Movies can inspire us in so many ways! Evoking emotions and awakening a yearning to explore new places that are yet to be experienced by anything other than your eyes. A movie is a preview of adventures to be had. They may cause you to laugh, or cry, or simply infect you with the travel bug! Since we are all at home social distancing, there’s no better time to seek inspiration from these top travel movies.
Check out the links to see reviews & watch the movies now! Some of these titles are also available on Netflix.
1. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
In The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Walter Mitty, a negative assets manager at Life Magazine finds himself suddenly embarking on a global journey. It quickly turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined. After a series of mishaps he finds himself in stunning locations like the Himalayas, Yemen, and Greenland.
This profound journey is unforgettable and captivates viewers until the very end.
2. Eat, Pray, Love
Eat, Pray, Love is a moving film based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s self discovery journey. Following her divorce, she’s unhappy and lost but she steps outside of her comfort zone to embark on a life changing journey to find herself. During her travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia she discovers the pleasure of nourishment, power of prayer, and the inner peace and balance of true love.
This story resonates with people in such a special way that many have been inspired to take their own Eat, Pray, Love journeys!
3. The Motorcycle Diaries
The Motorcycle Diaries is an awe inspiring film based on the memoirs of Che Guevara. Through the journey you see some of the most beautiful places in South America.
4. Into the Wild
Into the Wild is an unbelievable true story about top athlete, Christopher McCandless, who abandons everything he has in pursuit of making life meaningful. The locations seen in this film invoke an irresistible urge to travel to places around the world and discover new experiences.
It’s an inspiring story and the cinematography captures the Alaskan landscape in a staggeringly beautiful way.
5. The Beach
The Beach is a film from the 90’s that includes a few of our favorite things: amazing scenery from Thailand, beautiful music, and young Leo DiCaprio. The story line is interesting and keeps you on your toes! The popularity of this movie caused a huge influx of tourism to the island where it was filmed. In fact the Maya Beach on Koh Phi-Phi had to close to maintain the integrity of the beach. Don’t worry there are plenty of other islands in Thailand to choose from!
6. A Map For 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, it 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.
7. The Bucket List
The Bucket List is a story that touches your heart. Corporate billionaire Edward Cole and working class mechanic Carter Chambers have nothing in common except for their terminal illnesses. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die according to their bucket list. In the process, both of them heal each other, become unlikely friends, and ultimately find joy in life.
8. Out of Africa
Out of Africa is the oldest film included in the top travel movies list, BUT it definitely belongs here. Filmed in Kenya and the UK this film won 7 oscars and countless other prizes. This movie will have you dreaming of Africa.
9. Tracks
Tracks is the story of a young woman goes on a 1,700-mile trek across the deserts of Western Australia with four camels and her faithful dog. It’s a journey the world thought was impossible, will become an adventure that will change her life forever.
10. The Way
The Way is a heartwarming story about a father who heads oversees to recover the body of his son who died while traveling the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain. 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 and he begins to learn what it means to be a citizen of the world again.
11. Wild
Healing, love, self discovery and loss, Wild, is a chronicle of one woman’s one thousand one hundred mile solo hike. The hike was undertaken as a way to recover from a recent personal tragedy. Wild powerfully captures the true story of a woman who against all odds successfully completes a self appointed journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her.
12. 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. The cast is also excellent!
13. Midnight in Paris
Midnight in Paris is a little different and may not be for everyone, but this surreal narrative involves both modern Paris and one of the 1920’s. Telling the story of a young man’s great love for a city, and revealing the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better.
Paris is a city that lends itself to daydreaming, to walking the streets and imagining all sorts of magic and that’s portrayed so well in this film.
14. A Good Year
A Good Year is a lighthearted romantic story that takes place in the beautiful Provence Region in the South of France. A British investment broker inherits his uncle’s chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. As he tries to renovate the estate to be sold, he discovers a new laid-back lifestyle.
We hope you enjoy these top travel movies! Remember it’s important to continue social distancing for now. Check out our most recent blog for some encouragement and a few more ideas on how to enjoy your time inside.
Photos: IMDB
