Original Source: Skillings Mining Review
In the online publication Skillings Mining Review, a list of their choice of the 20 best movies of all time. Here is their list…

1. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
Synopsis: Directed by John Huston, this classic adventure film stars Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, and Tim Holt. The story follows two down-and-out Americans, Fred C. Dobbs (Bogart) and Bob Curtin (Holt), who join an old prospector, Howard (Walter Huston), in Mexico to search for gold. As they strike it rich, greed and paranoia set in, leading to betrayal and tragedy. The film explores the destructive power of greed and the lengths people will go to for wealth.
2. There Will Be Blood (2007)
Synopsis: Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, this film is loosely based on Upton Sinclair’s novel “Oil!” It follows the story of Daniel Plainview (Day-Lewis), a ruthless oil prospector who moves to California to drill for oil. As he builds his empire, his relationships with his adopted son and a local preacher deteriorate, culminating in a powerful and dark portrayal of ambition, greed, and the human cost of industrial progress.
3. The 33 (2015)
Synopsis: This biographical drama, directed by Patricia Riggen, recounts the 2010 Chilean mining disaster where 33 miners were trapped underground for 69 days. The film stars Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, and Juliette Binoche, and focuses on the miners’ struggle for survival, the efforts to rescue them, and the emotional impact on their families. The film highlights human resilience, solidarity, and the triumph of the human spirit against overwhelming odds.
4. North Country (2005)
Synopsis: Directed by Niki Caro and starring Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, and Sissy Spacek, this drama is inspired by the true story of the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States, Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines. Theron plays Josey Aimes, a woman who takes a job at a local iron mine in Minnesota and faces severe harassment from her male coworkers. The film depicts her fight for justice and the systemic discrimination women face in male-dominated industries.
5. October Sky (1999)
Synopsis: Directed by Joe Johnston, this film is based on the true story of Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal), a coal miner’s son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 to take up rocketry against his father’s wishes. Set in a small mining town in West Virginia, the film shows Homer’s struggle to pursue his dream of becoming a rocket scientist, overcoming numerous obstacles with the support of his friends and teacher. The film celebrates ambition, perseverance, and the importance of following one’s passion.
6. The Devil’s Miner (2005)
Synopsis: This documentary, directed by Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani, provides a harrowing look at the lives of child miners in the Cerro Rico silver mines of Bolivia. It follows 14-year-old Basilio Vargas and his 12-year-old brother Bernardino as they work in the dangerous mines to support their family. The film highlights the brutal conditions the children face, their beliefs in the mine’s guardian spirit, and the impact of poverty and exploitation on their lives.
7. Gold (2016)
Synopsis: Directed by Stephen Gaghan and starring Matthew McConaughey, this film is loosely based on the 1993 Bre-X mining scandal. McConaughey plays Kenny Wells, a prospector who teams up with a geologist (Edgar Ramirez) to find gold in the Indonesian jungle. They strike it rich, but their success leads to a series of deceptions and scandals. The film explores themes of ambition, greed, and the pursuit of the American Dream, while shedding light on one of the biggest frauds in the mining industry.
8. Promised Land (2012)
Synopsis: Directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon, John Krasinski, and Frances McDormand, this drama tackles the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas. Damon plays a corporate salesman who arrives in a rural town to convince the residents to lease their land for drilling. As he faces opposition and reconsiders the environmental impact of his actions, the film delves into themes of corporate ethics, community, and environmental stewardship.
9. Blood Diamond (2006)
Synopsis: Directed by Edward Zwick and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly, this action-thriller is set during the Sierra Leone Civil War. It follows the story of a fisherman (Hounsou), a smuggler (DiCaprio), and a journalist (Connelly) who join forces to retrieve a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives. The film highlights the brutal reality of conflict diamonds, the exploitation of local communities, and the global consequences of the illegal diamond trade.
10. The Last King of Scotland (2006)
Synopsis: Directed by Kevin Macdonald and starring Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy, this historical drama is based on Giles Foden’s novel of the same name. The film is set in Uganda and follows the rise of dictator Idi Amin (Whitaker) through the eyes of his fictional personal physician, Dr. Nicholas Garrigan (McAvoy). Mining plays a part in the story as Amin seeks to exploit the country’s mineral wealth, leading to human rights abuses and economic turmoil. The film is a gripping portrayal of power, corruption, and moral dilemmas.
11. The Dig (2021)
Synopsis: Directed by Simon Stone and starring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, and Lily James, this historical drama is based on the true story of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo in England. While not a traditional mining story, the film explores the process of unearthing a significant archaeological find. Fiennes plays Basil Brown, a self-taught archaeologist, who, along with landowner Edith Pretty (Mulligan), discovers an Anglo-Saxon ship burial. The film delves into themes of history, legacy, and the personal connections that bind people to the past.
12. Deepwater Horizon (2016)
Synopsis: Directed by Peter Berg and starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, and Gina Rodriguez, this disaster film recounts the 2010 explosion of the offshore drilling rig Deepwater Horizon. The film focuses on the workers’ heroism during the catastrophic event, highlighting the dangers and environmental impact of offshore drilling. Wahlberg plays Mike Williams, an engineer who fights to save his colleagues amidst the chaos. The film is a tribute to the bravery of those involved and a critical look at the oil industry’s practices.
13. Erin Brockovich (2000)
Synopsis: Directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Julia Roberts, this biographical drama tells the story of Erin Brockovich, a legal assistant who uncovers a major case of water contamination linked to a mining company’s activities. Roberts’ portrayal of Brockovich earned her an Academy Award. The film follows her relentless pursuit of justice for the residents of Hinkley, California, who were affected by the contamination. It highlights environmental activism, corporate accountability, and the power of determination.
14. Hell or High Water (2016)
Synopsis: Directed by David Mackenzie and starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges, this neo-Western crime film revolves around two brothers who rob banks to save their family ranch from foreclosure. While the main plot is not centered on mining, the backdrop of the economic hardships faced by people in rural Texas, including those linked to the oil and gas industry, provides a poignant context. The film is a gritty exploration of desperation, family loyalty, and the impact of financial exploitation.
15. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
Synopsis: Directed by Stephen Hopkins and starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas, this adventure film is based on the true story of the Tsavo Man-Eaters, two lions that terrorized the workers on the Kenya-Uganda Railway in 1898. Kilmer plays Col. John Henry Patterson, an engineer overseeing the railway construction, who teams up with hunter Charles Remington (Douglas) to hunt the lions. The film captures the perilous conditions of the laborers and the challenges of engineering projects in hostile environments.
16. Mountains of the Moon (1990)
Synopsis: Directed by Bob Rafelson and starring Patrick Bergin and Iain Glen, this historical drama follows the expeditions of British explorers Richard Francis Burton (Bergin) and John Hanning Speke (Glen) as they search for the source of the Nile River. The film depicts their journey through Africa, encountering various hardships and conflicts. While not about mining per se, it explores the spirit of exploration and the quest for discovery, themes closely linked to the adventurous nature of mining.
17. The Molly Maguires (1970)
Synopsis: Directed by Martin Ritt and starring Richard Harris and Sean Connery, this drama is set in the coal mines of Pennsylvania in the 1870s. The film tells the story of the Molly Maguires, a secret society of Irish-American miners who use sabotage and violence to fight against oppressive mine owners. Harris plays an undercover detective infiltrating the group, while Connery portrays the group’s leader. The film delves into themes of labor struggles, justice, and the harsh realities of mining life.
18. Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980)
Synopsis: Directed by Michael Apted and starring Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones, this biographical musical drama chronicles the life of country music star Loretta Lynn, who rose from humble beginnings in a poor coal mining town in Kentucky. Spacek’s portrayal of Lynn earned her an Academy Award. The film highlights Lynn’s journey from a miner’s daughter to a successful singer, capturing the challenges of life in mining communities and the resilience needed to overcome them.
19. The Miner’s Hymns (2011)
Synopsis: Directed by Bill Morrison, this documentary film uses archival footage to explore the history of coal mining in Northeast England. Accompanied by a score by Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, the film portrays the rise and fall of the mining industry, the lives of the miners, and the communities built around the mines. It is a poignant and visually striking tribute to the heritage of mining and the people who lived and worked in the coalfields.
20. The Emerald Forest (1985)
Synopsis: Directed by John Boorman and starring Powers Boothe and Charley Boorman, this adventure drama is inspired by a true story. It follows an American engineer (Boothe) working on a dam project in the Amazon rainforest, whose son is kidnapped by a local indigenous tribe. The film explores the clash between modern industrial projects and traditional ways of life, highlighting the environmental and social impacts of such developments. While not directly about mining, it addresses similar themes of resource extraction and its consequences.