One of the most incredible things about watching a good film is being transported to another world, no matter how far it is from home. As you daydream about your future travels, let these beautiful films inspire you. Grab some popcorn because you’ve got a lot of watching to do!
The Best Travel Movies to Inspire Your Next Trip
Before Sunrise
Released: 1995 – Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy
Wowza! An incredibly romantic film, Before Sunrise follows Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as they stroll, philosophize, and flirt on cobblestone streets of Vienna before the sun rises. The city and its inhabitants are as much a character as Delpy and Hawke. Without giving anything away, this film is the first in a trilogy starring the duo. Find them in Paris nine years later in Before Sunset, and in gorgeous Messenia, Greece in Before Midnight. This series is a must-see for all you romantic travelers out there.
The Darjeeling Limited
Released: 2007 – Starring: Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Adrien Brody
You’ll travel to northern India aboard a cramped train, moving across the beautiful expanse of Rajasthan in Wes Anderson’s family road trip film. Anderson’s cinematic style and love of bright, beautiful things are perfectly suited for the backdrop of gorgeous India. Most memorable are the scenes featuring vast desert landscapes and unforgettable mountains.
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Released: 2002 – Starring: Maribel Verdu, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna
Two best friends hit the road, traveling through Mexico with an older sexy woman. What could go wrong in their search for a beach called Heaven’s Mouth? Director Alfonso Cuarón captures Oaxaca in all its complex beauty.
Related: 15 Movies About Flying to Watch While You’re Grounded
Lost In Translation
Released: 2003 – Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi
Bill Murray and Scarlett Johannson play two lonely Americans getting to know each other in Tokyo. This film by Sofia Coppola seamlessly traverses karaoke bars, the Park Hyatt hotel, and bustling Tokyo streets. Melancholia haunts the film, which proves that even in a city filled with millions of people, you can still feel alone.
The Endless Summer
Released: 1966 – Starring: George Greenough, Nat Young, Butch Van Artsdalen
In 1966, Bruce Brown followed his friends on a surfing trip around the world, documenting Robert August and Mike Hynson as they catch waves and make friends. Due to Brown’s beautiful cinematography in places like Hawaii, South Africa, and New Zealand, this documentary had a profound impact on the growth of tourism and surf culture. Watch in awe as August and Hynson crest seemingly insurmountable waves with ease.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Released: 1994 – Starring: Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce
Traveling to Alice Springs, Australia, two drag performers and a transwoman hit the road in a school bus named Priscilla. Full of shenanigans, revelations, and lip-syncing Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was a surprising box office hit in the 90s and quickly became a cult classic in Australia and around the world.
Related: 10 Most Instagrammable Places and the Cheap Flights to Get You There
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Released: 1999 – Starring: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law
The Talented Mr. Ripley follows the travels of a sociopath, played by Matt Damon, on his quest to persuade a wealthy young man, played by Jude Law, to return home. Based in the 1950s, the lives of the beautiful, young, and wealthy quickly come undone as Damon spirals further into lies and delusion. This psychological thriller will keep you hooked with its magnificent performances and beautiful presentation of Italy.
Amélie
Released: 2001 – Starring: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Jamel Debbouze
Jean-Pierre Jeunet's modern fairy tale became an instant hit in the early 2000s due to its colorful cinematography and eccentric heroine played by Audrey Tautou. This film makes Paris come alive, unlike any other film. It doesn’t hurt that the quirky love story at the center of the film is so dreamy, you’ll be booking your ticket to Charles De Gaulle in no time.
Sideways
Released: 2004 – Starring: Paul Giamatti, Sandra Oh, Thomas Haden Church
This novel turned film about two depressed and unsuccessful friends on a week-long trip to wine country to celebrate one’s upcoming wedding is so hilarious and depressing, it hurts. But in a good way. Moving through the gorgeous tasting rooms and vineyards of Santa Barbara is a respite from the darker moments of the film. By the end, you can’t help but acknowledge your own complicated humanity while also wishing you had another bottle of wine.
Related: 7 Wine Country & Picnic Essentials
Women's Mexico Outfit
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