Top 10 Adventure Films Set in Abandoned Cities

Description: In this adaptation of Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend," Colonel Robert Neville (Charlton Heston) roams a deserted Los Angeles, fighting off mutants. The film captures the eerie silence of an abandoned city.

Fact: The film was shot in Los Angeles, with many scenes filmed in the then-abandoned areas of the city. It's one of the earliest films to explore the theme of a lone survivor in a post-apocalyptic world.

Description: Set in a post-nuclear war world, Vic (Don Johnson) and his telepathic dog Blood wander through abandoned cities in search of food and shelter, encountering various dangers along the way.

Fact: The film is based on a novella by Harlan Ellison, who also wrote the screenplay. The dog, Blood, was played by Tiger, who was trained to perform many of the film's canine actions.

Description: While not entirely set in an abandoned city, the film features scenes of desolate urban landscapes as Max (Mel Gibson) navigates through a post-apocalyptic wasteland, making it a fitting addition to this list.

Fact: The film was shot in the Australian outback, with some scenes filmed in abandoned mining towns to give the impression of a world left behind. It's the second film in the iconic "Mad Max" series.

Description: After a mysterious event leaves the world seemingly deserted, Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) explores the abandoned city of Hamilton, New Zealand, in search of other survivors.

Fact: The film was shot in Hamilton, New Zealand, with the city's empty streets providing a haunting backdrop. It's considered a cult classic in the post-apocalyptic genre.

Description: Set in a dystopian future where humans can no longer reproduce, the film follows Theo (Clive Owen) as he navigates through a crumbling London, showcasing the eerie beauty of an abandoned city.

Fact: The film features a famous long take scene that lasts over six minutes, showcasing the chaos and decay of London. The movie was shot in London, with many scenes filmed in areas that were made to look abandoned.

Description: This disaster film features scenes of New York City being abandoned as a new ice age descends upon the world. The exploration of the frozen city adds an adventurous twist to the survival narrative.

Fact: The film used real snow for many scenes, but also employed CGI to create the massive weather events. The iconic scene of the Statue of Liberty buried in snow was achieved with a combination of practical effects and digital enhancements.

Description: Robert Neville (Will Smith) is seemingly the last man on Earth, living in a deserted New York City overrun by mutants. His daily routine includes scavenging through the abandoned city, making this film a perfect fit for our theme.

Fact: The film features a CGI version of New York City, with many scenes shot on a soundstage to replicate the city's emptiness. Will Smith's dog, Sam, was played by his real-life dog, Abbey.

Description: A father (Viggo Mortensen) and his son journey through a post-apocalyptic America, scavenging through abandoned cities in search of safety. The film's stark portrayal of a world stripped of life offers a poignant look at human resilience.

Fact: The film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Cormac McCarthy. The bleak setting was achieved by filming in areas of Pennsylvania and Oregon, which were made to look even more desolate.

Description: In a post-apocalyptic world, Eli (Denzel Washington) travels across a desolate America with a mysterious book, encountering abandoned cities and facing numerous dangers. The film captures the essence of survival and exploration in a world where civilization has crumbled.

Fact: The film was shot in New Mexico, where the production team transformed the landscape to resemble a post-apocalyptic setting. The book Eli carries is never shown on screen, leaving its contents to the viewer's imagination.

Description: While not a film, this video game adaptation tells the story of Joel and Ellie navigating through a post-apocalyptic United States, with many scenes set in abandoned urban environments. Its cinematic quality and narrative depth make it a notable mention.

Fact: The game's motion capture was done by actors Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, who also provided the voices for their characters. The game has been praised for its emotional depth and realistic portrayal of a world after civilization's collapse.