Some movies treat nature like a backdrop — something to be framed, conquered, or escaped. But these picks know better. Here, the landscape isn’t just setting the mood but rather setting the terms. From the raw, uncompromising wilderness of Into the Wild, where freedom and fragility walk hand in hand, to the eerie ecosystems of Annihilation and the stunning, living world of Avatar, nature takes the lead.
To celebrate the beauty that surrounds us, we revisit some of the stories in which the natural world shapes the story as much as any protagonist ever could. Humans may arrive armed with intentions and ideologies, but nature has its own agenda — oftentimes indifferent, always awe-inspiring, and sometimes merciless. Without further ado, these are the best movies where nature is the main character.
10
‘Into the Wild’ (2007)
Sean Penn‘s raw and soul-searching adaptation of Jon Krakauer‘s book tells the devastating true story of Chris McCandless, played by Emile Hirsch in the film, as he ditches college, family, and society in 1990, to chase transcendence and adventure amid untamed rivers and endless skies, only to be confronted by nature’s brutal truths.
It’s evident that nature as a backdrop reigns supreme in the travel picture Into the Wild, where it plays both a beguiling being (which it evidently is) and a brutal teacher rolled into one. The movie’s allure is undeniable, ranging from sweeping sunsets to handpicked fruit. But underneath nature’s fascinating beauty is its indifference. At its heart, Into the Wild is a clash between human yearning and the wild’s unflinching nature, as well as a daunting reminder that, despite its magic, it offers no promises but profound lessons instead.
9
‘Annihilation’ (2018)
From the mind of Ex Machina director Alex Garland, Annihilation is the perfect choice for those who love a good dose of eco-horror. Its premise is rooted in mind-bending science fiction, following biologist Lena (Natalie Portman) into the Shimmer — a quarantined, iridescent zone where an alien force refacts DNA and births hybrid horrors. She joins an all-female team to uncover what happened to her husband, only to find herself facing nature’s eerie reinvention.
Beyond a simple setting, the Shimmer is the main star of the show, mesmerizing audiences with its allure and mixing stunning visuals with terrifying mutations that mimic human screams or animals that steal voices. The beauty undeniably draws you in, but it’s hiding a cold force that doesn’t care about people. Deep down, though, the film explores how humanity breaks when nature evolves and shows no mercy.
8
‘Avatar’ (2009)
James Cameron‘s groundbreaking adventure epic Avatar drops marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) onto a lush alien moon named Pandora, where he links into a Na’vi body to infiltrate the indigenous tribe. Caught between corporate miners eyeing the land’s riches and the locals’ deep bond with their world, Jake — and the audiences in consequence — uncovers Pandora’s secrets amid floating mountains and glowing jungles.
Although one could argue the movie isn’t just about Pandora, it plays a massive role in the narrative, rising beyond scenery to become a living network that links every tree, creature, and bioluminescent vine in a massive web of life. The visuals are hands-down one of the most memorable aspects of the film, even if amidst that beauty also runs an entertaining and poignant narrative to keep audiences of all ages engaged. Needless to say, the more recent films also deserve a nod, though it was the 2009 trailblazer that set the standard.
7
‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ (1975)
Image via B.E.F. Film Distributors
This Australian mystery delves into repressed desire, colonial fragility, and the unknown clash with nature’s eternal mystery; it’s a perfect nature essential that follows a group of proper Victorian schoolgirls and their teacher (Vivean Gray) who vanish during a Valentine’s Day outing to the ancient Hanging Rock monolith in 1900. As search parties scour the landscape and society unravels in speculation, Picnic at Hanging Rock offers an atmosphere filled with creeping dread without ever revealing what happened.
In the film, the rock dominates as the central character and a hypnotic force of basalt that seems to both lure and devour. Its beauty mesmerizes, yes, but beneath it is slow-burning dread that doesn’t originate from jumpscares but a chilling energy that sticks with audiences.
6
‘The Revenant’ (2015)
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role that earned him his long-deserved Academy Award, The Revenant is a brutal survival epic as frontiersman Hugh Glass, left for dead after a savage bear mauling in the 1820s wilderness. With nothing but sheer willpower, Hugh crawls through frozen rivers and jagged mountains to hunt his betrayer in a raw quest for revenge.
The Revenant presents nature as the real boss in the film, not merely scenery — it’s a punishing force that dictates every brutal step at the story’s unfolding, with DiCaprio’s Oscar-winning performance naturally stealing the spotlight as well. What makes it essential in this niche genre is the way it tackles themes of endurance but also how it stands as a visceral reminder of humanity’s fragility amidst the wild’s indifference.
5
‘The Birds’ (1963)
Alfred Hitchcock‘s sly thriller kicks off with socialite Melanie Daniels, played by Tippi Hedren, as she chases lawyer Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) to his coastal California town. While this initially sparks flirtation amid family drama, everyday gulls, crows, and sparrows come to disrupt the fairytale, going berserk in unexplained attacks and turning Bodega Bay into a warzone.
In The Birds, everyday creatures turn into a coordinated threat, forming an unexplained avian army and pecking eyes without motive. Sure, it might be far from some monster movie. Nevertheless, the film is pretty terrifying in how it shows how quickly the natural world can turn indifferent and deadly on humans. Expertly blending suspense with absolutely no musical score to support it (besides the real bird sounds), this Hitchcockian nightmare is a must-see.
4
‘Life of Pi’ (2012)
Celebrating a young boy’s spirit, hope, and prayer against the ocean’s vast fury, Ang Lee‘s visually intoxicating tale of survival and faith (possibly his most well-known feature film) illustrates Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel (Suraj Sharma) on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker amid the boundless Pacific.
In Life of Pi, nature is both the divine antagonist and unlikely ally. The hyperreal seas engulf audiences, and paired with Mychael Danna‘s ethereal score, it’s an overall immersive visual experience where the ocean rises beyond a mere backdrop to fully embody life’s fragility and ferocity. Naturally, the movie has gone on to earn four Oscars, including Best Director, dominating technical categories such as Visual Effects and Cinematography.
3
‘Jaws’ (1975)
For those unfamiliar with this game-changing Steven Spielberg that set the gold standard for blockbuster movies (unlikely, but possible), the story follows police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) battling a massive great white shark off Amity Island. The mayor ignores early attacks to protect tourism, forcing the trio onto the Orca boat for a desperate sea hunt after beaches turn bloody.Jaws was, in part, responsible for the rise in fear of sharks, and it’s not hard to understand why. Spielberg’s visceral depiction of predatory violence created a template for primal ocean terror that would resonate for generations. Yet beneath the surface thrills lies a more profound meditation on nature’s supremacy, with the ocean itself as the true main character — a vast and indifferent force that cares nothing for human ambition, tourism dollars, or individual survival.
2
‘The Tree of Life’ (2011)
Terrence Malick‘s mesmerizing meditation on existence invites audiences to a profoundly touching odyssey, taking them to 1950s Waco, Texas, where young Jack (Hunter McCracken, also played by Sean Penn) grapples with his father’s (Brad Pitt) rigid worldview clashing against his mother’s (Jessica Chastain) grace. Then, boom — it quickly spirals into a cosmic origin story that ranges from the Big Bang’s birth to dinosaurs roaming Earth.
It’s evident that nature in The Tree of Life is not a mere backdrop but the beating heart of the film, arguably even the true protagonist. Anchored by genuinely breathtaking visuals shot by Emmanuel Lubezki, this slow-burning, meditative drama is guaranteed to make audiences feel the world’s breath. Add in a sweeping score, and the result is nothing short of memorable. While it may not be everybody’s cup of tea for its nonlinear and philosophical detours that demand patience, when it comes to depicting nature and all its staggering grandeur, The Tree of Life is a revelation and ode to the cosmos that wraps you in creation’s raw embrace.
1
‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)
As one of Studio Ghibli’s most beloved features, Princess Mononoke has rightfully stolen the hearts of global viewers across all ages. Hayao Miyazaki‘s epic animated masterpiece follows exiled prince Ashitaka, cursed by a demon boar after a village raid. After journeying to the west and landing in a town where ambition clashes with nature, run by the fierce Lady Eboshi (Minnie Driver), he meets San, the wolf-raised Princess who fights as nature’s fierce warrior.
Nature is the indisputable beating heart of this Ghibli favorite. Whether it’s the ancient forest gods or the wolf mothers, it fully illustrates a living ecosystem that strikes back against axes and guns. The best part? It sends a solid message about the environment, highlighting the delicate balance between humans and nature and showing how greed and exploitation can disrupt that harmony. Overall, it’s a masterwork that speaks to viewers across generations, offering both spectacle and moral clarity.