15 Best Survival Movies on Netflix to Help You Survive 2023

As the world continues to change, it’s more important than ever to have a survival mindset. If you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than the survival genre in film. Netflix has a wide selection of survival movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat and maybe even teach you a thing or two about survival skills. From the depths of the jungle to the barren wastelands, these 15 best survival movies on Netflix showcase the human spirit at its most resilient and resourceful.

Best Survival Movies on Netflix

In this article, we picked out the 15 best survival movies on Netflix for your convenience. These movies showcase the struggle for survival against all odds and the strength of the human spirit.

Get ready to be entertained and motivated as you discover the best survival movies on Netflix that will help you survive 2023.

1. The Platform (2019)

At the top of the list of best survival movies on Netflix is “The Platform”. This film presents Goreng, a virtuous man, who is trapped in a vertical prison, where each level serves as a cell with two people. The prisoners are given two minutes per day to feed from the food platform that descends floor by floor.

The movie vividly portrays the corrupt and inhumane world, where Goreng experiences a range of human struggles, nature, and politics. The director, Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, delivers a powerful allegory about real-world inequalities. The cast does an exceptional job of bringing the story to life with well-written characters.

The movie boasts impressive cinematography and visual effects, making it a high-tier film. Though there are violent scenes, they are done tastefully. The atmospheric original score adds to the film’s impact. Although the movie has a slower pace in the second half, and an open-ended ending, it’s a horror movie worth watching.

It is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining with interesting themes, characters, and twists that will keep you engaged throughout the 90-minute runtime.

2. Bird Box (2018)

“Bird Box” is a Netflix film directed by Susanne Bier. The film stars Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich in lead roles, delivering exceptional performances, despite not being known for the horror genre.

The story is about a pregnant woman trying to survive during a global incident causing people to behave erratically and suicidal. The story is well-crafted, with multiple emotional and psychological levels, and the cinematography is fantastic. The presence of children in the film does not detract from its impact.

Overall, while “Bird Box” mostly follows the Hollywood formula, it does so in a respectful manner, avoiding patronizing the audience. It is another one of Netflix’s survival movies that is very much worth watching.

3. The Ritual (2017)

The success of a horror film depends on the authenticity and relatability of the characters. ‘The Ritual’ excels in this aspect by presenting flawed yet relatable characters. This depth is likely due to the fact that the movie is based on a novel.

In addition to its characters, the film is visually stunning, with a creepy and atmospheric setting that is both scary and beautiful. The first three-quarters of the movie is a thrilling mix of mystery, suspense, and horror that keeps the audience engaged and on edge. However, the last quarter loses some steam as the mystery dissipates, and the ending feels abrupt.

Despite this, ‘The Ritual’ is still a recommended film for horror fans and is one of the better survival movies on Netflix.

4. Adrift (2018)

“Adrift” is a true story-based action-adventure drama-romance movie, directed by Baltasar Kormákur and written by David Branson Smith and Jordan Kandell.

The film follows the journey of Tami Oldham, a 24-year-old adventurer, who is on a self-discovery trip around the world. She meets Richard Sharp, a charming and handsome sailor, who is also on a similar journey. The two fall in love and embark on a yacht journey to San Diego, but get caught in a monster storm at sea that damages the boat and leaves them struggling to survive.

The film tells the story of Tami and Richard through flashbacks and follows their journey to Hawaii. Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin deliver outstanding performances as the lead characters, adding to the film’s allure.

The movie can be compared to Robert Redford’s “All is Lost” and Tom Hanks’ “Cast Away”, with the added elements of a true story and a romantic connection.

5. Against the Ice (2022)

Netflix has delivered an excellent survival movie with “Against the Ice”. Despite the tendency for original movies from streaming services to look and feel low-budget, this film stands out as visually stunning and high-quality. It ranks among the best survival movies on Netflix and the cinematography and the score only add to the experience.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s performance is outstanding and worthy of recognition. The movie is a beautiful and moving depiction of the true story of two Danish explorers who were stranded in Greenland for over three years. The isolation, loneliness, and physical challenges they faced are masterfully portrayed, making it feel as if you are witnessing the events unfold in real-time.

This is an epic tale of survival that is not to be missed.

6. #Alive (2020)

In a world where zombies are overused in movies, it’s refreshing to come across a film that focuses on the basics and does it well.

“#Alive” is a survival movie on Netflix that has the essential components for a successful zombie survival film: a small cast, one location, and a well-structured story. The pacing is great and doesn’t drag, presenting the characters and their situation at a steady pace, pulling the audience into the story without being too rushed or overwhelming.

The two main characters are likable, and their reactions are believable and well depicted, while their relationship is well-balanced, aided by a fitting score. Although it doesn’t bring anything new to the table and takes elements from other films, it’s a well-done representation of the genre that won’t overstay its welcome.

7. The Decline (2020)

Patrice Laliberté, a new French writer, and director has created a great film for his debut. “The Decline” is a movie where both the directing and the cinematography are outstanding, especially with the location setting in the breathtaking northern Quebec region. The film score is well-suited for the beauty of the movie.

The cast and performances are exceptional, making the film feel like a real-life documentary gone wrong. The beginning is a bit slow-paced, but it picks up when the suspense starts.

For those who enjoy the wilderness, this one is a must-watch as one of the best wilderness survival movies on Netflix. Even if you’re not into this genre, the film’s realistic, non-Hollywood-style writing and fantastic cast make it an enjoyable experience.

Netflix made a great decision by acquiring this French gem and making it accessible in multiple languages.

8. Circle (2015)

“Circle” is a thriller that follows a group of people who wake up in a strange room and are forced to vote on who dies next. The mystery surrounding the characters at the start of the movie makes it unpredictable as to who will die next.

The acting by the fairly unknown cast is solid and the dialogue-heavy script is well-executed. Despite some random kills occurring in the movie, “Circle” is entertaining and keeps your attention throughout, with moments that will have you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy films like “Saw” and “Cube,” this movie is definitely worth checking out.

9. Awake (2021)

“Awake” isn’t one of those Hollywood-styled futuristic aliens and spaceships take over the world-type films. But instead, something more current and relatable, and down to earth.

The 96 min runtime feels just right and is paced perfectly. “Awake” is shot really well, with great cinematography, and a very fitting and decent score. The director Hugo Steven and writer Santiago Lallana- fairly new filmmakers, deserve credit for creating non-stop anxiety and suspense right from the get-go. Casting and performances are on point, with Gina Rodriguez at her best, playing a mother trying to teach her daughter fast-tracked end-of-the-world survival skills, but stealing the show was the young Ariana Greenblatt as Matilda, who was outstanding.

Overall, “Awake” is a Netflix survival movie that is worth the watch.

10. Solo (2018)

“Solo” is another enjoyable survival movie on Netflix. The acting, setting, tension, and music score are all excellent. The protagonist is portrayed as a regular guy and the actor Alain Hernandez did a great job of bringing this character to life without overdoing it.

The film follows a surfer who gets involved in an accident and falls unconscious. As he drifts in and out of consciousness, he experiences dreams and hallucinations, and we learn about his regrets as he faces death. The film keeps the audience engaged as we see the protagonist’s strong survival instincts despite his injuries, as he tries to manage the pain, the heat and cold, and his rapidly deteriorating condition.

The film raises questions about moral values and how some people only consider these things when it is too late.

11. IO (2019)

“IO” is a sci-fi drama with a surprising romantic twist, that separates it from other Netflix survival movies. Margaret Qualley plays Sam, a scientist who stays on a dying Earth to find a cure while the rest of humanity seeks a new home in space. After a long period of isolation, she meets Micah (Anthony Mackie), who is searching for a doctor.

The film starts off slow but picks up when Micah arrives and brings a fresh perspective to the story. His chemistry with Qualley is great and their romance feels a bit rushed, but it still adds an unexpected touch to the film. The visuals are stunning, with slow pans over barren landscapes, giving the viewer a sense of being in the middle of a dying world.

“IO” is a unique and calm take on the apocalypse, lacking in explosions but showcasing nature’s defense against humanity. It’s worth a watch for those looking for a different view of the end of the world.

12. How it Ends (2018)

The action-thriller film “How It Ends” follows Will Younger as he tries to reach his pregnant fiance and her father after a catastrophic event.

Directed by David M. Rosenthal and written by Brooks McLaren, the film stars Theo James, Forrest Whitaker, Grace Dove, and Kat Graham. Despite mostly negative reviews from critics, the film was released by Netflix.

The movie showcases a difficult relationship between Will and his father-in-law, Tom, as they embark on an uncomfortable end-of-the-world road trip. Despite strong performances by James and Whitaker, the movie can be critiqued for lacking a clear purpose.

However, the relationship between Will and Tom is well-developed and provides some very touching moments. The film also includes some exciting disaster scenes. If you are looking for survival movies on Netflix, “How it Ends” is a decent choice.

13. Cargo (2017)

“Cargo”, a post-apocalyptic zombie film set in Australia, is a refreshing change in the horror genre, especially in the zombie sub-genre.

Starring Martin Freeman, the film stands out from others in the genre with its well-written plot, tense atmosphere, and breathtaking cinematography. The film focuses on Freeman’s character and creates sympathy with him, making the viewer interested in the outcome. The combination of the post-apocalyptic Australian setting and the development of Freeman’s character makes the film original in a genre that was thought to have nothing left to offer.

The film has some minor editing issues, but overall, Freeman was a great choice for the leading actor, the film was visually stunning, and the plot was filled with interesting twists.

“Cargo” is not for everyone, and the limitations of the genre may disappoint some viewers, but its Netflix release will hopefully give it the wide audience it deserves.

14. Cadaver (2020)

“Cadaver” is a thought-provoking horror movie that challenges the audience to reflect on what it means to be human and the lengths we would go to survive.

The film takes place in post-apocalyptic Norway where a struggling family is invited to a mysterious mansion that offers food and entertainment through a twisted theatrical performance. The mansion is reminiscent of classic horror spaces, and the family becomes trapped as they realize they are being exploited.

The movie touches on relevant fears such as the exploitation of the powerless by the comfortable and raises questions about how far one would go to ensure their own survival.

The film is well-directed and performed, with stunning visuals, and it invites the audience to make a judgment about their own values. “Cadaver” is an intelligent film and deserves a spot on the list of best survival movies on Netflix.

15. Rust Creek (2018)

Jen McGowan’s second film “Rust Creek” offers a unique twist on the typical survival-thriller genre. The story follows a college student, Sawyer (Hermione Corfield), as she gets stranded in the Kentucky woods while being pursued by two dangerous outlaws.

Unlike most films where the protagonist is helpless, Sawyer battles back and flees into the woods. The film then introduces more characters and delves into the drug trade in rural Kentucky. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the beauty of the natural setting. While the film has some thrilling moments, it mainly focuses on the relationship between Sawyer and a supporting character, Lowell, played by Jay Paulson.

The film’s climax is well-crafted, but the slow-burn pace and philosophical exchanges between Sawyer and Lowell may not appeal to all thriller fans. Nevertheless, “Rust Creek” is worth a watch for those who enjoy slow-burn thrillers with strong character development.