Every young person has thought about leaving their diploma, wallet, and all preconceived notions about the future behind, but Christopher McCandless turned that into reality. After his college years, as he donates his belongings and sets off for the north, he leaves behind more than just unanswered questions; he triggers a radical break from the rigid boundaries of a comfortable life. Directed by Sean Penn, this road movie transports the viewer away from the clamor of the modern world and into the silence of the wilderness. The young man’s adventure to Alaska lays bare the age-old struggle between humanity and nature—and with one’s own limits—without any rose-colored illusions. As the price of escaping the grip of city life to be alone in the middle of the forest is slowly paid, this perilous quest deepens step by step.

Nominated for 2 Oscars. 23 wins & 106 nominations total