A good camping movie captures the essence of surviving outside, showcases the beauty of nature, thrills with the challenges of the wilds, and celebrates the unbreakable spirit of those who venture into the wilderness. That's why, when you're not on a weekend getaway in the woods or embarking on an epic backpacking expedition, we recommend you spend some time around the campfire from the comfort of your home by watching any of these 23 camping movies we love.
Our camping movie list covers all genres, from heart-pounding survival thrillers to heartwarming tales of friendship and self-discovery in the great outdoors. Some are a little corny (admit it, you love it), while others are a little more intense. And whether you're in the mood for stories of solitary wilderness treks, family camping adventures, or even supernatural encounters in the woods, this list has something for everyone.
So, grab your popcorn, cozy up, and let the magic of these camping films transport you to the enchanting world of the great outdoors. Get ready to be inspired and entertained—maybe you'll even pick up a few tips for the real thing when the weather gets more tolerable.
RV
Columbia Pictures
This underrated Robin Williams film follows the Munro family along on a quintessential outdoor adventure. Bob Munroe, played by Williams, is supposed to take his family on a vacation to Hawai'i, but his boss wants him to cancel and meet with clients in Colorado. He convinces his family to take a road trip to the Colorado Rocky Mountains in an RV as a bonding experience. The trip is filled with ups and downs and hilarious gaffes the whole family will enjoy.
Camp Hideout
Roadside Attractions
In this coming-of-age film, a troubled teen heads to a church summer camp after stealing a video from two city gangsters. During his time there, Noah makes unlikely friends, and when the two gangsters come after him, Noah realizes he needs to protect his new friends at all costs, especially when they have his back. The film is full of life lessons and a few hijinks, not to mention an appearance by Christopher Lloyd, who automatically makes any movie awesome.
Family Camp
Lionsgate
Family Camp follows two families who, as luck would have it, are serendipitously stuck in a yurt together at a camp in Ouachita National Forest. The families couldn't be more different, yet they find themselves battling it out for the Camp Katokwah trophy. Both men find themselves trying to win the trophy and back their wives.
Without a Paddle
Paramount Pictures
Three hapless friends take to the woods to hunt down a treasure, experiencing the worst nature and man has to offer along the way. The events the campers get into are unlikely but will strike a chord with people who have a lot of good memories of camping or road-tripping with their buddies.
The Great Outdoors
Universal Pictures
This comedy featuring Dan Akroyd and John Candy takes place on a picturesque Wisconsin lake. It's a much more light-hearted take on everything that can go wrong on camping trips, from invading bears and raccoons to pesky neighboring campers. The film's hijinks are good for a laugh and can remind us to look for the funny side of things that might not go as planned on a camping trip.
Camp Rock
Walt Disney Studios
Joe Jonas and his brothers star in this movie with Demi Lovato, and they all end up at music camp "Camp Rock" together. Shane Gray(played by Joe Jonas) and his bandmates head to the camp. Shane has a bad attitude and needs to learn to be less of a jerk. While at camp, he meets Lovato's character, Mitchie Torres, who becomes his friend until one of the camp's mean girls, Tess, tries to break up their friendship with plenty of drama. Shane is just trying to find out the identity of a mystery singer. In the end, Shane realizes Mitchie was who he was trying to find all along.
Camp Nowhere
Buena Vista Pictures
Jonathon Jackson and Christopher Lloyd star together in this junior high drama. Morris "Mud" Himmel and his friends don't want to go to the summer camps their parents picked. In order to be all together and not at some boring camp, they blackmail their former drama teacher into leading a camp of their own design: one where parents aren't allowed to visit.
Into the Wild
Paramount Pictures
This film is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who abandoned a traditional post-graduate life and attempted to live independently in the wilds of Alaska. This is a more serious film and a sobering reminder of being prepared and humble before going into the woods, but many campers will also relate to McCandless' sense of adventure and abandon.
Moonrise Kingdom
Focus Features
This Wes Anderson flick contains all his usual signature traits, but has a lot of nods to scouting and camping. You'll get a chuckle out of the '60s-era gear pictured in the film and the confidence of the protagonist at surviving in the wild. As a camper, you'll empathize with the desire of the two characters to escape the complexities of civilized living.
Happiness for Beginners
Netflix
A year after her divorce, Helen signs herself up for a wilderness survival course along the Appalachian Trail. There, she finds herself in a group with Jake (played by Yellowstone's Luke Grimes), who is her little brother's best friend. Helen works on finding herself while discovering nature, but she may find love too.
The Blair Witch Project
Haxan Films
This may be more of a horror film, but there are quite a few campers who have heard a snap or crackle in the woods late at night and thought of this film. While not for the motion-sickness due to the camera work, this film is a pioneer of the "found footage" horror genre, and after seeing the plight of the campers in this film, you'll be reminded that no matter what goes on during your own camping trip, things could always be worse.
Wet Hot American Summer
USA Films
Set in 1981 at Camp Firewood, camp counselors find themselves at the final day of camp. Soon, everyone will be going back to their lives. The only problem is the counselors all have some unfinished business. The camp director, Beth, is in love with the local astrophysics professor who is struggling to save the camp from a piece of NASA's Skylab, which is falling to Earth. Amid that chaos, the group goes through serious hijinks, including a waterfall rescue, love triangles, and talking vegetable cans. The misfits and the cool kids get everything figured out at the annual end-of-camp talent show.
Heavyweights
Walt Disney Studios
Ben Stiller stars in the movie, where he is the leader of a fat camp for overweight kids. Camp Hope promoted heavy weights and eating whatever you wanted until the new owner took over. Kids are promised a fun summer with fast weight loss. But they find out the camp is run by a psychotic ex-fitness instructor who only wants kids to lose weight and bans all candy. After six weeks in a woodland hellhole, these kids have decided they've had enough of the rules and their fitness-fanatic leader.
We're the Millers
Warner Bros. Pictures =
Jennifer Anniston and Jason Sudeikis star in this haphazard comedy with Emma Roberts and Will Poulter. The four band together as a fake family on a road trip from Mexico to the U.S. But really, they are all just a cover for David's job of transporting a massive marijuana shipment over the border for his boss. Nothing goes right on this RV trip, and David realizes that money isn't always everything.
But I'm a Cheerleader
Lionsgate
The film firmly hones in on the theme of misfits finding their place in the world. It follows cheerleader Megan, who finds herself more interested in listening to Melissa Etheridge and much less in making out with her quarterback boyfriend. Naturally, her concerned parents send her to the New Directions gay reparative therapy camp. The camp tries its best to make all the gay youth try to like the opposite sex. Of course, the camp's methods fail miserably, and the youth out it's okay to be themselves.
Sleepaway Camp
United Film Distribution Company
Following her family's horrific death in a boating accident, Angela Baker goes to live with her quirky aunt and protective cousin. The pair get sent to Camp Arawak for the summer, but soon after their arrival, things turn violent. Accidents keep happening to the campers. The most surprising turn is the identity of the killer.
The Parent Trap
Walt Disney Pictures
Lindsay Lohan stars in one of the best movies for kid hijinks. Separated twin sisters, Hallie and Annie, are enrolled at the same summer camp. After torturing each other, they realize they are twins. At the end of camp, they decide to swap lives to see how each other lives and to get their parents back together.
Daddy Day Camp
Tristar Pictures
In this hilarious comedy, Charlie and Phil decide to take their kids, Max and Ben, to Camp Driftwood for the summer. Both men had attended the camp in 1977 and had great memories of the place. However, the camp is falling apart and in need of help. The summer camp movie follows the pair through misadventures as they challenge another camp and try to save the camp at the same time.
Troop Zero
Amazon Studios
A group of elementary school misfits band together to create their own tropp of Birdie Scouts. The movie follows the group as they try to earn a badge each in order to compete in the talent show. Winners of the show will have their voices on the Voyager Golden Record, which is transmitted into space. The troop loses, but they gain some epic friendships in the process.
Addams Family Values
Paramount Pictures
Whoever thought sending Wednesday Addams to a summer camp surely set the stage for some hilariously twisted situations. If normal camp wouldn't be awful enough for Wednesday, this camp is filled with snooty rich kids. In true Wednesday fashion, she wreaks havoc on the camp, even getting her fellow campers to roast their counselors on a spit. Pure perfection.
Meatballs
Paramount Pictures
Tripper Harrison (Bill Murray) is the quirky camp counselor of Camp North Star. He just wants the kids to have the best summer experience, but they have to face off against fancy opponents, Camp Mohawk. Of course, the underdogs take the win, and Tripper pulls a solid prank on the director of the camp.
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