11 Travel Movies That'll Motivate you to, well, Travel

I watch a lot of movies. Along with reading good books, movies help me escape. They help me “get away” for a few hours without having to leave my home. After all, isn’t that what a good movie is supposed to do?

So I thought I’d create a list of movies that’ll, in their own way, inspire you take chances and explore the world for yourself. ​

A Map for Saturday

I love documentaries. And when it comes to travel documentaries, this one is hard to beat. The movie follows the travels of a handful of solo backpackers and documents the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you’re thinking about heading out on your own long-term vacation, give this a watch. On the flip side, if you’re not planning a long-term solo trek anytime soon, this documentary may change  your mind.

Airplane!

Okay, this one wasn’t made to “motivate” you to travel, but I couldn’t leave it off this list! Made in 1980, it’s now a classic. Nearly every scene in this movie is a memorable one. And you’ve heard the lines even if you don’t know it. From “I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue,” to “‘Surely, you can’t be serious.’ ‘I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley’” If you want a good laugh, seriously, this one will do it.

Bottle Shock

Made in 2008, this is quickly becoming a must-see for wine lovers and travelers alike. It’s based on the true story of the 1976 wine competition called the “Judgement of Paris,” in which a California wine beat French wine in a blind taste test. Starring the late Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, and Bill Pullman, this movie will light a fire in you to visit Napa Valley, as well as the other wine regions of the world.

Couples Retreat

It’s what every marriage should require. A tropical getaway to improve your relationship with your significant other. This movie, starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, and Malin Akerman follows several couples to a tropical island resort where they enroll in couple therapy sessions. Be warned: it’ll probably have you looking up how you can make an escape to a far off place like Bora Bora.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Not happy with the direction in your life? Stuck in a dead end job? To me, this movie is more than a rom-com. It’ll motivate you to follow your dreams. Even if it takes a trip to Hawaii to figure out what they are. It stars Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis. It’s funny, dramatic, and motivational all at the same time. Highly recommended.

Indiana Jones trilogy

Need I say more? A mixture of history, travel, and good storylines. Indy made you want to jet set somewhere for adventure. The movie series tells you all about ancient lore as you follow Indy around the globe.

Lord of the Rings trilogy

The award-winning movie series is one of the most picturesque there is. Filmed in New Zealand, it showcases the beauty of the country from the mountains to the rivers. The series made me want to visit New Zealand. I, for one, was blown away by it’s beauty from the movie.

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Lost in Translation

The movie follows two travelers who are kinda at a crossroads. Bob, an aging American movie star befriends Charlotte, a recent college grad at a hotel in Tokyo. Both unhappy with their current life situations. That is, until they start exploring Tokyo together. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson are great in it. Certainly worth the watch.

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

If you’ve ever struggled to get home for the holidays (or, really, for anything), this movie will make you feel right at home. A slightly exaggerated take on what can go wrong during your travels, and how you react to it. It stars Steve Martin and the late John Candy.

Up in the Air

Great movie about a man named Ryan Bingham who lives his life on the road and loves it. Not only that, but he is obsessed with the “miles and points” game. Starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick, this movie takes you on a rollercoaster ride about living life on the road.

The Way

Is a great movie on backpacking the Camino. It follows an American named Tom, who goes to France to pick up the remains of his dead son. His son died shortly after he started the pilgrimage known as the Camino de Santiago. In order to honor his son’s memory, Tom, played by Martin Sheen, finishes his journey. As Tom makes the trek, he comes across others making the journey and begins to understand why his son, played by Emilio Estevez (Sheen’s real-life son), went on the journey. I’m a big fan of Sheen’s work, and this movie is certainly no exception.

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Runners up

-The Art of Travel
-Before Sunrise
-The Hangover
-Seven Years in Tibet
-The Terminal
-Wanderlust


​Bottom line

These are just some of my favorite movies about travel. I tried to pick a mix of dramas, comedies, classics, and documentaries. There are a ton more out there. Some good. Many bad. What travel movies would make your list?

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