The genre of "adventure movies," or "action adventure movies," is a subgenre of action movies that includes quite a few different types of films. Adventure movies are characterized not just by lots of action scenes, but also by exotic locations and larger-than-life situations. In a pure action film, it's the action that counts. In an adventure film, it's the adventure. Simple enough, really.

The best adventure movies are often historical pieces, although there can be overlap with other genres. Star Wars is nothing if not an adventure film, but it's also a sci fi film and a space opera. (And a space opera is, by definition, nothing more than a sci fi adventure film.) Lawrence of Arabia is an epic, but it's also an adventure film. The quintessential modern adventure film series is the Indiana Jones series.

Adventure movies have been around since the beginning of film history. Most serials of the 1930's and 1940's were adventure films--movies like the Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, and the Tarzan movies.

Movies about swashbucklers are often some of the best action adventure movies to watch too. Early examples of this subgenre include Robin Hood, Zorro, and The Three Musketeers. Modern versions of these adventure movies include remakes of all of those classic characters, as well as new creations like The Pirates of the Caribbean.

The IMDB site has a list of their best action adventure movies available. Their voting system sometimes produces weird results though. For example, the first film on their list of the best action adventure movies is The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. A fine film, to be sure, but I'd categorize it as a Western, and not necessarily as an action adventure film. (Although I suppose some people might include Westerns in the category of action and adventure.)

More notable films from the IMDB list that I think deserve to be included on any "Best of" list include:

1. Gladiator

2. The Great Escape

3. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Movies on their list that seem to belong to other categories include movies like:

1. Hotel Rwanda - Not an action adventure film, as far as I'm concerned.

2. Toy Story 3 - There are several animated features included on this list, but I don't think they qualify to be included on a list of the best action adventure films either. The other animated movies on this list include WALL-E, Up, How to Train Your Dragon and The Lion King.

3. Star Trek - Like I mentioned earlier, these sci fi movies really belong in their own category.

So do you want a list of what I think are the best action adventure movies ever? Here are a few suggestions from me, in no particular order:

The Treasure of the Sierre Madre
The African Queen
North by Northwest
The Great Escape
Excalibur
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Gladiator
The Perfect Storm

Any of the selections on my above list will quicken your pulse and keep you on the edge of your seat.

Do you have suggestions for movies that I should include on my list of greatest action adventure movies? If so, contact me, and I'll consider expanding the list to include your suggestions for best action adventure movies.