I’ve always been passionate about movies. I used to run a school movie review, watched everything that came out and researched stories behind every motion picture. Yet, I’ve never considered ‘travel movies’ a separate category next to a comedy, drama, thriller, etc., until I started blogging and reading about some great movies that featured a trave motive.
Call me a weirdo, but in my mind, many movies could be classified as ‘travel’ since main characters travel somewhere or complete some sort of a journey. When I watch a movie that features someone’s travel to an unknown, I want to learn something about the place on top of inspiration for my next adventure. Hence my blog motto ‘Travel with Purpose’.
This is why I prepared a list of ‘different travel movies’ that represent a journey and can definitely inspire wanderlust, but will also teach you something about the country, its history, and people. Don’t forget to also see my recommendations for travel books.
Best Travel Movies (some available on Netflix)
Rotten Tomatoes – 88%, IMDb – 7.4
Rotten Tomatoes – 85%, IMDb – 8.1
Starring Dev Patel, you’ll see the reality of the situation in India, where 80,000 children go missing in India each year.
Rotten Tomatoes – 97%, IMDb – 7.5
Months after she arrives and finally begins to make Brooklyn her home, she receives some news that makes her go back home and decide whether to go back to the US or stay in Ireland.
Rotten Tomatoes – 72%, IMDb – 7.5
Spoiler alert: you might want to cry, but you’ll see a part of Paris’ history that no one really talks about.
Rotten Tomatoes – 85%, IMDb – 7.5
You’ll see the struggle between a new home and a place you used to know.
Rotten Tomatoes – 66%, IMDb – 7.1
Pig, a forbidden and unclean animal can’t be kept anywhere, so after the man tries to unsuccessfully sell it, he embarks on a journey of misadventures.
Rotten Tomatoes – 68%, IMDb – 6.8
Kim finds herself in the middle of an out-of-control war zone with correspondents getting involved into heavy partying and sketchy situations.
The movie received critical reviews at first, which I understood after reading the book. The book is much more detailed and more funnier, but if you’re just looking for a quick movie you’ll be able to get a glimpse of life in Afghanistan.
Rotten Tomatoes – 91%, IMDb – 7.4
A very important movie for travelers and future travelers, as it reminds us that traveling around isn’t all we have and that things back home can be far different from life on the road.
Rotten Tomatoes – 84%, IMDb – 7.5
The plot was vaguely based on a real-life case in Kano, Nigeria. During the filming in Kenyan slumps, the cast and crew decided to establish a fund to give local children some education.
Rotten Tomatoes – 85%, IMDb – 7.5
You will cry and you might give up bacon after watching Okja. The movie also
Rotten Tomatoes – 82%, IMDb – 7.2
While the movie is mostly a tale of a woman surviving on her own in the wilderness without a man, the author’s nine-month journey resulted in one of the most detailed studies on nomadic people.
We can see some of her encounters with the nomadic people in the motion picture, but if you want to learn more after watching it, then grab Davidson’s book.
Before Sunrise & Before Sunset & Before Midnight
Rotten Tomatoes – 100%, IMDb – 8.1
The sequel reunites the two characters in Paris, while the last part might turn your romantic ideas upside down. I don’t want to say more not to spoil it.
Rotten Tomatoes – 83%, IMDb – 6.8
Their marriage caused a lot of controversy from their families and governments of both the UK and South Africa. The story follows their travels to Bechuanaland and back to England while facing a permanent exile.
Just for Fun…
When a Canadian man is trying to find his Denish grandfather, he starts a friendship with a local teenage waitress who shows him around Copenhagen.
My Italian teacher showed me this movie and I seriously laughed. The movie presents the difference between the south and north of Italy in a hilarious way.
A young woman is sent on a holiday to Italy after her husband cheats on her. During the trip, she spontaneously decides to stay in Italy and purchase a villa in Tuscany.
If It’s Tuesday This Must Be Belgium
What happens when a group of American tourists goes on holiday abroad for the first time.
A bittersweet movie about two men in different life situations who meet each other in a hospital while dying of cancer. Together, they embark on a journey to complete their bucket list.
When Tom Hanks tries to close an important business deal with a Saudi King. Before he knows it, he doesn’t want to come back to America.
Do you have any other recommendations for travel movies on Netflix?
5uk.uk
Thursday 28th of December 2017
Great list of movies. Thank you for an informative post. It will really help us in future travelling. I would really like if you also give a look at my blog
Rosie Pringle
Wednesday 20th of December 2017
Check out Touki Bouki - 70s movie based in Senegal about two people motorcycling around. Highly recommend!
Adam East
Tuesday 7th of November 2017
I would recommend watching 'Lion' One of the greatest movies I've watched in the last few year's, don't take my word for. Very emotional and deep, the movie is set in Australia and in India. Perfect movie to watch with the family. Watch and discover for yourself.
Anne Fraser
Monday 30th of October 2017
One from my youth "summer holiday" with cliff Richard, fifty years old but still fun to watch. A group of lads do up an old red double decker London bus and drive it to Greece. And one just out "murder on the Orient Express" a retelling of an Agatha Christie murder mystery.
Anna
Monday 30th of October 2017
Your comment made me smile because even though I don't remember Summer Holiday movie I surely must have seen it as a kid, because my mom was crazy about Cliff Richard so anything with him was always on, and my dad hated it :D
Matthew Karsten
Thursday 19th of October 2017
I loved "Lion" and "The Constant Gardener". Great list of travel movies!