Mysterious Islands in Fiction

5. The Island of Creation

First appeared in: God of War II (2007) by Cory Barlog, James Balrog, David Jaffe, and Marianne Krawczyk

The main location during the hit video game’s mid-section appears both on the PlayStation 2 version of the game, and the compilation God of War Collection for the PlayStation 3. As number 1 on the previous list was an island from Greek mythology, it is perhaps fitting that number 10 on this list should also come from Greek mythology, albeit a more modern version of that mythology. Here, anti-hero Kratos meets up with various figures from Greek mythology, including Theseus and the Sisters of Fate.

4. Hydra Island

First appeared in: Lost (2006)

Although not The Island in Lost, much mystery and many key moments in the series nevertheless occurred on this nearby smaller island, which again appropriately takes it name from Greek mythology, given the first possibly fictional mysterious island on the earlier list. You can go here to read more information on this island.

3. Shutter Island

First appeared in: Shutter Island (2003) by Dennis Lehane

Shutter Island, as with Arkham Island, is home to a hospital for the criminally insane. This particular island appears in both a best-selling novel, and subsequent film adaptation that grossed nearly $300 million dollars worldwide. A United States Marshal’s efforts to investigate a murderess’s disappearance takes many twists and turns that include nightmares, conspiracy, and an ending that challenges the reality of what we have read across the length of the novel or watched for the duration of the film.

2. Rockfort Island

First appeared in: Resident Evil Code: Veronica (2000)

The zombie and monster infested island serves as one of the major settings for two major video games and a novel, set in 1998. Administered by Alfred Ashford for Umbrella, the island is a site for mystery and adventure primarily for Claire Redfield, Steve Burnside, and Chris Redfield. In addition to the even more bizarre biological experiments than those seen in The Island of Dr. Moreau and Jurassic Park (Resident Evil’s most notorious island features among other things a gigantic virus infected earth worm called a “gulp worm“), this island includes a prison (as does Arkham Island) and also a palace and military training facility.

1. The Island

First appeared in: Cast Away (2000) by William Boyles, Jr.

The main setting of a film that grossed over $400 million dollars, and received major nominations at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and MTV Movie Awards, has importance beyond its appearance in a single successful film. Three years after the film’s release, Cast Away-The Series became a consideration for ABC Studios to develop. The proposed television series developed further and eventually had the title of Nowhere. Ultimately, the basic concept of this proposed series evolved into 2004’s Lost, a series with not one but two notable fictional mysterious islands of adventure.