20 Best Survival Movies Of All Time

20. Apollo 13

To watch Apollo 13 is to love Apollo 13. Released in 1995 and directed by Ron Howard, this space epic remains one of cinema's most loved and imitated motion pictures. It's one of the most intense and claustrophobic space dramas, lacking monsters and aliens, focusing instead on the true story of astronauts attempting to make it home after their ship is damaged.

Ron Howard's direction is seamless and the plot is well-crafted and respectful to the historic source material. It also boasts some career best performances from Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Ed Harris and the late, great Bill Paxton.

As soon as the ship is damaged and the stakes are heightened with a reveal that the oxygen supply has been harmed, the film goes from a fun, tense space adventure to a gruelling exploration into how the men - both in the ship and on the ground - dealt with the severity of the situation. It's thrilling, well-paced, and a stunning look at the community-like spirit of the men and women involved.

Plus, who could ever forget Hanks' delivery: "Houston, we have a problem." Iconic doesn't quick cut it.