10 Movies & Shows Similar to Congo (1995)

Description: Like 'Congo', this Indiana Jones installment features jungle settings, ancient mysteries, and high-stakes action. Both involve rescuing missions (village children vs. Amy the gorilla) and confrontations with hostile native forces, blending archaeology with adventure.

Fact: The film's dark tone led to the creation of the PG-13 rating. Kate Capshaw (Willie Scott) would later marry Spielberg. The mine cart chase was one of cinema's most expensive stunts at the time.

Description: This film resembles 'Congo' in its adventure-romance blend, jungle setting, and treasure hunt plot. Both feature strong female leads (Kathleen Turner vs. Laura Linney) navigating dangerous terrains with rugged male counterparts, mixing humor with action.

Fact: Michael Douglas won the role over Jack Nicholson. The film's success spawned a sequel, 'The Jewel of the Nile'. Director Robert Zemeckis was hired after Steven Spielberg declined.

Description: Similar to 'Congo', this is a jungle adventure about searching for legendary treasure (diamonds vs. lost city). Both feature dangerous wildlife, native tribes, and the clash between modern explorers and ancient secrets, embodying classic adventure tropes.

Fact: It was a loose adaptation of H. Rider Haggard's novel. The film was intentionally campy, parodying adventure serials. Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone starred in this early in their careers.

Description: Similar to 'Congo' (1995), 'Jumanji' is an adventure film that involves a perilous journey through a jungle setting, filled with dangerous wildlife and supernatural elements. Both films blend action, adventure, and a touch of fantasy, appealing to audiences who enjoy high-stakes survival stories in exotic locations.

Fact: 'Jumanji' was based on the 1981 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. Robin Williams' role as Alan Parrish was originally offered to Tom Hanks. The film's special effects were groundbreaking for its time, combining practical effects with early CGI.

Description: This shares with 'Congo' a true-story-inspired African setting where humans battle deadly animals (lions vs. gorillas). Both are tense survival stories mixing historical drama with creature feature elements, showcasing nature's unpredictability.

Fact: Based on the real 1898 Tsavo man-eaters incident. Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas starred as the hunters. The lions' names in the title were fictional additions.

Description: 'Anaconda' shares similarities with 'Congo' as both are jungle-based thrillers featuring deadly creatures (a giant snake vs. killer gorillas). Both films emphasize survival against nature's unpredictability and feature a mix of action, horror, and adventure set in lush, dangerous environments.

Fact: Jon Voight's over-the-top performance as Paul Serone was initially criticized but later became iconic. The anaconda animatronic used in the film was so realistic it reportedly scared the crew. Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube starred in this early in their careers.

Description: While comedic, this shares 'Congo's jungle setting and human-primate relationships (George raised by apes). Both parody jungle adventure tropes, though 'George' does so through slapstick while 'Congo' leans into B-movie thrills.

Fact: Brendan Fraser's physical comedy was widely praised. The film spawned an animated series. Shot in Hawaii's jungles and California's Bronson Canyon.

Description: Like 'Congo', 'The Mummy' is an adventure film combining action, supernatural elements, and exotic locations (Egyptian deserts vs. African jungle). Both feature treasure hunts, ancient curses, and a team facing supernatural threats, blending horror and adventure seamlessly.

Fact: Brendan Fraser performed most of his own stunts. The film was originally conceived as a horror movie before becoming an action-adventure. It launched a franchise that included two sequels and a spin-off.

Description: Disney's 'Tarzan' parallels 'Congo' in its jungle setting and themes of human-animal interaction (Tarzan with apes vs. Amy the gorilla). Both explore the boundary between civilization and wild nature, featuring thrilling jungle sequences and emotional connections with primates.

Fact: Phil Collins wrote and performed the soundtrack. Used 'Deep Canvas' technology for 3D jungle backgrounds. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Song.

Description: This darker Tarzan adaptation shares with 'Congo' a return-to-Africa narrative involving jungle survival and conflicts with wildlife/exploiters. Both blend action with environmental themes, showing protagonists reconnecting with their wild roots.

Fact: Alexander Skarsgård trained intensely for the role. Samuel L. Jackson provided comic relief as George Washington Williams. Partially filmed in Gabon's rainforests.