The Best Travel Movies For Ultimate Trip Inspiration

As we were all under stay-at-home orders during Covid, some of us found it hard to shake that travel-itch that needed to be scratched… when our bodies are begging to board a plane for a far-off destination. And while we understand the importance of staying put to save lives, it doesn’t mean we need to stop living or enjoying our own. While we couldn’t actually board that proverbial plane, we can still always travel as far as our mind will allow us to dream….

If you aren’t able to travel, or if you are in the dreaming stages of planning a trip, here is a list of inspiring TRAVEL FILMS that will transport you from your home to magical destinations, without having to leave your couch! It will help satiate your wanderlust and also give you ideas about where you may want to eventually explore.

Most are beautiful, fun, inspiring stories, some are drama-heavy and tinged with tragedy, but all will transcend you, momentarily, to far-off lands….. The top 12 are favorites, and the others- still great movies for many reasons- are categorized by continent, depending on where you’d like to go. (Don’t mind my unnecessarily snarky comments. Sarcasm is a dish best served, Always.

A Good Year – (2006) Provence, France – Russell Crowe & Marion Cotillard. British guy inherits a vinyard. It’s pretty to look at. Who needs true substance?
The Grand Budapest Hotel – (2014) Hungary – Ralph Fiennes. It’s a weird, beautiful, funny dramedy-caper. Huh? Exactly.
Before Sunrise – (1995) Vienna, Austria – Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpie. His hair is on point. She’s very French. The city is a great third character.
Roman Holiday – (1953) Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck riding around Rome on a Vespa…… need I say more?
Midnight in Paris – (2011) You guessed it – the City of Lights. – A woody Allen movie with Owen Wilson. You should see it just for that.
The Talented Mr Ripley – (1999) – Positano, Ischia, Italy. – With Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law. Gorgeous People. Gorgeous Setting. Effed-up story.

Eat Pray Love – (2010) Italy, Bali, India (OK, two Asia, one Europe) – Julia Roberts’ smile needs a suitcase all on its own, as she travels to three gorgeous destinations to find herself. And food. (Oh, and Javier Bardem. Slurp).
The Lady – (2011) Burma – If you like history and biopics. And Asian women. Haha. J/K!! Michelle Yeoh is awesome as Aung San Suu Kyi, the symbol of Democracy in Burma. You’ll feel smarter after watching.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – (2001) Siem Reap, Cambodia. – Total unbelievable, unrealistic action-adventure ‘movie’. But, it’s got Angelina. And her lips. And SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA!!!! (for both)
Indochine – (1992) Vietnam (and Malaysia) – If you’re like me, and love period dramas, (much to your bf’s chagrin), you’ll enjoy this cross-cultural romantic triangle. Lots of eye candy too.
The Best Exotic Gold Marigold Hotel – (2011) India – Not just for old people, people! This funny, fun, and witty movie is full of British peeps (good ones!), so yeah, it’s funny. (Did I mention that??) And…. India.
The Beach – (2000) Phi Phi Island, Thailand – Leonardo (does he need a last name even?) Before the grizzly bear or grizzly beard. Clean shaven, young, idealistic, shark movie. A step above ‘Sharknado’.

Casablanca – (1942) Morocco – Silver-Screen Gold. Ironic, yes. But true. Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart have cinematic chemistry that’s so 1942. Love.
Hotel Rwanda – (2004) Rwanda – This true story is flawlessly acted by a cast led by Don Cheadle. Unbelievable things that happen in our world. And this is an important film to shed light on events that need to be known.
I dreamed of Africa – (2000) Kenya – Watch this for the African Wilderness. Or if you like Kim Bassinger.
Nowhere in Africa – (2001) Kenya) – Also set in Kenya. Much better movie. Watch this one, if you’re gonna choose between the two. Visually beautiful, and beautifully acted. Prepare for subtitles. Or learn German, quickly.
The First Grader – (2010) Kenya – A biographical drama, and a truly genuine film that is in one word, inspirational. Mike drop.
The Constant Gardener – (2005) Nairobi, Kenya – Harrowing and beautiful and heavy, and it stars Ralph Fiennes. (Again.) Do you see a pattern here? He doesn’t suck. If you watch this, watch a Disney movie right after.

Frida – (2002) Mexico – If you can get past the uni-brow, this movie is inspirational, and beautiful. And true. And it shows that Salma Hayak does not always look perfectly hot. And she’s got some acting chops. (I think the eyebrow helped).
Y Tu Mama También – (2001) Mexico -This coming of age, sexy arthouse, roadtrip film is like ‘The Graduate’, only sexy. Sorry, Dustin Hoffman. I still love you.
City of God – (1964) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Electrifying film and powerful story of two young men from the favela of Brazil, going in opposite directions in life. It’s gripping the entire time.
Like Water For Chocolate – (1992) Mexico – If you don’t already love Mexican food, you will now. Have some carnitas handy.

Lord of the Rings – (2001) New Zealand – Hobbits and elves and Vigo Mortinsen, oh my! The Landscape that they call Middle Earth, is definitely other-worldy, and this fantasy tale will transcend your imagination to new levels.
Crocodile Dundee – (1986) Australia – this is an oldie and a goodie that takes place in the outback, and Paul Hogan’s accent is the star of the show. That, and the croc.
Ned Kelly – (2003) Australia – Awww, Heath Ledger. We miss you. Loosely based on the true story of Ned Kelly and his gang. Who doesn’t like a good outlaw to root for??
The Dressmaker – (2015) Australia – Revenge is a dish best served haute, …. and by the likes of Kate Winslet, who leaves her couture Paris fashion house to go home to a small town in the outback to right some wrongs from the past. With fire. It’s a good one.

A Walk in the Woods – (2015) Appalachian Trail, Eastern USA – Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. I love movies based on true stories. Especially when they contain Robert Redford. It’ll make you want to hike. So, get out there! (Right after you finish this list.)
Wild – (2014) Pacific Coast, USA – Powerfully performed by Reese Witherspoon, another biopic tale, this one about Cheryl Strayed’s solo 1000+ mile trek on the Pacific Crest trail after her life falls apart. You won’t like this movie if you hate beautiful scenery, inspirational stories, and spirit-lifting films.
Into the Wild – (2007) Alaska, USA – Rich, privileged kid ditches materialistic life, giving everything away to hitchhike to Alaska and live in the wilderness on an adventure of self-searching. Sounds about right. Fascinating true story, Gorgeous cinematography. Don’t try this at home.
O Brother Where Art Thou – (2000) The Deep South, USA – The Cohen Brothers + George Clooney = cinematic magic! Clever, funny, and visually stunning, this unexpected, knee-slapping, musical (???) of a film, will captivate you from the very beginning through each jar of pomade.
Life in a Day – (2011) Everywhere on Earth – From your shelter-in-place, you can visit 192 countries in 94 minutes. This is what happens when documentary filmmakers send a request out to the world to chronicle, via personal videos, a single day on Earth. Pretty remarkable.

Until next time…. Aloha, Friends!