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60 Best Travel Movies that Inspire Wanderlust
Last Updated on April 15, 2021
I love movies for so many reasons ― they can move us to tears, make us laugh out loud, and inspire us to travel and explore. And at times when travel isn’t an option, movies are the best escape.
I realized I had a travel obsession when all my favorite films were movies about traveling. Great travel movies like Seven Years in Tibet and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty have always been my greatest source of inspiration.
For movie lovers who are also obsessed with travel, I have compiled the ultimate list of the best travel movies with the help of our community. These travel movies range from Hollywood adventure films to classic wanderlust movies and visually stunning travel documentaries. It’s a long list, so be sure to bookmark it and come back whenever you need a new film to feed your wanderlust!
Table of Contents
- BEST TRAVEL MOVIES
- Travel Movies Set Around the World
- Best Travel Movies Set in Africa
- Best Travel Movies Set in Americas
- Best Travel Movies Set in Antarctica & Arctic
- Best Travel Movies Set in Asia
- Best Travel Movies Set in Europe
- Best Travel Movies Set in the Middle East
- Best Travel Movies Set in Oceania
BEST TRAVEL MOVIES
Travel Movies Set Around the World
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
I can’t write a list of best travel movies without including the legendary Indiana Jones franchise! In my opinion, this first installment is the best out of the four Indiana Jones movies. The award-winning Hollywood adventure film stars Harrison Ford as archaeologist Indiana Jones, who sets out to South America in search of a golden statue. Dr. Jones meets a museum curator, who tells him about a biblical artifact called the Ark of the Covenant. It is said to hold the key to human existence. Filming actually took place in many parts of the world, including France, Tunisia, Hawaii, and California.
Baraka (1992)
A visually stunning documentary film with no narrative or voice-over, Baraka is a powerful footage of people and places from around the world. It is a transcendent global tour shot in 24 countries on six continents over a 14-month period. From chaotic cities to barren wilderness, the movie takes viewers around the globe to witness both natural and technological realms. A feast for the eyes and a must-watch for travel lovers!
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
From three-time Oscar winning director Steven Spielberg, Catch Me If You Can tells the crazy but true story about a 19-year-old man who posed as a lawyer, doctor, and pilot, all while conning millions of dollars in checks. The movie’s main character, Frank Abagnale Jr, is always jetting off to somewhere new, all on other people’s dime! The movie was filmed in three different locations: California, New York City, and Quebec.
The Bucket List (2007)
One of my absolute favorite travel movies of all time, the Bucket List is a comedy drama that follows two men on a no-holds-barred adventure as they read the end of their lives. The movie shows that it is never too late to live life to its fullest. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play the two unlikely friends, who head off on a round-the-world journey to ticket off their bucket lists. They go skydiving, fly over the North Pole, marvel at the Taj Mahal, ride motorcycles on the Great Wall of China, go on safari in Tanzania and climb to the top of the Giza pyramids.
Eat Pray Love (2010)
An adaptation of the biography of American author Elizabeth Gilbert, this movie actually surprised me and turned out better than the book. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert (played by Julia Roberts) embarks on a quest for self-discovery around the world. She discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy, the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Indonesia.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Definitely one of the best adventure travel movies of all time, this film is beautifully filmed and successfully conveys the message of how adventure is possible for everyone. The wanderlust film follows the extraordinary adventure of an ordinary man, played by Ben Stiller, who finds the courage to discover his destiny and leap into an adventurer that is life. He goes in search of a photojournalist from the streets of Manhattan to Iceland, Greenland, and the Himalayas. Movies like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty make you feel like you’re traveling without leaving your armchair.
Samsara (2013)
Samsara reunites the filmmakers of the award winning film Baraka. Filmed over five years in 25 countries and shot on 70mm film, Samsara takes us to sacred grounds, disaster zones, and natural wonders. The global travelogue is brings us across the Himalayas, the American Southwest, European cathedrals, and other beautiful sites. As compared to Baraka, Samsara is more intense and solemn in its tone. The cinematography is flawless and the music arrangement simply mesmerizing. This is armchair travel at its best.
Best Travel Movies Set in Africa
Out of Africa (1985)
Filmed in Kenya during the 1980s, Out of Africa is a pioneer in the world of exotic movies. The travel film is based loosely on the autobiographical book by Danish author Karen Blixen. Initially set on being a dairy farmer, Blixen (played by Meryl Streep) travels to Kenya to join her husband who instead spends their money on a coffee plantation. After discovering he is unfaithful, Karen develops feelings for hunter Denys (played by Robert Redford). The two get entangled in a complicated relationship until a series of events force Karen to choose between her love and personal growth.
Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
Another hugely popular classic movie about travel, Gorillas in the Mist is an adaptation of world-famous wildlife expert Dian Fossey’s autobiography. Fossey (played by Sigourney Weaver) leaves the United States for Africa, where she studies the gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda. As Fossey develops a bond with the animals, she also becomes wary of the poachers who prey on them. Fearing that the gorillas will go extinct if humans continue to hunt them, she organizes a defense league to protect the animals. In doing so, though, she puts herself in a perilous situation.
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
In my opinion, this is one of the best movies of all time. It might not be a travel film but it is an insightful movie based on the horrifying genocide that happened in Rwanda just 20 years ago. In 1994, the ethnic Hutu militia initiated an ethnic cleansing campaign to decimate the Tutsi population, and killed over 800,000 people. The film tells the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a Hutu who manages the Hôtel des Mille Collines and courageously allow refugees to take shelter in his hotel. As the U.N. pulls out, Paul must struggle alone to protect the Tutsi refugees in the face of the escalating violence later.
The White Maasai (2005)
Based on a non-fiction memoir, this German movie sparked my interest in Africa almost 12 years ago. It tells the story of Corinne’s trip from her home country of Switzerland to Kenya, where she met and fell in love with a Maasai warrior. She decides to stay and build a home with him in the African savanna. Albeit the challenges, she adapts to Maasai life and even gives birth to a baby in the bush.
Duma (2005)
This is a travel movie that not many people know about but I absolutely love (so does my 5-year-old daughter)! The family-friendly movie centers around a little boy named Xan, who lives on a ranch in Kenya with his parents. When the family stumbles upon an abandoned baby cheetah one afternoon, Xan takes the cub in and begins to care for it as if it were his own. Over time, Xan grows incredibly attached to the cheetah, which the family namesDuma. But when Xan moves to the city following his father’s death, he learns that Duma belongs to the wild. To get Duma back into the savanna, he and Duma embark on an intrepid journey riddled with danger and adventure.
Last King of Scotland (2006)
Technically this isn’t a movie about traveling, but it sure piqued my interest in Uganda. The Last King of Scotland is an intense thriller set in Uganda during the 1970s. Forrest Whitaker gives an outstanding performance as Idi Amin, the third Ugandan president, who was heavily criticized for human rights abuse. Amin’s savagery is depicted through the eyes of a Scottish doctor who finds himself entangled with Amin in a desperate fight for survival.
The Good Lie (2014)
One of those great movies that inspire, The Good Lie features the true story of a group of Sudanese refugees. After their village is destroyed and their parents killed by Northern militia, Sudanese orphans Theo, his siblings and other survivors make a difficult journey to a refugee camp in Kenya. Thirteen years later, the group gets the chance to settle in the U.S. They are met in Kansas by Carrie Davis (Reese Witherspoon), who has been charged with finding them jobs. However, seeing how adrift they are in 20th-century America, Carrie endeavors to help them in rebuilding their shattered lives.
Queen of Katwe (2016)
The newest addition to the list of traveling movies based in Africa, Queen of Katwe tells the true story of a young Uganda girl named Phiona Mutsei and how she defies the odds and becomes a chess champion. Born and raised in a slum of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, the young girl becomes fascinated with chess after meeting a local coach. Under his guidance, she becomes a top player and comes in first place at a competition. It is one of those movies that inspire us not just to travel but also to keep at it.
Best Travel Movies Set in Americas
Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
This documentary by lauded German filmmaker Wim Wenders follows renowned guitarist Ry Cooder and his son, Joachim, as they travel to Cuba and assemble a group of the country’s finest musicians to record an album. Eventually the ensemble travels to the United States to perform in front of audiences. This revelatory documentary captures a forgotten generation of Cuba’s brightest musical talents as they enjoy an unexpected brush with world fame.
Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
This exhilarating movie follows three friends as they set out on a Mexico road trip. The emotionally-charged movie also tells the tale of what the boys learn along the way, after they both fall for the same older woman. The movie was filmed in both Mexico City and Oaxaca. It stars two of the most famous Mexican actors, Gael Garcia Bernal andDiego Luna.
Frida (2002)
Set in Mexico City, this is the biopic of the bold and controversial life of artist Frida Kahlo. Nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Salma Hayek for Best Actress, the visually evocative film traces her lifelong, tempestuous relationship with her mentor, along with her illicit affairs with Trotsky and various women. Her forward-thinking artistic, political and sexual attitudes are explored as we witness a hard-drinking, passionate woman of the early 1900s.
City of God (2002)
Another movie that might not strike some as a traveling film, City of God reveals life in the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro during the 1970s. The movie is centered around two young men from the favelas who choose different paths. Rocket is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood. José “Zé” Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer who uses Rocket and his photos as a way to increase his fame as a turf war erupts with his rival, Knockout Ned. The film was shot on location in Rio’s poorest neighborhoods.
The Terminal (2004)
The Terminal tells the story of Viktor Navorski (played by Tom Hanks), an Eastern European tourist who gets trapped in JFK Airport indefinitely. Upon landing at the airport, war breaks out in his country and he finds himself caught up in international politics. Because of the war, the Department of Homeland Security won’t let him enter or exit the United States. While living at the airport, Viktor falls for a flight attendant (Catherine Zeta-Jones).
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
For a peek into South America during the revolution days, this movie follows Argentinian revolutionary Che Guevara as he travels the length of South America. This traveling film is highly entertaining and insightful — especially for fans of South America. Famous Mexican actor Gael García Bernal plays Che Guevara in the movie. Definitely one of the best travel movies of all time!
Into the Wild (2007)
Often lauded as one of the best adventure travel movies, Into the Wild tells the remarkable story of a young man’s solo adventure in Alaska. In 1992, he left his well-to-do family, hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself.
7 Days in Havana (2012)
Filmed on location in Havana, this anthology movie brings together 7 short films produced by 7 different directors. A lesbian, an aspiring actor, an aspiring singer, a marriage, a neighborhood community and 2 renowned directors have memorable less-than-24-hour experiences while living in/visiting the capital of Cuba. I personally enjoyed the movie a lot more than I expected to, mainly because it brings back beautiful memories from one of my favorite cities in the world and the music throughout the movie is is excellent!
Wild (2014)
Based on yet another bestselling travel book, this wanderlust movie follows the journey of Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed, as she treks 1,100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail after the devastating loss of her mother. Seeking self-discovery and solutions to her personal grief, Strayed set out on her journey, alone and with no prior hiking experience. One of the best explore movies made in recent years, Wild is an incredible reminder of how a journey can be pivotal in helping us understand more about ourselves.
A Walk in the Woods (2015)
An adaptation of Bill Bryson’s bestseller, this comedy adventure follows Robert Redford and Nick Nolte on their hike along the 2190-mile Appalachian Trail. The trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America: majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. This is one of those light-hearted wanderlust movies that will set you in the right mood!
Best Travel Movies Set in Antarctica & Arctic
The Endurance (2000)
A thrilling documentary narrated by Liam Neeson, this adventure travel movie tells the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition to Antarctica in 1914-1916. It features new footage of the actual locations and interviews with surviving relatives of key expedition members, and a generous helping of the footage and still photos shot on the expedition. An excellent wanderlust film for those dreaming about visiting Antarctica.
Encounters at the End of the World (2007)
Another artistic and stunning travel documentary set in the world’s final frontier, Antarctica. Film-maker Werner Herzog and cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger travel to Antarctica to meet people who live and work there and to capture footage of the continent’s unique locations. This movie was one of the reasons why I traveled to Antarctica in 2013.
Eight Below (2008)
This Walt Disney film is an adventure travel movie set in Antarctica (but filmed in Svalbard, Greenland, and British Columbia). It is a remake of the 1983 film, Antarctica, based on the ill-fated Japanese expedition to Antarctica that took place in 1958. Three members of a scientific expedition, Jerry Shepard (played by Paul Walker), his friend Cooper (Jason Biggs) and an American geologist (Bruce Greenwood), must leave their beloved sled dogs behind after a devastating accident and increasingly perilous weather conditions. Alone, the dogs struggle to survive the harsh Antarctic winter.
Into the Cold (2013)
Best Travel Movies Set in Asia
Kundun (1997)
This epic biographical film was one of the first travel movie I’ve ever seen and it was the reason why I wanted to travel Tibet. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the movie is based on the life and writings of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, an exiled political and spiritual leader of Tibet. “Kundun” meaning “presence”, is a title by which the Dalai Lama is addressed. The uniqueness of the Tibetan culture and their distinctive architecture and traditional costumes were what made the movie so interesting for me. With stunning photography and a moving soundtrack, the epic film may be a little slow, but it is one of the most emotional and spiritual experiences I ever had on film.
Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
Seven Years in Tibet is the true story of Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer, played by Brad Pitt. The adventure travel movie covers the escape of Harrer from a British internment camp in India to Tibet. He spent several years in Lhasa, and subsequently became a tutor of the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Buddhist nation. The Dalai Lama imparts valuable lessons to him, and they build a strong friendship. But nothing will prepare him for the devastation about to descend when Communist China decides to attack, leading to the deaths of over 1 million Tibetans and the destruction of over 6000 monasteries.
Anna and the King (1999)
One of my personal favorite travel movies set in Asia during the 1860s, Anna and the King is a biographical period drama based on the true story of Anna Leonowen. Anna (played by Jodie Foster) is an English school teacher, a window and mother who moves to Siam (Thailand) to teach the 58 children of King Mongkut. An unexpected romance between Anna and the King, but cultural differences keep their love apart. The movie evokes the old-world charm of Thailand, though it was mostly shot in Malaysia.
The Beach (2000)
Coming in top on many lists of Hollywood adventure films, The Beach encapsulates the freedom and ecstasy that many of us experience on the road during our youth. I watched this when I was just a teenager, and was completely drawn to the backpackers’ world. An adaptation of Alex Garland’s acclaimed novel, the movie tells the story of Richard (played by the young Leonardo Di Caprio), an American backpacking through Asia. While in Bangkok, he meets a mad Scotsman who gives Richard a crude map to a place in Thailand that he claims is paradise on earth: beautiful, unspoiled, and uninhabited.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Funny and transformational at the same time, this comedy drama definitely makes you want to travel Japan if you haven’t already been there! Lost in Translation stars Bill Murray as aging actor Bob Harris, who befriends college graduate Charlotte in a Tokyo hotel. The movie explores themes of loneliness and culture shock against the backdrop of a modern Japanese city.
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
While some might not consider this to be a travel movie, I think it put Japan on the map for many and drew attention to this gorgeous country with rich traditions. The epic movie’s main character is Chiyo, who gets sold to a geisha house at the tender age of 9. There, she is forced into servitude, receiving nothing in return. After rigorous years of training, Chiyo becomes Sayuri, a geisha of incredible beauty and influence. Life is good for Sayuri, but World War II is about to disrupt the peace.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
I’m a big fan of comedy films, so a movie that combines comedy and travel has definitely hit the jackpot for me. The Darjeeling Limited follows the adventures of three drug-addicted brothers traveling together across India by train. You may not wish to buy a venomous snake, nor follow in many of the other violent mishaps of these brothers, but this movie definitely made me want to go back to India! Click here for more movies about India.
Slumdog Millionaire (2012)
Ranking high on my list of favorite travel movies, this Oscar winner tells the story of an Indian Muslim, Jamal Malik (played by the brilliant Dev Patel) from the Dharavi slum in India. At 18 years old, he is a contestant on India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”. Flashbacks show how he got there. Part of a stable of young thieves after their mother dies, Jamal and his brother struggled to survive on the streets of Mumbai. Salim finds the life of crime agreeable, but Jamal scrapes by with small jobs until landing a spot on the game show.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)
Another movie set in vibrant South Asia, this wanderlust film follows a group of British retirees (including Judi Dench) as they outsource their retirement to exotic, and less expensive, India. Lured by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and imagining a life of leisure in lush surroundings, they arrive and find that the Marigold is actually a shell of its former self. Though their new home is not quite what they had imagined, the retirees find that life and love can begin again when they let go of their pasts.
Lion (2016)
Based on the non-fiction book A Long Way Home, this biographical film is poignant and gripping and tells the true story of Saroo (played by Dev Patel from the Slumdog Millionaire fame). At five years old, Saroo gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of miles across India, away from home and family. Saroo must learn to survive alone in Kolkata, before ultimately being adopted by an Australian couple. 25 years later, armed with only a handful of memories and a revolutionary technology known as Google Earth, he sets out to find his lost family and finally return to his first home. I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Best Travel Movies Set in Europe
Before Sunrise (1995)
There is good reason why this movie was so good that they made two sequels (read below). Set in Austria, Before Sunrise is definitely one of the best romance-travel movies. It follows Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke), a young American man, and a young French lady named Céline (Julie Delpy). They meet on a train and disembark in Vienna, where they spend the night walking around the city and getting to know and falling in love with each other.
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
One of the best movies set in Italy, Under the Tuscan Sun actually inspired me to visit Italy when I was 20. The travel memoir, written by American author Frances Mayes, describes her experience of traveling to Italy and falling in love with the Tuscan countryside. She and her husband decide to buy and restore an abandoned villa, but the renovations prove to be a long, tedious but rewarding experience.
Before Sunset (2004)
Before Sunset picks up the story of the two protagonists in Before Sunrise, nine years after the events of the first film. Their paths intersect nine years later in Paris, and they spend a beautiful afternoon together. This sequel is better than the first in my opinion, and definitely makes you fall in love with the two characters. The third sequel, Before Midnight, picks it up again a further nine years later. The two go on a summer vacation in Greece.
EuroTrip (2004)
I know, EuroTrip is slapstick comedy at its worst. But I loved it when I was a teenager and it made me want to jump on a plane to Europe SO badly! The movie follows the journey of lovelorn Ohio teen Scott Thomas, who goes on a quest across Europe to find his sexy German pen pal, Mieke. Joining him are his brainless buddy and a pair of twins. Scott’s quest does not turn out to be easy, and they become embroiled in many absurd situations as they hop from country to country. The movie is a silly and amusing travel film worth watching if you need a laugh!
A Good Year (2006)
A Good Year is a romantic comedy film loosely based on the novel, A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle (one of the best travel books in my opinion). The movie follows the story of an investment banker, who moves to France after inheriting a wine estate from his late uncle. He meets a woman there who lays claim to the property and falls in love.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2009)
I have to admit this isn’t one of my favorite travel movies. Hear me out: my husband is Spanish, we lived in Spain for over 8 years and Spain is somewhere special for me. Sadly, Hollywood movies don’t do the country much justice. That said, almost every friend I have love this movie, so I decided to include it in this list of best travel movies. The movie revolves around two girlfriends, who go on a summer holiday in Spain and become enamored with the same painter. They are unaware that his ex-wife is about to re-enter the picture.
The Way (2010)
An incredibly moving film that will resonate with those who have walked the Camino de Santiago! The movie tells the story of Dr. Thomas Avery (Martin Sheen), an American who goes to France following the death of his adult son. In a combination of grief and homage to his son, Tom decides to walk the ancient spiritual trail where his son died. While walking the Camino, Tom meets others from around the world, all looking for greater meaning in their lives.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Directed by Woody Allen, this fantasy comedy film is set in romantic Paris, France. The story follows screenwriter Gil Pender (played by Owen Wilson) who is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationship with his materialistic fiancée. His problems become increasingly exaggerated as he travels back in time each night at midnight.
Best Travel Movies Set in the Middle East
Lawrence of Arabia (1989)
A classic travel film from 1962 (but restored in 1989), this historical drama film is based on the life of British Lieutenant T. E. Lawrence. Due to his knowledge of the native Bedouin tribes, Lawrence is sent to Arabia to serve as a liaison between the Arabs and the British. With the aid of native Sherif Ali, Lawrence rebels against the orders of his superior officer and strikes out on a daring camel journey across the harsh desert.
Not Without My Daughter (1991)
Based on the best-selling travel book of the same name, Not Without My Daughter isn’t exactly a title that inspires you to travel. But it has such an amazing storyline that I had to include it in this list. It tells the true story of Betty Mahmoody, an American woman married to an Iranian living in the United States. When her husband suggests visiting Iran with their daughter, Betty is reluctant because of the country’s harsh treatment of women. When the family arrives in Iran, Betty discovers that her husband plans to stay in Iran for good. He has no intention of letting her or her daughter return to the United States. This movie depicts their harrowing escape.
The Kite Runner (2007)
Based on my absolute favorite travel book of all time, The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a well-to-do boy from Kabul, Afghanistan. He is tormented by the guilt of abandoning his friend Hassan. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events: from the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan to the mass exodus of Afghan refugees, and the Taliban regime. It’s a deeply heart-wrenching film with all the drama you look for in a great movie, plus interesting bits of culture, history and politics thrown into it.
Argo (2012)
Based on real events, the dramatic thriller Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation carried out in Iran in 1979. Militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, taking 66 American hostages. Amid the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge with the Canadian ambassador. Knowing that it’s just a matter of time before the refugees are found and likely executed, the U.S. government calls on extractor Tony Mendez (played by Ben Affleck) to rescue them.
Bekas (2012)
This Kurdish comedy-drama movie gives a light-hearted take on life in Iraqi Kurdistan. Set in Kurdistan during the early 1990s, the movie revolves around two orphaned brothers, Zana and Dana. They catch a glimpse of Superman at the local cinema and decide that they want to go to America to find Superman. Zana, the younger brother, starts to make a list of all people he is going to tell Superman to punish. On top of the list is Saddam Hussein. Dana makes a plan for what they need to get there: money, passports, and transportation. They have neither, but in spite of everything they decide to follow the dream.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012)
This British romantic comedy is based on the novel of the same name by Paul Torday. Dr. Alfred Jones (played by Ewan McGregor) is a fisheries scientist who one day receives an unusual request. A businesswoman named Harriet Chetwode-Talbot wants his help in fulfilling a wealthy sheik’s request to bring sport fishing to Yemen. Jones declines at first, but joins in when the British prime minister latches on to the project as a way to improve Middle East relations. Romance blooms as Jones and Harriet work to make the sheik’s dream come true.
Theeb (2014)
If the panoramas from Lawrence of Arabia awed you, this movie will definitely win your heart. The stunning landscapes of Jordan provide an austere but gorgeous setting for this Academy Award nominee. Set in 1916, the film revolves around a young Bedouin boy named Theeb (which translates to mean Wolf). He lives with his tribe in a remote part of the Ottoman Empire. When his older brother has to escort a British officer across the desert, Theeb tags along for the adventure. He encounters revolutionaries and raiders, but tries to survive and live up to the name his father gave him.
Wadjda (2013)
Best Travel Movies Set in Oceania
Crocodile Dundee (1986)
Australians might cringe at the crudely drawn Aussie caricature that is Mick Dundee — but who can deny the fact that this classic put Australia on the map for international audiences? Legendary comedian Paul Hogan plays a free-spirited Australian who hunts crocodiles with his bare hands and stares down giant water buffaloes. But he’s about to face the ultimate torture test — a trip to New York City.
Whale Rider (2003)
The only New Zealander movie on this list, Whale Rider is an Oscar-Nominated blockbuster that brings Maori culture and tradition to a mainstream global audience. A Maori village faces a crisis when the heir to the leadership dies at birth and is survived only by his twin sister, Paikea. Though disregarded by her grandfather, 12-year-old Paikea remains certain of her calling and trains herself in the customs of her people. The film is not only gives a great cultural representation of New Zealand, but also an incredible showcase of the country’s spectacular scenery.
Australia (2008)
Tracks (2014)
This non-fiction movie is based on the adventure of Robyn Davidson, a young girl who traverses across the rugged landscape of Australia with only four camels and a beloved dog for company. She satisfies her craving for solitude on this solo trek across 1,700 miles (2,700 kilometers) of Australian desert from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean. Along the way, National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan documents her journey.
Did I miss out on any great traveling movies? Do you prefer real-life travel documentaries or simply wanderlust movies that inspire? Leave me a comment below and let me know which are your favorite movies about travel!
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The Comments
jessy lipperts
looooove this list!! Thank you! I also loved The Tourist, very juicy with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie… Lots of love from Rosie and Me xx
Nellie Huang
jessy lippertsJessie, thanks for dropping by! Oh yes I remember watching that!
Encarna
¡Madre mía tenemos películas para todo el confinamiento!. Gracias Nellie
Edwina Lee Fort
Nellie … Lots of potential entertainment which will keep us all, hopefully, calmed during this horrid
coronavirus time. I always enjoy your website and wish you and yours much health while keeping safe.
Nellie Huang
Edwina Lee Forthi Edwina, thanks so much for the very kind words! Glad that you’re enjoying my website. Stay safe and healthy!
Anand Balaji
I never knew we have this much list to watch. I have seen some 10 movies, and my all-time favorites are the secret life of Walter mitty and into the wild. Both movies share a wonderful experience to understand what we are living for. Nice share!!
Nellie Huang
Anand BalajiThank you, the Secret Life of Walter Mitty is my favorite too! Thanks for dropping by. :)
Dragana
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing, this is very helpful. I will do my best to watch all. Sometimes I write about the movies too. Here’s a handpicked list of movies that make you want to travel and fuel your wanderlust, in case you or any of your readers find it interesting. Keep up the good work. Can’t wait to see something new from you. Cheers!