10 Movies & Shows Like Desert Shadows (2022)

Description: Features a romance writer caught in a real-life jungle adventure with treasure maps, dangerous criminals, and exotic locations.

Fact: The film was shot in Mexico, standing in for Colombia. It was a surprise box office hit that revitalized the adventure genre in the 1980s.

Description: A group of kids embark on a wild treasure hunt filled with booby traps, puzzles, and pirate lore, creating a sense of childhood adventure.

Fact: The underground pirate ship set was one of the largest ever built at the time. Many of the young actors' reactions to the set were genuine surprise captured on film.

Description: Continues the adventure with the same leads in a new exotic setting, involving political intrigue and a search for a legendary gem.

Fact: The film was rushed into production to capitalize on the success of its predecessor, with the script being written during filming in some cases.

Description: A classic treasure hunt adventure through dangerous terrain featuring lost civilizations and perilous encounters.

Fact: The film was shot in Zimbabwe during political unrest, causing production challenges. It features extensive location shooting in African landscapes.

Description: Follows a seasoned adventurer searching for a mythical city in Africa, featuring ancient civilizations and action-packed sequences.

Fact: This was a sequel to 'King Solomon's Mines' and was intended to launch a franchise, but poor reception ended those plans. Many stunts were performed without CGI.

Description: Blends adventure, action, and mystery with a treasure-hunting plot set in exotic locations, featuring ancient secrets and supernatural elements.

Fact: The film was initially conceived as a dark horror movie but was reimagined as an action-adventure with comedic elements. It was shot in Morocco and the UK.

Description: Combines action, adventure, and treasure hunting in desert environments with historical mysteries and environmental themes.

Fact: Based on a Clive Cussler novel, the film features an authentic replica of a Civil War ironclad ship built for production. It was partially filmed in Morocco.

Description: Centers around a historical treasure hunt with puzzles, codes, and a race against time, combining action and intellectual challenges.

Fact: The Declaration of Independence heist scene was filmed in a replica of the National Archives to avoid damaging the real document. The film sparked interest in American history and treasure hunting.

Description: Follows a bookish protagonist thrust into a globe-trotting adventure to recover a mythical artifact, mixing action with intellectual puzzles.

Fact: Originally a TV movie, it spawned a franchise due to its popularity. The lead character's encyclopedic knowledge is a key plot device throughout the series.

Description: An animated adventure following a young reporter on globetrotting quests involving historical artifacts, secret clues, and dangerous adversaries.

Fact: Steven Spielberg used motion capture technology for the first time in an animated feature. The film combines elements from three different Tintin comics.