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With twists, turns, and excitement around every corner, it’s no surprise that the sport of river rafting has made many appearances on the big screen. Whether you’re in the mood for a comedy, drama, or even horror, there is a rafting move for every flick fan. Here are some of the most popular movies about river rafting to watch before your next adventure.
Family Favorite: A River Runs Through It
Are you looking for a movie that you can watch with the whole family? Starring Brad Pitt, “A River Runs Through It” tells the story of two brothers and the love of fly fishing they learned from their strict minister father. The family goes through the struggles of life during WWI, the Great Depression, and Prohibition against the backdrop of a wild river. Watch this bittersweet flick while cozied up in the cabin on your next white-water rafting trip.
Most Thrills: The River Wild
If you’re looking for a thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than “The River Wild.” In this nail-biter from 1994, a family’s white-water rafting trip is hijacked by a pair of armed fugitives who take them hostage. Starring the legendary Meryl Streep and filmed on the gorgeous Kootenai River, this film offers thrills and chills that keep audiences guessing until the very end.
Best for Laughs: Without a Paddle
Do you prefer a movie with laughs over thrills? This adventure comedy from 2004 is sure to please with wacky hijinks and ridiculous situations to spare. “Without a Paddle” is the story of three reunited childhood friends who go on a mission to find D.B. Cooper‘s lost airplane down a remote river. Along the way, they encounter bears, rednecks, attractive hippie girls, and more.
Based on a True Story: Into the Wild
This biographical adventure film is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless who hiked into the Alaskan wilderness in the early 1990s and never returned. “Into the Wild” includes plenty of heart-pounding rafting scenes on the Colorado River along with all the thrills and dangers of living in the wilderness.
For Classics Fans: River of No Return
Fans of the classic cinema era won’t want to miss “River of No Return” featuring none other than Marilyn Monroe. This flick from 1954 tells the story of a farmer who embarks on a river journey with his son after being released from prison. As a typical Western, the film includes some outdated “cowboy and Indian” standoffs, but the raging river currents prove to be the greatest source of peril for the characters.
Best Documentary: Chasing Niagara
Documentaries aren’t for everyone, but fans of the genre are sure to love “Chasing Niagara,” a fast-paced adventure that follows professional kayaker Rafa Ortiz as he follows his hazardous and illegal dream of navigating the 150-foot drop of Niagara Falls. Rafa and his group of friends take on rapids in the Pacific Northwest and Mexico as they prepare to tackle their ultimate goal.
Whether you’re about to go river rafting or just want to watch a movie on it, choose a river rafting movie from this list.
