If you don’t have time to take a trip, but want to scratch that travel itch — try watching some of these films. Let Hollywood directors transport you to exotic destinations, while you relax on your couch. Below are just a few movies that will inspire you to travel.
The Bucket List
This movie stars cinematic legends Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. They play two cancer patients that want to complete bucket list items before they die. A lot of things on their wish list are travel related. The pair visit iconic destinations such as the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, and the Pyramids of Giza.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
This romantic comedy starring Ben Stiller follows a daydreaming office worker at Life magazine as he traverses the globe looking for a missing photo negative required for the cover. His journey takes him to Greenland, Iceland, and the Himalayas.
Midnight in Paris
This quirky Woody Allen piece shows Owen Wilson’s character walking across Paris and traveling through time. He meets historic artistic and literary figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, and Ernest Hemingway as he explores the City of Lights.
Eat Pray Love
A recently divorced woman played by Julia Roberts embarks on a quest of self-discovery. She starts her solo travels by eating in Italy. She then proceeds to pray in India. Finally, the character opens herself up to love in Indonesia.
Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight
This trilogy featuring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy focuses on a romantic relationship over time. In Before Sunrise, two travelers meet on a train and spend an epic evening together in Vienna, Austria. In Before Sunset, the two briefly reunite nine years later in Paris. The film series concludes with Before Midnight, where the audience checks in on the couple summering in Greece (almost two decades after their initial encounter).
Roman Holiday
If you are a sucker for classic movies, this Audrey Hepburn/Gregory Peck flick is a must-see. Hepburn (a princess trying to stay incognito), falls for Peck (a journalist trying to make her his next scoop) as they explore the Eternal City.
Lost in Translation
Sofia Coppola’s masterpiece set in Tokyo examines the relationship between two strangers in a foreign land. An aging actor (Bill Murray) and lonely newlywed (Scarlett Johansson) meet at the hotel bar. Despite having very little in common, they form a connection and begin to explore the city together.
Wild
Reese Witherspoon stars as a grieving daughter who decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in America. Although she is an inexperienced hiker, she makes it to majestic sites such as the Mojave Desert, Mount Hood, Crater Lake, and the Bridge of the Gods.
The Beach
This early Leonardo DiCaprio movie features incredible views of Thailand. A group of young backpackers leave the bustling city of Bangkok to spend time on an idyllic unspoiled island. Unfortunately, the island isn’t as perfect as it seems.
Seven Years in Tibet
Brad Pitt stars as mountaineer Heinrich Harrer, whose climbing adventures are interrupted by WWII. After escaping a prisoner-of-war camp in the Himalayas, Harrer spends time with the Dalai Lama in Tibet.
In Bruges
The audience gets to see the architectural highlights of Bruges through the eyes of two hitmen. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson star in this black comedy about contract killers hiding out in Belgium’s picturesque medieval city.
Into the Wild
Emile Hirsch plays a top college student who decides to give his material possessions to charity and hitchhike to Alaska. The film explores his connections with people and nature as the character embarks on his pursuit of solitude.
The Darjeeling Limited
This unique Wes Anderson film takes three estranged brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman) on a scenic rail journey across India. They bicker and bond on their way to a Himalayan convent.
The Motorcycle Diaries
This film, based on the life of Che Guevara, takes you on a journey across South America. The protagonist, played by Gael García Bernal, travels from Brazil to Peru by motorcycle. As he traverses deserts and rainforests, he transforms from a humble medical student to a passionate revolutionary.
Thelma and Louise
The classic road-trip flick starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis has some breathtaking shots of the American West. You cannot help but root for the ill-fated duo as they try to outrun the law.
Eurotrip
This goofy comedy is utterly ridiculous. However, it does take a group of teens to beautiful cities in England, France, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. Be prepared for awkward situations as a young man and his friends traverse the continent in search of his long-time pen pal.
Under the Tuscan Sun
After discovering that her husband has been cheating on her, a writer (played by Diane Lane) takes a tour of Italy. On her trip, she decides to purchase a rural Tuscan villa. She struggles with renovations, meets eclectic locals, and rebuilds her life in the beautiful Italian countryside.
Around the World in 80 Days
In the 1956 film, eccentric Englishman Phileas Fogg rides trains, elephants, and even a hot air balloon to circumnavigate the globe in a mere 80 days. Personally, we prefer the 2021 miniseries remake of the classic Jules Verne tale, starring David Tenant.
We hope we have given you some inspiration for your next movie night! These travel-related cinema greats may fill the void between vacations. If you are looking for more film recommendations, check out IMDB’s 25 Best Travel Movies Of All Time.
If you are looking for more travel inspiration, try reading our articles Underrated European Cities To Visit Now and Unique Hotel Stays Around the World.