10 Rescue movies you can’t miss

Rescue movies offer intense and breathtaking insight into the process of rescuing. Through their visual scenery, realism, and thrilling action, these films actually portray the weight of the perilous operations involved.

Besides that, these films also tell tales of human emotions clashing with unknown environments and dramatic battles. Films like Saving Private Ryan and Apollo 13 also draw viewers in with their emotional storytelling, apart from the rescue operation details.

Here is a list of 10 rescue movies that have captured the attention of viewers with their authentic portrayal and heartfelt storytelling.

1) Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Scene from Saving Private Ryan | Image via Paramount Pictures

Saving Private Ryan is one of the greatest rescue movies of all time. A Steven Spielberg classic about Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) and his band of men undertaking the mission to save Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) from certain death, whose three brothers were killed during World War II in the fields of France. It is adapted from books by Stephen E. Ambrose and retains the memories of actual soldiers in a single family being killed in the war.

2) Captain Phillips (2013)

Tom Hanks in Captain Phillips | Image via Sony Pictures

Paul Greengrass’s Captain Phillips follows the story of Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), who is taken hostage by Somali pirates. The pirates seize his container vessel, MV Maersk Alabama, for ransom. Eventually, Phillips is rescued by the United States Navy, commanded by Frank Castellano (Yul Vasquez). The film offers an intense showdown between the Navy and the pirates, making it one of the finest rescue movies.

3) Black Hawk Down (2001)

Ewan McGregor in Black Hawk Down | Image via Columbia Pictures

Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down depicts the true events that took place during the Somalia Civil War. As a Task Force Ranger is sent to capture the Mogadishu militia loyal to warlord Mohammad Farrah Aidid, they are severely attacked by armed Somali fighters. Two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down by the fighters. The film depicts the intense and dangerous efforts taken by the U.S. Army to rescue their soldiers, making it one of the outstanding rescue movies.

4) Escape from New York (1981)

On the Set of "Escape From New York" - Source: Getty

Set in some alternate future, the plot of Escape from New York revolves around an island prison in Manhattan for the most depraved criminals. This John Carpenter-directed film closely follows the story of Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) after being ordered to rescue the President of the United States, who is trapped inside Manhattan Island. Russell’s Plissken goes through a lot of challenges to save the President, making this a great rescue movie.

5) Taken ( 2008)

Liam Neeson in Taken | Image via 20th Century Studios

Directed by Pierre Morel, Taken follows an ex-CIA officer, Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), who is trying to track down and rescue his daughter, who has been kidnapped by human traffickers in Paris. The film is still remembered for its intense scenes and iconic dialogues that make it one of the best rescue movies.

6) Argo ( 2012)

Ben Affleck in Argo | Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Argo is adapted from the memoir of a CIA operative, Tony Mendez. The film follows Mendez’s (Ben Affleck) efforts to rescue a group of U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran. He devises a plan and disguises the diplomats as a film crew who have come to Iran to film a new sci-fi film like Star Wars. Directed by Ben Affleck, this film was loved by critics as well as fans, making it a great addition to the list of rescue movies.

7) Vertical Limit (2000)

Chris O'Donnell in Vertical Limit | Image via Columbia Pictures

Vertical Limit is an intense film that follows the story of Peter Garrett (Chris O'Donnell), who assembles a team to rescue his sister Annie (Robin Tunney) as she is trapped in the crevasse of the mountain K2. The film perfectly blends the intensity of a rescue mission with a profound and emotional storyline, which makes it one of those rescue movies that you must watch.

8) Apollo 13 (1995)

Tom Hanks in Apollo 13 | Image via Universal Pictures

Apollo 13 is one of those rescue movies that are based on real-life incidents. In this Ron Howard film, we learn about the ill-fated Apollo 13 lunar mission and NASA's efforts to rescue the astronauts back home. Other than the technical aspects, the film also depicts the emotional turmoils the trapped astronauts were going through.

9) Tears of the Sun (2003)

Bruce Willis in Tears Of The Sun | Image via Columbia Pictures

Tears of the Sun follows Bruce Willis’s Lieutenant Alec Kevin Waters who goes on a mission to rescue Monica Belluci’s Dr. Lena Fiore Kendricks. They also end up rescuing several other refugees from Nigeria during a civil war. Antoine Fuqua's film is known for its intense confrontations and clashes and the realistic portrayal of the intensities of rescue operations.

10) Behind Enemy Lines (2001)

Owen Wilson in Behind Enemy Lines | Image via 20th Century Studios

In Behind Enemy Lines, Owen Wilson plays Naval Flight Officer Chris Burnett, who ends up trapped behind enemy lines in Bosnia during the Bosnian War. Meanwhile, Gene Hackman's Rear Admiral Leslie Reigart is making attempts to organize a rescue mission that would get Burnett back to safety. It is John Moore’s directorial debut film. Apart from an intense rescue mission, the film also shows the harsh realities of war and the sufferings of a war-torn country.