alaska travel movie

16 Incredible Movies About Alaska You Need To See

Carey Seward

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Many people dream about visiting Alaska, but the distance, expense and freezing weather are road blocks that are often unconquerable. Luckily, there are a slew of great movies about the great land that will take you on your dream Alaskan adventure from the cozy confines of your couch. Watch these films to see this fascinating land filled with wild animals, endless forests and beautiful scenery.

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Check out these photos on Alaska in These 12 Breathtaking Views In Alaska Could Be Straight Out Of The Movie s. Or check out This Spooky Small Town In Alaska Could Be Right Out Of A Horror Movie .

How many of these movies have you seen? Were you part of the filming? Tell us about it in the comments below. If you’re interested in a sneak peek, check out some of the trailers:

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12 Extraordinary Movies Set In Alaska That Will Inspire You To Visit!

Posted on Last updated: October 13, 2023

Categories Travel Via Cinema , USA

Sofia De Vera combines a heartfelt passion for cinema with over 15 years of critiquing for esteemed film publications, wielding academic credentials from the University of Southern California and New York University, to serve as your personal guide through the enchanting worlds of film and television.  Her full guest bio can be found here.

There are many locations for stories across the United States that are able to portray beauty in such an elegant and naturalistic way. Still, it is hard to find a state that is as beautiful or more beautiful than the last great frontier, which might help to explain the diversity of amazing movies set in Alaska.

There is so much beauty in the scenery and wilderness throughout this isolated state. The wildlife, forestry, and the cold setting all deliver in painting the picture for a perfect setting. The following films are our pick of movies set in Alaska that succeed in using their setting in the most perfect ways imaginable and have immortalized the spirit of Alaska on film.

We love this because one of the reasons why we watch movies is that they are an excellent way to travel to different places while staying at home – and to determine if a destination elicits that oh-so-important spirit of wanderlust in us before ever investing in a ticket there. 

This is what motivated us to visit France , Japan , and Switzerland – among many other places. Then there are those glorious moments you can step out in a real-world location and feel spontaneously transported back inside to an iconic movie scene (thus the abiding popularity of visiting Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland or Savoca, where the Godfather was filmed in Italy).

In Alaska, of course, such magical places exist too and in the following paragraphs, we will take a dive into some of Alaska’s best films and the amazing locations where they take place.

Wondering where to watch? It depends on where you live in the world and which streaming services you have. We link to the streaming service we watch on in each case - be it Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, or elsewhere.

You can get one month free of Amazon Prime (or a 6-month trial for students ) of Amazon Prime and also get immediate access to FREE Two Day shipping, Amazon Video, and Music. While you won't be charged for your free trial, you'll be upgraded to a paid membership plan automatically at the end of the trial period - though if you have already binged all these, you could just cancel before the trial ends.

Apple TV+ also has a one-week trial, and Hulu has a one-month trial (which can be bundled with Disney!). Another option might be using a VPN to access Netflix titles locked to other regions . Netflix is now available in more than 190 countries worldwide and each country has a different library and availability. US Netflix is (understandably) one of the best. 

While we wish everything could just be in one place - for now, it seems these are the best streaming platforms to watch on.

Page Contents

Never Cry Wolf (1983)

White fang (1991), insomnia (2002), snow dogs (2002), brother bear (2003), grizzly man (2005), into the wild (2007), the proposal (2009), on the ice (2011), the grey (2011), bears (2014), the call of the wild (2020).

Never Cry Wolf is not based in Alaska, but it is filmed in the beautiful state, and it follows a scientific researcher who must explore the prospective threat of wolves in the north as part of a government investigation called The Lupus Project. He’ll have to spend six months alone in the woods to accomplish so. He learns about the genuine, useful, and good nature of the wolf species as a result of these occurrences.

This film is based on Farley Mowat’s book and actual tale. This story of a pristine environment and its local community being encroached upon by outsiders, development, greed, and changing times is enhanced by gorgeous cinematography.

Charles Martin Smith gives an outstanding performance in this beautifully told story. Brian Dennehy, Zachary Ittimangnaq, and Samson Jorah give outstanding performances as well. It enchants you with its beauty and tranquility and immediately makes you want to take a journey to Alaska. A pleasant respite from civilization in the company of wolves in their natural environment, it almost feels like a documentary in a sense – one of the more beautiful films filmed in Alaska.

White Fang is a raucous, realistic, and thrilling film adaptation of Jack London’s famous novel about a child and his half-wolf companion and their adventures in the Yukon during the gold rush. It is another (and final film on this list) film that doesn’t necessarily occur in Alaska, but it was filmed in Alaska and entirely highlights the state’s beauty.

It’s not groundbreaking; in fact, the plot is identical to that of many other films; it’s the manner in which it was brilliantly conceived, produced, and presented that made it a success and a standout. Jack and White Fang’s bond is realistically developed and fulfilled. You buy into their bond.

The several stories that eventually come together offer you a better understanding of both the boy and White Fang. This film has no fat; it moves along methodically, knowing what it has to do. Each scene is significant and serves only to advance the plot. There’s a lot of comedy, horror, and everything in between in this film. It’s a well-told great adventure story and remains still today one of the best movies set in Alaska ever.

Insomnia is Christopher Nolan’s first non-independent feature film and his sole Americanized remake of a foreign film. While Nolan is one of the most well-known directors today, Insomnia demonstrates that he could craft a superb criminal thriller even eighteen years ago, with explosive, nuanced performances from Al Pacino and the late, great Robin Williams.

Nolan uses Alaska as a backdrop to create a distinct and eerie look, with the misty colors heightening the sense of unease. The way it uses the nature of Alaska gives off the same cold feeling and aesthetic that films like The Revenant do. You truly can feel this environment come through the screen.

The editing is especially excellent in portraying the main character’s mental condition degradation as the case progresses. Everything else feels inadequate, including the premise, supporting characters, and even Nolan’s directing. It’s more than enough to create a continuously fascinating thriller, but it falls short when compared to better recent thrillers like Prisoners or SF-based Zodiac .

Snow Dogs is probably the silliest premise for a film on this list. It follows the story of a dentist from Miami who inherits a team of sled dogs in Alaska and is given the task of figuring out how one trains a group of sled dogs and is forced to then figure out how to race them.

While this film is not one that I would consider objectively good, I think that it is one of the best lighthearted and fun movies set in the great state of Alaska. While this doesn’t focus on the state’s scenery like many other films on this list will do, it does really try to focus on what life in small-town Alaska is like, and I think it does a rather stellar job at this.

Brother Bear is an animated film about when an impetuous young man called Kenai is mysteriously converted into a bear; he is forced to actually tread in the footsteps of others until he learns some important life lessons. His brave and often zany trip brings him to a forest full of animals, including Koda, the adorable bear cub, Rutt and Tuke, the humorous moose, woolly mammoths, and rowdy rams.

The story’s overall structure and conclusion appeal to me. The positive moments are strong, but they are offset by some really juvenile situations full of baby humor that doesn’t always work. I still appreciate this film, but what I find most impressive is how well they manage to convey the majesty of the Alaskan landscape into animation.

It’s one of those cases where I’ll like it more than others objectively better Disney films due of the tale, music, and memories.

Grizzly Man is director Werner Herzog’s documentary film on Timothy Treadwell and his thirteen years in a National Park in Alaska in an attempt to rescue grizzly bears. The video is full of one-of-a-kind visuals and a glimpse into the mind of a guy who gave his life for the sake of nature.

One of the most complex and intriguing documentaries ever made, Werner Herzog analyzes whether Timothy Treadwell had any right to do what he did, despite his love for the bears, and illustrates exactly how complex he was as a human in this film. Treadwell’s mental state is revealed by the fact that he recorded these recordings alone in the forest with no guarantee that anything would come of them.

And, while Herzog handles it with care and respect, I admire how he doesn’t hesitate to challenge Treadwell. This is one of the most incredible movies set in Alaska and really shows the side of the wilderness in one of the most effective ways possible.

This Sean Penn directed film is an adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s book of the same name and follows Christopher McCandless, a great student and athlete at Emory University, as he abandons his things, donates his whole $24,000 savings account to charity, and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness after graduating in 1992. It’s a film that is filled with adventure, scenery, tense moments and is the perfect film about self-discovery.

Into The Wild is just a really terrific film; it might even be a life-changing one. It covers so much ground in a two-and-a-half-hour story and does so on such an effortless level. It was moved along extremely swiftly and drew you in from the get-go without ever truly letting go.

Those super emotional and intimate moments between Chris and Ron packed the biggest emotional punch throughout the entire story.

The Proposal is another very silly premise for a film, but it is easily the best romantic comedy set in Alaska. The film follows Margaret Tate, an intimidating book editor, who pushes her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton, to marry her when she hears she’s at risk of losing her visa status and being deported. The film follows the couple as they travel to Alaska to visit his family before he proposes.

What this film does best is the chemistry that it captures between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. They play off one another in a perfect way and in perfect fashion. They authentically feel like one of the best cast couples in a rom-com since the 1990s.

With that being said, this has got to be one of the funniest and overall best rom-com of the 2000s and is on par with many of the great rom coms that came throughout the previous decade of the 90s. Through and through a fantastic film encapsulates small-town life in Alaska so well.

On the Ice is about three pals who go seal hunting on the ice, but a fight breaks out, and one of them is killed. Out of dread and terror, the two surviving buddies, Qalli and Aivaaq, describe the death as an accident. Because the Inupiat community in remote Utqiagvik, Alaska, is small, this loss is felt strongly. Qalli is torn between dealing with his personal remorse and grief and crafting a web of falsehoods to deal with his father’s suspicions and inquiry into the events of the day.

I enjoy looking for films that use on-location shooting and non-professional performers to depict reality. In this film, we have a huge cast in a little village in one of the most remote locations on the planet. Everyone knows everyone else, secrets hurt many individuals, and death impacts everyone.

Some of the lines were forced, but the local language felt like it was penned by someone from Barrow, Alaska, rather than a LA screenwriter. The tale is nothing new, but the setting and cultural context make for interesting viewing. In my opinion, I think that this is one of the rare films that perfectly nails the state and remote feeling of Alaska.

The Grey is a film that is about a party of oil drillers who is stuck in the most distant wilderness of Alaska after a devastating plane accident, with little hope of being rescued. The few survivors, headed by Ottway, an experienced hunter, will face the relentless persecution of a pack of massive wolves while exposed to the bitter cold and harsh living circumstances.

Now, it’s possible that I’m reading too much into things, but I couldn’t quit thinking about Moby Dick. The film is about man vs. nature and fate and God, which is a major topic in Melville’s work. While Neeson’s character isn’t Ahab, he does share Ahab’s preoccupation with persevering to the final end. In that vein, I adored the conclusion.

Many others thought it was unsatisfactory, but I thought it was perfect for the topic. It’s not necessarily about where you end up in life; it’s about the experiences that lead you there. This is one of the colder feeling films in Alaska, and nearly every aspect of it is pulled off splendidly.

Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey document the life of an Alaskan brown bear named Sky and her cubs Scout and Amber over the course of a year. Their story begins when the bears come out of hibernation at the end of the winter.

With the passage of time, the bear family must work together to gather food while remaining safe from other predators, particularly other bears. Although their world is thrilling, it is also dangerous, and the cubs’ survival depends on their ability to stay together as a family. It might just be my fascination with bears and them as a species, but this documentary absolutely wowed by this documentary, and it instantly made me want to travel to visit the great Alaskan wilderness.

Bears impresses viewers with the quality of the cinematography filmmakers Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey manage to obtain almost from the start, as we witness an avalanche careen down a slope in slow motion. From the mist-shrouded mountains to the luscious green meadows, there is so much beauty on exhibit in this documentary that the vistas alone are worth the price of admission.

It doesn’t hurt that there are gorgeous bear cubs in the center of it all. It really highlights the beauty of Alaska in the most heavenly ways possible, and is easily one of the most memorable movies set in Alaska.

The Call Of The Wild is yet another film that is an adaptation of author Jack London. It follows Buck, who is a big-hearted dog whose happy household existence is flipped upside down when he is plucked from his California home and transferred to the exotic Yukon wilderness during the 1890s Gold Rush. Buck had the adventure of a lifetime as the newest rookie on a postal delivery dog sled team—and subsequently as its leader—finding his real place in the world and becoming his own master.

This is a well-made, joyful family film that pays tribute to the old, classic narrative while also adding new elements. As characters who will aid Buck on his trip, the cast members are all providing strong performances. The headliner, of course, is Mr. Harrison Ford, who once again demonstrates that becoming older does not mean you’ve passed your prime.

His portrayal of John Thornton is sophisticated, nuanced, and powerful; nonetheless, his narration is a touch redundant. Much has been made about the distracting nature of CGI dogs. They were at first, but after getting absorbed into the universe, you just forget about them.

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• 10 Must See Films Set...

10 Must-See Films Set in Alaska

Alaska has long been a popular setting for movies, thanks to its natural beauty and dramatic wilderness. From feel-good animal adventures featuring bears or sled dogs to dramatic thrillers, here are just some of the many movies set in the 49th state.

Balto is a live action/animated adventure drama loosely based on the real life story about the lead sled dog of the same name who helped transport live-saving serum to the diphtheria-ridden town of Nome in 1925. Kevin Bacon voices Balto, who is ridiculed by the other huskies for being half-wolf, until he proves that his wolf sense and speed gives him an advantage during the serum run.

Cuba Gooding Jr. plays Ted, a goofy Florida dentist who unexpectedly finds out that he’s a) adopted and b) that his birth-mother has passed away, leaving him seven huskies and a border collie in a remote Alaskan town. Incredibly out of his element, Ted tries to learn about his family history and become the alpha of his dog pack.

Brother Bear

In this Disney animated comedy, a young Native Alaskan named Kenai kills the bear that killed his older brother, Sitka. The Spirits turn Kenai into a bear in retribution. Kenai has to enlist the help of a talkative bear cub and a pair of dopey moose to help him amend his wrongdoings and travel to where the Northern Lights touch the earth so that he can become human again.

Into the Wild

This biographical film (and the book of the same name) about the story of Christopher McCandless, an idealistic college graduate who wanders underprepared into the wilds of Denali National Park in an effort to shrug off the material world, but ends up dying in an abandoned bus, is a polarizing one among Alaskans. For some, McCandless is a visionary pilgrim who encompasses the untamed spirit of Alaska, for others, he’s someone who met his end because didn’t respect Alaska’s wilderness.

One of Christopher Nolan’s earliest works, this psychological thriller is set in the fictional fishing town of Nightmute, Alaska. Al Pacino plays a sleep-deprived detective working on a murder investigation. The round-the-clock summer sunlight in northern Alaska makes the detectives sleep problems worse and warps his sense of reality.

The Proposal

In this romantic comedy set in Alaska, Sandra Bullock plays a difficult executive who is about to be deported for having an expired visa. She bullies her employee, Ryan Reynolds, into giving her a green card marriage so she can stay, but to convince the authorities of the “legitimacy” of their love she must spend time with his family. While the move was set in Sitka, Alaska, it was really filmed in Rockport, Massachusetts.

Big Miracle

Based on the true story of Operation Breakthrough, Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski play a Greenpeace volunteer and a news reporter who try to save a group of gray whales that are about to be trapped in the rapidly forming winter sea ice near Point Barrow, Alaska.

Mystery, Alaska

When the small (fictional) town of Mystery, Alaska is chosen to host a hockey game against the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League after an article appears about their weekly Saturday night games in Sports Illustrated the townspeople get a little… overexcited.

Based on the Jack London novel of the same name, Ethan Hawke plays a California gold prospector who comes to Alaksa to take up his deceased father’s mining claim and the wolf/dog hybrid named White Fang that he befriends along the way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6rpsATIqes

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10 Best Documentaries About Alaska To Watch

• by Jonny Duncan
• December 6, 2023 February 13, 2024

These documentaries about Alaska, the largest and northernmost state in the United States, show a land of breathtaking wilderness, untamed beauty, and formidable challenges.

Its vast expanses encompass towering mountains, icy glaciers, dense forests, and remote villages, creating a tapestry of landscapes that is as diverse as it is stunning.

The extreme climate and isolation have shaped the way of life for those who call Alaska home, from the indigenous peoples who have lived there for thousands of years to the modern-day adventurers and pioneers seeking to carve out a living in this rugged frontier.

Documentaries About Alaska

Documentaries about Alaska delve into the heart of the Last Frontier, capturing the awe-inspiring nature, wildlife, and the indomitable spirit of its inhabitants who navigate a harsh but awe-inspiring environment.

Alaska: Earth’s Frozen Kingdom (2015)

Alaska: Earth’s Frozen Kingdom is a three-part documentary series produced by the BBC Natural History Unit that provides a stunning exploration of the diverse and challenging ecosystems found in Alaska.

The series covers various aspects of Alaska’s natural world, including its wildlife, landscapes, and the impact of the changing seasons. Each episode focuses on different aspects of the region:

• Spring – This episode explores the challenges faced by animals during the spring season in Alaska, such as the struggle for survival and searching for food.
• Summer – The summer episode showcases the brief but intense period of warmth in Alaska. It highlights the flourishing wildlife and the competition for resources in this short-lived season.
• Autumn – As autumn arrives, the documentary captures the breathtaking landscapes and the preparations of wildlife for the harsh winter ahead. It also explores the strategies animals use to survive the cold months.

The series uses stunning visuals, including aerial footage and close-up shots of wildlife, to provide you with a captivating look at the unique and harsh environment of Alaska.

The narration, combined with the visuals, aims to offer insights into the lives of the diverse species that call this frozen kingdom home. It’s easily one of the best documentaries about Alaska to watch for wildlife and the nature of Alaska.

Grizzly Man (2005)

Grizzly Man is a documentary film directed by Werner Herzog that explores the life and death of Timothy Treadwell, an environmentalist and bear enthusiast who spent thirteen summers living among wild grizzly bears in Katmai National Park and Reserve in Alaska.

The documentary revolves around Timothy Treadwell, a self-proclaimed bear activist who lived among grizzly bears in the Alaskan wilderness for an extended period. Treadwell documented his experiences on film.

Treadwell’s approach involved getting remarkably close to the wild bears, attempting to study and protect them. His interactions with the bears were unconventional and sometimes dangerous.

Werner Herzog, the director of the documentary, uses Treadwell’s own footage along with his own interviews and narration to provide a perspective on Treadwell’s life, his passion for bears, and the challenges he faced.

The film delves into the beauty and harshness of the Alaskan wilderness. It captures the stunning landscapes and the untamed nature of the grizzly bears’ habitat.

As the documentary unfolds, it becomes clear that Treadwell’s story ends in tragedy. In 2003, he and his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, were killed and partially eaten by a grizzly bear. The film discusses the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

“Grizzly Man” raises questions about the relationship between humans and wildlife, especially when humans choose to live closely with potentially dangerous wild animals. It explores the complexities of nature conservation and the consequences of intervening in the lives of wild animals.

It’s a documentary that delves into the complexities of human-wildlife relationships and the consequences of living near untamed nature. Although sad to watch at times this is one of the best documentaries about Alaksa to watch.

Watch on Amazon:

Icebound: The Greatest Dog Story Ever Told (2012)

Icebound: The Greatest Dog Story Ever Told is a documentary film that tells the true story of the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska, during a diphtheria outbreak. The serum run involved a relay of dog sled teams transporting life-saving diphtheria antitoxin to Nome to combat the outbreak.

The story is famous for the heroic efforts of the sled dog teams and mushers, particularly the dog Balto and his musher Gunnar Kaasen, who completed the final leg of the journey.

The documentary features interviews with historians and descendants of the original mushers, as well as reenactments of the events. Patrick Stewart provides the narration for the documentary.

If you’re interested in historical documentaries about Alaska and stories of adventure and resilience, “Icebound” is a must-watch.

Life Below Zero (2013-)

Life Below Zero is a documentary television series that premiered on the National Geographic Channel in 2013. The show follows the daily lives of individuals and families who choose to live in the remote wilderness of Alaska, facing the challenges of extreme weather conditions, isolation, and the need for self-sufficiency.

The participants in the show include hunters, trappers, and other individuals who have chosen to live off the grid, away from modern conveniences. They navigate the harsh Alaskan environment, dealing with freezing temperatures, wildlife encounters, and the constant struggle to secure food, shelter, and other necessities.

Watch all the seasons on Amazon:

Life Below Zero: First Alaskans (2022 -)

Life Below Zero: First Alaskans is the same as Life Below Zero mentioned before but this follows some of the indigenous people of Alaska on their ancient lands who are now facing a new climate of challenges.

This is one of the best docu-series on Alaska that explores the indigenous people of the area.

Alaska Wing Men (2011–2012)

Alaska Wing Men is a reality documentary television series that focuses on the pilots of Era Alaska, a regional airline that operates in the challenging and often dangerous conditions of Alaska.

You get to know the pilots and crew members of Era Alaska, exploring their day-to-day lives and the challenges they face while flying in one of the most demanding environments in the world.

The series showcases the unique aspect of delivering goods to isolated and hard-to-reach locations in Alaska. This includes transporting everything from food and medical supplies to equipment and passengers.

Alaska is known for its extreme weather conditions, including freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and low visibility. “Alaska Wing Men” captures the pilots’ experiences as they navigate these challenging elements.

Alaska Wing Men employs a documentary-style format, combining interviews, real footage, and narration to present an authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by the pilots and the operations of Era Alaska.

Alaska State Troopers (2009–2015)

Alaska State Troopers is a documentary television series that follows the daily activities and challenges faced by the Alaska State Troopers, who enforce the law and provide public safety services in the vast and often remote state of Alaska.

The series provides an inside look at the work of the Alaska State Troopers, showcasing their efforts to enforce laws and maintain public safety in the unique and challenging conditions of Alaska.

Alaska is known for its extreme weather, vast wilderness, and diverse terrain. The troopers featured in the show face a wide range of challenges, from conducting search and rescue operations in remote areas to dealing with wildlife encounters and enforcing laws in harsh weather conditions.

Given the vast and rugged landscapes of Alaska, search and rescue missions are a significant part of the troopers’ responsibilities. The show often features dramatic rescues in challenging environments.

Alaska is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears and moose. The troopers must be prepared to handle wildlife encounters, especially in situations where human safety is at risk.

Alaska State Troopers highlights the troopers’ interactions with the communities they serve. This includes both urban areas and remote villages, showcasing the unique aspects of law enforcement in Alaska.

The show sometimes explores the survival skills and training that troopers undergo to navigate the extreme conditions of the Alaskan wilderness.

Railroad Alaska (2013-)

Railroad Alaska is a reality documentary television series that focuses on the challenges and adventures faced by people living along the remote and often harsh Alaskan Ra i lroad .

The show takes viewers to some of the most isolated and challenging terrains in Alaska, where the railroad serves as a lifeline for transportation and supplies. The areas covered are often inaccessible by road, making the railroad a critical mode of transportation.

You are introduced to the diverse group of people who live in these remote areas. This includes railroad workers, homesteaders, and those who have chosen a more off-grid lifestyle. The challenges of living in such remote locations, including extreme weather conditions and the need for self-sufficiency, are highlighted.

The series often showcases the survival challenges faced by individuals and communities in the Alaskan wilderness. This includes dealing with harsh weather conditions, wildlife encounters, and the difficulties of obtaining essential resources.

While the focus is on the people living along the railroad, the series also provides insights into the operations of the Alaskan Railroad itself. This includes the challenges faced by railroad workers in maintaining and operating the tracks in difficult conditions.

Railroad Alaska follows a documentary style, combining interviews with the residents, footage of their daily lives, and exploration of the unique aspects of living in such a remote and challenging environment.

Alaska: The Last Frontier (2011–)

Alaska: The Last Frontier is also a reality documentary television series that follows the Kilcher family as they live a self-sufficient lifestyle in the remote wilderness of Alaska.

The show focuses on the Kilcher family, who live on a large homestead just outside of Homer on the Kenai Peninsula. The family members, including patriarch Atz Kilcher and his children, showcase their daily lives and the challenges of living in a remote and rugged environment.

A central theme of the show is the Kilcher family’s commitment to a self-sufficient lifestyle. They hunt, fish, farm, and engage in other subsistence activities to provide for their needs, especially during the harsh Alaskan winters.

You get to witness the seasonal activities of the Kilcher family, such as preparing for winter, harvesting crops, and dealing with the unique challenges presented by each season in the Alaskan wilderness.

Alaska: The Last Frontier also uses a documentary-style format, blending real footage with interviews and narration to present an engaging and informative story.

The Aleutians: Cradle Of The Storms

The Aleutian Islands are the world’s longest archipelago off the coast of Alaska that stretches for 1,000 miles between Alaska and Siberia.

With a volatile climate and a place where the people fight for survival and territory, the Aleutians have earned the nickname, the cradle of the storms.

This is one of the best documentaries about Alaska that explores the Aleutians.

These documentaries about Alaska offer a glimpse into the unique and rugged environment of the state, showcasing its natural beauty, wildlife, and the resilience of those who call the state home.

For more on the state have a look at the 10 best movies about Alaska .

Also, have a read of my travel guide to the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska .

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Screen Rant

10 films set in alaska that wannabe travelers have to see.

Alaska is a pretty wild place, with lots of snowy terrain to explore. If you want to go there but can't travel, these films might do the trick!

Alaska is located in the northwest of the United States and it is teeming with wildlife and untouched lands. This state is wild as the human population has failed to industrialize its entire surface, as it has with other states within this nation. Many films have been set in this great state and anyone who wishes to travel here should see a few before making the journey.

RELATED:  Harry Potter: 10 Hogwarts Locations We Never Got To See In The Movies

These movies will increase the hype for this type of trip as they explore the various areas located within this state. It is a unique place and these films help identify some of the factors that make it so great. Keep reading to learn about a few movies that are set in the great state of Alaska!

The Grey (2011)

Liam Neeson is the star of this Alaskan film as a group of oil-workers find their plane crash-landed in this state after a storm interrupts their flight home.

It is up to the workers, and a man named John Ottoway, to survive in the wilderness as they are stalked by a pack of Timber Wolves. The group must find a way to fight the elements as well as make their way to safety as they evade these dangerous animals.

The Big White (2005)

This comedic film stars big-name actors like Robin Williams, Giovanni Ribisi, and Holly Hunter and the name of this film refers to the cold and snowy state where all the action takes place. A man named Paul Bernell works as a travel agent in Alaska, but his business is going under.

His luck seems to change when he finds a dead body and decides to play it off as his brother's in an effort to collect on his million-dollar life insurance policy. Things begin to go wrong as the insurance investigator fails to believe him and his missing brother makes an epic return to this state.

Into The Wild (2007)

The story of a young man is told in this movie as he graduates from Emory University as a top student and athlete but decides to leave it all behind. He donates his money and possessions to charity the makes his way to Alaska on the hitchhiking adventure of a lifetime .

There are plenty of interesting people he meets along the way who help shape him into the man he wishes to become as he seeks to survive in the Alaskan wilderness.

Big Miracle (2012)

Families can't watch this film enough as it follows the story of an Alaskan news anchor who is determined to help three trapped California Gray Whales. The story captures their plight and is soon seen across the nation where several organizations rush to help these animals in need.

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It is a huge struggle as business, politics, and environmental activists collide as each one works their agenda while pushing to help the whales in question. The movie is full of emotion and its aspect on wildlife is something that the whole family will enjoy.

Mystery, Alaska (1999)

The setting of this movie is in a small town called Mystery, Alaska and it is a comedy about the hockey-obsessed people who live here.

It pits a professional New York hockey team against the townspeople who live here in a televised event that is sure to be watched by the masses. It's a game that will never be forgotten, and families will love the Alaskan atmosphere combined with this wonderful sport.

On The Ice (2011)

Three Iñupiaq teenagers find themselves seal hunting in their hometown of Barrow, Alaska when something goes awry. One of the boys is killed by the seal and the two boys who are left lie to cover up their mistake as they had a hand in his death.

They struggle with the guilt they feel over his passing, as well as focus on evading the boy's suspicious father as he seeks to uncover the truth.

The Proposal (2009)

Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock star side-by-side in this hilarious film where he plays a young assistant coerced into marrying his boss so she can keep her visa. She travels to Sitka, Alaska to meet his family where they are forced to pretend they are in love in order to keep up their ruse.

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She learns of his past as well as the ins-and-outs of his family as they draw closer to their wedding day. Things only grow worse when a member from immigration shows up ready to claim their marriage is fraudulent so he can deport her back to Canada.

The Fourth Kind (2009)

If Alaskan wanderlusters are into horror films , then they should watch this film that takes place in Nome, Alaska. It focuses on the uncovering of alien abductions in this area as large amounts of people go missing every year without any trace left behind.

A psychologist named Dr. Abigail Tyler seeks to find out the truth as she videotapes sessions with traumatized patients who reveal disturbing facts about their own personal alien encounters.

The Edge (1997)

This film is a bit older as it was released back in 1997, but it is an Alaskan classic that travelers should watch. Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin are the stars where the story follows a billionaire, his model wife, and her photographer when their plane crashes into a lake.

They are forced to survive in the Alaskan wilderness while evading a bear with a taste for human flesh, but there are other more personal mysteries that are uncovered along the way.

Snow Dogs (2002)

A wealthy dentist from Miami travels to Alaska to collect his inheritance from his dead mother, only to discover she has left him a pack of sled dogs.

He decides to enter a local race after an encounter with a local man who wants the dogs for himself. It features a lot of comedy as this dentist from sunny Florida trains his pack in an effort to win the local race.

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Top Five Thrillers Based In Alaska

#5 – Frozen Ground (2013)

Frozen Ground is a mystery thriller based on the real-life Alaskan serial killer Robert Hansen. As an Alaska state trooper pairs up with a woman who escaped Hansen’s fatal grasp in order to bring the murders to a final halt, Hansen continues to pursue new victims. With a double life, Hansen evades suspicion as he works in his restaurant under the guise of being an upstanding member of the Anchorage, Alaskan community.

Robert Hansen, known as the “Butcher Baker”, abducted, raped, and murdered at least 17 confirmed women. There remains speculation that his list totals into more than 30. For his crimes, he was convicted and sentenced to 461 years with no possibility for parole. He remained at Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward until 2014. He died in Anchorage on August 21, 2014 due to lingering health complications.

As part of his plea deal, he showed investigators the burial sites of many of his victims. These sites were circled on his aviation map, located below.

#4 – The Grey (2011)

“The Grey” takes a step back from the traditional theme of thrillers starring deranged serial killers and supernatural forces. There isn’t much mystery within the film either. A group of oil workers are stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after their plane crashes. John Ottaway (Liam Neeson) battles to protect the remaining survivors as they face a pack of veracious wolves.

Out of their element, survivors fight against themselves, the unforgiving temperatures, and the wolves lurking just out of sight. In the actual filming of “The Grey”, the temperatures fell below negative forty degrees. The storms presented within the movie were not CGI effects, but the actual conditions in British Columbia.

#3 – 30 Days of Night (2007)

“Thirty Days of Night” is loosely set in the period of time when Barrow, Alaska does in fact experience a whole month of darkness. A term called “polar night” describes this time of the year. This makes the perfect outfit for a vampire to use in their lust for blood. As the residents of Barrow are being savagely murdered by a host of vampires, the sheriff, his wife, and a few survivors make shelter for themselves in a secret attic. It is during this constant darkness that they must evade detection, at least for the next thirty days.

Ironically, the majority of the night shots were actually filmed during the day in New Zealand. The total film time was only seventy days.

#2 – The Fourth Kind (2009)

“The Fourth Kind”, based in Nome, Alaska, is a twist on the original idea of alien abduction. With a mix of modern science, and science fiction, the film portrays a psychologist, Dr. Abigail Tyler, as the main character. Dr. Tyler uses hypnosis to uncover lost or subconscious memories that had been forgotten in her patients. During her sessions, mounting evidence appears that suggests her patients had been abducted by aliens. Perhaps more striking is that she begins to find similar evidence linking herself to being abducted.

“The Fourth Kind” has many twists and turns that characterize it as a mystery thriller. The unexpected is to be expected, and the seclusion of Nome, Alaska from the rest of the world, including other Alaskan towns, makes it a perfect nesting ground for folklore and suspicious sightings. The movie is based on the disappearance of 24 people in Nome from 1960 to 2004. The movie hosts recorded documentary of the hypnosis sessions, and has been dubbed “the most disturbing evidence of alien abduction ever documented.”

#1 – Insomnia (2002)

The psychological thriller bases the perpetual sunlight of Alaska against the main character, Will Dormer (Al Pacino). During his investigation of a murder in Nightmute, Alaska, Dormer faces a bout of insomnia due to the relentless sunlight and the guilt he feels over an accident he was apart of. During this time, he is plagued by the suspect in the murder being investigated. As Dormer begins to become delusional due to lack of sleep, his sharpness alludes him and the suspect begins to play on his diminishing psyche. Another movie with an ironic background, Dormer’s name comes from the Spanish word “Dormir” – to sleep.

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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
• In Theaters
• 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: 658,008 | 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: 104,767 | 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: 253,675 | 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: 35,335 | 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: 3,174 | 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: 138,820 | 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: 12,044

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: 31,721 | 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: 128,868 | 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: 216,897 | 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: 19,248 | 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: 259,799 | 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: 340,807 | 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: 86,330 | 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: 85,840 | 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: 6,216

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: 116,921 | 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: 1,216

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: 268,826 | 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: 55,072 | 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: 488,757 | 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: 59,525 | 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: 105,872 | 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: 55,015 | 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: 155,896 | 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: 121,995 | 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: 42,779 | 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: 40,976 | 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: 339,178 | 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: 42,309 | 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: 22,839

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: 16,272

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: 517,936 | 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: 794,080 | 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: 30,429 | 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: 50,492 | 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: 14,701 | 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: 38,029 | 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: 4,241

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: 38,091 | 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: 449,800 | 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: 43,292 | 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: 13,854

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: 1,980 | 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: 16,175 | 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: 461,408 | 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: 173,039 | 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: 357,905 | 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: 15,270

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: 34,046 | 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: 886,322 | 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: 99,462 | 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: 5,798

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10 binge-worthy inflight movies and TV shows

• February 26, 2019
• Travel Tips
• Catherine Sherman
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361,000 people reportedly watched the entire second season of “Stranger Things” the day it was released. If this doesn’t come as a surprise, then you know how easy it is to keep watching your favorite flicks when they’re packed with plot twists and the next one is only a click away.

But who has time to binge? Luckily, when you’re on a long-haul flight, time is on your side. And you won’t find a bigger free inflight entertainment library on domestic airlines than on Alaska. You can choose from over 300 free movies and more than 200 free TV shows, accessible on your own device on most flights.

To inspire your next inflight viewing marathon, check out a few binge-worthy titles in rotation starting next month:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – 8 episodes (season 1)

Don’t have Prime? Now’s your chance to watch season 1 of the award-winning new series. Set in the late 1950s, the show follows the journey of a female comedian from the Upper West Side. With the director of “Gilmore Girls” at the helm, it’s fast-paced and witty like you’d expect – and the show’s leading lady doesn’t hold anything back.

Ready to binge season 2? Stay tuned this fall.

Toy Story – 3 movies

If you feel like being a kid again – or introducing your kids to Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang – we’ve got all three “Toy Story” movies. They’re a great segue into animated new releases like “Incredibles 2” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet.”

Riverdale – 35 episodes (seasons 1 and 2)

Calling all Archie comic book fans. The comic’s chief creative officer adapted his fictional teenagers for the CW in this TV drama series. While the familiar characters are back, the New York Times says “the whole Archieverse is hotter and more haunted.” I’m intrigued.

Harry Potter – 8 movies

If you’re a millennial like me, it’s hard to imagine the world without HP. The books started coming out when I was still in elementary school, and the movies followed me through college. Even though the magical twists and turns have lost their surprise, there’s something comforting about re-visiting Hogwarts and passing the tradition onto my kids.

Pitch Perfect – 3 movies

If you love rooting for the underdog (and a good comedy), it’s hard not to love the Barden Bellas. While some trilogies lose their luster by the third movie, “Pitch Perfect” holds strong with new challenges and hilarity for the female a capella group. It’s also hard not to love Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson.

James Bond – 12 movies

Seen one Bond film, seen them all? Now’s your chance to see for yourself. We’ve got 12 – from the 1969 classic “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” to “Die Another Day” from 2002. If nothing else, you’ll be prepared for spy movie trivia night.

Jurassic Park – 5 movies

To be honest: I might just binge-watch the “Jurassic Park” movies for the quotable lines – and to see how far the movie industry has come with computer-generated imagery. From the 1993 classic to last year’s “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” the dinosaurs have had quite an evolution.

Rocky – 6 movies

Many know “Rocky,” but did you know that when it won Best Picture in 1977, it beat “All the President’s Men” and “Taxi Driver”? From the original film to the recent “Creed,” it’s never a bad time to catch up on the classic Sylvester Stallone series.

Bourne – 5 movies

Is it just me or does everyone wish their alter ego was Jason Bourne? The CIA assassin, played by Matt Damon, suffers extreme memory loss, but it doesn’t take long for him to start putting the pieces of his action-packed life back together. The original thriller was quickly followed by two movies. But the series doesn’t end there; “The Bourne Legacy” introduces a new character, and Matt Damon returns for the final “Jason Bourne.”

Unbreakable – 2 movies

We recommend M. Night Shyamalan’s “Unbreakable,” followed by the more recent “Split.” While the latter wasn’t marketed as a sequel to “Unbreakable,” there’s a reason to watch them back-to-back. We’ll leave it at that because what’s a Shyamalan movie without an unpredictable plot twist?

Related stories:

• How to access Alaska Airlines movies and TV shows on your own device
• The top inflight movies of 2018 may surprise you

Completely agree about the foreign film selections. I would love to see more offerings.

I wish I could connect my Bluetooth headphones to the in-flight entertainment. Or have the option to also watch on my tablet. Or have subtitles. Unfortunately none of this is possible on my A319/A320.

Hi Zeeshan, our Airbus aircraft are being retrofitted as we speak to support viewing our inflight entertainment on the device you love most. Thanks for being patient during this transitional period. You can see what the final product will be like here: https://news.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/new-cabin-interior/

More variety. More frequent changes of variety. I’m on the your planes every week and see all these choices currently on Netflix/Amazon video/ amd Hulu. Thanks

Speaking of partnerships, you might consider the Banff International Film Festival. They have lots of film varieties, nationalities and lengths and the nearest airport to Banff is Calgary International Airport, a Horizon destination.

Add to your list, National Geographic’s 4 part series on North Korea. Fascinating!

The inflight entertainment app has a very weak selection of foreign language programming. As a corporate sponsor for the Seattle International Film Festival, this surprises me. My last transcontinental flight I rewatched movies because most of the selection were limited to Hollywood output.

There’s a whole world of filmmakers out there. Take advantage of the partnership with SIFF and bring some feature length movies on board that aren’t out of Hollywood. PLEASE.

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