I’m a big fan of movies. Ever since I can remember, it’s something I truly enjoy watching. Once you start growing up, you start noticing other things in the movies, like plots, characters, and more importantly… places! Movies are a great source of inspiration and who knows, maybe you’ll choose your next destination after reading about these movies.
Also, if you want more tips, tricks and ways to make your travels better, visit our Travel Tips section.
Grab your popcorns and read our list of the best travel movies to inspire your wanderlust!
1) The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Ever felt trapped in your office job? This movie will make you want to go and explore the world. Walter Mitty has a repetitive and boring office job (that he likes, by the way) but when an unexpected event occurs, he has to embark on an adventure to find an elusive photographer he needs information from.
Walter Mitty’s journey takes you to Iceland, Greenland, and the Himalayas. Throughout the movie, you experience how Walter is transformed by his adventures, how his confidence grows and how going out of his comfort zone moves him to take important decisions in his life. This movie is about taking risks and saying yes to having adventures.
Also, the photography is impeccable, it captures perfectly how beautiful and interesting the world is out there. The soundtrack is something I still listen to when I need some inspiration.
Favorite quote from the movie
To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.
2) Call me by your name
One of the best book to movie adaptations I’ve ever watched. This movie takes you to a Summer during the 80s in a small town in north Italy (although there are some scenes in Rome, too!). You’ll see beautiful meadows, an amazing Italian house that seems more like a little castle, and Italian towns. Just check the trailer.
What I really loved about this movie, besides what a great love story it is, is that everybody seems to enjoy life so much. I mean, obviously they’re on a holiday, but you’ll want to experience this sensation of not worrying about anything else while discovering a new place.
Favorite quote from the movie
How you live your life is your business, just remember, our hearts and our bodies are given to us only once. And before you know it, your heart is worn out, and, as for your body, there comes a point when no one looks at it, much less wants to come near it. Right now, there’s sorrow, pain. Don’t kill it and with it the joy you’ve felt.
3) Crazy Rich Asians
It’ll make you want to book a flight ASAP to Singapore. Ok, maybe during the first 20 minutes you’ll already know how this movie will end but that won’t stop you from enjoying the stunning shots of Singapore.
Of course, you’ll only get to see the beautiful, rich parts of Singapore but that’ll be enough to make you wanna visit it. The movie in itself might be like any other chick flick (not that there’s something wrong with that) but it will keep you entertained.
I also found interesting how the movie depicts the identity crisis some people might have when traveling or getting back to their places of origin. I’ve always felt this is not talked about enough in pop culture. Another interesting topic is how cultural differences can hinder any relationship (or make it stronger!). Overall, it’s a nice watch.
Favorite quote from the movie
[About Singapore’s airport] I can’t believe this airport has a butterfly garden and a movie theatre. JFK is just salmonella and despair.
4) Up
The first sequence of the movie is heartbreaking. When I started crying by the end of that first sequence I thought to myself: never, ever postpone something you truly want to do. It’s nice to have dreams to travel around the world, it’s nicer to make it happen somehow.
By the end of the movie, you’ll want to start your own adventure and go explore all those places you’ve always wanted to go. As much as Carl (the protagonist of the movie) is old and grumpy, he discovers it’s never too late to go and travel. Also, this is a movie about finding unexpected travel partners that can totally make your traveling experience unique.
Favorite quote from the movie
Adventure is out there!
5) Indiana Jones franchise
I remember watching these movies with my dad. Not only will the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones inspires you to travel, but it also makes you want to know more about the history, culture, and ways of living of the people who live in different places. And, as much as you think you can learn from books, documentaries, or others’ experiences, you’ll never learn better than to experience it yourself.
For all the history geeks out there, Indiana Jones is a treat. These movies have everything: adventure, drama, funny parts, romance, everything! Also, this archaeologist will make you travel to places like Petra, Delhi, Cairo, Berlin, Shanghai, and even Venice… you’ll have so much inspiration you won’t know where to go first.
Favorite quote from the movie
If you want to be a good archaeologist, you gotta get out of the library!
6) The Motorcycle Diaries
Ernesto “Che” Guevara is one of the most important historical figures in Latin America (and the world!) as he was key during the Cuban Revolution. He was a revolutionary and a seeker of freedom. But how did he get to that point? What happened in his life that he became this controversial figure? Well, this movie tells you about a trip he made in his motorcycle that changed his life.
The movie was shot all across Latin America in places like Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela. If you have always wanted to visit South America, you can take the same journey as the Che! Gael García, the actor who plays Che Guevara, stated that he was surprised to see not much had changed since the original trip took place. So maybe, you’ll have a similar experience as Guevara.
Maybe you won’t become a revolutionary figure after you travel through South America but you’ll definitely identify with that feeling of change you experience when you travel.
Favorite quote from the movie
We travel just to travel.
7) Lost in Translation
The first time I traveled solo it was very overwhelming. Although the cultural shock wasn’t that big because I was traveling to Lima (and I’m Mexican), it was indeed a shock. I felt very alone at the beginning and I had to learn how to be by myself and solve things on my own. When I watched this movie, it hit a soft spot for me: I felt that way. Now, I can’t imagine how this experience could be when you go to a place as foreign as Tokyo (at least for us that are on the other side of the world). Well, this movie is about it.
The story happens all around Tokyo, so you’ll get to see this amazing, crowded, interesting city all through the movie. From karaoke places to temples, you’ll see Tokyo the way the characters see it: as an untranslatable place that makes you truly think about who you are and what you want.
If you’re in one of those moments where you don’t really know what would be the next step you should take in life, maybe this will inspire you to take a trip to an unknown place and discover who you truly are.
Favorite quote from the movie
I just feel so alone, even when I’m surrounded by other people.
8) Moana
The first time I watched I liked it. Then, when I watched it for the first time with my niece I loved it. I loved the message of empowerment for women. I really loved how it inspires you to get through all those myths you might believe are true but in the end are just that, myths.
Moana is about finding your place in the world and knowing that maybe that place is not what you’ve been always told about. This movie will make you want to go explore where the sky meets the sea and to listen to your heart to go on an adventure.
Also, besides all the great things you can learn, you’ll definitely want to go to the beach, especially if it’s located in Hawaii.
Favorite quote from the movie
Sometimes who we wish we were, what we wish we could do, is just not meant to be.
What other movie has inspired you to travel? Tell us in the comments!
