After watching the intense survival thriller Apex on Netflix, many viewers are searching for similar films that deliver high-stakes tension, wilderness settings, and psychological depth. Released on April 24, 2026, Apex follows a grieving rock climber portrayed by Charlize Theron as she becomes the target of a deadly hunt in the Australian wilderness, directed by Baltasar Kormákur and written by Jeremy Robbins.
The film’s blend of survival instincts, cat-and-mouse pursuit, and emotional resonance has sparked interest in comparable titles available across major streaming platforms. Based on verified information from trusted sources including Netflix, Wikipedia, and Rotten Tomatoes, here are five survival thriller movies like Apex that you can stream now on Netflix, Prime Video, and other services.
1. Prey (2022)
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, Prey is a prequel to the Predator franchise set in the Comanche Nation in 1719. It follows Naru, a skilled young warrior who must protect her tribe from a highly evolved alien predator while proving herself as a hunter. The film emphasizes survival skills, environmental awareness, and the psychological toll of being hunted in an unforgiving landscape.
Available exclusively on Hulu in the United States and internationally via Disney+ under the Star hub, Prey received widespread acclaim for its authentic cultural representation, minimal dialogue, and intense practical effects. It holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews, with praise for its direction, cinematography, and lead performance by Amber Midthunder.
Like Apex, Prey centers on a protagonist using wit and resilience to survive against a superior force in a remote natural setting. The film’s focus on tracking, terrain, and endurance makes it a strong thematic match for fans of wilderness-based survival narratives.
2. The Revenant (2015)
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant is loosely based on the true story of frontiersman Hugh Glass, who survives a bear attack and is left for dead by his hunting team in 1820s America. DiCaprio’s character must navigate harsh winter terrain, avoid hostile forces, and endure extreme physical hardship to exact revenge and survive.
The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Actor for DiCaprio, and is noted for its immersive cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki, who used only natural light to shoot many scenes. Available to stream on Prime Video in select regions and for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV and Google Play, The Revenant holds a 78% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Its visceral portrayal of survival against nature and human threats aligns closely with the tone of Apex, particularly in how the protagonist uses limited resources and deep knowledge of the land to endure.
3. Gerald’s Game (2017)
Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name and directed by Mike Flanagan, Gerald’s Game follows Jessie Burlingame, a woman who becomes handcuffed to a bed in a remote lake house after her husband dies suddenly during a sex game. Trapped and isolated, she must confront hallucinations, memories, and a mysterious figure that may be real or imagined as she fights to free herself and survive.
The film is available exclusively on Netflix in most global markets. It received strong critical reception, with an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, particularly praised for Carla Gugino’s performance and Flanagan’s ability to sustain tension in a single-location setting. While not set in the wilderness, Gerald’s Game shares Apex’s focus on psychological endurance, isolation, and a protagonist pushed to her mental and physical limits.
Both films explore how trauma and grief can surface during moments of extreme vulnerability, transforming survival into an internal as well as external battle.
4. Oxygen (2021)
Directed by Alexandre Aja, Oxygen is a French-language survival thriller that follows a woman who wakes up in a cryogenic pod with no memory of how she got there. As oxygen levels drop, she must piece together her identity and escape before suffocating, all while communicating with a fragmented AI system and receiving cryptic calls from an unknown outside party.
The film is available to stream on Netflix worldwide. It holds a 68% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting its claustrophobic tension, inventive use of limited setting, and Mélanie Laurent’s committed performance in the lead role. Though set in a confined space rather than the open wild, Oxygen mirrors Apex in its race-against-time structure, limited resources, and protagonist using intelligence to outmaneuver a hidden threat.
The film’s emphasis on piecing together clues under duress and managing dwindling supplies creates a similar sense of urgency and mental strain.
5. Fall (2022)
Directed by Scott Mann, Fall follows two best friends who climb a 2,000-foot radio tower in the desert and become stranded at the top when the ladder fails. With no way down, limited supplies, and exposure to the elements, they must confront fear, dehydration, and hallucinations while waiting for rescue—or finding a way to save themselves.
The film is available to stream on Prime Video in the United States and Canada, and for rent or purchase on platforms including Apple TV, Amazon, and Vudu in other regions. It holds a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for its vertigo-inducing cinematography, practical effects, and sustained tension despite a minimal setting.
Like Apex, Fall places its characters in an isolated natural environment where survival depends on ingenuity, emotional resilience, and the will to keep going despite overwhelming odds. The psychological strain of being trapped and watched—or hunted—creates a parallel sense of vulnerability.
These five films offer varied takes on the survival thriller genre, from extraterrestrial pursuits and historical frontier struggles to psychological isolation and extreme physical challenges. Each shares core elements with Apex: a protagonist pushed beyond limits, a hostile or indifferent environment, and a narrative driven by tension, endurance, and the will to survive.
For viewers looking to continue the experience after watching Apex, these titles provide accessible, well-crafted options across major streaming platforms. As always, availability may vary by region, so checking local listings on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, or Disney+ is recommended.
If you’ve seen any of these films or have other recommendations for survival thrillers worth watching, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this article with fellow fans of tense, thought-provoking cinema.
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