I came across a list of great travel movies the other day. Honestly, I think it sucked. Half of the movies were made before I was even an idea.
It made me want to make a list of my favorite travel movies.
5. The Beach (2000) A story about a young American backpacking in Thailand looking for a new adventure in his life. He discovers an island paradise filled with other travelers who have left behind their former lives. On this journey to find deeper meaning and self, he encounters life threatening situations, romance and drama.
I saw this movie when I was too young to appreciate it. (I believe I was about 13) The only thing I remembered was Leonardo DiCaprio was in it. But, 10 years later, I can see that many backpackers follow the same footsteps as the protagonist, even visiting the same island in Thailand. If you ever wondered why people consider Thailand's beaches to be beautiful, just see this film.
4. The Time Travelers Wife (2009) This choice might be silly, but it has become a personal favorite of mines. After reading the book in a few days, the release of the movie gave me high expectations. Luckily, they surpassed. The novel tells the love story of a man with a rare ability to time travel and his lover that over time, copes with the daunting task of a disappearing husband.
The plot, story and the way the movie is portrayed makes you fall in love with the story itself. Time travel is one of those out of this world topics that are often hard to express through film, but luckily, this one wasn't too cheesy.
3. Y Tu Mamá También (And your mother too) (2001) This movie tells the sexy story of 2 young men and their journey through adulthood in Mexico. The boys take a road trip with a woman in her late 20's at a time when Mexico was at the brink of political and economic changes.
With the hopes of seducing this older woman, they drive through poor rural Mexico and learn about themselves in ways they never thought possible. It is a great coming of age foreign film that is a little racy, but tells a deep story. It develops that idea that traveling is a growing experience.
2. Eat Pray Love (2010) Technically, the film has not even been released. (Unless you're a time traveler and you've seen it yourself) But, I am looking forward to the release of this film. If you've read the book, you know the story of a young woman caught in a stand still lifestyle and is ready to get her life back together. She takes a round-the-world journey and discovers beautiful scenery, beautiful people and the beauty in herself.
For anyone who thought they couldn't do anything crazy like drop everything and travel the world, you should read this book and check out the movie. It's a true story that captivates you and motivates you to follow your heart.
1. Into the Wild (2007) Sometimes, the best travel stories have to be based on real life. Unfortunately, this story is heartbreaking and real. The movie recounts the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who has just finished school and is looking for a life changing experience. He donates his life savings to charity and sets across the United States on a road trip, without telling anyone. Along the way, he encounters many strangers who motivate him to go on the wildest adventure, to travel to Alaska, with only the bare things on his back.
He travels unprepared with only a bag of rice, limited cash and one set of clothes. He believes if cave men survived bitter cold temperatures during the ice age, he can survive as well. You'll have to read the book or see the movie to see what happens in the end.
Have you seen any of these movies? What are your favorite movies about travel?
Comments (9)
Into the wild is one of my favorites! Although I do think of his actions being extremely selfish.
Y tu mama tambien is highly recommended.
Looking forward to the other three! thanks for recommending these.
I agree with all but "The Beach".
oh god, Into the Wild. watched that in my AP environmental science class. i won't say anything else, but oh godddd lol. it was a really good movie, though.
"Nowhere in Africa"...although that's not so much travel as it is uprooting one's whole family/life but it has a cool original soundtrack full of mashed up German/African music
where did you find the list with the old movies, I love old movies, new stuff usually sucks(please refer to twilight)
I was gonna say Into the Wild, haha. Great film.
The Beach is one of my all time favorites!! Into the Wild was very good as well. Y tu mama tambien is another favorite of mine b/c I'm a huge fan of Gael Garcia Bernal =)
I wouldn't have put The Time Traveler's Wife on this list as the only disappointing thing about the book was the fact that there was no travel. Y tu' Mama Tambien made me want to explore those fantastic beaches, eat fish tacos, drink Negro Modelo and play with young boys
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I liked The Bourne Identity for the French scenery and of course Matt Damon is easy on the eyes too.
@missneeraja - I had forgotten Nowhere in Africa, but YES! a great one for the list.
one of my coworkers recommended Into the Wild as one of her favs- i definitely have to watch it now!