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21 Best Travel Movies That Will Inspire Your Wanderlust

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: September 8, 2023

Are you looking for some good movies about travel to kindle your wanderlust? This article has some great suggestions and some of the best travel films of all time . Find out!

Have you ever found yourself inspired to travel to one or the other location just because you saw it in a movie? It happens to me all the time! So in this article, I share some of my favorite travel movies , the ones that got me googling the filming location and planning a trip before the movie was even over.

If you are looking for a good story or some travel inspiration, then you’ll definitely find it in these films. These are one by one great travel movies and stories that will get you out of the couch and booking a trip to discover new destinations.

Below is my personal selection of some of the best travel movies of all time. Take a look!

Click on the title of the movie to see reviews, get a DVD, or watch it on Amazon Prime . Some of these movies are also available on Netflix.

These are the best travel films:

Into The Wild

Into The Wild is an unbelievable true story of a top student and athlete who abandons everything he has and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. This movie will probably stay with you forever.

It’s an inspiring story taking place in the most incredible landscapes of Alaska. If you choose just a few movies to watch from this list, definitely include this one in your selection!

The Way is a heart-warming story of a father who heads overseas to retrace the last days of his son’s life who passed away while traveling the Camino de Santiago trail in the Pyrenees (France – Spain). Once he gets there, he decides to take the pilgrimage himself.

This movie is about family, friendships, and life choices. And of course, the beautiful places along Camino de Santiago. It’s a powerful story that will make you think deeper about the difference of the life we live and the life we choose.

Under The Tuscan Sun

Under The Tuscan Sun is a romantic story that takes place in rural Tuscany . Lovely landscapes, an Italian lifestyle, and a heart-warming life story make it a perfect choice for a relaxing evening.

This beautiful light-hearted movie will get you planning a trip to Tuscany in Italy sooner than you think.

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty   is a light-hearted story for a movie night with friends. The movie features some of the most incredible travel destinations all over the world.

A lot of the scenes (even the ones from the Himalayas and Afghanistan) are filmed in Iceland and some in Greenland . The unbelievable adventures of Walter Mitty will leave you longing for an extraordinary adventure of your own.

This film is so good that it has inspired thousands and thousands of people to travel more and discover new places. If you watch just one movie from this list of the best travel films, make it ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’. You’ll love it!

A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods movie is based on a true story and a book by Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail .

The famous writer who never hiked much sets on the Appalachian Trail. With a total length of about 2,200 miles (3,500 km), this famous American hiking trail stretches through 14 states along the east coast of the United States, from Georgia to Maine.

I haven’t read the book and the reviews are somewhat mixed (it seems that people either love or hate Bryson and his writing style). But I find that the movie is really funny, entertaining, and the scenery will definitely inspire you to get outdoors and take a hike of your own.

Out of Africa

Ok, I know it’s an old one, but Out of Africa definitely deserves a place in the all-time favorite travel movies list.

Filmed in Kenya and the UK, this classic that has won 7 Oscars and countless other prizes will definitely get you dreaming of Africa. It’s one of those movies that you can watch again and again.

The Motorcycle Diaries

The Motorcycle Diaries is an awe-inspiring film that is based on the memoirs of Che Guevara.

It will take you to the most beautiful places in South America. A beautiful story in an incredible setting.

In Bruges  is very different from all the rest of the travel movies on this list. But I just had to include this movie in the top-20 of the best travel films because it’s filmed in Belgium, where we live.

It’s a hilarious dark comedy and a great performance by all three main characters in the most fantastic setting in Belgium’s most beautiful fairytale town.

If you haven’t been to Bruges, you’ll definitely want to visit it after watching this movie! Here you can find some inspiration with our insider tips for the best things to do in Bruges .

Before Sunrise – Before Sunset – Before Midnight

If you like Europe and deep meaningful dialogues with a good dose of humor, you’ll love this trilogy called Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight . We only discovered these films recently when we accidentally saw the first one, Before Sunrise, on TV. 

Regarded as one of the most significant films of the ’90s, Before Sunrise, was followed by two more sequels. We watched all three films and loved every second of it.

The first movie takes you to Vienna, Austria, the second one – to Paris, and the third – to the Greek Islands.

These travel films are probably not for everyone, but if you can appreciate this style, you’ll love them all!

Amélie

If you haven’t been to Paris yet, you will definitely want to plan a trip after watching this movie. If you have, you’ll want to return.

Amélie is a beautiful example of French cinema. It will also take you to the most inspiring locations in Paris. The film is set in the Montmartre neighborhood in Paris and shows you the more local side of living in this fascinating city.

This travel movie is based on a true story of a young woman who sets on a journey of over 1,000 miles hoping to recover after the passing of her mother.

Wild  is full of beautiful scenes throughout the Pacific Northwest in the U.S. This is one of those travel films that remind you that often the journey is more important than the destination.

Lost In Translation

A beautiful film that shows the fun and unexpected side of traveling in a new country. Lost In Translation is about the many little random travel experiences that stay with you long after you return back home.

The sights and the energy of Tokyo will get you planning a trip to Japan.

‘Lost in Translation’ is considered a real classic and one of the best travel films ever.

Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris is a bit different travel film than all the rest in this selection. And it’s probably not for everyone…

But if you like Woody Allen, Paris, and the artist lifestyle, then you’ll love this surreal story that takes you back to Paris of the 1920s.

A Good Year

A Good Year is a light-hearted romantic story that takes place in the most beautiful setting in the Provence region in the South of France.

This movie will not only inspire you to visit France but might also make you reconsider your life choices. It’s a story about leaving the rat race, getting back to your roots, and enjoying the simple things in life.

A truly great film!

The Way Back

The Way Back is inspired by an incredible true story of seven prisoners from very different backgrounds who try to escape from a Siberian prison in winter.

This movie is filmed in some amazing locations in India, Morocco, and Bulgaria and features some great actors.

The Beach is a great film from the ’90s that has a little bit of everything: good story, beautiful music, and amazing scenery from Thailand. Oh, and the young Leonardo DiCaprio, who once again proves that he deserves the Oscar he finally got recently.

For a while, Thailand even had to close Maya Beach on Koh Phi-Phi due to its increasing popularity which has been attributed mainly to this film. So if you feel inspired to visit Thailand after watching ‘The Beach’, you may want to look for some alternative beaches and beautiful islands.

You can find some inspiration in our Thailand island hopping itinerary .

Tracks is a beautiful adventure film of a young woman who crossed 1,700-miles over the deserts of West Australia with four camels and her faithful dog.

It’s based on a true story and featuring some amazing Australian landscapes. A beautiful film that will inspire you to visit the Australian Outback !

Encounters At The End Of The World

Encounters At The End Of The World is an incredibly beautiful and funny travel film about the people and animals who live in Antarctica.

If Antarctica was not on your travel list yet, it will be after watching this great documentary!

The Bucket List

The Bucket List is sentimental, predictable, and yet a very heart-warming story that will inspire you to tick off your bucket list sooner rather than later.

Filmed in various locations in India, China, Egypt, Tanzania, France, and the U.S., this movie will definitely give you some new ideas for the next trips.

Photos: IMDb

So, this is a list of some of my top travel films and favorite movies about travel. Have you seen any of these films? Which one is your favorite travel movie of all time?

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

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Monday 18th of September 2023

When I’m always about to go on an adventure I keep coming back to this page to get inspired to travel to somewhere new

Thursday 21st of September 2023

What a great way to find some trip inspiration, Joshua. Happy travels!

Sunday 5th of March 2023

They aren’t travel movies, but The Lord of the Rings trilogy inspired me to go to New Zealand! How could those scenes in the mountains not inspire everyone?

Monday 6th of March 2023

Agree! (and New Zealand is absolutely stunning ;))

Thursday 2nd of March 2023

Thank you for sharing! This list is awesome!

Saturday 22nd of October 2022

If you wanna know one more... U can watch "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara". It means "U won't have a second Life again". It's soo good and so inspiring...thank me later.

Sunday 23rd of October 2022

Thanks for the recommendation, Asif! Will see if we can find this movie.

Sunday 10th of April 2022

Thank you for the awesome movie recommendations

ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE

41 Best Travel Movies: Films That Inspire Wanderlust

Looking for some awesome travel films to fuel your wanderlust? Check out this list of 41 of my favorite and best travel movies to add to your watch list:

41+ Wanderlust Travel Movies

Eat, Pray, Love

One of my favorite books and movie, Eat, Pray, Love is the ultimate wanderlust/travel to find yourself kind of movie!

Watch on: Amazon , Apple TV , Google Play

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

“When his 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.” – IMBd

Into the Wild

“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.” – IMDb

Photo from IMBd

Midnight in Paris

“This is a romantic comedy set in Paris about a family that goes there because of business, and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences there that change their lives. It’s about a young man’s great love for a city, Paris, and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better.” – Apple TV

“ With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. WILD powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her.” – Google Play

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“Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a young American backpacker, willing to risk his life for just one thing: the mind-blowing rush he can only get from braving the ultimate adventure. After hearing the improbable tale of a secret island – the perfect beach, unsullied by tourists – Richard sets off on a journey to find paradise on Earth. But Richard soon discovers that what seems like paradise can hide a deadly secret. Now desperate to escape, Richard explores the hidden perils and dark places that lurk just beyond the shores of paradise” – Apple TV

Photo from IMDb

The Darjeeling Limited

“A year after their father’s death, three American brothers who haven’t spoken since the funeral embark on a soul-searching journey across India. Their “spiritual quest”, however, veers rapidly off-course and a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins.” – Google Play

“180° South: Conquerors of the Useless follows Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia. Along the way he gets shipwrecked off Easter Island, surfs the longest wave of his life – and prepares himself for a rare ascent of Cerro Corcovado. Jeff’s life turns when he meets up in a rainy hut with Chouinard and Tompkins who, once driven purely by a love of climbing and surfing, now value above all the experience of raw nature – and have come to Patagonia to spend their fortunes to protect it.” – Google Play

“Embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this visual masterpiece from Oscar winner Ang Lee*, based on the best-selling novel. After a cataclysmic shipwreck, an Indian boy named Pi finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with a ferocious Bengal tiger. Together, they face nature’s majestic grandeur and fury on an epic journey of discovery.” – Google Play

Life in a Day

“Life In A Day is a historic film capturing for future generations what it was like to be alive on the 24th of July, 2010. Executive produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald.” – on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Lost in Translation

“Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson star in this flat-out hilarious film about two Americans who develop a surprising friendship while venturing through Tokyo.” – Google Play

Maybe not a movie you’d normally find on a list of best travel movies, but I love Up! “Carl Fredrickson, a retired balloon salesman, is part rascal, part dreamer who is ready for his last chance at high-flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets off to the lost world of his childhood dreams. Unbeknownst to Carl, Russell, an overeager 8-year old Wildnerness Explorer who has never ventured beyond his backyard, is in the wrong place at the wrong time — Carl’s front porch! The world’s most unlikely duo reach new heights and meets fantastic friends like Dug, a dog with a special collar that allows him to speak, and Kevin, the rare 13-foot tall flightless bird. Stuck together in the wilds of the jungle, Carl realizes that sometimes life’s biggest adventures aren’t the ones you set out for.” – Google Play

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Up in the Air

“Ryan Bingham (Academy Award® winner, George Clooney) is truly living the high life. Flying all over the world on business, he never stops moving…until he meets Alex, a fellow passenger and learns that life isn’t about the journey, but the connections we make along the way.” – iTunes

Out of Africa

“Hoping to forge a better life, Denmark native Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) enters into a marriage of convenience with a womanizing baron. But when the couple moves to Nairobi, Karen falls in love with a free-spirited hunter (Robert Redford) who can’t be tied down. Director Sydney Pollack’s lush period drama earned seven Academy Awards, including statues for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography.” – Google Play

Roman Holiday

“Roman Holiday was nominated for ten Academy Awards®, and Audrey Hepburn captured an Oscar® for her portrayal of a modern-day princess rebelling against her royal obligations who explores Rome on her own. She meets Gregory Peck, an American newspaperman who, seeking an exclusive story, pretends ignorance of her true identity. But his plan falters as they fall in love. Eddie Albert contributes to the fun as Peck’s carefree cameraman pal.” – Google Play

Watch on: Sony Crackle (free) , Apple TV , Google Play

“From the producers of THE KING’S SPEECH comes this remarkable true story of Robyn Davidson, a young woman who leaves her urban life to trek through almost 2,000 miles of sprawling Australian desert . Along her journey of self-discovery, she meets National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan, who begins to photograph her life-changing voyage.” – Apple TV

Under the Tuscan Sun

“UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN follows San Francisco writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) to Italy as a good friend offers her a special gift — 10 days in Tuscany. Once there, she is captivated by its beauty and warmth, and impulsively buys an aging, but very charming, villa. Fully embracing new friends and local color, she finds herself immersed in a life-changing adventure filled with enough unexpected surprises, laughter, friendship, and romance to restore her new home — and her belief in second chances.” – Google Play

Before Sunrise

“Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy star as two young people who meet–and whose lives are forever changed–on a train from Budapest to Paris. They may have only one night, but when soul mates find each other, anything can happen Before Sunrise.” – iTunes

The Endless Summer

“They call it The Endless Summer, the ultimate surfing adventure, crossing the globe in search of the perfect wave. From the uncharted waters of West Africa, to the shark-filled seas of Australia , to the tropical paradise of Tahiti and beyond, two California surfers, Robert August and Mike Hynson, accomplish in a few months what most people never get to do in a lifetime – they live their dream.” – iTunes

Watch on: Amazon , Apple TV

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

“Two young American women, Vicky and Cristina come to Barcelona for a summer holiday. Vicky is sensible and engaged to be married; Cristina is emotionally and sexually adventurous.  In Barcelona, they’re drawn into a series of unconventional romantic entanglements with Juan Antonio, a charismatic painter, who is still involved with his tempestuous ex-wife Maria Elena. Set against the luscious Mediterranean sensuality of Barcelona, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA is Woody Allen’s funny and open-minded celebration of love in all its configurations.” – Google Play

Two For the Road

“ On their third identical voyage from London to the French Riviera , Joanna Wallace (Audrey Hepburn) and husband Mark (Albert Finney) explore their 12-year marriage in a series of wry and illuminating flashbacks. They reminisce about the glorious beginning of their love affair, the early years of marriage and the events that led to their subsequent infidelities. As they try to understand their relationship, they must accept how they have changed if they are to rekindle their original love… The film is arguably one of the most stylistically influential movies from the ’60s.”

“From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.” – Disney

Watch on: Amazon , Apple TV , Google Play , or on Disney+

“John Krasinski (The Office) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) star in the heartfelt film that explores the comedic twists and turns in one couple’s journey across contemporary America. Anticipating the birth of their first child, longtime couple Burt and Verona embark on an ambitious itinerary to visit friends and family in order to find their perfect home.” – Universal Studios

The Bucket List

 Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star in the comedic drama The Bucket List, a touching, no- holds-barred adventure that shows it’s never too late to live life to its fullest. “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.” – IMDb

“A five-year-old Indian boy is adopted by an Australian couple after getting lost hundreds of kilometers from home. 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.” – IMDb

Crazy Rich Asians

“This contemporary romantic comedy, based on a global bestseller, follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu to Singapore to meet her boyfriend’s family.” – IMDb

This is another movie that is not necessarily about travel, but after watching it, Singapore jumped to the top of my bucket list so I had to add it to this Best Travel Movie list!

Watch on: Amazon ,   Google Play , Hulu

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The Motorcycle Diaries

“Based on a true life story, The Motorcycle Diaries is an inspiring and thrilling adventure that traces the youthful origins of a revolutionary spirit. The film follows two daring friends, Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal, Y Tu Mama Tambien) and Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna), who hop on the back of a beat-up motorcycle for a breathtaking and exciting road trip across Latin America.” – Google Play

Letters to Juliet

“In Verona, Italy – the beautiful city where Romeo first met Juliet – there is a place where the heartbroken leave notes asking Juliet for her help. It’s there that aspiring writer Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) finds a 50-year-old letter that will change her life forever. As she sets off on a romantic journey of the heart with the letter’s author, Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), now a grandmother, and her handsome grandson (Christopher Egan), all three will discover that sometimes the greatest love story ever told is your own.” – Google Play

The Art of Travel

“Conner Layne  is about to embark on an adventure – just not the one he had planned. After discovering his fiance is having an affair with his best friend, he leaves her at the altar and heads off on his honeymoon alone. 

While experiencing the wonders that South America offers, he meets a friendly couple – Darlene and her husband, Christopher, who are planning a dangerous trip across the Darien Gap. Along with a ragtag group of foreigners, they venture on a 100-mile long journey through the undeveloped jungle that separates Panama and Columbia. Ready to leave his past behind, Conner joins the unknown for the quest of a lifetime.” – Apple TV

Rio + Rio 2

Laugh if you want, but after seeing this movie in theaters, I have been dying to go to Rio adn explore South America! 

Hector and The Search for Happiness

“Hector is a quirky psychiatrist who has become tired of his humdrum life, yet he’s offering advice to patients who are just not getting happier. So he embarks on a global quest in hopes of uncovering the elusive secret formula for true happiness.”

Couples Retreat

Couples Retreat is another romantic comedy movie that’s set in such a beautiful place, I just had to include it!

A Map for Saturday

“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 finds backpackers helping neglected Thai tsunami victims. It explains why Nepal’s guesthouses are empty and Brazil’s stoplights are ignored. But at its core, SATURDAY tracks the emotional arc of extreme long-term travelers; teenagers and senior citizens who wondered, “What would it be like to travel the world?” Then did it.”

Watch on: Amazon

“Through the open country and desert lands, two bikers head from L.A to New Orleans , and along the way, meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap they are unaware of.” – IMDb

“ONE WEEK tells the story of 20-something Ben Tyler (Joshua Jackson), who flees from an impending marriage, a ho-hum job, and a recent diagnosis in an attempt to live life to the fullest. His misguided road trip on a vintage motorcycle becomes an adventure of self-discovery set against the great Canadian landscape.”

Encounters at the End of the World

“Welcome to Antarctica – like you’ve never experienced it. You’ve seen the extraordinary marine life, the retreating glaciers and, of course, the penguins, but leave it to award-winning, iconoclastic filmmaker Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Rescue Dawn) to be the first to explore the South Pole’s most fascinating inhabitants…humans. In this one-of-kind documentary, Herzog turns his camera on a group of remarkable individuals, “professional dreamers” who work, play and struggle to survive in a harsh landscape of mesmerizing, otherworldly beauty – perhaps the last frontier on earth.”

“A powerful and inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an irascible American doctor who comes to France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by Emilio Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees while walking The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage to honor his son’s desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn’t plan on, is the profound impact the journey will have on him. Inexperienced as a trekker, Tom soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey.”

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

“An award-winning, all-star cast, led by Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and Tom Wilkinson, lights up this “buoyant comedy laced with genuine emotion”. When seven cash-strapped seniors decide to “outsource” their retirement to a resort in far-off India, friendship and romance blossom in the most unexpected ways. Smart, life-affirming and genuinely charming, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a “true classic that reminds us that it’s never too late to find love and a fresh beginning at any age”.”

The Tourist

“Frank (Johnny Depp), a mild-mannered American on vacation in Venice, Italy, is befriended by Elise (Angelina Jolie), a breathtakingly beautiful woman with a mysterious secret. Soon, their playful romantic dalliance turns into a complicated web of dangerous deceit as they are chased by Interpol, the Italian police, and Russian hit men in this suspense-filled, international action thriller.”

The Grand Budapest Hotel

“THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of legendary concierge Gustave H. and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft of a priceless painting; a raging battle for an enormous family fortune; and a desperate chase on motorcycles, trains, sleds, and skis – all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing continent.”

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

“Resplendent in flamboyant ballgowns, looking down over the vast red Australian desert : for three showgirls it was the dream of a lifetime, a four week cabaret engagement in Alice Springs. The problem is simply getting there intact, along with their bus Priscilla.”

Phew! There ya go, my list of the 41 best travel movies to fuel your wanderlust! Any ones I missed?  Drop a comment below or  DM me on Instagram !

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55+ best travel movies to inspire wanderlust

In this day and age where travel restrictions persist worldwide, it’s only possible to imagine a dream. As armchair travel grows so does the need to look for books and films to inspire wanderlust.

So we did some legwork to make it easier for you to find our favorite travel movie hits for whenever you are stuck at home and cannot travel anymore! It’s not different from the previous one that discusses Best Travel Film.

As a traveller myself I often wonder which are the best Travel Movies which I can watch in my free time or maybe on my next flight. In this post, we will be covering the topic in detail about trip movies which you can check out in your free time.

What produces excellent travel movies? We feel it is when the location ends up being the celebrity. A motion picture that showcases stunning cities, landscapes, and society is a movie that motivates us to go to a location or relive our time there when we get residence.

Disclaimer  – Chasing Whereabouts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.

The Very Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

Produced by Mark Magidson, the film aims to reach beyond languages, nationalism, and religious and politically speaking to the inner viewer.

Baraka is an extensive series of photographic scenes describing human life, natural events and technology filmed throughout 25 countries across six continents.

This documentary is unparalleled in its beauty, sensibility and understanding of our world. It transcends languages and geographical boundaries and helps us see planets differently. See movies .

This is by far the best travel movie. One of the personalities really brings around a guidebook! We recently rewatched Bruges and also it stands up! If you enjoy a good caper set in an exotic location, you’ll like In Bruges .

When Colin Farrell’s character constantly complained of hating Bruges in Belgium as he and Brendan Gleeson took the gondola via the canals, I assumed it was superb writing as well as direction. The more Colin Farrell’s personality complained, a lot more you absorbed the surroundings of Bruges and also noticed simply exactly how picturesque Bruges is.

As Brendan Gleeson took in the history as well as checked out the guidebooks admiring the city, Colin Farrell simply kept speaking about how much he hated Bruges, which made me like it much more.

Rent or Acquire In Bruges on Amazon.com

One of our favorite movies of all time. And also not due to the fact that it is set in Canada (And we live in Canada). One Week adheres to a boy driving a motorbike on a cross-country road trip across Canada after being detected with terminal cancer cells.

No motion picture has actually made me intend to discover a nation more than One Week . We wrote an entire testimonial about it below. It absolutely is the supreme Canadian trip motion picture. Rental Fee One Week Right Here on Amazon

I really did not wish to see this film because of its dark subject, however, it ended up being an uplifting as well as enlightening movie of self-discovery. One Week is a love letter to Canada and also a homage to being to life. I really did not also assume it would certainly fit into the mold and mildew of travel movies however it did!

We have actually been to many of the stops on this road trip film, and it is fantastic to see things like The Big Nickel and The Terry Fox monument on the big screen. It goes to the top of our finest travel film for a factor. Review our listing of ideal motorbike motion pictures

Secret Life of Walter Mitty

I needed to see this most popular of all travelling movies two times prior to determining I liked The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. At first, I assumed it was silly, however after that after a second as well as now a 3rd as well as 4th, I can recognize why it goes to the top of most checklists of best travel flicks. The first time around I was annoyed with all the long-drawn-out dream series that takes place in Walter Mitty’s head. Once he reaches Iceland and also Greenland, it really comes to be a fun adventure. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty demonstrates how taking a risk and also leaving your convenience area can lead to excellent points. The ending was my preferred, but I will not ruin it for you. Rent it now to see what you think of the Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Before Sunrise Trilogy

We have three of our preferred travel motion pictures in one package! As well as each showcases the location they remain in. They have to do with love yet they are additionally very much traveling movies. They were shot 10 years apart and they occur in three different locations around Europe– Vienna, Paris, and also Greece . The Before Sunrise trilogies capture the significance of each destination. And right here’s a great truth– Dave and I stayed at Costa Navarino in Greece where After Twelve o’clock at night occurred! Before Sunrise: Prior to going to Vienna , be sure to view Prior to Sunup, they showcase the entire city. Prior to Sunset: And also After Midnight records the power of Paris magnificently. They visit places such as Pont Neuf, Quai Henri-IV, and Shakespeare & Company Bookstore. Prior to Midnight: As our heroes age, this is a fitting title. Now with youngsters as well as in their forties, it’s a soothing getaway to Kalamata, Greece where they navigate middle age in the charm of Costa Navarino.

They go to the Old city of Messini, The Kardamali Pier, as well as the Westin Resort where we in fact had the benefit of spending four glorious evenings. It is probably the most effective of all romantic traveling flicks out there that literally spans 3 years. (they film a motion picture every one decade)

I read in an interview with Ethan Hawk that they are mosting likely to proceed doing installments every one decade. I can’t await the next one. See Before Sunup and also Sunset on Amazon Prime

Planes Trains and Automobiles

John Candy and also Steve Martin take an unexpected cross country road journey from New york city City to Chicago. This is Dave’s pick for the very best traveling movie. If you remain in the mood for a great wholehearted comedy, rent it today. Anyone that has actually ever before driven cross country can associate with some of the wrongdoings. Have you remained in a cheap motel? You can connect. Have you ever rested next to someone that has made you exceptionally uncomfortable? You can associate!

This is thought about among the terrific comedy travel films, but I consider it as a drama. John Sweet’s character breaks my heart. You might point of it as a holiday movie however it is also among the craziest traveling films available.

Julie & Julia

Not just does Julie as well as Julia star the fantastic Meryl Streep and also among one of the most functional starlets around, but this film is additionally regarding traveling and also blogging .

It’s like it was produced us! I was stunned by how much I enjoyed this motion picture based on real tale of Julia Child and I really did not go in anticipating a lot. Julie & Julia adheres to the life of Julia Child throughout her time in Paris and cuts throughout to the present day in New York. Meryl Streep’s Julia enjoyed Paris so much that she made you think that it was the most desirable place on planet. It makes you crave French food and also a life of decadence in France. When it pertains to choosing a preferred traveling flick this one is right up there. Besides, Meryl Streep can do no incorrect. Lease it now on Amazon Instant Video Clip!

The Big Year

I stood up to viewing this motion picture for many years, yet it ultimately turned up on one of my many streaming service memberships so I took a seat to watch it. The Big Year complies with Jack Black (that does not like Jack Black?), Owen Wilson as well as Steve Martin circumnavigating the United States with hopes of becoming the number 1 bird viewer worldwide. It wound up being among the most shocking traveling movies I’ve seen.

They are stressed with spotting even more varieties of birds than any other person in 365 days. I connected to this movie because it is a lot more regarding the journey and also exactly how having a wonderful experience can alter a life. It does not matter what your rate of interest is, simply go out and also check out! Rent it Currently

Best Travel Movies for Adventure Lovers

Into the wild.

Based on the true life true story it narrates the journey of Christopher McCandless who went on a cross country road journey through the US wound up in Alaska. I read Into bush years ago and also was enthralled trying to identify how someone could surrender every little thing to go and live off the grid. John Krakauer dug into the subconscious of McCandless and also what inspires individuals to take dangers.

What has a person to cut all connections with their household, hitchhike throughout the nation, and afterwards finally cut themselves completely off from society? Things don’t end up as he hoped, and it is a lesson learned for would certainly be adventurers. But it absolutely is a fascinating read and also I love Krakauer’s creating style. Enjoy it now!

It took me a while to enjoy Wild with Reese Witherspoon. I wasn’t really a fan of hers before. But then I watched The Early morning Show, Little Fires Almost Everywhere, and also Big Little Lies (another fantastic series for traveling enthusiasts) as well as became a big fan. Huge Little Lies showcases Monterrey and also Carmel by the Sea in California and truly flaunts the gorgeous views of the Pacific Coast Freeway. But I Swerve.

Wild is a based on true story an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s traveling memoir concerning hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s a trip regarding placing a life back with each other after everything crumbles. Pushing the limits and getting out of her comfort zone takes her on a trip of self discovery. A battle and journey can change a life.

Check it out this travel movie on Amazon.com

Another awesome movie inspired by the true story from 1996 Mount Everest disaster . It’s a first-hand account by Krakauer who was on Everest at the time and it is one of the travel adventure documentary which you have to watch if you love watching movies.

We really did not exceed base camp, however this movie takes a dark turn as the events in 1996 was one of the worst catastrophes in Everest background. It is an interesting flick checking out why individuals risk their lives for something and also what occurs when things go horribly wrong. 11. Tracks

I actually really taken pleasure in Tracks. It’s a film concerning a female who walks across Australia from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean with 4 camels and her pet canine. What’s more impressive is that it is based upon a real tale. What I actually liked is exactly how the protagonist Robyn Davidson finds out the abilities needed to endure. She is visited by a photographer from National Geographic who shared her story and was led via the spiritual lands of the Wilderness by an Indigenous senior. See it out on Amazon.com !

World’s Fastest Indian

From New Zealand to America, Anthony Hopkins takes his Indian Bike to the salt flats to see how much he can go. The Globe’s Fastest Indian is among my favorite efficiencies by Hopkins. He is vulnerable, adorable and also inspiring. He goes on a fun road trip in the process until he reaches the Salt Flats of California which is when you truly start directing for him to win! This flick wishes to make you follow your desire as well as shows you are never too old to make it take place. That’s practically our motto! Lease it on Amazon Prime

Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert

While we are in the Oceana par of the globe, let’s speak about a fun road trip via the Australian outback. Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert complies with a group Two drag performers and a transgender woman travel taking a cross country road journey in a van called “Pricilla” from Sydney to Alice Springs where they are going to do their drag program. They meet a lot of personalities along the road as well as this movie introduced us to superstars Hugo Weaving and also Guy Pearce who signed up with the already developed Terrence Stamp.

Motorcycle Diaries

The Motorcycle Diaries is a 2004 biopic about the journey and written memoir of the 23-year-old Ernesto Guevara. Che Guevara is interesting as well as this film starring a young Gael García Bernal follows his motorcycle trip journey with South America prior to when he came to be a part of the revolution. Traveling can transform an individual.

This movie is based on a incredible true story where Che travelled with the continent and I believe it was traveling with South America that Che saw what individuals were undergoing which is what triggered him to take action in his very own method.

This film is a bittersweet homage to the impressive walking. Acting tale Martin Sheen walks the route to honor his kid Emilio Estevez (also supervisor) who passed away on the walk.

This movie explores styles of grief, remorse as well as understanding. Martin Sheen’s character finishes what his son started assisting him attach and recognize his kid while examining his very own life.

Best Clasic Travel Movies of All Time

Lawrence of arabia..

Dave as well as I saw Lawrence of Arabia on IMAX when it was re-released years earlier, and also it made us dream of the Arabian desert. I would certainly say that this is typically taken into consideration among the very best travel movies of perpetuity. It’s the initial for sure and also it really does record the greatness of the Arabian Desert. When we obtained the chance to check out Jordan as well as walk in the footprints of the actual Lawrence of Arabia, we couldn’t think we were living a movie. We felt downright woozy when our overviews explained where the actual Lawrence of Arabia stood.

This will make you wish to go on a journey as well as invest the evening in a Bedouin outdoor tents. Lease it on Amazon.com Prime Now.

Out of Africa.

If you want another Meryl Streep automobile that is often taken into consideration one of the very best travel films, you ought to try Out of Africa. Out of Africa happens in a different time, however it captures the heart of Africa beautifully. Meryl Streep is a wedded baroness crazy with big video game hunter Robert Redford. Their chemistry is unmistakable.

She loves Africa as well as you will certainly fall in love with it also. The cinematography is exceptional. It won 7 Oscars consisting of Finest Image and also Finest Cinematography. Rent of Africa on Amazon.com currently.

Romancing the Stone.

Who didn’t daydream about an experience in Colombia after watching Kathleen Turner as well as Michael Douglas in Romancing the Rock?

As a child I constantly considered the line “I require to get to Cartagena” as well as while I had no idea where Cartagena was,( It’s in South America incidentally) I recognized it was exciting. Kathleen Turner changed from an afraid writer that merely writes about experience, to a female encountering an experience and fulfilling a sturdy mystical man in unique Columbia. See Romancing the Stone today.

The Bucket List.

With two of my favored stars and a message to live life to the greatest, the Bucket List is one fantastic travel movie. The phrase has actually been excessive used in the last few years, however the message never ever gets old. The Bucket List is the initial “live your dreams currently” travel film.

The movie is all about Two terminally ill men bust out of the cancer ward with a plan to experience life to the fullest before they kick the bucket. Enjoy and also see to it you leave this earth without regrets. It really feels remarkable to mark off a pail listing, trust me! Rent or buy it right here!

So, I liked this film, yet I really did not enjoy it. The majority of people claim that Amelie is just one of the best travel films of all time.

So I felt that I need to include it due to the fact that this listing would not be total without it. I did enjoy the sights of Paris as well as the day-to-day life showcased in Montmartre. I additionally took pleasure in the uplifting message of silent Amelie aiding the people around her in the beautiful area of Montmartre in Paris. If you want to see sweeping scenes with Paris roads and also if you love Paris, you can not assist but like Amelie. So check it out!

Roman Holiday.

This did not age well in our point of view. We saw it just recently and also it is simply downright negative. Many people will possibly disagree.

However it is fun to see Rome as well as to revisit our Vespa Excursion that we did a few years ago there. They need to reprise Roman Holiday, it would certainly be enjoyable. However, perhaps the Hallmark Channel already did. There are a dreadful lot of Princess conference normal Joes on that network at Xmas. Rent it on Prime.

I admit it. Hereafter movie appeared, I didn’t drink Red wine for several years! Sidewards takes us on a trip through California red wine country as well as it truly is loaded with incredible performances. Rent or acquire on Amazon Prime. In 2015 we remained in Santa Maria, California. The very same places that Sideways was established and all I can think about was Paul Giamatti’s snobbery when it concerned Pinot Grigio.

It’s an enjoyable dramedy that was excellent for the 1990s. An outstanding actors with Sandra Oh, Virginia Madsen, and Thomas Hayden Church.

Up in the Air.

Up in the Air makes you enjoy the suggestion of traveling yet it shows the emptiness that the life of an explorer can result in if you do not remain based with your friends and family. It’s not in the genre of normal traveling films out there, but travel is the major motif. Travel for work that is. I can not experience flight terminal safety and security any longer without thinking about George Clooney and also understand simply exactly how messy I am. His character has the art of travel to a scientific research. Ah, to be cool like George. Life would certainly be excellent. This film also has an excellent message that Dave and I can associate with. We all end up being so consumed with our professions as well as our lives that we ignore what is important. Lease or buy it on Amazon.com Immediate Video.

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Best Destination Movie For Travel Lovers

The beach– thailand..

I really did not enjoy this flick. I liked guide instead. Yet I am a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio and if you want to get a sense of what it was like to take a trip to Thailand prior to the mass tourism, this is a great motion picture for you.

Plus it is beautiful. Not only are individuals attractive, but the landscapes of southern Thailand is likewise heavenly. Take the journey as they look for a hidden beach that is pure perfection.

Lost in Translation– Tokyo.

Tokyo is a little bit strange. It differs anywhere else in the world and Lost in Translation showcases the culture shock that really feels when staying in a different city.

There are various customs in Japan and the society is much different than anywhere else as well as this motion picture catches that strange feeling you get when taking a trip there. Shed in Translation highlights some of the very best places in Tokyo.

The hotel where the flick happens still has among the most effective sights in the city! As well as that doesn’t love Expense Murray? He is valuable and it’s one of Scarlett Johanson’s best performances. Check it Out.

The Coastline is the initial backpacker slacker travel film. I was actually delighted when this came out due to the fact that we had actually just been to Thailand for the very first time. The Coastline catches what Thailand resembled prior to tourists began crowding to it en masse. At once, it was an off-the-beaten-path backpacker destination. We enjoyed guide a lot more, but you can never go wrong with Leo.

Slumdog Millionaire– India.

Okay this is one of the most popular movie which the west knows about India but being an young Indian boy I never really knew why India was shown in such a way.

The movie is offset in the slums to catch the run-down neighborhoods of India. A lot of the cities and attraction are well developed, however there is no denying that you would find slums and region and this movie explores themes around that.

Download it here on Amazon.

Vicky, Cristina Barcelona– Spain.

Admit it, we all intend to go to Spain and face beautiful people like Penelope Cruz and Javier Barden. The cities in Spain are just as lovely as individuals! The Spanish are so much extra in contact with their feelings. They live life with a passion that the remainder people do not have. A minimum of, that is what Vicky Cristina Barcelona makes us believe.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona definitely is an inspiring travel motion picture and also one of the best travel films available. It truly captures the power and also interest of Spain. Rent Vicky Christina Barcelona on Amazon.

Under the Tuscan Sun– Italy.

For the romantics out there, Under the Tuscan Sun is one of the awe inspiring film of all time. Wouldn’t you just like to get a rental property in Tuscany and fall in love with a complete stranger? After a bad separation, her personality travels to Italy courtesy of her buddy, (The extraordinary Sandra Oh!) and purchases a home!

Diane Lane shows that avoiding it all as well as relocating to one more nation can fix whatever. This movie is based on a true story where our celebrity shares the trials and also tribulations of remodeling a Tuscan suite.

I do love the premise and also everybody lives happily ever before after. And Guess What? Under the Tuscan Sunlight gets on Amazon. You can download it currently!

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel– India.

I enjoy the most effective Exotic Marigold Hotel. We constantly preach that you are never too old to attempt something new as well as you are never ever as well old for travel. It’s chock filled with excellent fabulous actors consisting of Dame Judi Dench, Costs Nighy, as well as Maggie Smith. The Very Best Exotic Marigold Resort complies with a group of senior citizens who take a trip to India to endure their days at a falling apart retired life resort. All mayhem and madness occur as points can just in India. There’s love, catastrophe, as well as hope. Rental fee it currently.

A Good Year– Provence France.

A Good Year made me intend to most likely to Provence and also live a straightforward life … on a multi-million dollar winery estate. That’s reasonable, best?

A Good Year makes life in Provence resemble the yard of Eden and I want a piece of it. Everybody is gorgeous, everyone is a white wine connoisseur, and also everyone is pure as well as excellent. That would not intend to go to the south of France after seeing A Good Year?

Midnight in Paris– Paris

Midnight in Paris records the golden years of Paris as Owen Wilson goes through the streets at night in search of that charming nostalgia of the city.

He winds up fulfilling the famous clients of the 1920s including Cole Concierge, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein as well as more! This film makes me wish to get on a flight to Paris each time! See it on Amazon.com Prime or get it on DVD

This film was crucified by the doubters, but I liked it. Nicole Kidman as well as Hugh Jackman take her livestock across the Outback. It additionally touches on the oppressions of how

Australia treated the Aboriginal Individuals, advising me of what Canada did with property institutions to our own indigenous communities. It’s beautifully shot as well as is a love letter to Australia. I think it was worthy of much more love than it got. Check it out on Amazon

Lightheared Travel Movies

This is an enjoyable motion picture. I am not much of a Will Farrell fan, however this motion picture is one of his ideal. The motion picture starts (after a brief recall) in Iceland showcasing its attractive landscapes and also falls with sweeping drone shots of the stars performing.

It has all the stereotypes and also mottos of Iceland, however it is performed with heart and also enjoyable. It truly is a love letter to Iceland. Adhere To Lars as well as Sigrit as they try to accomplish their dream of contending in Eurovision in Edinburgh.

The film offers a great display of that city also! And it additionally explains to North Americans precisely what Eurovision is. It is complimentary on Netflix or you can lease it on Amazon.com

Darjeeling Limited

This film takes Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, and also Adrian Brody throughout India one year after their dad’s fatality starting on the Darjeeling Express train. It’s strange, heartbreaking, humorous and also pure Wes Anderson.

When they visit their mother in an Ashram, it makes me think of the strange people that escape to India to find themselves. Oh yeah, he gets it. Check it out on Amazon Prime

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

This is such an enjoyable film, set in the very real Turtle Bay Hotel in Oahu. It may just be in one location yet it most definitely seems like a traveling film.

The movie stars Jason Seigel as a Hollywood Author that mosts likely to Hawaii to recover his wounds after obtaining unloaded by his partner Kristen bell. It ends up, she exists on vacation with her brand-new boyfriend and also shenanigans follow.

This motion picture makes you intend to reserve an aircraft to Hawaii and have your own remain at Turtle Bay which has currently become popular. Rental it on Prime

Last Holiday

If you are looking for funny travel movies, this need to be at the top of your checklist. This is the supreme fairytale on exactly how travel can transform a life. As well as exactly how we ought to all strive to live a better life. It’s also short to wait.

Queen Latifa is valuable as a woman that is detected with an incurable illness, so she takes her life savings to appreciate her last vacation at a luxurious hotel. She does whatever from base jumping to snowboarding and also delighting in decadent French food. If every person took a vacation like this, we would certainly all live better lives. Rent, Buy or Enjoy on Amazon.com Prime

French Kiss

Meg Ryan plays a female named Kate who hesitates to take a trip. When her fiance falls for another female in France, she promises to win him back and also travels there despite being terrified. Hilarity takes place when she meets con man Kevin Kline and also they venture across the nation together.

My preferred scene is when she is indulging in cheese on the train. It’s that French minute that made me daydream regarding passing by train across the French countryside. Watch French Kiss for yourself

My Life in Ruins

While not just as good as My Big Fat Greek Wedding Event, My Life in Damages is a nice comeback for Nia Vardalos in an enjoyable loving traveling movie. She plays a trip leader taking stereotypical travelers with the websites of Greece.

It’s fun, it’s enchanting as well as the setting is gorgeous. It’s not mosting likely to win any Academy Awards, however, for an enjoyable Saturday afternoon movie, this will certainly transport you to Greece. Lease it or buy it on Amazon.com

The Hangover 2

The First Hangover was far much better and also if you haven’t seen it, I advise seeing. It as well is a travel movie taking you to Las vega (also an awesome road trip adventure), but this one is a lot of enjoyable taking us through Bangkok. It records the insane power of the city.

My favorite scene is when Bradly Cooper needs to go to the healthcare facility and also comes out with an absurdly low medical facility bill. Dave and also I have been to the hospital in Thailand as well as can testify. When you go out, you really feel as if you have simply robbed them for their time and also service. Rental fee it currently!

Blockbuster Travel Movies

Star wars: the surge of skywalker & the last jedi.

One would not think of a film based in celestial spaces to be a travel film that motivates wanderlust, however the last Star Wars Trilogy featured among our favorite locations in the world.

It was teased at the end of the Force Awakens and highlighted in the Last Jedi, but the Surge of Skywalker really showcased the impressive Skellig Michael of Ireland.

This 6th-century abbey was a celebrity unto itself as Luke experienced Rey the ways of the Force. It has actually currently motivated many vacationers as well as movie buffs to take the hair-raising watercraft come through to these rocky islands 12 kilometres off the shore of Ireland. Check it out on Amazon.com as well as Review our Short article regarding our experience at Skellig Michael

We really discovered where Mama Mia occurs while visiting the location where it was recorded, Pelion, Greece. The Greek islands are paradise, and Mom Mia complies with the story of Meryl Streep who runs a hotel on the coastline.

When her daughter becomes involved, she invites three men who might be her father. It’s a rip-roaring good time of music, enjoyable and also gorgeous landscapes.

The Santorini blue and white houses, the crystal clear blue sea, and also the songs of Abba become those who enjoy to travel to Greece! Watch it on Prime today

Once Upon a Time in Mexico Trilogy

Just how sexy are Antonio Banderas and also Salma Hayak together? You have to watch the whole trilogy to actually value this collection by Robert Rodrigues.

Once In Mexico ends the trilogy with Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, and also Cheech Marin. El Mariachi began everything starring Carlos Gallardo. My fave of the 3 is Desperado, but they are all amusing.

Once Upon A Time In Mexico is a fantasy as well as it is a stereotype of Mexico, however it makes you want to go to Mexico and have a fantastic experience. The landscapes is gorgeous, the film is filled with awesome design, and the music is fabulous. View the Trilogy today!

The Legend of Tarzan

The $180 million dollar spending plan ensures to display the appeal of the African Savannah, the dense jungles, as well as the marvelous wild animals.

You feel as if you have actually entered the heart of Africa. Seriously, lease it, you’re mosting likely to like it a whole lot greater than you assume! Rent it on Amazon

The Tourist

It’s a little indulgent, and Angelina Jolie is a little bit aggravating with exactly how outstanding she believes she remains in this, but it does record traveling in Europe magnificently.

It makes you want to have an enchanting tryst in Venice . It makes you intend to ride a train and also have a mysterious experience. It provides you a peek into how the abundant real-time and also take a trip the globe.

Just recently we had somebody contact us with a list of their favorite motion pictures concerning traveling. He mentioned the initial Alien vs. Predator occurred in Antarctica and I keep in mind that being a quite enjoyable movie. After that I thought of the timeless Kurt Russel flick, Things.

This thriller takes place at a clinical base camp in the Antarctic and truly allows you feel how claustrophobic and also separated scientists need to feel when spending the winter at the bottom of the world. Watch it now!

Bourne Movies, James Bonds, Mission Difficult & Indiana Jones Movies

The Bourne flicks, James Bond, Indian Jones, and Mission Impossible take us worldwide with each motion picture. They could be thought about travel movies, but they are more about adventure, action, as well as fantasy.

Nevertheless, I wished to include them because if you are seeking some stunning scenes from Europe and the Center East, these traveling films fit the costs. They are so good at taking you away to unique locations.

Best Travel Movies in Fiction

Grand budapest hotel.

I can’t help it, I enjoy Wes Anderson motion pictures. He is unique and quirky. Grand Budapest resort is just one of the most effective traveling films that isn’t embeded in any kind of actual place. This is done in an imaginary setup.

I like this for a travel film due to the fact that it advises me of the grand old resorts from another age. Well, it ought to because it is embeded in an additional period. The resort is fictional, however it does take you away to an additional world. Lease it on Prime

Black Panther

Wakanda might be a fictional place in Africa, yet this film captures the spirit of East and also South Africa. It accepts the Africa culture and also most of the flick’s scenes were recorded in Africa. We have actually been to Africa numerous times as well as this motion picture delivered us there once more. If you have not seen it, see it currently!

Lord of the Rings and also Hobbit

They might be embeded in Center Planet, but the Lord of the Rings movies are a love letter to New Zealand. Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Flicks make us want to go to New Zealand and these films catch its appeal completely. Lease the trilogy on Amazon.com today

Eat Pray Love

One more boring adjustment. Eat Pray Love had not been my favorite whatsoever. However The book was all right but the film starring Julia Roberts is awful. If you liked it, let me recognize. Possibly I’ll give it one more watch in case I missed something. Lease it on Amazon.com

We’ll be updating this list on a regular basis and also we enjoy finding brand-new travel movies to enjoy. So, if you have tips for your favored travel flicks, leave them in the comments listed below as well as we’ll make certain to provide a watch!

Long way round

This DVD set and British television series follows Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s 2000-mile bike ride. From London to New York City, the team travels across 12 nations from Asia to Europe to Canada and the U.S. Their dreams for adventure and endurance took them across 19 different countries within just 115 days while visiting several UNICEF project projects. It’s an inspiring travel movie which challenges your view of life in many respects. See movies.

Hit the road: India

Follow Keith King and Mark Gazarian in their bid for a 12-day rickshaw rally across India. The documentary follows two travellers on a journey through Mumbai to Chennai as they face a series of travel difficulties including a temperamental car and bad weather. When their excitement fades, it’s easy for the young person to understand that endurance and determination are essential in their travel experiences. See movies!

Long way down

The following up to Longway Round, Ewan McGregor once again started riding a motorcycle in a Honda Odyssey. Starting from Scotland, they are heading towards Cape Town, South Africa.

Their 85-day trip through vineyards, deserts and jungles gives insight into 18 different countries. Between border crossings and motorcycle accidents, these reports provide real insight into the ups and downs of road trips. See movies.

Appeal to your curiosity about travel, it will encourage you to abandon all the daily chores, pack your bags and explore all around you. It focuses on one of friends who travel across Europe to visit Patagonia.

With boarders and climbing equipment, they saw the decline and the battle for industrialism. This is an amazing story with an honest storyline and beautiful scenery throughout. Watch movies.

A map for Saturday

If you are looking for a film about traveling around the globe a year, you will love this one. Then, Brook Silva-Braga stepped away in 2005 and it was an idyllic job.

Follow the journey few would have taken. Experience the emotions of long-distance travel. The film gives you an honest view on travels in 26 countries across five continents. Please see the movie.

Hector and the search for happiness

Based on the best-selling novel of similar names, Simon Pegg leaves his normal job as psychiatrist and travels the world looking for true happiness. He has developed an international adventure story with humorous effect and contemporary love stories.

For those who want to do something else with their lives, this film certainly inspires them. Watch movies.

Scotty has been left to a halt after he escaped his girlfriend after graduating high school. There are countless stereotypes throughout Europe as these two people encounter difficult situations and a few laugh out loud situations throughout their journey. The Comedians are certainly the most entertaining travel movie ever made! View movies.

The movie stars a couple expecting a child from a married couple. With little real places to call home, they travel through the USA and Montreal searching for a great home for them. Enjoy both funny and humorous experiences when you meet funny parents, friends and re-educational classmates. You can see the film on this website.

It tells a tale about freedom and corruption within an American society which is conformist and corrupt. After they sold their cocaine to a drug dealer from Mexico, he went to New Orleans just before the Mardi Gras. Easy Rider will help you see how the American people faced tensions in the 1960s. See movies.

The Hundred foot journey

Another awesome travel film which you can try watching is this which is a story centered around an Indian family who moves to France and opens a restaurant across.

So you can enjoy the beauty of France with this movie night.

That was our in depth guide about Travel Movies which you can watch on your next trip. Do let us know if there was any movie which you enjoyed the most.

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Sankalp Singh is the Founder and Author of Chasing Whereabouts. He is passionate about travel, photography, and food. He has travelled across Europe extensively to experience its quirks, culture, and diversity. He is a self-taught traveller and he has been exploring the world since the age of 25. When he is not travelling, you can find him at work being a Software Engineer in 9-5 Job.

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15 Best Movies About Travel

• by Jonny Duncan
• January 7, 2022 February 17, 2022

These are some of the best movies about travel you can watch to inspire your wanderlust. I’ve seen all of them and some multiple times over as they’re so good.

These movies about travel cover all genres of travel so you should find one to suit your taste.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon where you can rent (or buy) these movies about travel. I get a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through the links.

Into The Wild

Into The Wild is about the adventurous but short life of Christopher McCandless who gives away all his worldly possessions and heads out to travel across the US to Alaska where he will live in the wild. It’s based on a true story that was excellently written in a book by Jon Krakauer.

I spent several weeks travelling in Alaska and the wilderness there is out of this world. However, the one thing I didn’t like in this movie was how unprepared he really was for the wilderness. I felt so bad for him at the end.

Out of the movies about travel this is one I find as a cautionary tale that yes go and live your life, but if going into unknown environments make sure you’re properly prepared.

Even if you think you’re prepared, going into the wilderness by yourself is a very serious undertaking. It’s not like hiking on a popular hiking trail where you may be found.

Wild is one of the best movies about backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail in the US and is, again, based on a true story.

It follows the life of Cheryl Strayed who is a divorced woman, looking to escape and find herself, so to speak.

She sets out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and meets many other hikers, learning about life on the journey.

Spiritual and adventurous, it’s a must-watch for any avid hiker, especially if you want to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

Tip: If you have an interest in hiking the Pacific Crest Trail then also take a look at the documentary Only the Essential . I’m not including it on this list as this is about movies about travel and not documentaries.

The Darjeeling Limited

This one is funny and existential. The Darjeeling Limited follows 3 brothers who don’t get along so great in life and they travel across part of India onboard the train called (you guessed it) The Darjeeling Limited.

Their eventual mission is to find their mother who has mysteriously disappeared to a convent in the middle of nowhere.

The real entertainment is the culture shock the brothers have in India and their humorous events along their journey.

A great hiking movie and emotional all at the same time. The Way follows a father as he hikes the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain when he finds out his son has died there when doing it.

The beautiful scenery and the stories amongst the other hikers and the emotional reflections make this a great hiking movie.

It also showcases life on the Camino de Santiago and why people hike it.

Another tip: If you have an interest in the Camino de Santiago check out this documentary Walking The Way .

The Motorcycle Diaries

This is about Che Guevara’s journey as a young man through South America on a motorbike, stunningly captured in the Motorcycle Diaries .

The journey and what he sees and the experiences he has changed him. He went on to become one of the worlds leading communist revolutionaries, especially in Cuba.

It’s taken from Guevara’s own diary as a 23-year-old on the trip. Watch this one if you’re interested in South America travel.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

My favourite travel comedy . It follows the misadventures of two very different personalities who somehow find themselves together trying to get back home to Chicago after their flight is diverted due to bad weather.

As the title suggests they end up using all modes of transport to try and reach home and the chemistry between the two is hilarious as they are both so different from one another.

Steve Martin plays the uptight salary man whereas John Candy is the polar opposite playing an easy-going chatty street salesman.

The scene in the first hotel bedroom is comedy genius. I won’t spoil what happens, just watch it!

Seven Years in Tibet

Adventure, if you can call it that, in the Himalayan Mountains.

Seven Years in Tibet is about the true story of Heinrich Harrer a famed Austrian mountain climber who ends up in a British prison camp during WWII before escaping with the plan to trek across the Himalayas into the safety of non-British Tibet.

The task is hard but after they make it across life gets stranger as they enter a land that few westerners have seen.

Intrigued and bewildered with this peaceful Buddhist way of life they stay and immerse themselves into the culture and it changes them forever, for the good.

Tracks is about the epic adventure of a woman seeking solitude and decides to find it by crossing the Australian desert from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean with only four camels and her dog.

It ends up being a 1700-mile trek!

This is the ultimate getaway from everything in the movies about travel genre.

Lost in Translation

Interested in Japan? Lost in Translation will be funny and interesting for you as it shows the culture shock you will experience when first going there.

I’ve spent several months travelling in Japan and have watched many movies about Japan and this one is one of my favourites.

It follows two strangers from the US who accidentally meet in Tokyo and proceed to have their own adventures together there.

They delve into and explore what is for them a strange new world of Japanese culture. I know the feeling from my first trip to Japan!

If you love Paris then you must watch Amelie . It’s a funny movie following the life of an introvert called Amelie, who is a waitress at a cafe in Paris who decides her mission is to try and make other people happy.

In her quest to do so hilarious events happen. The cafe scenes are so funny in the mishaps that happen and the dialogue is a classic.

The gnome that travels the world? Check out the movie to see what the hell I’m on about.

Will she end up finding happiness herself after helping others?

Classic! Easy Rider is one of the ultimate motorbike road trip movies about travel.

It’s about two hippies who set out on a motorbike trip across the US in search of spirituality and truth in modern America during the 1960s’.

Drugs, bigotry, crazy times are all in this movie. Plus it’s got a young Jack Nicholson playing a role! What more could you want.

On The Road (2012)

Jack Kerouac’s book ‘On The Road’ is a classic in beatnik literature of the 50s’ (also one of my favourite travel books) and the On The Road movie is a decent enough adaptation of the book.

Although as I always say if you’ve read the book then the movie will most likely not be as good as you think. Even so, have a watch, it’s fun!

Drinking and partying and finding yourself on the road.

Indiana Jones Movies

For the ultimate adventure movies about travel, you can’t beat Indiana Jones. Everyone should have heard about him even if you haven’t seen the movies.

When I first saw Raiders of the Lost Ark as a child I wanted to get out on an adventure somewhere in the world. Except for the part about evil nazis chasing me around!

There are 4 movies in total with the 1st, Raiders of the Lost Ark , and 3rd, The Last Crusade , respectively being the best of the bunch.

The Lost City of Z (2016)

Adventure in the jungle of Brazil. It follows the British explorer Colonel Percival Fawcett as he navigates up a river in the Brazilian rainforest in search of what he believes to be a lost city. The Lost City of Z .

It’s set in the early 20th century.

It’s based on a true story and makes for one of the more adventurous movies about travel.

Roman Holiday (1953)

Roman Holiday is an old travel movie but a good one still, especially if you’re visiting Italy and want to watch a movie set in Rome to get you inspired.

A princess comes to visit Rome and is bored as she is watched over by her guardians constantly and now allowed to do things she wants to do.

She manages to escape and falls for an American journalist who works in Rome who then shows her around the city. Initially, he does this as he wants to get a story on the princess, but then they slowly fall for each other and romance ensues.

It stars Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Enough said!

Movies About Travel

So those are my personal favourite movies about travel.

Of course, there will be a few travel movies that you may love and have been missed here but then you should know about them already.

One movie I did leave out of the list that has been popular in backpacking circles, especially in southeast Asia, is The Beach. The main reason is that I read the book back in 1998 on my first trip to Thailand and the book is excellent, a classic, but the movie doesn’t live up to the book at all. Take a look at it if you didn’t read the book is my advice.

For more movies to watch take a look at the 10 best survival movies to watch.

Disclaimer: I own none of the rights to the images in this post. They are used in fair usage terms to discuss movies about travel.

If you liked this article about movies about travel a share would be cool!

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The Best Travel Movies On Netflix Right Now

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated Feb 25, 2023 | Inspiration , Travel Tips

Searching for the best travel movies on Netflix ? Are you starting to plan your next trip and looking for some inspiration? 

Whether you’re about to jet off or are putting together a killer itinerary, the best way to get in the mood is by watching travel or road trip movies.

Luckily, Netflix is full of movies about travel, so you’ll likely find one set in your destination or relating to your travel style. 

So, regardless of if you’re taking a road trip, flying to another country, or even sailing across the world, these ten travel movies on Netflix will fill you with excitement and anticipation.

1. Eat, Pray, Love (2010)

Eat Pray Love is perhaps the most loved movie for female solo travelers and one most of us can relate to.

This film is even better because it is based on the true story of writer Elizabeth Gilbert’s travel life.

What’s more, Gilbert is played by none other than the incredible Julia Roberts. 

We first meet Gilbert in a moment of deep despair where she realizes that she is unhappy in her marriage.

The scene of her crying on the bathroom floor pulls the heartstrings of every female who has left a relationship for the life of travel. 

After dealing with a messy divorce, Gilbert plans a year-long spiritual journey to rediscover herself. She splits the year between Italy, India, and Bali, and we follow her to each destination.

Throughout the movie, we see how she grows and finds pieces of herself that had become lost in an unfulfilled life, and we can’t help but cheer her on every step of the way.

If you’re a fan of this movie, make sure to read our post including the best quotes from Eat, Pray, Love .

2. Into The Wild (2007)

This Oscar-nominated film is based on the true story of a young American guy who feels called to go into the wild. He gives up everything to live a nomadic life, including his trust fund and excellent job prospects.

The film follows Christopher as he hitchhikes across North America, arriving in the Alaskan bush.

Here, he lives almost entirely off the land, hunting for food and sleeping in an abandoned bus he found.

While we may not have had such an intense travel experience, as freedom seekers, we can relate to Christophers’ desire to break free from society.

I don’t want to give too much away, but this film is undoubtedly a tear-jerker!

3. Expedition Happiness (2017)

This travel documentary follows a young couple wanting to escape their hometown and see the world, something all travelers can relate to.

Expedition Happiness follows the adventure-seeking couple who transform an old school bus into a motorhome and then travel across North America in it, with their fur child in tow. 

Expedition Happiness feels authentic and relatable, and you’ll indeed feel for the couple as they encounter many familiar road trip problems.

It’s one of the best road trip movies you can find on Netflix right now and will remind you of the first big trip you ever took and that first taste of freedom you experienced.

Or, if you’ve yet to pack up your life and hit the road, this travel movie will inspire you to make it happen!

4. Lost In Translation (2003)

Lost in Translation is one of the best backpacking movies on Netflix. It deals with the feelings of loneliness solo travelers often experience on long stints away from home.

The 2003 movie follows the story of two travelers in Tokyo (played by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson) who find comfort in each other’s company.

Lost in Translation represents perfectly the familiar feeling of confusion and alienation when you first arrive in a country where you don’t speak the language.

Plus, it highlights the importance of human connection during travel and how the people we meet while away are never by coincidence. 

5. The Bucket List (2007)

The Bucket list is undoubtedly one of the best travel movies on Netflix for anyone who is procrastinating about booking their dream trip.

This inspiring film is about two terminally ill men (played by Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson) who meet on a cancer ward.

They create their bucket lists and decide to tick off as many things as possible before they die. 

This ultimate travel movie follows the pair as they visit the most incredible places globally, such as ​​the Taj Mahal, The Great Wall Of China, and the Egyptian pyramids.

What’s more, they embark on many adventures, from an African Safari to skiing in the alps to skydiving.

While the concept of this movie is simple, it serves as a refreshing reminder to make the most of the time we have left. What’s more, the acting and story writing is superb. 

6. The Terminal (2004)

Ok, this may not be one that you’ll want to watch the night before a flight, but it’s an incredible movie nonetheless.

I’m sure we’ve all had worrisome thoughts of being stranded in an airport, and this is what happens to a traveler played by Tom Hanks in The Terminal.

However, he doesn’t just get stuck there for a few days, no he spends nine months inside New York’s JFK airport! 

How does this happen? The character Viktor flies into JFK but then realizes his passport is invalid and unrecognizable and cannot enter the USA, nor can he return home.

But don’t worry, this story is entirely fictional, thank god!

7. The Fundamentals Of Caring (2016)

The Fundamentals of Caring is another of the best road trip movies and an inspirational buddy comedy about a disabled teen and his caregiver.

Ben (Paul Rudd) is a writer who retires early after a family loss and decides to become a caregiver for a troubled teen (Trevor) who’s fed up with being stuck in a wheelchair. 

Ben decides to take Trevor on a road trip across America to change his perspective on life.

With themes of ​​hope and companionship, they both overcome struggles and gain a new lease on life along with a solid friendship.

The Fundamentals of Caring is funny yet emotional and perfectly exemplifies how life-affirming road trips and traveling can be.

8. Holiday In The Wild (2019)

If you’re planning an African Safari, Holiday in the Wild is a must-see. This movie is about an American woman whose husband unexpectedly leaves her.

She decides to go alone on what was supposed to be their ‘second honeymoon,’ a trip to Africa.

However, during the solo safari, she finds purpose in helping the animals and extends her stay. 

While in Zambia, Kate volunteers at an elephant sanctuary. There are several scenes that anyone who has volunteered with animals abroad will find relatable. 

Although a little predictable, it’s a pleasant, easy-viewing film about leaving the modern luxuries of the western world and experiencing a simpler life in the wild.  

9. The Tourist (2010)

We’ve all had holiday romances but probably not one that put us in great danger and on the run from the police!

The Tourist is a thrilling travel movie about an American tourist named Frank (played by Johnny Deep) who travels to Italy on his own to mend his broken heart.

However, instead of finding peace and solitude, he meets Elise (played by Angelina Jolie) on a train to Venice. 

Frank believes they have hit it off but unknown to him, Elise has chosen him as a decoy.

As a result, he’s mistaken for a mobster and wanted by the police and the mob from whom Elise stole money.

The film is a tad unrealistic, but you’ll surely enjoy The Tourist if you like thrillers and adore Italy. 

10. David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet (2020)

This recent David Attenborough travel documentary is a must-see for anyone interested in this magnificent world, thus all travelers. In ‘A Life on Our Planet,’ Attenborough recounts the most astonishing things he has seen on his travels.

As a man who has visited the most remote, uninhabited places on every continent, he is someone worth listening to!

Attenborough speaks of the evolutionary history of life on Earth and grieves the loss of rainforests and animal species and the effect of climate change.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, as he discusses his vision for the future and how we can make a positive change to the planet we live on.

This travel documentary will undoubtedly inspire you to get out there and make a difference in the world.

Final Thoughts On Travel Movies

Our list of the best travel movies on Netflix includes something for every wanderlust planning or preparing for a trip.

So, why not take a break from your destination research and packing and put one of these travel and backpacking movies on Netflix.

Searching for more inspiration? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Best travel shows on Netflix
• Best movies about long-distance relationships
• Best movies filmed in France

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Screen Rant

10 of the best time travel movies redditors love.

Whether it's bringing a history textbook to life or saving your parent's marriage, these movies will leave you wanting to travel through time.

The release of Everything Everywhere All At Once reignited fans' love for sci-fi movies and despite being released in May has managed to retain its popularity, with many viewers expressing their love for it over social media sites like Twitter and TikTok. This fun flick takes viewers on a trip through the multi-universe and stirred up conversations regarding the idea of traveling through universes, with some fans even adding time travel to the mix.

Everything Everywhere All At Once may not have focussed on time travel but prompted Redditors to create a comprehensive list of their favorite time travel flicks due to the movie's affinity with everything science fiction. These movies might not take viewers on a trip through the multi-universe but will lose them in the complexity of time instead.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

Rent On AppleTV

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is one of the smartest titles for a movie about time travel and cleverly tells viewers exactly what the movie is about.

RELATED: 10 Movies Like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time You Have To See

The movie offers viewers amazing visuals to go with its intricate representation of time travel, at first it utilizes comedy to showcase how an everyday person may use time travel to their advantage, with Makoto often retaking tests and awkward social encounters. However, this sci-fi flick delivers a much deeper message that teaches viewers if one messes with the future, they miss out on the present, resulting in one Redditor labeling it as a "real good" movie, which is well-balanced.

13 Going On 30 (2004)

Rent On Prime Video

13 Going On 30 is a fun flick that sees 13-year-old Jenna's birthday wish come true when she wakes up looking 30 but still with her teenage personality. The movie is considered something of a classic, with the famous dress recently being sought after by fashion lovers due to viewers, love for the film being reignited through Tik Tok.

One Redditor explained how "the summary of it gave [them] 17 Again vibes" with 13 Going On 30 being the blueprint for teen time travel movies where the main character either returns to their youth or fast forwards to their future. The movie played into the common desire people have to live their future and showcases the importance of appreciating every part of life, even if it is the uncomfortable teenage years.

Looper (2012)

Stream On Netflix

Looper is one of the best movies of 2012 and stars Bruce Willis alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt as they play the same character just years apart. This action-packed flick follows a mobster who is sent back in time by those above him as a way of executing him but the simple task is complicated when his looper turns out to be his younger self.

Looper is an unusual yet slick futuristic flick that reimagines the typical hitman and sends Joe and its viewers on a complex adventure through time. The movie provides fans with a mind-bending version of time travel where its criminality adds to its intense plot that many fans including jonmuller loved and even stressed how they've "enjoyed every movie Rian Johnson's made", with Looper being the best.

The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

Adapted from Audrey Niffenegger's novel of the same, The Time Traveler's Wife sees the relationship between Henry and Claire grow as the pair get married but their relationship is continuously interrupted by Henry's ability to travel through time.

RELATED: 10 Most Romantic Sci-Fi Movies, According To Ranker

The romance movie placed a different take on time travel flicks where Henry lacks control over when and where he time travels, leaving fans and Claire constantly guessing. The Time Traveler's Wife is a well-thought-out flick that captures the heartbreak of time travel whilst also prompting fans to appreciate the unknown that awaits them in the future, with one Redditor advocating its role as a "great time traveling flick with a different take on it than most, and also admittedly a pretty good romance".

Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure sees Keanu Reeves in his coolest role as Ted, who alongside his best friend Bill goes on an adventure that helps them to complete the history assignment hanging over both of their heads.

The movie has a similar vibe to the cult classic Back To The Future , with its wacky tone creating some seriously funny scenes that see the pair irritate past kings and monarchs whilst also giving them a modern form of education. Bill and Ted certainly go on an adventure that brought history books to life and left fans with an attachment to the iconic flick, with Sonnyknowles sharing that they "have a Bill and Ted tattoo".

Timecrimes (2007)

Rent On Sky Store

The 2007 film Timecrimes is a Spanish science fiction thriller where Hector ventures into the woods to discover the young girl he was watching has been assaulted and almost finds himself with the same fate until he flees straight into a time-traveling machine.

The movie has very little dialogue that adds to its enigmatic plot and even resembles earlier time travel flicks due to it paying homage to classic science fiction. Timecrimes plays with the idea of Dejavu with Hector continuously traveling back in time 1 hour and plunging fans into a suspenseful game of cat and mouse between different versions of Hector, with Cagney69 stating how "Timecrimes is excellent".

Interstellar (2014)

Stream On Now Cinema

Interstellar is a modern movie destined to become a classic , with Christopher Nolan living up to his title as one of the best filmmakers to date. The sci-fi flick tells the story of Cooper, who is given the job of finding a new planet for civilians after theirs is deemed unfit to live on.

The movie is deemed one of the best representations of time travel in cinematic history and delivers many heartbreaking scenes that showcase the reality of messing with time, especially regarding family. Interstellar is a complex watch and requires viewers to attempt to understand its intricate details, highlighting its accuracy in terms of science fiction, with one Redditor sharing how they recently rewatched it and were left with the words "uh... wow"!

About Time (2013)

About Time seems like a typical romance movie until it reveals its secret affinity with time travel, impressing both science fiction and romance fans. About Time is a heartwarming flick about a captivating British romance that encourages viewers to watch the couple go through each life milestone.

RELATED: 10 Movies To Watch When You Feel Like Wallowing

However, Tim's ability to time travel didn't just highlight how he could go back and change the outcomes of certain situations but also the negative impact it can have when it comes to grief or new life, resulting in Docdoor sharing that they felt " About Time actually did time travel pretty well".

Primer (2004)

Primer is an impressive indie flick about time travel as it tells the story of two engineers who create a machine that has the potential to send them back or forward in time. However, the film abandons the excitement usually seen in sci-fi flicks and instead explores the consequences of messing with time.

This science fiction drama proved to be so complex that fans had to rewatch it to understand what actually happened, but that didn't stop fans from praising its slick visuals and intelligent script. Despite having a low budget, the movie exceeded fans' expectations through its unique camera angles, captivating characters, and mind-bending plot. Primer even led to some fans like pyrostoker sharing that whilst they "still have no idea what happened, [they] liked it.".

Back To The Future (1985)

Buy On AppleTV

Back To The Future is the best time travel movie of all time and continues to have an audience of loyal fans even today, with many fans labeling the flick a cult classic. Back To The Future cleverly utilizes its small-town setting to showcase each character's progression and allows Marty to watch his parents fall in love.

The movie combines comedy with science fiction to create an action-packed flick that leaves many viewers wanting the modern gadgets seen within it. It also prompts fans to think about how their present life will affect their future, resulting in Sonnyknowles labeling it a true "classic"!

NEXT: 15 Cool Time Loop Movies, Ranked (According To IMDb)

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Home » Budget Travel » The Ultimate List of Travel Movies Updated For 2024

The Ultimate List of Travel Movies Updated For 2024

There is a pretty high chance that you were first inspired to get out of your hometown and see a bit of the world by a film. Maybe you were filled with a deep desire to be in nature after watching “Into The Wild”, or perhaps you just fancied partying in Thailand after seeing “The Beach”. Alternatively, (like me) you simply wanted to visit the chic cafes of Paris after watching the works of New Age Wave autre John Luc Goddard.

In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the best travel movies, documentaries and TV shows ever. As well as introducing the films, we’ll reflect on what makes them special and what they say about travel.

Unlike some other travel blogs, the Broke Backpacker boasts several self confessed film snobs amongst its writing staff and our eclectic list reflects this. We have included some true classics  (ie, golden oldies),  a few leftfield, indie-gems, and yes, a few definitive backpacker faves that we simply could not leave out. Oh and I’m happy to tell you right now that “Eat, Sleep, Pray” did  not  make our list.

What is a Travel Movie?

Firstly I think it’s worth taking a closer look at what we mean by a “travel film” or “travel movie” as the definition is not as apparent as it may at first seem.

In order to qualify as a travel film on this list, the film needs to have “travel”, or the journey of the protagonists as a central theme. Alternatively, it must use travel as the setting to explore the characters’ story arcs. So does this mean that Lord of the Rings qualifies? After all, the characters cover a fair few miles over the course of the trilogy. Well no, because to make it onto our list it also has to take place in a ‘real world’ setting.

It is also not enough for a movie to simply be set “abroad” in order for it to qualify and for this reason, “Lost in Translation” qualifies whereas “Enter The Void” doesn’t. Whilst both are essentially films about Americans in Tokyo, there are some crucial differences. “Enter The Void” is simply a story that happens to take place in Tokyo whereas the central theme of “Lost in Translation” is the alienation of being a stranger in a strange land (oh and much of the film takes place in a hotel!).

Finally, it’s only fair to tell you in advance that some films may make it onto this list purely because I say so!

The Best EVER Travel Films 

Now that we all know the rules, let’s meet the contestants. These are the best travel movies EVER. Pass the popcorn…

Into The Wild (2007)

Firmly established as a contemporary backpacker favourite, Sean Penn’s Into The Wild casts a young Emile Hirsch as “Alexander Supertramp”; a disillusioned young man who leaves his home, turns his back on society and sets off in search of the simple, free life. 

Based on a true story, Into The Wild examines the possibility of living a nomadic, cash-free existence in modern America as he ventures towards a hermetic existence in the wilds of Alaska . Critics of the film point out that it seems to gloss over the protagonist’s mental health issues and portrays his self-destructiveness as a form of nobility.

Into The Wild has become a very influential film and has (kind of) inspired a generation of backpackers as well as an Arcade Fire song (the book did anyway) . Pretty much all of The Broke Backpacker team have been told we are “just like the guy from Into The Wild” at some point or another – we don’t agree, as we are all glued to the capitalist system. But we don’t think it would necessarily be a good thing anyway if you’ve seen how it ends.

On The Road (2012)

On The Road is based on the seminal Jack Kerouac book of the same name and tells the semi-fictitious tale of the author’s alter-ego, Sal Paradise, as he crosses back and forth across America in the 1950s. Setting out from New York with his best friend and idol, Dean Moriarty, the film is an amphetamine fuelled, jazz soundtracked take on the nature of freedom and the symbolism of the road.

Sam Riley puts in a solid performance as Sal/Kerouac and there is also a notable cameo from Steve Buschemi. A few people would argue that the film fails to even come close to the novel, but it is indeed a worthy attempt.  

I first read the book as a young man and it inspired me to get out and travel, although it took me a good few years to muster the courage and save the cash to actually do so. Whilst On The Road has gone down a truly great piece of literature, its greatest achievement is perhaps putting hipster city Denver on the map.

Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

Let’s start with a fun factoid, this worthy adaptation of the memoir of the same name is one of the few films you can watch at the little cinema in Manang, halfway up Nepal’s Annapurna circuit . If you are ever passing that way, be sure to check it out.

Seven Years in Tibet tells the true story of Austrian (Nazi sympathising) mountaineer Heinrich Harrer who gets effectively stranded in the (closed) country of Tibet when World War II breaks out. After finding refuge in the “forbidden city” of Lhasa, Harrer is hired to serve as a tutor to the young Dalai Lama who inevitably ends up teaching him.

The film is a touching tale of redemption and enlightenment that examines the nature of friendship and fatherhood. The film is also notable for depicting the unique (and lost) Tibetan culture and the tragic invasion of Tibet by China’s Red Army in 1950.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

For some bizarre reason, there seems to be a shortage of travel films set in India. This Wes Anderson comedy throws together a stellar leading cast including Owen Wilson (we’ll be seeing more of him) and Adrian Brody.

Seemingly set in the 1970s (judging by the fashion and soundtrack), The Darjeeling Limited documents the train journey 3 brothers decide to take across India to commemorate their Fathers passing.

As with most Wes Anderson films, the film does dry, dark humour very well. Moreover, as a travel movie the film examines the cliches and realities of the notion of India as a “spiritual country” . It also looks at the dynamics between travel companions – if you have ever taken a trip with your relatives, you know the pain.

Raiders of The Lost Arc (1981)

The first of the Indiana Jones series introduces Harrison Ford as the world’s most bad-ass archeologist. This fast paced and utterly lovable flick sees Jones travel from Peru, to Nepal and onto Egypt trying to beat the Nazis to the Arc of Covenant. The original 3 Indie films are all raucous globe-trotting masterpieces but this is probably the pick.

Despite being fantastical, the Jones films did nevertheless inspire a generation of youngsters to go out and seek adventure. Even to this day, when I find myself exploring the Temples of Bagan, or the overgrown Fort in Bundi, Rajasthan, I get giddy with excitement channelling my inner Indie.

Caravan (Himalaya) (1999)

This French-backed Nepalese feature film rightfully won a raft of awards upon its release and to date stands as one of the few Nepalese films to ever meet with worldly success. Set and filmed in Nepal’s mysterious and ancient Dolpang region, Caravan tells the story of traditional Nepalese mountain folk making their annual journey to sell rock-salt.

Despite such a simple premise, the film is utterly gripping. The journey across the Himalayas is tough and arduous and to make it, the cantankerous but wise Tinle must reconcile with young protegge Karma.

Most of the characters in the film were absolute amateurs – Dolpanese villagers making their acting debuts – but the performances are so perfect you would never tell.

You can also watch this film at Manang cinema too.

Before Sunrise (1995)

The first (and best) instalment of the beautiful Before trilogy , Before Sunrise introduces Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as 2 American backpackers who meet on a train whilst interrailing around Europe.

Finding an immediate and deep connection (which seem to come thick and fast when backpacking) the pair are both ending their trip and decide to spend their last 12 – 24 hours exploring Vienna together before going their separate ways forever (or at least until 2004’s Before Sunset).

What this film does majestically, is encapsulating the joy of simply walking around a city with somebody interesting. Vienna is nice, but it ultimately serves as a backdrop to the two protagonists’ deeper explorations of one another.

Once you see this film, your challenge is to try and blag a “pay you later” bottle wine like Ethan Hawke’s character does. Let me know how it goes.

Fitzcarraldo – The Burden of Dreams (1982)

This West German underground masterpiece by auteur of the weird Werner Herzog is perhaps amongst the most unique films to make this list. Set in the Amazon Rainforest in the 1920s, Fitzcarraldo is based on the exploits of real-life Rubber Baron Roberto Fitzarrold.

Fitzcarraldo, played by the intense and charismatic Klaus Kinski, is an entrepreneur and Opera fan. Fitz dreams of building an Opera house in the middle of the jungle so he can invite legendary Tenor Enrico Caruso to open it. In order to raise the cash, Fitz needs to find a way to access the lucrative rubber trees buried deep in the forest, so he decides the easiest way is to carry his steamship over a mountain.

The film is utterly balmy. It’s surreal, humorous and possibly unlike anything else you have ever seen.

In Bruges (2008)

Even Gangsters need vacations right? Well, kinda yes, but mostly no. In Bruges tells the story of 2 bungling gangsters who are sent to Ghent, er I mean Bruges, by their crime lord boss apparently to lay low after a hit gone wrong back in London. After spending the first few days confined to a tiny hotel room, the 2 begin taking it in turns to go out and explore the city making friends and enemies as they go. Eventually, it becomes clear to the pair that their jaunt in Brugge is not just a jolly, but there is another hit that needs doing…

Starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes, the all-star cast are on their comedy best and the film packs in plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and memorable one-liners (what about the Vietnamese?).

“It feels like a dream but I know I’m awake” is how Colin Farrel’s character describes Bruges (actually he didn’t, he said it was shit, watch the film to find out why this is funny). Indeed the film put Bruge firmly on the map for weekend breaks and stag do’s – a clientele even less desirable than hitmen.

Roman Holiday (1953)

Rome has never not been an “in demand” holiday destination and the eternal city has been attracting visitors even long before St Paul made his pilgrimage there to establish a death cult. Still, in the 1950s, chic Rome was possibly at its peak, thanks in part to Richard Burton living there. But also thanks to this classic piece of black and white cinema.

Roman Holiday stars everyman Gregory Peck and the elfin beauty of Audrey Hepburn as a reporter and a secret Princess who meet one day exploring Rome . What follows is now a textbooky comic-romantic-adventure involving Vespa scooters, the Spanish steps and a ton more Roman tropes.

One of the oldest travel films to make our list, Roman Holiday is a true classic from one of Hollywood’s golden periods.

Easy Rider (1969)

“Two men set off in search of America, they couldn’t find it anywhere” – is how Easy Rider was summarised on its release in 1969. Filmed and set in California at the height of the 60’s counter-culture, Easy Rider follows the 2 protagonists (Dennis Hopper and Hollywood-hippy Peter “Wow’ Fonda) as they journey up from Mexico across the south-west en route to sell a giant haul of cocaine.

The film celebrates the simple joy of the open road examines the thriving hippy counterculture of the time. The New Orleans graveyard scene is perhaps one of the earliest and most successful attempts to capture the LSD experience on film. Easy Rider also packs an awesome soundtrack including The Byrds’ “Wasn’t Born To Follow”. The less than happy ending reminds us that not all journeys end well…

Midnight Express (1977)

Now for a look at the darker side of travel. Midnight Express is based on the true story of American Billy Hayes who spent 5 years in a Turkish prison for attempting to smuggle hashish out of the country.

The film is not for the faint hearted and depicts the brutality of the Turkish prison regime which drives the protagonist to the point of insanity.

Whilst watching this film, I was reminded that each year young backpackers around the world are arrested and sentenced to long jail sentences in foreign prisons for drug offences – please don’t take the risk and please stay safe in Istanbul !

Lost in Translation (2003)

Sofia Coppola’s critically acclaimed (but actually quite boring) indie flick sends Bill Murray alongside Scarlett Johansen (in her breakout role) to Tokyo. Murray is an American film star who has been sent to Tokyo by his agent to do some commercials, whereas Johansen is a bored wife who’s husband is always too busy working.

The film slowly examines one of the lesser acknowledged aspects of travel – the occasional melancholy and “why the fuck am I here?” moments that can make a traveller wonder whether actually, those who wander truly are lost after all.

There is plenty of substance in this film, some genuine moments of dry humour and the soundtrack features shoegaze pioneers My Bloody Valentine.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

I wasn’t a fan of Owen Wilson and initially dismissed him as a floppy Woody Harrelson until I saw this. Directed by another Woody, Woody Allen’s (who’s neurosis Wilson channels throughout) Midnight in Paris is the story of a Hollywood writer and his fiancee holidaying in Paris with her conservative (boo!) parents.

Despite having always dreamed of visiting Paris, Gil (Owen) is ultimately disillusioned with its reality and it just cannot live up to his expectations. He constantly finds himself wishing he “was here in the 20’s” or “here in the rain” and is endlessly seeking a romanticised version of the city that only ever really existed in the novels of Hemmingway and films of Truffaut anyway. Can you relate to any of that? Because I certainly can.

I won’t give away too much, but the film takes on a magical twist when (around midnight), Gil is transported back in time to the Paris of his fantasies – cue inevitable, happy, eventual realisation about the only time and place worth being here and now.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

I was loath to include war films on this list. Basically, I don’t really think that invading France or bombing Vietnam is what people have in mind when they think about “travel” despite what the shitty army recruitment campaigns try to suggest (‘Get Paid To Travel! Your Country Needs You!” etc)..

Anyway, I have included this firstly because it is a masterpiece and true classic, but also as it invites us on an intriguing cinematic voyage across a Middle East that is now lost forever. Leading an all legend cast, Peter O Toole plays British agent T.E Lawrence in the true story of his life and exploits in “Arabia” during WWI. Lawrence travels from Jordan to Syria to Iraq, basically trying to convince the Arab tribes to rebel against their Ottoman overlords and fight alongside the British.

Needless to say, both Lawrence and the Arab tribes are screwed over the British once get what they want from them. Thank God it’s only a film ( oh wait…) .

The Beach (2000)

Do I even need to tell you what this one is about?! The Beach follows a young Leonardo Di Caprio finding himself on his gap year (yada-yada) around Southeast Asia. He quickly grows disillusioned with “doing the same old shit” and having inauthentic experiences in Thailand, so decides to head out in search of something else.

Inspired by a scene-stealing Robert Caryle, Di Caprio and his hostel-buddies set off in search of a mysterious, hidden backpacker paradise known as “The Beach”. Upon finding it though, they soon realise that Paradise comes at a cost.

This one is rightfully established as a contemporary-classic travel film. It perfectly caught the Zeitgeist and feels as pertinent today as it did upon its initial release in 2000. The Beach forces us to acknowledge the dark side of hedonism and moreover, to confront the huge elephant (pants?) in the waiting lounge; are travellers actually looking for something or simply running away from something?

The actual beach used in the film is now closed after Thai backpackers pushed the eco system to the point of ruin.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Another golden oldie, The Man Who Knew Too Much is my excuse to include a film offering from ‘the master of suspense’ Alfred Hitchcock.  Featuring James Stewart and Doris Day (two other film & media legends), The Man Who Knew Too Much is a classic adventure romp across French Morocco and makes extensive use of Casablanca’s and Marrakech’s cinematic charm .

If you’re in the mood for great, entertaining filmmaking, they don’t make ’em like this anymore.

The Italian Job (1969)

The Swiss/Italian border high up in the Alps makes for perhaps one of the most scenic drives in the world and has been utilised by filmmakers countless times – never more memorable than in The Italian Job.

This 60s classic casts Michael Caine as a debonair, loveable ex-con who, upon his release from jail, sets to work on his next caper – a bold plot to rob the Italian gold reserve. The Italian Job is the only heist film you ever need to see. It fuses witty dialogue with some unforgettable visual set pieces. The mini chase around Turin looks as impressive today as it must have done in 1969.

FYI – There is a shitty remake of this film knocking about which is to be avoided at all costs.

Withnail & I (1987)

If any of you have ever taken a country break in the UK, then you will know firsthand that they tend to descend into squalid, traumatic disasters that leave you wishing you’d never left the city. 

This is essentially Withnail & I! Two out of work, out of luck, out of it actors decide to escape 60’s London for a few days and head to “the country” to gatecrash the rural cottage owned by Withnail’s (Richard E Grant) eccentric Uncle Monty. The two quickly find themselves making enemies of the country folk at every twist and turn as they bumble from one disaster to another.

Things only take a turn for the worse when Uncle Monty turns up and takes a bit too much of an interest in the protagonist “I” (Paul Mcann). This is British Black humour at its best. A true cult classic packed with t-shirtable one-liners.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

The Talented Mr Ripley is an alluring, seductive and sinister story of obsession, envy, longing, belonging and social class. Young psychopath Thomas Ripley’s (played by Matt Damon) great talent is that he can almost “become” anybody and accordingly, is dispatched to Italy by a wealthy shopping magnate to persuade his wayward son to come home and grow up.

Arriving in 1950’s Italy, Thomas finds himself immersed in the intoxicating lifestyle of Dickie (Jude Law) and his young & monied circle. I have to be mindful not to give away any plot devices here so suffice to say, tensions start to build and things get a bit dark.

As a travel film, this focuses on the strange concept of travel nostalgia ( Italy in the roaring 50s – yes please!) along with the sobering realisation that no matter how much we like to pretend otherwise, travel is still reserved for the privileged.

Mr. Nice (2010)

Mr Nice tells the story of everybody’s favourite drug dealer, Howard Marks. Based on Marks’ memoir (which he wrote in jail), the film tells the (true) story of a simple boy from the Welsh Valleys who became one of the world’s biggest marijuana smugglers.

Funny, witty and fast paced, the film follows Marks from swinging London, to troubled Ireland, to Afghanistan and Mallorca before doing an unwanted tour of countless american penitentiaries. Ouch.

In case you have moral misgivings as to whether it’s ok to like a drug dealer so much, remember that Mark’s never dealt in hard drugs and never used violence. Outlaw yes, criminal no.

James Bond (1961 – Present)

I mulled long and hard over whether to include the Bond franchise on this list and mulled even harder over which one to single out as the best. In the end, I decided James Bond films do qualify but there are simply too many nuggets to choose just the one!

A supercool Brit fighting and shagging his way across the world whilst being utterly culturally insensitive, Bond was in many ways my original travel hero ( although I’m not so much into that Queen and Country crap) . What Bond does well (or awfully) is serve up delightfully patronising travel tropes whether it’s the Q-mechanised Indian Rickshaw in Octopussy or the cartoon Haitian Witch Doctor’ in Live and Let Die.

Ever wanted to jump from the Eiffel Tower? Cos Bond’s done it. Ever wanted to drive a Soviet tank across Red Square? He’s done that too.

Want to visit some of the spots made famous in the movies, check out the best James Bond filming locations for some inspiration.

Best Ever Travel Documentaries

These real-life documentaries are bound to astound and inspire you. Let’s take a look at the best travel documentaries ever.

Samsara (2011)

The last word in travel porn was how our very own Ralph Cope described this – and he’s not far wrong. Samsara is a non-narrative documentary that basically splices gorgeous images from around the world set to a haunting soundtrack featuring Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance). 

From the sacred to the mundane, delving into the profane, the film’s iconic scenes feature the temples of Bagan in Myanmar, as well as jails in the Philippines. Whilst not always an easy watch, Samsara is rewarding, unforgettable and will inspire you to see more of the world.

Parts Unknown (2013 – 2020)

Parts Unknown is essentially a cooking show for people who hate food (or at least hate cooking shows ). Celebrity Chef and all round hero, Anthony Bourdain (dec’d) travels the globe in search of great recipes. On his way, he takes a close look at the cultures behind the food, meeting the people, learning the histories and seeking out the hidden spots that only the locals know about.

Various episodes have seen Bourdain drinking beer and eating noodles with Barack Obama in Hanoi, and have seen the chef getting pissed on a train in Myanmar. What I love about this show is that it reminds us how important food is to the travel experience – it’s no coincidence that all of my favourite countries have great cuisines.

Above all, it also reminds us that a good meal with the right people in the right setting, is an experience in itself and can take you away.

Planet Earth (2006)

If you are reading this, then there is a pretty good chance that you live on Planet Earth. This lauded BBC David Attenbrough series collates some utterly mesmerising footage from the 4 corners of the flat-earth and weaves them into the narrative of our planet.

From the snows of Bhutan, via the deserts of Sudan, to the Jungles of Milan, it’s all in here. The series melds never seen before, HD footage of some of the world’s great wonders with Attenbroughs familiar Grandfatherly tones offering the narration.

As well as Planet Earth, Human Planet and Blue Planet are equally unmissable.

Around The World in 80 Days (1989)

Before Bond and before Jack Kerouac, my first ever travel inspiration came as a 12-year-old boy watching the erstwhile, BBC-perfect, prototype Brit, Michael Palin going around the world in 80 days. In the late 1980s, Palin set out to re-create the fictional journey undertaken by Jules Verne’s character Phileas Fogg in the 19th-century classic novel.

Getting around the world in 80 days sounds easy enough until you realise that staying true to the source material, Palin was forbidden from flying and was instead forced to use trains and boats. This is where I caught my first ever glimpse of Tokyo’s pod hotels and the Orient Express. As a naive working-class boy from a small town, I had no idea that such a world existed and a seed was planted.

Palin’s gift is to make the ordinary extraordinary and all of his travel series are a delight. Also, I have a confession for you – as much as I like to think I’m Bond, in truth I’m closer to the amiable Palin. In fact, whenever I find myself in challenging situations out on the road, I ask myself “What would Michael Palin do?” and try to channel his unflappable manner of being calm, pleasant and just a bit bumbling; after all, it’s gotten him out of many a jam.

Tribe – with Burce Parry (2002 +)

Ex-Royal Marine and trek leader Bruce Parry travels to some of the most remote places on earth to visit and ingratiate himself with various indigenous tribes. Parry seeks out tribes who still live a traditional way of life more or less untouched by the modern world. His challenge in each episode is to immerse himself in their culture, master their ways or surviving and sometimes even undergo their brutal initiation rituals.

Over the course of the series, Parry has lived with Inuits in the Arctic, Mongolian horse tribes in the Steppes, and even dined with some of the earth’s last cannibal cultures.

Long Way Down (2006)

Long Way Down takes 3 of the coolest things in the world and throws them together in one long road trip. Yes, the winning formula of Motorcycles + Travel + Obi Wan Kenobi (or Ewan McGregor as he insists on been called) proved to be a massive hit.

The show follows McGregor and his best mate Charlie Boorman John o’ Groats in Scotland through eighteen countries in Europe and Africa to Cape Town in South Africa. It is a follow-up to the Long Way Round of 2004, when the pair rode east from London to New York via Eurasia and North America. On the way they visit the set of Star Wars in Tunisia, make their way (minus the camera crew) across Libya and bribe their way through multiple African border crossings.

Best Ever Travel Series

Let’s face it, this is the Netflix era and Hollywood is dead. For the last decade, HBO, Sky and now even the BBC have been producing absolutely awesome long-form TV series that rival even the greatest pieces of film in terms of storytelling and cinematography. Therefore it would be churlish (as well as Boomer as Hell) to not allow TV Series onto this list.

The Serpent (2021)

Made by the BBC, The Serpent transports us to 70’s Bangkok by way of India and Nepal. It tells the true story of a Dutch Diplomat who gets wound up in the investigation into 2 missing backpackers. Unimpressed by the Thai Police’s apathy, he takes matters into his own hands and ends up hot on the trail of notorious backpacker killer, Charles Sobhraj.

The show is gripping, fast paced and the characters well executed. Best of all, it shines a light on the seedier side of the 1970’s hippy trail and reminds us that we backpackers are pretty vulnerable. Don’t let your parents watch this before you set out on a trip is all I can say!

The Terror (2018)

The Terror is a fictional account of the very real lost voyage to the Arctic of Sir John Franklin which took place between 1845-1848. His ships leave England headed towards the cold North seeking out a mythical shortcut through the Arctic.

Strange things happen at sea and it seems even stranger things happen on frozen seas. As well as having to deal with the usual diet of rum, sodomy and the lash, the crew are challenged by ice-breaks, the arctic winter and a strange monster that haunts the frozen wasteland.

As winter drags on, the surviving crew slowly lose their grip on sanity (lead in your food will do that) and the boundaries between dream states and reality dissipate.

Fortitude (2015)

Right, so this one breaks my rules a bit. It is a drama set in a travel-place but it isn’t really about travel. Still, I am making an exception because it is set somewhere you just need to see, because it has an international cast and because I did warn you that sometimes I would just say so!

Fortitude is filmed on and based on Svalbard, although they renamed the city Fortitude in the show for dramatic purposes. It’s about a terrible prehistoric disease that breaks out in the isolated frontier settlement because of melting ice caps – how 2020 of them.

When I visited the Norwegian territory myself in 2016, I immediately said “this place is simply fascinating, it would make a great TV show” before the barman said, “they already made one, I was in it!”.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed writing this one and I hope you enjoyed reading it. I could have included more but let’s keep it sensible, right? How many of these have you seen? Are you inspired to see a few more? If you have any gems that you think I missed, do let me know in the comments!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

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25 Popular Travel Movies That Everyone Needs To Watch (And Then Rewatch)

The category that gets very little attention, but deserves much more love – the travel movie.

Movies have been captivating audiences for decades, closing in on the century mark, as one of the most popular forms of entertainment ever created. Movies have withstood the test of time as they cover every type of genre, able to satisfy the liking of every person. Cinema covers everything from comedies to action, adventure, drama, romance and so much more. Although not considered a genre, there is a category that gets very little attention, but deserves much more love – the travel movie.

Some of the best movies are centered around the world of travel with many of them included among the all-time greats. It’s simple to see why these movies resonate with audiences, considering traveling the world is a concept we can all relate to. Everyone has had an itch at some point in their lives to drop what they’re doing and take off on the trip of a lifetime to fulfill a lifelong dream. These trips often result in hilarious journeys, self-discovery, or profound life-changing experiences. Seeing it all unfold on screen can be powerful and uplifting.

Here are the twenty-five quintessential travel movies we all need to see.

25 Away We Go

Starring everyone’s favorite TV character from the Office, John Krasinski plays the role of an expectant father in this light-hearted film about family and travel. The main characters, a couple with a baby on the way, decide to embark on a road trip across the United States and parts of Canada to look for the perfect place to call home once their child arrives.

It’s a great film with an emphasis on the importance of family while exploring cities like Montreal, Madison, Tucson, Phoenix and Miami, each one getting a nice glimpse of screen time and showing the world what they have to offer.

24 Before Sunrise Trilogy

The trilogy is composed of the films Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight and is based on a man and woman who met while on a train in Europe in the first movie. The trilogy takes place over the course of several decades with each film telling the story of how the pair happen to find one another in different cities years apart.

The trilogy takes viewers through beautiful shots of Vienna, France, and Greece, which each location playing a significant role in their respective movies.

23 Due Date

In this hilarious comedy starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, the duo are a knockout combo delivering the laughs as they travel across the United States, from Atlanta to Los Angeles, in a race against time to ensure Downey’s character witnesses the birth of his child. The pair makes for a great team as they travel by car, stopping along the way in different states, getting into constant, hysterical trouble.

Although this isn’t a travel move in the most typical sense, the entire movie’s premise is based on a road trip, so it should count.

22 Eat Pray Love

Eat Pray Love is probably one of the most quintessential travel movies as it embodies everything about travel that we all know and love. Everyone, deep down, has an innate desire to go on this life-changing journey around the world in search of finding oneself and that’s exactly what Julia Roberts’ character does in this film after a heartbreaking divorce.

As IMDB aptly details her journey, “she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy, the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali.”

21 Elizabethtown

In this emotional comedy, Orlando Bloom’s character goes on an epic road trip, although it is not the basis of the movie. The film is more centered on the love story that is unfolding, but the trip that his character takes toward the end of the film is the climactic finale that adds an emotional punch to an already solid movie.

In honor of his recently deceased father, Bloom’s character journeys through America’s Midwest, passing through great locations like Memphis, Tennessee and Louisville, Kentucky, even stopping to visit the motel where Martin Luther King passed away.

20 Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is one of the most popular movies of all time, often being ranked as one of the best films ever made. The movie isn’t a straight-up travel movie, but the main character, Gump, played by Tom Hanks, does his fair share of making his way around the world in this spellbinding tale of history that takes audiences everywhere.

Gump’s storytelling is unique and engaging, detailing his life in Vietnam as a soldier, a war hero in Washington DC, his life back home in Alabama, and an infamous run across the entire country.

19 Into the Wild

Into the Wild is a film based on the profound true story of Christopher McCandless, played by Emile Hirsch. McCandless decides to give up all his material possessions, including his money and venture across the country by foot, mostly hitchhiking to the wilderness of Alaska. The movie details his incredible journey and eventual time in the cold backwoods of the state. His journey shapes his very essence and his decision to live amongst nature for the rest of his days is one that will haunt viewers.

18 Little Miss Sunshine

With a fantastic ensemble cast, including Steve Carell, this funny movie about an entirely dysfunctional family on a cross-country journey to California is one not to be missed. The family of losers, rejects and letdowns decide to jump into their VW bus and take a trip across country so that the daughter of the group can enter and compete in the Little Miss Sunshine Pageant.

Throughout the trip, with much of it taking place on the road, at rest stops, motels and small towns along the way, the family becomes closer, despite their quirky differences and oddities.

17 Lost in Translation

Starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, this movie tells the story of an unhappy, past his prime movie star and a young recently married college graduate in Tokyo. For different reasons, these two from America have traveled to Japan and find themselves alone in the foreign city, eventually forming a forbidden bond because of their eventual need to go back to their normal lives in the US.

The movie highlights the beauty of Japan, which serves as a backdrop to this touching and funny love story.

16 National Lampoon’s Vacation

The first film in a series of National Lampoon’s, this hilarious film joins our list as a must-see travel movie with the Griswold’s family vacation representing the essence of why we travel. The family takes a road trip across the country to visit Walley World, a theme park, with far too many hilarious mishaps along the way.

Starring Chevy Chase, National Lampoon’s Vacation is often seen as the movie that started the cross-country road trip comedy sub-genre. It certainly left its mark on the world of cinema, cited as one of the funniest movies of all time on just about any list of comedies.

15 One Week

Recently finding out that he has very little time to live because of his cancer diagnosis, the protagonist of One Week, Ben Tyler, decides to drop his routine life and live it to the fullest. He embarks on a cross-country road trip through the beautiful country of Canada.

He purchases a used, old motorcycle and takes off from Toronto to British Columbia, stopping along the way at many of the country’s famous landmarks, all while searching for the meaning of life. Canada is certainly painted in a different light than most are used to, making it a country anyone will want to visit after their viewing of One Week.

14 Out of Africa

Out of Africa stars two of the best actors of any generation with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford headlining. The movie is a love story that is set in Africa after Streep’s character journeys halfway across the world to Kenya where she eventually finds love in the form of Redford. The movie does a fantastic job of highlighting the beauty of Africa along with its rich culture and fascinating people.

13 Seven Years in Tibet

Another fantastic actor joins our list with Brad Pitt starring in 1997’s Seven Years in Tibet. The movie follows the true story of the journey that Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer took across the cold mountain ranges of India, eventually ending up in Tibet.

It is here that Harrer meets and forms a spiritual bond with the Dalai Lama, making for one of the more unique, yet profound and interesting partnerships in history.

12 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a film centered on a trip to the great country of India. Focused on the lives of seven British people, all elderly, they each book a trip to India, with their own reasons for going, some looking for love, others for money and even cheap, affordable surgery.

The Britons arrive only to find that the hotel they booked doesn’t match their expectations. As they spend more time getting to know India, the hotel becomes a place of wonder, only adding to their love of the country.

11 The Bucket List

The Bucket List stars Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, two of the best actors of the last half-century, each with their own impressive filmography. They team up to deliver a heartfelt comedy about the human desire to accomplish as much as possible before our time is up.

Both characters meet in a hospital during their last days, each terminally ill and decide, on a whim, to fulfill all of the items they had on their bucket list, but never got around to doing. The long to-do list takes them on a journey around the world, while forming an inspirational friendship.

10 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Benjamin Button isn’t a movie based solely on the act of travel, but the main character makes his way around the world in a series of interesting and out of this world events and experiences. The movie focuses on the fictional story of a man who was born with a condition that makes him appear to be elderly as an infant and young as an old man, essentially living his life in reverse.

Starring Brad Pitt, the film takes audiences on a fantastic journey of a man who lived a profound life and got to see the world, despite his peculiar condition.

9 The Motorcycle Diaries

The film chronicles the epic journey the real life Che Guevara took as a young man prior to becoming the world-famous figure he is known as today. As a young man, he and his best friend take a trip on their motorcycle across the South American continent starting in Buenos Aires, Argentina and working their way north to Venezuela, with the intent of fulfilling a dream of seeing their homeland as they have always wanted to.

In this profound and often harsh movie, Guevara finds his eventual true calling through the travels he experienced as a young man.

8 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Although The Secret Life of Walter Mitty isn’t set in reality with many of the adventures being farfetched fantasies, the movie still does a wonderful job highlighting the beauty and joys of travel.

Ben Stiller plays the main character who is about to be laid off from the job he has held for sixteen years. He decides to go on a larger than life journey, trekking across the globe to live out the dreams he has had for the past two decades.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty will make anyone feel the urge to jump on a plane and head for their dream destination on a whim.

7 Thelma and Louise

The names Thelma and Louise have become synonymous with bandits on the run and this movie put them on the map. Although this isn’t technically a movie about travel, the two titular characters are always on the run, moving from state to state within the country by car, so in a sense, travel is at the very core of this action adventure.

The movie highlights small towns throughout the west while giving audiences some depth when it comes to friendships even in the face of adversity. The movie stars Susan Sarandon and introduces the world to a very young Brad Pitt.

6 Under the Tuscan Sun

Before Eat Pray Love became everyone’s favorite travel movie, there was Diane Lane’s Under the Tuscan Sun. With a very similar plot to Julia Roberts’ now-classic, Tuscan Sun’s star also sets out on a journey of self-discovery after a painful divorce by traveling halfway around the world to Tuscany, where she purchases a rundown villa. Here, she finds a renewed lease on life through the beauty of her new environment, new acquaintances and love.

12 Best Travel Movies on Netflix Right Now

Travel is no longer merely a sub-genre in film. Some of the best films I have ever seen recount travel as a life altering experience for the protagonist, or offer uniquely deep philosophical insights into the ever winding conundrum of the journey or the destination, among many more. I strongly believe that films remain the closest source to temporarily quench your ever increasing non satiated wanderlust and desire for travel. The internet and social media especially has us all daydreaming at our regular jobs of travelling to exotic locations, simply for a kickback, while there are some who yearn for a deeper, more soul enriching experience.

For either category of travelers, Netflix hosts selective content buried beneath heaps of popular movies. The movies listed below may or may not have travel as a salient plot point, but for the latter, the reason for their inclusion would be their disarmingly beautiful utilization of a destination that would inspire you to pack your bags and move straightaway. The kind of films that especially evoke a love affair with a city or country are my absolute favourite ones. With all that said now, here’s the list of really good travel movies on Netflix that are available to stream right now. The list includes adventure travel movies and backpacking movies.

12. Expedition Happiness (2017)

Well, certainly not the best of travel documentaries out there, I have to admit at the outset. ‘Expedition Happiness’ is about two individuals, a musician and a filmmaker who set out to find “happiness” away from the confines of their home and outside their comfort zones. They refurbish a bus and set out on their journey through Alaska into the South, including Mexico and other South American cities, only to be set back by problems that usually accompany travels of such nature, and their mountain dog’s intolerance to heat, a thing I feel pretty sorry about.

Certain viewers have termed their journey inconsequential and their behaviour callous on certain occasions, and while I am inclined to agree, I have to give it to the makers to actually go out there and document their travelogue. They attempted what most of us only dream of, and that may be reason enough to watch this laid back, low budget documentary. However, if well-made travel documentaries are your thing, you might want to give a try.

11. Like Father (2018)

If you can look beyond the fairly obvious (and annoying) advertising of the cruise line, you will find a feel good, mostly harmless film about father daughter bonding somewhere in there. After Rachel is left at the altar, she goes on the Caribbean cruise booked for her honeymoon with her father, as the two work on fixing their relationship, accompanied with some breezy humorous bits. I am not one to label movies using mawkish adjectives, but this one sure is cute, if you are ready to shed some reservations of course and know what to expect.

10. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell no Tales (2017)

The POTC films are not exactly towering cinematic achievements, but they sure as hell were fun blockbuster outings, especially the first two instalments. The third seemed to lack a bit of steam, nonetheless made up for by Johnny Depp’s eccentric act. The fourth one proved to be a lacklustre effort, thus starting the downward spiral for the franchise, the lower end of which this film finds itself at. The locales are still exotic, the swashbuckling still exciting, and the voyage and pirating still pretty exciting, but the plot quickly loses throttle shortly after the first act, never to be redeemed. At best, a feast for the eyes in 3D, or in 4K HD if you have the means for it.

9. The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)

True to its name, ‘The Fundamentals of Caring’ is the story of a retired writer who becomes a caregiver for a specially-abled teen who is unhappy in life and angry after his father left him, and the impromptu road trip that the two take, discovering each other and a thing or two about caring as the journey progresses. Also joining them for the journey is Selena Gomez, who as I learnt became the reason why a lot of people stumbled upon this film on Netflix, but left with so much more. Watch it for the ever so charming Paul Rudd and an emotional story peppered with generous doses of low brow humour.

8. Given (2016)

A beautiful looking, stunning travel documentary that you should stream on Netflix right away, and that too in 4K: you don’t want to miss the sharp detail and colour of the beaches and the vibrant underwater sequences. ‘Given’ is as much about family and legacy as it is about travel. It follows the journey of a legendary surfer couple along with their family, told through the eyes and experiences of six-year-old Given Goodwin while on that journey. This one, especially its stunning visual and living breathing landscaped managed to stay with me for a long time.

7. Kodachrome (2017)

An ode to the art of photography before digital took over, ‘Kodachrome’ will make you reminisce the good old ways more than once. Yes, the film hits some predictable notes and is a simpleton’s film throughout, yet there is an earnestness and attention to detail at the heart of the film that is hard to miss. Take for instance the film being shot entirely on Kodak motion picture film as a means of staying true to the medium and its very name. The beloved photograph development system after which the film is made, is at the centre of its narrative, as a father son duo take a road trip to Kansas to go to the last photo lab before it shuts down. The rest of it may be every trope you may have come to expect out of films based on father son bonding coupled with those of a road trip, yet still, ‘Kodachrome’ offers the satisfaction of a simple plot and ending, and sometimes, that is exactly what you need.

6. The Bucket List (2007)

Two terminally ill men after crossing paths in the hospital ward embark on a road trip together to cross off points from their bucket list, realizing they only have a few more days to live. Sound familiar, right? Except that the “standard” material here is elevated to a higher level by virtue of its talented cast and crew, especially the pairing of the legendary Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. The film may begin and end with a death, but it has some philosophical sermons in the middle that are worth your while. It’s fun, heart-warming in parts and makes you think about life and the things you need to do that you’ve probably been holding out for later, just maybe not in the best ways possible, but you have to give it credit for that.

5. Carol (2015)

An LGBT future classic , a tender tale of love set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, an age of ignorance, a coming-of-age tale for one of its protagonists, and in its second half, a quintessential road film as the relationship between Therese and Carol blooms, reaching a fruitful culmination on New Year’s Eve. There is frankly so much that the affably made ‘Carol’ establishes and in every one of the sub-genres it finds itself associated with that it is hard to discount the film’s credibility. The cinematography especially is increasingly reminiscent of a time far gone, and complements its 50s setting beautifully. Not a question whether you should watch it if you already haven’t.

4. Babel (2006)

Not a travel movie by the looks of it, ‘ Babel ’ is a film better labelled as one with complex narratives diverging and then converging in the end to reveal the interrelations between them. To observe how connected we all are as humans is a tall claim for any filmmaker or artist, leave alone representing that in a satisfactory manner, except Inarritu it would seem. ‘Babel’ is the rare kind of intelligent film that dares to attempt to accomplish that, or provide a lens for it at least. The narrative unfolds in Morocco, Japan, Mexico and partly in the US, looking at four separate narratives and how they find their way to common culmination towards the end of the film.

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3. Lion (2016)

‘Lion’ is a heartbreaking film, and a heartwarming one at the same time.  Dev Patel , Hollywood’s resident Indian stars in the film; one that is the true account of a boy who gets lost on the streets of the Indian city of Calcutta to be adopted by an Australian couple. Years later, he sets out to find his real family in the search of answers. Some of the bits in there are really haunting, and some imagery really moving, especially the bits shot in the Indian city of Calcutta, a city that boasts of its cultural lineages and colourful festivities at every street corner that are evocative of a deeper love for the city and its people. It is all that and more that makes ‘Lion’ a really powerful, well rounded film.

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2. In Bruges (2008)

Inherently twisted in its darkly funny bits, ‘In Bruges’ was a complete delight to watch, both in the way it captures its setting in the quiet, historical town of Bruges, Belgium, and in the way the narrative unfolds in uproarious fashion. It was also the film that introduced me to the works of Martin McDonagh , a director whose films I have come to adore for their dark humour, including ‘Seven Psychopaths’ and ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’. The humour here is often the no bounds kind and routinely venturing into the R-rated kind as well, but the equal insanity of the plot unraveling complements that. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are fantastic in their roles, but the film belongs to no one but Ralph Fiennes when he is on screen as the expletive mouthing eccentric boss. Not to be missed at any cost.

1. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)

As far as movies based on road trips wherein the group of people traveling end up discovering more about each other and themselves go, ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’ is only occasionally topped or bested, even eighteen years after it was first released. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron , this film is another Mexican masterpiece and a true blue art-house flick in its very spirit. The story involves two friends embarking on a road trip with an older woman, the wife of the cousin of one of them, as they promise her a trip to the Heaven’s Mouth beach, the trip and the name of the beach both fabricated. Things take a turn when she agrees and the boys have to put together a road trip through Mexico, as the woman teaches them a thing or two about love, life and sex. Be warned though, the film features a number of sex scenes, some of them fairly graphic, eroticism and sex being one of the themes of the narrative.

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Top 100 Time Travel Movies

Best Films about time travel.

• Movies or TV
• IMDb Rating
• In Theaters
• Release Year

1. Back to the Future (1985)

PG | 116 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.

Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Michael J. Fox , Christopher Lloyd , Lea Thompson , Crispin Glover

Votes: 1,305,545 | Gross: $210.61M

2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

R | 137 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg.

Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Linda Hamilton , Edward Furlong , Robert Patrick

Votes: 1,173,067 | Gross: $204.84M

3. The Terminator (1984)

R | 107 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation.

Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Linda Hamilton , Michael Biehn , Paul Winfield

Votes: 923,400 | Gross: $38.40M

4. The Butterfly Effect (2004)

R | 113 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Evan Treborn suffers blackouts during significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life by reading his journal.

Directors: Eric Bress , J. Mackye Gruber | Stars: Ashton Kutcher , Amy Smart , Melora Walters , Elden Henson

Votes: 520,802 | Gross: $57.94M

5. Back to the Future Part II (1989)

PG | 108 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

After visiting 2015, Marty McFly must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985...without interfering with his first trip.

Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Michael J. Fox , Christopher Lloyd , Lea Thompson , Tom Wilson

Votes: 572,066 | Gross: $118.50M

6. 12 Monkeys (1995)

R | 129 min | Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

In a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Bruce Willis , Madeleine Stowe , Brad Pitt , Joseph Melito

Votes: 646,340 | Gross: $57.14M

7. Groundhog Day (1993)

PG | 101 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

A narcissistic, self-centered weatherman finds himself in a time loop on Groundhog Day.

Director: Harold Ramis | Stars: Bill Murray , Andie MacDowell , Chris Elliott , Stephen Tobolowsky

Votes: 684,399 | Gross: $70.91M

8. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

PG-13 | 181 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe.

Directors: Anthony Russo , Joe Russo | Stars: Robert Downey Jr. , Chris Evans , Mark Ruffalo , Chris Hemsworth

Votes: 1,264,117 | Gross: $858.37M

9. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

PG-13 | 132 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

Director: Bryan Singer | Stars: Patrick Stewart , Ian McKellen , Hugh Jackman , James McAvoy

Votes: 744,682 | Gross: $233.92M

10. Interstellar (2014)

PG-13 | 169 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi

When Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.

Director: Christopher Nolan | Stars: Matthew McConaughey , Anne Hathaway , Jessica Chastain , Mackenzie Foy

Votes: 2,096,456 | Gross: $188.02M

11. Predestination (I) (2014)

R | 97 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

As his last assignment, a temporal agent is tasked to travel back in time and prevent a bomb attack in New York in 1975. The hunt, however, turns out to be beyond the bounds of possibility.

Directors: Michael Spierig , Peter Spierig | Stars: Ethan Hawke , Sarah Snook , Noah Taylor , Madeleine West

Votes: 304,462 | Gross: $0.07M

12. Mirage (2018)

TV-MA | 128 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

Two storms separated by 25 years. A woman murdered. A daughter missed. Only 72 hours to discover the truth.

Director: Oriol Paulo | Stars: Adriana Ugarte , Chino Darín , Javier Gutiérrez , Álvaro Morte

Votes: 64,163

13. Palm Springs (2020)

R | 90 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery

Stuck in a time loop, two wedding guests develop a budding romance while living the same day over and over again.

Director: Max Barbakow | Stars: Andy Samberg , Cristin Milioti , J.K. Simmons , Peter Gallagher

Votes: 182,427

14. 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: 449,672 | Gross: $56.82M

15. Timecrimes (2007)

R | 92 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi

A man accidentally gets into a time machine and travels back in time nearly an hour. Finding himself will be the first of a series of disasters of unforeseeable consequences.

Director: Nacho Vigalondo | Stars: Karra Elejalde , Candela Fernández , Bárbara Goenaga , Nacho Vigalondo

Votes: 68,727 | Gross: $0.04M

16. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

PG-13 | 113 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.

Director: Doug Liman | Stars: Tom Cruise , Emily Blunt , Bill Paxton , Brendan Gleeson

Votes: 736,123 | Gross: $100.21M

17. About Time (I) (2013)

R | 123 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.

Director: Richard Curtis | Stars: Domhnall Gleeson , Rachel McAdams , Bill Nighy , Lydia Wilson

Votes: 385,499 | Gross: $15.32M

18. The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

PG-13 | 107 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Henry DeTamble, a librarian, possesses a unique gene that lets him involuntarily travel through time. His wife, Claire Abshire, finds it difficult to cope with it.

Director: Robert Schwentke | Stars: Eric Bana , Rachel McAdams , Ron Livingston , Michelle Nolden

Votes: 157,840 | Gross: $63.41M

19. Back to the Future Part III (1990)

PG | 118 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Stranded in 1955, Marty McFly learns about the death of Doc Brown in 1885 and must travel back in time to save him. With no fuel readily available for the DeLorean, the two must figure how to escape the Old West before Emmett is murdered.

Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Michael J. Fox , Christopher Lloyd , Mary Steenburgen , Tom Wilson

Votes: 480,403 | Gross: $87.73M

20. Time Sweep (2016)

Not Rated | 103 min | Drama

Franco loses his investigative journalist girlfriend Julia in a traffic accident and he'll do anything to get her back...

Director: Victor Postiglione | Stars: Luis Luque , Guillermo Pfening , María Nela Sinisterra

21. Star Trek (2009)

PG-13 | 127 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.

Director: J.J. Abrams | Stars: Chris Pine , Zachary Quinto , Simon Pegg , Leonard Nimoy

Votes: 620,062 | Gross: $257.73M

22. Flight of the Navigator (1986)

PG | 90 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family

In 1978, a boy travels eight years into the future and has an adventure with an intelligent, wisecracking alien ship.

Director: Randal Kleiser | Stars: Joey Cramer , Paul Reubens , Cliff De Young , Veronica Cartwright

Votes: 51,659 | Gross: $18.56M

23. Rewind (1999)

94 min | Comedy

A single guy has a video recorder that when re-winded it rewinds his life too. One night He invites to dinner some friends and records the party and keeps rewinding the camera every time something goes wrong with unpredictable results.

Director: Nicolás Muñoz Avia | Stars: Daniel Guzmán , María Adánez , Enrique Simón , Paz Gómez

24. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)

PG-13 | 127 min | Adventure, Drama, Family

When Jacob (Asa Butterfield) discovers clues to a mystery that stretches across time, he finds Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. But the danger deepens after he gets to know the residents and learns about their special powers.

Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Eva Green , Asa Butterfield , Samuel L. Jackson , Judi Dench

Votes: 188,182 | Gross: $87.24M

25. Men in Black³ (2012)

PG-13 | 106 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy

Agent J travels in time to M.I.B.'s early days in 1969 to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld | Stars: Will Smith , Tommy Lee Jones , Josh Brolin , Jemaine Clement

Votes: 386,757 | Gross: $179.02M

26. Source Code (2011)

PG-13 | 93 min | Action, Drama, Mystery

A soldier wakes up in someone else's body and discovers he's part of an experimental government program to find the bomber of a commuter train within 8 minutes.

Director: Duncan Jones | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal , Michelle Monaghan , Vera Farmiga , Jeffrey Wright

Votes: 549,401 | Gross: $54.71M

27. The Time Machine (1960)

G | 103 min | Adventure, Romance, Sci-Fi

A man's vision for a utopian society is disillusioned when travelling forward into time reveals a dark and dangerous society.

Director: George Pal | Stars: Rod Taylor , Alan Young , Yvette Mimieux , Sebastian Cabot

Votes: 44,811

28. Idiocracy (2006)

R | 84 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Corporal Joe Bauers, a decidedly average American, is selected for a top-secret hibernation program but is forgotten and left to awaken to a future so incredibly moronic that he's easily the most intelligent person alive.

Director: Mike Judge | Stars: Luke Wilson , Maya Rudolph , Dax Shepard , Terry Crews

Votes: 181,928 | Gross: $0.44M

29. 12 Dates of Christmas (2011 TV Movie)

PG | 90 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy

A story that follows Kate, a young woman who after a horrible blind date on Christmas Eve, wakes up to find she is re-living that same day and date all over again.

Director: James Hayman | Stars: Laura Miyata , Vijay Mehta , Amy Smart , Audrey Dwyer

Votes: 8,315

30. 12:01 (1993 TV Movie)

PG-13 | 92 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi, Thriller

A man likes a woman at work. He sees her get murdered. He gets drunk and zapped at 12:01AM. Next morning she's back and everything is exactly like the day before. The time loops gives him chances to save her.

Director: Jack Sholder | Stars: Helen Slater , Jonathan Silverman , Nicolas Surovy , Robin Bartlett

Votes: 5,511

31. Time Lapse (2014)

Not Rated | 104 min | Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Three friends discover a mysterious machine that takes pictures twenty-four hours into the future, and conspire to use it for personal gain, until disturbing and dangerous images begin to develop.

Director: Bradley King | Stars: Danielle Panabaker , Matt O'Leary , George Finn , John Rhys-Davies

Votes: 49,107

32. Looper (2012)

R | 119 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.

Director: Rian Johnson | Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Bruce Willis , Emily Blunt , Paul Dano

Votes: 602,656 | Gross: $66.49M

33. The Lake House (2006)

PG | 99 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance

A lonely doctor who once occupied an unusual lakeside house begins to exchange love letters with its former resident, a frustrated architect. They must try to unravel the mystery behind their extraordinary romance before it's too late.

Director: Alejandro Agresti | Stars: Keanu Reeves , Sandra Bullock , Christopher Plummer , Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Votes: 157,595 | Gross: $52.33M

34. Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel (2009)

PG-13 | 83 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi

While drinking at their local pub, three social outcasts attempt to navigate a time-travel conundrum.

Director: Gareth Carrivick | Stars: Chris O'Dowd , Marc Wootton , Dean Lennox Kelly , Anna Faris

Votes: 36,546

35. Frequency (2000)

PG-13 | 118 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

An accidental cross-time radio link connects father and son across 30 years. The son tries to save his father's life, but then must fix the consequences.

Director: Gregory Hoblit | Stars: Dennis Quaid , Jim Caviezel , Shawn Doyle , Elizabeth Mitchell

Votes: 115,686 | Gross: $45.01M

36. Kate & Leopold (2001)

PG-13 | 118 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

An English Duke from 1876 is inadvertently dragged to modern day New York where he falls for a plucky advertising executive.

Director: James Mangold | Stars: Meg Ryan , Hugh Jackman , Liev Schreiber , Breckin Meyer

Votes: 89,041 | Gross: $47.12M

37. Project Almanac (2015)

PG-13 | 106 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

A group of teens discovers secret plans for a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control.

Director: Dean Israelite | Stars: Amy Landecker , Sofia Black-D'Elia , Virginia Gardner , Jonny Weston

Votes: 84,201 | Gross: $22.35M

38. Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

R | 86 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Three magazine employees head out on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel.

Director: Colin Trevorrow | Stars: Aubrey Plaza , Mark Duplass , Jake Johnson , Karan Soni

Votes: 130,823 | Gross: $4.01M

39. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

R | 109 min | Action, Sci-Fi

A machine from a post-apocalyptic future travels back in time to protect a man and a woman from an advanced robotic assassin to ensure they both survive a nuclear attack.

Director: Jonathan Mostow | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Nick Stahl , Kristanna Loken , Claire Danes

Votes: 418,318 | Gross: $150.37M

40. Terminator Salvation (2009)

PG-13 | 115 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

In 2018, a mysterious new weapon in the war against the machines, half-human and half-machine, comes to John Connor on the eve of a resistance attack on Skynet. But whose side is he on, and can he be trusted?

Director: McG | Stars: Christian Bale , Sam Worthington , Anton Yelchin , Moon Bloodgood

Votes: 377,115 | Gross: $125.32M

41. Primer (2004)

PG-13 | 77 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Four friends/fledgling entrepreneurs, knowing that there's something bigger and more innovative than the different error-checking devices they've built, wrestle over their new invention.

Director: Shane Carruth | Stars: Shane Carruth , David Sullivan , Casey Gooden , Anand Upadhyaya

Votes: 114,073 | Gross: $0.42M

42. Synchronicity (IV) (2015)

R | 101 min | Drama, Mystery, Romance

A physicist who invents a time machine must travel back to the past to uncover the truth about his creation and the woman who is trying to steal it.

Director: Jacob Gentry | Stars: Chad McKnight , Brianne Davis , AJ Bowen , Scott Poythress

Votes: 11,324 | Gross: $0.00M

43. Donnie Darko (2001)

R | 113 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.

Director: Richard Kelly | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal , Jena Malone , Mary McDonnell , Holmes Osborne

Votes: 849,476 | Gross: $1.48M

44. Time Trap (2017)

Not Rated | 87 min | Action, Adventure, Mystery

A professor enters a cave and goes missing. Some of his students come looking for him and get trapped in the cave as well.

Directors: Mark Dennis , Ben Foster | Stars: Reiley McClendon , Cassidy Gifford , Brianne Howey , Olivia Draguicevich

Votes: 43,437

45. Time Lapse (2014)

46. before i fall (2017).

PG-13 | 98 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

February 12 is just another day in Sam's charmed life, until it turns out to be her last. Stuck reliving her last day over and over, Sam untangles the mystery around her death and discovers everything she's losing.

Director: Ry Russo-Young | Stars: Zoey Deutch , Halston Sage , Cynthy Wu , Medalion Rahimi

Votes: 56,778 | Gross: $12.24M

47. Time Trap (2017)

48. arq (2016).

TV-MA | 88 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Trapped in a lab and stuck in a time loop, a disoriented couple fends off masked raiders while harboring a new energy source that could save humanity.

Director: Tony Elliott | Stars: Robbie Amell , Rachael Taylor , Shaun Benson , Gray Powell

Votes: 41,850

49. Time Bandits (1981)

PG | 110 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

A young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Sean Connery , Shelley Duvall , John Cleese , Katherine Helmond

Votes: 68,283 | Gross: $42.37M

50. Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

PG | 92 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Sherman, a young boy, misuses a time machine made by his scientist father Mr. Peabody and causes the world history to go haywire. It is now up to Mr. Peabody to rescue his son and the world.

Director: Rob Minkoff | Stars: Ty Burrell , Max Charles , Stephen Colbert , Leslie Mann

Votes: 77,708 | Gross: $111.51M

51. Shrek Forever After (2010)

PG | 93 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Rumpelstiltskin tricks a mid-life crisis burdened Shrek into allowing himself to be erased from existence and cast in a dark alternate timeline where Rumpelstiltskin rules supreme.

Director: Mike Mitchell | Stars: Mike Myers , Cameron Diaz , Eddie Murphy , Antonio Banderas

Votes: 224,347 | Gross: $238.37M

52. Happy Death Day (2017)

PG-13 | 96 min | Comedy, Horror, Mystery

A college student must relive the day of her murder over and over again, in a loop that will end only when she discovers her killer's identity.

Director: Christopher Landon | Stars: Jessica Rothe , Israel Broussard , Ruby Modine , Charles Aitken

Votes: 162,538 | Gross: $55.68M

53. Timecop (1994)

R | 99 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi

Max Walker, an officer for a security agency that regulates time travel, must fend for his life against a shady politician who's intent on changing the past to control the future.

Director: Peter Hyams | Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme , Mia Sara , Ron Silver , Bruce McGill

Votes: 64,131 | Gross: $44.85M

54. I'll Follow You Down (2013)

Not Rated | 89 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

After the disappearance of a young scientist on a business trip, his son and wife struggle to cope, only to make a bizarre discovery years later - one that may bring him home.

Director: Richie Mehta | Stars: John Paul Ruttan , Rufus Sewell , Gillian Anderson , Kiara Glasco

Votes: 8,077

55. Click (2006)

A workaholic architect finds a universal remote that allows him to fast-forward and rewind to different parts of his life. Complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices.

Director: Frank Coraci | Stars: Adam Sandler , Kate Beckinsale , Christopher Walken , David Hasselhoff

Votes: 356,442 | Gross: $137.36M

56. When We First Met (2018)

TV-14 | 97 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Noah meets Avery at a Halloween party and falls in love but gets friend-zoned. 3 years later, she's engaged to someone else. Noah returns in a time machine to fix things.

Director: Ari Sandel | Stars: Adam Devine , Alexandra Daddario , Shelley Hennig , Andrew Bachelor

Votes: 53,895

57. The Time Machine (2002)

PG-13 | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Hoping to alter the events of the past, a 19th century inventor instead travels 800,000 years into the future, where he finds humankind divided into two warring races.

Director: Simon Wells | Stars: Guy Pearce , Yancey Arias , Mark Addy , Phyllida Law

Votes: 130,330 | Gross: $56.68M

58. The Jacket (2005)

R | 103 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

A Gulf war veteran is wrongly sent to a mental institution for insane criminals, where he becomes the object of a doctor's experiments, and his life is completely affected by them.

Director: John Maybury | Stars: Adrien Brody , Keira Knightley , Daniel Craig , Kris Kristofferson

Votes: 119,228 | Gross: $6.30M

59. Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016)

PG | 113 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Alice is appointed to save her beloved Mad Hatter from deadly grief by travelling back to the past, but this means fatally harming Time himself, the noble clockwork man with the device needed to save the Hatter's family from the Red Queen.

Director: James Bobin | Stars: Mia Wasikowska , Johnny Depp , Helena Bonham Carter , Anne Hathaway

Votes: 122,088 | Gross: $77.04M

60. Triangle (2009)

R | 99 min | Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Five friends set sail and their yacht is overturned by a strange and sudden storm. A mysterious ship arrives to rescue them, and what happens next cannot be explained.

Director: Christopher Smith | Stars: Melissa George , Joshua McIvor , Jack Taylor , Michael Dorman

Votes: 129,643

61. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

PG-13 | 95 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy

Dr. Evil is back and has invented a new time machine that allows him to go back to the 1960s and steal Austin Powers' mojo, inadvertently leaving him "shagless".

Director: Jay Roach | Stars: Mike Myers , Heather Graham , Michael York , Robert Wagner

Votes: 248,653 | Gross: $206.04M

62. Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

R | 99 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi

A malfunctioning time machine at a ski resort takes a man back to 1986 with his two friends and nephew, where they must relive a fateful night and not change anything to make sure the nephew is born.

Director: Steve Pink | Stars: John Cusack , Rob Corddry , Craig Robinson , Clark Duke

Votes: 186,355 | Gross: $50.29M

63. Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

PG-13 | 103 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Peggy Sue faints at a high school reunion. When she wakes up, she finds herself in her own past, just before she finished school.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola | Stars: Kathleen Turner , Nicolas Cage , Barry Miller , Catherine Hicks

Votes: 40,779 | Gross: $41.38M

64. Grand Tour: Disaster in Time (1991)

PG-13 | 99 min | Mystery, Sci-Fi

Before they can complete renovations on their new inn, Widower (Ben Wilson) and daughter (Hillary) are visited by a woman seeking immediate lodging for her strange group of travellers. Why ... See full summary  »

Director: David Twohy | Stars: Jeff Daniels , Ariana Richards , Emilia Crow , Jim Haynie

Votes: 3,095

65. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

PG | 90 min | Adventure, Comedy, Music

Two rock-'n-rolling teens, on the verge of failing their class, set out on a quest to make the ultimate school history report after being presented with a time machine.

Director: Stephen Herek | Stars: Keanu Reeves , Alex Winter , George Carlin , Terry Camilleri

Votes: 141,554 | Gross: $40.49M

66. Time Freak (2018)

PG-13 | 104 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

A genius teenage boy is in love with a girl who breaks up with him after a year. He invents a time machine and tries to fix the breakup repeatedly. He finally goes a year back with his friend to fix the bad days.

Director: Andrew Bowler | Stars: Asa Butterfield , Sophie Turner , Skyler Gisondo , Will Peltz

Votes: 9,815 | Gross: $0.01M

67. Naked (I) (2017)

TV-14 | 96 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Nervous about finally getting married, a guy is forced to relive the same nerve-wracking hours over and over again until he gets things right on his wedding day.

Director: Michael Tiddes | Stars: Marlon Wayans , Regina Hall , Dennis Haysbert , J.T. Jackson

Votes: 21,581

68. Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)

PG | 93 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

A tyrant from the future creates evil android doubles of Bill and Ted and sends them back to eliminate the originals.

Director: Peter Hewitt | Stars: Keanu Reeves , Alex Winter , William Sadler , Joss Ackland

Votes: 81,004 | Gross: $38.04M

69. The Man from the Future (2011)

106 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Zero is a brilliant scientist. However, 20 years ago, he was publicly humiliated when he lost Helena, the love of his life. One day, an accidental experience with one of his inventions ... See full summary  »

Director: Cláudio Torres | Stars: Wagner Moura , Alinne Moraes , Maria Luísa Mendonça , Fernando Ceylão

Votes: 6,937

70. Somewhere in Time (1980)

PG | 103 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance

A Chicago playwright uses self-hypnosis to travel back in time and meet the actress whose vintage portrait hangs in a grand hotel.

Director: Jeannot Szwarc | Stars: Christopher Reeve , Jane Seymour , Christopher Plummer , Teresa Wright

Votes: 32,492 | Gross: $9.71M

71. Deja Vu (2006)

PG-13 | 126 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi

After a ferry is bombed in New Orleans, an A.T.F. agent joins a unique investigation using experimental surveillance technology to find the bomber, but soon finds himself becoming obsessed with one of the victims.

Director: Tony Scott | Stars: Denzel Washington , Paula Patton , Jim Caviezel , Val Kilmer

Votes: 327,396 | Gross: $64.04M

72. Time Jumpers (2018)

Not Rated | 79 min | Sci-Fi

When a young man finds a time machine device, his life spins out of control.

Directors: Svend Ploug Johansen , Dominic Smith , April Wright | Stars: Samuel D. Evans , Taylor Gerard Hart , Kelli Vonshay Henderson , Mathilde Norholt

73. Time Changer (2002)

PG | 95 min | Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

A Bible professor from 1890 comes forward in time to the present via a time machine and cannot believe the things that he sees!

Director: Rich Christiano | Stars: D. David Morin , Gavin MacLeod , Hal Linden , Jennifer O'Neill

Votes: 2,920 | Gross: $1.28M

74. Altered Hours (2016)

TV-MA | 101 min | Sci-Fi, Thriller

A young insomniac's black-market sleep aid sends his mind time-travelling one day into the future, where he's the suspect in the disappearance of a girl he hasn't met -- yet.

Director: Bruce Wemple | Stars: Ryan Munzert , Briana Pozner , Rick Montgomery Jr. , Thea McCartan

75. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)

R | 93 min | Comedy, Mystery, Sci-Fi

When Lou's shot in the groin, Nick and Jacob drag him in the Hot Tub Time Machine to go back in time and save Lou. The three end up 10 years in the future, where they need to go to find the shooter.

Director: Steve Pink | Stars: Rob Corddry , Craig Robinson , Clark Duke , Adam Scott

Votes: 41,625 | Gross: $12.28M

76. The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (2009)

R | 90 min | Crime, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Sam Reide uses his power to time travel to solve the mystery of his girlfriend's death.

Director: Seth Grossman | Stars: Chris Carmack , Rachel Miner , Melissa Jones , Kevin Yon

Votes: 20,687

77. Freejack (1992)

R | 110 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi

Bounty hunters from the future transport a doomed race car driver to New York City in 2009, where his mind will be replaced with that of a dead billionaire.

Director: Geoff Murphy | Stars: Emilio Estevez , Mick Jagger , Rene Russo , Anthony Hopkins

Votes: 17,452 | Gross: $17.13M

78. Another Time (2018)

TV-MA | 89 min | Adventure, Comedy, Romance

Just because a journey leads you somewhere you didn't expect, doesn't mean you ended up in the wrong place.

Director: Thomas Hennessy | Stars: Justin Hartley , Chrishell Stause , James Kyson , Alan Pietruszewski

Votes: 1,125

79. The Butterfly Effect 2 (2006)

R | 92 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Nick Larson discovers a supernatural way to alter his life and travel back in time to key moments in his life by looking at photographs.

Director: John R. Leonetti | Stars: Eric Lively , Erica Durance , Dustin Milligan , Gina Holden

Votes: 37,311

80. See You Yesterday (2019)

TV-MA | 84 min | Action, Adventure, Crime

Two Brooklyn teenage prodigies, C.J. Walker and Sebastian Thomas, build makeshift time machines to save C.J.'s brother, Calvin, from being wrongfully killed by a police officer.

Director: Stefon Bristol | Stars: Eden Duncan-Smith , Dante Crichlow , Astro , Marsha Stephanie Blake

Votes: 11,613

81. Curvature (2017)

90 min | Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

An engineer travels back in time to stop herself from committing a murder.

Director: Diego Hallivis | Stars: Lyndsy Fonseca , Glenn Morshower , Alex Lanipekun , Noah Bean

Votes: 3,078

82. Paradox (III) (2016)

TV-MA | 90 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

A time machine's tested first time by a man in the team traveling 1 hour into the future. He returns to warn them against killings in the next hour. Is it possible to change things in the "past"? Twist after twist follow.

Director: Michael Hurst | Stars: Zoë Bell , Malik Yoba , Adam Huss , Bjørn Alexander

Votes: 3,332

83. A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

PG | 109 min | Adventure, Drama, Family

After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him.

Director: Ava DuVernay | Stars: Storm Reid , Oprah Winfrey , Reese Witherspoon , Mindy Kaling

Votes: 47,770 | Gross: $100.48M

84. Counter Clockwise (I) (2016)

Unrated | 91 min | Sci-Fi, Thriller

A scientist invents a time machine that transports him six months into the future.

Director: George Moïse | Stars: Michael Kopelow , Frank Simms , Kerry Knuppe , Alice Rietveld

85. S. Darko (2009)

R | 103 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Donnie Darko's little sister Samantha and her best friend Corey are on a cross-country road trip, but soon find themselves entangled in a dangerous glitch in the time-space continuum.

Director: Chris Fisher | Stars: Daveigh Chase , Briana Evigan , James Lafferty , Ed Westwick

Votes: 14,469

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The 15 Best Movie Trilogies of All Time, According to Reddit

Third time's the charm.

Read update

Audiences looking for the best trilogies of all time will be glad to know they can easily choose from numerous Redditors' top picks. Which ones are the most iconic titles?

From space operas and fantasy epics to micro-budget romantic dramas and animated adventures, movie trilogies live in pretty much every single genre in cinema. Even though some are bad, many fans on Reddit have come together to put forward what they think are some of the greatest trilogies ever made.

It’s a testament to the sheer number of high-quality trilogies that have been made in Hollywood (and beyond) that there are too many silver screen greats to fit into a single list. So with the launch of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (the third and final entry in the trilogy) finally here, it seems like the perfect time to jump in the time machine and travel back to what r/movies thinks are the best movie trilogies ever made.

Updated on October 11, 2023, by Hannah Saab:

15 'the planet of the apes' (2011/2014/2017).

Directed by Matt Reeves , the "Planet of the Apes" trilogy – Rise of the Planet of the Apes , Dawn of the Planet of the Apes , and War of the Planet of the Apes – was infused with mind-blowing visual effects and a powerhouse performance from motion-capture wizard Andy Serkis . The films, which served as a reboot of the classic film series, chart the rise and age of genetically-enhanced apes and their war with humans.

Every Planet of the Apes Movie Ranked From Offensive to Revolutionary

All three entries in the trilogy proved to be juggernauts at the box office, earned widespread critical acclaim, and boasted a cast that also included the likes of Gary Oldman , Kerri Russell , and Woody Harrelson . When user M477M4NN picked Matt Reeves’ modern " Planet of the Apes " trilogy, Ricketysyntax added that "the first one was an absolute game changer for CGI".

14 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2010/2014/2019)

One of the few animated movie trilogies to be mentioned on the platform, How to Train Your Dragon is set in a Viking village and follows Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel ) as he develops a friendship with a dragon, and the two go on life-saving missions together. Following the success of the first film, two sequels were spawned with 2014’s How to Train Your Dragon 2 and 2019’s How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World .

While pointlessdrop mentioned how the “gorgeous animation and music” was a big reason why they loved the trilogy so much, another Redditor also agreed and further suggested how thematically rich each film was. They added: “The first film was about changing the course of relationships, the second is accepting your destiny, and the third is sacrificing your needs to satisfy others.”

13 'Bourne' (2002/2004/2007)

Although there are more than three movies in the Bourne franchise, fans and critics generally consider The Bourne Identity , The Bourne Supremacy , and The Bourne Ultimatum as a trilogy from the action-thriller film series. Based on the character created by Robert Ludlum , the movies are centered on the CIA assassin with dissociative amnesia (played by Matt Damon ).

In a thread about the "best movie trilogy of all time," Jeffinjose wonders "why no one said "BOURNE" trilogy" yet. While it may not be perfect – especially for fans who can't reconcile the difference with the books – the trilogy was undoubtedly a huge part of pop culture in the early 2000s, and is still an entertaining offering from the genre today.

12 'Oceans' (2001/2004/2007)

In the 2000s, the Oceans trilogy – Oceans Eleven , Oceans Twelve , and Oceans Thirteen – became some of the most successful and must-watch heist films in modern movie history. George Clooney , in arguably his most well-known role, stars as Danny Ocean as he plans a series of globe-trotting heists with his crew while the stakes get higher in subsequent films.

The Oceans trilogy had a cast packed full of A-list stars (that included Brad Pitt , Matt Damon, Julia Roberts , and Andy Garcia ), with the first film serving as a remake of the 1960 movie of the same name. According to a now-deleted Reddit user , while the trilogy may not be every film fan, Oceans 11 , 12 , and 13 are “incredibly rewarding rewatches that are packed with small inside jokes”.

11 'Spider-Man' (2002/2004/2007)

From the mind of Sam Raimi , the Spider-Man trilogy followed Peter Parker ( Tobey Maguire ) as he gets bitten by a radioactive spider and gains superhuman abilities. The films marked the first chapter of the superhero movie dominance, combined a heart-warming story with impressive visual effects, and became some of the highest-grossing comic-book blockbusters of the decade.

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Filled with three thrilling and entertaining adventures, the Raimi-directed Spider-Man trilogy was TheChosenMaster ’s pick for best movie trilogies as they said “all three of them have a sincere and heartfelt message” behind them. Since that post was made, another Reddit user also picked the trilogy and believed that “the action scenes still hold up today”.

10 'Three Colors' (1993/1994/1994)

Released throughout the 1990s (when arthouse and indie filmmaking went mainstream ), the Three Colors trilogy was composed of three thematically rich and interconnecting films: Blue , White , and Red . Each entry focuses on various characters who experience loss but, over the course of the story, find and re-discover human connection.

The films, which were helmed by Krzysztof Kieslowski , earned glowing reviews and were highly regarded by critics. One thing that impressed a Redditor was the music from Zbigniew Preisner , as they said the “score was amazing” and they loved “the music when he goes back to Poland halfway through.”

9 'Vengeance' (2002/2003/2005)

Director Park Chan-wook 's thematically-linked Vengeance trilogy is far from the ordinary, and its films – Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance , Oldboy , and Lady Vengeance – have each received their share of critical acclaim, standing as landmarks of South Korean cinema. While each movie has a different story, they all share the common ground of exploring vengeance.

A Redditor explains how although it is "more of a thematic trilogy that tackles revenge from [different] angles," it "would be high up there" among the best movie trilogies ever. Of course, Oldboy is the most popular among the well-made revenge films , but all three are worth watching for fans who enjoyed the unforgettable 2003 classic.

8 'Three Flavours Cornetto' (2004/2007/2013)

The Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy is a landmark work in comedy by director Edgar Wright , who gave viewers a widely beloved zombie flick ( Shaun of the Dead ), a gut-busting action movie ( Hot Fuzz ), and an innovative, if not slightly weaker entry in the trilogy, an apocalyptic comedy ( The World's End ).

Starring Simon Pegg alongside other comedic talents like Nick Frost and Bill Nighy , the movie trilogy is beloved by fans. Making-a-smell on Reddit rightly notes that while they love " Shaun and Fuzz ," the final entry, " World's End was terrible in comparison" as "Pegg's character was hopelessly unlikeable," which "just detracted from the film so much."

7 'Back to the Future' (1985/1989/1990)

Since the release of the first Back to the Future movie in 1985, the franchise has become one of the most popular and beloved trilogies in film history. Helmed by Robert Zemeckis , Back to the Future is a time-travel trilogy that tracks Marty McFly ( Michael J. Fox ) as he travels through different eras in a DeLorean time machine.

The 15 Best Time Travel Movies Ever Made, Ranked

Mixing state-of-the-art special effects with wonderful wit and comedy, keolaman1983 also suggested that “the acting of the main cast [ Christopher Lloyd , Michael J. Fox, and Tom Wilson ] make the movies” a “joy to watch.” With a hundred other Redditors in agreement, the Back to the Future trilogy is a solid pick when it comes to what the best movie trilogy ever made is. In fact, the Back to the Future trilogy is cherished by millions of fans across the world.

6 'The Dollars Trilogy' (1964/1965/1966)

The Dollars trilogy (or, in other cases, billed as The Man With No Name trilogy) gave audiences three of the most critically acclaimed Westerns ever made with A Fistful of Dollars , A Few Dollars More , and The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly . This series of films, all three of which were directed by Sergio Leone , tracks the life of The Man With No Name ( Clint Eastwood ) – a gunslinger who makes a lot of enemies and forms rivalries in the Wild West.

While a memorable Western is hard to come by these days in mainstream Hollywood, Leone’s trilogy defined a period of great success for the genre. However, while the movies gave Clint Eastwood one of his well-known roles , The Dollars Trilogy was also known for its “absolutely iconic directing, casting, cinematography and music” as one Reddit user on the platform mentioned.

5 'The Before Trilogy' (1995/2004/2013)

Directed by Richard Linklater , this series of films follows Jesse ( Ethan Hawke ) and Celine ( Julie Delpy ) as they fall in love ( Before Sunrise ), re-unite and fall in love all over again ( Before Sunset ) and argue ( Before Midnight ). The three entries were released nine years apart from each other, creating that sense of realism and naturalism that was what most of the trilogy was most remembered for.

Each film in the trilogy was filled with dialogue-heavy scenes, was beautifully shot by Lee Daniel , and boasted this aura of authenticism. One Reddit user also noted how these movies were “so powerful and emotionally moving,” while they highlighted the two lead actors shared “so much chemistry” and were “so charming it was mesmerizing” to watch on-screen.

4 'The Dark Knight' (2005/2008/2012)

Arguably still the best portrayal of Batman on the big screen, Christopher Nolan 's legendary Dark Knight trilogy redefined the superhero genre by telling a gritty, bleak, and grounded story that would influence numerous titles for years to come. Starring Christian Bale as the titular anti-hero, the trilogy is composed of the award-winning movies: Batman Begins , The Dark Knight , and The Dark Knight Rises .

Alongside Bale are other talented actors who contributed to the trilogy's iconic status – Michael Caine , Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman , and Cillian Murphy . It also introduced Heath Ledger's Joker, who continues to be one of the best villains to ever appear on the big screen . The user CyrusDGreatx says the trilogy is "easily one of the best comic book adaptations ever" and adds that 2008's The Dark Knight "deserves all the praise it gets" since " it's not just one of the best Batman or comic book films, [it's] one of the best films of all time."

3 'The Godfather' (1972/1974/1990)

Director Francis Ford Coppola 's genre-defining trilogy needs no introduction. Based on Mario Puzo 's eponymous novel, The Godfather trilogy revolves around the Corleone family, whose patriarch, Vito Corleone ( Marlon Brando / Robert De Niro ), becomes a powerful figure in organized crime in America. It later depicts his youngest son Michael's ( Al Pacino ) reluctance and then complete transformation when it's his turn to lead the mafia.

The 20 Best Mobster Movies That Will Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse

While its weak – some would argue, unnecessary – third entry somewhat detracts from its overall appeal as a trilogy, there's no denying that it's one of the most influential cinematic works ever made. All three are still worth watching, as a Redditor points out the viewers should "check them out for sure – even the third one, despite what people say." The trilogy gave audiences a peek behind the curtain and depicted mafias like never before, and is still regarded as an intriguing masterpiece with tremendous rewatch value.

2 'Star Wars' (1977/1980/1983)

Dubbed the original trilogy, Star Wars (comprised of A New Hope , The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi ) became one of the most iconic trilogies in film history when the first one was released in 1977. All three entries center on Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ) as he learns the ways of the force – and joins forces with Princess Leia ( Carrie Fisher ) and Han Solo ( Harrison Ford ) – to take down Darth Vader and the Empire.

From the mind of George Lucas , the operatic space adventures in a galaxy far, far away combined ground-breaking special effects with a thrillingly entertaining story. They became some of the highest-grossing films of their time and produced timeless cinematic moments in the process. As viky71211 puts it, all three entries in the original Star Wars trilogy are “super enjoyable and endlessly rewatchable” while “the cultural impact can not be ignored.”

1 'The Lord of the Rings' (2001/2002/2003)

It’s no surprise that most users on Reddit agreed that The Lord of the Rings is quite possibly the greatest movie trilogy of them all, injected with incredibly immersive world-building and epic-but-tense action sequences. The Peter Jackson -directed trilogy tracks the Fellowship – Frodo ( Elijah Wood ), Samwise ( Sean Astin ), Merry ( Dominic Monaghan ), Pippin ( Billy Boyd ), Gandalf ( Ian McKellen ), Aragorn ( Viggo Mortensen ), Boromir ( Sean Bean ), Legolas ( Orlando Bloom ), and Gimli ( John Rhys-Davies ) – as they set out on a long and dangerous adventure across Middle-Earth to destroy the one ring.

In particular, out of the three, Got2ReturnVideoTapes suggested that The Fellowship of the Ring was the strongest. While the user noted that there was no weak entry, they believed the film introduced “some of the best movie scores of all time.” Another Redditor agreed and said Fellowship of the Ring had “so much intrigue, mystery and character introduction.” In other words, the films have captivated audiences ever since they were released.

NEXT: Movie Franchises That Need to End, According to Reddit

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Time Traveling in Movies: A Very Complicated Plot Device Explained

If you've ever wanted to make a film about time travel, you might want to brush up on how different filmmakers have made sense of it in their work..

Time travel movies are—awesome—we know this—but what makes them so interesting has less to do with the awesomeness of time travel as a narrative concept and more to do with the awesomeness of time travel as a plot device . (Did I mention that time travel is awesome and also has loads of awesomeness?)

There are so many films about time travel, from the silly ( Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure ) to the dramatic ( Looper ), and each one deals with the concept in different ways and for different purposes. In this video, Henry Reich of MinutePhysics , my second favorite science channel on YouTube, analyzes time travel in film and literature to determine how it functions in the hands of different writers and filmmakers. On its own, it's an incredibly fascinating video, but if you look at it through the lens of storytelling, you can learn how adding a wrinkle in time can not only open up new narrative passageways for your time traveling characters but for your audience as well.

Time travel is a complex concept, and I failed almost every science class I ever took, so I won't bore you with my so-bad-it's-sad explanations of it. But it's remarkable to see how different screenwriters and filmmakers have used time travel as a plot device. It immediately complicates the progression of the story by requiring the audience to be engaged enough to recall and track each jump through time and space, as well as understand and accept the unique physical rules set in place by the filmmaker. Are we dealing with wormholes, time dilation, or just a bunch of hocus-pocus? Does the time-traveling character affect the past? Does he have free will? 

Perhaps one of the most brilliantly complicated examples of time travel in film is 2004 indie sci-fi film  Primer.  Written and directed by Shane Carruth, the film has a complex, experimental plot structure that, as you can see from Reich's illustration above, is challenging for even the savviest movie-goer to follow. In an interview , Carruth, who studied mathematics in college, explained what inspired the principles of time travel in his film:

Richard Feynman has some interesting ideas about time. When you look at Feynman diagrams [which map the interaction of elementary particles], there's really no difference between watching an interaction happen forward and backward in time.

And just in case you want your head to explode, here's a video that illustrates  Primer's  timeline.

What is your favorite time travel movie? Are movies like  Memento  and  Inception  time travel movies? Kind of? Let us know down in the comments below.

Source: MinutePhysics

• Plot Device Definition and Examples ›

Supermicro Dishes on Using AI to Create Content More Efficiently

A conversation with supermicro on integrating ai into their servers for maximum speed..

Supermicro is a globally recognized technology leader best known for developing superfast, innovative server solutions integrating the latest tech into products. How does this apply to filmmakers?

Anyone in post production knows that a faster rig means less headaches and more super power for any gig. If you're looking to update your rig with the fastest server speeds is in for a treat with the advancements Supermicro is making integrating AI for smarter, faster equipment.

We stopped by their booth to check out what they had in store to show off at NAB 2024 . Check out the interview below.

Supermicro at NAB Show 2024

No Film School's coverage of NAB 2024 is brought to you by Blackmagic Design .

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