The Maze Runner throws viewers into a mysterious, dangerous world where a group of teenage boys are trapped in a glade surrounded by an enormous, constantly changing maze. Their only hope of escape lies in the 'runners' who explore the labyrinthine structure each day, mapping its deadly paths and avoiding terrifying creatures called Grievers. This sci-fi adventure is all about the exploration of a vast, artificial, and hostile environment. Based on the popular young adult novel, the film creates a compelling mystery centered around the origin of the maze and the purpose of the Glade. It's a thrilling story of survival, discovery, and navigating an impossible structure.

The Goonies is the quintessential 80s adventure film about a group of misfit kids trying to save their homes from foreclosure. Their quest leads them to follow an old treasure map, embarking on an epic journey through hidden tunnels, booby traps, and underground caverns in search of pirate One-Eyed Willy's hoard. While not urban exploration in the modern sense, it perfectly captures the thrill of exploring secret, forgotten places beneath the surface. The film is beloved for its sense of fun, iconic characters, and imaginative set pieces. It's a feel-good adventure that reminds us of the excitement of discovery and the bonds of friendship, all set against a backdrop of thrilling subterranean exploration.

The Descent is a masterclass in claustrophobic horror, following a group of friends on a caving expedition that goes horribly wrong. While not strictly urban, it embodies the spirit of exploring dangerous, uncharted subterranean spaces. When a rockfall traps them, they discover the cave system is not only uncharted but also inhabited by terrifying creatures. Director Neil Marshall specifically cast only women to differentiate it from typical horror films and explore female dynamics under extreme stress. The film is lauded for its intense practical effects, relentless tension, and the overwhelming feeling of being trapped and hunted deep underground. It's a brutal, effective survival horror that will make you think twice before entering a cave.

Descend into the infamous Paris Catacombs once more with Catacombs. This horror film centers on a young woman visiting her sister in Paris who gets lost during a party held deep within the ancient underground ossuaries. As she tries to find her way out, she becomes convinced she's being hunted. While perhaps not as critically acclaimed as others set in similar locations, it features a cast including Shannyn Sossamon and singer Pink (credited by her real name, Alecia Moore, in her acting debut). The sheer scale of the Catacombs – holding the remains of over six million people – provides an inherently creepy and disorienting backdrop for the unfolding terror.

Dark Days is a powerful, stark documentary offering a unique perspective on urban exploration – one born not of thrill-seeking, but necessity. It follows a community of homeless individuals who have created a life for themselves in the Amtrak tunnels beneath New York City. Filmed over two years by director Marc Singer, who lived with his subjects, the film is shot entirely in striking black and white, adding to its raw, timeless feel. Interestingly, the film's subjects were involved in its production, helping with lighting and sound, and were compensated from the film's earnings. It's a deeply human look at resilience and community in the most unexpected and hidden urban spaces, showcasing a hidden world few ever see.

Urban Explorer plunges a group of young tourists and their guide into the vast, eerie underground network beneath Berlin. Seeking thrills and hidden history, they venture into abandoned bunkers and tunnels, relics of a turbulent past. However, their adventure takes a sinister turn when they encounter a mysterious, dangerous figure who knows the tunnels intimately – perhaps too intimately. The film effectively uses the historical, decaying environment to create a sense of isolation and dread. It taps into the unease of being lost in a forgotten, labyrinthine space, far from the safety of the surface world. It's a tense survival story where the environment itself feels like a character, full of hidden dangers.

Explore the abandoned underbelly of Sydney in The Tunnel, a gripping Australian found-footage horror flick. This film follows a documentary crew investigating a government cover-up involving the city's forgotten, mile-long tunnel system. What they find lurking in the darkness is far more terrifying than bureaucratic secrets. Known for its unique distribution model, the filmmakers initially released the movie online for free via BitTorrent, coupled with a crowdfunding effort allowing people to buy individual frames. The film successfully builds suspense using its dark, damp, and confined setting, making you feel trapped alongside the characters. It's a great example of how a low budget and a compelling premise can create intense, claustrophobic horror.

Dive headfirst into the chilling depths beneath Paris with As Above, So Below. This found-footage horror gem takes a group of intrepid explorers, led by a determined alchemist-archaeologist, into the legendary Catacombs. What starts as a quest for a mythical artifact quickly devolves into a descent into madness, where the lines between history, myth, and personal demons blur. The film excels at using its real-life, claustrophobic setting to generate palpable tension. Filmed on location in the actual Paris Catacombs, it leverages the oppressive narrow tunnels and stacks of human remains to create an incredibly unsettling atmosphere. It's a terrifying journey that plays on primal fears of being trapped underground and confronting your deepest regrets. Prepare for a relentless ride through history's dark underbelly.