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19 Great Movies About Terrible Vacations

travel gone wrong movies

Disappointed that you’re not able to get away anytime soon? Just remember that vacations aren’t always all they’re cracked up to be. Imagine one right now: A trip, in your fantasies, probably involves you floating in a pool, reading a novel, and logging off for a full week. In reality, though, it’s all traffic jams, airport security, and screaming kids — and don’t forget the stress of figuring out finances and planning. It’s just not worth it.

And as the following films show, those aren’t the only risks. To help you feel more at ease when it seems like everyone is heading out of town without you, we’ve put together a list of movies that showcase the absolute worst-case scenarios for trips of all kinds: accidents, deaths, dinosaurs, and torture abound.

The Evil Dead (1981)

Maybe nothing can put you off planes, road trips, islands, or beaches. But if nothing else, you can at least be dissuaded from taking any invitations to isolated cabins in rural areas. In The Evil Dead , a group of students go on vacation in a cabin that is absolutely teeming with demonic energy. It is infested from the get-go. If you took the creepies and ghoulies out of this cabin, it would simply fall apart and there would be nothing but a pile of wood, and actually, that would be better.

When two dumbass members of the group find a Sumerian version of the Book of the Dead in the cellar alongside an archaeologist’s tape recorder, they do the smart thing and play the tape, thus resurrecting a demon entity. Everything goes to shit, obviously, and from there it’s a lot of murder and demon activity and possession. It’s just relentlessly chaotic and traumatic in a way vacations probably shouldn’t be, so to spare yourself the trouble, just don’t go anywhere.

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

It is (probably) a fact at this point that no one entity has made more cash off the back of badly executed vacations than the National Lampoon series. Vacations: European ones, Vegas ones, Christmas ones, summer ones, it’s hard to keep track of just how many bad trips Chevy Chase can go on before he calls it quits. In the first of the Vacation installments, Clark Griswold (Chase) wants to spend more time with his wife and kids (always the first mistake) and suggests a trip to a theme park in California. If you thought you might be safer on the ground, you’d be wrong: Griswold insists on driving across the entire country. They crash, they get stuck, a family member dies (classic). It’s a whole mess, and it’s just not worth it.

Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)

If your boss invites you on vacation, do not go. There are no free rides, no good bosses, and no positive way for this to end. In Weekend at Bernie’s , which has perhaps been referenced more times than it has been watched, two colleagues (Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman) discover insurance fraud at their company. When they inform their CEO, he offers them a trip to his beach house for Labor Day, but is actually planning to have them killed. Instead — surprise! — Bernie is murdered by the hitman.

When guests rock up for a yearly party, they don’t realize that Bernie is dead. Sensing an opportunity to get some use out of the fancy house, Larry and Richard pretend Bernie is still alive, keeping his sunglasses on and entering into escalating ridiculous scenarios to keep up the pretense. Do you really have the energy for all that?

Thelma & Louise (1991)

The first true female road movie, Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise quickly makes clear the reasons why women don’t tend to go on trips alone. Best friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) decide to get away from their boring lives with a weekend getaway in the mountains. After a stranger assaults Thelma, good friend Louise does him in, but things escalate to a point where they have to decide whether to give themselves up or run forever.

Of course, you can’t run forever, and eventually they drive off a cliff. Thelma & Louise offered a nuanced conversation on assault long before we were having them regularly, and there are arguments to be made that dying was better than losing their freedom. Still, though, that’s not a decision you’ll have to make if you just stay put and avoid the crime spree in the first place.

Jurassic Park (1993)

You’re dying for a getaway, even if it’s work-related, huh? How does a nice, dinosaur-infested vacation on Maui sound? Jurassic Park isn’t necessarily a vacation for anyone, but it is a good fable for the dangers of taking up just any old rich dude on his offers of free board on his island: Chances are he wants you to be a witness to some moral quandaries.

In Jurassic Park , that moral quandary is over whether human beings have the right to play god: can, and should, humans bring back long-extinct animals from the dead? If they do, what happens next? In the case of Jurassic Park , the answer is a lot of carnage, fear, and rain. Plus the worse you behave, the worse the punishment you endure at the hands of nature. The moral is: Don’t bring back dinosaurs from the dead, and don’t go on any vacations before considering every outcome.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

In the black comedy Little Miss Sunshine, starring Greg Kinnear, Steve Carrell, and Toni Collette, the Hoover family is flat broke and fighting constantly. When daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin) gets offered the chance to participate in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant, the entire family reluctantly agrees to go, including the color-blind wannabe pilot son (Paul Dano), the recently suicidal uncle (Steve Carrell), and the grandfather (Alan Arkin) who has been training her himself. The trip is a disaster: screaming, drugs, car failure. The death of a relative leads to the theft of a corpse. Olive loses her competition, rendering the journey pointless. You could argue that the wholesome unity the family finds through their distress makes the vacation a success. But is it really worth the drama?

Snakes on a Plane (2006)

While I have seen Snakes on a Plane —  maybe even twice — I did have to look up the plot to write this, so convinced was I that it did not have one. Essentially, a man is being escorted on a plane from Hawaii to LAX to testify against a gang boss. The gang boss, not thrilled, arranges for a crate of venomous snakes to be placed in the cargo hold and for the passengers’ leis to be sprayed with a pheromone that will ignite the snakes’ bloodlust.

That is a lot of effort to go to to kill one man, and cynical minds might think that it’s almost as if the entire plot was written based off the one-line premise of “snakes … on a plane.” Putting aside that, and the impossibility of getting a load of snakes onto a plane post-9/11, it still poses some risks. You could go all the way to Hawaii for a paradise-island vacation, think you’re safe on the trip back home, only to be brutally murdered by a malevolent snake before you reach LAX. Snakes on a Plane didn’t do to air travel what Jaws did to beaches, but if airport chaos isn’t enough to keep you off an airplane, maybe this will do it.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Going on a blissful retreat to Hawaii, paradise on Earth, never seems to end the way anyone is expecting. In Forgetting Sarah Marshall , Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) runs there in a tornado of self-pity and flagellation after a humiliating breakup with his girlfriend, the titular Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). While on his trip, Peter runs into Sarah and her new rock-star boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), which really only makes things worse. From there, the vacation is a series of mishaps, downs, and sad realizations. Imagine spending upwards of hundreds of dollars on a holiday, only to run into your ex and a new boyfriend with an inexplicably grating accent? You’re safer staying home — and if your ex is showing up there, you’ve got bigger problems.

The Hangover (2009)

While bros quoting Zach Galifianakis basically ruined The Hangover in 2009, it is still pretty enjoyable in and of itself, even if you find yourself preempting most of the lines. As we all know by now, the film follows three friends on a bachelor party in the aftermath of a big night out as they work backwards to figure out what happened. The conclusion — that they were accidentally roofied — is less hilarious in 2020 than if you were a teenage boy in 2009. However, it’s still a lesson in the myriad ways that an innocent vacation can go wrong. Even if you’re as careful as can be, like Alan, you can still end up getting lost, taking the wrong drugs, getting obliterated, getting attacked by a tiger … the possibilities are endless.

Spring Breakers (2012)

Things are tight, financially, for most people who aren’t grubby billionaires right now. That makes it harder for anyone to get away on vacation, but what you probably shouldn’t do is emulate the behavior of any character in Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers. After a bunch of college students fail to make it to spring break (my heart bleeds), they opt to rob a local restaurant instead of like, washing cars. Once they make it to Florida, things only get worse. It’s a real after-school special for the consequences of drugs, crime and threesomes — it’s a slippery slope, starting with just wanting to get on vacation and ending in murder, jail, and chaos. Just! Stay! Home!

Sightseers (2012)

Possibly because it’s British, Sightseers is criminally underrated. A dark comedy directed by Ben Wheatley, Sightseers will put you off even a short trip. It follows a couple, Tina and Chris, on a countryside caravan vacation (very normal in the U.K., exactly as boring as it sounds). After Chris kills a man with his car over a littering disagreement, he gets a taste for blood and murders basically anyone he’s annoyed by or jealous of along the way. If that wasn’t enough, Tina gets carried away doing some murders, too, which leads to some more fighting between them and an eventual suicide pact gone awry. It’s very bleak, very violent, and while it’s funny to watch, it’s more than enough to dissuade you from getting in a caravan and going to the middle of nowhere. You don’t really know your partner until you’re trapped alone in a small space together, and Sightseers is a quarantine step too far.

Midsommar (2019)

No matter how bored you are, no matter how desperate for some kind of getaway from your life, if anyone offers you the opportunity to go to a remote Swedish village, just say no. In fact, remote villages of any kind are usually a no-no — they’ve always got some kind of weird rituals that they’ll expect you to partake in. In Ari Aster’s Midsommar , a traumatized student is invited to attend a midsummer celebration with her friends at another friend’s commune. The group members take mushrooms (another no-no, especially if you’re already traumatized) and start to witness some pretty horrific things taking place for real. There’s no point upsetting you with the details, but it’s nasty, and it makes a strong case against European jaunts anytime soon.

When you think of what could go wrong on vacation, your brain likely goes to some pretty pedestrian places: missed flights, lost luggage, expensive taxis, language barriers. Have you considered, as Jordan Peele’s 2019 horror Us asks you to, that there might be a doppelgänger waiting for you? In Us, Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o) is understandably traumatized when she runs into a carbon copy of herself. Later, on vacation with husband Gabe (Winston Duke) and their children, they are confronted by their doubles, learning that their sadistic counterparts are the “Tethered,” sharing a soul with their look-alikes while living in the shadows. The Tethered (actually genetic clones), are sick of being ignored and go on a wild rampage across the USA — and everything that happens in between is more than messed up. Again, it might seem unrealistic, but at least you know your scissor-wielding doppelgänger isn’t at home.

Palm Springs (2020)

Destination weddings often drain your bank account and throw you into the middle of nowhere with a bunch of relative strangers — what’s not to love? In Palm Springs, directed by Max Barbakow and co-produced by Andy Samberg, two strangers, Nyles and Sarah (Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti), meet at Sarah’s sister’s wedding, but it turns out Nyles has already met Sarah before — at this exact wedding. He’s stuck in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over again, a glitch that Sarah gets trapped in as well. It’s a sci-fi rom-com that plays up its desert setting, complete with a big drug trip and frequent floats in the pool. While it all ends well, I don’t know that many of us would have the means to learn quantum physics and break the time cycle. So why risk it?

Bad Trip (2021)

Sure, any vacation that you actually plan is likely to have a higher success rate than a spontaneous road trip. In Eric André’s hidden-camera comedy Bad Trip, directed by Kitao Sakurai, best friends Chris (André) and Bud (Lil Rel Howery) take a road trip from Florida to New York City so Chris can confess his love to his high-school crush. It all starts out bad enough when they decide to steal Bud’s sister Trina’s (Tiffany Haddish) car, leading to a cross-country chase. What happens next is kind of a messed-up mutant love child of Nathan for You , Jackass , and Borat with pranks, stunts and every embarrassing fuckup you can imagine. Unsurprisingly, André consulted with Sacha Baron Cohen, Nathan Fielder, and Jeff Tremaine (whose company Gorilla Flicks produced the movie) to make it as uncomfortable as possible — something you can avoid by staying home.

The events of the past few years — pandemics, politics, Supreme Court rulings — are enough to make anyone feel beyond their years. You might be tempted, with all that going on in the world, to head off to a secluded beach and try to heal and recoup your health and happiness. What if, though — hear me out — the beach is actually rapidly aging people? And the resort is a front for a pharmaceutical-research team spiking guests’ drinks so they can perform lifelong medical trials in the space of a day? That, for some reason, is just what happens in M. Night Shyamalan’s 2021 thriller Old. It might sound ridiculous, and you might be willing to take that chance so you can have a little break during your messy divorce, but it’s probably not worth the risk.

The Trip (2021)

With everything going on in the U.S. right now, Europe might seem like a safer bet. However, as Midsommar proves, it’s not actually that much safer on that continent — and the Norwegian movie The Trip seals the deal while taking into account the lessons learned from Sightseers and The Evil Dead. First: Do not go to a cabin in the woods. Second: Do not ever go on an isolated trip with the intention of fixing your marriage. Don’t. In Tommy Wirkola’s The Trip , a husband (Aksel Hennie) and wife (Noomi Rapace) secretly plan to murder each other during their getaway. However, things get even worse, and three fugitives take them captive. Just don’t go anywhere, and don’t trust anyone.

Barbarian (2022)

When Airbnb first became a thing , there were plenty of people who struggled to get their heads around the idea of renting a room in some stranger’s house. There were so many terrible things that could go wrong, but Barbarian takes a nightmare scenario to a whole other level. In writer-director Zach Cregger’s indie horror, Tess (Georgina Campbell) is upset to find out that the Detroit rental home she’s staying in the night before a job interview has been double-booked by a man (Bill Skarsgård). While Skarsgård plays creepy well (see: It , John Wick: Chapter 4 ) , he’s a red herring — there’s another, scarier villain to this story. Sure, Tess isn’t on vacation per se, but this movie might make you rethink booking that short-term rental. You never really know what’s missing from the listing — nor what dwells inside the basement.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

If you had a rich friend from your past who invited you to stay on some crazy Greek island, you’d go, right? Weird intricate puzzle aside, nobody turns down a free vacation, even in the middle of a raging pandemic. In Rian Johnson’s follow-up to Knives Out ,  Daniel Craig reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc, now tasked with solving a mystery for tech billionaire Miles Bron ( Edward Norton ), but this whodunit is (of course) much more complex than it at first seems. Glass Onion is fun and silly and a shiny reminder as to why you should never, ever trust a rich person offering something gratis. It’s only ever going to go badly — especially if said free trip is on a remote private island.

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  • 11 Movies That Almost Ruined...

11 Movies That Almost Ruined Travelling Forever

Nancy (Blake Lively) in Columbia Pictures The Shallows

Editorial Manager

Films about travel are meant to make you leap off the couch, pack your bags and jump on the first plane to somewhere exotic. However, these films send out a different message, and will make you very glad you’ve already used up your annual holiday allowance.

Eat pray love (2010).

What a boring load of old dross this is! We get the whole self-discovery message this film (based on a book which is just as inexplicably popular) advocates, but why make us sit through all the predictable lowlights? If you were keen to head out into the world and find out for yourself what life is all about, this Julia Roberts vehicle will make you want to rip up your passport and stay at home instead.

Julia Roberts as Elizabeth Gilbert and Hadi Subiyanto as Ketut Liyer in Eat Pray Love

Into the Wild (2007)

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Into the Wild

Brokedown Palace (1999)

Two best friends decide to go on holiday, telling their parents they are going to Hawaii but in reality ending up in Thailand. One of the girls falls for a charming Australian only to discover he has duped them into smuggling heroin out of the country. Once questioned by the local police, they end up serving a 33-year prison sentence and face up to the harsh realities of their situation. It’s everyone’s worst nightmare and the best example we can think of to double-check that you are the one to pack your luggage.

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travel gone wrong movies

Hostel (2005)

This film looks particularly outdated now, but there is still something in there that sends a chill down our spines. Three young men are persuaded to take a detour on their trip across Europe and end up in Slovakia on the promise of a stay in a hotel filled with beautiful women. Unfortunately, what they find instead, is an underground club for the wealthy where young adventurers are the prey. Eastern Europe is now seen as a friendly, warm destination, but this film made it appear like a dangerous no-go zone.

travel gone wrong movies

Snakes on a Plane (2006)

‘It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey…’ or so the old saying goes. Well, this particular journey involves the flight from hell which sees the slithering creatures unleashed mid-air as Samuel L. Jackson swears on cue. It’s utter nonsense, obviously, but we still have to double-check under our seats before every flight.

travel gone wrong movies

47 Metres Down (2017)

This recent shocker is set up like a classic trapped-in-one-location thriller as two young friends enjoy the holiday of a life time in Mexico. Looking for adventure, they are told of a shark-diving experience by two strangers and end up in a rusty cage surrounded by sharks. As the title suggests, the pair end up at the bottom of the ocean with a rapidly dwindling air supply. The claustrophobia and tension are palpable, all aided by a superb performance from Mandy Moore.

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travel gone wrong movies

Here are Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin telling us more about the perils of the ocean…

[jwplayer TFEz2l3x]

127 Hours (2010)

There was a point when James Franco could do no wrong. He seemed to be in every film released in 2010, and 127 Hours was arguably the best of the bunch. Given that we spend most of the time in the sole company of the distractingly attractive star, it’s a good job that the film also boasts his best performance to date. The story is simple enough, seeing Franco as carefree Aron Ralston who is happy leaping, climbing and generally hurling himself headlong into danger. Actually, that should read ‘arm-long’ as this true story is based around an incident that saw Ralston accidentally trapping one of his limbs under a boulder. Unable to free himself, he has to take drastic action to survive…

127 Hours

A Perfect Getaway (2009)

An all-star cast, including a pre-Thor Chris Hemsworth, feature in this forgotten film. The premise fits the formula of a number of films on our list as a seemingly naive couple (Milla Jovovich and Steve Zahn) celebrate their recent marriage by honeymooning on a remote Hawaiian island. As they encounter other couples along the way, it’s revealed that a series of murders have been taking place on the island and police are closing in on the culprits. There are twists along the way, but we were just left wondering if we would ever talk to strangers again when on holiday.

travel gone wrong movies

Breakdown (1997)

The wide, open roads of America have always had an alluring attraction for keen drivers. Jeff Taylor (Kurt Russell) and wife Amy are travelling cross-country as part of a big move, but their leisurely drive is ruined when their car breaks down. Amy hitches a ride with a friendly trucker… and Jeff is left to rue his decision to not join her when it all goes wrong hours later. We’ll stick to the bus, thanks.

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travel gone wrong movies

The Shallows (2016)

Two shark films in the same list might be overkill, but maybe it’s the only way to really get the message across… swimming with sharks should not be on anyone’s bucket-list! To be fair, Blake Lively’s Nancy isn’t looking for that sort of adventure and is instead more interested in surfing on a remote beach. When she does encounter a Great White, she ends up being stranded a few hundred yards from shore with no one around to help. You’ll believe in the survival of the character and Lively is fantastic in the lead role, but you’ll think twice about going in the water on your own.

Nancy (Blake Lively) in Columbia Pictures’ The Shallows

Deliverance (1972)

The ultimate trip-gone-wrong movie, Deliverance sees four city slickers head for a river in Georgia before an area of natural beauty is ruined by the impending arrival of a dam. The canoeing trip starts off well, but things take a horrific turn when the locals (who appear to have suffered generations of inbreeding) take notice of the outsiders. An infamous scene at the centre of the film, that has been repeatedly been parodied and referenced, is utterly chilling within the context of the movie.

travel gone wrong movies

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The Worst Getaway Ever: 11 Must-Watch Vacation Horror Movies

Movies like 'Us' and 'The Cabin in the Woods' turn vacations into nightmares.

Vacations are supposed to be an opportunity to escape the mundanity of everyday life and do something fun. Whether you’re going for a weekend getaway in a town nearby or taking a trip to another state or country, it’s a time for ignoring your problems and relaxing. Horror movies like Us , The Cabin in the Woods , and Final Destination , however, don’t care about vacation expectations. They’re out to ruin a perfectly good time with unexpected twists and turns, killers, zombies, and so much more.

Here are eleven vacation horror movies to watch before your next getaway:

RELATED: 'The Weekend Away' Trailer Reveals Leighton Meester's Vacation-Turned-Murder Mystery

Berlin Syndrome (2017)

Cate Shortland ’s Berlin Syndrome might be the scariest movie on this list for women who like to travel alone. Australian backpacker Clare ( Theresa Palmer ) meets Andi ( Max Riemelt ) while on vacation in Berlin. On the surface, this looks like it could be a harmless vacation fling – he shows her around the city on her last day, they sleep together, and she spends the night at his place. When she wakes up the next morning, however, she discovers that he left for work and locked her in the apartment, with no intention of letting her leave when he returns. Berlin Syndrome takes a (hopefully) unlikely scenario and turns it into a horrifying reality. Watching this movie will definitely have you second guessing the strangers you meet on your next vacation.

Jordan Peele ’s sophomore feature Us follows the Wilson family on their family vacation to Santa Cruz, California. Adelaide ( Lupita Nyong’o ) is apprehensive about returning to her family’s lake house after having a traumatic experience there as a child, but is able to put that aside to have a fun day at the beach with her husband Gabe ( Winston Duke ) and their kids. Even though the day starts out normal, things take a terrifying and bizarre turn when a family that looks exactly like them shows up in their driveway late that night. The Wilson’s doppelgängers are out for revenge, leaving the family to fight for their lives until morning.

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

On the surface, The Cabin in the Woods has the makings of a stereotypical horror movie. A group of young college students go away to a secluded cabin for the weekend, they run into a creepy guy at a gas station that warns them of the danger they’re in, and they find a bunch of weird, old stuff in the cabin’s basement that is definitely cursed. But what the unsuspecting youths don’t realize is that, while they are having a blast swimming in the lake and playing strip truth or dare, a secret government organization has constructed their entire trip to offer them up in a ritual sacrifice. This extra layer of conspiracy makes The Cabin in the Woods stand out from other weekend getaway horror movies. Also, if a cousin you barely know invites you to stay in their secluded cabin you’ve never been to, maybe do a little research first.

Train to Busan (2016)

In this Korean zombie movie, chronically busy dad Seok-Woo ( Gong Woo ) begrudgingly boards a train to Busan with his daughter so she can spend her birthday with her mother. Unfortunately for them and everyone else on board, someone infected with a zombie virus jumps on the train right before it leaves Seoul. Once she transforms, chaos breaks out in the enclosed space as the virus spreads both on the train and the cities they pass through. The survivors are forced to crowd in empty cars and barricade themselves from the undead passengers, hoping that they can survive long enough to find a safe city to stop in. Train to Busan uses its location so well, making the train feel both claustrophobic and like it’s the only world in the film that matters. It’s paradoxically both a safe haven and a death trap hurtling toward an uncertain future.

Final Destination (2000)

The Final Destination franchise is well known for taking ordinary life events and making them deadly, and the first installment is no different. Before leaving on a class trip to Paris, Alex ( Devon Sawa ) has a vision of the plane exploding on take off, killing him and his classmates. He freaks out, and gets himself, a teacher, and a few of his classmates kicked off of the plane. The plane then explodes as Alex predicted, leaving the survivors to deal with the aftermath. Not only do they have to deal with the trauma of losing their classmates and colleagues so violently, but they also have to try and outsmart a mysterious, malevolent force that wants them dead.

The Trip (2021)

Married couple Lisa ( Noomi Rapace ) and Lars ( Askel Hennie ) tell their friends and family that they are going on a weekend getaway to a family cabin to reconnect and repair their fractured relationship. In reality, however, both have plans to kill the other in order to claim their life insurance money. The Trip starts as a cat and mouse game between the couple, but things get even more insane when they discover that a group of murderers who just escaped prison have been hiding out in the cabin with them. After the crooks take the pair hostage, Lisa and Lars have to figure out if they trust each other enough to work together and escape their captors or if they’ll sell each other out to survive. This Norwegian film combines home-invasion horror with slasher-esque kills for a truly wild ride.

Midsommar (2019)

A summer festival in a remote Swedish town sounds like a fun time, right? There’s something about getting to relax away from the hustle of the outside world that sounds incredibly appealing. However, what Dani ( Florence Pugh ), her boyfriend Christian ( Jack Reynor ), and his friends don’t realize is that this seemingly idyllic community is far from that. It turns out that they weren’t invited out of the kindness of the community, they were lured there to take part in ritualistic events that range from odd – doing a maypole dance while on drug-like herbs – to deadly. But by the time they realize that other outsiders are disappearing, it’s too late for them to escape what the community has planned. Midsommar turns a bright, cheerful folk setting into a creepy village of nightmares, proving that the daylight can hold just as many horrors as the dark.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

Still haunted by the events of I Know What You Did Last Summer , Julie ( Jennifer Love Hewitt ) struggles to enjoy her summer. After her roommate Kayla ( Brandy Norwood ) wins an all-expenses paid trip to the Bahamas, she hopes this getaway will finally give her a chance to relax and move on. But of course this vacation can’t be that easy. For starters, their trip is planned for the “off season” when severe rainstorms hit the island, and it’s essentially abandoned by tourists. This scenario definitely isn’t ideal for a tropical vacation, but it is the perfect environment for a killer to enact some revenge. I’ll admit, this movie is a little cheesy – the killer’s weapon of choice is a one-handed fishhook – but the location makes it a unique slasher worth the watch.

Friday the 13th (1980)

The quintessential “summer camp gone wrong” movie, the original Friday the 13th is 80s horror at its best. A couple of decades after the death of a young boy and a couple counselors, Camp Crystal Lake is set to reopen under new ownership. Counselors arrive to help get the grounds in shape before children arrive, and of course they decide to have a little fun while they do it. For these young adults, this seems like the perfect time to let loose while getting paid. Little do they know, however, that a creepy figure is nearby looking for any excuse to kill them and keep the camp from reopening. Not only is Friday the 13th a great vacation movie, it also has one of the greatest killer reveals in slasher history.

The Rental (2020)

The Rental may be more of a slow-burn thriller than outright horror movie, but its creepy premise alone makes it worth the watch. Friends and business partners Charlie ( Dan Stevens ) and Mina ( Sheila Vand ) decide to book a waterfront rental home for the weekend to celebrate a lucrative deal for their company. They bring their romantic partners Michelle ( Alison Brie ) and Josh ( Jeremy Allen White ) along for what is supposed to be a relaxing weekend away. However, things start to get weird when they discover a locked room under the house and hidden cameras in the showers. Things escalate when the creepy owner gets involved – what starts as a coverup between cheating lovers ends with murder. Despite a hint of melodrama, The Rental feels so realistic that it may even have you second guessing your next Airbnb.

Blood Red Sky (2021)

Okay, so Blood Red Sky isn’t technically a vacation movie – Nadja ( Peri Baumeister ) is going to America for medical treatment of a rare vampiric blood disorder, not a relaxing getaway – but since the majority of this film takes place on an airplane, I hope you’ll trust me and let this one slide. Nadja is desperate for a cure so that she won’t fully transform into a vampire and potentially hurt her son. The pair hop on a plane to New York hoping for a new life and a future free from this fear. However, things go wrong when their plane is hijacked and Nadja is forced to embrace her vampiric nature to protect her son. Her actions unintentionally spread the disease and turn other passengers into blood thirsty vampires. Blood Red Sky is part Die Hard style thriller and part vampire movie – with the viewer left to decide who is more monstrous, Nadja’s true form or the sadistic hijackers.

Screen Rant

10 best tourist on vacation horror movies, ranked according to imdb.

From remote cabins to the beach, these vacation-themed horror movies take the kills and thrills along for the getaway.

With summer just around the corner, the idea of pausing life’s stress for a getaway to somewhere new is quite tempting. Whether the destination is a beautiful beach or a remote cabin, sometimes it’s fun to be a tourist -- unless one ends up at, say, the Overlook Hotel, where visitors just might lose their minds.

Despite the optimistic allure, being a tourist comes with a certain vulnerability. Spending time in unfamiliar places, tourists may rely on help from strangers or easily get lost -- not to mention the distance from family, friends, or even rescue teams in case the worst of the worst happens. The vacation setting is absolutely essential to many horror staples, from classics like The Evil Dead to recent films such as Midsommar .

Revenge (2017) - 6.4

Coralie Fargeat's debut feature,  Revenge , redefines the rape-revenge genre through the story of a weekend getaway gone wrong. A private home in the desert, once an oasis for vacation, quickly becomes a place of terror after rape and attempted murder leaves our protagonist stranded in the desert.

Related: 10 Horror Movie Characters That Get The Most Satisfying Revenge

Unlike some of its exploitative predecessors, Revenge  tells the story of a woman who survived both sexual assault and a murder attempt without gratuitous filming of the assault itself. Instead, the story of Jen, the survivor, is the focus. Jen is smart, driven, and bold as she enacts her well-deserved vengeance that ruined her weekend away.

Eden Lake (2008) - 6.7

Like many classic horror movies, Eden Lake takes place in the wilderness near a body of water. On a camping trip, a young couple comes face-to-face with a group of teens who seem intent on wreaking havoc. As the film progresses, the couple becomes entangled in the death of a gang member that may end up threatening their own lives.

Eden Lake  masterfully builds tension thanks to director James Watkins' effective use of twists and quick pacing. This survival thriller combines wilderness survival with senseless violence that feels all too real at times, making it a truly harrowing film to watch. Everyone has been scared by a noise in the forest at one time or another and  Eden Lake  reminds its viewers just why that is.

Us (2019) - 6.8

Jordan Peele's sophomore feature, Us , takes place at the scenic Santa Cruz Beach, where the Wilson family takes a much-needed family vacation. Their trip takes a dark turn, though, when a murderous family turns up at their doorstep and they look ... exactly like the Wilsons, but with red jumpsuits.

Related: 10 Most Influential Modern Horror Directors

As the "tethered" attempt to eliminate their doppelgängers, deep themes of wealth inequality, race, and privilege emerge in the most terrifying fashion as the Wilsons fight for their lives. What starts as a chill beach vacation with family friends becomes so much more with Peele's expert use of symbolism and rich storytelling.

The Cabin In The Woods (2011) - 7.0

In The Cabin in the Woods , a group of college students venture to a secluded cabin in a dense forest for their time off and what starts as a tongue-in-cheek horror comedy evolves into a meta examination of the horror genre. Tropes are turned upside down and nothing is what it seems as the stakes become increasingly higher throughout the film.

Complete with a drop-in from sci-fi-horror legend, Sigourney Weaver , The Cabin in the Woods is a fan favorite in the horror community. The references to classic films like The Evil Dead and the atirical commentary on the genre take these attractive people stuck in a creepy cabin movie from pure camp to genre classic.

Midsommar (2019) - 7.1

Rather than the classic wilderness or lake setting, Midsommar takes place in an idyllic community in the lush countryside of Sweden. The audience follows Dani Ardor (Florence Pugh) and her friends as they participate in the midsummer festival celebrated by an ancestral commune. Dani deserves a vacation - she recently experienced tremendous loss due to the murder-suicide of her immediate family.

Ari Aster's second film,  Midsommar is a brightly lit, floral-imbued horror film that doesn't hide its scares behind shadows and nightfall. Instead, viewers feel everything in full effect with a clear view of the horrors in the ethereal setting. The remote location is both part of the appeal and a contributor to the terror, as it makes escape and returning home quite difficult. Florence Pugh's performance paired with Aster's strong artistic vision makes Midsommar a must-see for horror and non-horror fans alike.

The Descent (2005) - 7.2

Spelunking is certainly not the most popular vacation activity, but it does make for a terrifying horror movie.  The Descent begins as a group of six thrill-seeking friends descend into a cave in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina. Little do they know, they are not the only beings in the cave and there's no exit in sight.

Related: 10 Best Horror Movies Directed By Women, According To IMDb

The Descent  is suspenseful from start to finish, from the dramatic relationship dynamics to the constant threat of death. In a way, the unraveling friendship drama is mirrored by the descent into the caves, where emotions and fear fester. Rather than heart-to-hearts, this friend group ends up fighting for their lives. Whereas  Midsommar  gives reason to fear the light,  The Descent will rekindle a fear of darkness in just about anyone.

House (1977) - 7.3

House  follows seven schoolgirls on a vacation like no other. They travel to one of their aunt's homes which turns out to be possessed by the strangest of spirits. This experimental film from Nobuhiko Obayashi uses practical effects, color, and unnerving music to make an eerie yet enjoyable cinematic experience.

House  mixes horror with comedy in some of the most creative ways, from a floating head to a hungry piano. House as a viewing experience is akin to a vacation itself since it feels otherworldly and exciting, some of the same feelings one gets in a new location. Contrary to negative reviews,  House  was well-received by viewers and is now an official selection of the Criterion Channel.

The Evil Dead (1981) - 7.4

From the opening sequence,  The Evil Dead  is immersive as the shaky camera twists and turns, showing views of a forest scored by suspenseful music. Nearby, a group of college friends drives to a cabin in these very woods for a break from the day-to-day. Evil forces have other plans, though, pushing these friends toward their demise.

Known for being exceptionally gruesome, Sam Raimi's The  Evil Dead   was a box-office hit that garnered criticism for its X-rated violence and gore. The film is made even scarier by how normal the setting feels. The woods and plain cabin seem like they could exist anywhere,  The Evil Dead  takes away the comfort of familiarity and replaces it with fear. Still, The Evil Dead  went on to be known as a cult classic whose influence is seen in horror staples like  The Cabin In The Woods. 

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) - 7.4

Tobe Hooper's  The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is yet another horror classic with a vacation element. Tourist-turned-final-girl Sally (Marilyn Burns) visits her family's old hometown and meets Leatherface, one of horror's most infamous villains. Wielding a chainsaw and a mask made of human skin, Leatherface attacks Sally's brother and anyone else in sight in this gritty feature.

Even with its low budget, The Texas Chainsaw  Massacre had a massive impact on the horror genre. It originated some of the most well-known horror tropes and techniques like showing a large, faceless killer from a distance, using power tools as murderous weapons, and more. Spawning numerous sequels and inspiring  popular horror filmmaker Wes Craven , the influence of this disturbing slasher can still be seen today.

The Shining (1980) - 8.4

The Shining   takes place at The Overlook Hotel, where a couple and their young son take up residence during the off-season as a sort of working vacation. Whether the cause is evil spirits or cabin fever, Jack loses his grip on reality and becomes increasingly violent after witnessing a series of strange things around the vacant hotel.

The Shining  is a haunting tale of madness that continues to spook viewers as they rewatch the original and tune in to the recent sequel,  Doctor Sleep (2019) .  Much of the film's cultural staying power comes from its intricacies and ambiguity, leaving plenty up for interpretation, such as the debate of whether the film's events are the results of ghosts, madness, or both. Stanley Kubrick's take on Stephen King's novel,  The Shining,  is hands down one of the most well-loved horror movies.

NEXT: 10 Classic Horror Movies That Hold Up According To Reddit

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Tom Hanks Has Made a Fortune Bringing Your Travel Nightmares to Life

By Chris Lee

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By now, everybody knows Tom Hanks is "the ultimate Everyman of our age." More than three decades into an acting career littered with Oscars, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards, his abiding humility, all-American approachability, and normcore seriousness of intent have effectively beknighted the star as a modern-day Jimmy Stewart .

The famed airline pilot starred in the fake biopic 'Hanks' on 'Kimmel.'

By Rohan Nadkarni

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What tends to receive less attention, however, is a motif in Hanks' filmography that can fairly be described by a Latinate term I just made up: transit interruptus . In film after film and role after role, the actor creates exquisite drama by playing guys who set out on a journey with the best of intentions—but epically fail to reach their destinations. For example: Hanks' ripped-from-the-headlines biopic Sully , which arrived in theaters Friday and soared to an estimated $35.5 million box-office haul over the weekend, becoming the highest grossing post-Labor Day September opener in Hollywood history. In the film, Hanks plays Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III, the fighter pilot-turned-airline pilot who heroically crash-landed a disabled jet—which had lost power in both engines after colliding with a flock of Canada geese—in New York's Hudson River, enabling all 155 passengers aboard to escape with their lives.

But Sully 's hair-raising IMAX water landing is far from the only time a Hanks character's travel has been impeded by fate, circumstance, armed conflict, or plain old shitty luck. Curiously enough, a certain calculus of disaster governs these travels, too: The more screwed-up and dangerous the journey Hanks undertakes onscreen, the more money and more critical acclaim his movies seem to take in.

Herewith, a definitive guide to Tom Hanks' Cinematic Travel Nightmares.

The Terminal (2004)

The Traveler: In this Spielberg-directed dramedy, Hanks plays Viktor, a non-English speaking tourist from a fictional Eastern European country, who spends nine months living inside a terminal at New York's John F. Kennedy airport. A bureaucratic mix-up bars him from entering the country but also prevents Viktor from going home.

Chances of survival: 9%. Horrible for his hopes of seeing any kind of lasting peace in our time, but catnip for the Hanks Travel Disaster Matrix.

The Hero's Journey: A fish out of water although he may be, the character uses his savoir faire, charm, and survivor's instinct to become master of his fluorescent-lit, Muzak-saturated domain, evolving into a kind of folk hero for the minimum-wage earners, emigrants, and ethnic minorities who befriend Viktor along the way.

Chances of Survival : 100 percent. Sure, departures lounge seating hardly makes for a restful night's sleep, and sustained airport food-court dining can wreak havoc on a guy's cholesterol. But it's not like Viktor faces any kind of mortal threat inside JFK. Hence The Terminal 's lackluster returns on the Hanks Travel Disaster Matrix.

Domestic gross: $77.8 million

Cast Away (2000)

The Traveler: He's a man in perpetual motion, a time-obsessed FedEx exec who circumnavigates the globe troubleshooting package delivery issues. Until, that is, the cargo plane in which he is traveling plummets from the sky, leaving him stranded on an uninhabited desert island in the South Pacific with only a volleyball named Wilson for company.

The Hero's Journey: Hanks' physical metamorphosis for the disaster drama is startling; his hair grows long, he drops a ton of weight, grows a weird beard, and takes to wearing a loincloth. But even as the character's hopes of rescue ebb and flow, Hanks' dramatic presence remains enormous; he's basically alone onscreen for about two-thirds of the film, and netted an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Chances of Survival : 50-50. Hanks' castaway island has any number of positive attributes: cooling trade winds, azure waters teeming with fish, an unending supply of coconuts that could theoretically keep him alive for years. But absent some desperate gambit to escape this tropical hell (like the one he eventually devises), the character's odds of riding out the remainder of his days alone in paradise shoot up to around 93 percent—a fate arguably worse than death.

Domestic gross: $233.6 million

Captain Phillips (2013)

The Traveler: Another ripped-from-the-headlines biopic that finds Hanks as Captain Richard Phillips, a merchant mariner whose container ship the Maersk Alabama is hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. He's basically your next-door neighbor staring down a horde of wild-eyed, khat-chewing buccaneers in one of the most dangerous shipping routes in the world.

The Hero's Journey: Phillips orders his crew to hide in the engine room while offering himself up to capture—the pirates expect a multi-million-dollar ransom payday from their shipping company. But after an unsuccessful escape attempt, the captain ultimately resigns his fate to a higher power: the Navy SEALs responding to the emergency.

Chances of Survival : 45 percent. Phillips' odds plummet initially thanks to his demonstrated ability to piss off pirates, but American military might re-shifts the balance of power to all but ensure a happy ending (albeit a lower score on the Hanks Travel Disaster Matrix).

Domestic gross: $107 million

Apollo 13 (1995)

The Traveler: In this Ron Howard-directed docu-drama based on real events, Hanks portrays astronaut Jim Lovell, mission commander of America's third Moon landing—an aborted mission that became a struggle for survival when one of the spacecraft's liquid oxygen tanks exploded.

The Hero's Journey: "Houston, we have a problem," Hanks memorably intones as the ship's emergency warning system lights up like a Christmas tree and the ship basically runs out of gas and air some 200,000 miles above the earth's surface. The chummy family guy—who would have been first to walk the moon, had things turned out as planned—spends the rest of the movie turning impending disaster into a uniquely American triumph of determination and courage.

Chances of Survival : 41 percent. Apollo 13 amply demonstrates the rudimentary technology and limits of human competence that doomed the mission. But let's face facts: If you're an astronaut facing the cold oblivion of outer space death, there are worse people to have in your corner than the brightest minds of NASA.

Domestic Gross: $179 million

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

The Traveler: Going behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied France for Steven Spielberg's unforgettable World War II epic, Hanks portrays Army Ranger Captain John H. Miller—yet another captain!—who leads a small platoon of hardened grunts through battlefield carnage to rescue the surviving member of four servicemen brothers killed in action.

The Hero's Journey: He arrives onscreen John Wayne-like, seemingly inured to the death and destruction around him. But as the bodies pile up, most notably those of his own platoon, Miller reveals the trembling hand and trembling heart that govern his actions. A former English composition teacher and local baseball coach—an American everyman if there ever was one—he's haunted by the 94 men who died under his command. Hanks earned his fourth Oscar nomination for the role but lost out to Life Is Beautiful star Roberto Benigni.

Chances of Survival : Nine percent. The character finds himself in the shit at not one but two of France's bloodiest WWII battles: the storming of Normandy Beach and the Battle at Ramelle. Horrible for his hopes of seeing any kind of lasting peace in our time, but catnip for the Disaster Matrix.

Domestic Gross: $216.5 million

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45 Road Trip Horror Movies

What all scary movies about road trips have in common is that they are about the fear of the unknown.

travel gone wrong movies

Table of Contents

There are a few different kinds of road trip horror movies. There are films such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) that begin with the characters on a road trip, but the bulk of the horror in the film comes from the dark place they have discovered. In other road trip horror movies such as The Hitcher (1986), the horror comes directly from the open road. There are also films such as Hostel (2005) and An American Werewolf In London (1981) that fall into other categories such as travel horror and hotel horror movies . This list will discuss both types of road trip horror movies and where possible will note how much of an impact the road trip setting has on the film as a whole.

travel gone wrong movies

What all scary movies about road trips have in common is that they are about the fear of the unknown. This is in contrast to other films horror movie fans love such as The Exorcist (1973), Halloween (1978), and Scream (1996), where a demon or serial killer stalks a familiar suburb. Those movies play on insecurities about danger lurking in “safe” surroundings. We expect to encounter danger when we travel, and many people even plan ahead or take precautions so they aren’t stranded in a sundown town or targeted by predators looking for women traveling alone.

Classic/Old Road Trip Horror Movies

The hitch-hiker (1953).

travel gone wrong movies

A crime film noir by the most prominent female filmmaker of the 1950s, Ida Lupino. The Hitch-Hiker follows Roy and Gilbert as they set off from southern California toward a fishing trip in Mexico. Along the way they pick up a hitchhiker who then takes out a gun and holds the two friends hostage. The hitchhiker savagely forces one of the friends to shoot a tin can out of the other’s hand and tortures the men, even forcing them to continue with him on foot when their vehicle breaks down.

Psycho (1960)

travel gone wrong movies

Psycho begins with Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) stealing $40,000 from her employer and driving from Phoenix to California. Along the way she stops at a roadside motel called the Bates Motel, where she meets the proprietor Norman Bates. It is at the Bates Motel where Marion is murdered in the famous shower scene.

travel gone wrong movies

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

travel gone wrong movies

Night of the Living Dead starts off with a sibling road trip to a rural cemetery in Evans City, Pennsylvania. Johnny and Barbara plan to visit their father’s grave but instead encounter a zombie that kills Johnny. Barbara flees the cemetery and takes shelter in a nearby farmhouse, where she is joined by other survivors including Ben, who takes the lead in securing the farmhouse against the zombies.

Duel (1971)

travel gone wrong movies

This is an action thriller that was Steven Spielberg’s feature debut. It follows David Mann (Dennis Weaver), a salesman driving through the desolation of the Mojave Desert. He encounters a tanker truck that begins to dangerously antagonize him on the open road.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

travel gone wrong movies

A classic road-trip-gone-wrong horror movie, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre begins with a group of friends driving their van through Texas to check on the grave of Sally and Franklin Hardesty’s grandfather, which is said to have been vandalized. Along the way they pick up a frightening hitchhiker who leads the group to his “whole family of vampires.” Bookending this road-trip horror movie is the famous final scene of TCM in which Sally becomes a hitchhiker and rides away in the back of a truck, screaming.

travel gone wrong movies

Race With the Devil (1975)

travel gone wrong movies

Race With the Devil is an action horror movie about two couples traveling from San Antonio, TX to Aspen, CO in an RV for a ski vacation. While camping along the way in Texas, the group witnesses a Satanic sacrifice. The Satanists then chase them down as the group struggles to make it to Amarillo to get help and report the crime.

The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

travel gone wrong movies

Written and directed by horror master Wes Craven , The Hills Have Eyes follows the Carter family as they take a road trip to Los Angeles. In Nevada, the family crashes and their dog runs off and is found mutilated. The group learns that there is a family of cannibalistic psychopaths who live in the hills and cannibalize travelers as they pass through the area.

Tourist Trap (1979)

travel gone wrong movies

A group of friends traveling through the desert get stranded at a malevolent tourist trap in this supernatural slasher movie. While the proprietor “helps” the gang with one of their vehicles, the group explores a waxwork museum and one of the girls is strangled by an unseen entity and turned into a mannequin. The rest of the group tries to outsmart a masked killer and mannequins that come alive to find their way back to the highway and survive.

Motel Hell (1980)

travel gone wrong movies

Motel Hell is a low-budget horror comedy about a sadistic family of cannibals who operate “Motel Hello.” Farmer Vincent Smith and his sister Ida trap motorists to harvest them and sell human meat at their motel. When Farmer Vincent kills a woman’s boyfriend, she recovers at the hotel and eventually agrees to marry him.

Road Games (1981)

travel gone wrong movies

Pat Quaid (Stacy Keach) is a truck driver in the Australian outback who is suspicious of a van driver he encounters and believes they may be the serial killer who has been preying on hitchhikers. Quaid picks up a hitchhiker named Pamela (Jamie Lee Curtis), and the two discuss the serial killer. When the two are separated, the truck driver isn’t sure if Pamela got another ride willingly or if she is the killer’s latest victim.

Death Valley (1982)

travel gone wrong movies

A woman, her new boyfriend, and her son Billy are driving through Death Valley on their way to Arizona. Billy takes a frog pendant when he stumbles across a camper that belongs to cowboy serial killer twins while stretching his legs. The killers then chase the family through the desert.

Children Of The Corn (1984)

travel gone wrong movies

Vicky and Burt are driving through Nebraska on their way to Seattle when they hit a child who has run into the road; they seek help in a town called Gatlin. They find that the town has been abandoned for three years and is now run by a cult of creepy children . Led by a boy named Isaac, the children worship a corn god they call He Who Walks Behind the Rows.

The Hitcher (1986)

travel gone wrong movies

The Hitcher is a road thriller and a cult classic about a man named Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell) who is driving a car from Chicago to San Diego. Bored on the long road trip, he picks up a hitchhiker in West Texas. The hitcher (Rutger Hauer) says his name is John Ryder and pulls out a knife before threatening Jim in a very memorable scene. Jim is able to force the hitcher out of his car, and a cat-and-mouse game ensues. The Hitcher was remade in 2007.

travel gone wrong movies

Near Dark (1987)

travel gone wrong movies

A young vampire turns a small town-boy named Caleb into a vampire at the end of a steamy date. She belongs to a drifter coven of vampires led by the violent Severin (Bill Paxton). Caleb must prove that he can belong, or the coven will kill him.

Cohen and Tate (1988)

travel gone wrong movies

A nine-year-old boy named Travis Knight has to turn his kidnappers (Cohen and Tate, the title characters) against each other as they hold him hostage on a road trip. Travis is in the Witness Protection Program after witnessing a mob hit. His kidnappers murder his parents before driving him from Oklahoma to their boss in Texas.

The Vanishing (1988)

travel gone wrong movies

A woman disappears at a gas station during a road trip with her boyfriend. For three years he searches relentlessly for her, even appearing on TV to appeal to her kidnapper. Finally the kidnapper makes contact and says he will reveal the missing woman’s fate, but only if her boyfriend will agree to experience the answer firsthand.

Midnight Ride (1990)

travel gone wrong movies

An action thriller about a housewife named Lara (Savina Gersak) who leaves her cop husband, Lawson (Michael Dudikoff). One the road to a friend’s house, Lara takes pity on a hitchhiker named Justin (Mark Hamill) and picks him up. It turns out Justin is a seriously disturbed man in the midst of a murder spree. The misogynistic moral of Midnight Ride is that Lara was safer at home in an unhappy marriage than as an autonomous woman out in the world.

Highway To Hell (1991)

travel gone wrong movies

Highway to Hell is a B-movie horror comedy about a young couple, Charlie Sykes (Chad Lowe) and Rachel Clark (Kristy Swanson), who take a road trip to elope in Las Vegas. While taking a back road, Rachel is kidnapped and taken to hell to be the bride of Satan. A gas station attendant gives Charlie a special gun and car so that he can go to hell and rescue his fiancée.

Kalifornia (1993)

travel gone wrong movies

A road thriller with an all-star cast of Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis, David Duchovny, and Michelle Forbes. Duchovny plays a journalist on the road with his girlfriend (Forbes) to research serial killers. The couple pick up a pair of hitchhikers (Pitt and Lewis), who turn out to be pretty demented.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

travel gone wrong movies

Another cult classic with George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino playing fugitive brothers on the run from the law. They kidnap a family traveling in an RV and force them to smuggle the brothers into Mexico. There, they stumble upon a strip club run by vampires led by everyone’s favorite female horror villain , Salma Hayek as Santanico Pandemonium.

Breakdown (1997)

travel gone wrong movies

Jeff (Kurt Russell) and Amy (Kathleen Quinlan) are on a cross-country road trip from Boston to San Diego when they almost get in an accident with another driver. Road rage ensues at a nearby gas station and after getting back on the road, their car breaks down. Jeff realizes their vehicle was tampered with, but not before Amy disappears.

New Road Trip Horror Movies

Jeepers creepers (2001).

travel gone wrong movies

Inspired by a true story shown on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries , Trish and Darry Jenner are a brother and sister traveling home from college on a road trip when they have a creepy encounter with the driver of a dilapidated old truck. Later, they happen upon the driver and it looks like he is disposing bodies into a pipe. The siblings decide to investigate and learn that they have indeed stumbled upon a supernatural killer. Unfortunately, the killer notices the two poking around and becomes intent on chasing them down.

Joy Ride (2001)

travel gone wrong movies

Brothers Lewis (Paul Walker) and Fuller (Steve Zahn) Thomas are driving from Salt Lake City home to their parents. To make the road trip more interesting, Fuller installs a CB radio in the car, and the two play a cruel prank on a trucker who goes by the name “Rusty Nail” before picking up Lewis’s crush, Venna (Leelee Sobieski), in Colorado. The brothers learn that they messed with the wrong trucker when Rusty Nail comes after them and reveals he has kidnapped Venna’s friend Charlotte.

Say Yes (2001)

travel gone wrong movies

A South Korean thriller about a married couple who pick up a hitchhiker. When the hitchhiker turns violent, a cat-and-mouse game ensues. Eventually the hitchhiker forces the couple to choose between safety and each other.

Dead End (2003)

travel gone wrong movies

A horror movie about a family driving together on Christmas Eve who take a shortcut through the woods. The shortcut takes them on a never-ending road. They meet a woman in white with a baby and attempt to give her a ride to a nearby house. It’s not until the family separates that she reveals the baby she is carrying is actually dead.

High Tension (2003)

travel gone wrong movies

Marie and Alex are best friends who take a road trip to visit Alex’s parents at their rural farm. When a mysterious stranger arrives and kills Alex’s family, Marie evades the killer by making it it seem like the guest bedroom was empty. The intruder then kidnaps Alex, and Marie gives chase and tries to rescue her friend.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

travel gone wrong movies

A group of friends take a road trip on Halloween eve hoping to write a book about creepy roadside attractions. The gang is lured to the Firefly residence by Baby Firefly posing as a hitchhiker. They are treated to a Halloween show by the family before the real show begins.

Final Destination 2 (2003)

travel gone wrong movies

The main premonition in Final Destination 2 takes place at the beginning of a road trip undertaken by Kimberly Corman and her friends on spring break. When Kimberly is meant to pull onto the highway, she has a premonition of a gruesome multi-car wreck and instead exits her vehicle, blocking those behind her from being involved in the accident. As in the first Final Destination film, Death then comes back around for the survivors of the would-be pileup.

Wrong Turn (2003)

travel gone wrong movies

Wrong Turn is a slasher film following two groups of people who were on a road trip and end up stranded on a West Virginia back road. Medical student Chris Flynn (Desmond Harrington) and a group of friends including Jessie Burlingame (Eliza Dushku) figure out that they’ve been sabotaged and are being hunted down by a group of inbred mountain people. Together the group tries to outsmart the skilled hunters and make it back to civilization. Wrong Turn is very loosely based on the “true story” Sawney Bean.

Wolf Creek (2005)

travel gone wrong movies

Based on a true story, Wolf Creek follows three travelers on a road trip across the Australian Outback. After stopping at the Wolf Creek Crater, the site of an ancient meteorite impact, the trio returns to their car to find the battery dead. A local stranger appears in the darkness to offer his free help, and it turns out he is a sadistic psychopath who drugs and tortures his prey.

Rest Stop (2006)

travel gone wrong movies

A direct-to-video horror movie about a couple, Jesse (Joey Mendicino) and Nicole (Jaimie Alexander), on a road trip. When Nicole goes inside a rest stop she comes out to find Jesse has disappeared. Nicole and a truck driver play a game of cat and mouse as he terrorizes Nicole at the rest stop and taunts her with evidence of Jesse being tortured.

Death Proof (2007)

travel gone wrong movies

Quentin Tarantino’s exploitation slasher film follows a stunt man who murders women with his “death proof” cars. Kurt Russell stars as the killer and Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Jordan Ladd, Rose McGowan, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Tracie Thoms, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Zoë Bell are his prey. Death Proof was originally part of the exploitation thriller Grind House (2007) but was released for horror fans as its own film.

The Hitcher (2007)

travel gone wrong movies

A remake of the 1986 movie, this version follows a couple of college students, Jim Halsey (Zachary Knighton) and Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush), driving in New Mexico on their way to spring break. They pick up a hitchhiker (Sean Bean) who turns out to be a sadistic murderer who hunts the duo down, even after they are able to literally kick him out of their car. Deciding to continue with their trip, the couple then finds the hitchhiker in a family’s vehicle they pass, knowing he plans for the family to be his next targets.

Vacancy (2007)

travel gone wrong movies

A bickering couple, David (Luke Wilson) and Amy Fox (Kate Beckinsale), on a road trip to a family party experience car trouble and decide to pull into a roadside motel for the night. Once inside, they discover snuff films in the hotel room’s VHS collection that appear to have been made in that very room. When the couple tries to escape, masked men appear outside and the couple realizes that they are trapped in a snuff film of their own.

Windchill (2007)

travel gone wrong movies

Two college students (Ashton Holmes and Emily Blunt) share a ride home from school on a holiday break. When car breaks down in a snowy and isolated area, the students worry about their safety. However, the appearance of other spirits who have lost their lives on the road appear and make the situation much more terrifying.

Splinter (2008)

travel gone wrong movies

Seth Belzer and Polly Watt are on their way to a romantic camping trip in Oklahoma when they are carjacked by an escaped convict and his girlfriend. At a gas station, the convict’s girlfriend discovers the body of the attendant after an attack from a splinter-covered animal who then appears and attacks her. The girlfriend becomes a reanimated splinter creature herself and attacks her friends.

The Human Centipede (2009)

travel gone wrong movies

The Human Centipede is a hellish nightmare about the absolute worst-case scenario of a road trip. Two American tourists in Germany, Lindsay and Jenny, get a flat tire and seek help at a nearby home. The house happens to be owned by a demented German surgeon named Josef Heiter who drugs them. When they wake up, Lindsay and Jenny enter a horrifying waking nightmare where they are transformed, with another victim, into a human centipede.

The Cabin In The Woods (2011)

travel gone wrong movies

The Cabin in the Woods begins as a college road trip movie with a group of friends on their way to a remote cabin. When they discover the cabin is in the middle of zombie-infested woods, the friends return to their RV and unsuccessfully attempt to outrun the zombie villains . The climax of the film takes place in an underground office building/warehouse for monsters.

Crowsnest (2012)

travel gone wrong movies

A particularly scary found footage film about a group of five friends on a road trip who stumble across an RV filled with nomadic cannibals. When they realize they are in over their heads, the friends try to escape. Unfortunately the RV dwellers seem to be all-knowing and remain one step ahead of the friends as they try to get back to civilization.

Chernobyl Diaries (2012)

travel gone wrong movies

A disaster horror movie that follows three Americans traveling through Europe. While visiting a family member in Ukraine, the group is convinced to take a detour to visit Pripyat, a ghost town that was made uninhabitable by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Alone with a tour guide and another couple, the group gets stranded overnight and discover they are not alone in the abandoned village.

The Houses October Built (2014)

travel gone wrong movies

Another found-footage horror movie about a group of friends traveling the country in search of the ultimate haunted house attraction, “Blue Skeleton.” When they ask too many questions about underground haunts, the group begins to be stalked. The group isn’t sure if they’ve found what they are looking for or if they are in serious peril.

Road Games (2015)

travel gone wrong movies

Road Games is a scary and violent British-French mystery thriller about a British hitchhiker named Jack who meets a French hitchhiker named Véronique. The two decide to travel together for safety as there is a serial killer on the loose in the area. A man named Grizard stops and offers the two a ride and upon learning Jack is English, invites them to dinner to meet his English wife. After dinner, Grizard is reluctant to let the couple go and insists they spend the night.

Southbound (2015)

travel gone wrong movies

Southbound is a horror anthology that takes place mostly on the open desert road. The five interwoven stories deal with men on the run from the law (and supernatural monsters), traveling musicians, a brother searching for his missing sister, and a family on vacation. Viewers have compared the anthology to old pulp horror like episodes of Tales from the Crypt .

The Strangers: Prey At Night (2018)

travel gone wrong movies

The long-awaited sequel to The Strangers (2008) takes place in a mostly empty mobile home park during the off season. This is a fun twist on the home invasion subgenre where the characters don’t have a fortress-like home to retreat to. Instead, the targeted family run through mobile homes, cars, and open parks as they are chased by The Strangers.

Alone (2020)

travel gone wrong movies

Jessica is a single woman traveling alone, trying to deal with her husband’s recent death by suicide. On the road, she keeps encountering a strange man whose attention she rebuffs. When Jessica is in a car accident (due to her vehicle being sabotaged), the man abducts her and holds her hostage at his cabin where he reveals she is not the first woman he has abducted.

No Exit (2022)

travel gone wrong movies

Darby Thorne runs away from rehab to drive to Salt Lake City and see her mother, who is on her deathbed. While en route, she is warned that a massive winter storm is imminent and she must take cover at a nearby rest stop. Inside, she meets two men and a married couple who are also waiting out the storm. Outside, she finds a kidnapped girl in a van who says her kidnapper is inside the building.

Bones and All (2022)

travel gone wrong movies

Bones and All is a romantic horror road film about a young cannibal, Maren (Taylor Russell), who is abandoned by her father. On the road she meets another cannibal, Lee (Timothée Chalamet), and the two fall in love as they cross the country and attempt to figure out what a life together could look like.

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Chrissy Stockton

Chrissy is the co-founder of Creepy Catalog. She has over 10 years of experience writing about horror, a degree in philosophy and Reiki level II certification.

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Escape the Cold With These 12 Tropical Vacation-Themed Horror Movies

You'll be glad the beach is out of reach after watching these gruesome films..

Beachgoers react in horror in a scene from Old.

Freezing your butt off thanks to February’s bitterly cold temperatures? It could be so much worse: You could be on a tropical vacation from hell ! As these 12 horror, cult, and thriller picks will prove, sometimes there’s no more worse place to be than a warm, sunny beach.

Piranha II: The Spawning

James Cameron’s first directorial effort has its share of underwater scenes, but it’s a far cry from the sophisticated special effects he’s known for now. That said, this 1981 creature feature does take place at a sun-drenched Caribbean resort that’s suddenly inundated with a plague of flying piranhas , which is a plot just as perilous as anything we’re likely to see in the Avatar series. Also of interest to Cameron fans as well as Jaws rip-off completists: Piranha II stars future Aliens android Lance Henriksen as the weary local police chief.

Jaws: The Revenge

Speaking of Jaws rip-offs, this fourth entry in the shark-attack series supplies soggy camp where the original brought oceanic terror, moving the action from Amity Island to the Bahamas. That is to say, a shark literally follows Ellen Brody (the returning Lorraine Gary) on a trip to visit her son Michael ( The Last Starfighter ’s Lance Guest), a marine biologist who’s far more excited than she is about the rare presence of a Great White in Caribbean waters. Most people rightfully remember this 1987 flick for Michael Caine ’s jaunty “yes indeed, I’m doin’ this for the money” performance as a local pilot, as well as the notion that a shark both understands the concept of revenge and is capable of setting a precise compass and traveling over 1,200 miles to accomplish it.

Speaking of hungry sea creatures, nothing says “tropical fun gone wrong” like a day of diving that features a close encounter with a shark... followed by a close encounter with a zombie that’s just hanging out underwater. Of course, nothing says “tropical fun gone so, so right” like the fact that the shark and the zombie then proceed to fight each other in one of the scenes that’s made Lucio Fulci ’s 1979 in-name-only follow-up to George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead an absolutely legendary entry in the Italian horror genre.

M. Night Shyamalan ’s 2021 thriller follows a family that heads to a tropical resort, where they and a handful of other vacationers end up on a beach that has the curious and terrifying effect of rapidly aging everyone and exacerbating any and all medical conditions that may be lurking within them. To put it mildly: body horrors galore!

A Perfect Getaway

Humans are the worst monsters (as they so often are) in this 2009 thriller from writer-director David Twohy (Pitch Black) , which stars Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich as newlyweds who head to the most remote part of Hawaii for their honeymoon. The scenery provides a gorgeously lush backdrop for murder as Chris Hemsworth and Timothy Olyphan t co-star in a tale that’s as full of plot twists as it is brutal violence.

Don’t you just hate it when your carefree backpacking jaunt through steamy Brazil turns into a horrifying nightmare in which you realize that hot young tourists—you know, like yourself—are being stalked by an illegal organ-harvesting ring? Worst. Vacation. Ever.

Anthropophagus

When the tale of a balmy Mediterranean getaway (not quite tropical, but stick with us) is co-written and directed by cult legend Joe D’Amato , you know things are gonna get gruesome almost the instant the hapless characters dip their toes into the sand. This over-the-top “video nasty” leaves very few taboos untouched—in the film’s most infamous sequence, a serial killer (played by co-writer George Eastman) kills a pregnant woman... then removes and gobbles her unborn baby!—making it an exceedingly potent argument in favor of never leaving the house again.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer

Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) realizes that her ordeal from the first Last Summer isn’t over, a fact she discovers only after she and her friends travel to a resort in the Bahamas—where a killer awaits! This 1998 sequel, released at the height of the ‘90s slasher revival, lacks any narrative tension whatsoever, but it does have a few casting quirks (Jeffrey Combs as the hotel manager, Jack Black as the local weed purveyor) that help elevate it from stupid to silly.

Quirky casting also does a lot for this tongue-in-cheek slasher spoof set at a Costa Rican resort—specifically Bill Paxton as “Coconut Pete,” the resort’s owner and a former musician whose jams sound suspiciously similar to those of his rival, Jimmy Buffett (ahem, “Piñacoladaburg”). The rest of Club Dread ’s cast includes members of the comedy troupe Broken Lizard, which should give you an idea of its goofball tone, but the body count is still admirably high.

Sure, it’s fun exploring ancient Mayan temples while you’re on your carefree Mexican vacation... until you get yourself tangled up in all the KILLER PLANTS! Jena Malone (The Hunger Games) is the final girl in this gory entry, which was adapted by author Scott Smith from his hit survival thriller.

The Bermuda Triangle

We’ve all heard tales of doomed voyages through the Bermuda Triangle , a notorious vortex known for whisking away planes and ships to dimensions unknown. But did you ever hear the highly specific warning about not fishing random cursed dolls out of the water if you’re sailing anywhere near that fabled stretch of ocean? For that, you’ll need to view this 1978 film from cult-beloved director René Cardona Jr., which follows a multi-generational family that’s searching for the ruins of Atlantis—only to set themselves on a collision course of In Search Of... topics by drifting into you-know-which forbidden zone.

Fantasy Island

What if the cheesy 1970s TV show leaned into its more eerie and ominous qualities and embraced full-on horror? That’s the approach this 2020 film took, as the various guests who arrive on the titular island expecting sun, fun, and wish fulfillment soon realize that surreal nightmares and deadly peril (including zombies) are the resort’s true specialty. Smiles, everyone, smiles !

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The Best Horror Movies About Time Travel

The Best Horror Movies About Time Travel

Ranker Film

How many time travel horror movies can you name? This list ranks the best time loop horror movies, where manipulating time plays a major role in the film's plot. All of these scary movies are about time travel in one way or another, but not every film features a character that is going into the past or future. In Event Horizon , for example, there is a rift in the space time continuum, but the main characters themselves do not actually time travel.

Some good horror movies with time traveling include Mine Games , Time Lapse , and Insidious 2 , the sequel to the Blumhouse hit from 2010. We've included a few debatable entries like Donnie Darko , so just know that before seeing the scary time travel movies below.

Vote up your favorite time loop horror films, and downvote any that you really wouldn't recommend to other horror fans.

Army of Darkness

Army of Darkness

In Army of Darkness , director Sam Raimi expertly weaves together the threads of time travel and horror to create a thrilling and darkly comic experience for viewers. The protagonist, Ash Williams, finds himself involuntarily transported back to medieval times, where he must battle hordes of undead and demonic creatures to save humanity and return to his own era. With innovative special effects, compelling characters, and a unique blend of horror and humor, Army of Darkness  presents a fresh and engaging take on the time travel-horror subgenre that continues to entertain audiences today.

  • # 446 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
  • # 151 of 396 on The Best Horror Movies Of All Time
  • # 52 of 99 on The Best 1990s Action Movies

Event Horizon

Event Horizon

Event Horizon takes its name from the concept of the point of no return surrounding a black hole, and indeed, the film delves into the harrowing abyss of psychological terror and otherworldly horror as it explores the dangers of tampering with time and space. The story follows a crew of astronauts who must investigate the mysterious reappearance of a long-lost spaceship believed to possess advanced technology capable of bending the very fabric of reality. As they uncover the nightmarish truth behind the ship's disappearance and its seeming encounters with alternate dimensions, the film effectively combines the unsettling atmosphere of cosmic horror with the chilling implications of uncontrolled time travel, resulting in a gripping and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

  • Dig Deeper... The Production Of 'Event Horizon' Was Its Own Level Of Hell
  • And Deeper... ‘Event Horizon’ Is A Terrifying Horror Movie From The ‘90s That Deserves Another Chance
  • # 36 of 178 on The 150+ Best Movies With Aliens

Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko is a haunting and enigmatic tale that masterfully intertwines elements of time travel, mental illness, and existential horror, all within the context of an American high school setting. The film's eponymous protagonist is plagued by visions of a grotesque, otherworldly rabbit figure who informs him of an impending apocalypse, prompting Donnie to embark on a journey through both time and his own fragile psyche to uncover the truth. With a dreamlike atmosphere and a complex narrative structure that rewards repeat viewings, Donnie Darko  is a standout entry in the horror-time travel subgenre that has garnered a strong cult following since its initial release.

  • # 81 of 112 on The 100+ Best Movies About High School
  • # 662 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
  • # 61 of 126 on The 100+ Grossest Movies Ever

The Final Girls

The Final Girls

The Final Girls injects a fresh twist into the time travel-horror formula by playfully riffing on the tropes and clichés of classic slasher films. When a group of friends find themselves trapped inside a 1980s horror movie, they must come to terms with their newfound role as potential victims of a masked killer while also trying to uncover the secrets of time manipulation to return to their own reality. With its self-aware humor and engaging characters, The Final Girls  demonstrates that the subgenre of horror-time travel stories still has plenty of room for innovation and creativity.

  • # 43 of 79 on The Best Teen Horror Movies Of All Time
  • # 24 of 56 on The 50+ Best Time Loop Movies
  • # 7 of 12 on The Best Slasher Films Of The 2010s

Triangle

Triangle is an atmospheric and chilling entry in the time travel-horror subgenre that will leave viewers questioning their own sanity as they witness the protagonist's struggle to escape a never-ending temporal loop. Set primarily aboard a seemingly deserted ship, the film follows Jess as she grapples with the escalating paranoia and fear spawned by her nightmarish encounters with alternate versions of herself and her fellow passengers. Boasting a moody and tense atmosphere, Triangle  is a mind-bending and unsettling exploration of the darker side of time travel and its potentially disastrous consequences.

  • # 23 of 56 on The Best Vacation Horror Movies, Ranked By Fans
  • # 10 of 56 on The 50+ Best Time Loop Movies
  • # 6 of 13 on Simple Explanations To 'Confusing' Horror Movie Endings

John Dies at the End

John Dies at the End

Based on the cult novel by David Wong, John Dies at the End  is a frenetic and wild ride through a world where time travel, alternate dimensions, and unspeakable cosmic horrors collide. The film follows two friends who stumble upon a mysterious drug known as "Soy Sauce," which grants them paranormal abilities but also exposes them to a horrifying reality beyond our own. With its off-kilter humor and relentless pacing, John Dies at the End  showcases the captivating chaos that can arise when horror and time travel elements are combined in a truly unique and unpredictable fashion.

  • # 133 of 139 on The 100+ Best Films To Watch Stoned
  • # 20 of 32 on The Best Thriller Films of 2013
  • # 34 of 40 on The Best Comedy Movies of 2013

Devil's Pass

Devil's Pass

Devil's Pass takes a chilling real-life mystery – the Dyatlov Pass incident – and infuses it with elements of sci-fi horror and time travel intrigue. As a documentary crew investigates the unexplained deaths of nine hikers in 1959, they discover a terrifying secret involving paranormal phenomena and time manipulation. Blending the found footage format with a skillful incorporation of time travel lore, Devil's Pass  manages to evoke a chilling and immersive sense of dread while exploring the sinister implications of tampering with the flow of time.

Timecrimes

Timecrimes is a tense and suspenseful Spanish thriller that delves into the dark complications of time travel while maintaining an engrossing sense of dread throughout its runtime. When a man accidentally travels back in time, he must confront his past self and grapple with a series of increasingly dire consequences resulting from his actions. With its cerebral narrative and tightly-woven plot, Timecrimes  is a compelling exploration of the inherent horror of meddling with time and the devastating ripple effects it can create.

  • # 14 of 16 on The Most Underrated Sci-Fi Horror Movies Of The 2000s
  • # 15 of 56 on The 50+ Best Time Loop Movies
  • # 7 of 18 on Trippy Sci-Fi Movies That Aren't Mainstream For A Reason

Coherence

Coherence is a mind-bending and claustrophobic exploration of the horrors that can emerge when time travel and parallel universes collide. Set during a dinner party, the film's characters must confront the terrifying implications of their actions as they navigate an increasingly fractured reality populated by alternate versions of themselves. With its clever script and innovative approach to storytelling, Coherence  is a standout example of how time travel can be used to heighten the suspense and intrigue of a horror film.

  • # 16 of 48 on The 40+ Best Mystery Movies On Prime Video
  • # 23 of 36 on The 35 Best Suspenseful Movies On Prime, Ranked
  • # 68 of 73 on The Best Movies About Split Personalities

The Jacket

The Jacket is a gripping psychological horror film that expertly utilizes time travel as a means of exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of reality. The protagonist, a war veteran suffering from amnesia, is subjected to an experimental treatment that inadvertently sends him through time, forcing him to confront his own past and the intertwining destinies of those around him. With its intense performances and haunting atmosphere, The Jacket  is a standout example of how time travel can be used to enhance the emotional resonance and depth of a horror story.

  • # 208 of 253 on The 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
  • # 122 of 143 on The Best Movies of 2005
  • # 13 of 16 on The Most Underrated Sci-Fi Horror Movies Of The 2000s

Premonition

Premonition

Premonition is an engrossing psychological thriller that combines elements of time travel and supernatural horror to create an unnerving and uniquely disorienting atmosphere. The film follows a woman who, after experiencing a premonition of her husband's death, becomes caught in a disjointed, non-linear timeline that forces her to question her own sanity. With its evocative imagery and tense pacing, Premonition  expertly utilizes time travel as a narrative device to explore themes of grief, fate, and the fragility of human memory.

  • # 80 of 139 on The Best Movies Of 2007
  • # 38 of 75 on 25+ Great Movies That Have A Ticking Clock
  • # 22 of 102 on The Best Movies About Struggling Relationships

Insidious 2

Insidious 2

Insidious: Chapter 2 elevates the supernatural horror of its predecessor by incorporating elements of time travel and astral projection, creating a unique and unsettling viewing experience. As the Lambert family continues to grapple with malevolent spirits and a dark family secret, they must reckon with the terrifying reality that their nightmares are not limited by the boundaries of time. With its expertly-crafted scares and eerie exploration of time-bending phenomena, Insidious: Chapter 2  solidifies its place as a standout entry in the horror-time travel subgenre.

  • # 81 of 396 on The Best Horror Movies Of All Time
  • # 16 of 117 on The Best Horror Movie Sequels
  • # 7 of 19 on The Most Underrated Sequels Of The 2010s, Ranked

Insidious: The Red Door

Insidious: The Red Door

Insidious: The Red Door further expands upon the interconnected timelines and supernatural horrors established in previous films in the series, adding another layer of complexity and terror to the narrative. As the characters continue to navigate the treacherous landscape of the astral plane, they discover that time functions differently in this realm, giving rise to new and unexpected horrors. The film's expert integration of time travel themes into its narrative serves to enhance the overall sense of dread and unease that permeates the Insidious franchise.

  • Dig Deeper... The 25 Best Movies Like 'Insidious: The Red Door'
  • # 362 of 396 on The Best Horror Movies Of All Time
  • # 82 of 117 on The Best Horror Movie Sequels

Lake Mungo

Lake Mungo is a chilling Australian mockumentary that combines elements of time travel, supernatural horror, and psychological thriller to create a haunting and unforgettable cinematic experience. The film focuses on a grieving family who, after the death of their daughter, becomes caught up in a web of time-bending intrigue and deception as they attempt to uncover the truth behind her mysterious demise. With its nuanced performances and eerie atmosphere, Lake Mungo  deftly demonstrates the potential for time travel to serve as a powerful narrative device within the horror genre.

  • # 33 of 73 on The 65+ Best Found Footage Movies
  • # 8 of 14 on The Most Underrated Found-Footage Horror Movies
  • # 7 of 15 on 15 Critically Acclaimed Horror Movies That Never Got The Attention They Deserved

Frankenstein Unbound

Frankenstein Unbound

Frankenstein Unbound , based on the novel by Brian Aldiss, is a unique fusion of classic literary horror and time travel sci-fi that offers a fresh perspective on Mary Shelley's iconic story. Set in a dystopian future where a scientist unwittingly unleashes a time-traveling monster, the film follows him back to the 19th century where he encounters both Victor Frankenstein and Mary Shelley herself. By injecting time travel elements into this familiar narrative, Frankenstein Unbound  not only revitalizes the source material but also presents a chilling exploration of the consequences of playing God with the fabric of time.

Blair Witch

Blair Witch

Though primarily known as a found footage horror classic, Blair Witch  also incorporates subtle elements of time travel to enhance the film's chilling atmosphere and sense of disorientation. As the three filmmakers venture deeper into the woods, they find themselves caught in a seemingly endless loop of time and space, exacerbating the terror and paranoia that permeates their doomed expedition. With its innovative storytelling and haunting visuals, Blair Witch  exemplifies the potential for time travel elements to amplify the horror of an already gripping narrative.

  • # 79 of 117 on The Best Horror Movie Sequels
  • # 16 of 21 on Smart Ways Dumb Horror Sequels Improve On The Originals
  • # 4 of 12 on The Best Paranormal Movies Streaming on Hulu

Detention

Detention is a wildly inventive and genre-defying film that blends time travel, horror, comedy, and high school drama to create a refreshingly original and fast-paced viewing experience. As a group of teenage outcasts discovers a mysterious time-traveling device, they find themselves caught in a race against time to prevent a series of grisly murders and avert the apocalyptic consequences of their actions. With its whip-smart script and dynamic characters, Detention  showcases the immense potential for genre-blending and innovation within the horror-time travel subgenre.

Mine Games

Mine Games is an atmospheric and suspenseful thriller that expertly melds time travel, psychological horror, and classic slasher tropes to create a truly unique and engaging experience for viewers. As a group of friends exploring an abandoned mine discovers that they are seemingly trapped in a looping timeline, they must race against time to unravel the mystery of their predicament and escape an unseen killer. With its clever narrative twists and evocative setting, Mine Games  is a standout example of the inventive storytelling possibilities afforded by the inclusion of time travel in horror cinema.

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension adds a new layer of terror to the franchise's already bone-chilling formula by incorporating elements of time travel and alternate dimensions into its storyline. As the protagonists uncover a series of eerie videotapes that seem to predict their own grisly fates, they must confront the horrifying implications of the supernatural forces at work in their home. The film's expert use of time travel not only expands upon the Paranormal Activity mythos but also raises the stakes for its characters, resulting in a truly chilling cinematic experience.

Time Lapse

Time Lapse is a suspenseful and engrossing sci-fi horror film that expertly explores the darker side of time travel and its potentially disastrous consequences. When a group of friends discovers a mysterious machine that produces photographs of the future, they find themselves caught up in a web of deceit, paranoia, and murder as their fascination with the device spirals out of control. With its cerebral narrative and taut pacing, Time Lapse  is a haunting exploration of the perils of tampering with time and the human psyche.

The Caller

The Caller is a tense and atmospheric thriller that masterfully utilizes time travel as a narrative device to heighten the sense of paranoia and unease that permeates its storyline. When a woman receives a series of chilling phone calls from a mysterious stranger claiming to be calling from the past, she becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse that transcends time itself. The film's innovative approach to storytelling and skillful handling of time travel elements combine to create a gripping and chilling cinematic experience.

Haunter

Haunter is a chilling and atmospheric ghost story that ingeniously incorporates elements of time travel to create a unique and compelling viewing experience. The film follows a teenage girl who, trapped in an endless loop repeating the same day in 1985, must unravel the mystery of her predicament and confront the malevolent spirit responsible for her family's curse. By weaving together the threads of supernatural horror and time-loop intrigue, Haunter  creates a tense and unnerving atmosphere that lingers long after the credits have rolled.

  • # 32 of 56 on The 50+ Best Time Loop Movies
  • # 19 of 27 on The Scariest Movies of 2013
  • # 48 of 67 on The 65+ Best Ghost Movies Of All Time

The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations

The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations

The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations is a worthy installment in the time-travel horror series that explores the harrowing consequences of meddling with the past. As the protagonist uses his time-traveling abilities to solve crimes, he finds himself embroiled in a complex and dangerous web of deception, betrayal, and murder. The film's expert utilization of time-travel mechanics and its haunting exploration of the darker aspects of human nature make it a standout entry in the horror-time travel subgenre.

  • # 3 of 16 on 16 Horror Movie Sequels You (Maybe) Never Knew Existed
  • # 21 of 21 on Smart Ways Dumb Horror Sequels Improve On The Originals
  • # 31 of 35 on The 35 Best Movies About Lucid Dreaming

Blood Punch

Blood Punch

Blood Punch is a darkly comedic, twisted love triangle thriller that uses time travel as an integral part of its narrative to create an engaging and suspenseful viewing experience. When a group of friends becomes trapped in a time loop during a drug-manufacturing operation gone wrong, they must confront their own demons and unravel the complex web of deceit that ensnares them. With its unique blend of humor, action, and time-travel horror, Blood Punch is a compelling and highly entertaining addition to the subgenre.

Camp Slaughter

Camp Slaughter

Camp Slaughter takes a familiar setting - the classic 1980s-style summer camp - and injects it with a heavy dose of time travel horror and slasher film tropes. When a group of modern-day friends inadvertently becomes trapped in a seemingly endless loop set in 1981, they must confront the murderous spree of a masked killer while also trying to unravel the secrets of their time-warped predicament. With its nostalgic nod to the heyday of slasher films and an inventive twist on the time travel subgenre, Camp Slaughter  offers a thrilling and entertaining experience that horror fans won't want to miss.

S. Darko

In S. Darko , the sequel to the cult classic Donnie Darko , viewers are once again drawn into a mysterious and surreal world where time travel and existential horror collide. Following Donnie's younger sister, Samantha, the film explores her journey through a disorienting and nightmarish landscape populated by strange characters and unsettling visions of impending doom. Though not as universally acclaimed as its predecessor, S. Darko  nevertheless showcases the potential for time travel and cosmic horror to create a unique and memorable cinematic experience.

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  • Graveyard Shift
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As they say in well-written scripts, "You mean... like time travel?" + also a few bizarre stories about real people who have claimed, despite every law of physics, they have traveled through time.

Which Method Would You Use?

30 Movies About Time Travel Ranked Worst To Best

Doc Brown and Marty McFly looking surprised, The Terminator, Bill and Ted celebrating

The notion of time travel is both inherently human (who wouldn't want the opportunity to see what the world will be like after they're gone, or to revisit the cherished memories of the past?) and intensely cinematic. So, it makes sense that it's a theme we see revisited in film time and time again. 

However, while time travel is rooted in science fiction, time travel movies embrace a variety of different genres. We're not limited to just sci-fi action-adventures (there are plenty of those, though, if that's your cup of tea.) Filmmakers have used time travel for romances, family dramas, stoner comedies, and even serial-killer thrillers. By using time travel, we can reckon with both our fixation on the past and our constant anxieties about the future. Besides, time travel is a whole lot of fun. If you're looking for a new time travel movie to watch, these are some of the best.

30. Army of Darkness

After making two gruesome cult horror movies about the undead rising to do unspeakable things to your beloved protagonist, your first instinct might not be to hurl him backward in time to medieval Europe — but that's exactly what Sam Raimi did with "Army of Darkness." By transporting Ash (Bruce Campbell) to the 1300s on a mission to recover the mysterious Book of the Dead, Raimi was effectively able to keep his burgeoning franchise fresh, while still delivering on the ghoulish horror that his devoted fans had come to anticipate. 

A knowing play on "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," which also sees its modern-day hero set back to the Middle Ages, Raimi brings his trademark sense of humor to the proceedings. Although we've seen a continuation of the "Evil Dead" franchise in recent years, this outing served as a perfect finale to the original trilogy, giving Campbell's chainsaw-wielding Ash an appropriate send-off.

29. Brigadoon

Although time travel usually belongs to the science fiction genre, "Brigadoon" offers up a musical fantasy interpretation of the trope. Two modern-day Americans (Gene Kelly and Van Johnson) go wandering through the Scottish highlands when they happen upon a strange little town, one that is cursed to awaken from its slumber for just one day every 100 years. As such, it's effectively stuck in the 1700s, protected from the changing world around it. 

The legend goes that if any of the villagers leave, the town will disappear forever, and anyone who wants to stay must be willing to completely abandon their former life in the outside world. When one of the Americans falls in love with a girl in this folksy Scottish utopia, he will have to choose a life for himself that involves being a man out of time — if he loves her enough to make that sacrifice, that is. With light, airy musical numbers and winning performances from Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly, "Brigadoon" is entirely charming (even if its faux Scottish whimsy can wear thin at times).

28. Flight of the Navigator

Although "Flight of the Navigator" is aimed squarely at kids, it features some pretty complex science (and science fiction) principles, namely the time travel that could occur as a byproduct of advanced space flight. David is an ordinary 12-year-old growing up in the 1970s when he suffers a blow to the head that momentarily knocks him unconscious. But when he wakes up, he discovers to his considerable surprise that eight years have passed, everyone has grown older except for him, and no one can explain what happened to him. 

"Flight of the Navigator" is at its best when it explores the ramifications of this time travel, especially as David struggles with the fact that all of his friends are full-grown adults now, and his little brother is now several years older than him. A rollicking family adventure through time and space, "Flight of the Navigator" may not hold a candle to its similarly alien-themed predecessor "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," but it has amassed a loyal fanbase all the same.

27. Last Night in Soho

A young aspiring fashion designer, Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie), travels to London to attend fashion school, determined to leave a mysterious and unwelcome gift behind her. But it follows her all the same in "Last Night in Soho." Each night, she travels in her dreams to the London of the swinging '60s, becoming obsessed with a beautiful woman she sees there, Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy). Slowly over the course of the film, the lines between Eloise and Sandie become blurred, until she can barely tell where one ends and the other begins. 

Hyper-stylized and dressed to the nines, "Last Night in Soho" luxuriates in the scenes set in the past, gleefully watching Eloise and Sandie ebb and flow into one another. But it isn't long before Eloise's dreams grow more malevolent and threatening, putting her very survival at risk. Although "Last Night in Soho" arguably has a slightly wobbly third act, the visual lyricism of the film more than makes up for any weaknesses that pop up later on.

26. Interstellar

If the Earth was dying, and you had a chance to save it, would you be willing to give up your entire world to do so? In "Interstellar," a team of astronauts is sent on a Hail Mary mission to find a new planet compatible with human life. But in order to do so, they'll have to travel in deep space through a wormhole, going so far away from home that they'll age at just a fraction of the speed of those left on Earth. For Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), that means leaving his two children to effectively grow up without him — their entire lives will go by in what feels like mere months for him. 

Blending philosophical quandaries with the type of stunning visual work that director Christopher Nolan is known for, "Interstellar" is a top-tier space drama that addresses the ramifications of time dilation, causal loops, and black holes in a way that somehow manages to be both exciting and emotionally evocative.

25. Happy Death Day

What if every day in "Groundhog Day" ended in a serial murder? That's basically the plot of "Happy Death Day," a time loop movie that sees sorority girl Tree (Jessica Rothe) forced to repeat the same day over and over again. But not just any ordinary day — this is the day that she is murdered. Tree discovers new and inventive ways to be killed, as she is repeatedly hunted down by an extremely unsettling, baby-faced murderer. If she can figure out a way to survive and unmask the killer, she might just be able to break the loop and finally see what comes next. 

Rothe owns every inch of the film, bringing charm and savvy to the lead role of Tree in what is an undeniable breakout performance. "Happy Death Day" has a mischievous sense of humor that allows it to join the top echelon of self-aware slashers, mixing comedy with inventive death sequences and a genuinely disturbing villain.

24. Edge of Tomorrow

If "die, rinse, repeat" is your kind of time loop, "Edge of Tomorrow" offers one of the finest examples in the genre. In a futuristic landscape of an Earth that has been beset by alien invaders, Tom Cruise stars as a soldier who is doomed to live out the same ultimately fatal battle ad nauseam. But just as Tree from "Happy Death Day" and Phil from "Groundhog Day" acquire new skills and perspectives with each new cycle, so too does Cruise's Bill Cage level up in his fighting abilities. 

In many ways, "Edge of Tomorrow" mimics a roguelike video game as much as it functions as a traditional feature film. With impressive special effects and an unexpectedly compelling dynamic between Cruise and co-star Emily Blunt, "Edge of Tomorrow" rises above many other similar science fiction blockbusters.  Variety praised both the writing and editing teams, emphasizing that they "tell their story in a breezy narrative shorthand (and at times, sleight-of-hand), transforming what must surely be an unbelievably tedious gauntlet for our hero into a deft, playful and continually involving viewing experience."

23. Frequency

To be fair, no one technically travels through time in "Frequency" — not physically, anyway. In the late 1990s, a grumpy, cynical NYC cop named John (Jim Caviezel) plays with a ham radio that once belonged to his father Frank, a firefighter who died on the job when John was a child. Imagine his amazement when a familiar voice begins speaking back to him — the voice of his long-dead father, traveling through space and time from the late 1960s. 

Of course, the impulse to save him from the fire that claimed his life proves difficult to resist, a decision that sets in motion an unexpectedly dangerous chain of events. Clever and inventive, "Frequency" delivers on the touching father-son relationship between John and Frank, and its use of the ham radio as a vessel for time travel makes it stand out within the genre. With a narrative that is perpetually evolving with the ripples of time manipulation, it's full of surprises.

22. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

When characters are given the ability to travel through time, sometimes they grasp the gravity of their situation immediately — and other times they use their gift carelessly, hopping casually back a few days or even hours to fix minor life problems. Makoto Konno in "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" falls decidedly into the latter category. After being thrown from her bike and nearly killed by an oncoming train, Konno discovers her ability to "time-leap," as she finds herself flung back to the moments before the accident. She quickly uses this ability to her advantage, without realizing the impact these leaps have on the people around her. 

Although there's a lightness to the storytelling (its far less apocalyptic than many other time travel films), "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" displays legitimate artistry, with  Village Voice  stating, "There's real craftsmanship for how [the film] sustains its sense of summer quietude and sun-soaked haziness through a few carefully reprised motifs: three-cornered games of catch, mountainous cloud formations, classroom still-lifes."

When we think of time travel movies, we generally think of science fiction, sprawling epics that by the nature of their genre tend to cost a lot of money to make. It's rare when we're treated to an indie time travel movie, especially one as well-made as "Primer." This low-budget psychological thriller is the brainchild of Shane Carruth, who is credited as its director, screenwriter, producer, editor, composer, and star. With a technical background in engineering and mathematics, Carruth looked to make something different from the typical Hollywood time travel film. As he said in the film's press notes , watching "All the President's Men" taught him it would be possible for "Primer" to be "a compelling narrative without neon or special effects or smoke screens."

Instead, "Primer," which tells the story of a group of engineers who accidentally discover time travel while working on a project in their garage, deals with the logistical and philosophical implications of this discovery and wastes no time worrying if the audience will be able to follow along. The result is a bare-bones, but ultimately compelling, take on the genre.

20. When We First Met

Throughout movie and TV history, we've seen DeLoreans, phone booths, and police boxes turned into time machines, but "When We First Met" may be the very first time we've gotten a time-traveling photo booth. When Noah (Adam DeVine) goes into the photo booth at his favorite piano bar, he gets the opportunity to go back to the night when he first met Avery (Alexandra Daddario), the "girl of his dreams" who is engaged to another man. Whatever Noah does on that fateful day causes ripples, and when he wakes up, it's in a slightly different version of the present. 

So, naturally, Noah takes as many chances as he can to engineer a happily ever after between himself and Avery. But "When We First Met" challenges the notion of the "perfect" girl who's just out of reach, and offers a parable about the dangers of letting an idealized version of someone take root in your brain, no longer letting you see them for who they really are. If nothing else, "When We First Met" deserves heaps of credits for featuring Adam DeVine at his most endearing.

19. Your Name

In Makoto Shinkai's "Your Name," Mitsuha and Taki are two ordinary high school students who live separate lives in different parts of Japan. Then, one day, the two strangers begin to switch bodies. "Your Name" begins as a classic gender-bending comedy, where Mtsusha and Taki are forced to live through each others' daily lives, fumbling through classes, interpersonal relationships, and unfamiliar gender expectations. This body swapping happens intermittently, without warning, and over time the two learn how to communicate with each other by leaving messages on paper, their phones, even their skin. 

Then, "Your Name" raises the stakes by revealing that the teens aren't just from different towns — they're from entirely different time periods. Taki is living in a world three years older than Mitsuha's, and learns about a freak accident that caused untold devastation in her hometown. But can he warn everyone in time? "Your Name" is a gorgeously animated time-traveling romance that creates a genuine bond between its two central figures, who are bound together by a unique ability that ends up being their salvation.

18. Kate & Leopold

What happens when a hunky man from the 19th century ends up in modern-day New York? This is the important question that "Kate & Leopold" dares to ask. When Stuart (Liev Schreiber) discovers a time portal above the Brooklyn Bridge, he is eager to go back in time and explore. What he does not count on is Leopold, the 3rd Duke of Albany (played by an especially dreamy Hugh Jackman), following him back through the portal. 

After Stuart gets severely injured falling down an elevator shaft (if Leopold isn't around to invent elevators in the 1800s, they can hardly be expected to exist in the 2000s), his ex-girlfriend Kate (Meg Ryan) is stuck taking care of the anachronistic duke. Obviously, they fall in love — look, it's Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan. Why would you even bother putting them in a movie together if they weren't going to become romantically involved? 

Anyway, "Kate & Leopold" is a very sweet rom-com, even if it is sort of depressing that Meg Ryan ends up going to live in a past where she has no rights. Oh well. Love conquers all, right?

17. Palm Springs

"Palm Springs" follows in the footsteps of "Groundhog Day," with Andy Samberg serving as a natural successor to fellow "Saturday Night Live" alum Bill Murray. Trapped in a never-ending time loop and forced to relive his friend's wedding day over and over, Nyles has long since given up any hope of escaping his own personal prison. But unlike Phil in "Groundhog Day," who suffers in isolation, Nyles is joined by Sarah (Cristin Milioti), who follows him into the mysterious cave at the heart of the time loop and gets herself stuck as well. 

"Palm Springs" offers us two perspectives: one from a veteran time-looper who has lived the same day for potentially hundreds of years, and the other from a fresh-faced newbie experiencing it all for the first time. What's interesting about "Palm Springs" is that it fully leans into the devastating ennui that's the natural result of this sort of situation. The time loop isn't just a set-up for a bunch of jokes, it's a reality where hopelessness is only briefly staved off by mindless distractions. That this movie would come out in 2020, a year when most of us were facing the monotony of life in quasi-quarantine, only adds to its emotional resonance.

16. Back to the Future Part III

Ah yes, the much maligned final chapter in the "Back to the Future" series. But you know what? This movie gets so much more hate than it deserves. No, it doesn't reach the dizzying heights of the first and second Back to the Future movies, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good film. 

After Doc Brown's DeLorean is struck by lightning and he ends up back in the old West of 1885, Marty discovers Doc's tombstone, which shows that he died just a few days after writing a letter to Marty asking not to be rescued. Obviously, Marty does just that. The romance between Doc and Miss Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen) is absolutely adorable, allowing the Back to the Future crew to explore a different side of Doc's character. And this outing is just as clever with its callbacks to jokes from the other two films, especially when Marty gets to have his classic Clint Eastwood moment. Plus, Michael J. Fox doing an Irish accent to play a McFly ancestor? Totally worth the price of admission.

15. The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

Structured much like "Groundhog Day," "The Map of Tiny Perfect Things" revolves around Mark (Kyle Allen), who has been living in a time loop for ages. He knows every single thing that's going to happen — that is, until he meets Margaret (Kathryn Newton), who has been stuck in the same time loop. Together, they set out to build a map of all the strange, beautiful moments that occur in their town, the kinds of things that you'd only notice if you had several lifetimes to catalog them all. 

"The Map of Tiny Perfect Things" is unique in its subtlety, and the way it brings out a time loop's smaller implications. For example, on this particular day, Mark's mother went into work early and did a double shift, which means that he hasn't seen more than a glimpse of her in years. Margaret's own relationship with her terminally ill mother means that she's hesitant to get out of the time loop and sever that connection. These tiny moments help "The Map of Tiny Perfect Things" stand out in the increasingly crowded time-loop genre.

14. 12 Monkeys

"12 Monkeys" is part traditional time travel story, part post-apocalyptic action thriller. Set initially in the 2030s, after a deadly plague has ravaged the planet, James Cole (Bruce Willis) is sent back in time to the '90s in order to prevent the devastating epidemic before it starts. 

Creatively directed by Terry Gilliam, the master of eccentric science fiction, "12 Monkeys" also has the honor of being one of the first films that would make people begin to take then-young heartthrob Brad Pitt seriously as an actor. His manic performance as Jeffrey Goines, the unstable leader of the eco-terrorist organization called the Army of the Twelve Monkeys, is one of the most memorable elements of the entire film. Performances aside, "12 Monkeys" also lays claim to a unique visual style that would influence several other science fiction films of the late '90s, and occupies a darker space than many other time travel films dare to enter.

13. Meet the Robinsons

Here, we take the opportunity to shout from the rooftops that "Meet the Robinsons" is perhaps the single most underrated Disney film of all time. Much like its lead character Lewis, a brilliant orphan whose inventions have a knack for getting him into trouble, "Meet the Robinsons" is tragically misunderstood. Lewis struggles to find an adoptive family, partially because his inventions often go haywire at the most inopportune times, but also because he's entirely focused on the past and, in particular, finding out the identity of his biological mother. 

When a kid named Wilbur Robinson turns up and takes Lewis 30 years or so into the future, not only does Lewis get to see how far humanity progresses, but he is exposed to an eccentric family that is loving, empathetic, and entirely devoted to one another. "Meet the Robinsons" is genuinely hilarious; more importantly, it's also a heart-warming tale about building a family of your own.

12. Peggy Sue Got Married

Probably the most common question asked of any adult staring down middle-age is, "If you could go back in time to relive your high school years, would you?" This hypothetical becomes a reality in "Peggy Sue Got Married," when Peggy Sue (Kathleen Turner), recently divorced and looking back on a life she thinks she's wasted, attends her 25th high school reunion. Her morose contemplation is interrupted, however, when she is suddenly thrust back in time to her senior year of high school in 1960. 

There, Peggy Sue faces certain choices. Given the opportunity to do it all over again, will she make the same decisions? Most notably, will she stick with Charlie (Nicolas Cage), her high-school sweetheart, even though she knows that their relationship is ultimately doomed? "Peggy Sue Got Married" is a bittersweet exploration of nostalgia, of growing older, and of looking back on your misspent youth with equal parts dissatisfaction and longing.

11. Somewhere in Time

Before we even get into the time travel elements of "Somewhere in Time," it's important to address the elephant in the room: Have there ever been two people on earth more preternaturally beautiful than Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve? Together, they star in this time travel romance, in which Reeve's playwright, Richard Collier, falls in love with a portrait of an actress (Seymour) nearly a century older, and learns how to use self-hypnosis to send himself back in time to 1912 so that they can be together. 

"Somewhere in Time" is a dreamy, fanciful production, with a gorgeously winsome score from John Barry. Reeve and Seymour have tremendous chemistry together, which makes their beautiful but ultimately doomed romance all the more compelling. Set against the backdrop of the historic Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan, "Somewhere in Time" is a charming, whimsical, and heartbreaking tale of love across the ages.

10. Time After Time

It's surprising, really, that HG Wells, the enormously imaginative science fiction writer who dreamt up "The Time Machine" (along with dozens of other sci-fi classics) has rarely featured in time travel stories himself. But he does star in "Time After Time," a pulpy thriller in which Wells (Malcolm McDowell) has his time machine stolen by Jack the Ripper (David Warner), who uses it to evade the police and travel to '70s San Francisco. 

Wells gives chase, and must track Jack down before he murders again (in the meantime, he falls in love with a bank teller played by Mary Steenburgen, as one does). This was remade recently as a fairly lackluster network drama that got pulled from the airwaves before it was halfway through its first season, but the original film is a lot of fun, featuring a battle of wits between these two famous historical figures.

9. La Jetée

"La Jetée" is a French short film directed by Chris Marker. It's approximately 28 minutes long, consisting mostly of still photography with voiceover narration. It is magnificent. 

"La Jetée" tells the story of a man imprisoned in the post-apocalyptic future, where scientists are working on devising methods of time travel to avert the calamity that has befallen humanity. He has a particularly strong memory from childhood of himself standing on a pier, witnessing a man being killed. This window to the past allows him to withstand the mental shock of time travel. 

Once safely in the past, the man meets a woman, whom he falls in love. But in the end, when he has finished his mission and is allowed to live out his days in the past, he realizes that the man he saw murdered was the adult version of himself. By utilizing still photography, Marker places tremendous importance on the power of images — in this case, visuals are so strong that they literally allow one to travel through time. But Marker also sends an unmistakably clear message: you cannot escape your destiny, and despite our fixations on the past and the future, you can only ever live in the present.

8. Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is not our most beloved national holiday, but it is the backdrop of a time-travel comedy classic. Acerbic weatherman Phil (Bill Murray) reluctantly travels to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover a local ceremony in which a groundhog decides whether we'll end up having a longer winter or not. He is not happy about this assignment (to be fair, he's not happy about much of anything). But it gets even worse when Phil is forced to relive the same day over and over and over again. 

"Groundhog Day" does an amazing job of showing how Phil's emotions progress as he adapts to his situation: first, he's bemusemed, then angry, then depressed, and then finally comes to accept it. Once his new reality sets in, and all the fun of being able to do whatever you want with absolutely zero repercussions fades away, Phil lives a terribly isolating experience. No one he knows grows or changes; he can't have a single conversation with someone that they'll remember in the morning. It's to the credit of "Groundhog Day" that the horror of Phil's life is apparent even as it's mined for humor, giving Phil a genuinely hilarious existential crisis.

7. The Terminator

In terms of awkward conversations with your buddies, telling your best friend that he needs to go back in time to seduce your mother so that she'll get pregnant and give birth to you has to be right up there. But that's pretty much the central conceit behind "The Terminator." The future is an apocalyptic hellscape controlled by sentient machines, and the Terminator (a super-buff Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor before she can have her son John, who will grow up to become the leader in the fight against the machines. 

Although it's set almost exclusively in the '80s, the time travel element is baked into "The Terminator" from the very beginning. It's also an unusually intelligent science fiction action film. It has plenty of violence, fight scenes, and gore to keep adrenaline junkies happy, but some thoughtful subtext lurks just beneath the surface. Also, Linda Hamilton is note-perfect as Sarah Connor, going from a perfectly ordinary waitress to a warrior who battles killer robots in a matter of minutes.

When Kun, a spoiled young boy used to being the center of attention, suddenly has to share his parents with his new baby sister Mirai, he's not a happy camper. But one day, Kun goes into his family's garden, and he is given the opportunity to meet not just the older version of his sister, but also his mother as a child, and his great-grandfather as a young man. 

This is the magic of "Mirai": It creates a separate metaphysical plane where Kun, a child whose worldview is entirely self-centered, is given access to all of the different branches of his family tree, giving him a greater understanding of the people he loves most by showing them at different points in their lives. It also teaches Kun that he's one small component of a much larger whole, a legacy that goes on unending forever. But although "Mirai" touches on philosophical themes, it is presented with a great sense of fun and whimsy; Kun's travels are adventures, not dry family history lessons.

5. Back to the Future Part II

"Back to the Future Part II" picks up right where the first film left off. Marty reunites with Jennifer (whose actress has mysteriously changed between films), then Doc Brown bursts on the scene, frantically warning them that they need to travel to the future to fix the lives of their children. 

A huge selling point of "Back to the Future Part II" are the scenes set in the future world of 2015, which are so detailed and imaginative that they still feel futuristic, even though the real 2015 passed us by long ago. The way Hill Valley changes from 1955 to 1985 to 2015 is beautiful, showing the transformation of the California suburb over the decades. But "Back to the Future II" also revisits all of the original film's greatest hits, especially when Marty ends up having to travel to the '50s again to avoid Biff's incredibly Trump-esque rise to power . Some may claim that a large portion of the film is just a rehash of the first, but hey, why mess with what isn't broken?

4. The Time Machine

The classic HG Wells science fiction novel "The Time Machine" has had a few live-action adaptations , the best of which is directed by George Pal and stars Rod Taylor. George, an inventor at the turn of the century, is feverishly working to complete his time machine, a steampunk contraption that will allow him to see the future. He makes a few stops in the 20th century, where he sees the devastation of the first and second World Wars as well as the ever-present fears of nuclear attacks that would destroy humanity as we know it, before being knocked unconscious and travelling many thousands of years into the future. 

By then, humanity has recovered from nuclear blasts, but has split into two subspecies: the gentle surface-dwelling Eloi, and their subterranean predators, the Morlocks. "The Time Machine" is a clever, thought-provoking adventure that highlights many of the anxieties of both 1960, the year that this film was made, and the 1890s, when HG Wells wrote the original book. What will become of humanity in the long-term? Will we ever be able to curb the violent instincts that will likely lead to our downfall? "The Time Machine" provides answers to both.

3. About Time

Time travel movies can make you feel a lot of things, but they don't usually make you cry ugly tears. Apparently "About Time" didn't get the memo. When Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) turns 21, his father (Bill Nighy) sits him down and tells him the family secret: all of the men in their family have the ability to travel back to any point in their own timeline. 

Initially, Tim uses this as an opportunity to have a second chance with a girl (Rachel McAdams) he struck out with. However, Tim's story takes on a much more poignant tone after his father unexpectedly dies. Suddenly, the moments they shared become unbelievably precious, especially when Tim realizes that there will come a point when he can't see his father without causing serious, permanent changes to the people he loves (after Tim's daughter is born, for example, any trip to the past could threaten her existence). "About Time" is billed as a romantic comedy, but it's so much more than that. It's a wonderful story about the love between a father and son, and a reminder to the viewer to embrace the beauty of every single day.

2. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

It's hard to think of two more lovable airheads than Bill S. Preston, Esq. (Alex Winter) and Ted "Theodore" Logan, the stars of "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." They're on the verge of failing their high school history class, which is majorly bad news for the future, given that Bill and Ted need to stick together long enough to write the song that will lead humanity to a peaceful utopian society. So, Rufus (George Carlin) springs into action, bringing the kids a time machine in the form of a phone booth that they can use to travel to the past and complete their history presentation. 

What follows is a madcap adventure through time. Bill and Ted end up packing their phone booth full of historical figures like Billy the Kid, Socrates, Joan of Arc, and Genghis Khan. "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" is tremendously creative in its use of these famous people: having Napoleon get way too invested in an ice cream eating challenge, for example, might not be an obvious choice, but it makes perfect sense.

1. Back to the Future

"Back to the Future" is the gold standard when it comes to time travel films. When Marty ends up stuck in 1955 using his best friend Doc Brown's time machine, he has to fight to get back to his original time without causing too much disruption, an endeavor that is significantly complicated when Marty's mother starts to fall in love with him, jeopardizing his entire existence (also, he invents rock music? Marty is a busy kid). 

The dynamic between Marty and Doc Brown is probably the most endearing aspect of the film in both the 1985 and 1955 segments. But it's also incredibly fascinating to watch Marty see his own parents when they're teenagers themselves. Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson are perfectly cast as Marty's father and mother, somehow able to play the younger and older versions of their characters with equal dexterity. Also, the entire movie is so tightly written and expertly crafted that it's hard to think of a single thing to say against it. Is "Back to the Future" a perfect movie? It's certainly possible!

The Most Underrated Time Travel Movies You Need To Watch

Michael C. Hall looking stern

Time travel stories have a long history, with H.G. Wells' classic "The Time Machine" being published in 1895, and stories of travelers from the future having existed in folklore for centuries . Some of the most fascinating real-life mysteries and urban legends have involved stories of time travel , too. So it should come as no surprise that time travel movies have long been a favorite of the sci-fi genre.

Over the years, some of sci-fi's best movies have involved time travel, be they family adventures like "Back to the Future," thrillers like "12 Monkeys," action movies like "The Terminator," or even comedies like "Groundhog Day." While audiences are well-acquainted with time travel through these big blockbuster films, there are a lot of other, lesser-known movies that employ the same sci-fi concepts. Many of these films have gone under-appreciated, whether because they got lost on streaming, were given initially bad critical scores, or simply weren't marketed well. 

Well have no fear, temporal explorers, because even if you can't go back to see them when they were first released, you can see them now, with our helpful list of underrated time-travel movies .

A Netflix original, the unusually titled "ARQ" came and went with little fanfare in 2016. This isn't your ordinary time travel adventure though, like the straightforward thrillers that send heroes back and forth through time. Instead, the film is centered on a young couple who become inadvertently trapped in a repeating loop of time. But unlike "Groundhog Day," they're not stuck in a pleasant little midwestern village — they're stuck in the throws of a robbery gone wrong.

The film stars Robbie Amell ("Upload") and Rachael Taylor ("Jessica Jones") as Renton and Hanna, a husband and wife living in a dark future where oil has become scarce and energy supplies are dwindling. Renton once worked for one of the world's major corporations and made off with his greatest invention, the ARQ — a powerful device capable of generating infinite energy. But when agents of his company's rival come to steal it from him, he switches it on and they become trapped in a deadly time loop.

A gripping thriller and borderline horror movie, "ARQ" is a time loop story done right, where despite events repeating, you're still left guessing what will happen next. Though it did spur some amount of discussion  upon its initial release, the film has sadly faded into obscurity since.

A low-budget indie movie that's become a cult favorite among sci-fi cinephiles, the highly experimental 2004 film "Primer" has remained largely unnoticed by those who don't go digging for hidden gems. Written, directed by, and starring Shane Carruth , the film follows a pair of friends who unwittingly invent a time machine that allows them to return six hours into the past.

At first, their trips backward in time are for little more than experimentation, but they quickly escalate to interference as the friends use the box to invest in short-term stocks that they already know the outcome of. The more they use their machine, though, the more they see the rapid deterioration of their physical and mental states. Repeated experiments soon lead to terrifying consequences when they discover that someone else has been using — and is going to use — the box to irrevocably alter the timeline. But an attempt to activate a fail-safe and end the experiment before it ever started leads to a fateful confrontation with their future selves.

A haunting time-travel tale unlike any other, "Primer" won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and made Carruth one of the most talked-about emerging filmmakers in the industry.

Time After Time

In the mid-1970s, author Karl Alexander approached filmmaker Nicholas Meyer with an early draft of his next book, "Time After Time," and the director was so impressed he snatched up the feature film rights before it was even published. In 1979, the film hit theaters starring Malcolm McDowall ("Clockwork Orange"), David Warner ("The Omen") and Mary Steenburgen ("Back to the Future Part III").

Set in the latter half of the 19th century, the film tells a fictional story centered on real-life sci-fi author H.G. Wells, the man behind the all-time classic "The Time Machine." Here we learn that the time travel contraption from Wells' book was no mere fiction, and is in fact very real. But when serial killer Jack the Ripper steals his machine and escapes to the 'present day' of 1979, it's up to Wells to follow him and prevent him from continuing his murder spree in the 20th century. While there, Wells is equally amazed and horrified by the world he witnesses, where he finds technologies beyond his wildest dreams but a society that's far from the utopian future he'd always imagined.

A satisfying crime drama with a moral message and plenty of time-travel hijinks, "Time After Time" has been mostly forgotten, though it was the subject of a  short-lived TV spin-off in 2017.

Starring the MCU's own Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan ("Fifty Shades of Grey"), "Synchronic" is more than just a time-travel thriller. It's a story of love, friendship, and redemption — a powerful tale that uses time travel to prop up a deeply personal character story. With a pair of big-name stars, there's no reason it should have gone overlooked, but while reviews were strong , the film didn't elicit the wider recognition it deserves.

The movie follows Steve and Dennis, a pair of EMS partners and best friends troubled by a recent rash of fatal overdoses of a new designer drug gripping their city. When Dennis' daughter Brianna becomes involved and disappears, it leads him down a road of despair, while Steve decides to look for answers. When he finally tracks down the illegal drug called Synchronic, he learns that it has the power to send users into the past. Determined to find Brianna, he embarks on a harrowing journey through time that he may never return from.

A brilliant sci-fi thriller with time travel that uses its own unique set of rules, "Synchronic" succeeds at being both an engrossing, mind-bending roller coaster and a moving character drama.

Starring Emilio Estevez ("The Mighty Ducks"), Anthony Hopkins ("The Silence of the Lambs"), Rene Russo ("Lethal Weapon 3"), and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, the 1992 sci-fi action flick "Freejack" is a long-forgotten relic, overshadowed by bigger sci-fi movies of the era. But with a twisted time-travel premise and a strong cast, it's also an underrated adventure that needs to be revisited.

In the dystopian future of 2009, society has found a new way of achieving immortality, with those wealthy enough hiring time-traveling agents to steal victims from the past to become host bodies for their brains. One such future mogul in need of a new, more vital body is Ian McCandless (Hopkins), who hires a time tracker named Victor Vacendak (Jagger) to find him one. Arriving in 1992, Vacendak spirits away Formula One driver Alex Furlong (Estevez) seconds before he was to die in a devastating race crash. But when he escapes Vacendak he becomes a Freejack — a time-displaced fugitive with nowhere to go. With the help of his former fiancee Julie (Russo), he must fight powerful forces to stay alive. 

Though the film has a fair amount of schlock and low-budget goofiness, it's also a heck of a lot of fun. It's a movie that almost nobody seems to remember despite its big-name cast and high-concept premise, and it's definitely still worth revisiting today.

Just two years after winning an Academy Award for his performance in the World War II biopic "The Pianist," Adrien Brody appeared in a small indie sci-fi film called "The Jacket." Co-starring Kiera Knightley, the film also features Daniel Craig, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Kris Kristofferson (whose 1989 time travel adventure "Millennium" narrowly missed this list). Inspired by a 1915 short story called "The Star Rover" by "White Fang" author Jack London, the film takes the premise of a convicted murderer who learns how to send his consciousness through time and space and turns it into a compelling thriller.

Brody plays Jack Starks, a Gulf War veteran who's implicated in the death of a police officer after returning home. Deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial due to amnesia, Starks is placed in a psychiatric hospital where he's abused by the staff. After being given an experimental serum, Starks is strapped into a straitjacket and sealed in a morgue drawer. He then discovers that the horrific treatment has sent him 15 years into the future, where he meets Jackie — a young woman from his past. After earning her trust, Starks and Jackie work together in an attempt to manipulate time and get him released from his bizarre captivity.

Gut-wrenching and truly strange, "The Jacket" got mixed reviews upon release, but there's no time like the present to check it out.

Star Trek: First Contact

The "Star Trek" franchise needs no introduction, and even the most casual fans may be aware that time travel is a common trope for "Trek" stories. In addition to "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," which sees Kirk and the Enterprise visiting the "present day" of 1986 to rescue a pair of whales, another time travel "Trek" film released a decade later has been a bit forgotten by time.

"Star Trek: First Contact" sees Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D out to stop the Borg from destroying Earth. On the verge of defeat, the cyborg conquerors travel back in time more than 300 years in an effort to change history. Picard follows them and discovers that the Borg have taken them to 2063 in the aftermath of World War III, where they try to stop Dr. Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell) from making the first warp drive flight that leads directly to Earth's first contact with Vulcans.

While critics and fans have lauded "First Contact" for its high-stakes adventure, it rarely gets its due for also being one of the best time travel stories in the franchise. When you're done, be sure to check out the "Star Trek: Enterprise" Season 2 episode "Regeneration" too, as it serves as a direct sequel that adds even more layers to the time-travel fun.

Fetching Cody

A romantic drama of love and obsession, "Fetching Cody" might remind you of the better-known time-travel thriller "The Butterfly Effect." But as a super-low-budget indie movie that blends sci-fi with teen romance, it went mostly unseen in 2005 and only gained some attention later after its star, Jay Baruchel, became a bigger name. If you're only familiar with Baruchel from his more comedic roles like in "Knocked Up," though, seeing him here might take a bit of time to get used to.

"Fetching Cody" follows a small-time drug dealer named Art (Baruchel), who lives on the streets with his girlfriend Cody (Sarah Lind). But when she overdoses and winds up in a coma, Art decides to do whatever it takes to make things right — which just so happens to include travelling back in time with a makeshift time machine that takes the form of a living room recliner. Determined to alter her past so that the tragedy never occurs, Art attempts to undo her overdose but only makes things worse, until he's finally forced to do the unthinkable.

"Fetching Cody" wasn't well-received , with critics unhappy with its mish-mash of tones. But the premise is a good one and the cast is terrific, so if you can overlook its rough edges, you'll find a strong story about true love and how all of our fates intertwine.

When it premiered in 1994, "Timecop" was seen more as a sci-fi action movie vehicle for Jean-Claude Van Damme — perhaps even a direct answer to Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Total Recall" – than the clever time travel adventure it really is. In some ways, though, the intriguing mystery at the heart of the film is more similar to 2002's "Minority Report," even if it lacks that film's style and flare. 

Set 10 years into the "future" in 2004, the film follows Van Damme as Max Walker, an agent of the Time Enforcement Commission tasked with stopping time-traveling criminals. His latest case sends him back to 1994, the same year his wife was killed in a deadly bombing. While there, he uncovers a dark conspiracy that leads directly to a politician from his own time who may be using time travel to orchestrate his rise to power. When he returns to 2004 and discovers history has changed, he realizes he's the only one who can restore the timeline. But his plans are complicated when he encounters his wife in the past, and he has the opportunity to prevent her death.

To be sure, "Timecop" is every bit the action movie it was originally billed as, but it's always been undersold for its suspenseful thriller elements and clever temporal twists. It may never be a true time travel classic, but it's definitely worth a watch.

Receiving just a limited European release in theaters in 2009, "Mr. Nobody" has gotten a bit more attention via streaming in the years since. Nevertheless, it's remained mostly a cult favorite and under-the-radar movie that's been sorely underrated. What most people do know of it stems from its cast, led by controversial thespian Jared Leto  and featuring Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger, Rhys Ifans, and Linh Dan Pham.

The film centers on the titular Nemo Nobody (Leto), the last mortal man living at the end of the 21st century when humanity has achieved immortality. At the ripe old age of 118 he faces his final days, and with the help of a psychiatrist, he's able to recall the many forgotten events of his life. As he looks back and reflects, Mr. Nobody explores different possible routes his life could have taken. In each timeline, Nemo makes different choices that affect the outcome of his long life in different multiversal realities. 

An esoteric film about choice and family, "Mr. Nobody" isn't a time travel movie in the traditional sense, but it operates under the same basic rules. By showing the many timelines in Mr. Nobody's troubled life be affected by each decision he makes, the film builds out an interesting world and a unique nonlinear story . 

The Last Mimzy

Before "A Wrinkle in Time" adapted a beloved time-traveling children's book for the big screen, another kids' adventure made its way to theaters but was largely overlooked. Starring Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Chris O'Neil, Kathryn Hahn, Timothy Hutton, Rainn Wilson, Joely Richardson, and Michael Clarke Duncan, "The Last Mimzy" hit theaters in 2007 but was swallowed up by bigger family-friendly blockbusters like "TMNT" and "Meet the Robinsons" that released around the same time.

Based on a sci-fi short story from the 1940s, the film makes changes to the original version but retains its core concept, with a scientist in the far future testing a time machine by sending what appear to be children's toys into the past. The film ups the stakes a bit, with the world of the future in dire peril and the time travel having a much bigger mission: To recruit children in the past to help save the future. The "toys" — actually complex futuristic tools — are discovered by siblings Noah and Emma Wilder, who gain incredible psychic powers thanks to their special properties. Once discovered, however, they become the targets of government agents.

A story with a powerful message, "The Last Mimzy" might not be the best sci-fi family film out there, but it's a fun and underrated one that's worth checking out.

Idaho Transfer

Another indie movie filmed on a shoestring budget, the 1973 science fiction film "Idaho Transfer" is only known thanks to being directed by Hollywood great Peter Fonda ("Easy Rider"). Filmed with a cast of mostly unknowns and non-actors, it was only released for a few weeks in theaters before the movie's distributor went bankrupt  and has since fallen into obscurity.

The film stars Kelly Bohanan as Karen Braden, a disturbed young woman who's taken to a research facility in Idaho by her father. There, a team of government scientists working on an unrelated project have inadvertently discovered time travel. Peering into the future, they learn that mankind will be mostly wiped out by an ecological disaster, prompting them to send Karen and other young men and women forward in time to help repopulate the planet. 

Driven more by an interesting story than by any stunning visual effects or standout performances, "Idaho Transfer" is an under-seen, under-appreciated time-travel tale that deserves better than to be lost to the dustbin of history. Reviews at the time were mixed, but Time Magazine praised its "slow, severe beauty that makes its quiet edge of panic all the more chilling." With a "Twilight Zone" style twist ending , it's also a startling story that explores mankind's worst impulses.

In the Shadow of the Moon

Just a few years before helming the hit Netflix fantasy series "Sweet Tooth," filmmaker Jim Mickle directed the time-travel movie "In the Shadow of the Moon," starring Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, Bokeem Woodbine, and Michael C. Hall. A seriously underrated sci-fi adventure, the film has unfortunately been glossed over in most discussions of the genre.

The film opens in 1988 with Detective Thomas Lockhart (Holbrook) investigating a series of connected but unexplainable deaths that appear to have been caused by a mysterious woman. Nearly a decade later in 1997, an apparent copycat killer surfaces, and in 2006, Lockhart puts the pieces of the puzzle together and realizes he may be tracking a time-traveling serial killer with a personal vendetta. But Lockhart may be tempting fate by looking for answers, as his investigation brings him face-to-face with a ghost from his own past, and future.

A grizzly crime drama with a time-hopping premise that spans more than six decades, "In the Shadow of the Moon" is distinct and affecting. Receiving mediocre reviews , it escaped notice when it was released to Netflix in 2019, but if you're looking for a diamond in the rough, look no further. 

Many renowned films have toyed with non-linear storytelling, with director Christopher Nolan's movies being particularly famous for the use of such devices in recent times. Time-travel stories are especially perfect for playing with nonlinearity, and the 2020 sci-fi horror movie "Intersect" does just that. 

At the fictional Miskatonic University, a group of researchers cracks the code for time travel using a system called Q42 (a computer voiced by renowned evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins). Their experiments with sending material into the past yield startling results, with one of the scientists realizing that the project may be connected to unusual occurrences in his own childhood. But none of them anticipate the truth about the dark forces who've orchestrated their work, or the terrifying ends of their experiments.

The film does have its issues. It's a tad too long, a bit more of a melodrama than it's billed as, and its low budget shows. But "Intersect" is still a fresh take on time travel, mixing in downright Lovecraftian elements that make it something else entirely and a final act that's not to be missed. It won't win any awards, but it works as a nice diversion after you've cycled through the best that the sub-genre of time-travel movies has to offer.

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Video shows good samaritan run down after trying to stop carjacker, good samaritan run over, killed by carjacker ... captured on video.

A man in North Carolina paid the ultimate price after trying to stop a carjacking ... with the driver running him over and killing him in a now-viral video.

The video -- which hit social media just this weekend though the incident took place last month -- sees a Lumberton, NC man in a reflective construction vest come up to the side of a tow truck and point what looks to be a gun at another man.

Gunshots pop off ... and, though it's hard to tell, it seems the two men are exchanging gunfire because the man outside the truck doesn't stand still and fire.

The truck reverses quickly, speeding away from the man in the vest who is milling about in the street ... when the truck comes rushing back at him, hitting him.

The man goes flying in the air while the tow truck drives away from the scene of the crash. People scream and sirens can be heard before the video cuts out.

Like we said, the incident took place last month with suspect Ricky Alex Driggers reportedly charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted common law robbery among other charges.

Lumberton Police identified the victim as Jonathan Adam Lecompte ... one of several Good Samaritans they say tried to stop the carjacking. Authorities say Lecompte was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

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Scoot McNairy on New Movie Blood for Dust, Kit Harington, Nightbitch, and More 2024 Movies

McNairy spoke to MovieWeb about teaming up with Kit Harington for a gritty new feature about a drug deal gone wrong.

The moment you see a recognizable face like Scoot McNairy 's, your cinephile radar lights up. "Oh yeah! That guy! Love him," you might find yourself saying. McNairy is everywhere these days, often in standout supporting performances. You've seen him on both the big and small screen, in commercial projects and smaller efforts: Love Life on Max, A Quiet Place Part II, Killing Them Softly . He even voices King Lizard on Prime Video's beloved animated series Invincible .

He usually shines in the supporting cast, but when he's allowed to lead (as in the brilliant improv sci-fi film Monsters and the AMC series Halt and Catch Fire ), he's electric. McNairy holds the screen well in the new film, Blood for Dust , alongside other acclaimed performers like Kit Harington, Josh Lucas, and Stephen Dorff. We recently caught up with McNairy to learn more about his gritty new feature from director Rod Blackhurst about a drug deal gone wrong, his love for Paul Thomas Anderson and his many other 2024 projects in the works.

An Everyman in 'Breaking Bad Meets Fargo'

Blood for dust.

The marketing vehicle behind Blood for Dust has dubbed the film as a sort of " Breaking Bad meets Fargo ." Interestingly, McNairy played a standout supporting character in season three of Fargo on FX. "I feel like Breaking Bad and Fargo are standalone, incredible things. So even to be put into the same category as those is like a really nice blessing," he told us.

Without spilling too much about the twisty plot of Blood for Dust , we'll say that McNairy nails the sort of 'average person' protagonist role of Cliff, a shady traveling salesman who gets all tangled up in a criminal operation he wasn't exactly prepared for. "Cliff was such a fish out of water. He was an everyman character, which I feel like I've kind of played before, but not an everyman character that's so out of his element," said McNairy, adding:

So there was a certain sense of shock, I felt, that Cliff was in a lot of the time, that he was trying to play off and be comfortable. And I think that led to a lot of stillness in the character of Cliff, of him pretending to know what he's doing while not knowing at all what he's doing.

Fun with Kit Harington and Playing The Penguin

And all this chaos surrounding the character of Cliff is bolstered by his wildcard partner-in-crime in the film: Ricky, played to perfection by the wonderful Kit Harington . "I was a big fan of his from Game of Thrones , and he was just so lovely to be around and such a lovely person to work with ," McNairy told MovieWeb. "We had a lot of fun working on this one together, a lot of cutting up."

McNairy continued to share about the other acclaimed co-stars who happily joined this new project of his:

" Stephen Dorff, it was awesome for him to come in and do those couple of scenes. I'd worked with him on True Detective , and [director] Rod lives near very close to him. So I think in the midst of us talking, we were like, 'Well, do you think Stephen would come and play one of these things?' And he was like, 'Yeah, sure.' And Ethan Suplee is somebody I've known for a long time, big fan. He has such a great career. Same with Josh Lucas. So yeah, it was really nice to see these guys come and support the film that I'm leading ."

Looking ahead, since McNairy has indeed mastered the everyman role, we were curious if he was ever interested in the opposite — if there are any superhero characters he's had his eye on for a potential future project. "The Penguin has always been something, but I think Colin Farrell is playing The Penguin in a show and doing a phenomenal job," said McNairy about the beloved DC Comics villain. " I've had a lot of ideas about The Penguin for a really long time . So yeah, that would definitely be something I would be interested in diving into."

What Is Kit Harington's Upcoming Horror Movie, and Why Are Audiences So Excited?

Scoot mcnairy will star in speak no evil with james mcavoy.

And on the topic of future projects, McNairy has certainly kept busy with other films that will be released later this year, in addition to Blood for Dust . He will co-star in the upcoming Blumhouse film Speak No Evil , which is a remake of the acclaimed 2022 Danish film. Here's what McNairy could tell us about it so far.

"I couldn't be more excited. I had the opportunity to take a look at it, and it's really well done. The pacing is incredible. It moves really fast, and it's different than the original Danish film. James Watkins put together such an interesting film, and the cast was amazing," said McNairy, who went on to praise co-star James McAvoy:

"James McAvoy was absolutely phenomenal in every take. I mean, there's so much stuff that he did that was amazing that didn't make it into the cut . He's just a wonderful actor to watch on a day-to-day basis. So I really had a great time working with him. And he's incredibly talented and can be crazy on-screen . He was just great. And the whole cast was wonderful. We had such a great time working together. We're all in one place for one time."

"I think the movie is really good," said McNairy. "I think people are really gonna like it. It's gonna take you for a ride, and the original was just as well done, different, but I'm really excited for people to see it."

Coming Up: Nightbitch and Fairyland

Then there's another buzzy film that's in the can for Scoot McNairy and will be released down the line: Nightbitch . What a title! "Marielle Heller adapted the screenplay from a book of the same title, Nightbitch . It's interesting, it's completely different ," McNairy told us. "Amy Adams is phenomenal in it, and I had such a wonderful time working with her. It's such a different film, but yet, so... It's weird, grounded, but it's not grounded. I'm really interested to see the audience's response to it. I think people are really gonna like it. I loved it, I just laughed and thought it was funny and couldn't be more truthful in this sort of world . So I think it's December when that film comes out."

Fairyland Review: A Heartfelt Story of Family Anchored by Towering Performances from Scoot McNairy and Emilia Jones

And the list goes on. McNairy's other recent feature, Fairyland, premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews. "Andrew Durham, the filmmaker, wrote the screenplay. I just thought he wrote an incredible, heartfelt script," McNairy told MovieWen. " I think it's a really important film, and it sheds a lot of light on the AIDS epidemic and also that time period in San Francisco ... I learned a lot, just researching and working on this film... So for me, it was very educational. And at the end of it, I felt like this story was an incredibly important story to tell. So I was elated to just be a part of it."

Given that McNairy has worked with a wide variety of renowned filmmakers and actors at this point, one has to wonder if there's anyone left that he's got his eye on. "Of course, I think everybody's had their eye on Paul Thomas Anderson. And many have worked with him. I have not," said McNairy, adding:

"He makes really great films, and he's somebody I really want to work with. But, man, there's a list, I promise you, there's a whole slew of filmmakers that I've been really dying to work with and have been really lucky to even have the opportunity to met or even work with. So yeah, we'll see. Onward and upward. I'm very, very grateful and lucky and happy to be working at all."

On that note, from The Avenue, Blood for Dust is now playing in select theaters and on digital.

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25 Best Travel Movies Of All Time (Films That Will Inspire You To Travel)

Journey through the best travel movies ever made ........................................................................ You can watch these films over & over again, and never get sick get sick of them. Nothing gets me more excited to travel than a good travel film. It gives you the inspiration and the motivation to a new destination. So here is my personal list of the best travel movies of all time. Which ones are your favorites? I started to realize I had a travel obsession when all my favorite movies were based on crazy travel adventures. Once I’ve finished watching any of these films, I feel the instant urge to pack up everything and head out to explore the world. Great travel movies like these have inspired me a lot for my own personal travel goals over the years.

  • Movies or TV
  • IMDb Rating
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  • Release Year

1. Into the Wild (2007)

R | 148 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama

After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.

Director: Sean Penn | Stars: Emile Hirsch , Vince Vaughn , Catherine Keener , Marcia Gay Harden

Votes: 657,568 | Gross: $18.35M

Into The Wild is the true story of Christopher McCandless, a recent college graduate who gives away his live savings and hitchhikes to Alaska. He meets all kinds of people along the way, each with their own stories. In Alaska, he heads out into the wilderness to live on his own. His life is filled with random adventures and experiences while he makes his way up to “The Last Frontier”. This is what travel is all about to me. Experiences, good and bad, make you who you are. And long term travel is FULL of new experiences. The key is to not completely get in over your head (like Christopher did).

2. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

R | 126 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, popularly known as Che, along with his friend Alberto Granado, decides to take a road trip across South America. His experiences on the journey transform him.

Director: Walter Salles | Stars: Gael García Bernal , Rodrigo de la Serna , Mía Maestro , Mercedes Morán

Votes: 104,740 | Gross: $16.78M

Essential Visuals: Miramar, Buenos Aires, Argentia; Caracas, Venezuela; Patagonia; Nahuel Huapi Lake; Machu Picchu; Atacama Desert Where It Takes You: South America This awe-inspiring film is based on the memoirs of Che Guevara, from a time before he became an iconic Latin American revolutionary. Guevara (Gael Bernal) and his friend Alberto "Mial" Granado (Rodrigo De la Serna, Guevara’s real-life second cousin) climb atop a motorcycle and ride across South America for eight months and over 14,000 kilometers. The trip inspired the rest of Guevara's incredible life. The movie will inspire you to learn more about the incredibly beautiful continent.

3. The Beach (I) (2000)

R | 119 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance

On vacation in Thailand, Richard sets out for an island rumored to be a solitary beach paradise.

Director: Danny Boyle | Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio , Tilda Swinton , Daniel York , Patcharawan Patarakijjanon

Votes: 253,518 | Gross: $39.79M

Where It Takes You: Thailand Essential Visuals: Bangkok; Koh Samui Beaches; Gulf of Thailand; Ko Phi Phi Leh Want to see Leonardo DiCaprio before he had a dadbod? We hate to bust someone’s bubbles, but we’re not talking about Titanic here. For the ladies reading this post, the 2000 adventure film “The Beach” lets you feast your eyes on a shirtless young Leonardo DiCaprio, swimming on the fabulous crystal clear waters of Ko Phi Phi Lee.

4. The Way (I) (2010)

PG-13 | 123 min | Comedy, Drama

A father heads overseas to recover the body of his estranged son who died while traveling the "El camino de Santiago," and decides to take the pilgrimage himself.

Director: Emilio Estevez | Stars: Martin Sheen , Emilio Estevez , Deborah Kara Unger , Yorick van Wageningen

Votes: 35,313 | Gross: $4.43M

The Way is a beautiful and inspiring tale about a father walking Spain’s Camino de Santiago trail to honor his recently dead son. The experience is an eye-opening an emotional one for him, as he’s forced to make friends with complete strangers and examine his life during the 800km journey. It features a very eclectic mix of characters, all walking the path for their own personal reasons. The movie certainly made me more interested in traveling along the Camino at some point in my life. The Way is a heart-warming and beautiful story of a father who walked the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain, to honor his estranged son who recently died while trekking this trail. His experience was eye-opening and quite an emotional one, as he was compelled to make friends with total strangers as well as examine his life during his long 800 kilometer long journey. The film features a pretty eclectic blend of characters, all trekking the long trail for their own personal reasons.

5. 180° South (2010)

PG | 85 min | Documentary, Drama, Sport

The film follows adventurer Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia.

Director: Chris Malloy | Stars: Yvon Chouinard , Doug Tompkins , Keith Malloy , Alicia Salome Acuna Ika

Votes: 3,173 | Gross: $0.03M

180 Degrees South is a documentary that follows the adventure of a group of friends as they travel to Patagonia in the spirt of their heroes. They pack their surfboards and climbing gear as they sail and drive along the South American coast, learning about the losing battle against industrialization and the destruction of the natural world. Modern commercial interests fed by the growing human consumption of disposable goods is ruining our planet, and the film shows what some brave people are doing to try and stop it. The movie’s beautiful scenery and fantastic soundtrack mix together with a strong message and travel adventure to create a true work of art.

6. Wild (I) (2014)

R | 115 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama

A chronicle of one woman's 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent personal tragedy.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée | Stars: Reese Witherspoon , Laura Dern , Gaby Hoffmann , Michiel Huisman

Votes: 138,731 | Gross: $37.88M

Reese Witherspoon donned a pair of ill-fitting hiking boots and a giant backpack for her role as Cheryl Strayed, a writer who trekked 1,100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail after the devastating loss of her mother. (The film is based on Strayed’s best-selling 2012 book of the same name.) Strayed crosses the dusty Mojave, crazy forests, snowy fields, and muddy trails, losing toenails but gaining mental clarity—or at least self-acceptance—along the way.

7. One Week (I) (2008)

Not Rated | 94 min | Adventure, Drama

Chronicles the motorcycle trip of Ben Tyler as he rides from Toronto to Tofino, British Columbia. Ben stops at landmarks that are both iconic and idiosyncratic on his quest to find meaning in his life.

Director: Michael McGowan | Stars: Joshua Jackson , Peter Spence , Marc Strange , Gage Munroe

Votes: 12,042

Where It Takes You: Road Trip Across Canada This 2008 film chronicles the motorcycle escapade of Ben Tyler, a school teacher, as he takes a fascinating road trip from the city of Toronto to British Colombia’s Tofino. Along his quest’s route, he makes stops in a number of landmarks, to find the true meaning of life, before he gets married.

8. Tracks (I) (2013)

PG-13 | 112 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama

A young woman goes on a 1,700-mile trek across the deserts of West Australia with four camels and her faithful dog.

Director: John Curran | Stars: Mia Wasikowska , Adam Driver , Lily Pearl , Philip Dodd

Votes: 31,706 | Gross: $0.51M

Where It Takes You: Western Australia Standing in for real-life writer Robyn Davidson, Mia Wasikowska travels across the breathtaking landscape of Western Australia with only four camels and a beloved dog for company. Her occasional human visitors include a photographer for National Geographic (Adam Driver), an indigenous Australian elder named Mr. Eddy who guides her through sacred lands, and various tourists who come to gawk at the so-called Camel Lady. Davidson’s solo trip was beyond the pale for a woman in the '70s, but it's still incredibly inspiring today. We'll just leave the camel-training to someone else.

9. And Your Mother Too (2001)

R | 106 min | Drama

In Mexico, two teenage boys and an older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life and each other.

Director: Alfonso Cuarón | Stars: Maribel Verdú , Gael García Bernal , Daniel Giménez Cacho , Ana López Mercado

Votes: 128,813 | Gross: $13.62M

Where It Takes You: Mexico Essential visuals: Mexico City; Puerto Escondido; Huatulco; Secluded Mexican beaches Julio and Tenoch are two teens ruled by raging hormones and a mission to consume exotic substances. But one summer, the boys learn more about life than they bargain for when they set off on a wild, cross-country road trip with seductive, 28-year-old Luisa. The temptress Luisa teaches them the finer points of passion, and they of course, both fall madly in love with her.

10. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

R | 91 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

A year after their father's funeral, three brothers travel across India by train in an attempt to bond with each other.

Director: Wes Anderson | Stars: Owen Wilson , Adrien Brody , Jason Schwartzman , Amara Karan

Votes: 216,772 | Gross: $11.90M

Essential Visuals: The Himalayas; temples in Jodhpur; Indian railways Where It Takes You: India The Darjeeling Limited is a wacky film about three wealthy, spoiled brothers taking an overland train trip through India. They haven’t spoken in a year, and the trip is supposed to heal and bond them again. Initially it all goes wrong as they bicker and fight with each other. They are all suffering from depression, and pop pain killers like candy. When it seems like nothing is going right, their crazy experiences along the way finally put things into perspective. The ultimate goal of healing and rejuvenation starts to happen. They finally start to grow up and turn into men. The movie is hilarious, and beautifully shot too. It will make you want to visit India.

11. Encounters at the End of the World (2007)

G | 99 min | Documentary

Film-maker Werner Herzog travels to the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, looking to capture the continent's beauty and investigate the characters living there.

Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Werner Herzog , Scott Rowland , Stefan Pashov , Doug MacAyeal

Votes: 19,233 | Gross: $0.94M

Encounters At The End Of The World is an incredibly beautiful and funny movie about the people and animals who live in Antarctica. The film is done by Werner Herzog, one of my favorite directors. The individuals that work at the National Science Foundation research station are full of character, and most are permanent world travelers. Even if you’ve seen Discovery channel shows about Antarctica, this is totally different and fresh. I liked it much more than I thought I would, and it has earned a spot on my best travel movies list because as soon as it was over I wanted to pack up and head down there for a bit!

12. The Bucket List (2007)

PG-13 | 97 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die.

Director: Rob Reiner | Stars: Jack Nicholson , Morgan Freeman , Sean Hayes , Beverly Todd

Votes: 259,672 | Gross: $93.47M

The Bucket List is a tearjerker, and more importantly, a heart-warming film that will inspire you to do all the things that you want to do before you kick the bucket, including traveling. To me, the film also reminds us that life is too short, and we should enjoy it to the fullest.

13. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

PG | 114 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

When both he and a colleague are about to lose their job, Walter takes action by embarking on an adventure more extraordinary than anything he ever imagined.

Director: Ben Stiller | Stars: Ben Stiller , Kristen Wiig , Jon Daly , Kathryn Hahn

Votes: 340,581 | Gross: $58.24M

When Walter’s job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, Walter takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined. This is a lighthearted look at the adventurous spirit with some awesome travel mixed in.

14. Out of Africa (1985)

PG | 161 min | Biography, Drama, Romance

In 20th-century colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness/plantation owner has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter.

Director: Sydney Pollack | Stars: Meryl Streep , Robert Redford , Klaus Maria Brandauer , Michael Kitchen

Votes: 86,259 | Gross: $87.10M

Where It Takes You: Kenya Essential Visuals: Ngong Hills; Shaba National Game Reserve; African savannas Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star in this tragic love story about a married baroness who falls for a big-game hunter, based on the autobiographical novel by Isak Dinesen. Filmed on location in the UK and Kenya, including the Shaba National Game Reserve, Out of Africa feels about as epic as the doomed love affair between two very different people.

15. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

Not Rated | 155 min | Comedy, Drama, Musical

Three friends decide to turn their fantasy vacation into reality after one of their friends gets engaged.

Director: Zoya Akhtar | Stars: Hrithik Roshan , Farhan Akhtar , Abhay Deol , Katrina Kaif

Votes: 85,760 | Gross: $3.11M

Where It Takes You: Spain Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara ( You Don't Get Life a Second Time ) - Two lifelong friends (Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar) take a third (Abhay Deol) on a road trip through Spain instead of throwing a traditional bachelor party.

17. The Endless Summer (1966)

Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary, Sport

The crown jewel to ten years of Bruce Brown surfing documentaries. Brown follows two young surfers around the world in search of the perfect wave, and ends up finding quite a few in addition to some colorful local characters.

Director: Bruce Brown | Stars: Robert August , Michael Hynson , Lord James Blears , Bruce Brown

Votes: 6,214

Catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world,” sang the Beach Boys; and if ever a film embodied that mindset, it’s Bruce Brown’s 1966 surfer documentary. Brown shadowed buddies Robert August and Mike Hynson on a round-the-world surfing trip, filming their travels to places like Hawaii, New Zealand, and South Africa as they crested waves and met like-minded surf obsessives. The film’s impact on surf culture and tourism was huge, thanks in no small part to Brown’s cinematography, as well as the subjects’ ability to make riding those impossibly large waves seem effortless This 1966 classic has a cult following, and deservedly so; it spiraled an entire surf and travel subculture, and has been inspiring travelers for the past 50 years. The film follows surfers around the globe as they search to continue summer surfing beyond the summer months. Their travels are what any traveler could wish on such a journey; exotic locations, cultural exchanges and lessons, and plenty of good stories along the way.

18. Easy Rider (1969)

R | 95 min | Adventure, Drama

Two bikers head from L.A. to New Orleans through the open country and desert lands, and along the way they meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap of which they had been unaware.

Director: Dennis Hopper | Stars: Peter Fonda , Dennis Hopper , Jack Nicholson , Antonio Mendoza

Votes: 116,866 | Gross: $41.73M

Released the year of the Woodstock festival—perhaps the biggest event of the ’60s counterculture movement—Easy Rider couldn’t have come out at a better time in history. The film plays out like a motorcycle travelogue, following Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) on their sojourn from Mexico to Los Angeles to New Orleans. Shot on a shoestring budget, the film is flush with desert landscapes and towns that the pair of nogoodniks (and co-stars, like a young Jack Nicholson) pass through on their drug-and-booze-fueled hippie adventure.

19. The Art of Travel (2008)

R | 100 min | Drama

Having called off his wedding, a high school graduate journeys alone to Central America, finding adventure with a ragtag group of foreigners who attempt to cross the Darien Gap in record time.

Director: Thomas Whelan | Stars: Christopher Masterson , Brooke Burns , Johnny Messner , James Duval

Votes: 2,620

Ever think of trading out the American dream of white picket fences and suburban houses for an adventure? The 2008 film The Art of Travel shows a man who does just that after finding out his long time sweetheart and fiancee is cheating on him. Abandoning the past and in an attempt to move forward, he takes his honeymoon alone. The result is an adventure of self discovery and the true meaning and mastering of wanderlust as he and a group of adventurers try to race across the Darien Gap. Travel lovers everywhere will be inspired by the cinematography as the hero travels through the miles of the South and Central American rainforest. The film also does a fantastic job of depicting the struggle every traveler feels in their soul at the thought of returning to what is familiar after having experienced the challenges the world has waiting for you.

20. A Map for Saturday (2007)

TV-PG | 90 min | Documentary

On a trip around the world, every day feels like Saturday. A MAP FOR SATURDAY reveals a world of long-term, solo travel through the stories of trekkers on four continents. The documentary ... See full summary  »

Director: Brook Silva-Braga | Stars: Scott Erikson , Rebecca Filmer , Sabrina Hezinger , Kate McNair

Votes: 1,215

A Map For Saturday is a travel documentary that follows one man as he quits his cushy job with HBO to travel around the world for a year and live out of his backpack. It shows the different ways people travel, and gives an accurate picture of what it is like to vagabond around the world long term. You get to experience both the ups and downs of his trip at a very personal level. If you ever thought of doing something like this, the movie will show you what the experience is really like. It also shows you that anyone can travel cheaply if they really want to. The only thing stopping you is, well, you.

21. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

PG-13 | 96 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

Two friends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.

Director: Woody Allen | Stars: Rebecca Hall , Scarlett Johansson , Javier Bardem , Christopher Evan Welch

Votes: 268,705 | Gross: $23.22M

Where It Takes You: Spain Essential Visuals: Barcelona Harbor; Spanish countryside; Oviedo; Santa Maria del Mar Church

23. Away We Go (2009)

R | 98 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

A couple expecting their first child travels the U.S. seeking the perfect "family home." They have misadventures and find fresh connections with relatives and old friends who help them discover "home" on their own terms for the first time.

Director: Sam Mendes | Stars: John Krasinski , Maya Rudolph , Allison Janney , Carmen Ejogo

Votes: 55,059 | Gross: $9.45M

A few months before their baby is due, Verona (Maya Rudolph) and Burt (John Krasinski) decide to take a road trip to find the perfect location to raise their family. Their journey takes them from Phoenix and Tucson to Madison and Montreal, a city that has never seemed more friendly or inviting. The movie is a wonderful tour of North America’s cities, as well as a touching tribute to love and family. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph play expectant parents in director Sam Mendes's 2009 flick. Verona (Rudolph) and Burt (Krasinski) travel across the continent searching for where they should settle down to raise their unborn baby. They visit friends along the way, learning about the type of parents they'd like to be and despite Verona's hesitation to get married, pledge they'll always be there for each other. In his review of the film, Globe film critic Wesley Morris wrote that it "is a road movie for idealists. Away We Go is story of discovery and interaction with different lifestyles of people across the world, and a look into the different kind of lives we can choose to live. The story follows a couple who is expecting their first child; upon learning they are pregnant, they decide to travel across North America to try to find the kind of culture and life they wish their child to grow up in. The film does well at inspiring you to not settle to be like the people around you, but to make your own path.

24. Lost in Translation (2003)

R | 102 min | Comedy, Drama

A faded movie star and a neglected young woman form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo.

Director: Sofia Coppola | Stars: Bill Murray , Scarlett Johansson , Giovanni Ribisi , Anna Faris

Votes: 488,031 | Gross: $44.59M

Where It Takes You: Japan Essential Visuals: Tokyo; Daikanyama; Shinjuku Park Tower; Heian Jingu Shrine in Kyoto; Nanzen-ji Temple’s Sanmon gate Lost In Translation is based on two separate travelers, Bob & Charlotte, visiting Tokyo at the same time. They meet each other and form a friendship as they experience confusion and hilarity in a strange and curious city. Bob is an aging actor starring in commercials, while Charlotte is the bored wife of a photographer there on business. They are an unlikely pair, experiencing a degree of loneliness in a foreign city filled with millions of people. This is another beautifully shot film that also shows how funny and interesting traveling in a new country can be. The many little random experiences that present themselves while traveling are often the most memorable.

25. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

PG-13 | 113 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

Frances Mayes, a 35-year-old San Francisco writer, gets a divorce that leaves her with terminal writer's block and depression. Later, she decides to buy a house in Tuscany in order to change her life.

Director: Audrey Wells | Stars: Diane Lane , Raoul Bova , Sandra Oh , Lindsay Duncan

Votes: 59,433 | Gross: $43.61M

Where It Takes You: Tuscany, Italy Don’t want to give up your city life? A word of advice, please don’t watch the Under the Tuscan Sun. With all the delightful wines, mouthwatering food, remote cottages and scenic rolling hills shown in the film, this romantic flick will inspire to you to travel to this Italian paradise, as well as urge you to scrap your urban life, for a chance to harvest an awesome dream of living a life Under the Tuscan Sun.

26. Eat Pray Love (2010)

PG-13 | 133 min | Biography, Drama, Romance

A married woman realizes how unhappy her marriage really is, and that her life needs to go in a different direction. After a painful divorce, she takes off on a round-the-world journey to "find herself".

Director: Ryan Murphy | Stars: Julia Roberts , Javier Bardem , Richard Jenkins , Viola Davis

Votes: 105,790 | Gross: $80.57M

Where It Takes You: Italy, India, Indonesia The book-turned-movie Eat Pray Love, ever since it was released, has been inspiring people to travel, and seek a life or career outside the big buzzing cities. I have to admit that this was one of those rare occasions where I didn’t enjoy the book but I enjoyed the movie. Yet another one based on the real story and memoir by Liz Gilbert, Julia Roberts plays her and visually takes us through her transformational journey from a difficult divorce to a quest of self-discovery through eating in Italy, praying in India and loving in Bali. A movie for the senses.

27. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

R | 104 min | Comedy, Music

Two drag performers and a transgender woman travel across the desert to perform their unique style of cabaret.

Director: Stephan Elliott | Stars: Hugo Weaving , Guy Pearce , Terence Stamp , Rebel Penfold-Russell

Votes: 54,921 | Gross: $11.22M

Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving, and Terence Stamp star as two drag performers and a transwoman who travel to Alice Springs, Australia, in a lavender-hued school bus they've named Priscilla. A road trip across the Outback serves as a dusty backdrop for personal revelations and general awesomeness, like a fireside lip-sync performance of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive.

28. Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

PG-13 | 136 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama

Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian climber, breaks out of prison and travels to the holy city of Lhasa. He is employed as an instructor to the 14th Dalai Lama and soon becomes his close confidante.

Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud | Stars: Brad Pitt , David Thewlis , BD Wong , Mako

Votes: 155,798 | Gross: $37.96M

Seven Years In Tibet is about an Austrian mountaineer who heads out to conquer a Himalayan mountain in 1939. After getting captured and sent to a prison camp, he ends up breaking out with another man and sneaking into the holy Tibetan city of Lhasa. He befriends the young Dalai Lama just as the Chinese attempt to invade Tibet by force. Both men are from totally different worlds, yet become great friends and learn from each other. The character starts off as a selfish prick, but slowly changes his outlook on life when confronted with new experiences in a very foreign land. It’s a good movie that shows you how travel adventures can transform your life. Filled with scenic shots and views of The Himalayas, Potala Palace, and other sites, most of the filming actually took place in Argentina. However, two crews allegedly secretly shot footage in Tibet, providing authentic visuals.

29. The Way Back (I) (2010)

PG-13 | 133 min | Adventure, Drama, History

Siberian gulag escapees travel four thousand miles by foot to freedom in India.

Director: Peter Weir | Stars: Jim Sturgess , Ed Harris , Colin Farrell , Dragos Bucur

Votes: 121,950 | Gross: $2.70M

Inspired by an incredible true story, The Way Back follows seven prisoners from very different backgrounds as they attempt the impossible: escape from a Siberian prison in the dead of winter. Thus begins a treacherous 4,500-mile trek to freedom across the world’s most merciless landscapes – from Siberia to India. They have little food and few supplies. They don’t know or trust each other. But they know that to survive, they must withstand nature at its most extreme. A compelling testament to the code of trust among travelers, and our innate quality to seek survival and freedom at all costs

30. The Spanish Apartment (2002)

R | 122 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

A strait-laced French student moves into an apartment in Barcelona with a cast of six other characters from all over Europe. Together, they speak the international language of love and friendship.

Director: Cédric Klapisch | Stars: Romain Duris , Judith Godrèche , Kelly Reilly , Audrey Tautou

Votes: 42,769 | Gross: $3.90M

I have met very few travelers who aren’t obsessed with L’Auberge Espagnole. While there are numerous reasons to love this movie—the romance of Barcelona, the potent sexual tension, etc.—the number one reason why travelers crave this movie is because it’s so incredibly real. Anyone who has ever lived or studied abroad can instantly relate to this film and the way in which it traces the subtle cultural differences and real-life situations experienced by University-aged travelers. Watching L’Auberge Espagnole makes you want to call up long lost travel acquaintances and reminisce and laugh over a stiff drink and focus on the lighter, more important side of life. A final sticking point is the way in which the main character, Xavier, realizes that life’s various experiences and the personal connections you forge are ultimately what really matter, not your salary, title, or career. As this is a mantra many free-spirited travelers hold so dear it’s no wonder the film has fostered such a devoted following.

31. Baraka (1992)

Not Rated | 96 min | Documentary

A collection of expertly photographed scenes of human life and religion.

Director: Ron Fricke | Star: Patrick Disanto

Votes: 40,956 | Gross: $1.33M

Baraka is a non-narrative documentary film, but this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Baraka. This movie explores themes via a kaleidoscopic compilation of natural events, life, human activities and technological phenomena shot in 24 countries on six continents over a 14-month period. Shot in 70mm film in 24 countries on six continents, Baraka (meaning “blessing” in several languages,) is more of a transcendent global tour – an exploration of extraordinary places, peoples and cultures that create the world’s pulse. A world beyond words, this story is almost an un-story, a narration of nature and of humankind’s chaotic and lovely relationship with it. A viewing experience truly awesome and like nothing you’ve seen or felt before. (2008 | Not Rated) If you loved Baraka,

32. Before Sunrise (1995)

R | 101 min | Drama, Romance

A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.

Director: Richard Linklater | Stars: Ethan Hawke , Julie Delpy , Andrea Eckert , Hanno Pöschl

Votes: 338,872 | Gross: $5.54M

Takes You: Vienna, Austria Essential Visuals: Wiener Riesenrad Ferris Wheel; Hofburg Palace; the Donaukanal When traveling to a new city, chances are you spend a large part of the first few days just walking around and finding your bearings. Few films encapsulate that aimless walkabout feeling like Before Sunrise. Backpacking American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) gets to live every male traveler’s dream. He meets Celine, a gorgeous French woman (Julie Delpy), and the two have a 12-hour love affair while exploring Vienna for the day. No strings attached. Regarded as one of the most significative films of the 90s, and starring a young Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, the film tells the story of an American travelling by train around Europe, and a French girl travelling home from Budapest. After striking a conversation on the train and having an instant chemistry, they decide to get off together in Vienna. The couple establish an intense intimacy, share stories, opinions jokes and discover love, all surrounded by backlit buildings, racing against time before sunrise. The film’s success is proven by two sequels, Before Sunset and Before Midnight.

33. Central Station (1998)

R | 110 min | Drama

The emotive journey of a former schoolteacher who writes letters for illiterate people, and a young boy whose mother has just died, as they search for the father he never knew.

Director: Walter Salles | Stars: Fernanda Montenegro , Vinícius de Oliveira , Marília Pêra , Soia Lira

Votes: 42,264 | Gross: $5.60M

Where It Takes You: Brazil Central Station tells the story of a bitter old woman and an orphan who leave Rio de Janeiro’s outskirts to embark on a road trip the northeast of Brazil, in search for his father. Expect spectacular scenery of an arid, semi-desert part of Brazil, with traditional cultural insights, far from the flashy beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana.

34. In July (2000)

16+ | 99 min | Adventure, Comedy, Romance

A young, insecure teacher embarks on a journey through Europe to Turkey, where he wants to see a woman again whom he believes to be his fate.

Director: Fatih Akin | Stars: Moritz Bleibtreu , Christiane Paul , Mehmet Kurtulus , Idil Üner

Votes: 22,829

Where It Takes You: Eastern Europe In July (Im Juli) is a movie about a road trip through eastern Europe and all the adventure that goes along with it. Daniel is a shy & boring young school teacher who never really does anything fun & exciting. He decides to break out of his shell while chasing a girl from Germany to Turkey on a crazy road trip that will change his life forever. His travel partner shows him what he’s been missing as they drive, hitchhike, walk, swim, get robbed, steal a car, get in fights, escape from jail, and bribe border guards to get to their ultimate destination. By the end of the adventure, he’s a changed person.

35. The Road Within (2014)

R | 100 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

A young man with Tourette's Syndrome embarks on a road trip with his recently-deceased mother's ashes.

Director: Gren Wells | Stars: Robert Sheehan , Dev Patel , Zoë Kravitz , Robert Patrick

Votes: 16,268

36. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

R | 101 min | Comedy, Drama

A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.

Directors: Jonathan Dayton , Valerie Faris | Stars: Steve Carell , Toni Collette , Greg Kinnear , Abigail Breslin

Votes: 517,608 | Gross: $59.89M

Lovely, cute, inappropriate and hilarious, Little Miss Sunshine tells the story of a dysfunctional family that went on an unusually blissful and funny road trip to California, to fulfill the dream of their sweet little girl. Time to cross the country with the eccentric Hoover family on a hilarious ride in a VW bus to bring their Little Miss Sunshine to her beauty pageant finals in southern California… It’s a good thing this little girl has some serious sunshine – her family needs every ounce of it! And she spreads it liberally

37. Amélie (2001)

R | 122 min | Comedy, Romance

Despite being caught in her imaginative world, Amelie, a young waitress, decides to help people find happiness. Her quest to spread joy leads her on a journey where she finds true love.

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet | Stars: Audrey Tautou , Mathieu Kassovitz , Rufus , Lorella Cravotta

Votes: 793,698 | Gross: $33.23M

Where Its Take you :Paris If you haven't been to Paris before you'll want to plan a trip after stepping into Amelie's world. This whimsical, contemporary French classic shows the life of an imaginative waitress (played by Audrey Tautou) living in Montmartre as she goes on quite the personal adventure throughout the city. Scenes take place in a Parisian cafe, the metro, and the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur, and there's also beautiful landscapes shots and one of the loveliest moped scenes you'll ever watch. No list of the best travel movies would be complete without including this beautiful French film that is not only a heartfelt good-vibes story, but also an impressive display of cinematography. The film follows the life of Amelie – a young French woman in search of her purpose in life, and the lives of those around her. It’s about as good as it gets for Paris inspiration and wanderlust.

38. Into the Cold: A Journey of the Soul (2010)

TV-G | 85 min | Documentary, Action, Adventure

Into The Cold--A Journey of the Soul retraces the personal and harrowing expedition of two men on foot to the North Pole in sub-zero temperatures to commemorate the centennial of Admiral ... See full summary  »

Director: Sebastian Copeland | Stars: Sebastian Copeland , Keith Heger

39. Highway (I) (2014)

Not Rated | 133 min | Crime, Drama, Romance

Right before her wedding, a young woman finds herself abducted and held for ransom. As the initial days pass, she begins to develop a strange bond with her kidnapper.

Director: Imtiaz Ali | Stars: Alia Bhatt , Randeep Hooda , Durgesh Kumar , Pradeep Nagar

Votes: 30,415 | Gross: $0.53M

The movie went beyond the social message or the Stockholm Syndrome. More than a love story, it was about the sense of freedom that travel can introduce one to.

40. Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)

R | 114 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.

Director: Peter Chelsom | Stars: Simon Pegg , Rosamund Pike , Tracy-Ann Oberman , Jean Reno

Votes: 50,476 | Gross: $1.12M

41. Two for the Road (1967)

Not Rated | 111 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

A couple in the south of France non-sequentially spin down the highways of infidelity in their troubled ten-year marriage.

Director: Stanley Donen | Stars: Audrey Hepburn , Albert Finney , Eleanor Bron , William Daniels

Votes: 14,692 | Gross: $7.63M

Travel is a constant theme in this romantic dramedy about a married couple, played by Albert Finney and Aubrey Hepburn. The movie starts off with a road trip to Saint-Tropez, and as they drive through France, the audience is treated to flashbacks of previous trips that have affected their relationship.

42. Samsara (I) (2011)

PG-13 | 102 min | Documentary, Music

Filmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film, Samsara transports us to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders.

Director: Ron Fricke | Stars: Balinese Tari Legong Dancers , Ni Made Megahadi Pratiwi , Puti Sri Candra Dewi , Putu Dinda Pratika

Votes: 38,009 | Gross: $2.67M

SAMSARA is a Sanskrit word that means “the ever turning wheel of life” and is the point of departure for the filmmakers as they search for the elusive current of interconnection that runs through our lives. Filmed over a period of almost five years and in twenty-five countries, SAMSARA transports us to sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial sites, and natural wonders. By dispensing with dialogue and descriptive text, SAMSARA subverts our expectations of a traditional documentary, instead encouraging our own inner interpretations inspired by images and musi

43. Blue Skies, Green Waters, Red Earth (2013)

137 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance

Kasi and Suni go for the ride from Kerala to Nagaland in search of Kasi's girlfriend. En route, they encounter different people who change their lives forever.

Director: Sameer Thahir | Stars: Dulquer Salmaan , Sunny Wayne , Bala Hijam Ningthoujam , Shane Nigam

Votes: 4,237

44. Touching the Void (2003)

R | 106 min | Documentary, Adventure, Drama

The true story of two climbers and their perilous journey up the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.

Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Simon Yates , Joe Simpson , Brendan Mackey , Nicholas Aaron

Votes: 38,080 | Gross: $4.59M

Based on the dramatic true story of Simon Yates, who, with Joe Simpson, attempted to scale the never-before-climbed 21,000 foot Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. On the descent, a disastrous fall levels Yates, shattering his leg … mountaineering “alpine style,” (carrying gear and food on your back,) didn’t make the situation any easier. Now separated, Yates and Simpson must access every shred of strength and courage in their being to make their way home in this ruggedly real mountain voyage.

45. Midnight in Paris (2011)

PG-13 | 94 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

While on a trip to Paris with his fiancée's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight.

Director: Woody Allen | Stars: Owen Wilson , Rachel McAdams , Kathy Bates , Kurt Fuller

Votes: 449,577 | Gross: $56.82M

Where Its Take you: France If you are into Woody Allen films, Paris and art, you will love this movie as I did. Owen Wilson as Gil Pender an aspiring novelist, travels to Paris with her fiancée’s family and somehow finds himself traveling back in time to the 1920’s and meets Jazz Age icons in art and literature like Cole Porter, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. I absolutely fell in love with this movie.

46. On the Road (2012)

R | 124 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance

Young writer Sal Paradise has his life shaken by the arrival of free-spirited Dean Moriarty and his girl, Marylou. As they travel across the country, they encounter a mix of people who each impact their journey indelibly.

Director: Walter Salles | Stars: Sam Riley , Garrett Hedlund , Kristen Stewart , Amy Adams

Votes: 43,282 | Gross: $0.72M

47. Copenhagen (2014)

Not Rated | 98 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance

When the girl of your dreams is half your age, it's time to grow up.

Director: Mark Raso | Stars: Gethin Anthony , Frederikke Dahl Hansen , Sebastian Armesto , Olivia Grant

Votes: 13,849

Where Its Take you : Copenhagen, Denmark A thoughtful coming-of-age film that gets into the rather messy topic of a May-August romance; which in Copenhagen is between a stunted late twenty-something traveler and a grown-up teenager. The film also features the theme of searching for one's family, and has a number of beautiful and alluring shots of the city. The trailer alone wants to make you fly over and go on a bike ride.

48. Una noche (2012)

Not Rated | 90 min | Drama, Romance

In Havana, Raul dreams of escaping to Miami. Accused of assault, he appeals to Elio to help him reach the forbidden world 90 miles across the ocean. One night, full of hope, they face the biggest challenge of their lives.

Director: Lucy Mulloy | Stars: Dariel Arrechaga , Anailín de la Rúa de la Torre , Javier Núñez Florián , María Adelaida Méndez Bonet

Votes: 1,979 | Gross: $0.07M

Where Its Take you : Havana CUBA Giving you a gritty look of Cuba along with sun-kissed imagery, the energetic Una Noche follows a young man living in Havana who dreams of escaping to Miami.

49. The Trip to Italy (2014)

Not Rated | 108 min | Comedy, Drama

Two men, six meals in six different places on a road trip around Italy. Liguria, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi and ending in Capri.

Director: Michael Winterbottom | Stars: Steve Coogan , Rob Brydon , Rosie Fellner , Claire Keelan

Votes: 16,172 | Gross: $2.87M

Where Its Take you : Liguria, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi and ending in Capri. The fictional Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon team up again for a second restaurant tour, this time in Italy. The characters eat at some of the finest restaurants and beautiful hotels across the country from Piedmont to Capri—following the footsteps of romantic poets Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron.

50. Riding Solo to the Top of the World (2006)

94 min | Documentary

Riding Solo To The Top Of The World' is the unique experience of a lonesome traveler, who rides his motorcycle all the way from Mumbai to one of the remotest places in the World, the ... See full summary  »

Director: Gaurav Jani | Star: Gaurav Jani

51. In Bruges (2008)

R | 107 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

After a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.

Director: Martin McDonagh | Stars: Colin Farrell , Brendan Gleeson , Ciarán Hinds , Elizabeth Berrington

Votes: 461,102 | Gross: $7.76M

Where It Takes You: Bruges, Belgium Essential Visuals: Groeningemuseum; Belfry of Bruges; Bruges’ historic city center This is great because most people never have a reason to travel to Bruges, even though it's an impressive and historic city. Luckily, this film shows viewers enough to make them feel like locals. Two hit men, played by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, hide out from their gangster boss (Ralph Fiennes) in the city's storybook background. It's a sexy, violent, intriguing romp through the city and is amazingly well done to boot.

52. Thelma & Louise (1991)

R | 130 min | Adventure, Crime, Drama

Two best friends set out on an adventure, but it soon turns around to a terrifying escape from being hunted by the police, as these two women escape for the crimes they committed.

Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Susan Sarandon , Geena Davis , Harvey Keitel , Michael Madsen

Votes: 172,766 | Gross: $45.36M

Thelma & Louise is indisputably the best American buddy road trip movie all time. Yes, even better than Dumb & Dumber. It’s also a rare popular feminist movie, so that’s an added plus.

53. Due Date (2010)

R | 95 min | Comedy, Drama

High-strung father-to-be Peter Highman is forced to hitch a ride with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay on a road trip in order to make it to his child's birth on time.

Director: Todd Phillips | Stars: Robert Downey Jr. , Zach Galifianakis , Michelle Monaghan , Jamie Foxx

Votes: 357,760 | Gross: $100.54M

54. Italy: Love It, or Leave It (2011)

Not Rated | 75 min | Documentary, Adventure, Drama

After their award winning documentary, 'Suddenly, Last Winter', Luca and Gustav are back. This time they have to decide: should they stay in Italy, or leave it, like so many of their ... See full summary  »

Directors: Gustav Hofer , Luca Ragazzi | Star: Frank Dabell

55. Long Way Round (2004–2010)

TV-PG | 32 min | Documentary, Adventure

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman embark on a grueling quest to motorbike from London to New York. Going east through Europe, Asia and then to Alaska, they experience different cultures and have to overcome the elements and adversity.

Stars: Ewan McGregor , Charley Boorman , David Alexanian , Russ Malkin

Votes: 15,258

Keeping up with my travel bug, I decided to pick up watching a tv series called ‘Long Way Round’ where Ewan McGreggor and Charley Boorman decide to take a several month trip around the world on their motorcycles. Not only did it appeal to me because…well it’s an amazing journey, but the fact it was done on a motorcycle adds another bit of excitement. Immediately after watching the show, I found myself looking up sport touring or enduro style motorcycles. - See more at: http://www.adventureseeker.org/travel-inspiration/the-10-best-travel-films-of-all-time/#sthash.9Smq9YyT.dpuf

56. Sin Nombre (2009)

R | 96 min | Adventure, Crime, Drama

A young Honduran girl and a Mexican gangster are united in a journey across the U.S. border.

Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga | Stars: Paulina Gaitan , Marco Antonio Aguirre , Leonardo Alonso , Karla Cecilia Alvarado

Votes: 34,036 | Gross: $2.53M

57. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

R | 99 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime

A writer encounters the owner of an aging high-class hotel, who tells him of his early years serving as a lobby boy in the hotel's glorious years under an exceptional concierge.

Director: Wes Anderson | Stars: Ralph Fiennes , F. Murray Abraham , Mathieu Amalric , Adrien Brody

Votes: 885,627 | Gross: $59.10M

Where It Takes You: Germany Amazing, amazing film! It’s a black comedy narrating the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a world-renowned hotel in the Republic of Zubrowka (which doesn’t exist in real life), and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his best friend. The Grand Budapest Hotel features the incredibly picturesque landscapes of Saxony and its beautiful capital Dresden.

58. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

PG-13 | 124 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than advertised, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.

Director: John Madden | Stars: Judi Dench , Bill Nighy , Maggie Smith , Tom Wilkinson

Votes: 99,409 | Gross: $46.41M

When a group of British retirees hit up a hotel in India and find it to be not quite what they expected, they get a great cultural lesson and immersion experience. It just goes to show you what expectations can do, and how much fun you can have when you have a great group of people.

59. The Darien Gap (1996)

Not Rated | 92 min | Comedy

A young man hitchhikes through Central America until he is faced with crossing an 80-mile gigantic swamp called the Darien Gap. This comedy adventure from Brad Anderson was a Grand Jury Prize nominee at Sundance.

Director: Brad Anderson | Stars: Sandi Carroll , Bob Druwing , D.W. Ferranti , Leech

60. Up & Away (2012)

97 min | Adventure, Drama

The story is about two brothers want to travel to america and the adventures that they face in the journey.

Director: Karzan Kader | Stars: Zamand Taha , Sarwar Fazil , Diya Mariwan , Suliman Karim Mohamad

Votes: 5,793

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  1. Vacation or Expedition Gone Wrong Movies

    Vacation or Expedition Gone Wrong Movies. Menu. Movies. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie ... Vacation Gone Wrong (16) Blood (15) Murder (15) Death (13) Gore (13) Grindhouse Film (11) Shot In The Chest (11) Slasher (11) Torture (11) Violence (11 ...

  2. The Best Movies About Vacations Gone Wrong

    Thelma & Louise (1991) The first true female road movie, Ridley Scott's Thelma & Louise quickly makes clear the reasons why women don't tend to go on trips alone. Best friends Thelma (Geena ...

  3. The Best Vacation Horror Movies, Ranked By Fans

    The best horror movies about travel gone wrong feature characters as tourists that are out of their element and fighting for their lives. This is a list of the top scary vacation horror movies including everything from The Cabin in the Woods to Wolf Creek to Joy Ride. Hopefully none of these horror vacation scenarios happen to you on your next ...

  4. Travel horror movies

    Travel horror movies. Menu. Movies. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. ... the sole survivor of a spelunking exploration gone horribly wrong is forced to follow the authorities back into the caves where something awaits. Director: Jon ...

  5. The Best Movies About Vacations Gone Wrong, Ranked

    5 The Vanishing (1993) 20th Century Fox. The Vanishing is a remake of George Sluizer's 1988 French-Dutch film of the same name. The movie begins with Jeff Harriman (Kiefer Sutherland) and Diane ...

  6. Expedition Gone Wrong Movies

    Expedition Gone Wrong Movies. Menu. Movies. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. ... A group of friends travel into the Australian wilds to view ancient cave paintings but soon find a horrible sickness gripping one of their own, which ...

  7. 11 Movies That Almost Ruined Travelling Forever

    The ultimate trip-gone-wrong movie, Deliverance sees four city slickers head for a river in Georgia before an area of natural beauty is ruined by the impending arrival of a dam. The canoeing trip starts off well, but things take a horrific turn when the locals (who appear to have suffered generations of inbreeding) take notice of the outsiders.

  8. Best Vacation Horror Movies, From Us to The Cabin in the Woods

    Friday the 13th (1980) The quintessential "summer camp gone wrong" movie, the original Friday the 13th is 80s horror at its best. A couple of decades after the death of a young boy and a ...

  9. 10 Best Movies About Vacations Gone Wrong

    Open Water (2003) Some people like to spend their summer vacation at sea, which is wrought with dangers just waiting for the unprepared. Open Water takes this premise to the extreme, telling a story of a scuba diving couple who inadvertently get left behind by their tour boat in the middle of the ocean.

  10. The Scariest Travel Horror Movies Of All Time

    Travel horror movies have spectacularly high body counts as the protagonists struggle to stay alive in the added stress of an unfamiliar or foreign land. ... From family reunions gone wrong, road ...

  11. 10 Best Tourist On Vacation Horror Movies, Ranked According To IMDb

    The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) - 7.4. Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is yet another horror classic with a vacation element. Tourist-turned-final-girl Sally (Marilyn Burns) visits her family's old hometown and meets Leatherface, one of horror's most infamous villains.

  12. Tom Hanks Has Made a Fortune Bringing Your Travel Nightmares to Life

    Hanks has starred in a bevy of travel-gone-wrong movies—and the deadlier the detour, the bigger the box-office returns. By Chris Lee. September 12, 2016.

  13. 45 Road Trip Horror Movies

    A classic road-trip-gone-wrong horror movie, ... The two decide to travel together for safety as there is a serial killer on the loose in the area. A man named Grizard stops and offers the two a ride and upon learning Jack is English, invites them to dinner to meet his English wife. After dinner, Grizard is reluctant to let the couple go and ...

  14. 12 Tropical Vacation-Themed Horror Movies

    It could be so much worse: You could be on a tropical vacation from hell! As these 12 horror, cult, and thriller picks will prove, sometimes there's no more worse place to be than a warm, sunny ...

  15. Vacation Gone Wrong

    A group of young backpackers' vacation turns sour when a bus accident leaves them marooned in a remote Brazilian rural area that holds an ominous secret. Director: John Stockwell | Stars: Josh Duhamel, Melissa George, Olivia Wilde, Desmond Askew. Votes: 40,741 | Gross: $7.03M. Watch on Prime Video. buy from $13.89.

  16. Movie moments: Trips gone wrong

    Movie moments: Trips gone wrong — Even in the "glory days" of air travel, when people dressed up to fly, there could be problems. For example, in "Airport" (1970), you had a winter storm, an old ...

  17. Vacation gone wrong movies : r/MovieSuggestions

    Turistas. Eden Lake. Sightseers (2012) The Cabin in the Woods (2011). A group trip goes very wrong, but a unique take / twist on the genre as a whole. Calibre (2018) - Definitely fits if you haven't seen it before and on Netflix. The Ghost Writer (2010) - Solid isolated-cast-vibe mystery/crime thriller.

  18. Find Travel Gone Wrong Movies

    Instant access to millions of audiobooks, ebooks, comics, and more. SIGN UP TODAY Learn More. All free with your library card

  19. The 20+ Best Horror Movies About Time Travel

    When a group of friends becomes trapped in a time loop during a drug-manufacturing operation gone wrong, they must confront their own demons and unravel the complex web of deceit that ensnares them. With its unique blend of humor, action, and time-travel horror, Blood Punch is a compelling and highly entertaining addition to the subgenre.

  20. 30 Movies About Time Travel Ranked Worst To Best

    14. 12 Monkeys. Universal. "12 Monkeys" is part traditional time travel story, part post-apocalyptic action thriller. Set initially in the 2030s, after a deadly plague has ravaged the planet ...

  21. The Most Underrated Time Travel Movies You Need To Watch

    Freejack. Warner Bros. Starring Emilio Estevez ("The Mighty Ducks"), Anthony Hopkins ("The Silence of the Lambs"), Rene Russo ("Lethal Weapon 3"), and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, the 1992 ...

  22. Expedition Gone Wrong Movies

    Contenders include movies picturing overly exited U.S. college graduates or friends going backpacking, camping, hiking or travelling. Basically an expedition that has the potential to go terribly wrong when stumbling upon deranged people, creatures of the dark, rednecks, hillbillies or the unknown; you get the drift.

  23. Video Shows Good Samaritan Run Down After Trying to Stop Carjacker

    FATAL COLLISION. A man in North Carolina paid the ultimate price after trying to stop a carjacking ... with the driver running him over and killing him in a now-viral video. The video -- which hit ...

  24. Scoot McNairy on New Movie Blood for Dust, Kit Harington, Nightbitch

    Cast. Scoot McNairy , Kit Harington , Josh Lucas , Nora Zehetner , Ethan Suplee , Stephen Dorff , Amber Rose Mason. Runtime. 1h 38m. Writers. David Ebeltoft. Studio (s) Highland Film Group. The ...

  25. 25 Best Travel Movies Of All Time (Films That Will Inspire You To

    Experiences, good and bad, make you who you are. And long term travel is FULL of new experiences. The key is to not completely get in over your head (like Christopher did). 2. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) R | 126 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama. 7.7.