The Lost City of Z tells the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett's obsessive search for a fabled ancient civilization deep in the Amazon rainforest. While the focus is primarily on jungle exploration and the hardships of expedition life in the early 20th century, the search for a 'lost city' often involves uncovering hidden ruins, which can include underground structures or catacombs buried beneath vegetation. The film is a visually stunning and atmospheric depiction of the Golden Age of Exploration, highlighting the dedication and sacrifices made in the pursuit of discovery in unknown territories, even if the underground element is more about buried cities than natural caves.

The legendary archaeologist returns in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. While Indy's adventures span the globe and numerous types of ancient sites, this installment does involve significant time exploring underground locations, specifically ancient South American ruins and crystal-filled caves potentially linked to alien life. The film introduces Mutt Williams, played by Shia LaBeouf, as Indy's teenage sidekick, adding a younger perspective to the pulp adventure. It captures the familiar blend of action, mystery, and historical (or pseudo-historical) intrigue that defines the series, with perilous journeys through hidden tunnels and chambers being a classic Indy staple.

Angelina Jolie steps into the boots of the iconic video game adventurer in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. While not exclusively focused on caves, Lara's globetrotting quest for ancient artifacts frequently takes her into tombs, ruins, and underground complexes that function much like elaborate caves filled with traps and puzzles. The film showcases Lara's athleticism and intelligence as she navigates dangerous environments, from Cambodian temples to Siberian ice caves. It's a stylish action-adventure that brought the popular gaming franchise to the big screen, featuring elaborate set pieces and Jolie's charismatic portrayal of the daring archaeologist.

In The Cave, a group of professional cave explorers and scientists venture into a massive, newly discovered cave system in Romania. Their expedition takes a terrifying turn when they discover that the cave is home to a new species of predatory creatures that are perfectly adapted to the darkness. This film leans into the creature-feature aspect of underground exploration, focusing on action and survival against a monstrous threat. While perhaps less focused on the pure exploration aspect than others, it offers a straightforward thrill ride with some interesting creature designs and utilizes the dark, confined spaces of the cave effectively to build suspense and stage tense encounters.

Sanctum, executive produced by James Cameron, is a tense survival thriller inspired by a real-life caving accident involving the film's writer and his son. It follows a team of cave divers exploring an uncharted system in Papua New Guinea. When a tropical storm hits, their exit is cut off, forcing them to navigate treacherous, flood-filled passages to find a potential escape route to the ocean. The film emphasizes the extreme dangers of deep cave diving, showcasing the technical challenges and psychological pressures faced by the explorers. It delivers a sense of relentless peril and claustrophobia as the team battles the elements and their own dwindling resources and sanity deep underground.

Taking the found-footage horror approach underground, As Above, So Below plunges viewers into the labyrinthine Paris Catacombs. A group of young explorers, led by an alchemy scholar searching for the fabled Philosopher's Stone, venture into a restricted, unexplored section of the tunnels. As they descend, they find that the catacombs are not just filled with bones but with something far more sinister that preys on their deepest regrets and fears. The film cleverly weaves historical and mythological elements, particularly drawing from Dante's Inferno, into its terrifying narrative. It's notable for actually filming in sections of the real Paris Catacombs, adding an extra layer of chilling authenticity to the already oppressive atmosphere.

Prepare for claustrophobia! The Descent is a genuinely terrifying horror film about a group of female friends who go spelunking in an uncharted cave system. Things go horribly wrong when they become trapped and discover they are not alone down there. Directed by Neil Marshall, this movie is a masterclass in building tension and dread. The cave environments themselves are characters, squeezing the protagonists physically and mentally. The film is renowned for its intense practical effects, both for the creatures and the visceral gore. It's a stark, brutal survival story that explores themes of grief, trust, and primal fear, proving that the dark can hide horrors more terrifying than you can imagine.

Dive into a subterranean world with Journey to the Center of the Earth! This adaptation of Jules Verne's classic novel brings the adventure to the 21st century, notably leveraging early 3D technology to make the incredible underground landscapes leap off the screen. It stars Brendan Fraser as a quirky seismologist who, along with his teenage nephew (Josh Hutcherson) and their guide, gets trapped in a volcanic tube that leads them deep within the Earth. They encounter fantastical creatures and environments straight out of science fiction. While the 3D was a selling point, the real fun is the sense of discovery and wonder as they navigate this hidden realm. It's a straightforward, exciting family adventure that embraces the pulpy fun of its source material.

Alright, you guys! The Goonies is the absolute gold standard when it comes to kids (and a few teens!) exploring underground. This Steven Spielberg-produced, Richard Donner-directed classic is pure 80s adventure magic. It follows a group of misfit kids trying to save their homes from foreclosure by searching for the lost treasure of legendary pirate One-Eyed Willy. What makes it so special is the fantastic chemistry of the young cast – they feel like real friends on a wild, dangerous quest. The production design of the caverns and booby traps is incredible, relying heavily on practical effects that still hold up today. It perfectly captures the spirit of childhood imagination and the thrill of a grand, impossible adventure right beneath your feet. Plus, it gave us the iconic 'Goonies never say die!' line!