of Rendall and Bourke with Christian.

5. Relentless Enemies – National Geographic (2006)

Narrated by Jeremy Irons, this is a dramatic documentary about a pride of lions as they stalk and attempt to hunt notoriously powerful buffalo in difficult terrain within the Okavango delta.

4. Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas - National Geographic (1992)

Like Relentless Enemies shown above, Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas is a documentary made by prolific husband-and-wife filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert.  Set in Botswana, this shows the raw reality of life in the wild of Africa, as a pride of lions feud with a clan of hyenas.

3. The Last Lions – National Geographic (2011)

Rounding off a trio of documentaries featured in our top 10, The Last Lions was also made by South Africans Dereck and Beverly Joubert and is narrated by Jeremy Irons.  The film focuses on a lioness mother named Ma di Tau as she fights to protect her cubs and ensure their survival in the wild.

2. The Last Lioness – Aquavision (2009)

This documentary is the story of lioness Lady Liuwa, who lives alone on Zambia’s Liuwa Plain.  With no pride, she has no support to help her survive, the sad result of illegal trophy hunting that destroyed the rest of her species in the region.

And the number 1 lion movie, as voted by our wildlife enthusiasts on Facebook , is...

1. Born Free – Columbia Pictures (1966)

‘BORN FREE’ – The star of this beautiful 1966 film is lion ‘Elsa’, a lion cub. Joy Adamson and her husband, Kenya game warden George Adamson, raise the cub. As one of our fans said: “It is the only choice, single-handedly inspired the modern safari in the late 1960’s, probably the single most successful piece of conservation marketing ever. If you haven’t seen it at least three times then your life is not complete.”

BONUS MOVIE: The Lion King - Disney (1994 and 2019)

The Lion King is a childhood favourite of so many of today's adults, full of iconic characters, scenes and songs.  Disney remade The Lion King in 2019, allowing it to become a modern-day classic for today's children, but this time using highly realistic animation techniques.  Asilia was Disney’s partner when location filming for The Lion King in 2017, with Naboisho's pro-guide and camp manager Roelof Schutte guiding them for 2 weeks around Kenya. Watch the evolution of The Lion King below.

Ready to go on safari and see wild lions up close?

More wildlife & conservation articles.

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

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Pop Culture

You know it when you see it: here are some movies that got sex scenes right.

Linda Holmes

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist. Niko Tavernise/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures hide caption

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist.

What makes a good sex scene? It can be easier spot bad sex, but Aisha Harris, Christina Tucker, Ronald Young, Jr. and I tried to focus on the good this week on Pop Culture Happy Hour. You can listen to our full conversation here. (We didn't originally plan for this episode to run the same week as our episode about Challengers , which is out in theaters now, but it's a happy coincidence, since that film has gotten a lot of attention — probably too much, relative to its other merits — for the sex scenes involving its three leads. It's really very good .)

Movie Reviews

Watch a tense romantic triangle play out on the tennis court in 'challengers'.

It's often very obvious when a sex scene is bad, just like when a sex scene in a book is bad. It can get so uncomfortable to watch that you have to leave the room (and not in a way that feels true to the story). One of my personal tells for a bad sex scene is when all I can think about is how hard the actors are trying to persuade me that the characters are having a good time. For example, there has been much good discussion in recent years about Showgirls being a more interesting and competent project than it originally got credit for, but in that one pool scene (if you know it, you know it), all I can see is the effort.

Lauren Bacall And The 'Sex? What Sex?' Kind Of Movie Sex

It's not always as clear which scenes are good . That's partly because they serve so many different functions, all of which look different, and all of which can be effective. Furthermore, you don't want to confuse whether a sex scene is used well in a film with whether it's hot to you personally, despite the fact that there is overlap between those considerations.

In the 'Last Dance,' Magic Mike leaves his thong-and-dance routine behind

Here's what I mean: When Aisha talks about the sequence near the beginning of Magic Mike's Last Dance , it's not irrelevant that the scene is, to her (and to me), hot. But it also makes sense in the context of the film and the franchise, partly because of the way it sets up the power dynamic between Mike (Channing Tatum) and Max (Salma Hayek Pinault). Mike is older now, he knows more, and the way he approaches a lap dance is actually different than in earlier movies.

And not all good sex scenes are hot in the same ways. The one I mentioned in the episode, from the romantic drama Love & Basketball , is sexy, yes. But it's also a scene between young adults (the talented basketball players Monica and Quincy, played by Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps), and as such, it incorporates a tentativeness that's not present in Magic Mike's Last Dance , to say the least. As Ronald pointed out during our discussion, that sex scene is quite different from one that takes place later in Monica and Quincy's relationship, when they're older and know each other better. That certainly feels true to real life, but it's not always reflected in Hollywood films, where I would tentatively estimate that 90% of on-screen sex is more idealized and thus less intimate than real-life sex, in part because it isn't allowed to change over the course of a relationship.

Movie Interviews

'like it or not, we live in oppenheimer's world,' says director christopher nolan.

Even further from the hotness of the lap dance scene is Ronald's pick: the imagination of Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt) running wild in Oppenheimer. While her husband (Cillian Murphy) is being interrogated, she pictures him having sex with his mistress, Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh). It goes by quickly enough that it might seem like a Christopher Nolan flourish for flourish's sake, but it serves the purpose of letting you feel her pain over her husband's affair. Her relationship with Robert doesn't look especially romantic in the film, let alone sexually charged; she finds herself consumed by the idea that he was having hot sex with this other woman, and she locks eyes with her vision of a naked Tatlock and finds herself tormented. It's not really the intent of the scene to titillate the audience, just to give specificity to the shape of Kitty's preoccupation with the affair.

What makes a good sex scene?

Christina raised another really important point, which is that sex scenes also collide with viewers at very specific moments. Her example from Bound , and the scenes between Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Corky (Gina Gershon), touches on (among other things) her own history. It's an underappreciated aspect of the sex-in-movies discourse: representation matters in these scenes as much as anywhere else. I always wish I saw more sex scenes in movies that featured a broader variety of body types; it's still really rare to see ones that feature anybody who is even average sized. This is one of the reasons I'm curious about the upcoming season of Bridgerton , which places its focus on the gorgeous and curvaceous Penelope (Nicola Coughlan).

Looking for 'nomance': Study finds teens want less sex in their TV and movies

Good sex scenes are like any other kind of good filmmaking, honestly: it comes down to execution with purpose and care, done relative to whatever the function of the scene might be.

Whether that's spiciness or conflict or relationship growth or (as in the case of Bound ) setting up a steamy neo-noir story that wouldn't be the same if it weren't hot as heck, form follows function, ideally.

This piece also appeared in NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss the next one, plus get weekly recommendations about what's making us happy.

Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour on Apple Podcasts and Spotify .

New on HBO and Max in May 2024 — all the new shows and movies to watch

A s the weather warms up, Max is gearing up for some exciting new releases to make itself known as among the best streaming services .   

To help you find that perfect show or movie, we've rounded up the best content that's new on Max in May 2024. Zac Efron's wrestling epic, "The Iron Claw," makes itself known as a must-watch new movie despite not being a 2024 Oscars contender. The April showers might have wrought the anxiety just a bit, which is where "Turtles All The Way Down" might be able to get you out of that funk thanks to its feel-good story on friendship, love, and finding oneself in the swirl of life. 

Max will also be plenty packed with all of your favorite sports content this May, with major highlights being the NBA Playoffs and NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Baseball, soccer, and cycling will also return throughout the month on Max.  

Here's everything new on Max in May 2024. If you're still looking for more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out our roundup of all the  best new shows to watch this week .

New on Max in May 2024: Top Picks

'hacks' season 3 (may 2).

Laughing its way to its third season, Max's comedy gold "Hacks" returns with another hilarious outing that sees Jean Smart's Deborah Vance at the top of her game. Her standup special that debuted at the end of the last season has driven her back into stardom and she's living life quite lavishly in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, her ex-comedy writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) returns to Los Angeles in the hopes of finding a better role for her writing career. 

This season will kick off a whole year following the duo's separation. Deborah and Ava will once more cross paths, finding new ways for both to grow together all with the good-natured hysterics baked in. "Hacks" season 3 corrals a total of nine episodes, with two of them landing on premiere night. 

Premieres May 2 on Max

'Turtles all the Way Down' (May 2)

Based upon John Green’s novel of the same name, “Turtles All the Way Down” follows the story of 16-year-old Aza Holmes (Isabela Merced), who struggles with anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Following a chance reconnection with her childhood crush, Aza’s life spirals into questions of love and happiness. 

With a new lease on working through her mental illnesses, Aza decides to go on a quest in search of a fugitive billionaire with the help of her friend Daisy (Cree Cicchino). It’s unclear how much of the novel will find its way into the upcoming Max teen drama, but it’s sure to be packed with surprises and more than a few twists to keep fans guessing. 

'The Iron Claw' (May 10)

The 2023 biopic out of A24 follows a family of wrestlers in the throes of a supposed curse. Named after the iconic "iron claw" move in-ring, "The Iron Claw" spans from 1979 to the 1990s as it depicts the attempted successes of Fritz Von Erich's sons. 

Zac Efron leads the charge as Kevin Von Erich, the second oldest son and often narrator of the film. His enthusiasm and discipline are palpable as he describes a deep fondness for the sport of wrestling, but winning doesn't come easy. Over the course of the film, Kevin and his brothers have consistent fights with their father. This emotional turmoil is what drives the plot as the group tries to become household names in wrestling. 

Falling into similar territory as "The Fighter" before it, "Iron Claw" is a fascinating tale of family and destiny. Although it might have been snubbed at the 2024 Oscars, it still came out on top as among the top 10 films via the National Board of Review. 

Premieres May 10 on Max

'Pretty Little Liars: Summer School' (May 9)

“Pretty Little Liars” returns once more, this time taking up a completely new name following the 2022 hit “Original Sin.” This second season, aptly titled “Summer School,” will follow in the footsteps of its previous season, taking inspiration from the likes of “Midsommar” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” 

Millwood is once more steeped in a horrifying villain in the “Bloody Rose,” a knife-wielding, red-mask-donning killer that will “test every one of the girls,” claims showrunner Lindsay Calhoon Bring. New cast members joining the show include Antonio Cipriano as Johnny, Ava Capri as Jen, Noah Alexander Gerry as Christian, and Loretta Ables Sayre as Lola, all of whom will bring their own mysteries and plenty of lies to the table. 

Premieres May 9 on Max

Bleacher Report Live Sports on Max in May 2024

2024 nba playoffs.

All of TNT Sports’ coverage of the 2024 NBA Playoffs throughout May — including live games, pregame and postgame coverage, and alternative viewing experiences — will be available to stream on Max’s B/R Sports Add-On.

Max’s B/R Sports Add-On will be the exclusive streaming home of the 2024 NBA Western Conference Finals.

Check local listings for matchups and game times.

2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

All of TNT Sports’ coverage of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs throughout May — including live games, pregame and postgame coverage — will be available to stream on Max’s B/R Sports Add-On.

MLB Tuesdays

Houston Astros at New York Yankees, 7:00 p.m.

New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins, 7:30 p.m.

Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs, 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets, 7:00 p.m.

FIA World Endurance Championships

TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (FP3, Qualifying & Race)

Michelin® Grand Prix de France

Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya 2024

GP Morbihan (Coupe de France)

Elfstedenronde

Tro-Bro Léon

Circuit of Wallonia

Tour of Finistère (Coupe de France)

4 Jours de Dunkerque

Max Originals and Exclusives in May 2024

Synopses provided by Max

May 2 - 'Hacks'

May 2 - 'Turtles All the Way Down'

"Turtles All the Way Down" tackles anxiety through its 17-year-old protagonist, Aza Holmes (Isabela Merced). It’s not easy being Aza, but she’s trying... trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, and a good student, all while navigating an endless barrage of invasive, obsessive thoughts that she cannot control. When she reconnects with Davis, her childhood crush, Aza is confronted with fundamental questions about her potential for love, happiness, friendship, and hope.

May 3 - 'Stop Making Sense'

Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 film was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme and is considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time. Stop Making Sense stars core band members David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison along with Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steve Scales, Lynn Mabry and Edna Holt. The live performance was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December of 1983 and features Talking Heads' most memorable songs.

May 9 - 'Pretty Little Liars: Summer School'

Following the harrowing events of "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,” our Pretty Little Liars face a fate worse than death - summer school. However, Millwood High isn’t the only thing getting in the way of their fun summer jobs and new, dreamy love interests. A new villain, who may or may not have a connection to A, has come to town and is going to put them all to the test.

May 10 - 'The Iron Claw'

The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.

May 11 - 'NIKKI GLASER: SOMEDAY YOU'LL DIE'

Taped late last year in front of a sold-out, lively audience at the Moore Theater in Seattle, Washington, Glaser dives into a wide range of topics that have further evolved her comedic prowess including why she doesn’t want kids, the harsh realities of aging, her sexual fantasies, and plans for her own death – all in her hilarious, unapologetic, and brutally honest style. NIKKI GLASER: SOMEDAY YOU’LL DIE showcases why Glaser is one of the funniest, and most fearless, comedians today.

May 20 - 'STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A'

STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A tells the story of an underdog record label comprised of Black and white collaborators who ushered in the groundbreaking, industry-altering soul music of Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, The Staple Singers, Sam & Dave and many others that defined a generation. Driven by instinct and defying the notion that Black artists needed to be “made marketable,” the Memphis-based label went from ultimate outsider to one of the most influential producers of Black music – finding its place inside the broader mainstream record industry. Stax became more than a record label; it transformed into a beacon of Black freedom. It is a quintessentially American story of an audacious group of individuals who dared to make their own music on their own terms creating an institution that has continued to help define our culture long after the label itself has gone.

This is the story of Stax. As raw and honest as the sounds the label laid to vinyl.

May 29 - 'MOVIEPASS, MOVIECRASH'

Everything New on Max in May 2024

• All About My Mother (1999)
• Black Christmas (2019)
• Crank (2006)
• Crank: High Voltage (2009)
• The Dead Don't Die (2019)
• Don Jon (2013)
• Eddie the Eagle (2016)
• The Edge (1997)
• The Florida Project (2017)
• Genius (2016)
• Guy's Grocery Games, Season 35 (Food Network)
• Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
• Jack and the Beanstalk (1952)
• Jersey Boys (2014)
• The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
• The Lighthouse (2019)
• Mad Max (1979)
• Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
• Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
• My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now? (TLC)
• Poltergeist (2015)
• Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)
• Poltergeist III (1988)
• Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
• Sisters (2015)
• The Upside of Anger (2005)
• Wild Mountain Thyme (2020)
• Wonderland (2003)
• Hacks, Season 3 (Max Original)
• Selena + Restaurant, Season 1 (Food Network)
• Six Is Not A Crowd (Felices Los 6), Season 1 (Max Original)
• Turtles All the Way Down (Max Original)
• Batwheels, Season 2B (Cartoon Network)
• Stop Making Sense (A24 2023 Re-Release)
• Teen Titans Go!, Season 8 (Cartoon Network)
• Zillow Gone Wild, Season 1 (HGTV)
• America's Backyard Gold, Season 1 (Discovery Channel)
• People Magazine Killer Investigates, Season 1 (ID)
• Mini Beat Power Rockers, S4B
• Next Baking Master: Paris, Season 1 (Food Network)
• Yellowstone Wardens, Season 4 (Animal Planet)
• Mecum Full Throttle: Houston TX 2024 (Motor Trend) 
• Outdaughtered, Season 10 (TLC)
• In Pursuit with John Walsh, Season 5 (ID)
• Stupid Pet Tricks, Season 1 (TBS)
• Pretty Little Liars: Summer School (Max Original)
• The Iron Claw (2023) (A24)
• Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die (HBO Original)
• Expedition From Hell: The Lost Tapes (Discovery Channel) 
• Naked and Afraid XL, Season 10 (Discovery Channel)
• SMILING FRIENDS, Season 2 (Adult Swim)
• Summer Baking Championship, Season 2 (Food Network)
• Doubling Down with the Derricos, Season 5 (TLC)
• Botched Bariatrics, Season 1 (TLC)
• Ghost Adventures, Season 28 (Discovery Channel) 
• Home Sweet Rome (2023) (Max Original)
• Sleepless (2017)
• Murder in the Heartland (ID)
• My Lottery Dream Home, Season 15 (Discovery Channel)
• Design Down Under, Season 2 (Magnolia Network)
• Ciao House, Season 2 (Food Network)
• Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight, Limited Series (CNN Original Series)
• STAX: Soulsville U.S.A (HBO Original)
• Elephants vs. Man with Nick Paton Walsh (CNN Original)
• Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case (La Mano En El Fuego) (Max Original)
• Moonshiners: Master Distiller (Discovery Channel)
• Last Chance Garage, Season 1 (Motor Trend) 
• Romário: The Guy (Romário: O Cara), Season 1 (Max Original)
• Texas Metal's Loud and Lifted, Season 2 (Motor Trend)
• Thirst with Shay Mitchell (Max Original)
• Caught: Wild and Weird America (Discovery Channel) 
• Diary of an Old Home, Season 4 (Magnolia Network)
• Mysteries of the Abandoned: Hidden America (Discovery Channel)
• Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
• 90 Day Fiancé: UK, Season 3
• Two Guys Garage, Season 23 (Motor Trend)
• Homicide Hunter: American Detective, Season 4 (ID)
• MoviePass, MovieCrash (HBO Original)
• Traces of Love (Evidências Do Amor) (Max Original)
• Outchef'd, Season 3 (Food Network)
• Gold Rush: Parker's Trail, Season 3 (Discovery Channel)

More from Tom's Guide

• How to watch 'A Gentleman In Moscow' online and from anywhere
• 19 best movies on Hulu in April 2024
• 5 biggest Netflix shows returning in 2024 — 'Squid Game,' 'Cobra Kai' and more

• Entertainment

The most anticipated movies of summer 2024

Remember last summer, when “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” took over the multiplexes , setting box-office records and giving all of us way more opinions than we thought we had on pink clothing, puns involving the name “Ken” and nuclear annihilation? (Yes, “Barbenheimer” made for strange bedfellows.) Anyway, that was last year, and surely every movie-theater owner out there is hoping for a repeat . What titles might get us flocking to our local cinemas this summer, popcorn in hand? Perhaps some of the following; note that all release dates are tentative and subject to change. 

The familiar stuff: sequels and franchises

“ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes .” The Franchise That Will Never Die returns yet again, directed by Wes Ball (“The Maze Runner”) and set nearly 300 years after the last installment, “War for the Planet of the Apes.” (May 10)

“ Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga .” Am I wrong that “Furiosa” would be a great cat name? Anyway: The latest “Mad Max” installment from writer/director George Miller is an origin story for Anya Taylor-Joy’s character. (May 24)

“ Bad Boys: Ride or Die .” The fourth installment in the “Bad Boys” cop-comedy franchise features Will Smith, Martin Lawrence and Vanessa Hudgens. (June 7)

“ A Quiet Place: Day One .” This prequel to John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” movies stars Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn. If it’s anything like the previous two, prepare to be silently freaked out. (June 28)

“ Twisters .” Remember “Twister,” with Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton chasing tornadoes back in 1996? No? Anyway, this is a sequel starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and climate change; Lee Isaac Chung (“ Minari ”) directs. (July 19)

“ Deadpool & Wolverine .” Apparently these two are frenemies? Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman team up, presumably to break the summer box office. (July 26)

“ Alien: Romulus .” The space horror saga continues, with a young cast featuring Cailee Spaeny (“ Priscilla ”), Isabela Merced and Archie Renaux. (Aug. 16)

The true stuff: biopics

“ Back to Black .” Thirteen years after Amy Winehouse’s death, here’s a film biography of the troubled British singer-songwriter, with the central role played by Marisa Abela. (May 17)

“ Young Woman and the Sea .” If you liked “Nyad,” try this: Daisy Ridley plays Gertrude Ederle, the American athlete who in 1926 became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. (May 31)

“ Firebrand .” Costume drama alert: Jude Law and Alicia Vikander star in a tale of Henry VIII and his sixth wife, Katherine Parr. (June 21)

“ The Fire Inside .” The feature directorial debut of cinematographer Rachel Morrison (“ Black Panther ,” “Mudbound”), this film tells the story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, the first American woman to win Olympic gold in boxing. (Aug. 9)

The wholesome stuff: family films

“ IF .” This looks pretty dang cute: a family-friendly comedy about a little girl who vows to find new companions for left-behind imaginary friends. John Krasinski directs a cast that includes Ryan Reynolds and Emily Blunt. (May 17)

“ The Garfield Movie .” Not to be confused with “Garfield: The Movie,” which is something else entirely; this is an animated comedy about the pizza-loving orange kitty (voiced by Chris Pratt) who reunites with his father (Samuel L. Jackson). (May 24)

“ Inside Out 2 .” Oh, this one makes me nervous, as I loved the original “Inside Out” so much. In this Pixar sequel, Amy Poehler voices Joy, one of many voices inside the head of a now-teenage girl named Riley. Please be good, please be good. (June 14)

“ Despicable Me 4 .” Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) is back, this time with a Gru Jr. Need I say more? (July 3)

“ Harold and the Purple Crayon .” The beloved children’s book finally comes to the screen, with a cast led by Zachary Levi, Lil Rel Howery and Zooey Deschanel. (Aug. 2)

The scary stuff: horror/suspense

“ I Saw the TV Glow .” This one’s been making waves on the film-fest circuit: It’s a dark drama about two teens obsessed with a mysteriously canceled YA television series, directed by Jane Schoenbrun (“We’re All Going to the World’s Fair.”) (May 17)

“ The Watchers .” Ishana Night Shyamalan (yes, she’s M. Night’s daughter) directs a fantasy/horror film set in an Irish forest, where curious creatures assemble come night. Dakota Fanning stars. (June 14)

“ Maxxxine .” Mia Goth plays an adult film star in 1980s Hollywood in Ti West’s latest horror drama. (July 5)

“ Longlegs .” Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe star in a serial killer-vs.-FBI agent thriller, from writer/director Oz Perkins. (July 12)

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“ Trap .” M. Night Shyamalan’s latest involves a dad (Josh Hartnett) who takes his teen daughter to a concert, only to find that it’s a deeply sinister event. Been there, right? (Aug. 2)

The serious stuff: drama

“ The Dead Don’t Hurt .” Viggo Mortensen directs and stars in this Western drama, set in 1860s San Francisco and co-starring Vicky Krieps (“ Phantom Thread ”). (May 31)

“ Kinds of Kindness .” Emma Stone reunites with director Yorgos Lanthimos (“ Poor Things ”) for this three-film anthology, also starring Willem Dafoe and Hong Chau and premiering at this spring’s Cannes Film Festival. (June 21)

“ Fancy Dance .” Oscar nominee (and Mountlake Terrace High School graduate ) Lily Gladstone stars in Erica Tremblay’s drama about an Indigenous woman searching for her missing sister. (June 21)

“ The Bikeriders .” From Jeff Nichols (“Loving”) comes this look at a 1960s Chicago outlaw motorcycle club, starring Jodie Comer and Austin Butler. (June 21)

“ Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 .” Kevin Costner directed and stars in this two-part Western set during the American Civil War. (June 28, Aug. 16)

“ Dìdi .” This story of a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy, written and directed by Sean Wang, won a special jury award and the audience award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. (July 26)

“ It Ends With Us .” Popular author Colleen Hoover’s romantic drama is the basis for this film, featuring Blake Lively, Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar. (Aug. 9)

“ Tuesday .” Early reviews have been strong for this Julia Louis-Dreyfus-starring drama about a mother, her daughter and a talking bird. (Summer TBD)

“ Sing Sing .” The closing night (May 18) selection of the Seattle International Film Festival, this prison drama stars Oscar nominee Colman Domingo (“ Rustin ”) as an incarcerated man who finds purpose by acting in a prison theater group. (Summer TBD)

The funny stuff: comedy

“ Thelma .” Opening night (May 9) at the Seattle International Film Festival is this comedy about a 93-year-old woman (June Squibb, of “Nebraska”) determined to get her own back after she’s scammed by a hacker. (June 21)

“ Fly Me To the Moon .” A romantic comedy, in midsummer? As Miranda Priestly would say, groundbreaking. This one’s set during the 1960s space race, and features Scarlett Johansson as a marketing exec selling the idea of a fake moon launch to a NASA director (Channing Tatum). Potentially cute? (July 12)

Movies starring Cate Blanchett that are based on video games

“ Borderlands .” There’s a video game movie every summer, right? Eli Roth directs a cast that also includes Jack Black, Ariana Greenblatt, former local Cheyenne Jackson and Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis. (Aug. 9)

The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

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Grandmother shoots robber in the middle of taylor swift 'eras' movie, hero crimefighter grandma shoots robber ... in the middle of taylor swift 'eras' flick.

Forget anti-heroes ... a grandma in New Mexico is a full-blown hero after shooting an intruder who was on the run from cops -- right in the middle of Taylor Swift 's "Eras" flick!

Anissa Tinnin was watching the movie version of Taylor's tour with her granddaughter. They were having a great time, singing, dancing, popping M&M's ... when a guy named Joseph Rivera came charging through her front door. Turns out Rivera had allegedly stolen a car and cops were on to him.

Tinnin says she was manhandled, threatened and ordered to turn over her car keys, which she did. She says, "I told him not to hurt us ... I would do whatever he wanted."

She says when Rivera walked outside, she called 911 and beelined it for her gun case, where she removed a weapon.

For some reason, Rivera came back inside the house. By this time she had put her granddaughter in a bedroom for safety, but the guy came charging at her.

She screamed, "Get back. I will f***ing shoot you! " ... and she did. He asked why she did it, and Tinnin responded, "Because you're in my f***ing house!"

Tinnin even showed compassion, rendering first aid by putting pressure on the wound.

But, she warned Rivera ... one false move and she'd shoot again.

Cops showed up and Rivera is now in custody, charged with burglary, auto theft and other crimes.

Dude has 5 prior felony convictions for burglaries and theft, the stakes were high for Tinnin, and she rose to the occasion.

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Louisville filmmaker releases movie on Ohio River to Kentucky

This Louisville-based filmmaker is uncovering the mysteries of the Ohio River in his most recent film.

Titled "This Is The Ohio," the one-hour production stretches nearly 1,000 miles, revealing the lengthy history and awe-inspiring beauty of the vast body of water, and it comes out soon.

According to a news release from Ohio River Way , Morgan C. Atkinson's film "This Is The Ohio" premiers at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 6, on Kentucky Educational Television. Lasting about an hour, the film spans over 980 miles, showing the landscapes and scenery from a perspective that the viewer typically isn't familiar with.

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“I questioned the river’s true identity. I asked, ‘Is it solely a commercial highway essential to the economic well-being of the United States? Or is it a natural wonderwater providing incredible opportunities for recreational users? How about its status as America’s second most endangered waterway," Atkinson said. "I found the answers to be in all of the above.”

Louisville-based filmmaker premiers documentary about Ohio River

Atkinson's documentary features an interview with Morgan McGarvey, former Democratic state senator and current representative for the 3rd congressional district, with the belief the Ohio River is significantly underfunded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“The Ohio River is the largest body of water in America that doesn’t currently receive Federal funding. That’s got to change,” said McGarvey. “Having a clean river is essential. A major effort I am working on as co-chair of the Ohio River Caucus is to make sure the Ohio River is getting the resources it needs, that it deserves.”

It is also a prominent water source for over 5 million people, said Michael Washburn, executive director of Kentucky Waterways Alliance. “Morgan's film deftly showcases this past while eloquently arguing that the restoration of the Ohio River is necessary for a sustainable future. This message is as important as it is timely as organizations likeours are working to secure federal support for Ohio River restoration.”

'This Is The Ohio' Film Times

• Monday, May 6, 2024, 5:00 p.m. on KET
• Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 5:00 a.m. on KET
• Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 6:00 a.m. on KETKY
• Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 1:00 p.m. on KETKY
• Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 7:00 p.m. on KETKY
• Saturday, May 11, 2024, 12:00 a.m. on KETKY
• Saturday, May 11, 2024, 5:00 a.m. on KET2
• Saturday, May 11, 2024, 8:32 a.m. on KETKY
• Saturday, May 11, 2024, 5:00 p.m. on KETKY
• Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 10:30 p.m. on KETKY
• Thursday, May 16, 2024, 12:00 p.m. on KETKY
• Friday, May 17, 2024, 12:00 a.m. on KETKY

New DreamWorks Land is just the beginning. Universal Orlando shares big summer plans.

Dreamworks land at universal orlando to open june 2024. when does epic universe, the brand new theme park, open sometime in 2025..

Ever wanted to train alongside Po, perform with Poppy or even swim in the swamp with Shrek? You'll soon get your wish (except that last one).

Universal Orlando Resort revealed its new DreamWorks Land will officially debut on June 14, along with several other new experiences for guests to enjoy this summer.

“We are thrilled to debut an array of never-before-seen experiences for the entire family to enjoy from day to night,” Karen Irwin, President & COO of Universal Orlando Resort, said in a news release. “These new experiences – coupled with the amazing attractions currently in our theme parks – will allow our guests to create lasting memories that will make this summer truly unforgettable.”

Where is DreamWorks Land?

The new themed environment inspired by DreamWorks Animation films and characters will be located where  Woody Woodpecker's KidZone used to be, near E.T. Adventure.

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Starting June 14, guests can explore the vivid worlds of some of DreamWorks Animation’s most beloved characters from "Shrek," "Trolls" and "Kung Fu Panda."

"The expansive new area will feature interactive play areas, character meet-and-greets, an all-new indoor live show experience, unique treats and photo-worthy moments that are fun for the whole family," Universal Orlando shared. "Guests will be able to explore Shrek’s Swamp, enjoy the Trollercoaster, interact with Po in the Panda Village, encounter characters like Gabby from 'Gabby’s Dollhouse' and so much more."

Several popular characters will also be featured in a new multisensory live show called DreamWorks Imagination Celebration.

New fountain and drone show coming to Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida lagoon will come to life with an all-new nighttime show, CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular.

Universal shared the new show will include iconic scores and scenes from films that have inspired Universal Orlando’s past, present and future attractions – including Warner Bros. Pictures' "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts" films, "Jurassic World," "Jaws," "Shrek," "Ghostbusters," "Trolls," "Back to the Future," Universal monsters, "Transformers," "How to Train Your Dragon," "E.T.," "Fast and Furious," "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," "Minions," "The Mummy," and "King Kong."

The lagoon show will feature 228 fountains reaching heights of up to 131 feet, 4K projection mapping, an original composition featuring newly arranged scores meticulously crafted for each scene, and more than 600 drones.

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Universal Orlando to debut new parade based on beloved films

Universal's new parade is perfect for any parkgoers who love films. Beginning Wednesday, July 3, Universal Studios Florida will debut its Universal Mega Movie Parade – a spectacular celebration of iconic movies.  

"Universal Mega Movie Parade will be Universal Orlando’s biggest daytime parade to date and combine 13 brand new floats, nearly 100 performers – including dancers, skaters, stilt walkers, poi performers and more – and special effects to create a jaw-dropping experience where guests can relive classic film moments in a whole new way," Universal shared in its news release.

New themed merchandise heading to parks

Guests visiting the parks can already start gearing up for the new entertainment coming this summer with specialty merchandise celebrating the new experiences, including clothing, drinkware, headbands themed to beloved DreamWorks characters, and more.

In the coming months, Universal Orlando’s Summer Tribute Store will complement the new parade experience and feature themed rooms, merchandise, and photo ops inspired by some of the films that will be seen in the Universal Mega Movie Parade.

Hogwarts Castle gets a new Harry Potter-inspired projection show

Universal officials conjured up some magic for its final announcement.

On select nights, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure will delight guests with a new nighttime projection show, Hogwarts Always. The show seeks to take guests on a journey through iconic moments of a school year at Hogwarts, all set against the majestic backdrop of Hogwarts Castle.

The show will also feature four different endings that celebrate each Hogwarts house and will culminate with a colorful pyrotechnic display. Fans should also listen for dialogue from beloved characters like Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid, the Sorting Hat and more throughout the show.

What month will Epic Universe open?

In addition to DreamWorks Land and all the other new experiences, Universal Orlando will see some other exciting additions to its resort soon – a brand  new theme park . Just not this year.

Universal hasn’t yet announced an opening date for Epic Universe, only that it will open in 2025.

Epic Universe will feature five lands guests can explore. Altogether, it will have “more than 50 awe-inspiring attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences,” according to a news release from the resort.

• Celestial Park   – The first-world guests enter the park will feature relaxing gardens, a “wet play area,” a grand carousel, and Starfall Racers, a dual-launch racing roller coaster with 5,000 feet of track and speeds up to 62 miles per hour. Celestial Park will also serve as the gateway to Epic Universe’s four other worlds, which will be accessed by themed portals.
• How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk  will give fans of the “ How to Train Your Dragon ” franchise a chance to finally soar like Hiccup, Astrid and their fellow Dragon Riders do on screen.
• Dark Universe – Guests can expect to “encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.”
• Super Nintendo World  will bring guests into the fan-favorite video game franchise for adventures with Mario, Princess Peach and more, like at  Universal Studios Hollywood .
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic  will blend "1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series,” according to Universal Orlando, which is already home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Contributing: Eve Chen, USA TODAY

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A found footage film set in the South African wild, where animals and poachers rule. A Young Zulu girl, Mbali, meets an American tourist group on safari. The group enter uncharted hunting gr... Read all A found footage film set in the South African wild, where animals and poachers rule. A Young Zulu girl, Mbali, meets an American tourist group on safari. The group enter uncharted hunting grounds where they are forced to face the untamed wild. A found footage film set in the South African wild, where animals and poachers rule. A Young Zulu girl, Mbali, meets an American tourist group on safari. The group enter uncharted hunting grounds where they are forced to face the untamed wild.

• Darrell Roodt
• Tyler Hisel
• Rocky Myers
• Kim Argetsinger
• Chloe Kirby
• 5 User reviews
• 2 Critic reviews
• 1 nomination

• Nick Snyder
• (as Robert Watkins)

• Andrew Heerden
• Gina Heerden
• (as Carly Nathesen)

• Alice van Rooyen

• Henry van Rooyen
• (as Thulesizwe Khubeka)
• Mbali's aunt
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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User reviews 5

• lynnes-46650
• Mar 8, 2017
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• February 15, 2014 (Japan)
• South Africa
• Azari Media
• Thaba Media
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 18 minutes

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