Top 10 Films About Surviving in the Tropics

Description: A family shipwrecked on a deserted island in the East Indies must use their ingenuity to survive and thrive, building a treehouse and fending off pirates.

Fact: The film was one of Disney's most expensive live-action films at the time of its release. The treehouse set was so elaborate that it became a tourist attraction in Trinidad and Tobago.

Description: Two young cousins, shipwrecked on a tropical island, grow up in isolation, learning to survive and eventually falling in love amidst the beauty and dangers of their surroundings.

Fact: The film was shot in Fiji, and the young actors, Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, had to endure rigorous physical training to portray their characters' survival skills.

Description: An inventor takes his family to live in the jungles of Central America, where they face the challenges of building a utopian society amidst the harsh realities of the tropical environment.

Fact: Harrison Ford's character, Allie Fox, was inspired by real-life inventor and adventurer, William Henry Hudson. The film was shot in Belize, showcasing the country's lush landscapes.

Description: A scientist in the Amazon rainforest searches for a cure for cancer, but his work is threatened by deforestation and his own survival in the wild.

Fact: The film was shot in Cuernavaca, Mexico, standing in for the Amazon. Sean Connery's character was inspired by real-life scientists working in the rainforest.

Description: Set in Kenya, this film tells the true story of two man-eating lions that terrorized workers building a bridge, leading to a survival struggle against these predators.

Fact: The film was based on the Tsavo maneaters, two lions that killed over 130 people in the late 19th century. The lions' skins are now on display at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Description: A documentary crew in the Amazon finds themselves hunted by a giant anaconda, forcing them to use their survival skills to escape the serpent's grasp.

Fact: The film used a combination of animatronics, CGI, and real snakes to create the giant anaconda. Jennifer Lopez's character was originally written for a male actor.

Description: After a plane crash, a FedEx executive finds himself stranded on a deserted tropical island, where he must learn to survive with nothing but his wits and a volleyball named Wilson.

Fact: Tom Hanks lost 55 pounds for the role to portray the physical toll of his character's ordeal. The film's iconic volleyball, Wilson, was named after the sports equipment company that provided the ball.

Description: A young backpacker discovers a secret, idyllic beach in Thailand, but paradise soon turns into a nightmare as he and his newfound friends face the harsh realities of isolation and survival.

Fact: The film was shot on the stunning Maya Bay in Thailand, which became a major tourist attraction after the movie's release. Also, Leonardo DiCaprio was injured during filming when he fell from a cliff.

Description: A group of friends on holiday in Mexico venture into the jungle to find a lost friend, only to be trapped by hostile locals and a deadly plant that feeds on human blood.

Fact: The film was inspired by the novel of the same name by Scott Smith, who also wrote the screenplay. The plant in the film was created using a combination of practical effects and CGI.

Description: Based on true events, this film follows British explorer Percy Fawcett into the Amazon jungle in search of an ancient lost city, facing numerous survival challenges along the way.

Fact: The film was shot in Colombia, showcasing the dense jungle environments. Charlie Hunnam, who plays Fawcett, lost significant weight to portray the explorer's physical decline.