Traveling can be a truly transformative experience. It can open your mind to new cultures, new perspectives, and new ways of living. And what better way to experience the world than through the lens of cinema?
Travel movies can transport us to faraway places, introduce us to fascinating characters, and inspire us to embark on our own adventures.
Here are 15 of the best travel movies ever made:
The Beach (2000)
This adaptation of Alex Garland’s popular novel follows a young backpacker named Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he searches for a secret beach rumored to be paradise. Along the way, he meets a group of idealistic travelers who have created their own utopian community on the beach. But paradise comes at a price, and Richard soon finds himself caught up in a dangerous game of survival.
Why it’s a great travel movie: The Beach is a visually stunning film that captures the beauty and mystery of Thailand. It’s also a cautionary tale about the dangers of following your dreams too blindly.
Into the Wild (2007)
This biographical drama tells the story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a young man who abandons his possessions and sets out on a cross-country road trip to Alaska. Along the way, he encounters a variety of people who teach him about the true meaning of life and happiness.
Why it’s a great travel movie: Into the Wild is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of nature. It’s also a reminder that the best journeys are often the ones we least expect.
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
This biopic follows Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Gael GarcÃa Bernal) and his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) as they embark on a motorcycle trip across South America in 1952. Along the way, they witness poverty and injustice, and Che Guevara begins to develop his revolutionary ideology.
Why it’s a great travel movie: The Motorcycle Diaries is a beautifully shot and moving film that captures the spirit of adventure and the power of travel to change people’s lives.
The Way (2010)
This drama follows Tom Avery (Martin Sheen), an American doctor who travels to Spain to collect the body of his son, who has died while hiking the Camino de Santiago. Tom decides to complete the pilgrimage in his son’s place, and along the way, he meets a group of fellow travelers who help him to heal and find new purpose in life.
Why it’s a great travel movie: The Way is a heartwarming and inspiring film that celebrates the power of the human spirit and the importance of human connection.
Wild (2014)
This biographical drama tells the story of Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon), a young woman who sets out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail alone after her life falls apart. The journey is physically and emotionally challenging, but it also helps Cheryl to heal and find herself.
Why it’s a great travel movie: Wild is a powerful and moving film that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of nature to heal.
Up (2009)
This animated film follows Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner), an elderly widower who fulfills his lifelong dream of traveling to South America by tying his house to thousands of helium balloons. Along the way, he meets a young Wilderness Explorer named Russell (Jordan Nagai), and the two of them embark on an unforgettable adventure.
Why it’s a great travel movie: Up is a heartwarming and funny film that celebrates the importance of family and the power of adventure.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
This comedy-drama follows Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), a bored and unfulfilled photo editor at Life magazine. When a negative for the magazine’s cover photo goes missing, Walter sets out on a journey to find it. Along the way, he has a series of unexpected adventures and learns to live his life to the fullest.
Why it’s a great travel movie: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a funny and inspiring film that celebrates the importance of taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Eat Pray Love (2010)
This romantic comedy-drama follows Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts), a woman who goes on a year-long journey of self-discovery after her marriage ends. She travels to Italy to learn to cook, India to pray, and Bali to find love. Along the way, she learns more about herself and what she wants out of life.
Why it’s a great travel movie: Eat Pray Love is a heartwarming and funny film that celebrates the power of travel to
Eat Pray Love is a heartwarming and funny film that celebrates the power of travel to transform our lives. It’s also a reminder that the most important journey is the one we take within ourselves.
Lost in Translation (2003)
This romantic comedy-drama follows Bob Harris (Bill Murray), an aging American actor, and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young American woman, who meet and bond while staying at the same hotel in Tokyo. The two of them wander aimlessly through the city, exploring the cultural differences and finding solace in each other’s company.
Why it’s a great travel movie: Lost in Translation is a beautifully shot and poignant film that captures the feeling of being lost in a foreign city and finding connection with someone who understands you.
Before Sunrise (1995)
This romantic drama follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), two young strangers who meet on a train and spend a single night together wandering around Vienna. They talk about everything from their lives and their dreams to their hopes and fears. By the end of the night, they have fallen deeply in love.
Why it’s a great travel movie: Before Sunrise is a romantic and thought-provoking film that celebrates the power of connection and the magic of travel.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
This comedy-drama follows three estranged brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) who reunite for a train journey across India after the death of their father. Along the way, they must confront their grief and learn to forgive each other.
Why it’s a great travel movie: The Darjeeling Limited is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that captures the beauty and chaos of India. It’s also a reminder that travel can be a powerful tool for healing and connection.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
This romantic comedy-drama follows Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a successful American screenwriter who is vacationing in Paris with his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams). Gil is unhappy with his life and dreams of being a novelist. One night, he is magically transported back in time to 1920s Paris, where he meets and befriends some of the greatest artists and writers of the era.
Why it’s a great travel movie: Midnight in Paris is a charming and witty film that celebrates the magic of Paris and the power of nostalgia. It’s also a reminder that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
Amélie (2001)
This romantic comedy follows Amélie Poulain (Audrey Tautou), a shy and lonely young woman who lives in Paris. Amélie decides to devote her life to making the people around her happy. She leaves anonymous gifts and performs small acts of kindness, which have a ripple effect on the lives of everyone she touches.
Why it’s a great travel movie: Amélie is a heartwarming and whimsical film that celebrates the beauty of everyday life in Paris. It’s also a reminder that the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
This black comedy mystery follows M. Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes), the concierge of a famous European hotel, and his lobby boy, Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori), who are caught up in a conspiracy involving stolen paintings, a vengeful family, and a fascist regime.
Why it’s a great travel movie: The Grand Budapest Hotel is a visually stunning and highly stylized film that celebrates the glamour and elegance of old Europe. It’s also a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
This Wes Anderson film follows Steve Zissou (Bill Murray), an eccentric oceanographer who sets out on a revenge mission to kill the shark that ate his partner. Along the way, he is joined by his estranged son, a pregnant journalist, and a motley crew of crew members.
Why it’s a great travel movie: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is a visually stunning and whimsical film that celebrates the beauty and mystery of the ocean. It’s also a reminder that family is the most important thing in the world.
These are just a few of the many great travel movies out there. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next adventure, be sure to check out some of these films.
| List no. | Movie Name | Destination Wanderlust |
| 1 | The Beach (2000) | Maya Bay, Thailand |
| 2 | Into the Wild (2007) | Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska |
| 3 | The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) | South America |
| 4 | The Way (2010) | Camino de Santiago, Spain |
| 5 | Wild (2014) | Pacific Crest Trail, USA |
| 6 | Up (2009) | South America |
| 7 | The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) | Greenland, Iceland, Japan, and more |
| 8 | Eat Pray Love (2010) | Italy, India, and Indonesia |
| 9 | Lost in Translation (2003) | Tokyo, Japan |
| 10 | Before Sunrise (1995) | Vienna, Austria |
| 11 | The Darjeeling Limited (2007) | India |
| 12 | Midnight in Paris (2011) | Paris, France |
| 13 | Amélie (2001) | Paris, France |
| 14 | The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) | Europe |
| 15 | The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) | Mediterranean Sea |
