Hollywood has long capitalized on the adventure and intrigue of a desert backdrop as far back as one could remember. One commonly used and versatile desert that is often showcased in feature films is the Mojave Desert. Located in California and offering several terrains to suit anyone’s imagination, the Mojave Desert is about as versatile as you can get. The arid and barren landscape lends itself well to many film genres including western films, war epics, action-adventure, and science fiction. A desert movie is captivating not only because of the stunning scenery, but also because it usually pits its characters against the elements, facing them off against unbearable heat, a lack of fresh water, wind, and sandstorms, and in most cases a greater enemy as well, whether that is human or supernatural.
Despite the beautiful journey through nature, filming a movie in the desert comes with its own set of challenges. Not only must a director protect his actors from the elements, but they must also shield the camera equipment from wind, dust, and sun to prevent overheating and damage — which makes you appreciate desert movies even more. The following movies showcase desert landscapes from around the globe in all their glory. Here are the best movies set in the desert, ranked.
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9 Tremors (1990)
No Frills Film Production
When residents of the sleepy town of Perfection, Nevada discover they are being hunted by sophisticated underground monsters that can hone in on their slightest vibrations, they must make a survival plan and head for the mountains. Kevin Bacon stars opposite Fred Ward in this popular underground horror movie that was so successful it spawned a prequel, several sequels, and a TV series. Tremors was shot on location in Lone Pine, California. If the scenery looks familiar to you, it is because it was also the set location for Gladiator, Iron Man, and Man of Steel.
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8 Mad Max (1979)
Village Roadshow Productions
Mad Max is a low-budget post-apocalyptic film starring Mel Gibson that follows the story of Max Rockatansky who seeks revenge on a crazed motorcycle gang that kills a fellow officer. Mad Max was filmed in and around Melbourne, Australia and was a massive success, spawning two sequels and a modern reboot starring Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy titled Mad Max: Fury Road. The prequel Mad Max: Furiosa will star Anya Taylor-Joy in the titular role and is set for release in 2023.
7 Buried (2010)
The Safran Company
Ryan Reynolds gives a first-class performance in Buried as Iraq-based American truck driver Paul Conroy, who awakens to find himself buried alive in a wooden box in the middle of the Iraqi desert. Conroy must keep his composure while fighting for survival using what little items he has on his person, among them a flashlight, cell phone, lighter, alcohol flask, and a knife. Despite being filmed entirely within the coffin, Buried will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The tremendous performance and claustrophobic nature of the film makes it one of the best movies filmed in a desert.
6 The Flight of The Phoenix (1965)
The Association & Aldrich Company Inc
Based on the Elleston Trevor novel of the same name, The Flight of the Phoenix recounts the tale of a group of men who crash-land in the Sahara desert. With the help of a fellow passenger who is also an aeronautical engineer, the group band together against the elements to rebuild a working plane out of the wreckage before they run out of drinking water. The film was critically acclaimed and even inspired a 2004 remake starring Dennis Quaid. The remake, however, was criticized for being a carbon copy of the original.
5 Three Kings (1999)
Warner Bros.
Three Kings is a black comedy that follows three American soldiers following the end of the Persian war, who undertake an elaborate heist after one of them acquires a map that leads them to a bunker full of stolen Kuwaiti gold. According to an interview with Entertainment Weekly, there was some controversy involving John Ridley, the original screenwriter and former comedian, who publicly accused David O’Russell of taking credit for his work.
4 The Mummy (1999)
Universal Pictures
The Mummy is a remake of the 1932 Boris Karloff film of the same name. The Mummy is one of the best movies filmed in a desert as it is a fun and captivating action-adventure film that takes notes from the popular Indiana Jones franchise. The film follows Rick O’Connell on his hunt for riches and glory, with sidekicks Evelyn, a studious librarian, and her elder brother Jonathan. The studio had originally intended for The Mummy films to be a low-budget horror franchise, and it cycled through popular horror directors, Clive Barker and George Romero, before landing in the hands of Stephen Sommers. The film ultimately inspired two sequels, a prequel and a lackluster 2017 reboot starring Tom Cruise.
3 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Columbia Pictures
Lawrence of Arabia is a historical epic based on the life of famed archeologist and diplomat T.E. Lawrence and based on his book The Seven Pillars of Wisdom. The movie was filmed on location in Jordan, Morocco, and Spain. Peter O’Toole ultimately won the part as the famed Lawrence, but had to contend with other big names, such as Albert Finney, Anthony Perkins, and Marlon Brando. The film is not only one of the best movies filmed in a desert, but is also regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, and is often celebrated for its cultural and historical significance.
2 Dune (2021)
Via: Legendary Pictures
Dune is the first film in a two-part science fiction series based on the Frank Herbert novel of the same name. It follows an interplanetary war amongst several of the major planetary houses, all vying for control over the most valuable resource in the universe. The resource called “spice” is harvested from the sand of the planet Arrakis, and holds the key to space travel. This is the second and more successful adaptation of Herbert’s source material. Dune was also released in 1984, starring Kyle MacLachlan and directed by David Lynch. Dune was filmed in the Liwa Desert in the United Arab Emirates during the hottest season of the year.
1 Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Lucasfilm
Raiders of the Lost Ark is the ultimate adventure movie and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, not to mention the best movie filmed in the desert. The film was a collaboration between George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg and chronicles the exploits of iconic archeologist Indiana Jones who seeks to recover the Ark of the Covenant which is an ancient artifact said to give the power of invincibility. Also on the quest for the relic are Dr. Rene Belloq and the German Nazi forces who seek to use the Ark for their own personal gain. Raiders of the Lost Ark spawned three Indiana Jones sequels, with an upcoming fourth slated for release in 2023.
