20 Best Survival Movies Of All Time

We've spent a long time on this list dealing with survival flicks on the ground (and slightly above it), so let's get back to one of cinema's most popular and widely used settings: space.

The Martian came out in 2015, directed by the one and only Ridley Scott and starring one hell of a cast, led by Matt Damon and including Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Jeff Daniels, Donald Glover, Kristen Wiig and Sebastian Stan. Based on the novel by Andy Weir, the film follows astronaut Mark Watney (Damon) after he is believed dead and left alone on the surface of Mars.

As NASA attempt to bring him back, Watney creates a shelter, grows some food, and plots how he can survive alone until someone comes to rescue him. What follows is a brilliant blend of comedy and drama, made more enjoyable by Damon's best performance in years. The visuals, as expected for a sci-fi epic, are stunning, the plot engaging and the outcome constantly uncertain.

It's a modern film which feels reminiscent of flicks like Apollo 13 and A Space Odyssey, but is very much its own vehicle thanks to its easy blend of genres, unique characters and colourful set pieces. It's also a film well worth watching.