I love watching inspiring travel movies and tv-shows, something I’m going to miss on the road. In the meantime I love a good travel movie which really inspires me to get off my ass and out in every corner of the world. Here is a list I compiled for another website I’m writing for. I tried to pick movies where travel and exploring unfamiliar locations are a big factor and will make you want to pack your bag after watching. Enjoy.
12. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
A Woody Allen-flick which follows two girlfriends (Scarlett Johansson & Rebecca Hall) on their summer holiday in Spain as they explore new art, culture and music. They meet a seductive painter played by Javier and later the fury of his ex-wife (Penélope Cruz). I have always had a little bit of hard time enjoying Woody Allen-movies but this one feels different and the European vibe from it is great. IMDb-link
Trivia: The city of Barcelona offered to pick up the tab of production costs if the film was shot there. The amount rose up to two million Euros from public funds which created some controversy in Catalonia.
11. Seven Years In Tibet
This movie has always had a place in my heart since I was a kid. It was one of the few movies we had on VHS back in the day so I saw it many times. The movie follows Heinrich (Brad Pitt), an Austrian mountain-climber who travels to climb the Himalayas. However he becomes a prisoner of war and later escapes and befriends the young and curious Dalai Lama. Beautiful movie based on a true story. As I grew up and started to want to travel, this was one of the most inspiring travel movies I knew. IMDb-link
10. Shanghai Kiss
I promise, this movie isn’t as bad as the DVD cover makes it out to be. It follows a young man from New York who tries to get in touch with his roots in Shanghai, while at the same times handling romantic relationships and his relationship with his father. Clever and humorous movie with fun culture crashes that will stay in your head. IMDb-link
9.The Art of Travel
First of all, this is not a good movie in the sense that you would usually critique movies. The plot feels unrealistic in the way that events coincide as a young high school grad drops everything to go on a solo travel in Central America. On the way we get to see the sides of solo travel as well as romantic relationships on the go. In general it is fun and has a clever dialogue with interesting characters. The scenery is beautiful and the movie is great to watch to get your travel spark on. IMDb-link
8. The Bucket List
A really great movie that more people should see. Starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, we get to follow two terminally ill cancer patients as they escape on a road trip to check off their bucket list. The chemistry and dialogue between the two actors is great and will make you laugh and at other times the movie will bring a tear to your eye. It’s definitely one of the inspiring travel movies to watch. IMDb-link
Carter: Even now I cannot understand the measure of a life, but I can tell you this. I know that when he died, his eyes were closed and his heart was open. And I’m pretty sure he was happy with his final resting place, because he was buried on the mountain. And that was against the law.
7. Lost in Translation
Bill Murray plays an aging and fading actor who now resorts to doing Japanese commercials. While in Tokyo he meets a bored housewife (Scarlett Johansson) with whom a strange friendship appears. The movie shows the other side of travel, when things aren’t as great as you’d hoped because of culture clashes and a completely different language. A film with beautiful shots and great story. Don’t miss it. IMDb-link
6. Outsourced
This is also one of those movies where the DVD cover gave me another expectation of the movie. I was positively surprised and it was much more entertaining than I thought it would be. This film follows Todd (Josh Hamilton) who manages a call center in Seattle. One day the call center gets outsourced to India and he travels there to train his replacement as well as teaching them to sound “American”. It also follows Todd as he explores the Indian culture and as the Indians explore the American workplace. A movie that will both make you feel good and want to go travel. IMDb-link
Purohit: I’m Purohit Narsimacharaya Virajnarianan. But you can call me Puro.
5. Up in the Air
This has always been a favorite ever since it came out. I think it has something to do with my inner child’s fascination for airports and flight, having explored many of Asia’s greatest hubs as a kid. Anyway, the movie follows Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who works as a corporate downsizing expert and basically flies around the US to fire people. It also gives an interesting look into living as a business traveler. An inspiring travel movies from the point of view of a business traveler. Otherwise it is actually a good, funny and enjoyable movie which you should see if you haven’t yet. IMDb-link
Ryan: [on getting through airport security] Never get behind old people. Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Bingo, Asians. They pack light, travel efficiently, and they have a thing for slip on shoes. Gotta love ’em.
Natalie: That’s racist.
Ryan: I’m like my mother, I stereotype. It’s faster.
4. The Beach
This is a classic and an easy choice. If you are reading this article and haven’t seen this movie, shame on you. A group of young travelers live in an unidentified paradise somewhere in Thailand, where they all live together trying to keep their island a secret as they are threatened by outside forces. At time the movie can be a bit cliche and obvious, but it still a good movie and one of the great ones in the travel genre. I’m sure there are many backpackers out there that got a lot of inspiration from this movie when they started out, maybe even to try to find Daffy. IMDb-link
3. The Daarjeling Limited
A wacky Wes Anderson movie starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman as three brothers who travel through India to try to repair their old bonds. Happy, fun, sad, stupid and random are some words that I think would describe this movie well for me, however it can be a hate it or love it situation. It will definitely make you want to visit India though. IMDb-link
Trivia: Natalie Portman, who appeared in a cameo, traveled to the film’s location in Jodhpur, India, to shoot for about half an hour and then spent 10 days exploring India afterward.
2.The Motorcycle Diaries
This is one of my favourite movies of all time and it is often one that is missed by many. It follows two medical students, Che Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado, on their four month and 8 000 kilometres long motorcycle journey through South America. On a quest to see things that they’ve only read about in books, it definitely gives you a lust to explore South America. The movie features footage from the whole continent, such as down in Patagonia as well as the backstreets in Chile. Great inspiring travel movies for those interested in the southern hemisphere. IMDb-link
1.Into the Wild
Freedom is one of the larger themes in this movie. Many will associate and dream of the characters needs to break free from society. To let go of everything and do what you want to do. This is the ultimate dream for many and it is portrayed in such a beautiful way. Emile Hirsch does a brilliant job together with the other actors as the main character is shaped by the characters he meets on the road. Chances are that you have already seen this movie, if you haven’t, you know what to do. IMDb-link
Christopher McCandless: It should not be denied that being footloose has always exhilarated us. It is associated in our minds with escape from history and oppression and law and irksome obligations. Absolute freedom. And the road has always led west.
What are your movies that have inspired you to travel more? Please share in the comments section below.