Though the desert is often thought about as dry, having extreme temperatures, and dangerous animals, making it hard to live there, the desert actually serves as a stunning backdrop for a movie. In fact, many of the greatest movies take place in the desert. So, here are the 5 best movies set in the desert that you should watch.
5. Mad Max
Mad Max is a 1979 action movie starring Mel Gibson. The film follows an Australian policeman who sets out to stop a motorcycle gang in a self-destructing world.
Set in the desert, Mad Max is the film that made Mel Gibson the Hollywood star that he is known as today. Though the film was originally a low-budget Australian film, it became a smash hit that gained two sequels, making it one of the best movies set in the desert.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
4. Holes
Holes is a Disney movie about a boy who is wrongly convicted and sent to a desert detention camp to dig holes for an unknown reason.
Holes is a beloved film as it is funny and sweet without being too sentimental. It dives into what it means to be young and how bittersweet growing up can be, earning the film much success and making it one of the best movies set in the desert.
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
3. Dune: Part One
Dune: Part One is a 2021 film starring Timothée Chalamet. Based on Frank Herbert’s novel Dune, the film follows a noble family as they become involved in a war for control over the galaxy’s most valuable asset.
Dune: Part One achieved major commercial success, grossing $407 million worldwide. The film also received much praise from critics and fans alike for its direction, screenplay, cast performances, and more. It also won six awards at the 94th Academy Awards.
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
2. Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 adventure film following the story of an English officer who successfully united and led the diverse but warring Arab tribes during World War I to fight the Turks.
When thinking of movies set in the desert, David Lean’s classic epic has to come to mind. With the desert as a central character of the film, Lawrence of Arabia is not only one of the best movies set in the desert, but it is also recognized as one of the best movies of all time.
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
Lastly, Raiders of the Lost Ark takes the number one spot of best movies set in the desert. Raiders of the Lost Ark follows Indiana Jones when he is hired by the U.S. government to locate the Ark of Covenant before the Nazis can gain its powers.
When the film was released in 1981, it became an international sensation. Indiana Jones is known to be one of the greatest franchises of all time. Set in the desert, Raiders of the Lost Ark is not only one of the best movies set in the desert but one of the greatest action movies of all time.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10