50 Best Travel Movies
50 Best Travel Movies That Make You Feel Good & Move You To Travel
Don't you love those travel movies that you watch and they instantly make you feel good and you think, "Damn, I wish I could travel there right now..."? Yeah, me too. I have way too many to name or remember...
Winter is coming--aka my favorite time of year to stay inside and have endless movie marathons on my couch (don't act like you don't do the same!). I've compiled a list of my favorite, feel-good movies that get me excited to pack my things and head out the door every time I watch them and I'm sharing them with you today! Here are the 50 best travel movies that make you feel good and move you to travel.
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (Barcelona, Spain)
"Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture."
A.K.A. the film that made me fall in love with Penelope Cruz and Spain. Does it get any better than this 3-way love triangle with Barcelona as the background? I think not.
AMELIE (Paris, France)
"Amelie is an innocent and naive girl in Paris with her own sense of justice. She decides to help those around her and, along the way, discovers love."
I love this movie for so many reasons. Amelie is endearing and cute, the music is wonderful, and Montmartre is the perfect setting for a romantic story.
VEGAS VACATION (Las Vegas, USA)
"In the fourth outing for the vacation franchise, the Griswolds have to survive Vegas fever when they go to Las Vegas for a fun family vacation.
This might be my favorite installment of the vacation movies. Nick Papagiorgio, Wayne Newton, and Cousin Eddie?! Yes to all of it.
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France)
"Two con men try to settle their rivalry by betting on who can swindle a young American heiress out of $50,000 first."
Michael Caine and Steve Martin give excellent performances as 2 con men in the French Riviera trying to rip off filthy, rich women. And who can forget Ruprecht?!?! The Riviera isn't bad to look at either...
THE KING'S SPEECH (London, England)
"The story of King George VI of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, his impromptu ascension to the throne and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch become worthy of it."
There is a reason why this movie won Best Picture along with a ton of other awards. It's amazing. And I love how you're learning a little bit of England's history while being enthralled by the story.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Paris, France)
"While on a trip to Paris with his fiancee's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight."
Words can't describe how much I love this movie. I honestly believe that Woody Allen climbed into my brain one night and figured out the formula for the perfect movie and then created Midnight in Paris. 1920s + Paris...It's like seeing my past life flash in front of me.
ROMAN HOLIDAY (Rome, Italy)
"A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome."
Audrey Hepburn movies have a natural way of making you want to escape. Roman Holiday (along with other favorites like Breakfast at Tiffany's and Charade) has so much charm that you can't help but imagine what your life would be like in her shoes.
DESPERADO (Mexico)
"A gunslinger is embroiled in a war with a local drug runner."
This movie made me feel things I didn't know I could feel when I was younger. Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek's steamy on-set chemistry was so hot it made Mexico seem cold.
EAT PRAY LOVE (ITALY, INDIA, & INDONESIA)
"A married woman realizes how unhappy her marriage really is, and that her life needs to go in a different direction. After a painful divorce, she takes off on a round-the-world journey to "find herself"."
I think everyone can relate to this movie in some way; whether it is using travel to find yourself, escape to get a fresh start, or just to eat some amazing food... We've all been there.
HARRY POTTER SERIES (Great Britain)
"Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Give me Harry Potter all day/any day and I'll be happy. I want to leave this muggle world behind and just live in Harry's world at all times.
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (Kyoto, Japan)
"Nitta Sayuri reveals how she transcended her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan's most celebrated geisha."
This beautiful rendition of a Cinderella story makes you want to hop on a plane right away and escape to Kyoto.
BRIDGET JONES DIARY 1&2 (ENGLAND & THAILAND)
"A British woman is determined to improve herself while she looks for love in a year in which she keeps a personal diary."
Aren't we all Bridget Jones in a way? She is quirky, awkward, and incredibly honest. Can't help but root for her all the way through...and then head to Thailand or London to join her for some shenanigans.
LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY (NEW ZEALAND)
"A meek Hobbit and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the One Ring and the Dark Lord Sauron."
New Zealand makes the most magnificent setting for this fantasy tale. Watching it makes you want to run away into the hills of NZ and never come back.
FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (Chicago, USA)
"A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite what the principal thinks of that."
If this movie does not make you want to skip out on whatever you're doing and hit the great city of Chicago, I don't know what will. Probably one of the best Chi-town movies ever and makes me so proud to call this place home :)
HOME ALONE 2 (New York City, USA)
"One year after Kevin was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself in New York City, and the same criminals are not far behind."
I'm pretty sure we've all wanted to be Kevin McCallister at some point in our lives. Who wouldn't want to stay at a suite at The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan? *Plus I'm pretty sure that all parents secretly want to leave their kids home alone so they can get away and vacation without them...
CASABLANCA (Casablanca, Morocco)
"Set in Casablanca, Morocco during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications."
I don't care how many times I see Casablanca, I will always tear up when Bogart looks at Bergman and says "We'll always have Paris...Here's looking at you kid." OMG, I think I'm starting to cry right now...
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (Oahu, USA)
"Devastated Peter takes a Hawaiian vacation in order to deal with the recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah. Little does he know, Sarah's traveling to the same resort as her ex - and she's bringing along her new boyfriend."
I don't know how many times I've seen this movie, but I keep laughing every time I see it. Every character is hilarious and has killer moments. Plus, who wouldn't want to go to Hawaii to mend a broken heart? (50 First Dates is also another feel-good movie I love that is set in Hawaii)
TROY (Greece)
"An adaptaion of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved."
There's something to love about Ancient Greek movies (I'm going to add in the movie 300 as another great one along with this) for all involved. I think this movie equally pleases the guys and the ladies. Men-you have war and action. Ladies-you have Brad Pitt in his prime. Win-Win.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN COLLECTION (Islands of the Caribbean)
"Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead."
I love the entire Pirates of the Caribbean collection. Jack Sparrow and Will Turner, pirates, mermaids, and obviously the islands of the Caribbean. Can't get enough.
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Budapest, Hungary)
"The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous hotel from the fictional Republic of Zubrowka between the first and second World Wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend."
I don't care that this hotel is basically in the middle of nowhere. After watching this movie, I want to be in Budapest and I want to be in it's grand hotel. I think the eclectic cast of characters really helps make this movie one to love.
JAMES BOND COLLECTION (Europe, Americas, Asia, and Africa)
Bond...James Bond. There is no arguing that 007 is the ultimate world traveler. He's been to more countries than I can list, and I want to go to all of them.
From Connery to Brosnan to Craig...all of the Bonds offer something special and unique with amazing places in each story. These movies are great for a weekend binge!
THE ENDLESS SUMMER (Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, and California)
"The crown jewel to ten years of Bruce Brown surfing documentaries. Brown follows two young surfers around the world in search of the perfect wave, and ends up finding quite a few in addition to some colorful local characters."
I'm no surfing pro, but I would say that this movie is probably one of the best in it's category. All of the beaches and sick waves make me want to get in the water right now.
IN BRUGES (Bruges, Belgium)
"Guilt-stricken after a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.
The main character of this movie makes his disdain for Bruges known from the get-go; but you can't help but end up having a soft spot for Bruges. The historic beauty and charm make it hard not to love.
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
"In late 1950s New York, Tom Ripley, a young underachiever, is sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures."
Sure, the movie is creepy as hell...But it makes Italy look like the most glorious place on earth! The movie takes you all around Italy to some of the best places the country has to offer. You see Sicily, Rome, Naples, and so much more.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Salzburg, AUSTRIA)
"A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower."
Julie Andrews is basically my spirit animal when she is twirling in the hills of Austria. She is everything and this movie is everything. Does it get any better than this amazing musical classic and beautiful Salzburg, Austria?!
OTHER Great Travel Movies
- An Affair to Remember - New York City, USA
- Before Sunrise Collection - Austria
- Catch Me If You Can - USA
- Cleopatra - Egypt
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - China
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Las Vegas, USA
- Indiana Jones Collection - Venice, Italy; Utah, USA; more locations here
- L'Auberge Espagnole - Barcelona, Spain
- Lost in Translation - Tokyo, Japan
- Love Actually - London, England
- Mamma Mia - Greece
- Manhattan - New York City, USA
- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - USA
- P.S. I Love You - Ireland
- Sex and the City 2 - Abu Dhabi/Morocco
- Sideways - California, USA
- Slumdog Millionaire - India
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - India
- The Darjeeling Limited - India
- The Holiday - Los Angeles, Godalming, Surrey, & other UK locations
- The Proposal - Alaska, USA
- Under the Tuscan Sun - Cortona, Tuscany, Italy
- Up - Paradise Falls
- When Harry Met Sally - New York City, USA
- Y Tu Mamá También - Mexico
The list could go on and on! What are your favorite travel movies to binge on?
*All movie descriptions come from IMDB.com. All opinions are my own.
