Experience the wonders of the world without ever leaving the comforts of your own couch! These must-see travel movies are a great way to inspire wanderlust when you’re stuck at home.
I’ve put together a list of my all-time favorites that will take you around the world, from Rome to Reykjavik. Whether it’s a rom com or a documentary, these travel movies will transport you out of your everyday to a dreamy destination. So grab a bowl of popcorn, maybe a glass of wine, and cozy up to these travel classics!
Wild (California, USA)
Starring Reese Witherspoon, Wild tells the true story of a young woman who solo hikes the thousand-mile Pacific Crest Trail from California to Washington. Follow along as she conquers both physical and mental challenges on this ultimate journey of self discovery. Based on the bestselling novel by Cheryl Strayed, it’s also on my list of Best Travel Books to Cure Wanderlust.
Leap Year (Dublin, Ireland)
Leap Year follows a young woman (Amy Adams) inspired by a Celtic tradition to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day. She plans to surprise him on a business trip to Dublin, but bad weather strands her in a small, coastal town. An encounter with a bitter, young innkeeper is her only hope of making it to the city in time. As they travel together across the Irish countryside from Dingle to Dublin, you’ll fall in love with the beautiful scenery of the Emerald Isle and the charming characters they meet along the way.
Roman Holiday (Rome, Italy)
Roman Holiday was Audrey Hepburn’s starring debut. She won an Academy Award for her charming portrayal of a princess who sneaks away from her royal obligations to explore Rome on her own for a day. She meets an American journalist (Gregory Peck), who plans to deceive her and sell her photos and story to the press. But they fall in love as they tour the city on a Vespa, visiting iconic sights like the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps.
Into the Wild (Alaska, USA)
Take a journey Into the Wild with this great Alaskan adventure. Based on the book by Jack Kerouac, this poignant tale tells of a promising but troubled young man who leaves everything behind to live off the land. Enjoy stunning shots of the untamed Alaskan wilderness as he journeys further north in a quest for ultimate adventure and freedom.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Iceland)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is an inspiring story of an ordinary man who leaps into an extraordinary adventure. Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) daydreams of adventure, but is too stuck in his own head to live life to the fullest. Working in the photo department of Life Magazine, he decides to finally take a chance on a real-life adventure and track down a missing negative for a milestone cover photo. Clues lead him on a wild ride from New York City to Nuuk, Greenland, Iceland, and the Himalayas.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (New York, USA)
In Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn plays a small-town girl looking for love, adventure and wealth in the big city. She begins to fall in love with a neighbor, in spite of her fierce drive to remain untethered and independent. Follow along as they play tourist in their own city, visiting iconic sites like the New York Public Library, Central Park, and of course, Tiffany & Co on Fifth Avenue.
Midnight in Paris (Paris, France)
Written and directed by Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris will sweep you away in a fantasy of Jazz Age Paris. Owen Wilson plays a screenwriter and aspiring novelist who is vacationing in Paris with his fiancee (Rachel McAdams). While touring the city alone each night, he finds himself in the company of artists from another era. Hanging out with the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Salvador Dalí, and Gertrude Stein transforms his life forever.
Crazy Rich Asians (Singapore)
Crazy Rich Asians will dazzle you with over-the-top scenes in the ultra-modern and chic city of Singapore. A young woman accompanies her longtime boyfriend on an adventure East for his cousin’s wedding. Once there, she is surprised to learn of his family’s outrageous wealth. Follow along as she learns to stand up to his overbearing mother and earn her place in the family.
I have thoroughly enjoyed binge watching these favorites, and I hope you will too! I will keep adding to this list, so sound off in the comments with your must-see travel movies.
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I was looking for travel Movies to spend my free time. Fortunately, I ended up reading your post. Gonna put the movies on my list. Great job!! Thanks for sharing =)
Thanks, Izzie! I hope you enjoy!
I used to love Into The Wild! May have to give it a rewatch!
It definitely holds up! Thanks for reading!
Love this list! My favorite is Wild 🙂
Agree – I loved the book and movie both so much!
I’m a big movie fan and have seen most of the films listed in your article but also found some new suggestions, so thanks for these tips 🙂 I haven’t seen the new version of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty yet as I grew up with the 1940s version featuring Danny Kaye (whom I loved so much!). Curious to see that one especially so will go look for it!
I didn’t realize there was a 1940s version, I will have to check it out! Thanks for sharing!
My family is all movie-crazy, we grew up going to the movies all the time, but for me, I started traveling in books first as a child. I definitely appreciated the travel aspects of movies, but the places were always in the backdrop not primary to me, until Eat, Pray, Love when some sort of bell went off in my brain and I switch from lusting travel via books to movies!
I love that! I’m definitely a reader first and foremost too! Any movies based on books (like Wild), I have to read the book first before watching.
I just finished Crazy Rich Asians! I probably would have missed this one if not for your recommendation. Loved it, and of course the ending had me bawling. Might need to add Singapore to the bucket list.
So glad you liked it! It’s one of my all-time favorites! 🙂
Great picks! Midnight in Paris is one of my favorite movies, and you can’t go wrong with a classic like Roman Holiday. 🙂
Thank you, Olivia!
I’ve read Wild but haven’t seen the movie yet! Will have to add it to my list! I need to check out Into the Wild and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty! :]
I hope you enjoy! I have to admit, I liked the Wild book better than the movie, but it’s definitely worth a watch!