Chrissy Who says you have to leave the comfort of your sofa to travel around the world? If it is not possible to jump on a plane, I have compiled an awesome list of the top travel movies for wanderlust. These are movies that will inspire you to travel around the world and create some memorable experiences.
So grab your popcorn, get that fluffy blanket, and snuggle up on the couch with this spectacular list of travel films.
Lights, camera, action!
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EPIC TRAVEL MOVIES TO SPARK YOUR WANDERLUST
Whether you’re into romantic, comedy, or adventure flicks I have compiled a fabulous list of travel movies to watch to appease any movie lover. These travel-based movies will have you planning your next adventure before the film ends.
TRAVEL COMEDY MOVIES
Laughter is the best medicine right? Check out these travel comedy movies that are guaranteed to give you a few chuckles.
The Hangover Part Trilogy- ( Nevada- California, Thailand, Mexico)
Watching The Hangover’s Wolfpack gang constantly make poor decisions creates hilarious havoc that will have you laughing non-stop uncontrollably.
Watch the trilogy and escape on a desert road trip to Las Vegas, get lost in Bangkok, and venture off on an adventure to Tijuana.
Couples Retreat – (Bora Bora)
Couples Retreat is a comedy about 4 couples who take a trip to French Polynesia.
One couple is there to desperately save their marriage, but the others quickly learn participation in therapy sessions is mandatory for everyone.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Hawaii)
Following his heart getting broken by his cheating girlfriend, Peter (Jason Siegal) ventures off to escape and do some healing on Oahu a tropical paradise. Unexpectedly he ends up at the exact resort with his ex and new beau. It is one of those travel comedy movies that takes the cheesiness out of romance films.
My Father The Hero-(Bahamas)
Katherine Heigl plays a bratty teenage girl who takes a vacation to the Caribbean with her divorced father. Not long after arriving another tourist catches her eye and she entangles her father in drama over her crush. To impress her potential boyfriend she claims her father is her much older lover.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles- (Around USA)
Control freak Neal played by Steve Martin is trying to get home to spend Thanksgiving with his family. Unexpectedly his flight is rerouted due to a severe snowstorm. Along the way, he meets Del (John Candy) who is painstakingly obnoxious. You have to watch the movie to see their adventure and if they reach their families in time.
Lost In Translation – (Japan)
Lost In Translation is a classic and known to be one of the best travel comedy movies ever. Any movie with Bill Murray as the star you know is going to be pretty hilarious. Escape to the bright lights of Tokyo as a washed-out movie star crosses paths with a beautiful estranged woman named Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) and forms a questionable bond.
My Life In Ruins- (Greece)
Take a tour and learn the ancient history of Greece with Georgia (Nia Vardalos) a travel guide searching for her kefi, otherwise known as her mojo that has disappeared. Georgia surprisingly gets an unforeseen new outlook on life on what is meant to be her last tour.
Midnight Run- (California)
Jack Walsh (Robert DeNiro) is a well-known bounty hunter hired by Eddie Moscone (Joe Pantolian) to find a mob accountant known as “The Duke” and bring him to Los Angeles. Jack was misled thinking the hunt would only be a “midnight run” however, on the hunt for “The Duke” he soon discovers he has competition with the FBI.
Secret Life Of Walter Mitty- (Iceland, Greenland, New York)
Ben Stiller plays a captivating role as Walter Mitty, a bored photojournalist employed at Life Magazine. To escape his monotonous life, Walter begins to inhabit daydreams take him around the world.
Last Holiday- (Czech Republic)
Queen Latifa lights up the screen with her role as Georgia in Last Holiday. After finding out she has a terminal illness and weeks to live, Georgia ventures off on her dream vacation to the Czech Republic. Her charisma in life and positive attitude charm everyone who crosses her path.
ROMANTIC TRAVEL MOVIES
If you’re searching for romance I have listed my favorites movies about travel and love.
French Kiss -(Canada, France)
French Kiss is one of my all-time favorite romantic travel movies. Meg Ryan plays a sweet American who has an extreme phobia of flying. She soon receives an unanticipated phone call her fiancé fell in love with another woman during his business trip to Paris. Desperate to win him back she overlooks her fear of flying and meets an uncouth French man en route.
Under The Tuscan Sun -(Italy)
Under the Tuscan Sun takes place in Tuscany and is one of those romantic travel movies cheesier than burrata. Diane Lane plays Frances Mayes an established writer who discovers her husband’s infidelity. To rediscover herself she impulsively purchases a villa in Cortona to rediscover herself.
Eat Pray Love- (New York, Italy, India, Indonesia)
Eat Pray Love is one of the most popular romantic travel movies of all time. Liz (Julia Roberts) had everything she wanted in her life, until her recent divorce left her confused and at a crossroads. To redeem herself she decides to embark on an adventure and eats her way through Italy, meditates in India, and unexpectedly finds love in Bali.
The Holiday (California, United Kingdom)
The Holiday is about two women deflated by their relationships. Desperate to escape Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) swap houses and rediscover love unexpectedly.
Crazy Rich Asians (New York, Singapore)
Crazy Rich Asians is one of those romantic travel movies with an edgy twist. Economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) unknowingly falls in love with Singapore’s wealthiest bachelor. Handsome Nick Young swoops his girlfriend to Singapore to accompany him at his best friend’s wedding. Rachel being in the limelight must contend with envious socialites and worst of all his mother.
The Tourist- (Italy, France)
Math teacher Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp) sets off to Europe to mend his newly broken heart. During his impromptu trip he crosses paths with an alluring women where they get entangled in a dangerous web.
Made In Italy- (Italy)
A broke artist named Jack (Micheal Richardson) is desperate for funds to purchase an art gallery from his ex-wife. Jack flees to Italy with his father to repair and sell his dilapidated early childhood home. During the process, the father and son make attempts to mend their broken relationship. Made In Italy is a true light-hearted romance travel movie that will leave you hungry for pasta.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona- (Spain)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona will transport you to Spain with two girls visiting a girlfriend on their summer vacation. Shorty after their arrival they encounter an attractive painter Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) who invites them for one thrilling local adventure.
Letters To Juliet- (Italy)
Venture off to Italy with Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and her workaholic fiancé. In the winding streets of Verona, Sophie discovers a wall with letters written to Shakespeare’s Juliet written from the broken heart. One letter she read by Clair (Vanessa Redgrave) intrigued Sophie to respond and inspires her to find her long-lost lover. From there the movie takes a predictable turn on love.
BEST TRAVEL ADVENTURE MOVIES
More of a thrill seeker when it comes to travel movies? Check out my list below of travel adventure movies to appease the adrenaline junkie.
Catch Me If You Can- (California, Florida, France, Spain)
Catch Me If You Can is a wild but true story of a 19- year named Frank Abagnale Jr (Leonardo Di Caprio) posing as a pilot, doctor, and even a lawyer while swindling millions in counterfeit checks. Detective Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) jets off around the world to capture this imposter.
Tracks- (Australia)
Tracks is a travel adventure movie based on a true story. It’s a film about a woman who treks 1,700 miles on foot across Australia with her loyal dog and four camels to find solitude.
The Bucket List- (Various locations such as China, India, Tanzania, France)
Any movie with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicolson staring together in a film you know it’s going to be good. After escaping the cancer ward of the hospital together, both men begin checking off their bucket lists before they die. The Bucket List is one of my favorite travel adventure movies of all time. This duo will have you laughing and crying at the same time.
Everest – (Nepal, China)
For those who are thrill-seekers, Everest if one the best travel adventures movies to watch. Two expeditions face many challenges as an unexpected violet storm strikes as they make their ascent to the summit of the world’s tallest mountain.
The Beach (Thailand)
Popular film from the ’90s, The Beach is about an American backpacker named Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) thirsting for adventure in Thailand. Richard and his friends tag along as they escape to a mystical paradise “The Beach” and soon find themselves fighting for their survival.
Slumdog Millionaire- (India)
Jamal Malik (Deve Patel) is accused of cheating as a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” He reflects on his past being a Mumbai street kid revealing how he knew all the answers.
Wild- (California, Oregon, Washington)
Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) sets off for a solo hike on one of the longest and toughest trails in hopes to regain her life from the loss of her mother and failed marriage.
The Adventures Of Milo and Otis- (Japan)
Adorable adventure travel movie of a kitten and pug exploring the countryside accidentally straying from their home.
Snatched- (Ecuador)
Emily Middleton (Amy Schumer) gets dumped by her boyfriend before their planned trip to Ecuador. Being desperate for a travel buddy she pleads with her mother to accompany her. The trip takes an unexpected turn as they are kidnapped during their exotic getaway. In order to escape they must mend their differences.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure- (The Past & Future)
Venture off to the past and future with one of the most popular time travel movies. Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (KeanuReeves) play two airheads on the verge of flunking history but given the chance to travel through various periods of time.
GOOD ROAD TRIP MOVIES
No matter if you’re a seasoned traveler or not, more than likely you have gone on a road trip whether short or far. Here is a list of good movies to watch on road trips.
National Lampoons Vacation ( Illinois to California)
National Lampoons Vacation it is one of the best funny road trip movies to watch. The Griswald’s head off for a family road trip to a famous California amusement park. Although Clark (Chevy Chase) had everything strategically planned it all goes hilariously wrong. If you’re looking for a family-filled comedy film, National Lampoons Vacation is one of the best classic movies to watch on a road trip.
Dumb and Dumber- (Rhode Island to Colorado)
Dumb and Dumber is about two dimwitted best friends, Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) who set off on an adventure to return a briefcase to attractive women with whom they compete for her affection.
Pee- wee’s Big Adventure- (California and Texas)
Venture off cross country with Pee-wee in this corny adventure comedy. Pee-wee heads across the states to recover his beloved stolen red bicycle. It’s one of those good travel movies to watch for a laugh.
The Blue’s Brothers (Illinois)
The Blue’s Brothers is an outrageously hilarious musical comedy starring comical icons John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. The Blues Brothers Jake (Belushi) and Elwood (Aykroyd) take their band back on the road to raise funds for the orphanage where they were raised. Musical features from Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown.
One Week- (Canada)
Ben Tyler (Joshua Jackson) determined to find the meaning of life rides his motorcycle from Toronto to Tofino following a dire medical diagnosis.
Motorcycle Diaries- (South America)
Thirsting for a bit of adventure during his last semester of medical school, Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal) travels from Brazil to Peru by motorcycle with his best friend.
Thelma and Louise- (Arkansas to Arizona)
You cannot compile a list of road trip movies without mentioning Thelma and Louise. The film is about a strong friendship between two women who wander off searching for adventure, but it quickly becomes escaping from the law. Thelma and Louise are one of the most classic movies to watch on a road trip.
Almost Famous- (California)
High school student William Miller (Patrick Fugit) is given a rare opportunity to write a story for Rolling Stone Magazine about a new up-and-coming band Stillwater.
On The Road- (Colorado, North Carolina, California, and Mexico)
On the Road is based on the iconic late 1950s novel written by Jack Kerouac. Sal Paradise (Sam Riley) is a young writer who journeys off on a road trip with a free-spirit Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund ) and his girlfriend Marylou (Kristen Stewart). As they travel across the county they cross paths with people who make a memorable impression on their journey.
Little Miss Sunshine- (California, New Mexico)
Join the dysfunctional Hoover family on an 800- mile road trip from New Mexico to California in a vintage VW bus so their daughter can enter a beauty pageant.
OLD CLASSIC MOVIES ABOUT TRAVEL
Into timeless classic travel movies? Below I have listed some of the best oldie travel movies of all time.
To Catch A Thief (France)
A classic 1955 Alfred Hitchcock movie starring both Grace Kelly and Cary Grant. Notorious cat burglar retires to the French Riviera to work with vineyards. As a string of new jewelry robberies occurs, he is desperate to prove his innocence. Did he? Well, you have to watch and find out.
Roman Holiday- (Italy)
Roman Holiday is a 1955 classic film that will take on an expedition to Rome. Audrey Hepburn staring as Ann, a European princess who is overwhelmed with her busy schedule ventures off for a night in Rome. During her escapade, she takes a sedative from her doctor and sets into a deep sleep on a park bench. She is soon discovered by an American reporter (Gregory Peck).
THAT’S A WRAP ON THE BEST TRAVEL MOVIES
Did I miss any travel movies you enjoy? Let me know in the comments below to add to this list of travel films.
Other travel-related posts you may enjoy igniting that travel flame:
- Hilarious Funny Travel Quotes Every Traveler Can Relate To
- Awesome Friend Travel Quotes To Share With Your Bestie
- Top Solo Travel Quotes For The Wanderlust
- Top Female Solo Travel Destinations
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These are some awesome suggestions! You’ve inspired me to watch Slumdog Millionaire because I haven’t seen it in years! There are a lot on this list I’ve never seen before too! I think I’ll spend New Year’s day watching a few of these. Thanks for the inspiration!
So glad you enjoyed the list Hannah. I need to catch up on a few too for New Year’s day that I haven’t seen in a while too!
Oh I loooove this list! Some of my favorite movies ever are featured here like The Holiday, Eat, Pray Love and Crazy Rich Asians 🙂 Great post!
Lina I am so glad you enjoyed the list. Crazy Rich Asians was one of my favorites too!