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25 Best Travel Movies On Netflix
I think every wanderlust lover enjoys a great travel movie! These films can make you travel the world in a little under two hours and can be super inspiring. Though finding the right movies to watch when traveling can be time-consuming and even complicated if you’re on an international trip. That’s why Netflix is life-saving for all travel lovers wanting to watch movies on the road!
For me, one of the best gifts for travel lovers is a streaming subscription! This allows us to download movies and watch them whenever suits us better while on a trip. It’s practical and stress-free! Plus, Netflix has an impressive movie catalog that includes some of the most beloved travel films out there. That’s why I decided to create this roundup. Keep reading to find out what are the best travel movies on Netflix!
1. Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
This movie is an absolute classic! Not only is this story filled with beautiful landscapes, but it’s also quite moving. It’s based on a true story, so you’re for sure getting the real deal here. The plot follows a freshly divorced woman, Liz, as she embarks on a 9 month-long trip to find herself. The story kicks off in New York but Liz travels to Italy, India, and Bali on this self-discovery journey. It’s fast-paced (only about an hour and a half long) and filled with travel motivation. As you can probably tell, this movie is as inspiring as it gets!
2. Lion (2016)
This is another touching film based on true events. It’s the story of Brierley, who got lost and separated from his parents at only 5 years old. He ended up on the other side of his home country, India, and never saw them again, getting adopted later and moving to Australia. But the story kicks off when Brierley decides to go on a journey to find them! The movie will take you on a heart-wrenching journey across India and Australia. It lasts almost two hours, so get cozy!
3. Chasing Liberty (2004)
For anyone longing for a 2000’s rom-com after two emotional films, I’ve got you! This is such a feel-good type of movie that it’s perfect for anyone stuck at a boarding gate, bus terminal, or rainy day when camping ! The story follows the daughter of the President of The United States as she steps off on a European adventure to rebel against the constant security imposed on her. It’s got European travel destinations, 2000’s nostalgia, and romance!
4. Expedition Happiness (2017)
If you want to check out some of the best United States road trip destinations , then this film is for you! Expedition Happiness follows a German couple as they set off on a road trip across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. They explore all of North America with their dog and a converted school bus. The views are spectacular and will definitely inspire you to travel! It lasts 96 minutes and will convince you to pack your bags before you even get to watch half of it!
5. Mamma Mia (2008)
Another outstanding classic! I couldn’t leave Mamma Mia out of this list, especially when it’s such an uplifting and comforting film. The story takes place on a Greek island ( anyone else longing for some sun right now?) and follows a young woman named Sophie who’s about to get married. She wants her father to be there but doesn’t know who she is. So Sophie invites all three of her potential dads to the wedding! It’s a true rollercoaster of a film. Plus, it’s a musical, so there’s even more to love about it!
6. Ibiza (2018)
Okay, so this movie is pretty much a rulebook for what NOT to do on a business trip. Which makes it all that much more fun and enjoyable! The plot follows Harper, a 30-year-old woman from NYC who travels to Barcelona for work. But (of course) everything goes off track when she meets a handsome DJ! It’s only an hour and a half long, so you can definitely squeeze it in the middle of any busy day!
7. The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
Alright, we’re back to the moving travel movies category. For real now, this is the ultimate road trip movie! It follows the story of Ben, a writer turned caregiver in charge of a teenager with muscular dystrophy, Trevor. As the boy loves American roadside attractions, Ben convinces his mother to go on a road trip across the country. It’s an emotional film packed with views of the open road!
8. The Terminal (2004)
Pretty much everyone and their mother knows this is a great movie. This commercial success follows the ordeal of an Eastern European man stranded inside of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport because his passport is no longer valid. But the same reason why they won’t let him in is the same reason why he can’t leave: his country suffered a military coup and his life would be in danger. So he stays there, making a terminal his new home as he waits for asylum. This is a classic and you should not miss it!
9. Casino Royale (2006)
James Bond films are always quite the show! They’re bound to make you have fun while traveling. This one follows Bond as he is earning his license to kill and is involved in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale, Montenegro. The movie was shot in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy, and the United Kingdom. So you’ll see lots of different places!
10. Amelie (2001)
If you’ve ever longed for a trip to Paris, then this movie is for you! The story follows Amelie, a girl whose childhood was conditioned by her mistakenly diagnosed heart condition. As she barely got any real-life interactions with people, she resorted to her own fantasy world that resulted in a vivid imagination even as an adult. Her life changes when she moves to Paris and that’s where this story begins. It’s a cinematic masterpiece and a very acclaimed film!
11. Into the Wild (2007)
This great movie will take you deep into the wilderness of Alaska. It’s the story of Christopher McCandless, as he sells all of his possessions after graduating from university and departs to Alaska. He even donates all of his savings to give it all up and live in the wild. Along the way, he’ll encounter people that will forever make an impact on his life. It’s quite a long film (almost two and a half hours long) but definitely worth your time!
12. Adrift (2018)
This moving film is based on an inspiring true story and will leave you shaken. It follows the adventures of two sailors who embark on a trip across the seas only to find themselves in the eye of one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in history. After the storm, their boat is shredded to pieces and one of them is badly injured. Now all they have to do is try to survive. It’s a gripping story, that’s for sure!
13. Crystal Fairy and the Magical Cactus (2013)
This movie is for those who want a bit of fun when they’re away or daydreaming of being on the road! Meet Jamie, a let-loose American who’s traveling in Chile. There, he joins a woman keen to discover the benefits of a local South American hallucinogen: the San Pedro cactus. You’re bound to have a good laugh with this one. It’s short (1:40 hours) and hilarious!
14. Forrest Gump (1994)
This American classic is one you’ve probably seen dozens of times before. But we never get tired of this movie! This story follows the beloved character, Forrest Gump, across a tale of his eventful life while he waits at a bus stop. His memoirs also depict a series of key events in American history, so it’s quite the emotional ride. It’s a longer movie, almost two and a half hours long, but certainly an unskippable one!
1 5. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
This Netflix documentary follows the life of 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono and his work at his renowned sushi restaurant. It also touches upon his relationship with his son as he is under the pressure of taking over the restaurant. Meanwhile, Jiro sets out on his lifelong quest to create the perfect piece of sushi. It all happens in Tokyo, so it’s a great movie for those longing to visit Japan!
16. Faces places (2017)
This documentary is the perfect road trip film! The French protagonists, 89-year-old New Wave director Agnés Varda and 33-year-old photographer JR, embark on an artistic journey that’s caught on camera. They travel around the small villages of rural France, as they create portraits of the people they come across on their trip. It’s simple, subtle, and comforting! It’s a great movie for a road trip, so head over to our Road Trip section to start planning your next one.
17. In Search Of Fellini (2017)
This story is both dreamy and relatable in certain ways! The protagonist is a small-town girl from Ohio who isn’t too keen on reality but adores movies. When she discovers the artistic and bizarre films of Federico Fellini, she takes off on a passionate trip across Italy just to find him. It’s a coming-of-age memoir mixed with a heavy dose of wanderlust. And if you like Italy’s landscapes, you can’t skip it!
18. The Mummy (1999)
This one is another classic! If you’re in the mood for an adventure comedy, this is what you need to watch. Out of all these travel movies, The Mummy has a very distinct vibe. Is a mix of romance, adventure, comedy, and terror that just ticks all the right boxes! It tells the story of an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers in the Sahara Desert. When they uncover an ancient tomb, they set free a 3,000-year-old mummy by accident. And I’ll let you find out the rest from there! Get ready to visit Egypt!
19. The Way (2010)
The Way is visually stunning and emotionally touching. It tells the story of a man who goes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to gather the remains of his deceased adult son. His son died in a storm while attempting to complete the Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James trail). There, he decides to embark on the pilgrimage himself to honor his son’s desires. It’s an emotional ride but a beautiful one!
20. The Bucket List (2007)
A travel movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman is a film worth watching! This comedy-drama follows two men suffering from a terminal illness as they set out on a once-in-a-lifetime kind of road trip. On their journey, they will check off everything they need to from their bucket lists before actually “kicking the bucket”. It’s funny, it features lots of cool places and activities, and it’ll sure keep you company while on the open road!
21. On The Road (2012)
On The Road is the compelling take of a road trip fuelled by grief and a need for inspiration. Writer Sal Paradise embarks on a trip across the open road to regain clarity and motivation. On his journey, he encounters the free-spirited Dean Moriarty and his charismatic girlfriend. Together they travel the American Southwest in search of the unknown. The landscapes present in this movie are stunning and it’s always great to get to see more of the US!
22. Wild Oats (2012)
This film is for those who want to watch movies that are a ton of fun! Wild Oats is a great movie capable of getting a laugh out of most of us. The story kicks off when a retired high school teacher receives a $5,000,000 check for her deceased husband’s $50,000 life insurance policy. Influenced by her friends, she decides to make the most out of the mistake and embark on a wild trip to the Canary Islands. The location of this film is beautiful and the storyline is hilarious!
23. The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Everyone knows The Da Vinci Code in one way or another, right? Whether you’ve read the book or seen the film, this is a travel movie worth watching. The story follows symbologist Robert and cryptologist Sophie as they find themselves in the middle of a political and religious battle amid different believers. I don’t want to spoil anything else but this one is a must-watch!
24. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
This is one of the best comedies/rom-coms of all time! Not only does it make everyone laugh and cringe a little, it’s also set in beautiful Hawaii. The plot follows Peter, who was dumped by his girlfriend (actress Sarah Marshall) and decided to take off to Hawaii. He hopes to relax but, as he’s checking in, he spots Sarah and her new boyfriend. The events that follow are bizarre, hilarious, and worth watching!
25. Cairo Time (2009)
Finishing off this roundup of travel movies on Netflix with Cairo Time seems like the right move. This movie is poetic to its core and has some really strong performances. It’s a romantic drama that focuses on an unexpected affair in Cairo. Of course, it features the best views of the city and a few of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks. For those of you who love the Pyramids, this one’s for you!
What are your favorite travel movies and shows on Netflix?
Those are the 25 best travel movies on Netflix! Each and every one of these films is perfect for sparking that wanderlust flame or preparing for an upcoming trip. Even more, you can watch them while traveling on a road trip or at the hotel! So just download them and get ready to be entertained for a while. What is your favorite travel movie? Let me know in the comments. Now go enjoy those wanderlust-packed films!
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Hello and warm regards from sunny Singapore!
Been following your IG and now subscribed to your blog. Thanks for this travel list. Cant wait to watch them. Thanks for your recommendations.
Ms Shan Lim
This is such a great list!! I am such an Egypt fanatic, how I have never heard of Cairo Time? Totally going to watch that tonight, thanks for the recommendations!
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32 of the Best Travel Movies on Netflix to Watch
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Since you all loved my post about movies set in Europe so much, I figured I’d follow it up with a post about the best travel movies on Netflix! These streamable movies are from all over the Earth, and some of them even inspired sequels! Some are in the adventure travel movie genre, while others are more dramatic historical films. Most of these Netflix travel movies are for the PG-13+ crowd, and they are all currently available to stream.
Update 2024: As this post was published in 2019, I have updated it with links to other platforms if the movie is no longer available on Netflix. Newer films are added to the bottom.
Table of Contents
The Best Travel Movies on Netflix
1. Chasing Liberty
Chasing Liberty is an early 2000s romantic comedy film I absolutely adore! Starring Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode, the film is about the 18-year-old daughter of the President of the United States . Rebelling against the constant presence of the Secret Service agents in her life, she galavants around Europe and, of course, winds up in an unexpected romance. As Chasing Liberty was filmed on location in Prague, Venice , Berlin, London , and Washington, D.C. , it is one of my favorite adventure travel movies on Netflix.
2. A Little Chaos
King Louis XIV of France requested the Gardens of Versailles be built and tasked André Le Nôtre with this project. Le Nôtre interviewed several gardeners who had submitted designs for the project, including one lone woman, Sabine de Barra. After her interview, André surprised Sabine and asked her to design an outdoor ballroom surrounded by a fountain and landscaping.
As she is a commoner, Sabine stands out in court, which leads to difficulty when trying to complete the project. Even though she is the outsider, she winds up befriending Nôtre, the King’s brother, Duc Philippe d’Orleans, and his wife, Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine.
3. Julie and Julia
In Manhattan, Julie Powell is stuck at a job she hates and is disheartened at watching her friends succeed. To spark some joy, she decides to cook every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child with a one-year deadline. She also sets out to write a blog to motivate herself and document her progress.
In flashbacks, we get the 1950s Julia Child—an enthusiastic and unabashed woman who lives in Paris with her diplomat husband, Paul Child. She attends Le Cordon Bleu to learn French cooking and is initially met with skepticism as she is the only woman in the class. Though we don’t see the characters travel much themselves, it’s one of the best travel movies on Netflix with its flashbacks to 50s Paris.
4-5. Mamma Mia & Mamma Mia Here We Go Again
Based on the 1999 musical of the same name and the songs of ABBA. The film follows a young bride-to-be who invites three men to her upcoming wedding. She found these men’s names in her Mother’s diary around the time she was conceived. They all agree to attend, and unbeknownst to them, one of them is her father. This is also quite a shock for her mother, who doesn’t know they were invited to the wedding. It is one of my favorite musicals! I absolutely adored the sequel, Mamma Mia Here We Go Again , but it is not yet on Netflix!
6. In Search of Fellini
A small-town Ohio girl who’s lived a rather sheltered life loves movies but dislikes reality. Upon discovering the delightfully bizarre films of Federico Fellini , she sets off on an adventure. This propels her on a strange and beautiful journey across Italy to find him.
7. Wild Oats
When a retired high school teacher loses her husband, she mistakenly receives a $5,000,000 check on her deceased husband’s $50,000 life insurance policy. Her friend Maddie, whose husband has just left her for a younger woman, convinces her to keep the money. They decide to live it up at a resort in the Canary Islands.
8. The Duchess
Based on a biography of the late 18th-century English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish , Duchess of Devonshire. Set to marry William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire, she is expected to produce a male heir. When Georgiana gives birth to a girl, William is displeased. Georgiana then befriends Lady Bess Foster and invites her to live with them since Bess has nowhere else to go. Soon after, William has an affair with Bess, causing Georgiana to feel betrayed by her only friend.
After starting her own affair, the whole of London society comes to know of it. William then threatens to end her lover’s political career and forbids Georgiana from seeing her children again if she does not end the relationship.
The film follows Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley over 18 years, on the same day—15 July, St. Swithun’s Day. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Dexter and Emma spend a platonic night together and agree to “just be friends.” The years pass, and the audience gets to see how they intertwine over those 18 years.
10. The Other Boleyn Girl
Having no living male heir to the throne, Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, and his brother-in-law Thomas Boleyn plan to install Boleyn’s eldest daughter, Anne Boleyn , as the King’s mistress. The film is a fictionalized account of the lives of Mary Boleyn, the one-time mistress of King Henry VIII , and her sister, Anne, who became the King’s ill-fated second wife.
11. Viking Destiny
A Viking princess is forced to flee her kingdom when she is framed for her father’s murder. With the help of the god Odin, she travels to gather support to win back her throne.
12. Outlaw King
Following Robert the Bruce , the 14th-century Scottish King who launched a war against the indomitable English army over a 3-year historical period, this film focuses on when Bruce decided to rebel against the rule of Edward I over Scotland, thus becoming an “outlaw,” up to the 1307 Battle of Loudoun Hill.
13. Becoming Jane
Jane Austen’s financially strapped parents expect her to marry the nephew of wealthy Lady Gresham. However, she knows that this will destroy her creativity and sense of self-worth. Instead, she becomes involved with Tom Lefroy, a charming but penniless apprentice lawyer. He bolsters her, which is exactly what she needs for her future career as a novelist.
14. The Man in the Iron Mask
The former musketeer Athos swears vengeance after King Louis XIV causes the death of his son. Gathering his old friends, Porthos and Aramis, he hatches a plan to liberate a shackled prisoner who is rumored to be the King’s twin brother and then install him on the throne. But they are also faced with their old friend D’Artagnan, who has remained in the King’s service.
If you have not yet seen this, see it ASAP, as it’s one of my favorite travel movies on Netflix! You can also visit the Pierrefonds Castle they shot at!
15-17. The Da Vinci Code
Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre as a murder in the museum has taken place. Cryptic clues in some of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings lead in this adventure travel movie. For 2,000 years, a secret society has closely guarded information that could shake the very foundations of Christianity. Its sequels, Angels and Demons and Inferno , are also on Netflix.
Check Out These Posts:
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18-20. The Mummy
One of my favorite adventure travel movies on Netflix is The Mummy ! An epic about an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers in the Sahara Desert in 1925. As they stumble upon an ancient tomb , the hunters accidentally set loose a 3,000-year-old mummy. The mummy is the vengeful reincarnation of an Egyptian priest who had been sentenced to an eternity as one of the living dead. It was followed by two sequels, The Mummy Returns and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor which are also found on Netflix.
21. Into the Blue
Divers Sam and Jared love living in the Bahamas. But when friends Bryce and Amanda visit, the couple takes them on a treasure-hunting trip. They find a downed airplane full of cocaine alongside a famous shi pwreck. Making a fatal mistake, they decide to sell the cocaine, which angers a group of drug dealers.
22. Dangerous Beauty
Veronica loves a handsome aristocrat, Marco Venier, but he cannot marry her because she is penniless and of a questionable family. So Veronica’s mother, Paola, teaches her to become a courtesan, which is a companion favored by the richest and most powerful of Venetian men . Using this new turn of events, she changes her destiny. It’s a lovely film if you’re a fan of Venice as its story is based there and appears to be filmed there.
23-24. National Treasure 1 & 2
Historian Ben Gates has been searching his whole life for a treasure dating back to the birth of the United States. After joining an expedition led by a fellow treasure hunter, Gates finds an ice-locked Colonial ship in the Arctic Circle. It c ontains a clue linking the treasure to the Declaration of Independence. But when the fellow treasure hunter betrays him, Gates has to race to get to the document ahead of his former friend. I wish they also had the sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets , on Netflix, as it’s one of the best recent travel films.
25-28. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
My favorite adventure travel movie hero is Indiana Jones ! As an archaeologist, he tries to beat a band of Nazis to a religious relic. Battling against the Nazi’s plan for world domination, a snake phobia, and accompanied by his ex-girlfriend, Indiana Jones is in constant peril. All the sequels are also on Netflix.
29. A Tourist’s Guide to Love
After an unexpected breakup, a travel executive accepts an assignment to go undercover and learn about the Vietnamese tourist industry. Along the way, she finds adventure and romance with her Vietnamese expat tour guide.
A Tourist’s Guide to Love is one of the recent best travel movies on Netflix. I really enjoyed it, even though it was cliche in parts, it was a wholesome traveler movie we don’t get to see very often.
30. Irish Wish
When the love of her life gets engaged to her friend, Maddie puts her feelings aside to be a bridesmaid at their wedding in Ireland . Days before the wedding, Maddie makes a spontaneous wish for true love, only to wake up as the bride-to-be.
Above, you see them at the Cliffs of Moher , which Lindsay Lohan luckily didn’t get electrocuted at, like myself, to my knowledge.
31-32. Murder Mystery 1 & 2
Murder Mystery is about a New York cop and his wife going on a European vacation to reinvigorate the spark in their marriage. A chance encounter leads to them being framed for the murder of an elderly billionaire.
Murder Mystery 2 is about the now private detectives launching their own agency; Nick and Audrey Spitz, land at the center of an international investigation when a friend is abducted.
Above you can see them at the Pont des Arts , Paris’ love lock bridge.
Did I miss one of your favorite travel movies on Netflix? Let me know in the comments.
Looking for More to Watch?
- 57 Movies Set in Europe to Watch Before You Travel
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Michelle is a nerdy wanderluster with a love of history. A 30-something occasional solo female traveler who you’ll find road-tripping across the United States or hostel-hopping in Europe. She currently resides in Southern California and is writing an action-adventure novel.
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11 Travel Movies on Netflix to Download for Your Next Flight
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Whether you're back at home between trips or prepping for a two-hour-plus flight, watching classic travel movies on Netflix can be one of the best ways to spirit yourself away to a new destination. It's a great time to do so, too: With the streaming options below, this might be the best collection of films on the platform yet—especially when it comes to documentaries. And as more and more airlines move their in-flight entertainment from seatback screens to mobile apps, you might as well download these ahead of your next flight, so you can watch what you'd like (and not Hitch for the 20th time).
Note that you'll have to head off of Netflix to see some of our other favorites that the streaming site has previously carried (like road trip classic Y Tu Mamá También , which is available to rent on Amazon, or Catch Me If You Can , available on Peacock). And once you've finished this list, don't worry, we have a whole other list of our favorite travel TV shows on Netflix —including most of the late Anthony Bourdain's work—to binge.
For now, here's a list of some of our favorite movies involving travel by land, air, and sea, that are available right now on Netflix.
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Eat Pray Love (2010)
Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir of leaving her busy city life behind to seek new adventures in Italy, India, and Indonesia has charmed millions of readers. The film may not have the emotional heft of the book, but the scenery it provides more than makes up for it.
Roma (2018)
One of Netflix's first original travel movies, Alfonso Cuarón's beautiful tribute to his youth in Mexico City recreates a world many felt had been lost to time. And if you want to stay in Roma 's world after the credits roll, look no further than our guide to Mexico City Airbnbs that features a number of rentals that feel like they could have been been in the film .
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
This Netflix original documentary—which won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 2021—follows filmmaker and freediver Craig Foster as he forges a friendship of sorts with a wild octopus that lives in a kelp forest off the coast of Simon's Town, an area outside of Cape Town more commonly known for its penguin-filled beaches. Follow Foster as he learns about the marine life in the area, and applies lessons he learns from the octopus, who he visits every day for a year, to his own life above sea level.
The Terminal (2004)
While there are plenty of stories of travelers and refugees taking up a semi-permanent residence in an airport terminal, this version—where Tom Hanks plays a traveler who spends nine months in New York's JFK airport after arriving, only to find his passport is invalid and he can't return home—is completely fictional. Look for appearances by Stanley Tucci , Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Zoe Saldana, but don't look for recognizable JFK airport landmarks, as the terminal scenes were actually shot on a soundstage built into a hangar at L.A.'s Palmdale Regional Airport.
Casino Royale (2006)
Pick any of the 24 released Bond films and you'll watch the MI6 agent jetset from places like Dunn River Falls in Jamaica, in 1962's Dr. No, to Mexico City in the opening scene of Spectre . But we think Casino Royale has some of the best filming locations of them all—at least until No Time to Die hits theaters later this year—as it was filmed in Prague , the Bahamas, and Venice and Lake Como in Italy.
The Dawn Wall (2017)
Free Solo , the stress-inducing documentary that followed rock climber Alex Honnold as he scaled the 3,000-foot-tall El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without a rope, isn't on Netflix. (You'll have to go to Disney+ to watch it.) But The Dawn Wall is, and it'll give you a similar sense of adventure from the comfort of your couch or airplane seat. It follows Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson, the first climbers to attempt a free ascent of a section of El Capitan known as, you guessed it, the Dawn Wall. While they don't use equipment to aid their climbs, unlike Honnold they do use a harness and rope as a safety net.
Into the Wild (2007)
Based on a Jon Krakauer book by the same name, this Oscar-nominated movie follows Christopher McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch) as he hikes and hitchhikes all across North America, hitting California, North Dakota, Colorado, Utah, and many more U.S. states before ending up in Canada. But before you go planning a trip to see the bus that served as the real McCandless's home in the later parts of his life, know it's been relocated to the Museum of The North in Fairbanks, where it will be showcased soon in its own outdoor exhibit.
Chasing Coral (2017)
You may not be able to travel to see the Great Barrier Reef , the subject of this Netflix documentary, for much longer if we don't do something about climate change and ocean warming. The film uses high-tech camera equipment and time lapses to show the speed and scale of the deterioration of the coral, as it turns from colorful, vibrant ecosystems into a barren, lifeless wasteland. You'll feel truly gutted once the movie's over, but also a renewed drive to act. To learn more about the movie and hear firsthand about what it took to film, keep reading here .
Adrift (2018)
Another movie adaptation of a book—this time Red Sky in Mourning: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Survival at Sea by Tami Oldham Ashcraft— Adrift follows Tami (played by Shailene Woodley) as she sails with her beau Richard (played by Sam Claflin) from Tahiti to San Diego . The couple's path is intersected by a hurricane, setting them adrift and into survival mode. It's a harrowing, real life tale—but we won't give you any spoilers as to how it ends.
The Trader (2018)
If you're short on time, this documentary following the rural route of a traveling trader in the Republic of Georgia is perfect—it's just 23 minutes long. Despite its length, it packs a lot of emotion in, following Gela Kolochovi as he brings second-hand clothes, kid's toys, equipment and more to small towns in exchange for potatoes.
A Life on Our Planet (2020)
It couldn't be a list of travel movies without at least one appearance from Sir David Attenborough. And this one isn't the usual fare, turning the lens on the celebrated naturalist and beloved narrator himself. Over the course of the documentary, Attenborough reflects on his more than 90 years on earth so far, and his hopes for the protection of our planet and its residents big and small in the future. If you love the movie, be sure to check out his memoir by the same name, which delves deeper into the movie's message.
25 BEST travel movies on Netflix or Prime (2024 updated)
Posted on Last updated: 21 October 2024
Is it movie night in your household tonight? Looking for best travel movies that you haven’t yet seen? Or perhaps you want to revisit some classic adventure movies? Then read on…
We are travel addicts in this family. When we’re not actually travelling, or planning travels, or even talking, writing and reading about travels, what do we do? We watch films about travel! We have watched every single travel film on this list, and every single one gets our personal recommendation.
And if you’re looking for the best travel movies on Netflix UK or best travel movies on Prime, you can find all these films on either or both!
But be warned, watching these travel films will give you a serious bout of itchy feet and may lead to flight purchases.
1. The Beach (2000)
Perhaps our all time favourite travel movie and a true classic. We can honestly watch this one over and over again. Richard, a backpacker in his 20s comes across a strange map that leads him and his friends to a solitary beach paradise. Anyone who has travelled Thailand can relate to the buzzing scenes of Th Khao San in Bangkok and the tropical island vibes in this evocative blockbuster adapted from Alex Garland’s book of the same name. Directed by Danny Boyle and starring a young Leonardo DiCaprio, this film may leave you questioning the costs your own travel adventures, despite the extreme ending.
2. Wild (2014)
Reese Witherspoon stars in this extraordinary true story based on the best selling novel. Cheryl Strayed, a girl in her 20s who recently lost her mother, decides to start a new life by hiking along the 1,100 mile-long Pacific Crest Trail in the USA. As with all travel with a purpose, the miles walked provides Cheryl with the time and space to reflect on her life and she begins to discover herself. Have the tissues handy.
3. Lost in Translation (2003)
Shot entirely on location in Japan, this is a heartfelt film about loneliness and human connection, and is easily one of the best films of all time. It beautifully captures the feeling of confusion and alienation which can affect travellers when they first arrive in a new country, stepping out of their comfort zone, and is a film you will be thinking about for days after watching.
4. The Way (2010)
After hearing the devastating news that his son was killed in a storm in the Pyrenees while walking The Camino de Santiago, Tom, an eye doctor from California, flies out to France to collect his son’s remains. Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage to honour his son, leaving his ashes along the trail. Through the weeks of walking and the characters he meets along the way, Tom begins to understand his son’s passion for travel and in turn learns more about himself and what he wants from life. Another tear-jerker this one.
5. Into the Wild (2007)
Directed by Sean Penn, this is a true story pieced together from family accounts and journals from Christopher McCandless who was found dead in an abandoned bus in the depths of Alaska in 1992. He was a successful graduate and top student from Emory University, who abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 law school fund to Oxfam, and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. An outstanding travel movie, with an extremely sad ending.
6. Up (2009)
Easily one of the best travel movies for kids. This animated comedy adventure from Pixar Studios shows that you’re never too old or too young to travel. Carl Fredricksen, a 70 year old retired balloon salesmen, never made it to the wilds of South America with his wife, even though they always dreamed about travelling there together. His wife has sadly passed away, but he ends up fulfilling his dream with the help of balloons and a young scout.
7. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
Our regular readers will know that we used to live in India and so we easily fell in love with this travel movie. There’s also a sequel! The film beautifully captures the chaos and colour of this contradicting country, where a group of British retirees travel to Jaipur to stay at the supposedly newly restored Marigold Hotel. Less luxurious than advertised, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways and will have you both laughing and crying at the same time.
8. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
A quirky one and perhaps not to everyone’s taste. But if you allow yourself be drawn into the vivid imagination of Walter Mitty, you will be transported to the vast open plains of Greenland, Iceland (which is one of our favourite family travel destinations ) and Afghanistan’s Himalayas. It’s beautifully shot, and has the powerful message that resonates with all travellers, in that travel changes you for the better.
9. Tracks (2014)
A remarkable true story of Robyn Davidson, a young woman, who leaves her life in the city behind to make a trek through 1,700 miles of sprawling Australian desert with just four camels and a dog for company. Expect epic Australian landscapes and beautifully raw acting.
10. Lonely Planet (2024)
Lonely Planet begins at a writer’s retreat in the Atlas Mountains, where a famous writer (played by Laura Dern) is struggling to find the time and focus to complete her latest book. Also at the retreat, accompanying his writer girlfriend, is a financier played by Liam Hemsworth who is distracted by work troubles and has little time or interest in the writers and intellectuals who make up the rest of the group. After they both escape on a day trip to Chefchaouen, the two become friends and then lovers before real life gets in the way.
The film is easy to watch and the script is neither ground-breaking or challenging, but the real star of the piece is Morocco itself, with the cinematography acting as a tourist advertisement for the country. A steady stream of beautifully filtered shots of mountains, bubbling tagines, windswept beaches, medinas and riads manage to capture some of the beauty of this magical place, with Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains , Chefchaouen and Essaouira all making cameos.
If you hadn’t already planned a trip to Morocco before watching the film, you’re sure to be on Skyscanner before the credits start rolling. If you love Morocco, and you’re in the mood to switch off and escape for an hour or two, this is the film for you.
11. Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
Based on the best-selling book by Elizabeth Gilbert, some say this travel movie is excruciatingly corny, yet for others, including myself, it’s a feel-good movie that provides the warm and fuzzy vibes.
Believing there’s more to life than a husband, house and career, Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) leaves New York (a place we’ve surprisingly not yet been, but one day we’ll get to visit New York with kids ) and embarks on a yearlong journey travelling to Italy (for good food), India (to meditate) and Bali (to perhaps find true love). Italy and India just so happen to be two of our favourite destinations we’ve travelled with the boys.
12. Holiday in the Wild (2019)
The dialogue is cliché, the plot is predictable, and the repertoire of Kristin Davis is barely stretched, but if you love elephants, you love an African safari , and you’re looking for some easy viewing, this Netflix produced travel movie is worth a watch. Filmed in South Africa , a Manhattanite flies solo to Zambia for her second honeymoon (after her husband walked out on her, the same day her son leaves for college) and ends up working at an elephant sanctuary.
13. The Inbetweeners 2 (2014)
The Inbetweeners TV series is one of the most hilarious British comedies to grace our screen. There have been two spin off films made, but our favourite has to be when the misfit foursome head downunder. When Neil, Will and Simon arrive in Australia to find that Jay’s life in Sydney’s ‘sex capital of the world’ isn’t quite all he has been saying, Will decides they have an opportunity to do some ‘real’ travelling. Cue a romp through camp-fire singing, unintentional proposals, water-slide disgrace, dolphin feeding and a trip to the outback.
14. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Three American brothers (Francis, Peter, and Jack) who have not spoken to each other since their father’s funeral a year ago, set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other. Francis is recovering from a motorcycle accident, Peter cannot cope with his wife’s pregnancy, and Jack cannot get over his ex-lover. The brothers fall into old patterns of sibling behaviour and the spiritual quest gets rather complicated.
15. A Map for Saturday (2007)
A documentary of solo backpacker Brook Silva-Braga’s travels for one year across the globe. Follow his well trodden path from Australia, South East Asia, India, Nepal, Europe and Brazil and perhaps reminisce about your young backpacker days before you started travelling the world with kids in tow. It’s an honest account of life on the road for a young single traveller and very relatable. And why the title? Well, every day feels like a Saturday when you’re travelling!
16. 180° South (2010)
A Netflix travel movie that follows Jeff Johnson as he retraces a legendary 1968 trip to Patagonia undertaken by his heroes, Yvon Choinard and Doug Tomkins. This film may get you packing your bags and jumping on a sailing boat to South America. You’ve been warned.
17. Out of Africa (1985)
An oldie but goodie, and an absolute must if you’re planning a trip to Africa . Set in colonial Kenya, a Danish Baroness (Meryl Streep) has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter (Robert Redford). This epic travel movie won seven Oscars in 1986, including Best Picture and Best Director, so it must be good.
18. Thelma and Louise (1991)
Another Oscar-winning, classic travel film. Thelma and Louise set off on a girls road trip for some fun and excitement, but after Louise shoots dead a guy who tried to rape Louise, they decide they have no choice but to go on the run. One of the first true feminist films.
19. Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994)
It was actually seeing the stage show of this travel movie in Sydney that prompted us to watch this classic Aussie film. Two drag queens and a transgender person travel across the vast Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs in a battered old bus (called Priscilla) to perform their cabaret. It’s fabulously hilarious with wonderfully outrageous costumes, but surprisingly tender at times.
20. Before Sunrise (1995)
An American guys meets a French girl on a train, and they impulsively decide to get off the train and spend the evening together in Venice before he has to fly back to home the US. What this travel movie lacks in plot development, it gains in romantic charm, and if you really love it, this is just the first in a trilogy.
21. The Endless Summer (1966)
The ultimate surfing film directed by Bruce Brown follows two young surfers from California around the world in search of the perfect wave. In his narration, Brown muses that if someone had enough time and money, they could literally follow the summer around the globe, and he takes us to Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii and California.
22. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Two best friends, Vicky and Cristina, with opposing views to love, embark on a summer in Barcelona. The plot line of them falling for the same man sounds cliché, but the clever dialogue and superb acting make this romantic travel film something different; although the character that really seduces us all is Barcelona.
23. Into Thin Air: Death on Everest (1997)
No list of best travel movies is complete without a film about Everest. There are so many films and documentaries about this beast of a mountain to choose from, but my favourite has to be ‘Into Thin Air’; a personal account from Jon Krakauer of the horrific 1996 Mt Everest Disaster where eight climbers were killed and several others were stranded by a storm. Jay and I hiked to Everest Base Camp from the Nepal side pre-kids, and this film really hit home.
24. The Art of Travel (2008)
The Art of Travel is seemingly the ultimate travel movie for those who love to don their backpack and venture off the beaten track. We follow the journey of Conner, a young man who embarks on a solo adventure of self-discovery after leaving his cheating fiancé at the altar. Demonstrating the transformative power of travel, Conner experiences a challenging introduction to Nicaragua’s capital, Managua, and meets a group of travellers aiming to break the world record in crossing the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia, before venturing into South America. There is so much potential with this film, but it’s let down with a poor script that can be patchy and clichéd at times. It’s one to watch after you have travelled to Central and South America. Perhaps avoid watching before you go.
25. A Tourist’s Guide To Love (2023)
Firmly in the chick flick genre, this film lacks grit and a tight narrative. But as soon as the lead character sets foot in HCMC, you can’t help but smile, especially as she struggles to cross the road through the throng of mopeds.
It’s an easy watch, with a handful of predictable cheese, following the story of a travel agency rep, Amanda Riley, falling in love with her local tour guide, Sinh, with a heavenly-sanitised and serene version of Vietnam as a backdrop travelling through HCMC , Hoi An , Da Nang, and Hanoi .
The key message throughout is that we shouldn’t feel the need to tick off sites to experience a country. Be flexible, head off the beaten path, and see where your day takes you.
So that’s a wrap on our best travel movies. There are A LOT more travel films around, but these are our ultimate favourites. If you have any favourite adventure films that aren’t on this list, then let me know, and we’ll have to check them out! I will be updating this post regularly as there are always new travel films coming out, or old classics still to find, so keep this page bookmarked.
You may also like to read: How to become a digital nomad family How we afford to travel with kids Unpaid Parental Leave: taking leave from work to travel with your kids
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