Forests can be a fantastic location for a movie set, as they can serve a multitude of purposes. They can be an enchanting setting full of excitement and adventure, but with the lighting change and some added fog, the forest can serve as a scary and lonely setting, perfect for a great horror movie.
Over the years, there have been some fantastic movies set in the woods, taking place in all genres from animation to thrillers, and when done right it can create a tremendous atmosphere. But be it spooky or exciting, what are the best movies that predominantly take place in the woods?
10 In the woods (2014)
The clue is really in the title when it comes to this movie, but clearly, this musical story takes place predominantly within the forest. This is a great musical that features a brilliant cast with artists like Emily Blunt, James Corden, Johnny Depp, and Meryl Streep bringing the story to life.
Focusing on a baker and his wife and their need to break a spell to have children, they encounter a variety of fairy tale characters, from Rapunzel to Little Red Riding Hood. The movie weaves all of those classic tales in a unique way with some fantastic songs, and the whimsical element of the forest adds to it all.
9 Winnie The Pooh (2011)
A slightly more moving and brilliant movie that takes place inside the forest is Winnie the pooh, which takes place in Hundred Acre Woods, to be precise. This shows a different way that woods can be used in the world of cinema, this being an area of bright colors and happiness, while also having the open air feel of the woods themselves.
The movie sees different stories with the popular characters of this world, with Winnie running out of honey and Eeyore losing his tail. It teaches moral lessons and gives each character a moment to shine, having something for everyone.
8 The Blair Witch Project (1999)
This may not have been the most polished due to its lower budget, but that’s why The Blair Witch Project it ends up being so scary. The film doesn’t have the fancy camera angles or sharp definition that many others have, however that element makes this unsettling.
Focusing on friends looking to find the Blair Witch, only to end up wishing they didn’t, this movie has some scary moments, and the forests themselves are a big reason for that. Not knowing what’s around you, grainy footage means your audience doesn’t either.
7 Friday the 13th (1980)
Another classic horror movie set in the woods is Friday the 13th, which was the starting point of one of the most important franchises of the genre. The Camp Crystal Lake setting is one that people know all too well now, but it works perfectly in a haunting and spooky setting.
This movie focuses on the importance of Mrs. Voorhees, as well as her son, Jason. The story sees her take revenge on the counselors in the camp, in what becomes a hideous assassin with some brutal murders and terrifying moments, with the forest adding a truly spooky backdrop.
6 Cabin in the woods (2011)
A group of friends are going to a cabin for the weekend, and of course, it’s not long before things go wrong, with zombies showing up to kill them. However, this movie has a fantastic twist on why the horror characters appear, which is something that makes it unique.
All the friends from college have different personalities and they really work well in this movie, complementing each other and giving the audience someone to invest in. They have to work hard in an attempt to survive the different horror characters that await them and the dark and spooky forests. they are the ideal setting for everything to unfold.
5 Avatar (2009)
This movie shows that even great science fiction movies can take place in this kind of environment. While the ‘forest’ in Avatar they are slightly different from what we experience on Earth, that is because it is in the world of Pandora, which is completely different.
However, it serves the same purpose, with Jake spending most of his time as a Na’vi on Pandora as part of a mission. Of course, he ends up learning about the beauty and serenity of that world and what the Na’vi really are like, leading him to have divided loyalties, creating a tremendous fight in the end.
4 The Dead of Evil (1981)
The bad death It has grown into a tremendous franchise, but it is still the original that stands out as the strongest film. With a group of friends heading to a cabin in the woods, they end up allowing demons to enter the world when they come across the book of the dead.
From then on, this movie turns into a fantastic horror, with the character of Ash trying to survive through thick and thin, fighting his way through some grotesque characters. It’s a well-organized movie with some brilliant visuals, as well as some fun phrases to brighten the mood.
3 Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
The movie that wrapped up the original Star Wars trilogy is one of the greats of all time, and while everyone has their own personal favorite Star Wars delivery, this is often up for debate. While this is obviously a sci-fi movie that takes place in a variety of locations around the galaxy, much of this movie takes place in the woods.
That’s because a large part of this occurs on Endor, which is a forest moon. This is where the Ewoks can be found and this is where Leia and Han’s story is the focal point. Endor is one of the most memorable places in the Star Wars universe, and its lush surroundings are a big part of that.
two The Hunger Games (2012)
The forest has a real place in Katniss Everdeen’s heart, that being her area of loneliness and happiness in District 12. She goes there to do what she does best, which is to hunt, but when she ends up having to volunteer as a tribute his sister to compete in the Hunger Games, all that changes.
The setting for the Hunger Games itself is the forest, which plays to Katniss’s strengths, as she knows her surroundings well. The movie really gets going inside the forest, with all the tributes fighting to be last standing, with fantastic action and real emotion throughout, in a film that kicked off a very popular franchise.
1 The Revenant (2015)
The reborn it’s an amazing movie that is gripping and emotional from the start. The forest setting in icy snow and ice gives this movie a different feel than most within this setting, and only makes things harder for Hugh Glass as he tries to survive, and then get revenge on the man who betrayed him and left it behind.
While Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio’s performances are impressive in this one, when people think of this movie, they go to the scene with the bear. This occurs in the forest when the animal attacks Hugh Glass, in one of the most realistic and terrifying scenes of all time.
Reference-screenrant.com
