10 Movies & Shows Like Garden of Eden

Description: A family's adventure in creating a new life on a deserted island, showcasing ingenuity and harmony with nature, reminiscent of an untouched paradise.

Fact: The film's treehouse set was so elaborate that it remained a tourist attraction at the Tobago filming location for decades. It was one of Disney's most expensive productions at the time.

Description: A harrowing tale of societal breakdown among stranded children, illustrating how the veneer of civilization quickly erodes in an isolated, Eden-like setting.

Fact: This adaptation is one of several based on William Golding's novel. The 1990 version was filmed in Jamaica, and the young actors reportedly had a difficult time adjusting to the intense themes.

Description: A sequel continuing the theme of youthful innocence in an isolated tropical paradise, exploring the challenges of maintaining purity in a world of growing awareness.

Fact: The film faced criticism for its similarities to the original but gained a cult following. Much of the filming took place in Australia's Whitsunday Islands.

Description: A survival story that transforms isolation into a personal journey of self-discovery, paralleling the struggle to maintain humanity in a pristine yet unforgiving natural world.

Fact: Tom Hanks lost over 50 pounds for his role to reflect the character's physical transformation. The volleyball, Wilson, became an iconic symbol of companionship in solitude.

Description: Explores themes of paradise and isolation, depicting a hidden utopian community that gradually reveals darker undertones, much like the descent from an idealized world into chaos.

Fact: The film was shot on the Thai island of Ko Phi Phi Leh, which saw a significant increase in tourism after the movie's release. The production faced criticism for environmental damage caused during filming.

Description: A community's self-imposed isolation creates a fragile utopia, exploring themes of fear, control, and the human need for both protection and freedom in a constructed Eden.

Fact: M. Night Shyamalan's script was inspired by his desire to create a period piece without the constraints of historical accuracy. The film's color palette was deliberately muted to enhance its eerie atmosphere.

Description: A dystopian narrative where a seemingly perfect, controlled environment masks a darker reality, echoing the loss of innocence and the corruption of an idyllic existence.

Fact: The film's premise was inspired by real-life controversies surrounding human cloning. Its action sequences were heavily influenced by classic car chases from 1970s films.

Description: A poetic retelling of early colonial encounters, blending lush natural beauty with the tragic clash of cultures, mirroring the fleeting purity of an unspoiled land.

Fact: Director Terrence Malick used natural light extensively, often filming during the 'magic hour' for a dreamlike quality. The script was heavily revised during production to focus more on sensory experience.

Description: A horror twist on the paradise narrative, where a remote island's beauty hides primal dangers, reflecting the corruption of an Edenic setting by external forces.

Fact: The film blends survival horror with creature feature elements. It was shot in New Zealand, utilizing the country's diverse landscapes to create an otherworldly atmosphere.

Description: A terrifying take on the paradise lost trope, where ancient ruins in a lush environment become the site of unspeakable horror, showing nature's vengeful side.

Fact: Based on a novel by Scott Smith, who also wrote the screenplay. The film's antagonist is unique in horror cinema for being both passive and deeply unsettling.