6 Best Deserted Island Movies

By Vlad Zakh · September 12, 2026

From schoolboys descending into savagery to a wealthy woman and a deckhand whose class divide collapses under survival, these are the best movies stranded on a deserted island. In Swept Away (1974): A wealthy woman and a working-class deckhand stranded on a desert island find their social roles and beliefs completely reversed. Just as strong is Lord of the Flies (1963): A group of schoolboys marooned on a deserted island after a plane crash descend into savagery as their fragile society collapses.

Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991)

TMDB ★ 6.2

Two children stranded on a beautiful South Pacific island build a simple life together, growing up and falling in love with no adults to guide them.

Directed by William A. Graham · 1h 38m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Sweetheart (2019)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A woman washed ashore on a remote island must survive the elements by day and a malevolent force that emerges each night.

Directed by J.D. Dillard · 1h 22m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Lord of the Flies (1990)

TMDB ★ 6.4

Twenty-five schoolboys are trapped on a tropical island after a plane crash leaves them far from any adult guidance.

Directed by Harry Hook · 1h 31m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Blue Lagoon: The Awakening (2012)

TMDB ★ 6.5

Two stranded high school students must rely on each other to survive a tropical island while falling in love.

Directed by Jake Newsome & Mikael Salomon · 1h 25m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Philo · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Lord of the Flies (1963)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A group of schoolboys marooned on a deserted island after a plane crash descend into savagery as their fragile society collapses.

Directed by Peter Brook · 1h 32m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Swept Away (1974)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A wealthy woman and a working-class deckhand stranded on a desert island find their social roles and beliefs completely reversed.

Directed by Lina Wertmüller · 1h 50m

Where to watch

Stream: Kino Film Collection · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Deserted Island Movies

Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991)

Sweetheart (2019)

Lord of the Flies (1990)

Blue Lagoon: The Awakening (2012)

Lord of the Flies (1963)

Swept Away (1974)

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