If you enjoyed the intense, claustrophobic thriller 4x4 (2019), you're likely craving more films that deliver the same heart-pounding tension and high-stakes drama. This article explores 10 gripping movies and shows that share similar themes of confinement, survival, and psychological suspense. Whether you're a fan of edge-of-your-seat storytelling or intricate character studies, these picks will keep you hooked.

Open Water (2003)
Description: A minimalist survival horror based on true events, emphasizing isolation and the terror of being stranded in open water.
Fact: The film used real sharks, and the actors were left in the ocean for hours during filming to enhance realism.


The Descent (2005)
Description: A survival horror where characters are trapped in a cave system, battling both psychological and physical threats in a confined space.
Fact: The film's claustrophobic atmosphere was achieved by shooting in real cave systems and using tight camera angles.


The Reef (2010)
Description: A tense survival film where a group must navigate shark-infested waters after a boating accident, relying on wit and endurance.
Fact: The movie is loosely based on the true story of Ray Boundy, who survived a similar ordeal in


Gravity (2013)
Description: A visually stunning survival drama set in space, focusing on isolation, resourcefulness, and the will to survive against overwhelming odds.
Fact: The film's opening 13-minute shot took over two years to plan and execute, using groundbreaking CGI and lighting techniques.


Buried (2010)
Description: A high-tension thriller set entirely in a confined space, where the protagonist must use limited resources to survive.
Fact: The entire film was shot inside a real wooden coffin, with Ryan Reynolds as the only on-screen actor.


127 Hours (2010)
Description: A gripping true story of survival, focusing on a lone protagonist's physical and mental struggle to escape an impossible situation.
Fact: The real-life Aron Ralston, whose story the film is based on, has a cameo in the movie.


Everest (2015)
Description: A harrowing tale of survival against extreme natural conditions, focusing on teamwork and human resilience in the face of disaster.
Fact: The film was shot in the Italian Alps and Nepal, with some scenes filmed at Everest Base Camp.


47 Meters Down (2017)
Description: A claustrophobic underwater survival story where characters face dwindling oxygen and predatory sharks in a high-stakes environment.
Fact: The film was originally intended for a direct-to-video release but was upgraded to a theatrical release due to positive test screenings.


The Martian (2015)
Description: A story of ingenuity and survival in an inhospitable environment, blending science with human determination.
Fact: NASA consulted on the film to ensure scientific accuracy, and some scenes were shot in Wadi Rum, Jordan, to simulate Mars.


The Shallows (2016)
Description: A survival thriller set in the ocean, focusing on a lone protagonist battling nature's unpredictability and physical limitations.
Fact: Blake Lively performed most of her own stunts, including swimming with real sharks. The film was shot in a water tank in Australia.
