romantic travel films

Travelling Without a Passport

Our Favourite Romantic Travel Movies

There’s something so romantic about travelling to an unfamiliar place that the experience is practically made for the big screen. Watching movie characters navigate new places means you can live vicariously through them and experience double the escapism without having to get off the couch. 

If your next holiday feels far away, watch these romantic travel movies and get ready to be transported to a world filled with swoon-worthy romance and scenic destinations. These films are guaranteed to satisfy your wanderlust — at least for the time being. 

• Before Sunrise
• Letters to Juliet
• The Proposal
• Eat, Pray, Love
• The Holiday
• Crazy Rich Asians
• Roman Holiday
• Call Me By Your Name
• The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

See Also: Romantic Tours & Trips

1. Before Sunrise

For those who have ever dreamed of making an unexpected connection with a stranger while abroad, this movie is for you. Before Sunrise is a 1995 indie film that tells the story of Jesse and Céline, who meet on a train and decide to explore Vienna together on a whim. 

They walk the streets of Vienna at night, talking the whole time about their views on life and love while knowing that when the night is over, they will part ways and likely never see each other again. The movie makes Austria’s capital the perfectly enchanting backdrop to Jesse and Céline’s growing connection, and the soft glow of the evening streets lend a sense of melancholy to their short time together. 

You can watch Before Sunrise on its own, or follow the rest of Jesse and Céline’s story in the sequels, Before Sunset and Before Midnight.

2. Letters to Juliet

On a trip to Verona with her fiancé, Sophie visits Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House), where it’s customary for lovelorn visitors to leave letters and messages for the Shakespearean heroine (or in this version of Verona anyway). 

When Sophie discovers an unanswered letter from decades ago, she writes back with the help of the Secretaries of Juliet. Her response brings Claire, the author of the letter, to Verona with her grandson Charlie, and the trio embark on a journey through Tuscany in hopes of finding Claire’s long-lost love. 

The movie features gorgeous shots of the Italian countryside, and it’s a celebration of love that will melt even the coldest of hearts. After you watch it, you might just want to hop on a plane to Verona yourself and leave your own letter to Juliet!

See Also: 7 of the Best Movies to Watch on a Plane

3. The Proposal

When Margaret Tate, a high-powered publishing executive, finds out that she might be deported back to her home country of Canada, she enlists the help of her assistant Andrew to act as her fiancé. To convince the immigration agent of their relationship, the two travel to Andrew’s hometown of Sitka, Alaska to meet his family where, spoiler alert: they fall in love. 

While the movie was not actually filmed in Alaska , seeing the contrast between the towering skyscrapers that Margaret is accustomed to and snow-capped mountains that Andrew calls home will make you feel like you’ve taken a quick getaway. This formulaic rom-com hits all the right spots: a fake relationship turned real against a scenic backdrop, with no shortage of charming hijinks.

4. Eat, Pray, Love

In all its forms, Eat, Pray, Love is a travel classic. Follow Liz Gilbert as she embarks on a year-long travel journey around the world after a difficult divorce to regain balance in her life. This movie is a visual dream, featuring sweeping panoramic views of Italy , India , and Indonesia , along with close-up shots of glorious, mouth-watering food. 

The storyline is dreamy and inspirational, and while not everyone can take a year off from their lives to wander the world, hopefully savouring a delicious margherita pizza in Naples is in your future. 

5. The Holiday

Separated by the Atlantic Ocean, Iris and Amanda are two women who exchange houses for the holidays in an effort to escape their respective romantic troubles. New romances spark for both of them in this holiday favourite, and what starts as a spontaneous getaway ends up being much more. 

Amanda’s modern California mansion could not be more different from Iris’ cosy English cottage, and it’s incredibly entertaining to watch them get accustomed to their new settings. This movie is a win for anyone whose favourite part of travelling is being spontaneous and opening your heart to something new. 

See Also: 7 Movies That Will Inspire You to Travel

6. Crazy Rich Asians

The glitz and glamour of Singapore’s luxurious side is on full display in this vibrant movie where Rachel Chu, a young Manhattanite, travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick to meet his family.

Unbeknownst to her, his family is part of the ultra-wealthy Singaporean elite, and they’re experts at throwing lavish and extravagant parties. Unfortunately, there’s trouble in paradise for the pair when Rachel realises Nick’s family disapproves of their relationship. 

This movie is a glittering guide to Singapore’s best sights, from sweeping nighttime shots of Gardens by the Bay to glimmering aerial views of Marina Bay Sands with fireworks exploding overhead. The movie also features glamour shots of Newton Food Center — where you can go to get a taste of authentic Singapore — and Sentosa, a prime Singaporean weekend getaway destination.

No wonder travel searches skyrocketed following the movie’s release — after watching this movie, you’ll want to add Singapore to your travel list, too. 

7. Roman Holiday

In this classic tale of mistaken identity, a crown princess falls in love with an American reporter when she decides to explore Rome on her own on a state visit. Audrey Hepburn’s first film doubles as a scenic romp, hitting quintessential Roman spots like the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain. 

Princess Ann’s zeal for exploring Rome on her own terms speaks to the souls of intrepid travellers everywhere, and you’ll love watching her careen through the streets of Rome on a vespa, eat gelato on the Spanish Steps, dine al fresco, and fall in love on her Roman holiday. 

8. Call Me By Your Name

Set in Northern Italy in 1983, Call Me By Your Name tells the story of the love that blossoms between Elio, the young son of an archaeology professor, and Oliver, a visiting American graduate student. 

Filming for the movie took place in Lombardy, and the province is rendered beautifully, with its ornate architecture, sunlit piazzas, and lush countryside, making for the perfect setting for this melancholy love story.

See Also: Romantic Getaways to Rekindle Your Marriage

9. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

On the night before they’re slated to go their separate ways, a group of lifelong friends devise a plan to say connected during their first summer apart: by sharing a pair of thrift-shop jeans that inexplicably fit each of their figures perfectly. 

This coming-of-age story follows the four girls — and the magical jeans — to Greece , South Carolina, Mexico , and Maryland, as they journey through a summer of first loves, losses, and heartbreak. 

Being away from the people you love is one of the hardest parts of travelling, and this movie serves as a great reminder that nothing can come between best friends — including time and distance.

What are your favourite romantic travel movies? Let us know in the comments!

Melanie Cheng

Melanie is a Toronto-based writer and editor who loves experiencing new things in new places. In between adventures, you can find her with her nose in a book, re-watching episodes of Friends, or on the lookout for her next favourite brunch spot.

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10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I’ll Love You to the End of Time

These are some of the best time travel romance movies!

Time travel as a genre is always fascinating in any medium, whether a book, movie, TV show or comic. The possibility of meeting anyone in existence, going to places long forgotten, and uncovering secrets of well-loved icons of the past and maybe even the future gives a special allure to time travel romance movies.

The fantastical direction this genre takes adds elements of magic, naivete, and touches of illusion, appealing to older and younger viewers alike. Add into this the sprinkle of romance, and you have me hooked.

If I get the chance to watch Shakespeare wooing a girl from the 21st century using poems that have become cult classics, I’m grabbing the popcorn and switching my phone off.

RELATED: 80 OF THE BEST ENTERTAINING TIME TRAVEL TV SHOWS YOU NEED TO WATCH

Like most people, I grew up watching time travel movies. Consequently, they have become my favorites. For example, we can all appreciate Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure or watching Hermione travel back in time to see herself punch Draco in the face. (Not only a win for Harry Potter fans but for girls all around.)

Meanwhile, Doctor Who (2005) is my first exposure to real romance and time travel. With the Doctor’s companions all falling for him, he initially only falls for Rose (Nine and Ten).

RELATED: 7 FUN AND ROMANTIC TIME TRAVEL ASIAN DRAMAS

As a result, it had millions of us hoping he would appear in our living rooms, ready to take us on our own adventure. Since then, there was no going back. There are just so many romantic time travel movies calling out to be binged.

Here is a list of my personal favorite romantic time travel movies that have thus far survived the test of time. However, I will admit this list is not exhaustive (limiting the films to 10 was difficult).

10 ROMANTIC TIME TRAVEL MOVIES TO BINGE WATCH

(In No Particular Order)

#1: ABOUT TIME (2013)

Without a doubt, this is a humorous and engaging retelling of a classic boy trying to win over a girl story. Tim wishes to change his life and get a girlfriend. With this intention, enter Mary.

Tom falls for her and is relentless and tenacious in his pursuit, all thanks to a family secret. The men in his family can travel through time! What a secret to have, and at 21, your options are endless.

About Time beautifully captures the fun-loving side of romance. And, as viewers, we see the benefits of having such a gift and just how painful the gift can be.

For this reason, we see the love between a man and woman and the close relationship between Tim and his father, played by the talented Bill Nighy . Have tissues ready, as poignant scenes will get you teary-eyed.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK for mild profanity, nudity, violence, and moderate love scenes. For the same reason, About Time is a mild rated R in the United States.

#2: THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE (2009)

This falls quite high on my list of must-watch romance films in general as it has sweeping romance and not to mention swoon-worthy Eric Bana as the protagonist. The film beautifully interweaves through different phases of time, keeping the viewer enthralled.

It follows the life of Clare (Rachel McAdams) and how she meets Henry (Eric Bana), or rather how he encounters her. Clare and Henry ‘meet’ in a library. Soon, they both know what Henry is and what he can do, which is being involuntarily thrown through time, forwards or backward.

The movie’s most interesting aspect is that, despite Henry being the traveler, Clare knows more about him. She’s even aware of their relationship during their ‘first meeting’.

You can assume this is not their first meeting without giving too much away. The story follows them through their life together, how his continued absence becomes a toll on Clare, and over time, it delves into the life of living with a time traveler.

Could you live with someone who knows your future? They will know exactly where your life together could end up. Instead of going for the fated lovers’ angle, this looks at how fate may have brought them together, but should they have walked away?

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK for mild sensuality, nudity, and profanity. In the US, the film is rated PG-13.

#3: SOMEWHERE IN TIME (1980)

If you prefer sweet innocent love stories with classic romance, Somewhere in Time will be perfect for you.

Set in 1972, Christopher Reeve stars as student Richard Collier who travels to Mackinac Island to stay at the Grand Hotel, where he sees a portrait of a woman who he becomes enamored with.

He finds out she was a famous stage actress who has passed away. In this obsession with the picture, he finds a way to go back in time to meet her.

Using methods of self-hypnosis, he is able to get back to 1900 and meet Elise McKenna, but what fate is in store for two people with such a big ‘time’ difference? Get ready to fall in love with the characters, cinematography, music, and love stories all over again.

Fun tidbit: Somewhere in Time was nominated for an Oscar for best costume design.

Content Note : This film is rated PG for mild profanity and sensuality.

#4: THE LAKE HOUSE (2006) AND IL MARE (2002)

The Lake House is a somber story, showing love with a facet of yearning, similar to Somewhere in Time . Both have protagonists who are trapped in different times.

Kate Forrester (Sandra Bullock) moves to a new house, leaving behind a letter for the next tenant. The person who reads the letter, Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves), realizes some unusual things are happening.

Events mentioned in the letter have yet to occur. They come to the realization that they are exactly two years apart, writing from different times.

This charming movie weaves a beautiful story that will appeal to anyone in a long-distance relationship. You will be able to relate to the dates they attempt to go on and how they try and share experiences with each other.

It will make you appreciate that you are at least a phone call away. The ending of the movie will have you on the edge of your seats, and the revelations revealed will make you want to believe in fate and kismet take your pick.

Special mention to the original movie Il Mare (2002), a Korean production and equally a must-watch if you don’t mind subtitles.

Content Note: This film is rated PG with mild profanity, alcohol, and drugs.

#5: BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (1990)

If you are not familiar with this series, what are you doing? Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and the iconic DeLorean made a generation of kids dream about hoverboards and Nike trainers.

This is the third installment of the series, giving more focus to the ‘Doc’ Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd).

Set against the backdrop of the 1885 old west (and true to the name), we get standoffs, brawls, and romance. Meanwhile, Marty travels to 1885 and is stuck because his car breaks down.

Of course, he has a run-in with ‘Mad Dog’ Biff Tannen and his unruly gang. (Trying to send Marty back with their limited resources makes you appreciate a lot of amenities we take for granted.)

In this process, Emmett meets a school teacher, Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen), who is a science geek just like him, and soon a romance blossoms.

It is surreal and sweet to see Doc so enamored and unable to figure out how to act. Furthermore, the romance breathes new life into his character and shows an angle we never thought we needed.

In the climax of the movie, there is a race against time to get the DeLorean fixed and Marty back to the present day. Ultimately, even as a sequel, Back to the Future Part III is brilliant.

Content Note: This film is rated PG with moderate profanity, mild sensuality, nudity, and violence.

#6: MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011)

‘ You’re in love with a fantasy.’ ‘I’m in love with you.’

Woody Allen does it again, giving us a spellbinding movie with sophisticated and witty characters. He portrays Paris in a way that will make you want to go there and explore.

Winner of an Oscar, Midnight in Paris follows Gil (Owen Wilson) and Inez (Rachel McAdams) on vacation in Paris, where he wishes to move after they marry.

However, his wife-to-be doesn’t see the magic of the city, hoping to settle in America instead. In the meantime, Gil struggles to write his first novel and takes a strange late-night stroll through Paris, getting an invite to a party that includes guests such as Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Gertrude, and many others who frequented the famous salon of Stein.

It is up to the audience to decide if this is time travel or just the fantasy of a desperate writer who is in love with the golden era of the ’20s. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie because it gave a glimpse of how some of my favorite writers would interact.

This is what other genres cannot do, transport and introduce characters and figures who we would love to meet. This charming film will have you falling in love with the characters and the dialogue.

The superb acting by Wilson portrays an awe-struck, enthusiastic writer who meets his heroes. There is no real story to follow, but rather more events that unfold and how the characters react to them. But life is like this sometimes: we don’t know where things are going until later on.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A  in the UK and PG-13 in the U.S. for mild profanity, sensuality, and nudity.

#7: 13 GOING ON 30 (2004)

13 Going on 30 is a reverse-coming-of-age time travel romantic comedy. Jenna (Jennifer Garner) makes a wish on her thirteenth birthday, wanting to be older after going through an embarrassing ordeal.

Jenna wishes to make her older, and it is fulfilled magically. She wakes up the next day to find she is weeks from her thirtieth birthday, has a dream job as a magazine editor, a car, and a very attractive boyfriend.

Everything that anyone could want, but she is still not happy, which pushes the story toward what she truly desires.

This approach is always fun to watch, including hilarious scenes where the protagonist tries to understand the new circumstances and her new body. I admit it’s nothing new in terms of what we can expect, but Garner portrays the character’s innocence and naivete so well.

We see beautiful shots of New York City, which will make you want to book your flight and get over there. However, the surprise in this movie is Mark Ruffalo, who plays Matt, the high school best friend.

Seeing him in this role will be new and a fresh take for fans of the Marvel world. One of the best moments in the movie is the Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ dance which will leave you astounded and get you on your feet.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK and PG-13 in the U.S. for mild profanity and suggestive content.

#8: WINTER’S TALE (2014)

Winter’s Tale is set in 1895 on the streets of New York and is based on the novel of the same name. Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) is a seasoned thief who enters the home of Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay). Beverly catches him in the act.

They both fall in love, and she tells Peter a story about how everyone is born with a miracle inside them. This is the theme for the whole movie so keep this in mind while watching.

The movie boasts a lot of big stars: Russell Crowe, Will Smith, and William Hurt, who all play fantastical characters brilliantly. The story jumps to modern times showing us Peter again. But he has amnesia, setting the story for the rest of the movie. The search for his memories and lost story.

Romance like this is always beautiful to watch, even though the audience and characters know it will not be the happy ending we all hope for.

Fans of Downton Abbey will recognize Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley, carrying off the character of Beverly competently, with a timeless beauty that is only enhanced because we know the fate of the character.

Farrell is exquisite as always, playing his role as an Irish thief so convincingly. There are many twists and turns to keep you entertained during the second half, which is worth the effort.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK and PG-13 in the U.S. for violence and sensuality.

#9: IF ONLY (2004)

If Only uses the winning formula that led Groundhog Day (1993) to success, where the day is on repeat. We have Samantha (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ian (Paul Nichols), who are a typical couple, showing the relationship and fights.

Tragedy strikes when Samantha has a car accident leaving a heartbroken and grief-stricken Ian. But fate gives him another chance to back in time to try and change events. He lives the same day again and, like any sensible hero, tries to alter the events leading up to her accident.

It’s a sweet story showing the importance of cherishing the people close to you. The film further makes you wonder about how you would react in this situation. Would you be able to change anything?

The story moves at a good pace, keeping audiences on edge as to whether Ian will succeed. Very beautiful moments occur between the two as Ian knows what will come.

He tries his hardest to make everything perfect (and take notes, guys – ahem, ahem). Tissues may be needed; you have been warned.

Content Note: This film is rated PG-13 for some sensual material.

#10: KATE & LEOPOLD (2001)

‘I’m not very good with men.’ ‘ Perhaps you haven’t found the right one.’

This time travel romance movie captures everyone’s heart because Leopold (Hugh Jackman) comes from 1876 and has a romantic, classic approach to love.

He has purity dripping from every glance and every word he speaks. It would make any girl fall head over heels for the chivalrous Leopold.

So, what chance does Kate (Meg Ryan) have? Leopold needs to marry someone for wealth, with a dwindling purse and big dreams to pursue. He enters a portal transporting him to modern times. This blows him away to see the sights and progress.

He meets Kate, a market researcher who is cynical but ambitious. They get close but inevitable differences arise, and he returns back to his time.

Kate & Leopold also provides well-written comedic scenes with Kate’s brother, an actor assuming Leopold is deep in character. For fans of epic romantic movies from the ’90s, this 2001 film is equally awesome. Plus, any fan of Jackman will enjoy seeing him in this swoony role.

Content Note: Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

Did you find one of your favorite movies about time travel and love? If you had the chance to have one of these romances, which one would it be?

Top Photo Credit: Somewhere in Time (Universal Pictures)

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MORE PERIOD DRAMAS:

PERIOD DRAMA REVIEWS: A COLLECTION SORTED BY TIME PERIOD

Book lover – reader and writer. Being a bookworm from an early age introduced me to all wonderful worlds, travelling from Narnia to Hogwarts. This became my hobby and passion leading me to pursue avenues where I can write not just for my enjoyment but also to progress my career. Some of my current obsessions include K-dramas, all things period - any BBC original adaptation. I am currently reading Dan Brown's new novel as well as "All men are Mortal" and re-reading "North and South" because you can never read enough about Mr.Thornton and Margaret!

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12 thoughts on “10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I’ll Love You to the End of Time”

Found some new ones for my list, so thanks! I love Hugh Jackson in Kate and Leopold – he plays it so straight it makes the whole thing so much funnier.

Though I haven’t seen it in a while now, I remember that I liked “Lake House,” and I just started to watch “About Time” last night. It’s nothing like I expected, but so far I quite like it! 🙂

Man, Rachel McAdams is all about that time travel life!

Oh, I hoped I’d find a new romantic time travel movie to add to my watched list, but I’m afraid I’ve already seen them all. Lovely curated list, tho!

A long time ago there lived a scientist who would hardly ever venture outside. His life was a lonely one, with long days of research and experiments. It was his ambition to create a potion to see into the future. He had over years collected hundreds of herbs and combined them in various ways until eventually, he was on the brink of a breakthrough…

Where am I able to find the remainder of this story? One mustn’t dangle a carrot expecting no one to bite! Rachel

All these are lovely —- another good one is “1994 Timecop” with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Mia Sara — thriller & romance

I can’t seem to find the movie which was based on a short story “ Christopher Frame “ a photo restorer who time travels ,.falls in love and stays there , tried to lookup but there is no information about it ,I can’t remember the name of the movie or episode either for the love of God ,If anyone knows about it please let me know ,thanks

Another outstanding time travel movie is the 1998 Hallmark Hall of Fame production “The Love Letter”, starring Campbell Scott and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Aired in the late 90s, it’s about an engaged civil war buff who finds hidden letters in an old desk which were written by an unmarried woman in 1863. He is compelled to respond to her and even though he lives in the late 20th century she receives his letters and they begin a correspondence through time. This obviously causes a big problem for his life with his fiance. It’s an excellent movie based on a short story by Jack Finney. Finney is the author of two great time travel novels, Time And Again and From Time to Time.

Hi Everybody, I read through the candidates for best time travel romance, all of which I have seen. I agree with your choices, but not exactly in that order. Although they were all great movies, it is “Somewhere in Time” that takes the number one spot. I was happy to see that at least you gave them the 3rd spot, but, in reality, it was the one movie that expressed so beautifully the concept that love transcends time and in the end, true love brings them together as they slip off into eternity.

There is one more movie to which I would give honorable mention. That is the 1979 movie “Time After Time” where the prolific writer HG Wells pursues Jack the Ripper into the future where Hubert (Malcolm Mcdowell) meets Mary Steenburgen and falls in love. This is another great movie. Thanks, DAD

Hi Dad! I agree with you that Somewhere in Time is the best time-travel romance movie. 🙂 Such a beautiful film!

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11 Best Romantic Travel Movies to Watch on Date Night

By: Author MC Miller

Posted on Last updated: October 1, 2020

Categories Date Ideas , Romance

Looking for a great romantic travel movies to watch on date night at home ?

Look no further, we have you covered with 15 of our absolute favourite travel romance movies.

11 Best Romantic Travel Movies to Watch on Date Night at Home

2 days in paris.

• Starring: Julie Delpy , Adam Goldberg , Daniel Bruhl and Marie Pillet
• Directed by: Julie Delpy

About:  Marion and Jack try to rekindle their love with a trip to Paris, home of Marion’s parents. Oh, and her ex bfs live there.

Eat Pray Love

• Director: Ryan Murphy
• Starring: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Richard Jenkins

About: Liz played by  Julia Roberts is a modern woman on a quest to travel the world and rediscover herself after a divorce. Taking a year-long sabbatical from her job she uncharacteristically out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life.

Blended 

• Director Frank Coraci
• Starring Drew Barrymore, Kevin Nealon, Terry Crews

About: Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore are single parents who get stuck together on a blended family vacation in the African Savanna. Will they find love together?

Sleepless in Seattle

A good movie if you want to be inspired to visit Seattle sometime in the future! 

• Director: Nora Ephron
• Starring: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Bill Pullman

About: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is about a widower whose son convinces him to seek new love and the woman that he finds.  

Not exactly about traditional travel, but this movie about time travel will be sure to melt even the iciest of hearts.

• Director: Richard Curtis
• Starring: Domnhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

About: This movie features the ordinary life of 2 people. Can they make their life perfect through the use of time travel?

The Holiday

Traditionally a Christmas movie, this is definitely one of my favorite travel movies ever.

• Director Nancy Meyers
• Starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law

About: Two women opposite sides of the world swap houses to only discover the love of their lives may be waiting on the other side.

P.S. I love you

This is quite possibly my favorite romantic movie ever and if you have ever dreamt of visiting Ireland you definitely have to watch it.

• Director Richard LaGravenese
• Starring Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow

About: When her husband dies, she receives 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life. Will she find love again?

The Tourist

• Director: Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck
• Starring: Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany

About: A mysterious woman (Angelina Jolie) and a mild-mannered American (Johnny Depp) get involved in a web of action and romance in the city of Venice.

Crazy Rich Asians

If you are interested in traveling to Malaysia or Singapore you definitely need to watch Crazy Rich Asians, a love story showcasing the best of these countries.

Director: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan

About: New Yorker Rachel Chu goes with her boyfriend to his friend’s wedding in Singapore and meets his crazy rich family. 

Under the Tuscan Sun

• Director: Audrey Wells
• Starring: Diane Lane, Raoul Bova, Lindsay Duncan

About: A divorcee decided to buy a villa in Italy while on vacation. Does she find love again? As a side note, if you love awesome villas and are thinking to travel to Italy, check out our round up of the prettiest towns in Lake Como

Midnight in Paris

• Director Woody Allen
• Starring Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni

About: A couple go on vacation in Paris. Will they stay together or will he get distracted?

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MC Miller is a travel blogger and writer who has travelled America extensively and abroad to over 80 countries. He founded Couple Travel The World in 2017. Since then, he has spent over 6 years on the road as a full time travel couple. When he not traveling he likes to spend quality time with his partner Bett, planning our their next date or romantic getaway!

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Top Romantic Travel Movies to watch with your loved one

Posted by Anna | Mar 23, 2020 | Books&Movies , Romantic Travel | 32

True love stories never go out of style, especially when you add to them a travel spin. Love is a universal language, but there´s nothing more absorbing and intriguing than to follow a romance on the other side of the world. Any usual storyline becomes unique when you add new landscapes, cultures, and traditions to the plot. Let´s check my favorite romantic travel movies that will make you live adventures from home.

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As much as I love watching travel documentaries , sometimes we all want something heart-melting – a movie with a beautiful storyline to escape the ordinary without having to get off the couch.

If you think of it, traveling is quite a romantic experience itself: navigating a new place gives you unlimited possibilities to fall in love with cities, architecture, nature, food, museums, street art, and people. Most of my personal romantic travel experiences were connected to traveling.

Therefore, every time my next holiday feels too far away, I just pick a few romantic travel movies and secretly disappear from the rest of the world. Check this list of Charming International Romance Movies Around the World and Spanish TV Series to Binge-Watch .

Table of Contents

The best romantic travel movies

1. out of africa (1985).

Let´s start this list of the most romantic travel movies with a few iconic oldies. Out of Africa (1985) is based on the autobiographical novel and tells the story of the Danish author Karen Blixen, who moved to Africa to establish her new life there.

There´s something breathtaking about this movie – the wild African scenery, the romance between leading actors, the music on the background … Besides the engaging storyline in Out of Africa (1985), the photography director has definitely done a wonderful job bringing Africa´s wild natural beauty to the screen.

2. Roman Holiday (1953)

Roman Holiday (1953) is a timeless classic with Audrey Hepburn´s charming performance. It´s the story of a bored princess who escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome. It absolutely inspires to visit Rome, Italy or simply watch all of Audrey Hepburn´s iconic movies in a row .

3. The English Patient (1997)

The English Patient (1997) is one of my personal all-time favorites. This movie has it all – love, romance, tragedy, secret, drama, and journey.

A nurse from Canada is caring for a pilot, horribly burned in a plane wreck. He cannot remember his name, so he’s known simply as “the English Patient,” thanks to his accent. However, once the nurse begins to piece together her patient’s story, the spectators time-travel to Italy and Egypt (although the dessert scenes were actually filmed in Tunisia) where the love story took place.

You literally gravitate to the screen from the first minute of The English Patient (1997). It has won 9 Oscars for a reason.

4. Painted veil (2006)

Painted veil (2006) is another absolute favorite of mine. The movie is based on the classic novel by W. Somerset Maugham. The storyline takes us back to the 1920s. A middle-class doctor marries an upper-class woman, but she never really appreciates him and falls in love with someone else. Once the doctor discovers the infidelity, he accepts a job in a remote Chinese village (suffering deadly epidemic) as an act of vengeance.

But this journey together changes everything between the couple and makes the unfaithful wife see her husband in a different light. Life in a Chinese village brings meaning to their relationship and makes them fall in love with each other all over again. I adore this movie and never get tired of watching it.

5. Anna and the King (1999)

Anna and the King (1999) takes you to the magical kingdom of Siam . The widowed British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens, travels to the other side of the world to educate the king´s heirs in the ways of the West. First, the strict Siamese protocol seems unfair to her. But once she and the king get to know each other and make an attempt to understand their cultural differences, their relationship evolves into a beautiful love story.

6. Tourist (2010)

If there´s one movie to inspire everyone to visit the Italian city of Venice – it´s Tourist (2010). The storyline might not be as deep or dramatic as in the other romantic travel movies from this list. But Tourist (2010) is one of the most visually pleasing movies ever – literally everything you see on the screen is beyond aesthetic: filming locations, leading actors, Angelina´s outfits, the splendid canals of Venice…

The plot seems simple at a first glimpse: an American tourist Frank meets a mysterious beauty who drags him into a dangerous world of espionage and adventure. But did their paths really cross by a pure accident and how will the romance between the two of them evolve?

7. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

One of Woody Allen´s must-see works is Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008). The plot takes place in the picturesque city of Barcelona , where two American girls get their travel plans turned upside down by a bohemian artist Juan and his psychotic ex-wife. Besides the great performances of the main actors, what I loved about this movie is how it really shows the beauty of Barcelona and this unique love for life the Spanish people have.

8. The Holiday (2006)

Have you ever thought of having a spontaneous vacation somewhere far away by simply swapping homes with someone? The Holiday (2006) tells a story of two women tired of guy-problems who decide to swap homes. From California glamour to a reclusive British cottage , and all the way around, both of them unexpectedly meet a local guy and fall in love. It´s just a sweet movie to cozy yourself at home and enjoy the two different love stories in the States and UK.

9. A Good Year (2006)

A Good Year (2006) will take you to the c harming region of Luberon in the French Provence . Max Skinner is a highly successful investment expert who inherits the vineyard in France where he grew up as a child. Max travels to France with an intention to sell the vineyard as quickly as possible, but after spending some time in Provence, he discovers a part of himself that he had lost, as well as falls in love with a beautiful French woman.

10. Eat Pray Love (2010)

Almost every list of romantic travel movies and books starts with Eat Pray Love (2010). The movie is based on Elizabeth Gilbert´s post-divorce journey around the world.

In pursuit of worldly pleasure, she visits Italy, India, Indonesia and finds friends, spiritual devotion, and love. Many call this movie (or book) “too cutesy” or “superficial”. But I really enjoyed both. The path of spiritual growth and enlightenment is different for everyone, this movie is just a personal journey of Elizabeth Gilbert. It might inspire you or it might not. But you can definitely get some aesthetic pleasure from watching Eat Pray Love (2010). It´s all about life and food passion in Italy, devotion in India, and inner balance on the Indonesian island of Bali .

11. Lost in Translation (2003)

Directed by Sofia Coppola and set under the bustling city life and lights of Tokyo, Lost in Translation (2003) is one of the romantic travel classics. The two main characters from different generations build a surprising bond simply because both feel lonely and have anything to do while they are in Japan. The film is a slow and dreamy story full of funny cultural clashes. It also shows how big cities can bring together people while keeping them apart at the same time…

12. The Terminal (2004)

Every frequent traveler will find the story of being stuck in airports very much relatable. But Viktor Navorski, an Eastern European tourist, is caught up in international politics and forced to live at JFK in New York indefinitely. However, he becomes improbably adored by all the people who work there.

It´s mostly a funny story of how life goes on at any place – people can still make friends and fall in love even without full freedom of move. While living at the airport, Viktor falls for a flight attendant, so the whole feeling-good comedy gets a romantic twist.

13. A perfect plan (2012)

It´s one of the on-the-road favorites we often watch with my husband. It is warm, funny and literally takes you around the world from France and Belgium to Kenya and Russia . In Isabelle´s family first marriages never work out. So she decides to marry the first guy on her way, just to divorce him and go back to her long-time boyfriend Pierre to live happily ever after. But as always things just don´t go as planned…

14. Mama Mia (2008)

If you need an ultimate inspiration to fall in love with Greece , just check Mamma Mia. Despite being a popular tribute to the Greek islands , it was not filmed on the touristy Mykonos or Santorini . Instead, the cast and crew headed to the lesser-known Skopelos and Skiathos. The film is built around ABBA hit songs and tells the story of a daughter inviting 3 of her mother´s boyfriends to figure out who´s her real father.

You know that after my last visit to Crete , I´ve confessed that I´m ready to go back to explore new Greek islands every summer. So every time I feel like I need a dose of Greece, Mamma Mia helps to fuel this Wanderlust.

15. Midnight in Paris (2011)

No list of romantic travel movies can be complete without something set in Paris, the universal city of love . Woody Allen brings to us an intriguing story of an engaged American couple falling under the magic of the city of Paris. Only one midnight walk in the city changes everything for both of them.

Besides spotlighting many famous actors like Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, and Carla Bruni, Midnight in Paris (2011) is full of beautiful cityscapes that will make you want to grab your partner’s hand and take him/her to Paris right away.

16. Letters to Juliet (2010)

Letters to Juliet (2010) is a romantic movie where the whole story takes place in the Italian city of Verona . Sophie travels to Italy with her husband, but one day she decides to explore the streets of Verona alone. Once she walks up to Juliet´s courtyard, she discovers hundreds of notes stuck in the wall, all from the lovers seeking advice. Sophie answers one of the letters and the story begins…

Verona is one of a few Italian cities still missing on my travel bucket list, so I personally enjoyed time-traveling to Shakespeare´s novel and seeing the beautiful cityscapes of Verona.

17. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) is your ultimate Wanderlust ticket to Toscana, Italy . The movie tells us a story of a San Francisco writer Frances Mayes who gets a trip to Tuscany as a gift from a friend. However, once she arrives in Italy she falls under the local charm of Tuscany and impulsively buys an aging, but very charming, villa. New friends, local experiences, and lots of unexpected surprises – Frances Mayes finds herself immersed in an adventure of a lifetime.

18. Beyond Borders (2003)

Beyond Borders (2003) is a story of the turbulent romance with the backdrop of the world’s most dangerous hot spots. This movie brings our attention to the global humanitarian challenges of aid workers and refugees crisis. Many critics claim that Beyond Borders (2003) is neither a beautiful melodrama (because it shows its viewers not the prettiest side of this world) nor a serious documentary (because you have the romance in the foreground).

Although, you can feel that many of the experiences are partially autobiographical for the leading actress Angelina Jolie (who´s also a UN ambassador for refugees). You can find lots of things in common with her “Notes from My Travels”, where the actress describes her visits with Refugees in Africa, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Ecuador. So, this movie makes you reflect on the world´s situation and our possible personal input.

19. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Based on the bestseller book, Crazy Rich Asians (2018) is the story of Rachel Chu who accompanies her longtime boyfriend to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore . Excitement about visiting Asia mixes in her heart with a fear of meeting Nick’s family, one of the country’s wealthiest dynasties. It is a funny and romantic story of how a family is actually crazier than love itself.

20. Cairo Time (2009)

Juliette, a fashion magazine editor in her 50s, travels to Cairo to meet her husband, a UN official working in Gaza. She arrives in Egypt for a three-week vacation, but her husband is constantly delayed with work. Therefore he sends one of his friends, who had been his security officer for many years, to escort Juliette throughout the beautiful and exotic city of Cairo. The last thing anyone expects is that they will fall in love.

Cairo Time (2009), aside from its beautiful romance story, is also a love letter to the city of Cairo from its writer/director Ruba Nadda, inspired by her personal experiences. Throughout history, Egypt has played host to the Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, the Ottomans, Napoleon, and the British, so there´s so much life and history beautifully captured on screen. A journey through Cairo feels like a journey through time…

For more couples travel ideas check my Pinterest board Romantic Travel . If you´re looking to fuel your Wanderlust from home check the Travel Books and Movies , Bookish Inspiration , and What to Watch boards.

• Accommodation : For short stays, I usually book via Agoda , Booking , and Hotellook
• Tours&excursions : My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
• City breaks&sightseeing: Go City helps to avoid multiple entry fees and paper tickets
• Travel Insurance : find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage , EKTA , and Insubuy
• Flights : To find the best deals I like WayAway and Aviasales
• Airport Lounge: Get independent airport lounge access worldwide via   Priority Pass
• Train&bus tickets : Currently, I book via RailEurope , Omio , and Busbud
• Car rental: To find the best deals I use Rental Cars , Discover Cars , and GetRentalCar
• Transfers: For individual transfer services I like Kiwitaxi
• For Foodies:  Eatwith  is great for finding culinary experiences with locals
• Suitcases&Luggage : To eliminate problems of early arrivals/late departures I find helpful Radical Storage
• Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: AirHelp is useful for all flight cancellation or delay claims
• To avoid roaming fees I use Airalo eSIMs around the world
• Budget-friendly stays: Check   Hostelworld to find the best deals around the world
• Events: To find the best offers I use  Ticketmaster  and    TicketNetwork
• Renting Bikes: to find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles I use   BikesBooking
• Package Tours: head to  CheapOair ,  Expedia UK ,  Tourhub, and   loveholidays
• For Bloggers : To monetize my blog I use Travelpayouts

About The Author

Traveling in Spain non-stop is my biggest obsession. Looking for Spanish hidden gems and local travel tips? - You are in the right place! Let me be your insider guide to Spain!

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32 Comments

I love Roman Holiday!

Jennifer Effortlessly Sophisticated

My husband and I visited Italy last year so Tourist would be a great movie choice for us. The fact that it stars Johnny Depp is a total bonus!

What a unique list! I hope to try some of these movies out and hope you stay safe and healthy during this time!

– Avalon from http://www.simplyavalon.com

What a great list! I LOVE Eat, Pray, Love. I loved the book and the movie. I think I need to watch that again soon. 🙂

I love Eat Pray Love and P.S. I live you. They are great travel love movies.

What a great list of top romantic travel movies. Gonna check this list out over the weekend with my other half.

Loving these suggestions! Definitely happy to have more ideas while we self-isolate. Thank you 🙂

No, I don’t have one. I enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians, though.

Hey thanks for all these suggestions! I am always looking for something to watch. I love Roman Holiday. And there are a number of movies here I have not seen. Thanks again!

Allie of http://www.allienyc.com

These looks like some wonderful movies and somehow I’ve only seen couple of them… Thank you for all the great suggestions!

Eat, Pray, Love will forever hold a special place in my heart. I watched it when I was a young adult and it helped me through a tough time in life.

Ok, I’ve only seen 5 of these. I’m putting the others on my must watch list.

Lovely! This list is definitely what I need for this weekend!

These are great movies! We were looking for a movie to watch together tonight.. thanks for the ideas!

there are some really great movies you’ve got listed. i’d add valley of decision if you are a gregory peck fan.

Oooh so many goodies & also some films that I haven’t seen! I was obsessed with Vicky Cristina Barcelona when it first came out, which feels like a longgg time ago. :]

Great movie round-up! You reminded me of some of my favs that I haven’t seen in ages

Good pick! – and I think the holiday and eat. pray. love. are simply classic and influential to many cultures. The English Patient is really good too, I just came back from Tunisia where the film was shot. – Knycx Journeying

A wonderful list of romantic travel movies, I’d love to watch them soon. I’ve already seen some of those like Letters to Juliet and MamaMia but the other not yet.

This is quite a cool list dear! Thanks!

Jessica | notjessfashion.com

I love Crazy Rich Asians. I need to watch that and Eat, Pay and Love again too.

Oh wow that is a great list. I’m saving this. I love romantic movies and I already see some movies I’m gonna watch this weekend.

My wife had been complaining for quite some time now that we were not watching movies together at home and relaxing. This is the perfect time. I have made a quick note of these movies that you suggest and would watch some of these romantic ones.

I’m so happy the holiday is on there! One of my favourite movies! Thanks for the other recommendations, will definitely watch some of these!

Love this list! This is the movie inspo my partner and I need while we’re stuck at home social distancing

Love all these recommendations. I’ve decided I need to finally watch Out of Africa.

I haven’t watched practically all of these haha! I know what I’ll be forcing my boyfriend to do with me this weekend! Thanks for the recommendations.

Oh thanks you for sharing this amazing list of romantics travel movies. I love Roman Holiday and Crazy rich asians. Now I really want to watch all theses movies with my husband to make us travel from our couch haha. xx Margot https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com

It’s crazy how movies can inspire you to travel. Adding the romance bit just makes every second a wonderful moment to remember. There are times I watch time travel movies and get lose in the overlapping moments. Do you think we enjoy travel movies just as much as time travel movies?

I personally love both! any movie that involves traveling and new places and beautiful locations is my kind of movie lol

Great list, also there are a lot of italian and frech romantic films, thanks!!

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12 Best Romance Movies That Incorporate Time Travel, Ranked

People will do anything for love.

Who would've thought that manipulating time would forge some of the great love stories? Whether it's found within the chivalry of the gentlemanly past or the future of civilization, cinema has shown that love has no bounds – even if it means traveling through time to get it. Where it may be a common trope for the sci-fi genre, romance flicks have also surprisingly used it to their advantage.

From classic rom-coms like 13 Going on 30 and The Lake House , to more hidden gems like If Only – these movies use the phenomenon of time travel to intertwine greater levels of fantasy and magic . Not only does this increase the overall cinematic experience, but these time travel romance movies also make the love stories incredibly epic.

12 '13 Going on 30' (2004)

Director: gary winick.

After being humiliated on her 13th birthday, Jenna Rink ( Christa B. Allen ) wishes to escape her life of pre-teen unpopularity and become a well-adjusted grownup in this time travel rom-com. She's shocked when she wakes up to find her wish has come true; somehow Jenna ( Jennifer Garner ) is now 30 and living in 2004. Soon she realizes how adulthood has its own set of struggles – one particularly being her love life.

As an iconic 2000s rom-com , 13 Going on 30 has warmed fans' hearts for decades. Largely driven by Garner's bubbly innocence, Jenna's connection with Matt (Mark Ruffalo) is undeniably pure and one of the great depictions of friends-to-lovers. This movie also uses time travel to put forth the message of how time is precious; by choosing to only look towards the future, one would never absorb the milestones of the present.

13 Going on 30

Watch on Netflix

11 'When We First Met' (2018)

Director: ari sandel.

Having been friend-zoned by the girl of his dreams after meeting her at a Halloween party, Noah ( Adam DeVine ) remains close to Avery ( Alexandra Daddario ). Three years later, she's now engaged to someone else. Suddenly, Noah stumbles on the opportunity to travel back in time to the moment they met, giving him the chance to alter his life, and get the girl.

In an almost Groundhog Day scenario (and it's worth noting that film is a benchmark for romantic time-travel movie), When We First Met is a humorous film that's filled with charm and charisma thanks to the talents of the cast , especially in the case of DeVine. Where the romantic connection is present between characters, it isn't with whom you'd naturally expect as this is a classic tale that teaches audiences that everything happens for a reason.

When We First Met

10 'kate & leopold' (2001), director: james mangold.

Kate ( Meg Ryan ) is a 21st-century woman who's determined to focus on her career. She thinks she doesn't need romance in her life at all, that is until she meets Leopold ( Hugh Jackman ), an English Duke from the 19th century who's accidentally brought to the future via a portal made by her ex-boyfriend, Stuart ( Liev Schreiber ).

Where Kate & Leopold may be cheesy at times with the classic fish-out-of-water tropes, this movie is an underrated feel-good romance that will easily keep one warm and cozy. Don't expect it to be anything groundbreaking, but it's perfect for a chill night that needs a film that's mildly entertaining. With the script's quick wit and fun character dynamics, this twisted modern-day fairytale shows how love doesn't always come to us in the most expected ways.

Rent on Apple TV

9 'The Lake House' (2006)

Director: alejandro agresti.

As lonely doctor, Kate Forster ( Sandra Bullock ), moves out of her beloved lake house, she begins to exchange letters with its newest resident, a frustrated architect named Alex Wyler ( Keanu Reeves ). The two instantly spark a connection and form a budding romance. The only problem – she's living in the year 2006, whereas he's in 2004.

An epic love story where two are separated by time, this romantic flick is special in the way that it portrays the simplicities of intimacy. With only the written word to connect, Kate and Alex's closeness is unlike any other in The Lake House . It's also refreshing to see Keanu Reeves in a non-action role , which he pulls off with ease. The two main characters need not rely on physical attraction or physical needs, they're brought together by a deeper connection – one built on stories, soul, and emotions.

The Lake House

8 'if only' (2004), director: gil junger.

Struck with grief after the sudden loss of his girlfriend Samantha ( Jennifer Love Hewitt ), Ian ( Paul Nicholls ) is given the opportunity to relive the day she died and rewrite his wrongdoings. The repetition of time allows him to become a better partner and fix things before the impending tragedy, but it also brings some unexpected pain as he relives the best and worst moments of his relationship.

Despite being an emotional and bittersweet tale, If Only is filled with hope and true love. It sends a message to viewers about how important it is to treasure every moment, every milestone, and to treat every day as if it were your last. It's not an innovative concept by any stretch, but with the palpable chemistry between Hewitt and Nicholls, fans will be moved by their devotion towards each other, even until the film's final bittersweet twist .

Watch on Peacock

7 'The Time Traveler's Wife' (2009)

Director: robert schwentke.

Henry Detamble ( Eric Bana ) is a librarian from Chicago who struggles with his rare genetic disorder that causes him to randomly travel through time, uncontrollably. His life becomes more complex when he meets and marries the love of his life, Claire ( Rachel McAdams ), as she must now learn to cope with her husband's condition.

An interesting spin on star-crossed lovers, The Time Traveler's Wife captures the struggles of fated love. Where Henry and Claire's story is romantic and tender, it's also incredibly bittersweet. With Henry's condition, fans (as well as Claire) are never sure of when he'll disappear. So when he does on occasions like their wedding, the heartbreak and tension are palpable. Their love story may be unconventional, but there's beauty to it.

The Time Traveler's Wife

6 'somewhere in time' (1980), director: jeannot szwarc.

Enamored and infatuated by a vintage portrait that hangs in a grand hotel, playwright Richard Collier ( Christopher Reeve ) finds a way to travel through time to 1912 to meet Elise McKenna ( Jane Seymour ), a stage actor. Where the two seem destined to be together, conflicts arise when Elise's obsessive manager, William ( Christopher Plummer ), tries to stop them.

A great movie that's severely slept on, Somewhere in Time tells the story of an unworldly and impossible love. With a brilliant concept and beautiful chemistry between Reeves and Seymour , this movie is one for the romantics and dreamers. It shows the sheer lengths someone is willing to go to find their soulmate – even if it means going through time itself.

Watch on Tubi

5 'Back to the Future Part III' (1990)

Director: robert zemeckis.

As the third and final chapter to their adventures, Marty McFly ( Michael J. Fox ) must travel back in time to 1885 to the Old West to save his friend, Doctor Emmett Brown ( Christopher Lloyd ), from his impending murder. Matters become more complicated when Marty realizes that Doc has fallen deeply in love with local school teacher, Clara Clayton ( Mary Steenburgen ).

Though not a typical romance movie, Back to the Future Part III , is a film spearheaded by the themes of love. Where there are romantic storylines in the previous installments, Doc and Clara's is a breath of fresh air – mostly because Doc is a character that's so determined to avoid the supposed banalities of love. And yet, here he is, willing to be stuck in a foreign time period for the sake of love, happiness, and true companionship.

4 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time' (2006)

Director: mamoru hosoda.

A popular anime movie for beginners , The Girl Who Leapt Through Time tells the story of Makoto Konno (voiced by Riisa Naka ), who learns that she has the ability to time travel. She soon uses her newfound power to fix the small things in her daily life, from schoolwork to friendships. When she meets another person who can time travel, the two develop an unconventional bond.

Chiaki Mamiya (voiced by Takuya Ishida ) helps the protagonist realize and fix the consequences of messing with time, but soon reveals something heartbreaking to her. Their romance is complicated by the fact that Chiaki isn't from Makoto's present day, and eventually has to leave. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time will have fans rooting for the time-traveling duo's success until the tear-jerking end.

3 'Midnight in Paris' (2011)

Director: woody allen.

Whilst on a holiday in Paris with his fiancé and her family, Gil Pender ( Owen Wilson ) – a screenwriter and aspiring author – develops a habit of touring the city alone. One night he finds himself swept back in time to the 1920s where he meets his favorite cultural and artistic icons. By experiencing life in the past, he is forced to confront his dissatisfactions with the present.

As a romance movie, Midnight in Paris offers multiple romantic interests, each with its own qualities and individual purposes. From Inez's (McAdams) 21st-century realism, to Adriana's ( Marion Cotillard ) 1920s romanticized attitude to life, Gil is forced to reflect on what kind of love will give him true happiness. He'll even come to terms with the dangers of escapism. It's a severely underrated Owen Wilson movie , with the actor's performance being a delicate and moving one that anchors the entire story.

Midnight in Paris

While on a trip to Paris with his fiancée's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight.

2 'About Time' (2013)

Director: richard curtis.

Life changed forever when Tim Lake ( Domhnall Gleeson ) turned 21 as his father revealed an odd hereditary trait; all the men in their family have the ability to time travel. Though initially shocked, Tim decides to use his skill to alter his past to improve his future. His main goal – bolster his love life and win the heart of Mary (Rachel McAdams). He soon realizes that his power can have serious consequences if used incorrectly.

With a clever concept, a beautiful script, and a great cast, this poignant movie is one that masterfully tackles the topics of love, redemption, and loss. Where Gleeson and McAdams' chemistry is incredibly sweet, About Time is a movie about more than a simple romantic story . It uses time to talk about the importance of living in the moment and the consequences of one's choices. Viewers can expect its small-scale intimate story to move most to tears.

1 'Your Name' (2016)

Director: makoto shinkai.

Your Name is a massively popular and beloved anime film that blends fantasy, romance, and sci-fi together. It tells the story of two high school students – Taki Tachibana (voiced by Ryunosuke Kamiki ) and Mitsuha Miyamizu ( Mone Kamishiraishi ) – who inexplicably begin to swap bodies. The two characters have never met, but begin to improve each other's lives. Before they know it, they slowly fall in love in the process of learning about each other's realities.

It's impossible to talk about the time travel aspect of Your Name without completely spoiling the plot , but audiences who enjoy emotional animated films should consider this essential viewing for its notoriously tear-jerking twist. The gorgeous visuals and heartbreakingly romantic story easily make it the best film to show the potential of combining love and time travel in film.

Your Name (2016)

Watch on Criterion

NEXT: The Best Romantic Movies of All Time, Ranked

60 Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

Written By: The Planet D

Travel Movies

Updated On: February 14, 2024

What makes for great travel movies? We feel it is when the destination becomes the star. A movie that showcases beautiful cities , landscapes, and culture is a movie that inspires us to visit a destination or relive our time there when we get home. Dave and I love movies. We worked in the film business in our previous careers and lived for the cinema. So when we chose our list of the best travel movies, we took it seriously. 

Table of Contents

The Best Travel Movies

Our choices for the best travel movies are probably very different than yours, so leave a comment and let us know what you think the best travel movies are. We are always looking for new travel films to ignite our wanderlust. To rent or buy one of these travel films to inspire wanderlust right now, check out Amazon Instant Video

The Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

1. in bruges.

This is by far the best travel movie. One of the characters actually carries around a guidebook! If you love a good caper set in an exotic location, you’ll love In Bruges. Collin Farrel and Brendan Gleeson star as two hit men who are sent to Bruges, Belgium to hide out after a job goes bad.

The more Colin Farrell’s character complained of hating Bruges (in Belgium), the more you took in the surroundings of Bruges and noticed just how picturesque the city is. While the film is primarily a crime drama and dark comedy it intertwines the city’s picturesque locations and cultural aspects with the narrative seamlessly.

Rent or Buy In Bruges on Amazon

2. banshees of inisherin trailer

I was so excited to see Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson reunite and this time, they share screen time in one of the newest travel films on our list, the Banshees of Inisherin. The movie takes place on the Aran Islands of Ireland and showcases the beauty of that destination as two friends go through some very dark times.

Gleessan’s character Colm decides he has wasted his life and cuts ties with his lifelong best friend Pádraic (Farrell) and all kinds of darkness begins. It had some of the best acting I’ve seen in years, and every one of the four main cast was nominated for Acadamy Awards.

3. One Week

One of our favorite travel movies of all time. And not because it is set in Canada. One Week follows a young man driving a motorcycle on a cross-country road trip across Canada after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. No movie has made me want to explore a country more than One Week. It showcases Canada beautifully.

I didn’t want to see this movie because of its morbid subject, but it ended up being an uplifting and enlightening film of self-discovery. It truly is the ultimate Canadian road trip movie. Rent One Week Here on Amazon

4. Secret Life of Walter Mitty

I had to watch this most popular of all travel films twice before deciding I liked The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and I can understand why it is at the top of most lists of best travel movies. This movie takes you from New York, to Iceland, Greenland and the Himalayas.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty shows how taking a risk and getting out of your comfort zone can lead to great things. The ending was my favorite, but I won’t spoil it for you. Rent it now .

5. Before Sunrise Trilogy

We have three of our favorite travel movies in one package! And each showcases the destination they are in. The Before Sunrise movies are about love but they are also very much travel films. They were filmed 10 years apart and they take place in three different locations around Europe – Vienna , Paris , and Greece .

The Before Sunrise trilogies capture the essence of each destination. And here’s a cool fact – Dave and I stayed at  Costa Navarino  in Greece where After Midnight took place!

It is probably the best of all romantic travel movies out there that literally spans three decades. (They film a movie every 10 years). Watch Before Sunrise and Sunset on Amazon Prime

6. Planes Trains and Automobiles

John Candy and Steve Martin take an unexpected cross country road trip from New York City to Chicago. This is Dave’s pick for the best travel movie.

This is considered one of the great comedy travel movies, but I look at it as a drama. John Candy’s character breaks my heart. You may think of it as a holiday film but it is also one of the funniest travel films out there. If you’re in the mood for a good heartfelt comedy,  rent it today.

7. Julie & Julia

Not only does Julie and Julia star the great Meryl Streep but this travel movie is based on blogging. It’s like it was made for us! I was surprised by how much I loved this movie based on the true story of Julia Child and I didn’t go in expecting much.

Julie & Julia follows the life of Julia Child during her time in Paris and cuts throughout to the present day in New York . It makes you crave French cuisine and a life of decadence in France. When it comes to choosing a  favorite travel movie this one is right up there. Rent it now

8. The Big Year

The Big Year follows Jack Black (who doesn’t love Jack Black?), Owen Wilson, and Steve Martin traveling around the United States with hopes of becoming the number 1 bird watcher in the world. It ended up being one of the most surprising travel films I’ve seen.

They are obsessed with spotting more species of birds than any other person in 365 days. I related to this movie because it is more about the journey and how having a great adventure can change a life. Rent it Now

Best Travel Movies for Adventure Lovers

9. into the wild.

The real-life true story chronicles the journey of  Christopher McCandless who went on a cross country road trip through the US and ended up in Alaska .

I read Into the Wild years ago and was mesmerized trying to figure out how someone could give up everything to go and live off the grid. John Krakauer dug into the psyche of McCandless and what motivates people to take risks.

Things don’t turn out as he hoped, and it is a lesson learned for would-be adventurers. Enjoy it now !

Wild is an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s travel memoir, From Lost To Found On The Pacific Crest Trail. Based on a true story, it follows her journey about putting a life back together after it all falls apart.

Pushing the limits physically on the Pacific Crest Trail and stepping out of her comfort zone take her on a journey of self-discovery. A struggle and journey can change a life and Reese Witherspoon is excellant as usual. Check it out on Amazon

11. Everest

Everest by John Krakauer is the true story of the catastrophe that happened on Everest in 1996. It’s a first-hand account by Krakauer who was on Everest at the time. While the movie focuses on the events, it does showcase the psyche of why people climb mountains and it shows the culture and beauty of the Everest Region.

As far as travel movies go, even though it is based on a dark subject, it does make me want to go to Everest. So we did! Plus, it stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Josh Brolin, so how can you go wrong?

• You can rent this movie made in Hollywood
• You can also check out the documentary.

Tracks is another travel movie base on a true story and I really enjoyed it. It’s a film about a young woman who walks across Australia from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean with four camels and her pet dog.

What I really liked is how the lead character Robyn Davidson learns the skills needed to survive. She is visited by a photographer from National Geographic who shared her story and was led through the sacred lands of the Outback by an Aboriginal elder. Watch this Amazing true story on Amazon ! 

13. World’s Fastest Indian 

From New Zealand to America, Anthony Hopkins takes his Indian Motorcycle to the salt flats to see how far he can go. The World’s Fastest Indian is one of my favorite performances by Hopkins and it is one of the great underrated travel movies.

He is vulnerable, lovable, and inspiring. This true story takes you on a fun road trip along the way until he reaches the Salt Flats of California and that is when you really start rooting for him to win! Rent it on Amazon Prime

14. Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert

Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert follows a group of drag queens taking a cross country road trip in a van named “Pricilla” from Sydney to Alice Springs where they are going to perform their drag show.

They meet a lot of characters along the way and this film introduced us to superstars Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce who joined the already-established Terrence Stamp.

15. Motorcycle Diaries

Ever since watching one of the best travel movies about South America, (you guessed it, the Motorcycle Diaries) wanted to do a road trip through South America. (PS. I’m still dreaming of that road trip through South America one day)

Gael García Bernal stars as Che Guevera and it follows his journey on a motorcycle trip through South America before he became a part of the revolution. This movie is based on a true story where Che traveled through the continent and I believe it was traveling through South America that Che saw what people were going through and that is what sparked him to take action in his own way.

• Check it out for yourself
• Rent it on Amazon

16. The Way

Dave and I have always wanted to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This movie is a bittersweet tribute to the epic hike. Acting legend Martin Sheen walks the trail to honor his son Emilio Estevez (also director) who died on the walk. This movie explores themes of grief, regret, and understanding.

Sheen’s character finishes what his son started helping him connect and understand his son while examining his own life and is one of the most moving travel movies on our list. You can watch it on Amazon

Best Classic Travel Movies

17. lawrence of arabia.

Lawrence of Arabia made us dream of the Arabian Desert and that is what travel films are meant to do. I would say that this is often considered one of the best travel movies of all time. It’s the original travel movie for sure and it really does capture the majesty of the Arabian Desert.

When we got the chance to visit Jordan and walk in the footsteps of the real Lawrence of Arabia, we couldn’t believe we were living our own travel movie. This will make you want to go on an adventure and spend the night in a Bedouin tent. Rent it on Amazon Prime Now

18. Out of Africa

If you want another Meryl Streep vehicle that is often considered one of the best travel movies, you should try  Out of Africa. Out of Africa takes place in a different time, but it captures the heart of Africa beautifully.

Based on a true story, Meryl Streep stars as a married baroness in love with big game hunter Robert Redford. Their chemistry is unmistakable. She falls in love with Africa and you will fall in love with it too.

The cinematography is outstanding. It won 7 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Cinematography. Rent Out of Africa

19. Romancing the Stone

Who didn’t fantasize about an adventure in Colombia after watching Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas in Romancing the Stone? As a kid I always thought about the line “ I need to get to Cartagena ” and while I had no idea where Cartagena was,(It’s in South America by the way) I knew it was exciting.

In the most romanticly fun of travel movies, Kathleen Turner transformed from a scared writer who merely writes about adventure, to a woman encountering an adventure and meeting a rugged mysterious man in exotic Columbia. Watch Romancing the Stone today

20. The Bucket List

With two of my favorite actors and a message to live life to the fullest, the Bucket List is one amazing movie and one of the best travel movies. I think it actually invented the term, The Bucket List. The phrase has been overused in recent years, but the message never gets old. The Bucket List is the original “live your dreams now” travel movie.

It’s beautifully acted, heartfelt, and showcases how life should be lived to the fullest. Rent or buy it here!

Most people say that Amelie is one of the best travel movies of all time. So this list wouldn’t be complete without it. I did love the views of Paris and the everyday life showcased in Montmartre.

I also enjoyed the uplifting message of a quiet young woman named, Amelie helping the people around her in the lovely district of Montmartre in Paris. If you want to watch sweeping scenes through Paris streets and if you love Paris, you can’t help but like Amelie. So check it out !

22. Roman Holiday

This did not age well in our opinion. We watched it recently and it is just downright bad. Many people will probably disagree. But as far as travel movies go, it is fun to see a princess posing as a regular young Woman zipping around Rome.

They should remake Roman Holiday, it would be fun. Rent it on Prime

23. Sideways

I admit it. After this movie came out, I didn’t drink Merlot for years! Sideways takes us on a road trip through California wine country and it really is filled with amazing performances by Paul Giamatti, Sandra Oh, Virginia Madsen, and Thomas Hayden Church.

We have been to Santa Maria, California, and this movie captures the feel of wine country perfectly. Rent or buy on Amazon Prime 

24. Up in the Air

Up in the Air makes you love the idea of travel but it shows the emptiness that the life of a vagabond can lead to if you don’t stay grounded with your family and friends. It’s not in the genre of typical travel films out there, but travel is the main theme.

I cannot go through airport security anymore without thinking of George Clooney as his character has the art of travel down to a science.

This movie also has a great message that Dave and I can relate to. We all become so consumed with our careers and our lives that we forget about what is important. Get it on Amazon Instant Video

Best Travel Movies Highlighting Destinations

25. ticket to paradise.

Our newest addition to our travel movies is from two legends, George Clooney and Julia Roberts who take us to Bali for their daughter’s wedding. The two divorced years ago, but agree that their daughter is too young to get married and decide to sabotage the wedding.

This movie showcases the culture and beauty of Bali while showing us once again how travel can be transformational and can change your life.

I love these two together, George and Julia, and great friends in real life and have amazing on-screen chemistry.

26. The Beach – Thailand

The Beach is the original backpacker slacker travel film. The Beach captures what Thailand was like before tourists started flocking to it en-masse. At one time, it was an off-the-beaten-path backpacker destination. We enjoyed the book more, but you can never go wrong with Leo.

If you want to get a sense of what it was like to travel to Thailand before mass tourism, this is a good movie for you. Plus it is beautiful and as far as travel movies go, it will make you want to go to Thailand. Not only are the people beautiful, but the scenery of southern Thailand is also out of this world.

Take in the journey as they search for a hidden beach that is pure perfection.

27. Lost in Translation – Tokyo

Tokyo is a bit strange. It is unlike anywhere else on earth, and Lost in Translation showcases the culture shock that one feels when staying in a different city.

There are different customs in Japan and the culture is much different than anywhere else and this movie captures that odd feeling you get when traveling there. Lost in Translation highlights some of the best spots in Tokyo.

The hotel where the movie takes place still has one of the best views in the city! And who doesn’t love Bill Murray? He is priceless and it’s one of Scarlett Johanson’s best performances. Check it Out

28. Slumdog Millionaire – India

We traveled to India in 2010 and Slumdog Millionaire seemed to capture the true slums of India while showcasing the heart of the people. Many of the rich cities are modern, but when traveling through rural India and the poorer areas, this is what it’s like.

Dev Patel stars as a young Indian boy who gets on a game show that could change his life. It’s heartbreaking, raw, and sometimes uncomfortable which is exactly what travel can be too hence why it made the list of our favorite travel movies. Download it here on Amazon

If you are a fan of Dev Patel (as we are) you will love him in another of our favorite travel films, Lion. Lion is based on a true story and is an emotional journey that takes audiences across India and Australia spanning cultures, and decades.

Patel plays Saroo Brierley, a young Indian boy who gets lost on a train in India at the age of five. After surviving several challenges on the streets of Kolkata and eventually being adopted by an Australian family, Saroo, as an adult, uses Google Earth to find his birth mother and the journey begins. The movie also stars Nicol Kidman.

30. Vicky, Cristina Barcelona – Spain

Admit it, we all want to go to Spain and run into beautiful people like Penelope Cruz and Javier Barden. I think this movie did so well because it inspired everyone to go to Barcelona. (That’s our criteria for choosing the best travel movies, how they inspired travel)

Vicky Cristina Barcelona makes us dream of the cities in Spain , the passion of the Spanish people and getting away for a summer in Spain.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona definitely is an inspiring travel movie and one of the best travel films out there. It really captures the energy and passion of Spain in Barcelona . Rent Vicky Christina Barcelona on Amazon

31. Under the Tuscan Sun – Italy

For the romantics out there, Under the Tuscan Sun is one of the best travel movies. Wouldn’t you just love to buy a villa in Tuscany and fall in love with a stranger?

This is one of my favorite romantic travel films and Under the Tuscan Sun based on a true story. After a bad divorce, her character takes a trip to Italy courtesy of her best friend, (The incredible Sandra Oh!) and buys a house!

This travel movie is based on a true story where our star shares the trials and tribulations of renovating a Tuscan villa. You can rent Under the Tuscan Sun on Amazon

32. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – India

We always preach that you are never too old to try something new and you are never too old to travel and that is the premise of one of the most beloved travel movies, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It’s chock full of great legendary actors including Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, and Maggie Smith.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of retirees who travel to India to live out their days at a crumbling retirement hotel. All mayhem and madness ensue as things can only in India. There’s romance, tragedy, and hope. Rent it now

33. A Good Year – Provence France

A Good Year made me want to go to Provence and live a simple life…on a multi-million dollar vineyard estate. That’s reasonable, right? And that’s what travel movies make you want to do…Pick up and go somewhere.

A Good Year makes life in Provence look like the Garden of Eden and I want a piece of it. Everyone is beautiful, everyone is a wine connoisseur, and everyone is pure and good. Who wouldn’t want to go to the south of France after seeing A Good Year? Rent it now.

34. Midnight in Paris – Paris

Looking for travel movies that combine time travel this movie night? Midnight in Paris captures the golden years of Paris as Owen Wilson walks through the streets at night in search of that romantic nostalgia of the city.

Blending time travel with traditional travel, this film showcases Paris’s rich history and examines how different eras appeal to different people.

He ends up meeting the famous patrons of the 1920s including Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and more! This travel movie makes me want to hop on a flight to Paris every time! Watch it on Amazon Prime or get it on DVD

35. Australia – Australia

This movie was crucified by the critics, but I loved it and its one of the best travel movies showcasing the beauty of Australia’s landscape. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman take her cattle across the Outback.

It also touches on the injustices of how Australia treated the Aboriginal People, reminding me of what Canada did with residential schools to our own indigenous communities.

It’s beautifully shot and is a love letter to Australia while highlighting the true story of the Aboriginal struggles. I think it deserved more love than it got. Check it out on Amazon

36. The Impossible

It took me forever to finally watch the impossible because it is based on the true story of surviving the devastating Tsunami in Southeast Asia. It follows a family from England who are vacationing in Thailand and are impacted by the Tsunami.

It showcases the huge hearts that the Thai people have. Even while going through their own trauma, they play a huge role in helping this family get back together and survive.

The movie stars Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland and it is one of the best performances I think Naomi Watts has ever done.

Lighthearted Travel Movies

37. eurovision.

This is one of the funniest travel movies out there. The movie kicks off (after a brief flashback) in Iceland showcasing its beautiful landscapes and waterfalls with sweeping drone shots of the stars performing.

It has all the stereotypes and cliches of Iceland, but it is done with heart and fun. It really is a love letter to Iceland. Follow Lars and Sigrit as they try to fulfill their dream of competing in Eurovision in Edinburgh. The movie gives a nice showcase of that city too making it two travel movies in one. Rent it on Amazon

38. Darjeeling Limited

This quirkiest of travel movies takes Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, and Adrian Brody across India one year after their father’s death starting on the Darjeeling Express train. It’s strange, heartbreaking, hilarious, and pure Wes Anderson.

When they visit their mother in an Ashram, it makes me think of the strange people that run away to India to find themselves. Oh yeah, he gets it. Check it out on Amazon Prime

39. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Set in the very real Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu this pick on our travel movies list stars Jason Seigel as a Hollywood Writer who goes to Hawaii to heal his wounds after getting dumped by his girlfriend Kristen Bell. It turns out, she is there on vacation with her new boyfriend and shenanigans ensue.

This movie makes you want to book a plane to Hawaii and have your own stay at Turtle Bay which has now become very popular. Rent it on Prime

40. Last Holiday

If you are searching for comedy travel movies, this should be at the top of your list. This is the ultimate fairytale on how travel can change a life. And how we should all strive to live a better life. It’s too short to wait.

Queen Latifa is priceless as a woman who is diagnosed with a terminal disease, so she takes her life savings to enjoy her final holiday at a luxurious resort. She does everything from base jumping to snowboarding and indulging in decadent French cuisine.

If everyone took a holiday like this, we’d all live happier lives. Rent, Buy or Watch on Amazon Prime

41. The Holiday

It may be a Christmas movie, but The Holiday is one of the best travel movies out there. We watch it every year and it shows how travel is transformational. Starring Kate Winslett, Jack Black, Jude Law and Cameron Diaz, The Holiday flips back and forth between Los Angeles and England.

The two female stars have very different vacations as they house swap, but both have their lives changed through travel.

42. French Kiss

Meg Ryan plays a woman named Kate who is afraid to travel. When her fiance falls for another woman in France, she vows to win him back and travels there despite being terrified. Hilarity ensues when she meets con man Kevin Kline and they venture across the country together following the formula of travel movies galore.

My favorite scene is when she is indulging in cheese on the train. It’s that French moment that made me daydream about traveling by train across the French countryside. Watch French Kiss for yourself

43. My Life in Ruins

While not as good as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, My Life in Ruins is a nice comeback for Nia Vardalos in a fun-loving travel film.

She plays a tour leader taking stereotypical tourists through the sites of Greece. It’s fun, it’s romantic and the setting is beautiful. It’s not going to win any Academy Awards, but for a fun Saturday afternoon movie, this will transport you to Greece. Rent it or buy it on Amazon

44. The Hangover 2

The First Hangover was far better and it too is a travel movie taking you to Vegas. But when choosing travel movies from this trilogy, I had to choose the setting of Bangkok. It captures the crazy energy of the city.

My favorite scene is when Bradly Cooper has to go to the hospital and comes out with an absurdly low hospital bill. Dave and I have been to the hospital in Thailand and can attest, it is cheap. Rent it now! 

Blockbuster Travel Movies

45. star wars: the rise of skywalker & the last jedi.

One wouldn’t think of a movie based in outer space to be a travel movie that inspires wanderlust, but the last Star Wars Trilogy featured one of our favorite destinations on Earth, Skellig M ichael

This 6th-century monastery was a star unto itself as Luke trained Rey in the ways of the Force. It has now inspired many travelers and film buffs to take the hair-raising boat ride out to these rocky islands 12 km off the coast of Ireland. Check it out

46. Mama Mia

We actually learned where Mama Mia takes place while visiting the location where it was filmed, Pelion, Greece. The Greek islands are paradise, and Mama Mia follows the story of Meryl Streep who runs a hotel on the coast. We thought it was filmed somewhere like Santorini or Mykonos.

When her daughter becomes engaged, she invites three men who might be her father. It’s a rip-roaring good time of music, fun and beautiful scenery.

The Santorini blue and white houses, the crystal clear blue sea, and the music of Abba become those who watch to travel to Greece! Watch it on Prime today

47. Once Upon a Time in Mexico Trilogy

How sexy are Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayak together? You must watch the entire trilogy to really appreciate this series by Robert Rodrigues. Once Upon A Time In Mexico ends the trilogy with Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, and Cheech Marin. El Mariachi started it all starring Carlos Gallardo. My favorite of the 3 is Desperado , but they are all entertaining.

Once Upon A Time In Mexico is a fantasy and it is a stereotype of Mexico, but it makes you want to go to Mexico and have a great adventure. The scenery is gorgeous, the film is filled with cool style, and the music is fabulous. Watch the Trilogy today!

48. The Legend of Tarzan

The $180 million dollar budget makes sure to showcase the beauty of the African Savannah, the dense jungles, and the majestic wildlife. You feel as if you have entered the heart of Africa. Seriously, rent it, you’re going to like it a lot more than you think! Rent it on Amazon

49. The Tourist

It’s a little indulgent, and Angelina Jolie is a bit annoying to watch with how amazing she thinks she is in this, but it does capture taking an international trip to Europe beautifully.

It makes you want to have a romantic tryst in Venice . It makes you want to ride a train and have a mysterious encounter. It gives you a glimpse into how the rich live and travel the world.

50. The Thing

Recently we had someone write to us with a list of their favorite movies about travel. He mentioned the first Alien vs. Predator took place in Antarctica and I remember that being a pretty entertaining film. Then I thought about the classic Kurt Russel movie, The Thing .

This thriller takes place at a scientific base camp in the Antarctic and really lets you feel how claustrophobic and isolated researchers must feel when spending the winter at the bottom of the world. Watch it now!

51. Thelma and Louise

Who would have thought that Thelma and Louise would be heralded as one of the best travel films of all time, but it has. When researching this article, I saw that everyone had it on their list, so I had to include it. Besides, I love this film. I saw it at the theatre when it came out and it blew me away.

Brad Pitt makes his debut in this dark road trip adventure. Susan Sarandon and Geena Dave about female empowerment, friendship, and the transformative power of travel.

52. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Yes, this was a blockbuster film for teenagers. I remember working at YTV and this movie was going mad in the teen realm so I had to add it to my best travel movies list. The premise of the story revolves around four friends—Lena, Tibby, Bridget, and Carmen—who find a pair of jeans that, despite their differing body types, fits each of them perfectly. They decide to share these “magical” pants as they embark on their separate summer adventures, thus maintaining their connection with each other.

Where does the traveling come in? Well, Lena travels to Greece , Bridget goes to Mexico , Carmen visits her father in South Carolina, and Tibby stays in Maryland.

While not a “travel movie” in the traditional sense—where the main characters are often journeying together or the narrative revolves solely around their travel experiences—”Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” embodies elements of travel movies by incorporating different cultures, locations, and the concept of journeying (both physical and emotional) into its narrative.

53. Bourne Movies, James Bonds, Mission Impossible & Indiana Jones Movies

The Bourne movies, James Bond, Indian Jones, and Mission Impossible take us around the world with each movie and really are the best travel films to showcase the globe. These epic travel movies take audiences to a whole new level of taking an international trip with decadence, wealth, espionage, and romance.

I wanted to include them because if you are looking for some beautiful scenes from Europe and the Middle East, these travel films fit the bill. They are so good at taking you away to exotic places .

Our Favorites of These Epic Travel Movies are

54. the bourne identity.

The original takes us on an international trip from Switzerland through Paris. It’s the car scene in Paris that really captures the city but the entire movie is one big travel movie.

55. Casino Royal – James Bond

This makes us dream of living with the high rollers in Montenegro the beautiful people in the Bahamas. It’s as epic as epic travel movies get riding on trains, planes and yachts and it’s the best James Bond with Daniel Craig.

56. Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol

It’s not often that sequels are better than the original, but when it comes to the Mission Impossible series, each one out does the other. Tom Cruise loves to travel and push the limits creating the most epic travel movies on the planet. I chose Ghost Protocol because of its setting in Dubai and Cruise scaling the walls of the Burj Khalifa. (The tallest structure in the world)

Best Travel Movies in Fictional Settings

57. grand budapest hotel.

I can’t help it, I love Wes Anderson movies. He is offbeat and quirky. Grand Budapest Hotel is one of the best travel movies that isn’t set in any real place. This is all in a fictional setting.

I like this for a travel movie because it reminds me of the grand old hotels from another era. Well, it should because it is set in another era. The hotel is fictional, but it does take you away to another world. Rent it on Prime

58. Black Panther

Wakanda may be a fictional place in Africa, but this movie captures the spirit of East and South Africa. It embraces the African culture and many of the movie’s scenes were filmed in Africa.

We have been to Africa numerous times and this movie transported us there again. It may be fictional, but Black Panther is one fo the best travel movies to make you want to discover the culture and beauty of Africa. watch it now!

59. Lord of the Rings and Hobbit

They may be set in Middle Earth, but the Lord of the Rings movies are a love letter to New Zealand. As far as setting go, the trilogy makes for epic travel movies! Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Movies make us want to go to New Zealand and these films capture its beauty perfectly.

Rent the trilogy on Amazon today

60. Eat Pray Love

And let us end with the mother of all travel movies, Eat Pray Love. Who doesn’t love Julia Roberts? However, Eat Pray Love wasn’t my favorite travel movie at all. But The book was okay but the movie starring Julia Roberts is dreadful. If you liked it, let me know. Maybe I’ll give it another watch in case I missed something. Rent it on Amazon

We’ll be updating this list regularly and we love finding new travel movies to watch. So, if you have suggestions for your favorite travel movies, leave them in the comments below and we’ll be sure to give them a watch!

Tell me what you think are the best travel movies and we will compare notes.

You May Enjoy these other inspiring posts:

• 44 of the Best Road Trip Songs
• Best Travel Songs Playlist
• Best Travel Books to Inspire Travel
• 60 of the Best Road Trip Songs to Rock the Long Drive
• 101 Best Travel Quotes in the World with Pictures

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Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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107 thoughts on “60 Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust”

Very interesting and thought-provoking list. Another film I think belongs in this company is “A Month by the Lake,” a 1995 work starring Vanessa Redgrave, Edward Fox, and Uma Thurman. Its setting, at the Villa del Balbianello on a peninsula in Lake Como, was used in scenes from a number of other movies, but here it gets starring role.

one of my favorite travel movies is “If it is Tuesday it must be Belgium”. it captures the travels and travails of some very uninformed American tourists on a guided tour. One of the wives, tired of the endless strings of cheese shops they visit heads back to their tour bus. The problem is it is the wrong tour bus. Hilarity ensues …

Thanks for the thoughtful list. Might I add a few more wanderlust-inducing movie recommendations/destinations that I have a hunch you will love?

Enchanted April (Italy) Shirley Valentine (Greece/Mykonos) Everything is Illuminated (Russia/Ukraine) Summer Lovers (Gene Siskel’s ‘guilty pleasure) (Greek Islands/Santorini) The Hundred Foot Journey (India/France) Local Hero (Scotland — and perfectly depicts how an enchanting location can change your view of what’s important in life) Anne of Green Gables — Kevin Sullivan version (Price Edward Island) Outsourced (India) Jean de Florette/Manon of the Spring (Provence France) The Quiet Man (Ireland) A Passage to India (India)

These are fantastic suggestions, thank sfor sharing! I’ve been wanting to see The Hundred Foot Journey. I think that will be my weekend watching!

Hi , thanks for sharing the best travel movies.

I love to watch 72 hours is my best travel movie all time.

Brilliant! Some of my teal favourites and now a list to watch. …many, many thanks. Allison

Great movies list all movies are best and all movies have a good rating on IMDb actually my favorite movie is LORD OF THE RINGS AND HOBBIT. and next, I would like to watch Star wars series.

Great choices of movies you have given a big list a great work

Great article! I will definitely choose a few movies that I haven’t seen yet. I could add a movie called “The Hundred-Foot Journey”. This film is about a Hindu family who moves to France, where they open a restaurant.

I’ve been meaning to watch that one. I think I will have to check it out this weekend and add it to the list! Thanks for the reminder.

Very comprehensive list! lots of great movies, and some of my favourites such as Seven Years inTibet and Walter Mitty.

I have to disagree with you about The Darjeeling Limited though: “When they visit their mother in an Ashram, it makes me think of the strange people that run away to India to find themselves. Oh yeah, he gets it.”

I felt the most important scene in the movie is when the guys rescue the boys in the river, and one doesn’t make it. They take part ion the family grieving and funeral, and have a very life-changing, profound experience. I felt the movie actually validates people “running away to India.”

In these difficult times especially, finding a sense of purpose, or meaning, or spirituality, or whatever you want to call it, is more important than ever. I think we will see a lot more people “running away to find themselves” and in fact, I am working on offering spiritual itineraries.

How about Red Eye and Flight Plan? I think they both portrait (fear of) commercial flying experience pretty good!

We have already watched quite a few of these ? gotta love a great movie night! Thanks for a great list, that we will start to work our way through ?

Great choices for movies! Others that come to mind are “Before Sunrise” and “Into the Wild.”

LORD OF THE RINGS AND HOBBIT is my favourite. i had watch so many times but always loved

This list couldn’t have come at a better time as we currently shelter in place and travel only through our TVs! Thank you.

All movies are great and my fav <3

great films..i watched some movie

OOH Julie and Julia is one of my all time favorites! And Eat Pray Love…It’s a good time for movies at home for sure!

Love the list. Thank you for sharing. As a classic movie buff, however, you are so wrong about Roman Holiday. This movie is a classic. I recently saw it on the big screen for the millionth time and it was amazing. How can you not love Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn?! His voice alone is worth a listen! And the old scenes of Rome are wonderful. Have to truly disagree about this one. LOVE this movie.

Anyway, thanks again!

SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY movie motivates people to dare to make a decision.

I love this list!! You hit some of my favorite movies. I’ve watched a lot of these but I have a feeling I’ll be rewatching some of them in the coming weeks. Thanks for remind me!

GREAT list, thank you! I’ve seen some Bollywood films and loved them, and would love a best of list of them!

Great site for everything

Great list, guys — you really dug deep. If you love The Sounds of Music, you have to visit Salzburg, where you can see the actual places where they shot many of the scenes, including the palace in the middle of town. You can even stay in the Von Trapps’ house. And I may have missed it in your list, but The Year of Living Dangerously absolutely captures the exotic atmosphere and the beauty of Southeast Asia — the gamelan music stays in your head for days. Also, Gandhi for a virtual trip to India.

Very well collections, Really some of the names are not heard. This type of movies are oxygen for any traveler.

Great list of movie i like slumdog millionaire once upon a time in mexico

Secret Life of Walter Mitty for sure, this movie made me so pumped to travel while ‘into the wild’ made me a little depressed and not wishing to become a mentally ill person who goes eating dead animals and rejecting society

Lovely idea, great movies! Love your blog!

I really love this movies.

Each movie is an exciting adventure, felt from the film, emotions, as well as an impressive moment. Thanks for your collection!

Thank you for your list! Lawrence of Arabia for certain, but almost any film by Werner Herzog, especially Aguirre:The Wrath of God. But I am partial to “art” or “foreign” films over Hollywood.

I loved a movie I watched and I can’t remember the name and I can’t find it. It was about a woman, maybe in her 40’s maybe 50’s that traveled to India to meet up with her husband. Her husband was detained by work and sent his male Indian assistant to meet her. While waiting for her husband to arrive, the assistant showed her the sites of India. A romance developed with the assistant over many days, but never crossed the line. Would love to watch this again….

Maybe you’re thinking of the movie ‘Cairo Time’. It’s set in Egypt, not India, but has the exact plot you’re referring to.

All are attractive and I will watch each movie

I shared the movies I shared. The movie content is very interesting and interesting, I like it very much.

This is also a very good post which I really enjoy reading

For me Motorcycle diaries is best.Thanks for list. I will check other movies too.

Nice list, you got almost all of my favorite travel films! A couple additions I would make are “The Sheltering Sky”, and “Voyager”.

The Painted Veil – gorgeous!

I hope it will be show at CGV

Definitely a great list of movies that gets us thinking about travel. Everest was one that really took our breath away and told an amazing story. In Bruges is still one of my favorite. Thanks for sharing!

Loved the post and the films. I still didn’t see 9 films and already want see. Will try found they for this weekend. But the best is to see Indiana Jones in the list.. it’s my prefer film of life <3

the beauty of this movie list is that this in includes movies in Malayalam, Hindi English and believe me these movies are the very best travel movies I have seen . kudos?

Great Choices !

Always on the lookout for movies to watch on the plane!!! Thanks for the recos!!!!

Great choices for movies

I hate you after watching only 2 of these movies from your list i feel like travelling but unfortunately my my academics. By the way best list of travel movies I have seen on internet. Good going brother. wish to see more content in future.

Mr. Bean’s Holiday. A very ridiculous movie, but the cinematography is amazing, and it’s very inspiring.

Great article and awesome collection of movies. Red balloon is my favorite movie and it’s amazing storey

Film is called Before Midnight. Not after.

Thanks for the correction. I mixed up the Trilogy in my head, thinking “the one after Before Sunset.” – There is Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight.

Great article, many good informations

I love watching movies ahead of travelling and often find them inspirational. For Western Australia I found ‘Rabbitproof Fence’ a very good movie. You’ve chosen some good ones!

Great collection of movies to watch. I absolutely loved The Bucket List. As usual Morgan Freeman was awesome. Great movies about travel and for when traveling.

Can you believe that I never saw Stealing Beauty? Now I am going to have to check it out. I agree with Sideways too. Loved that show. It made me want to drink Pinot Noir.

Wild is a great book and the movie is pretty true to the book. Reece Witherspoon is really good in it. Based on true story of a troubled woman who decides to hike one of Americas longest trails with little money and not enough experience. Humbling and left me feeling the wanderlust pretty hard.

The Bucket List and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are the best travel movies in my opinion. Iceland is on my travel bucket list, hope I can visit that place.

Best Movie Collection. my favorite movies also include in these. love to see the collection of movies thanks to sharing this information with us.

Nice article! inspiring people for Traveling

Thanks for compiling this list. It’s interesting to know the place where the movie was shot. I absolutely agree on what you said about James Bond movies.

Thanks for the post. Some I have seen and some I haven’t, and looking forward to (Especially ONE WEEK)

I’d like to add LOCAL HERO. There are some melancholic moments in the film accompanied by Mark Knopfler’s beautiful soundtrack. Would make anyone jump off the couch, dump all the COMFORTS OF CITY and visit rural Scotland and walk the beaches and witness the Aurora Borealis. One of my favourites alongwith The Motorcycle Diaries and Into the Wild.

Great choices

Excellent list, but Indiana Jones really is a wonderful trip. Note 1000.

Under a Tuscan sun is my favorite!!!! Been to Tuscany because of that movie!! 🙂 Jotted down a few to watch from your list! Thanks!

thank you guys. Into the wild is my favourite one on the list.

You named quite a few of my favorites but the two I’d like to recommend are Hector and the Pursuit of Happiness starring Simon Pegg, and The Way starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez.

The Way inspired me to walk the Camino de Santiago which turned into an incredible trip.

Great list of best all time travel movies. I must admit that there are still so many movies I have not yet seen. I need to work on that sooner rather than later!

Great list but would certainly add :

– The way (with Martin Sheen) , very inspiring movie about Camino de Santiago – Motorcycle diaries, simply a great movie about travel and life

Fantastic films, thanks for making this kind of film! Many people should watch it! Thanks for sharing this list.

Wow! This list is great! I will surely add these in my playlist. Hopefully, I will be able to watch most of these travel movies. I plan to travel soon, I’m juts looking for more inspiration and travel tips. Glad I came by your blog!

Whoa! You gave me a completely new set of movies to add to my list here! Into the Wild is one of my favorites and the Everest is a spine-chilling movie. A great list Dave & Deb!

Check out Maindentrip, the story of the youngest girl to sail around the world, Laura Dekker. I think my wife finally believed we could do it if a 13 year old can.

Thanks for the recommendation!

These ultimate travel tips for when they have a desired of lust.

What about “Blue Hawaii” and any of the Jurassic Park videos for Hawaii?

Thank you for your list – I am constantly looking for good travel movies.

Till the date bucket list is one of my favourite movie 🙂 Thank you for the information about other movies too

Thank you for this great list. I see some old favorites on the list but also a number of movies I need to see. I’ve added them my list. You’re right about movies inspiring travel. After seeing, Under the Tuscan Sun, I’ve always wanted to visit Tuscany. I’m finally making it there soon.

What a fantastic list full of excellent movies! There’s no doubt that these titles can help to light the spark of wanderlust in anyone. I was actually lucky enough to stumble upon the making of Ridley Scott’s upcoming Alien Covenant movie in New Zealand’s Milford Sound. I’m very much looking forward to its release so I can see the spectacular panning shots of that breathtaking landscape. Movies are a great medium to translate the beauty of travel.

No way! That is so cool. I’m such a fan of Alien, it would be amazing to see them filming it. I love seeing landscapes of places I’ve been in movies.

Slumdog Millionaire and Secret Life of Walter Mitty are Good Movies

Nice list – a few of my favourites there: Everest, Into The Wild, Slumdog Millionaire, The Bucket List, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Nothing like a good movie for inspiring travel.

A few others to consider: The Beach, Midnight Express, Kundun, Seven Years in Tibet…

“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one’s lifetime.” – Mark Twain

Hi, Oh wow I really love this list, seriously is so right! Holidays is another good one that invites you to discover surrey :), I enjoyed so much Amelie, unfortunately I cannot say the same of Paris, Je t’aime, which is other of the “must seen movies”, honestly… overrated… anyways, nice list I really enjoy it.

Great list… something a lot of people leave off the list is Julia and Julia. That movie is HUGE to foodies, chefs, etc… Makes me want to hop on a flight every time I see it! Julia Child was a machine, so glad you guys included that movie on this list!

I am a movie addict person, and I loved to travel. I enjoyed all of these films. Very Inspirational lists. Thank you, Dave, for this excellent Article. Loved it:)

A lots of movies that needed to add here. I watched a few of then not all and find very inspirational and heart touching. Slumdog millionaire is one of my favourite and very heart touching.

I love this list, but I’d add almost any movie filmed in San Francisco, even if they weren’t that good (like “The Wedding Planner” or the “The Rock”). They’d actually have to be filmed there and not just set there, like the last “Godzilla” movie 😉

Thanks for the additions. I loved the wedding planner. Although I just watched it again recently and realized what a schmuck Matthew Macoughnay’s character is. He totally led Jennifer Lopez’s character on and was a jerk to his fiancé. haha. But it’s a good lighthearted romantic comdey. They don’t make enough of those anymore..

I came to this article to ensure you had Romancing the Stone..and you didnt let me down. I used to love that movie growing up. I am totally with you, on thinking about Cartagena as some exotic far away place that I had to visit. I eventually found out the movie wasn’t actually filmed in Cartagena or Colombia because of the dire security situation at that time…but when i finally visited Cartagena, i found it even more magical and exotic than the film…love the film, and love the city even more now.

I am so glad we didn’t let you down! I am also so glad that you felt the same way about Cartagena. I always envision Kathleen Turner saying “come to Cartagena with me” It was such a grand adventure. We need more movies like that!

Cool list! I would add:

– Before Sunrise (Vienna) – Waking Ned Devine (Ireland, though filmed in the Isle of Man) – Lost in Translation (Tokyo)

Great additions. I loved Before Sunrise, I can’t believe I forgot about that one. I saw it in the 90s and then watched the whole trilogy. I haven’t seen Waking Ned Devine, I’m going to check that out and yes, Lost in Translation is a good one for Tokyo. I have to watch that again. I barely remember it, but I do remember loving Bill Murray

Just what I needed, thank you guys. Into the wild is my favourite one on the list.

I don’t think any movie has made us want to travel more than Amelie.

2 Days In Paris, on the other hand, was kind of a turn off.

Amelie celebrated Paris, but 2 Days kinda made fun of it. .-= The Jetpacker´s last blog .. UFO Hotspots — 11 Best Places To See UFOs In The World =-.

I don’t need a movie to inspire me to travel. I always want to travel, but some movies make me want to travel more I guess is how to put it. BTW. I thought Up in the Air stunk and don’t get why it was so popular. I loved In Burges which many people have never seen. Guess I’m just weird. .-= Gwen´s last blog ..Kids Grease Costumes =-.

You’re not weird at all! That is what makes watching movies so great. Everyone has different opinions on them all. We didn’t love Amelie and I have never met another person that didn’t like it. We were more into the quirkiness of Two Days in Paris and nobody liked that one:-)

Great choice, I never really fancied visiting Bruges until watching the hilarious In Bruges (and I agree the film also did Colin Farrell a huge favour). Tuscany is still on my must see list after the gorgeous ‘Stealing Beauty’ and being from the UK, Sideways and Swingers always made me want to go to California.

OK, I obviously need to get myself to the nearest pirated DVD place since I’ve only seen 3 of these movies! Thanks for the advice. .-= Audrey´s last blog ..Couch Surfing with KGB Agents =-.

Fantastic post, though most of these movies I haven’t seen (yet) but Vicky Christina Barcelona has really made me want to see Barcelona. I’m really bad for being easily suggestible when it comes to travel. If a place is featured on a movie or tv have a sudden desire to go there. Like I watch a John Waters movie and I wanna go to Baltimore, or the way Shirley Valentine made me really want to go to Greece. Even places that were never really on my travel to do list, like watching Dexter has made me want to visit Miami (even though most of the show is filmed around LA). .-= Alouise´s last blog ..List 9 – How To Have A Cheesy Time At West Edmonton Mall =-.

Wonderful list! I’ve seen a few of these and just loved them (Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Julie & Julia, In Bruges, Up in the Air, and Romancing the Stone)…..and I still dream of someday going to Cartagena, Columbia because of that movie! There are so many great movies that inspire travel that I’m sure it must have been hard to winnow it down to just eight. The rest of your list I’ll have to add to my Netflix queue! .-= Trisha´s last blog .. PR-Blogger Relations Manifesto =-.

I love that you think of Cartagena because of Romancing the stone. There were so many movies that I had on a list. I could have just listed about 50 and that could have been good enough. Maybe I will do that for a post one day when I am out of ideas:) It was very difficult to narrow it down to eight, we were trying to be a little unique in our choices, but then again, it is hard to be unique when it comes to choosing great travel movies. I guess, it was more of a reminder post. Everyone thinks of the choices like The Beach, The James Bond Movies and the Bourne Movies, but we haven’t thought about Romancing the Stone or Once Upon a Time in Mexico in a while.

Great list! We think movies and books add so much to travel that we brought a bunch with us on our open ended world tour. We’re in France now, so tend to watch French ones here and ones that are family friendly since we travel with a kid. 😉 I think we love the Red Balloon and Chocolate best for France.

Two that really stick out on our trip were Troy ( watched again and again through out Greece while reading Homer, including also while we were in Troy in Turkey) and “The Medici, Godfathers of the Renaissance” a thrilling PBS special series that we watched in Florence before we toured. .-= soultravelers3´s last blog .. Captivating Colliore- France on Bastille Day =-.

Thanks for the additions. I forgot about Chocolate. I loved that movie and Johnny Depp and Juliet Binoche were both so charming. I haven’t seen Red Balloon, I will check it out. It is wonderful to watch movies for inspiration before, after and while you are at that place.

Great choices for movies! Others that come to mind are “Before Sunrise” and “Into the Wild.”

• 15 Romantic Italian Films That’ll Make You Love Italy Even More

Fall in love Italian-style with these beautifully romantic Italian films. Set in the Bel Paese (literally, ‘beautiful country’), you’ll fall in love with Italy all over again as you’re transported across the rolling hills of Tuscany, down the cobblestoned streets of Rome, and glistening waters of the Amalfi Coast.

Whether it’s date night, a night in with the girls, Valentine’s Day , or you’re excited for an upcoming trip to Italy, this list of romantic Italian films is the perfect companion.

While I was learning Italian , I binge-watched every Italian movie and series I could find. On top of that, I would spend two weeks of the year at the cinema for the Italian Film Festival in Melbourne. I watched one, sometimes two films after work every night. At some point, I was obsessed with each and every one of the films on this list for various reasons.

This list of romantic Italian movies includes a mix of both American and Italian films and features the beautiful landscapes and cities of Italy.

If you’re learning Italian , I highly encourage you to watch these films with Italian subtitles and keep a notepad handy so you can jot down any new vocabulary. For more language learning tips, check out these 10 best ways to learn a language and these tips from 11 Polyglots .

Here are my top 15 romantic Italian films you’ll want to see… again, and again, and again.

1. Only You

Released: 1994 languages: english (some spoken italian).

In this charming rom-com, we follow Faith (Marisa Tomei), a high school teacher and hopeless romantic who impulsively flies to Venice in order to track down the man she thinks she’s destined to marry. Along the way, she meets the very charming and handsome Peter Wright (Robert Downey Jr.) who does everything he can to win her over.

I absolutely adore this film. Ok, so it’s kind of corny, but in a good way. You see a bit of Venice, Tuscany, Rome and end up on the stunning Amalfi Coast. Some parts are spoken in Italian but the bulk of the film is in English. My favourite moment is when they first arrive in Venice to the tune of the beautiful ‘O Sole Mio .

Only You is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon .

2. Parlami d’amore (Tell me about love)

Released: 2008 languages: italian.

Parlami d’amore follows Sasha (Silvio Muccino) a twenty-something year old who’s desperately in love with Benedetta (Carolina Crescentini) who doesn’t seem know he even exists. After colliding with another car, Sasha meets Nicole, a French woman in her forties and living in Rome with her husband in a failing marriage. Sasha and Nicole start a friendship which becomes more sentimental as Nicole teaches Sasha how to seduce and win over Benedetta.

Set in Rome, I became mildly obsessed with this film ahead of moving to the Eternal City. Unlike Hollywood films that focus on showing you the famous monuments, the Roman director shows you Rome through the eyes of a local. From side streets, to popular local hangouts. The fact that Silvio Muccino is in it helps too 😛

Parlami d’amore is available on DVD 

3. Roman Holiday

Released: 1953 languages: english.

Who can forget this famous classic from Hollywood’s Golden Era? This 1950s film was nominated for ten Academy Awards and Audrey Hepburn won Best Actress for her role as a Princess Ann, a modern-day princess who sneaks out from her country’s embassy to go off and explore Rome on her own. Along the way, she meets Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), an expat reporter who shows her the sights of Rome on the back of a Vespa.

Roman Holiday is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

4. Room with a View

Released: 1985 languages: english.

This British film is based on a 1908 novel by English writer E. M. Forster, Room with a View. Set at the beginning of the 20th century with Italy and England as the backdrop, we meet Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter), a young English girl who visits Florence with her older cousin and chaperon (Maggie Smith), where she meets an eccentric young man named George Emerson. Upon returning to English, Lucy struggles with her feelings for George and whether or not she should still marry her fiancé, Cecil. There’s a lot of comedic relief in this film which pokes fun at the cultural restraints of English society during the Edwardian Era. If you enjoy Jane Austen, you’ll love this film.

Room with a View is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

5. Manuale d’amore (Manual of Love)

Released: 2005 languages: italian.

This Italian blockbuster follows the lives of four different couples and the different stages of love. From the highs, the lows, to love young and old. Think ‘Love Actually’ but Italian-style. This romantic comedy film was so popular,  two sequels were made, Manuale d’amore 2 – Capitoli successivi (2007), and Manuale d’amore 3 (2011).

Manuale d’amore is available on DVD on Amazon.

6. Under the Tuscan Sun

Released: 2003 languages: english (some spoken italian).

Under the Tuscan Sun reminds me of my mum, only because it was one of her favourites films I would make her watch when I was lusting over moving to Italy.

Set in Tuscany, Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) takes an impromptu trip to Tuscany after divorcing her husband who cheated on her. In the hope of turning around her fate, Frances impulsively buys a derelict villa in rural Tuscany and sets about renovating her new home and rebuilding her life. During a visit to Rome, she meets Marcello (Raoul Bova) who rekindles her love life. Sound like a cliche? Under the Tuscan Sun is actually based on the bestselling autobiography by Frances Mayes.

Under the Tuscan Sun is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

7. Il Postino (The Postman)

Released: 1994 languages: italian.

Located on the stunning island of Procida in the Gulf of Naples, the young and unemployed Mario (Massimo Troisi) is hired to be the personal postman to the famous Chilean writer Pablo Neruda who moved to the island and receives so much fan mail he needs his own postman. Soon, a friendship forms between the two men. Pablo teaches the shy and clumsy Mario the power and beauty of poetry which he uses to win over Beatrice, a waitress who works in the village cafe.

Il Postino is available on DVD on Amazon.

8. Ieri, oggi e domani (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow)

Released: 1963 languages: italian.

This is Sofia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni at their very best. This romantic Italian comedy is broken into three parts which tell three stories of three different women and the men they attract. Loren and Mastroianni play all three couples.

Starting in Naples, Loren’s character, Adelina, sells black-market cigarettes while her unemployed husband avoids jails sentence by keeping her pregnant. In Milan, Loren plays Anna, a wealthy but bored woman who wears Dior and drives a Rolls Royce. She picks up a writer (Mastroianni) and dreams of running away with him. The final chapter is set in Rome, where call girl Mara causes a young seminarian to reconsider joining the church.

Ieri, oggi e domani is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

9. Pane e tulipani (Bread and Tulips)

Released: 2000 languages: italian.

After missing the bus back home after a family holiday, Italian housewife Rosalba decides to take this opportunity to rebel from her tedious household duties and decides to start a new life in Venice .   Pane e tulipani explores love in all its forms including romantic, family, and platonic relationships.

Pane e tulipani is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

10. Scusa ma ti chiamo amore (Sorry, If I Love You )

Alex Belli (Raoul Bova) plays a successful advertising executive who is unexpectedly dumped after his girlfriend leaves him after proposing. Niki is a confident 17-year-old girl who collides with Alex on her scooter on the streets of Rome. Despite their 20-year age gap, they begin fall for each other. The sequel to the film is Scusa ma ti voglio sposare (Sorry If I Want to Marry You).

Scusa ma ti chiamo amore is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

11. Tre metri sopra il cielo (Three Steps Over Heaven)

Released: 2004 languages: italian.

Steven Mancini, nicknamed “Step”, (Riccardo Scamarcio) is a thug with a violent past who falls for Roberta Gervasi aka “Babi”, a model student with a busy social life attending elite parties. Destiny brings Babi and Step together where they fall in love for the first time. Babi is introduced into a new world and nothing can seem to separate the two. Their relationship is put to the test when a mutual friend passes away.

If you enjoyed this film, don’t miss the hugely anticipated sequel, Ho voglia di te (I want you). This film is based on the book of the same title by Federico Moccia, the same author of Scusa ma ti chiamo amore.

Tre metri sopra il cielo is available on DVD on Amazon.

12. To Rome with Love

Released: 2012 languages: english.

Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love is a comedy that brings together four tales of love set in Rome. We meet John (Alec Baldwin) a well-known American architect who encounters Jack (Jesse Eisenberg) and finds himself reliving his youth as Jack develops feelings for his girlfriend’s friend (Ellen Page).

The brilliant Roberto Benigni plays Leopoldo an average middle-class Roman who suddenly becomes a huge celebrity. There there is a young provincial couple drawn to the city and find themselves caught up in separate romantic encounters. Finally, Woody Allen’s character is a once-famous opera director who tries to revive his career when he discovers a mortician with an incredible voice.

While this isn’t my favourite film on this list, I can’t help but watch for its incredible cinematography. Allen shows Rome at her absolute best, under the golden summer light.

To Rome with Love is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

13.  Dieci inverni (Ten Winters)

Released: 2009 languages: italian.

Dieci inverni is based on the novel by Valerio Mieli who also directed this film and went on to win the David di Donatello for Best New Director. Dieci inverni is about Silvestro (Michele Riondino) and Camilla (Isabella Ragonese), who after a chance encounter in Venice , fall in love. Over the next 10 winters, they meet and once again thrust back into each other’s arms.

Dieci inverni is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

14. Eat Pray Love

Released: 2010 languages: english (small parts in italian).

I couldn’t not put this one on the list. It’s such a feel-good film. Based on the true story of author Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts), who after divorcing her husband takes a year-long sabbatical to go on a soul searching adventure across three countries, Italy, India and Bali. I recommend reading the book first before seeing the film as it gives you a lot more context, as you would expect from a book.

Eay Pray Love is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

Released: 2010 Languages: Italian

Set in Sicily, we follow the story through the eyes of 13-year-old Renato as he follows the stunning Monica Bellucci play Malèna Scordia, a war widow who was every man’s obsession and the envy of every woman. This film is incredibly moving, well-directed, cast, and acted. You can’t fault it.  È fantastico!

Malena is available in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

Want more inspiration? Get my guide to the top Italian Series on Netflix for Learning Italian

Learn Italian with me, The Intrepid Guide!

Travelling to Italy? Don’t be treated like a tourist! Live your best travel experiences and learn Italian for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant or a taxi driver who has “taken you for a ride”.  In addition to my free Italian travel phrase guides , I’ve made it even easier for you to master the Italian language so you can create lifelong memories as you mingle with locals , get local tips , avoid tourist traps , and make new friends . Who knows you, you might even be invited over for afternoon tea by a lovely Sicilian family, like I was! Read all about how speaking Italian changed my life  and check out The Intrepid Guide Languages courses here.

Here’s what my students are saying: 

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Over to you!

Which of these films will you watch first? Tell me below! Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE

41 Best Travel Movies: Films That Inspire Wanderlust

Looking for some awesome travel films to fuel your wanderlust? Check out this list of 41 of my favorite and best travel movies to add to your watch list:

41+ Wanderlust Travel Movies

Eat, Pray, Love

One of my favorite books and movie, Eat, Pray, Love is the ultimate wanderlust/travel to find yourself kind of movie!

Watch on: Amazon , Apple TV , Google Play

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

“When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, Walter takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined.” – IMBd

Into the Wild

“After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.” – IMDb

Photo from IMBd

Midnight in Paris

“This is a romantic comedy set in Paris about a family that goes there because of business, and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences there that change their lives. It’s about a young man’s great love for a city, Paris, and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better.” – Apple TV

“ With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. WILD powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her.” – Google Play

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“Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a young American backpacker, willing to risk his life for just one thing: the mind-blowing rush he can only get from braving the ultimate adventure. After hearing the improbable tale of a secret island – the perfect beach, unsullied by tourists – Richard sets off on a journey to find paradise on Earth. But Richard soon discovers that what seems like paradise can hide a deadly secret. Now desperate to escape, Richard explores the hidden perils and dark places that lurk just beyond the shores of paradise” – Apple TV

Photo from IMDb

The Darjeeling Limited

“A year after their father’s death, three American brothers who haven’t spoken since the funeral embark on a soul-searching journey across India. Their “spiritual quest”, however, veers rapidly off-course and a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins.” – Google Play

“180° South: Conquerors of the Useless follows Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia. Along the way he gets shipwrecked off Easter Island, surfs the longest wave of his life – and prepares himself for a rare ascent of Cerro Corcovado. Jeff’s life turns when he meets up in a rainy hut with Chouinard and Tompkins who, once driven purely by a love of climbing and surfing, now value above all the experience of raw nature – and have come to Patagonia to spend their fortunes to protect it.” – Google Play

“Embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this visual masterpiece from Oscar winner Ang Lee*, based on the best-selling novel. After a cataclysmic shipwreck, an Indian boy named Pi finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with a ferocious Bengal tiger. Together, they face nature’s majestic grandeur and fury on an epic journey of discovery.” – Google Play

Life in a Day

“Life In A Day is a historic film capturing for future generations what it was like to be alive on the 24th of July, 2010. Executive produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald.” – on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Lost in Translation

“Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson star in this flat-out hilarious film about two Americans who develop a surprising friendship while venturing through Tokyo.” – Google Play

Maybe not a movie you’d normally find on a list of best travel movies, but I love Up! “Carl Fredrickson, a retired balloon salesman, is part rascal, part dreamer who is ready for his last chance at high-flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets off to the lost world of his childhood dreams. Unbeknownst to Carl, Russell, an overeager 8-year old Wildnerness Explorer who has never ventured beyond his backyard, is in the wrong place at the wrong time — Carl’s front porch! The world’s most unlikely duo reach new heights and meets fantastic friends like Dug, a dog with a special collar that allows him to speak, and Kevin, the rare 13-foot tall flightless bird. Stuck together in the wilds of the jungle, Carl realizes that sometimes life’s biggest adventures aren’t the ones you set out for.” – Google Play

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Up in the Air

“Ryan Bingham (Academy Award® winner, George Clooney) is truly living the high life. Flying all over the world on business, he never stops moving…until he meets Alex, a fellow passenger and learns that life isn’t about the journey, but the connections we make along the way.” – iTunes

Out of Africa

“Hoping to forge a better life, Denmark native Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) enters into a marriage of convenience with a womanizing baron. But when the couple moves to Nairobi, Karen falls in love with a free-spirited hunter (Robert Redford) who can’t be tied down. Director Sydney Pollack’s lush period drama earned seven Academy Awards, including statues for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography.” – Google Play

Roman Holiday

“Roman Holiday was nominated for ten Academy Awards®, and Audrey Hepburn captured an Oscar® for her portrayal of a modern-day princess rebelling against her royal obligations who explores Rome on her own. She meets Gregory Peck, an American newspaperman who, seeking an exclusive story, pretends ignorance of her true identity. But his plan falters as they fall in love. Eddie Albert contributes to the fun as Peck’s carefree cameraman pal.” – Google Play

Watch on: Sony Crackle (free) , Apple TV , Google Play

“From the producers of THE KING’S SPEECH comes this remarkable true story of Robyn Davidson, a young woman who leaves her urban life to trek through almost 2,000 miles of sprawling Australian desert . Along her journey of self-discovery, she meets National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan, who begins to photograph her life-changing voyage.” – Apple TV

Under the Tuscan Sun

“UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN follows San Francisco writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) to Italy as a good friend offers her a special gift — 10 days in Tuscany. Once there, she is captivated by its beauty and warmth, and impulsively buys an aging, but very charming, villa. Fully embracing new friends and local color, she finds herself immersed in a life-changing adventure filled with enough unexpected surprises, laughter, friendship, and romance to restore her new home — and her belief in second chances.” – Google Play

Before Sunrise

“Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy star as two young people who meet–and whose lives are forever changed–on a train from Budapest to Paris. They may have only one night, but when soul mates find each other, anything can happen Before Sunrise.” – iTunes

The Endless Summer

“They call it The Endless Summer, the ultimate surfing adventure, crossing the globe in search of the perfect wave. From the uncharted waters of West Africa, to the shark-filled seas of Australia , to the tropical paradise of Tahiti and beyond, two California surfers, Robert August and Mike Hynson, accomplish in a few months what most people never get to do in a lifetime – they live their dream.” – iTunes

Watch on: Amazon , Apple TV

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

“Two young American women, Vicky and Cristina come to Barcelona for a summer holiday. Vicky is sensible and engaged to be married; Cristina is emotionally and sexually adventurous.  In Barcelona, they’re drawn into a series of unconventional romantic entanglements with Juan Antonio, a charismatic painter, who is still involved with his tempestuous ex-wife Maria Elena. Set against the luscious Mediterranean sensuality of Barcelona, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA is Woody Allen’s funny and open-minded celebration of love in all its configurations.” – Google Play

Two For the Road

“ On their third identical voyage from London to the French Riviera , Joanna Wallace (Audrey Hepburn) and husband Mark (Albert Finney) explore their 12-year marriage in a series of wry and illuminating flashbacks. They reminisce about the glorious beginning of their love affair, the early years of marriage and the events that led to their subsequent infidelities. As they try to understand their relationship, they must accept how they have changed if they are to rekindle their original love… The film is arguably one of the most stylistically influential movies from the ’60s.”

“From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.” – Disney

Watch on: Amazon , Apple TV , Google Play , or on Disney+

“John Krasinski (The Office) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) star in the heartfelt film that explores the comedic twists and turns in one couple’s journey across contemporary America. Anticipating the birth of their first child, longtime couple Burt and Verona embark on an ambitious itinerary to visit friends and family in order to find their perfect home.” – Universal Studios

The Bucket List

 Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star in the comedic drama The Bucket List, a touching, no- holds-barred adventure that shows it’s never too late to live life to its fullest. “Two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die.” – IMDb

“A five-year-old Indian boy is adopted by an Australian couple after getting lost hundreds of kilometers from home. 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.” – IMDb

Crazy Rich Asians

“This contemporary romantic comedy, based on a global bestseller, follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu to Singapore to meet her boyfriend’s family.” – IMDb

This is another movie that is not necessarily about travel, but after watching it, Singapore jumped to the top of my bucket list so I had to add it to this Best Travel Movie list!

Watch on: Amazon ,   Google Play , Hulu

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The Motorcycle Diaries

“Based on a true life story, The Motorcycle Diaries is an inspiring and thrilling adventure that traces the youthful origins of a revolutionary spirit. The film follows two daring friends, Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal, Y Tu Mama Tambien) and Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna), who hop on the back of a beat-up motorcycle for a breathtaking and exciting road trip across Latin America.” – Google Play

Letters to Juliet

“In Verona, Italy – the beautiful city where Romeo first met Juliet – there is a place where the heartbroken leave notes asking Juliet for her help. It’s there that aspiring writer Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) finds a 50-year-old letter that will change her life forever. As she sets off on a romantic journey of the heart with the letter’s author, Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), now a grandmother, and her handsome grandson (Christopher Egan), all three will discover that sometimes the greatest love story ever told is your own.” – Google Play

The Art of Travel

“Conner Layne  is about to embark on an adventure – just not the one he had planned. After discovering his fiance is having an affair with his best friend, he leaves her at the altar and heads off on his honeymoon alone. 

While experiencing the wonders that South America offers, he meets a friendly couple – Darlene and her husband, Christopher, who are planning a dangerous trip across the Darien Gap. Along with a ragtag group of foreigners, they venture on a 100-mile long journey through the undeveloped jungle that separates Panama and Columbia. Ready to leave his past behind, Conner joins the unknown for the quest of a lifetime.” – Apple TV

Rio + Rio 2

Laugh if you want, but after seeing this movie in theaters, I have been dying to go to Rio adn explore South America! 

Hector and The Search for Happiness

“Hector is a quirky psychiatrist who has become tired of his humdrum life, yet he’s offering advice to patients who are just not getting happier. So he embarks on a global quest in hopes of uncovering the elusive secret formula for true happiness.”

Couples Retreat

Couples Retreat is another romantic comedy movie that’s set in such a beautiful place, I just had to include it!

A Map for Saturday

“On a trip around the world, every day feels like Saturday. A MAP FOR SATURDAY reveals a world of long-term, solo travel through the stories of trekkers on four continents. The documentary finds backpackers helping neglected Thai tsunami victims. It explains why Nepal’s guesthouses are empty and Brazil’s stoplights are ignored. But at its core, SATURDAY tracks the emotional arc of extreme long-term travelers; teenagers and senior citizens who wondered, “What would it be like to travel the world?” Then did it.”

Watch on: Amazon

“Through the open country and desert lands, two bikers head from L.A to New Orleans , and along the way, meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap they are unaware of.” – IMDb

“ONE WEEK tells the story of 20-something Ben Tyler (Joshua Jackson), who flees from an impending marriage, a ho-hum job, and a recent diagnosis in an attempt to live life to the fullest. His misguided road trip on a vintage motorcycle becomes an adventure of self-discovery set against the great Canadian landscape.”

Encounters at the End of the World

“Welcome to Antarctica – like you’ve never experienced it. You’ve seen the extraordinary marine life, the retreating glaciers and, of course, the penguins, but leave it to award-winning, iconoclastic filmmaker Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Rescue Dawn) to be the first to explore the South Pole’s most fascinating inhabitants…humans. In this one-of-kind documentary, Herzog turns his camera on a group of remarkable individuals, “professional dreamers” who work, play and struggle to survive in a harsh landscape of mesmerizing, otherworldly beauty – perhaps the last frontier on earth.”

“A powerful and inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an irascible American doctor who comes to France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by Emilio Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees while walking The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage to honor his son’s desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn’t plan on, is the profound impact the journey will have on him. Inexperienced as a trekker, Tom soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey.”

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

“An award-winning, all-star cast, led by Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and Tom Wilkinson, lights up this “buoyant comedy laced with genuine emotion”. When seven cash-strapped seniors decide to “outsource” their retirement to a resort in far-off India, friendship and romance blossom in the most unexpected ways. Smart, life-affirming and genuinely charming, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a “true classic that reminds us that it’s never too late to find love and a fresh beginning at any age”.”

The Tourist

“Frank (Johnny Depp), a mild-mannered American on vacation in Venice, Italy, is befriended by Elise (Angelina Jolie), a breathtakingly beautiful woman with a mysterious secret. Soon, their playful romantic dalliance turns into a complicated web of dangerous deceit as they are chased by Interpol, the Italian police, and Russian hit men in this suspense-filled, international action thriller.”

The Grand Budapest Hotel

“THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of legendary concierge Gustave H. and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft of a priceless painting; a raging battle for an enormous family fortune; and a desperate chase on motorcycles, trains, sleds, and skis – all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing continent.”

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

“Resplendent in flamboyant ballgowns, looking down over the vast red Australian desert : for three showgirls it was the dream of a lifetime, a four week cabaret engagement in Alice Springs. The problem is simply getting there intact, along with their bus Priscilla.”

Phew! There ya go, my list of the 41 best travel movies to fuel your wanderlust! Any ones I missed?  Drop a comment below or  DM me on Instagram !

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34 Movies That Will Make You Want to Get Off the Couch and See the World

From "The Holiday" to "Romancing the Stone" to "Eat Pray Love," these travel movies will inspire some serious wanderlust.

There's nothing like an epic on-screen adventure to get you acquainted with some place new and dreaming up an enviable vacation itinerary. For me (and basically all my childhood friends), this first happened following a viewing of Disney's "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" back in 2003, when Hilary Duff's character traveled to Rome to live out every teen's parent-free European fantasy. Though I've graduated to more mature travel movies over the last 18 years, one thing hasn't changed: films with gorgeous backdrops give me an unruly case of wanderlust.

From classics like "Around the World in 80 Days" and "Roman Holiday" to modern masterpieces such as "Wild" and "Crazy Rich Asians," travel films tend to ignite a longing for freedom and excitement. Maybe it's the sight of beaches on your screen triggering a phenomenon known as Blue Mind , or maybe watching a couple of pals take to the open road for a life changing road trip just makes you want to feel unconfined. Whatever it is, sometimes a travel film is all you need to provoke that feeling. That's why we've rounded up, in no particular order, 34 of the best travel movies that inspire wanderlust. Maybe they'll be cause for a change of scenery — or maybe they'll incite the adventure of a lifetime.

'Thelma & Louise' (1991)

Widely regarded as one of the best road trip movies of all time, this buddy film follows best friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) as they drive through the American Southwest after Louise kills a man in Arkansas.

'The Holiday' (2006)

A Hollywood movie trailer producer (Cameron Diaz) and a London reporter (Kate Winslet) decide to switch homes for a few weeks after finding out their respective boyfriends have been cheating on them. The results offer enough glamor shots of Los Angeles and cozy footage of England's countryside to make you want to pack up and head to either city immediately.

'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018)

Though this movie revolves around the conflict between New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and her boyfriend's wealthy family, "Crazy Rich Asians" could pass as a tourism film for Singapore . If the Southeast Asian country wasn't on your bucket list before, this film's dazzling shots of Singapore, specifically the acclaimed Marina Bay Sands Hotel , may convince you.

'Wild' (2014)

Based on a true story, "Wild" sees Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) hike more than a thousand miles from California to Washington on the Pacific Crest Trail following her divorce and the death of her mother. On her journey, Cheryl treks through the Mojave Desert , the Sierra Nevada, and Mount Hood National Forest while reflecting on her life.

'Eat Pray Love' (2010)

After her divorce, Elizabeth (Julia Roberts) sets off to explore the world with hopes of finding herself in the process. Elizabeth's inspiring and uplifting journey takes her — and viewers — to Italy , India , and Indonesia where she discovers the pleasure of nourishment, prayer, and romance.

'La La Land' (2016)

Admittedly, this musical doesn't feature much traveling (save for a brief road trip to Mia's hometown in Nevada), but the dreamy, oversaturated shots of Los Angeles in nearly every scene are enough to make anyone want to book a flight to the City of Angels.

'Before Sunrise' (1995)

Two strangers meet aboard a train from Budapest. Jesse (Ethan Hawke) is hoping to catch a flight home to the United States while Céline (Julie Delpy) is en route to Paris . Instead of sticking to their plans, the two disembark in Vienna and spend the entire night exploring the city and falling in love. A viewing of this movie will leave you longing for an epic adventure in the picturesque Austrian capital .

'National Lampoon’s Vacation' (1983)

National Lampoon 's classic comedy series is now six films strong, but it was 1983's "Vacation" that started it all. Unlike the franchise's most famous film, "Christmas Vacation," the original movie sees the Griswolds actually hit the road for a trip to Walley World, an amusement park several states away. After you watch Chevy Chase's hilarious hijinks unfold in this film, let sequels "European Vacation" and "Vegas Vacation" inspire further travels.

'The Darjeeling Limited' (2007)

After the death of their father, three estranged brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) decide to hop aboard a train in India called The Darjeeling Limited to reconnect and experience spiritual self-discovery. Viewers catch glimpses of the Indian countryside, Hindu temples, and eventually the Himalayas — but not without a few jokes along the way.

'Up' (2009)

Arguably the most heart-wrenching animated film of all time, "Up" earns a spot on our list thanks to adorably grumpy widower Carl Fredricksen's determination to fulfill his own wanderlust. With the help of thousands of balloons and a young sidekick named Russell, Carl and his house soar across the world on an incredible journey that culminates at Paradise Falls (based on Angel Falls in Venezuela).

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

"Raiders" kicks off the iconic Indiana Jones series with a quest to find the fabled Ark of the Covenant. On his journey, Indy (Harrison Ford) makes stops in Nepal , Egypt , and the Aegean Sea , and, of course, famously runs from a giant rolling boulder in a temple in Peru . Follow up this film with its sequels, "Temple of Doom" (1984), "Last Crusade" (1989), and "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2008), to see Indy travel to Jordan , the Amazon jungle, and beyond.

'Mamma Mia!' (2008)

Few movies offer the kind of gorgeously colorful beach imagery "Mamma Mia!" and its 2018 sequel, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" provide. If you haven't seen the films, you likely know them as "the movies with all the ABBA songs." But if you have seen them, you know they're actually about three men who travel to the impossibly beautiful, albeit fictional, Greek island of Kalokairi, each believing they're the father of a young bride-to-be.

'Nomadland' (2020)

After losing her job in the town of Empire, Nevada, Fern (Frances McDormand) decides to sell her belongings, buy a van, and drive across the country working odd jobs. Fern travels through deserts, small towns, and nomad communes where she works, makes new friends, and learns about life. If you've ever fantasized about dropping everything and taking to the open road, "Nomadland" will probably either convince or deter you.

'Romancing the Stone' (1984)

When New York City-based romance novelist Joan Wilder's sister is kidnapped in Cartagena , Joan (Kathleen Turner) ends up on a rescue-mission-turned-treasure-hunt with adventure-seeking Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas). Don't be surprised if a viewing of this movie makes you want to trade in your annual beach vacation for a wild ride through the Colombian jungle .

'Paris, Je T’aime' (2006)

Paris, Je T'aime is different from the other films on this list in that it's not one film — it's 18 short films that all feature Paris as a central theme. Because the project is made up of 18 different stories in 18 different arrondissements around the city, viewers get a true, unfiltered sense of Paris, and may even find themselves inspired to visit lesser-known locales in the City of Light.

'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' (1994)

If you've ever longed to take a laughter-fueled road trip with your best friends, this film is worth a watch. In the flick, pals Tick (Hugo Weaving), Adam (Guy Pearce), and Bernadette (Terence Stamp) head out on a cross-country road trip through the Australian outback to perform their successful drag act in a new town. The trio takes up residence in an oversized tour bus called Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in this fun, ahead-of-its-time dramedy.

'RV' (2006)

While plenty of road trip movies have been made over the years, "RV" might be the only one that takes place in, well, an RV . Though the main characters in this movie face more bad luck than fun, family bonding, the film does feature generous desert , mountain , and wilderness scenery, as well as an all-star cast (Robin Williams, Kristin Chenoweth, Cheryl Hines, and Josh Hutcherson are just a few that appear).

'Point Break' (2015)

Yes, we're talking about the "Point Break" remake rather than the original film from 1991, but hear us out: the imagery in this movie inspires some serious wanderlust. The story takes viewers to several of the wildest places on Earth (Mexico's Cave of Swallows, Venezuela's Angel Falls, etc.) and though the plot is slightly different from the original (think eco-terrorism rather than bank robberies), it is quiet possibly the most visually stimulating travel movie ever made.

'Girls Trip' (2017)

When was the last time you took a trip with just your core group of girlfriends? A quick watch of this comedy will have you planning your next gal pal getaway faster than you can say "PTO." In the film, a group of friends (Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, and Jada Pinkett Smith) head to New Orleans , but you'll be ready to travel anywhere with your best buds after watching "Girls Trip" — even if it's just to the next town over.

'The Way' (2010)

After his son is killed walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to Galicia, Spain, Tom Avery (Martin Sheen) sets out on the trail himself to retrieve his son's body. Along the way, Tom meets several other travelers who are walking the trail in hopes of changing their own lives for one reason or another. This inspiring film may just persuade you to make the famed pilgrimage yourself, or to book a similarly reflective trip.

'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' (2005)

If you were a teen or pre-teen in 2005, you have likely seen this movie and its 2008 sequel, and can attest that both inspire major wanderlust. The first film follows best friends Carmen, Lena, Bridget, and Tibby (who share a magical pair of jeans that fits them all perfectly) as they spend a summer in different parts of the world. Lena (Alexis Bledel) travels to Santorini, Greece , which makes for some seriously dreamy backdrops. In the sequel, the whole gang heads to Greece, but not before Bridget (Blake Lively) spends some time in Turkey .

'Up in the Air' (2009)

This George Clooney-led comedy-drama makes business travel and airports look glamorous — hospitable, even. Boasting just as many cityscape shots as it does plane scenes, "Up in the Air" will have you longing to be in the skies, jet setting off to some place new. Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga also star in this critically-acclaimed film about a man who lives out of a suitcase.

'Around the World in 80 Days' (1956)

If this classic adventure film doesn't inspire daydreams of traveling somewhere new, we're not sure what will. In 1872, Englishman Phileas Fogg makes a bet with several members of his gentleman's club that he can travel around the globe in just 80 days. On his journey, he and sidekick Jean Passepartout bring viewers along as they travel by gas balloon to France , Spain , Italy , India, Hong Kong , the United States , and more.

'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' (1992)

The Home Alone movies usually fall under the comedy or holiday categories, but if you think about it, the second installment in the series is totally a travel movie. The film does a fantastic job of showing off the glamorous side of New York City , the place young Kevin McCallister accidentally ends up while the rest of his family vacations in Florida. From shots of the Rockefeller Christmas tree to the Manhattan skyline , this film is sure to inspire a trip to the Big Apple.

'Under the Tuscan Sun' (2003)

You won't find shots of northern Italy as serene as the ones in this feel-good film about independence, love, and friendship. After losing everything in her divorce, American writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) suddenly finds herself beginning a new life in the small Tuscan town of Cortona. And if you're anything like us, Googling "Tuscan villas for sale" will become a regular part of your life after watching this film.

'Angels & Demons' (2009)

Though "Angels & Demons" is classified as a thriller, it'll definitely make you want to head to Rome and dig up some history, both figuratively and literally. Based on the Dan Brown novel of the same name, the story follows Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) as he discovers secrets of the Vatican and faces off against the supposed Illuminati. If you're a fan, check out other Dan Brown adventure travel films, "The Da Vinci Code" (2006) and "Inferno" (2016).

'Easy Rider' (1969)

Our list features travel by plane, train , RV, and even hot air balloon , but "Easy Rider" is the only movie that follows a journey via motorcycle. In the film, drug smugglers Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) ride from Los Angeles to New Orleans in hopes of reveling at Mardi Gras to celebrate their latest score. On their journey, they stop in several small towns, make a few friends, and unsuccessfully try to evade trouble.

'Out of Africa' (1985)

If Africa doesn't currently have a spot on your bucket list, this film might make you rethink that. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star in this true story about Karen Blixen, a Danish woman who moves to Nairobi with her new husband, and builds a life there despite their many marital issues. "Out of Africa" features sweeping panoramic shots of Nairobi in nearly every scene, leaving it no wonder the drama won seven Academy Awards, including one for Best Cinematography.

'Johnson Family Vacation' (2004)

This family comedy starring Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, and Solange Knowles follows the mildly dysfunctional Johnsons as they road trip to their family reunion in Missouri. On the drive, the family hilariously encounters just about every road trip cliché, from picking up a problematic hitchhiker to running out of gas, before making it to the reunion and performing a musical number to nab the coveted Family of the Year trophy.

'Midnight in Paris' (2011)

Set in present-day Paris , this Oscar-winning film is typically a favorite among art and literature lovers. At midnight each night, screenwriter Gil (Owen Wilson) is transported back in time through different eras of Paris, where he befriends Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Pablo Picasso, and even strikes up a romance with a 1920s woman named Adriana. The film offers plenty of inspiration for a culturally rich trip to France.

'The Parent Trap' (1998)

"The Parent Trap" is another film that may not immediately stand out as a travel flick, but once you take into account the film's many settings ( London , San Francisco, Napa Valley , and the northeastern U.S.), it's easy to see that this family classic has been a travel film all along. Plus, the main characters spend lots of time on planes, boats, and camping trips throughout the movie.

'The Talented Mr. Ripley' (1999)

Carefully spliced between disturbing revelations and suspenseful plot twists are luxurious shots of Italian beaches in this Matt Damon-led film. When Tom Ripley (Damon) is paid to travel to Italy and bring Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) back to the States by Dickie's father, Tom ends up befriending — and later becoming obsessed with — Dickie. Despite the plot quickly darkening, viewers are treated to bright, colorful scenes in Rome and glamorous seaside villages .

'Roman Holiday' (1953)

Romance? Check. Stunning visuals of Rome ? Check. Audrey Hepburn? Check. This classic travel comedy lands at the top of many movie buffs' all-time favorite lists, and for good reason. Bored with her mundane life as a European princess while on a trip to Rome, Ann (Hepburn) ditches her duties and hits the town with journalist Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). The two take viewers on a tour of the Eternal City and fall in love in the process.

'Pee-wee’s Big Adventure' (1985)

Before you roll your eyes, take a moment to acknowledge that this film essentially sends happy-go-lucky Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) on the great American road trip in search of his stolen bicycle. In this comedy for adults and children alike, Pee-wee stops at the Alamo, the Cabazon Dinosaur park in California , and Hollywood . Traveling by car, truck, and train, Pee-wee befriends a biker gang, competes in a rodeo, and of course, famously dances to "Tequila" before his journey is through.

Hillary Maglin is a digital editor who splits most of her time between New York City and Pittsburgh. You can find her on Instagram @hillarymaglin , where her DMs are always open to discuss travel gear, wine bars, and Taylor Swift's latest record.

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Home » Blog » 25 Best Travel Movies On Netflix

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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75+ Best Travel Movies to Inspire Your Wanderlust

Home » Blog » Travel » 75+ Best Travel Movies to Inspire Your Wanderlust

 curated a giant list of wanderlust-inducing movies that’ll make you feel as if you are on an adventure far, far away. This list of travel movies covers all genres, from comedies to dramas to documentaries and even a big section of travel series on Netflix!

It’s not always possible to jump on a plane bound for a far-flung destination, but that doesn’t mean your wanderlust just quietly subsides. Nah, that’s when those itchy feet get even itchier. We know the struggle all too well, friends.

There’s no real cure, but sometimes looking at old travel photos does the trick and other times, getting wrapped up in a good travel book makes you almost feel like you did get on that plane after all…

But let’s be real, sometimes you just need to curl up on your couch and turn your brain off for a while. Finding a good travel movie (or Netflix series!) lets you escape reality andexperience the magic of traveling without ever leaving your living room.

We’ve curated a giant list of travel movies including some of our personal favorites as well as some films that are on our to-watch list. Some of these movies are specifically about travel, while others give you a glimpse into places around the world that might inspire your next big trip.

Whether you’re an avid traveler or someone who prefers to “explore” from the comforts of home, these movies will transport you to new and exciting locations around the globe. So bring on the popcorn and cozy slippers and get ready for your next travel adventure!

Types of Travel Movies

We’ve done our best to round up a variety of different kinds of travel movies — from comedic and light-hearted tales to action-packed thrillers to educational series. There is even a section of Netflix-produced films for easy accessibility! Whatever your movie genre preferences, you’ll find pretty much everything on the list.

Psst! Be sure to look for our personal notes, as we’re sharing our favorites on this list as well as a handful that are on our to-watch list!

Jump to the type of movie you prefer and see all the options we’ve gathered just for you:

Action & Adventure

Inspirational travel movies.

Travel & Romance

Outdoor Adventure Movies

Animated Travel Movies

Travel documentaries, netflix original travel series.

If you’re looking for a little comedic relief and some light-hearted travel inspiration, these movies are for you!

The Bucket List

Where: Around the world

What: This is the uplifting story of two strangers who decide to make the most out of life while facing their impending deaths. 

Two strangers nearing the end of their lives form a bond while sharing a room in the hospital. They decide to take a journey across the globe together checking off items on a list of things they want to accomplish before they kick the bucket. 

Watch trailer | Purchase | Rent

Crazy Rich Asians

Where: Singapore, New York City

What: A romantic comedy about love exceeding cultural barriers and family and societal pressures. 

TWS Favorite!

In this hilarious and heart-warming film, a girl from New York City, Rachel, agrees to go to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick to meet his family for the first time. She discovers his family is not only crazy-rich but he is also one of the country’s most eligible bachelors and she must fight off the competition – mostly his family – who don’t believe she is good enough for him. 

Watch trailer | Purchase | Rent  

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Where: Iceland, Greenland, New York City

What: An inspiring film about stepping into the unknown and embracing unexpected adventures.  

Based on a short story, this movie is a blend of adventure, comedy and drama. The viewer follows the life of Walter Mitty, a man who is living an ordinary and often boring life but daydreams of more. Adventures begin to unfold when he steps out of his comfort zone, and he follows a hunch that brings him to Greenland and Iceland. A little predictable at times, but we like this movie a lot! The stunning landscapes and inspirational storyline are always a good pick-me-up. 

Psst! When this movie makes you want to pack your bags and travel to Iceland , we’ve got tons of tips and useful info for you!

Lost in Translation

Where: Tokyo, Japan

What: A comedic drama about an unlikely friendship and facing personal challenges.

Bob is an aging American actor on assignment in Tokyo where he meets Charlotte, a young college graduate who’s been left behind by her photographer husband. Gradually the pair forms an unlikely friendship and face the challenges in their lives that they were running away from. 

Inspired to travel to Tokyo after watching this movie? We’ve got a huge list of the best things to do in Tokyo to help you plan a future trip!

The Darjeeling Limited

Where: India

What: A comedic film that examines the role of grief, extravagance and spirituality in the bond of family. 

Three brothers set out on a so-called “spiritual journey” to try and reconnect a year after the death of their father. Their adventure takes them across India on a train called the Darjeeling Limited and forces them into self-reflection. 

Where: Bruges, Belgium

What: A dark comedy set in a beautiful medieval city in Belgium   

After a job goes wrong, Irish hitmen, Ray and Ken, decide to hole up in Belgium until things cool down. In the medieval city of Bruges, they meet tourists and locals and even find romance. 

Last Holiday

Where: Europe

What: A comedic film about breaking out of your shell, throwing caution to the wind and finding true happiness in life. 

After the discovery of a terminal illness, a shy woman (aka Queen Latifah) cashes out her bank accounts and jets off to Europe to live out her last days like a millionaire. Her positive attitude charms everyone she meets, the only thing she is missing is her long-time crush. While this movie might be a bit cheesy and cliché, it’s an uplifting comedy for a light-hearted movie night. 

Midnight in Paris

Where: Paris, France

What: A comedic film in which Woody Allen mocks the classic American ideals of status and class, set against the backdrop of nightlife in Paris. 

While on vacation in Paris with his fiancee and her family, Gil is having a hard time fitting in with her stuffy, pretentious family. In the midst of trying to finish his debut novel, he is beguiled by the city, which takes him to a time past, away from his fiancee.

The Hangover Part II

Where: Thailand  

What: The sequel to The Hangover, this movie follows a group of friends on a comedic adventure in Bangkok, Thailand.

If you’ve seen the original, you know this group of friends makes some poor decisions that lead to cringe-y but laugh-out-loud consequences like face tattoos and marrying strangers. Set 2 years after the original movie, one of the friends (Stu) is getting married in Thailand, and all that can go wrong does…

Psst! If all the bad things that happen in this movie don’t scare you away from planning a trip to Thailand , we’ve got all the information you need!

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

What: An uplifting tale of self-discovery, romance, and second chances.

Seven strangers decide to uproot their lives in the UK and live out the remainder of their golden years in what is promised to be a luxury resort for seniors. They get a lot more than they bargained for when they arrive in India to find the hotel in less than operational standards. However, with the encouragement of the hotel’s enthusiastic owner, they form unlikely bonds and bring the hotel and each other back to life. 

What: Uplifting film about a young woman who sets out on a mission to make other people’s lives better.

This quirky comedy is set in Paris, and brings you on a journey through this iconic city. The story follows Amélie, a young woman with a unique perspective on the world who is making it her mission to bring her own unique sense of justice to the world. As she’s helping others, she embarks on her own love story. 

Watch trailer | Purchase

Up in the Air

Where: Airports

What: The ups and downs in the lives of (very) frequent travelers.

This witty comedy starring George Clooney and Anna Kendrick, mostly takes place in airports and in the air instead of the destination itself. While it’s focused on travel for business, most travelers can relate to the “airport life” that you either love or hate, but can’t really escape.

Watch trailer | Watch Movie (Free with Amazon Prime Video)

Note: If you dig the airport setting, then be sure to check out Catch Me If You Can and The Terminal .

Be on the edge of your seat as you journey across the world with these dramatic tales adventures that take place around the globe. No packing necessary! Although you might want to keep the Kleenex box nearby for a few of the movies on this list…

Where: Thailand

What: This drama based on the best selling novel of the same name, examines the idea of self-discovery and limits of a utopian society. 

TWS Favorite! (We also like the book !)

Young American backpacker Richard arrives in Thailand with a thirst for adventure and the desire to discover something new. After hearing rumors about “The Beach”, he sets out to find paradise with his new friends. Soon after they arrive on the idyllic island, they realize that paradise isn’t always what it seems and find themselves in a fight for their own survival. 

The Motorcycle Diaries

Where: Motorcycle trip around South America

What: A film about two young men on a journey to “forget who they were and discover who they are.”

TWS Favorite! (This is a book too !)

A biopic based on the memoir of 23-year-old Ernesto “Che” Guevara (later known as a Marxist guerilla leader and prominent figure of the Cuban Revolution, Che Guevara) as he finds his calling in life while on a motorcycle road trip across South America with his best friend Alberto. 

Where: Morocco, Japan, Mexico and the US

What: This film gives an interesting take on cultural diversity and the barriers that both separate and connect humankind around the world. 

Told non-linearly, this is the story of four disparate groups of people on 3 separate continents whose destinies are intertwined after an accidental shooting leaves an American tourist fighting for her life in a remote village of Morocco. The film depicts the emotional struggles and traumatic situations as each of the characters tries to deal with their problems and winds up making an even greater mess of things. 

Where: India and Australia

What: A biographical drama based on the memoir of Saroo Brierley.

At 5 years old, Sarroo is separated from his family in an unlucky series of events that leaves him alone on the streets of Calcutta, facing many challenges while thousands of miles from home. After being adopted by an Australian family, 25 years later he sets out on a journey through India to find his long-lost family. 

Y Tu Mama También 

Where: Mexico

What: With a combination of drama, comedy and sex, this coming-of-age film follows two teenage boys on their road trip across Mexico.

Julio and Tenoch, like most 17-year old boys, are driven by raging hormones, intense friendships, and a reckless rush towards adulthood. While on a cross-country road trip over the course of a summer with an older female companion, the two best friends get into plenty of trouble but ultimately find connection with each other, themselves and the world around them. 

Seven Years in Tibet

Where: Nepal, Tibet

What: Based on the memoir, this is the film adaptation of the real life events that lead Heinrich Harrer to spend seven transformational years in Tibet.

Follow legendary explorer, Heinrich Harrer, on his extraordinary journey across the frozen Himalayas. From being imprisoned by the Chinese to becoming one of the first Europeans to enter Tibet and the Forbidden City of Lhasa where his friendship with the young Dalai Lama transforms his life. 

The Impossible

What: Based on a true story of survival and the desperate drive to be reunited with family. 

In 2004, tragedy struck Southeast Asia in one of the worst natural disasters in human history. The Bennett family is on holiday in Thailand when a tsunami hits without warning, devastating the country and separating the family, leaving them to survive the initial impact and embark on a heart-wrenching search to reunite amongst the chaotic aftermath.   

Memoirs of a Geisha

Where: Japan

What: A Cinderella story set in a mysterious and exotic world where against all odds a house servant rises to decide her own destiny.

Sold to a geisha house at the age of nine-years-old, Chiyo Sakamoto becomes a victim of unpleasant circumstances, but her fate changes when she meets Mameha. The relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful and Chiyo blossoms to become the most captivating geisha of her time. 

Half of a Yellow Sun

Where: Nigeria

What: A drama that brings together the lives of four people during the struggle to establish an independent republic in Nigeria.

On the top of our to-watch list!

Twin sisters from a wealthy Nigerian family, who were educated in England, return to Nigeria to take wildly different paths in life. However, both become swept up in the struggle of the Nigerian civil war.

Watch trailer | Purchase (Free on Amazon Prime Video) | Rent

Slumdog Millionaire

What: Loosely based on a true story, this is one young man’s emotional and uplifting tale of rising above circumstance to fulfill what he believes is his destiny. 

A Mumbai teen becomes a contestant on the Indian version of the show ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ When he is accused of cheating, he reflects on his childhood in the slums, his struggles and his long lost love, revealing how he knew all the answers.

If your favorite kind of movies usually involve guns, spies, or some kind of action hero who narrowly escapes death multiple times before the credit scene, then these travel movies are for you!

Where: North Africa

What: An action-packed comedy following treasure hunters on an adventure through the most dangerous parts of Northern Africa.

An explorer finds the adventure of a lifetime when he and his wise-cracking sidekick venture through some of the most dangerous parts of North Africa in search of a lost Civil War battleship known as the Ship of Death. Using their wits and clever heroics, they partner up with a beautiful WHO doctor who believes the ship may have something to do with the mysteriously spreading plague she is investigating.

Indiana Jones

Where: US, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Jordan, Egypt, India, China, Peru, etc. etc. etc.!

What: A classic action series based on the around the world adventures of Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, a fictional professor of archaeology. 

TWS Favorite: These were my favorite movies growing up as a kid, and they still spark a sense of adventure in me today!

Follow the adventures of Dr. Indiana Jones and his unlikely sidekicks as he sets out on assignments to find ancient artifacts and save the world from Nazis and bad guys. Though the original 3 movies were filmed in the 80s, they are filled with action-packed comedy that has stood the test of time and still carry a fan-base to this day.

Raiders of the Lost Ark: Peru, USA, Nepal, Egypt, Tunisia

Temple of Doom: China, India

The Last Crusade: USA, Venice, Jordan

While there was a 4th Indiana Jones (Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) released in 2008, and a 5th set to hit theaters in 2021, we’d definitely recommend starting with the originals!

The Da Vinci Code

Where: France, UK

What: An action-packed mystery thriller is based on the best selling novel about a fictional professor of Symbology. 

Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon travels to Paris to investigate a murder inside the Louvre. Once he realizes he’s under investigation, he pairs up with the deceased’s daughter following clues hidden inside Da Vinci’s works to discover a religious secret that could shake the foundations of Christianity. 

Like this movie? Watch the following two films in the series: Angels & Demons and Inferno .

The Italian Job

Where: Italy, Los Angeles

What: An action-packed crime drama following a group of professional thieves from Italy to Los Angeles.  

Professional thief Charlie Croker pulled off the heist of a lifetime in Italy, but was betrayed by one of his team members and left for dead. Along with the help of his former boss’s safe-cracking daughter, Croker assembles a team of con artists and formulates a plan to retaliate by stealing back the gold from his former ally. 

City of God

Where: Brazil

What: This action-heavy film illustrates the crippling effect of poverty with limited choices for survival. 

Set in the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, this film follows two young men as they navigate the increasing drug-related violence of their neighborhood. José is an ambitious drug dealer who uses photographer Rocket, and his photos of the crime-ridden slums, as a way to increase his fame while a turf war erupts with his rival. The film was shot on location in Rio’s poorest neighborhoods.

The Tourist

Where: Italy

What: A romantic action thriller about the dangerous world of espionage. 

An American tourist is seeking solace in Italy after a recent heartbreak finds his life turned upside down when he meets a beautiful woman on a train going to Venice who convinces everyone that he is her lover who is wanted by the police.

Lord of the Rings trilogy

Where: Middle-earth (aka New Zealand)

What: A series of three epic fantasy adventure films based on the novel written by J. R. R. Tolkien.

Set in the fictional world of Middle-earth, the films follow the hobbit Frodo Baggins as he and his companions embark on a quest to destroy a ring that will ensure the destruction of its evil maker and save the free people of Middle-earth.

This epic fantasy adventure is filmed mostly on location in New Zealand , so while the movie may take place in a fictional land, the landscapes give a peek into the real-world southern hemisphere destination. 

If you are looking to be lifted up and inspired, these feel-good movies will bring you along on transformational journeys and will reignite your wanderlust.

The Art of Travel

Where: Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Bolivia and California

What: A film that explores the very nature of wanderlust, how it informs character and transforms life.

On his wedding day, Connor walks out on his cheating bride-to-be and decides to embark on his honeymoon alone. While on the road in Central and South America he befriends a ragtag group of travelers and encounters both physical and metaphorical obstacles as he learns the art of travel.

Watch trailer | Watch (Free on Amazon Prime Video)

Hector and the Search for Happiness

Where: UK, China, Africa

What: One man’s search around the globe for joy and ultimately purpose. 

Disillusioned by his own existence, psychiatrist Hector feels he is a fraud for treating patients who never seem to improve or get any happier. Finally reaching his breaking point, he decides to make a change and embarks on an international quest to find the formula for happiness. 

Where: Australia

What: Based on the bestselling memoir, this drama chronicles the author’s solo journey across the Australian desert.

Mia, a young Australian woman, sets off on a journey to find solitude by embarking on a solo trip across the desert from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean. She is accompanied only by her dog and 4 camels to make the 9-month journey on foot.

Whale Rider

Where: New Zealand

What: An uplifting family drama that questions gender roles in cultural traditions. 

When her twin brother dies at birth, Pai decides to fulfill the destiny he was given to become the chief of their Maori tribe in New Zealand. The only problem is, only males are allowed to become chiefs. With the help of her grandmother and the training of her uncle, the 12-year-old strives to win over her ultra-traditional grandfather and claim her birthright. 

Learning about Maori culture is one of the many things you should know before planning a trip to New Zealand .

The Fundamentals of Caring (Netflix Original)

Where: Road trip across the United States

What: A feel-good movie about overcoming personal challenges and finding hope in friendship. 

After suffering a personal tragedy, retired writer Ben decides to become a personal caregiver to Trevor, a snobby 18-year-old with muscular dystrophy. They take an impromptu road trip across the US to see all of the quirky road-side stops Trevor has become obsessed with when they meet Dot, a runaway, who joins them on their journey and helps them come to understand the importance of friendship and hope. 

Watch trailer | Watch on Netflix

Where: Road trip across Canada

What: A humorous and moving film about grappling with one’s own immortality on a search for self-discovery.

When 20-something Ben Tyler is given a terminal diagnosis, he flees from his impending marriage and boring job in an attempt to live out the rest of his life to the fullest. His misguided road trip on a vintage motorcycle becomes an adventure of self-discovery set against the great Canadian landscape.

Queen of Katwe

Where: Uganda

What: An inspirational story of a young girl who lifts herself out of poverty through the game of chess.

This film from Disney is based off of the real life story of a girl named Phiona who grew up in a slum in Uganda called Katwe. At the age of 10, Phiona is introduced to the game of chess and soon begins competing. Her talent opens doors that she never thought would be possible.

The Hundred-Foot Journey

Where: A small village in the French countryside

What: A heart-warming tale of overcoming cultural differences, romance, and following one’s passion.

This story follows an Indian family who moves to southern France and shakes things up in a small village when they open a restaurant across the street from a Michelin-starred French restaurant. When the son decides to go cook for the competition across the street, cultures clash, loyalties are tested, and boundaries are pushed.

Kodachrome (Netflix Original)

Where: A road trip across the US

What: An emotional and somewhat humorous film with incredible cinematography. 

When Matt’s estranged father’s nurse shows up at his office out of the blue, asking Matt to drop everything and honor his father’s dying wish, he finds his life turned upside down. Reluctantly, Matt joins his famed bad-boy photojournalist father and the nurse on a journey to the last remaining lab in the country that is still developing Kodachrome film. 

Where: The “Camino de Santiago” trail in Spain, France and Portugal

What: A powerful and inspirational film about dealing with loss, family dynamics and unlikely friendships. 

When Tom’s adult son is tragically killed in a storm while walking the The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James trail, he sets out to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect his son’s remains. But instead of returning home as planned, Tom decides to complete the historical pilgrimage in honor of his son. 

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

What: An adventure comedy-drama film about personal growth and relationships.

TWS Favorite! 

When a rebellious boy is left in the care of tough but loving foster parents, he and his foster uncle become the subject of a nationwide manhunt after they get themselves stranded in the wild New Zealand bush. 

Inspired to travel to NZ after watching this? This film brings you through some beautiful landscapes across Kiwi country, and we’ve got tons of resources to help you plan an epic vacation to New Zealand !

A Dog’s Way Home

Where: A journey across Colorado

What: A humorous and moving film about the bonds of love and friendship between man and dog. 

Told from the perspective of Bella, a rescue dog, who gets separated from her human and embarks on a 400-mile journey across Colorado to be reunited with him. Along the way, she encounters people and animals that need her help and help her to reach her final destination. 

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Where: Greece, Mexico and suburban America 

What: A coming-of-age tale that highlights the bonds of friendship when grappling with family relationships, romance, and change.

In this “guilty pleasure”-esque flick, four best friends who couldn’t be more different in personality and style find a pair of pants that miraculously fits each of them perfectly. As they set out on separate adventures spending their first ever summer apart, they agree to share the pants between them in the hope that it will keep their bond strong.

*If you like this movie, check out the sequel , which brings all four friends to Greece!

The Road Within

What: An inspiring film about grappling with mental health and overcoming personal challenges. 

After the death of his mother, Robert, a young man with Tourette’s Syndrome is sent to an in-patient facility to get help with his condition. There he meets two unlikely friends and together they embark on an adventure across the country in a stolen car. An epic road trip that will change their lives forever. This feel-good movie takes a deeper look at interpersonal relationships and the stigma of mental health, proving that life is truly about the journey and not always the destination. 

Watch Trailer | Watch (Free with Amazon Prime Video)

Travel & Romance Movies

Get swept off your feet (or couch!) with these light hearted tales of romance and adventure that take place around the world.

Eat Pray Love

Where: New York, Italy, India, Indonesia

What: Based on the best selling memoir, Eat Pray Love is one woman’s journey to reignite her passion for life, connect with her spirituality and focus on herself. 

Leaving behind her comfortable life and a marriage she was no longer happy in, Elizabeth Gilbert takes a year-long sabbatical for a journey of self-discovery eating her way through Italy, practicing meditation in India, and finding love in Bali, Indonesia. 

Perhaps one of the most cliched travel + love stories, this one doesn’t resonate with everyone, but those for whom it does tend to be pretty inspired by this true journey. (In our opinion, the book is better, but the movie indulges you with some pretty scenes from Italy, India and Indonesia!) 

Bali dreaming? After watching this movie, you’ll want to plan a trip to Bali (trust me!). Check out our list of top things to do on this island (we lived there for 6 months, so we’ve got quite the list!).

Under the Tuscan Sun

Where: Tuscany

What: This film is about stepping out of your comfort zone and finding / creating your own happiness.  

Frances Mayes is a 35-year-old writer living in San Francisco, suffering from writer’s block and depression after her recent divorce. When her friend gifts her a trip to Italy, she impulsively decides to buy an abandoned villa in the Tuscan countryside. Restoring the home leads her to new friends and a life-changing adventure filled with unexpected surprises. 

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Where: Barcelona, Spain

What: A Woody Allen film about the nature of love and how it plays out between consenting adults. 

Vicky and Cristina are two friends who are spending their summer vacationing in Barcelona when they meet a handsome artist named Juan Antonio and begin an illicit affair. When his ex-wife Maria Elena comes back into the picture, things get interesting and the girls get more than they bargained for. 

Monsoon Wedding

What: This movie follows the complexities, drama, comedy, romance and utter chaos that is an Indian wedding.

Aditi is the only daughter in a modern, upper-middle-class family in Delhi, and her family has arranged her marriage to the son of a family friend who lives in Texas. Their wedding is going to be the event of the year. However, it is not without its twists and turns, hidden family secrets, affairs, and unexpected romance.

Letters to Juliet

Where: Italy, New York

What: A romantic chick-flick about following your heart and finding true love. 

Sophie is an aspiring writer in New York City who travels to Verona, Italy with her chef-obsessed boyfriend, where she meets the “Secretaries of Juliet” and finds an old love letter hiding in a wall. Sophie sets out on a journey across Italy with the woman who wrote the letter, Claire, and her reluctant grandson, to reunite her with her true love from decades past. 

P.S. I Love You

Where: Ireland, NYC

What: A tragic story of life after loss and finding new love and happiness.

This movie follows Holly, a young woman who has just lost her husband to cancer. Before his death, he organized a scavenger hunt type of adventure that brings her back to his hometown in Ireland with her girlfriends. 

A Good Year

Where: Provence, France

What: Set in French wine country, this movie follows a man’s journey to finding love and realizing what is important in life. 

Max is a work-a-holic London banker who makes a quick trip to Provence with the intention of selling his late uncle’s vineyard and estate. But things don’t go as planned. Max unearths secrets, finds romance, and gets a lesson on what’s really important in life. 

Before Sunrise

Where: Vienna, Austria

What: A story of modern-day romance between people from two different worlds.

If you’ve ever had a travel fling, this indie film will grip you. It follows the story of an American traveler, Jesse, who falls for an Austrian student he meets on a train. Their connection is strong and they spend a night exploring Vienna together before Jesse’s flight leaves the next morning. 

Like this one? Lucky for you, there are two more in this 3-part series: Before Sunset (takes place in Paris) and Before Midnight (takes place in Greece).

Outdoor Adventure Travel Movies

To our fellow outdoor adventure lovers, this list is for you. From dramatic mountaineering feats in the Himalayas to transformational treks across the USA, these movies will take you on some epic outdoor adventures around the globe.

Everest 

Where: Climbing Mt. Everest

What: Inspired by a true story, this dramatic and thrilling adventure is about overcoming mental and physical challenges to achieve the nearly impossible.

Everest documents the dramatic and awe-inspiring journey of two expeditions to summit Mt. Everest during a devastating snow storm. The climbers battle the elements and face nearly impossible obstacles as their lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival. 

Want to know more? Read about our 17-day journey to Everest Base Camp !

A Walk in the Woods

Where: The Appalachian Trail

What: Based on the best-selling book, this is the story of two friends attempting to hike the Appalachian Trail. 

On the top of our to-watch list (we loved the book )!

Sick of life being all about ailments and funerals, Bill decides to push himself on an adventure hiking the Appalachian Trail. After protests from his wife, he recruits an old friend for the journey. 

This is the light-hearted and humorous story of the ill-prepared friends on their attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail in their later years of life. 

Into the Wild

Where: Hitchhiking across North America to Alaska

What: Based on a true story, this is a biographical adventure drama film of a young man’s journey to find meaning, belonging and love on a solo journey. 

Christopher McCandless is a young man who decides to hitchhike across North America to reach the Alaskan wilderness. During his transformative journey, he encounters several people and situations which change who he is as a person. This story is also a book ! 

Where: Crossing the ocean from Peru to Polynesia

What: A historical adventure-drama about the 1947 Kon-Tiki trans-oceanic expedition.

Norwegian explorer Thor believes that the South Sea Islands were originally colonized by South Americans. He sets out to prove his theory by recruiting 5 companions to set sail from Peru on a wooden raft built from an ancient design with only the stars and ocean currents to guide them. Along the way their moral and physical limits are tested as they encounter more than they bargained for. 

Where: The Pacific Crest Trail

What: Based on the best-selling memoir, this is the story of one woman’s transformative journey hiking the PCT. 

When her life feels like it’s hit rock bottom after losing her mother, battling drug abuse, a slew of one-night-stands, and her marriage crumbling, Cheryl Strayed (played by Reese Witherspoon) makes the impulsive decision to hike over 1,000 of the Pacific Crest Trail, with no experience or training, completely solo. 

Get the family together for a cultural experience or a far-flung adventure to another world. These movies will take you on a comedic journey to some interesting places, and hopefully remind you that animated movies are not just for kids!

Where: Celebrating the culture of Mexico

What: This light-hearted and comedic tale deals with family dynamics set against the backdrop of Dia de Los Muertos celebrations in Mexico. 

TWS Favorite! We watched this for the first time on a bus to Oaxaca (one of our favorite Mexican cities!), and it taught us a lot about local culture.

Young Miguel has a passion for performing. Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, he dreams of becoming a singer like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. After a mysterious series of events during the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, Miguel finds himself in the Land of the Dead where he befriends a trickster and winds up uncovering secrets of his family’s history. 

A delightful and excellent portrayal of the cultural holiday, this animated film is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations. Plus, it’s great for kids!

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Where: Life as an animal in the African bush

What: This is the comedic portrayal of what happens when New York City zoo animals find themselves in the wild African bush. 

In the sequel to the popular Dreamworks hit, Madagascar, this fun bunch of NYC zoo animals find themselves in Africa for the first time in their lives. The characters hilariously portray what it would be like to discover “the wild” for the first time after being raised in a zoo, and the difference between New York City and the African bush. With humor that can span generations, this is a fun film for the whole family. 

Where: An imaginary adventure in South America

What: A comedic animated film about taking chances and fulfilling one’s dreams before it’s too late. 

78-year-old Carl Fredricksen decides to tie thousands of balloons to his house and flies away on his an adventure into the wild of South America. When he realizes he’s accidentally brought along a 9-year-old Wilderness Explorer as an unwitting stowaway, the two have to make the most of their circumstance and build a friendship. 

Where: Polynesia

What: A lovable Disney movie that follows the adventures of a brave young girl on an important mission.

Moana is a high-spirited teenager who is on a mission to save her people  by sailing across the open ocean in search of answers. Along the way, she meets a demigod, fights monsters, defies impossible odds, and discovers her true identity. The whole family will love this movie and its catchy songs, plus, you’ll feel as if you’ve escaped to a tropical island! 

Ratatouille

What: A story of rising above one’s circumstances and proving once and for all that truly anyone can cook.   

Remy, a resident of Paris, has quite the sophisticated palate and aspires to become a French chef. There is just one problem… he is a rat. When he winds up in the sewer beneath one of Paris’ finest restaurants, Remy befriends a young kitchen worker and together they cook up amazing dishes using Remy’s talents.

Sahara (Netflix Original)

Where: A journey across the Sahara Desert

What: A story of friendship and love takes these characters on a journey out of their comfort zones. 

When his new love is captured by an evil snake charmer, a kind-hearted cobra and his best friend, a scorpion, set out on a wild rescue mission across the Sahara desert. This cute animated film is best for children. 

Find out what life is like around the globe through your own eyes in these compelling documentaries about travel, humanity and the species that share our planet.

Life in a Day 

What: A National Geographic feature documenting daily life in 192 countries around the world. 

From National Geographic, Producer Ridley Scott and Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald asked the world to chronicle their lives via video in a single day. They took the 4,500 hours of footage submitted from 192 countries — all shot on July 24, 2010 — and created the groundbreaking documentary, Life in a Day.

Watch trailer | Watch for free on YouTube

Losing Sight of Shore 

Where: Rowing across the Pacific Ocean

What: An inspiring documentary about overcoming challenges, both mental and physical, to achieve a common goal. 

Four women set out to make history as they row across the Pacific Ocean, from America to Australia. Covering over 8,000 miles of open ocean, they must overcome extreme mental and physical challenges during their nine months at sea.

Expedition Happiness

Where: Road trip from Alaska to South America

What: An inspiring documentary about taking chances and following your dreams in the pursuit of happiness. 

A filmmaker and his musician girlfriend leave their lives in Germany behind and buy a school bus which they renovate and move into for their journey driving from Alaska to South America with their dog.

Did this film get you curious about #VanLife?! We’ve got all sorts of content on campervans , from how to build your own to insider advice and epic campervan adventures!

Pedal the World 

Where: Around the world by bicycle

A filmmaker and his musician girlfriend leave their lives in Germany behind and buy a school bus which they renovate and move into for their journey driving from Alaska to South America with their dog. 

Planet Earth & Planet Earth II

Where: Nature up close around the globe

What: A documentary series and follow up series that takes a close look at nature in our planet’s many ecosystems. 

A BBC-produced television docu-series with breathtaking high-definition footage of some of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders — from the oceans to the deserts to the polar ice caps. Actress Sigourney Weaver narrates the American version, while David Attenborough is the voice of the original production.

Human Planet

What: A documentary series that takes a close look at humans and their relationship with nature around the globe. 

Filmed in dozens of locations around the world, this awe-inspiring BBC production documents how humans interact with their natural surroundings. Each episode is tied to a particular habitat to showcase humans who have adapted to thrive in these extreme environments by building complex relationships with their animal neighbors. 

A Map for Saturday

What: A film documenting the emotional arc of extreme long-term travel for everyone who’s ever wondered what it would be like to travel the world. 

“On a trip around the world, every day feels like Saturday.” Long before the time of Travel influencers and vlogging, documentary filmmaker Brook Silva-Braga made a movie documenting his solo travels through four continents by telling the stories of travelers he meets along the way from Thailand to Nepal to Brazil.  

Encounters at the End of the World

Where: Antarctica

What: Documentary that gives you a glimpse into the least-visited continent on earth.

The only film on this list set on the continent of Antarctica, this documentary follows filmmaker Werner Herzog on his journey to the most remote parts of the earth. See the austere beauty of the landscapes and meet the people who have dedicated their lives to studying this unique part of the world.

What: A transcendent global tour that explores the sights and sounds of the human condition.

With no conventional narrative, this is a film about people, places and things from around the world. From chaotic cities to barren wilderness to former concentration camps, the movie takes viewers around the globe and doesn’t shy away from the dark side of humanity when portraying a variety of natural and technological spectacles. Ultimately proving the interconnectivity of the world by both the tragedy and celebrations of life.

Netflix has made streaming incredibly accessible in homes across the globe. If you’ve already got an account, these series will be free to watch! Also, be sure to look for throughout the rest of this list, as we’ve done our best to make note of all the movies that are available on Netflix as well!

Travels with my Father

What: A docu-series following comedian Jack Whitehall as he attempts to introduce his stuffy father to the world of backpacking through SE Asia. 

In the first season, adult comedian Jack Whitehall convinces his aging and reluctant father Michael to join him on a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia in an attempt to strengthen their bond.

They are recreating the “gap year” experience and along the way they take part in unique experiences including attending an elephant polo match in Bangkok and taking a primitive train ride in Cambodia. When their trip is completed, the pair reflect on the impact of their journey. Subsequent seasons take the pair to other parts of the world. 

Watch on Netflix

What: A documentary series about the wild inhabitants of our planet through the lens of climate change.

This is sort of Netflix’s answer to Planet Earth and the increasing concerns of climate change. This series takes an up close look at our planet’s inhabitants — from polar bears to wildebeests to marine life — and how climate change is affecting every living species on earth. 

Tales by Light

What: A documentary series about photographers and the making of their images to inspire change.

From wildlife photographers in Africa to underwater photographers in the Arctic seas, to photojournalists documenting at-risk children, this captivating Netflix series takes viewers around the world to showcase talented photographers in their mission to use imagery to save the world.

Each episode follows a photographer and shows what happens behind the lens to create their powerful images. 

Street Food: Asia

Where: Streets and food markets in Asia

What: A documentary series exploring street food in some of the world’s most vibrant cities in Asia.

From the hawker stalls of Singapore to food carts in India, this series brings viewers all over Asia to highlight the stories of perseverance and culture that bring life to various countries’ cuisine. Nations visited include Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and Vietnam.

Psst! If you like this show, you’ll love the late Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations and Parts Unknown . We love binging these shows (you can purchase them to watch on YouTube) before traveling to a new country and then trying out the restaurants he features! We’ve been to a bunch of Bourdain-approved locales around the world.

Extreme Engagement

What: In this reality series, find out if an extreme around the world trip will bring this engaged couple closer together or wind up tearing them apart.

A newly engaged couple embark on a year-long around the world journey, hoping to discover the secret of marriage by exploring marriage customs in cultures around the globe. They hope this journey will help them to know if they are really ready for a lifetime commitment to each other. 

Night on Earth

What: A documentary series that uncovers the wonders of the nocturnal wildlife around our planet. 

Similar to Planet Earth , but entirely shot at night. All around the planet, the most interesting animals reveal themselves in a completely new light.  Using new night vision technology, this nature series allows viewers to lift the veil of darkness and witness the wonders of the nocturnal world like never before. 

The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes

What: A reality series that showcases the most unique properties around the world. 

This property series  showcased the most extraordinary homes found all over the world. The hosts travel across mountains, through forests, along coasts and deep underground to find unique properties in every corner of the globe. If you’re a travel enthusiast and also a fan of HGTV, then this one’s for you! 

Restaurants on the Edge

What: A reality series that helps struggling restaurants around the world by reinventing their business model. 

Follow a team of three experts — a restaurateur, a designer and a chef — as they travel the world in search of struggling restaurants that need their help. For each episode, they target a restaurant and tap into the surroundings, culture and community to remodel each business for a chance at success. 

Looking for more travel movies?!

While we couldn’t possibly list all the travel movies out there, here are a handful of more honorable mentions to add to your watch list:

The Grand Budapest Hotel , comedy/drama

Away We Go , comedy/drama

Like Father , Netflix original comedy/drama

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert , comedy/drama

Little Miss Sunshine , comedy/drama

Adrift , drama

The Terminal , drama

The Talented Mr. Ripley , drama

Catch Me if you Can , drama

Eurotrip , comedy

Just Married , comedy

National Lampoon’s Family Vacation , comedy

The Holiday , romance/comedy

Tomb Raider , action & adventure

Murder on the Orient Express ,  crime (1974 original, 2017 remake)

Lawrence of Arabia ,  adventure/drama

Nowhere in Africa ,  drama (in German)

You may also like…

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Staying Home Survival Guide

The Ultimate Travel Planning Guide

How to Save Money to Travel the World

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We want to hear from you!

What travel movies are on your watch list? Did we miss one of your favorites? Comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!

Comments (11) on “ 75+ Best Travel Movies to Inspire Your Wanderlust ”

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing the list, 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!

What a great list. I really like that you have broken it up into genres – makes it so much easier to find what you might be looking for.

Glad to hear you like the travel movie list! Hope you got to add a few to your watch list!

Wow, what a comprehensive list! Netflix’ Street Food: Asia was one of the show I was actively watching prior to going to South Korea. I was even happy to see the lady on the SK’s segment. I had to stop and try her food and yes it was delicious.

Amazing! That’s so cool you got to try her food! I want to go to every one of the street food stalls on that show!

75 movies, I thought, wow there’s no way I’ve seen even half of these… but I was surprised at how many I’ve seen! Great list with some out of the box inclusions, too.

We tried our best to get a big variety of travel movies. We’ve seen a lot of these as well, but definitely have more to add to my watch list!

Wow that’s an awesome list .I have only seen half of them..but I will make sure to see all

Glad you liked the travel movie list, Madhu!

I started watching Travels with my Father but couldn’t finish it, because my American husband just couldn’t get the British humour or the way that Jack and his dad treated each other. I’ll have to finish watching it without him.

Hey Katherine, I can understand, it goes get a little dry at times. But I love the way Jack says "Daddy!" It gets me everytime!

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• Travel Updates

These Are 18 Of The Best Travel Movies To Inspire Your Wanderlust

Have you ever watched a film with breathtaking landscapes  or picturesque cities and had the urge to pack a suitcase and go on your next big travel adventure? Travel movies offer some of the best inspirations for those with wanderlust. They make the audience want to experience what they see onscreen for themselves. These 18 best travel movies will have you ready to set off on your own  Eat Pray Love  journey.

1. In Bruges , 2008 (Bruges)

In this comedy film, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson play hitmen, forced to seek refuge in the quiet and picturesque Bruges, Belgium after a job goes bad. Though they’re pretending to be tourists, only Gleeson’s Ken reads the guidebooks and soaks in the history, while Farrell keeps up a constant flow of complaints. Ironically, the more he complains, the more you’re going to want to visit.

2. Roman Holiday , 1953 (Rome)

This classic romantic film sees Audrey Hepburn in her debut role as Princess Ann, who wants to see Rome on her own. She is joined by an American reporter, played by Gregory Peck. The film showcases the best of Rome, from the Spanish Steps to the Colosseum, in enchanting black-and-white, and remains one of the best travel movies of all time.

3. Under the Tuscan Sun , 2003 (Tuscany)

The story of a woman who impulsively buys a villa in Tuscany, Under the Tuscan Sun  will definitely inspire you to travel to the gorgeous Italian countryside . Showcasing its delicious foods, sumptuous wines, scenic hills, and picturesque cottages, it will make you feel like following in the footsteps of Diane Lane and leaving behind urban life for a small piece of paradise.

4. Amélie , 2001 (Paris)

Amélie follows its main character through the streets of the beautiful city of Paris . It showcases the quirky Montmartre district of a bygone era, full of poetry, artists, and cobbled streets. It is one of the best travel movies to watch.

5. The Beach , 2000 (Thailand)

This movie is perhaps more famous for turning the island of Phuket and Ko Phi Phi into one of the world’s most popular beach destinations . However, it is also one of Leonardo Dicaprio best performances. It follows a group of young backpackers in search of an idyllic, romantic paradise.

6.  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel , 2011 (India)

While there is definitely no shortage of films set in India (both in English and in regional languages), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel manages to stand out. Epitomizing the phrase “you’re never too old to travel,” it follows a group of British pensioners who move to a retirement hotel in India. What follows is mayhem, madness, romance, and tragedy, all of which perfectly capture life in an Indian town.

7. The Fellowship of the Ring , 2001 (New Zealand)

Though a fantasy film, Peter Jackson’s award-winning epic was shot in New Zealand and will leave you awestruck by the stunning landscape of the country. From mountains to forests, rivers, and glaciers, New Zealand was one of the stars of the movie . It also contributed to the boom of the country’s tourist industry.

8. Before Sunrise , 1995 (Vienna)

The story of two strangers who meet on a train and spend the night strolling through the cobblestone streets of Vienna  not much happens in this film aside from walking and talking. However, it captures the beauty and quiet grandeur of the city which almost becomes a third character in their romance, much like Paris in the sequel  Before Sunset,  and Messenia, Greece, in  Before Midnight.

9. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara , 2011 (Spain)

Four best friends go on a road trip through Spain in this wonderfully filmed ode to friendship. It features adrenaline-pumping adventures and dramatic sights. Apart from its stunning visuals, it also visits exciting festivals like La Tomatina and San Fermin.

10. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty , 2013 (Iceland)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty  did for Iceland what  The Beach  did for Thailand. While it is the story of a man who hates his job and goes on a journey of self-exploration to Iceland, Greenland, and Afghanistan, filming for all three locations was done in Iceland. The breathtaking scenery and the fun activities can all be found there.

11. Call Me By Your Name , 2018 (Italy)

Luca Guadagnino’s Call Be By Your Name is a coming-of-age drama set in the spectacular Italian countryside, especially in the province of Cremona. Throughout the summer depicted in the film, the characters visit hundred-year-old piazzas, go diving in Lake Garda, and a magnificent 14th-century villa in Moscazzano.

12. The Prince of Egypt , 1998 (Egypt)

Though this is a historical film, and an animated one at that, The Prince of Egypt does what few films have managed to do before – show us the splendour, majesty, and sheer size of Ancient Egypt at its peak. Its beautiful animation and visuals truly bring to life this bygone era and make you wish you could step back in time.

13. Wild , 2014 (Pacific Crest Trail)

The story of a young woman who goes on a 1,100-mile solo hike of the Pacific Crest Trail on a journey of self-discovery. It is based on the real-life story of Cheryl Strayed. While going on a long hike on your own may not be everyone’s idea of a holiday, the stunning backdrop of the Pacific will definitely inspire more women to travel solo around the world.

14. Eat Pray Love , 2010 (Italy, India, Bali)

Ever since it was released, the book-turned-movie Eat Pray Love has been inspiring people to travel on their own on a journey of self-discovery. Based on the memoirs of Liz Gilbert, it takes us on a journey through Italy and its delicious food; the spiritually healing ashrams of India, and the relaxing calm of Bali. Played by Julia Roberts, the transformational journey is truly a treat for the senses.

15. Seven Years in Tibet , 1997 (Tibet)

This film about Austrian mountaineer, Heinrich Harrer, shows how travel and adventure can transform your life. Set in 1939, it is about his attempts to conquer a Himalayan mountain. He ends up the holy Tibetan city of Lhasa during the Chinese attack on Tibet and encounters the young Dalai Lama, whom he befriends. Filled with the landscapes of the Himalayas, Potala Palace, and other Tibetan sites, this movie was actually mainly shot in Argentina. However, it’s said that two crews secretly shot some footage in Tibet, and Brad Pitt was banned from entering China for over a decade after his appearance in the film.

16. Tracks , 2013 (Australia)

Tracks is based on the real-life story of Robyn Davidson, who walked across the breathtaking landscape of Western Australia with only four camels and her pet dog for company. In the 70s she spent eight months across Australia’s vast 1,700-mile deserts; meeting colourful characters, and learning the skills needs to survive. It is extremely inspiring to solo women travellers everywhere.

17. Y Tu Mamá También , 2001 (Mexico)

In Y Tu Mamá También , two teens, Julio and Tenoch, go on a road trip across Mexico with a seductive older woman, 28-year-old Luisa. They’re searching for a magical (and fictional) beach called Heaven’s Mouth. But, on their journey, they experience the beautiful nature of Oaxaca. At the same time, director Alfonso Cuarón doesn’t forget to show the audience a glimpse of the poverty that exists in Mexico; something that most films simply gloss over.

18. The Motorcycle Diaries , 2004 (South America)

This is the awe-inspiring story of Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s motorcycle road trip across Latin America with his friend Alberto Granado, well before he became a legendary Latin American revolutionary. The trip opens Che’s eyes to the political injustice in the country, pushing him to become a commander. It also takes us on a stunning journey of South America. From the Andes Mountains and Machu Pichu to Nahuel Huapi Lake, Atacama Desert, Patagonia, Venezuela, Caracas, Buenos Aires and Miramar; it gives us a glimpse of the beauty of South America.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and leave on your own adventure today. And if you need more inspiration, here are 18 more travel films you can watch.

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• Hot Topics Romance & Beaches

8 Best Romantic Travel Movies

• By Aren Bergstrom
• On May 25, 2020
• Read Time 7 mins

Home / Africa & Middle East / 8 Best Romantic Travel Movies

When you envision a romantic travel night out, you probably imagine sipping cocktails under the stars while your feet dip into the waters of the South Pacific in Bora Bora, or sharing oysters and champagne in a chic bistro in Montmartre, Paris, not sitting on your couch at home. But date nights ain’t what they used to be and Bora Bora and Paris are currently not possibilities for a romantic travel night. So a night at home watching a romantic movie will have to do.

In order to help you sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to romantic travel movies, we’ve shared the following eight recommendations. As we have with our other travel movie lists , we’ve avoided most of the typical suggestions, so don’t go looking for Under the Tuscan Sun. Instead, we’ve chosen good movies, first and foremost, while also understanding that there’s more to romance than fairy tale endings and generic romantic comedies. If you and your partner are missing travel, hopefully, these movies help satisfy your wanderlust while providing the sort of romantic atmosphere that’s necessary for date night.

What are the best romantic travel movies?

Before sunrise (and before sunset and before midnight).

It’s fitting that we have Before Sunrise at the top of the list, because not only is it the best romantic travel movie of all time, but it’s one of the most romantic movies, period. This 1995 independent drama from Richard Linklaker follows Jesse, a young American played by Ethan Hawke on vacation in Europe who starts up a flirtation with Celine, a pretty young Frenchwoman played by Julie Delpy, on a train in Austria. He convinces her to get off the train with him and spend 24 hours with him in Vienna as he waits for his flight back home the next morning. As they wander around the Austrian capital visiting landmarks and local bars, they get to know each other, discuss the meaning of life, and fall in love. Before Sunrise condenses the early, exciting moments of a relationship into one day set against one of the loveliest backdrops imaginable. The sequels, Before Sunset, set in Paris nine years later, and Before Midnight, set another nine years later in Greece, expand the story and delve deeper into the relationship between Jesse and Celine, but the original has the greatest romantic power.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Romance isn’t the main focus of this comedic drama about a group of English retirees (Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Tom Wilkinson, Ronald Pickup, Celia Imrie) who move to Jaipur, India to live in the titular retirement home run by an eager young entrepreneur (Dev Patel). But the movie is about the possibility for renewal in a place away from home, which includes the chance for having a fulfilling romance late in life. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel showcases the rejuvenating potential of travel as well as the beautiful colours of Rajasthan. The all-star cast puts on an acting clinic, while the various romantic subplots are satisfying without being reductive. This is a genuine crowd-pleaser that celebrates age, travel, and love, which makes it perfect for a romantic travel movie night.

Call Me by Your Name

This romantic coming-of-age story is about as sultry as movies get on this list. Set in Italy in 1983, it follows a young American, Elio (Timothée Chalamet), who is spending the summer with his parents in a rented villa. His father’s student, Oliver (Armie Hammer), comes to stay with them and over the course of the summer, Elio and Oliver find themselves falling for each other. Call Me by Your Name basks in the beauty of everything on screen, from the sunny orchards of Northern Italy to the sumptuous meals the characters enjoy to the physical beauty of the actors themselves. The movie won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and was nominated for a whole host of others, including Best Picture, but its soundtrack, framed around two songs by Sufjan Stevens and featuring classical pieces by John Adams and Ryuichi Sakamoto and Euro-pop hits by Giorgio Moroder, is maybe its most appealing element. It’s a great romantic movie option that’ll whisk you across the world.

Lost in Translation

A travel movie classic, Lost in Translation follows two lonely Americans, Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), who draw close to each other while staying in the same hotel over a few weeks in Tokyo. While the film isn’t a conventional romance—the characters never become a couple—the movie beautifully captures romantic yearning and the way that companionship is often the most necessary aspect of love. It also revels in the neon-soaked nightlife of Tokyo, with memorable scenes set in karaoke bars and hotel lounges. Few movies better capture the modern ennui of looking for companionship in a modern city far from home.

Midnight in Paris

One of Woody Allen’s most beloved movies, Midnight in Paris follows a nebbish screenwriter (Owen Wilson) who travels to Paris with his negging fiancée (Rachel McAdams) only to discover a means of travelling back to the 1920s to hang out with famous writers and artists such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrud Stein, and Salvador Dalí. Midnight in Paris wraps up romantic frustration with artistic nostalgia for the Lost Generation, which manages to capture America’s particular romantic obsession with Paris. If you’re overcome with romantic nostalgia when reading Hemingway or Fitzgerald, this is the movie for you.

Out of Africa

Perhaps the most obvious entry on this list, Out of Africa is the Best Picture-winning adaptation of Karen Blixen’s memoir about living in Kenya in the early decades of the 20th century and her romance with a handsome American big game hunter. Meryl Streep plays Blixen in the film, while Robert Redford plays her lover, Denys Finch Hatton. In many ways Out of Africa is a classic forbidden romance played out against the backdrop of the beautiful African savanna, so while the romance itself may be very conventional, the setting is anything but.

Roman Holiday

This romantic comedy classic from 1953 has Audrey Hepburn playing a rebellious princess that escapes from her royal entourage while in Rome in order to experience a bit of life as a commoner. While on her own, she meets Gregory Peck’s jaded reporter, who doesn’t recognize her, and the two fall in love as they explore Rome’s most famous landmarks together, including the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum. The movie was so popular it inspired a host of copycat romantic travel movies in the 1950s, but there’s only one Roman Holiday, which is as memorable a travel romance as you’ll find. The iconic image of Hepburn and Peck riding a Vespa through Rome captures the romantic allure of exploring a foreign city while in love.

This little-seen 2013 movie is based on Robyn Davidson’s memoir about her 2,700km (1,700m) trek across the Australian Outback from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean with nothing but her dog and four camels in tow. Mia Wasikowska plays Robyn in the film, which largely plays as a showcase of Australia’s natural beauty. Adam Driver also stars as the National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan who famously photographed her journey back in 1977, and hooked up with her in the process. The romantic moments between Robyn and Rick are nice depictions of romantic admiration, but the real star here is the landscape, which has rarely been as vivid on film.

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Aren Bergstrom

Globetrotting Editor - You might say that Aren was destined to become a Globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.

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The 25 Best Time Travel Movies to Whisk You Away from Reality

Who wouldn't love a time machine right about now?

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Meet Cute (2022)

Kaley Cuoco and Pete Davidson co-star in Peacock's Meet Cute , a delightful and often dark rom-com based around time travel. Feeling suicidal, Sheila (Cuoco) finds a time machine in a nail salon and decides to go back in time 24 hours. While re-living her first date with Gary (Davidson) again and again, Sheila loses touch with reality and might have destroyed any chance she had with him.

A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

High schooler Meg Murry travels through time and space in search of her missing astrophysicist father (Chris Pine). On her journey, Meg meets Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), as well as a whole host of dangerous beings.

The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

Based on Audrey Niffenegger's 2003 novel of the same name, The Time Traveler's Wife tells the story of Henry (Eric Bana), a librarian who is able to randomly travel through time. After meeting Clare (Rachel McAdams) as a child, Henry later develops a romantic relationship with her. HBO's recent adaptation starring Theo James and Rose Leslie has reignited the debate regarding whether or not the story promotes grooming , or if it's a timeless romance.

Back to the Future (1985)

'80s classic Back to the Future has stood the test of time, and spawned two equally entertaining sequels. In the first film, Marty McFly is sent to the 1950s in his friend Doc Brown's time machine, a super cool DeLorean. Marty meets his parents as teenagers, and his presence risks changing history forever.

See You Yesterday (2019)

Netflix's See You Yesterday follows science prodigy C.J. (Eden Duncan-Smith), who invents time traveling backpacks. Along with her best friend Sebastian, C.J. uses her invention to go back in time to stop her brother from being murdered by a racist police officer. However, she's also forced to face up to the limitations and consequences of time travel.

About Time (2013)

Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) inherits the ability to time travel from his father, and decides to use the gift to find love. After a failed attempt at romance, Tim meets Mary (Rachel McAdams), but due to several time travel-related mishaps, romance isn't instantaneous for the pair. Written and directed by rom-com aficionado Richard Curtis.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

James Cameron's follow-up to 1984's The Terminator was a smash-hit that cemented the franchise's popularity. In the sequel, a killer T-1000 Terminator is sent back in time by Skynet to kill the future leader of the resistance, the son of Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), John (Edward Furlong). At the same time, the resistance sends a reprogrammed T-800 Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back to protect Connor.

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

Four miserable friends reunite after one of them nearly dies. To cheer themselves up, they decide to spend some time together at a ski resort. Unfortunately, the resort's hot tub isn't what it seems, and they accidentally end up traveling back to 1986. The four friends scramble to find a way back to present day. Starring John Cusack and Craig Robinson.

12 Monkeys (1995)

After a deadly virus destroys humanity in 1996, survivors are forced underground. Decades later, prisoner James (Bruce Willis) agrees to go back in time to find the original virus, so that scientists can work on a cure. However, he arrives too early in 1990, and is promptly institutionalized, where he meets Jeffrey (Brad Pitt), an anti-corporate environmentalist. From there, the mystery only gets more intriguing.

Looper (2012)

In the future, time travel is used by the mob to assassinate people, who are sent back in time and killed by assassins known as "loopers." Joe's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) older self (Bruce Willis) is sent back to be eliminated, but manages to escape before he is killed. Thus begins a twisty time travel epic, that also stars Emily Blunt.

Tenet (2020)

The Protagonist ( John David Washington ), a former CIA agent, is tasked with stopping World War III. Learning to bend time, he attempts to prevent the destruction of the world. Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki co-star.

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Aspiring fashion designer Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie) manages to travel back to the 1960s, where she meets singer "Sandie" ( Anya Taylor-Joy ). What starts as a glamorous encounter with the past soon becomings a horrifying nightmare. Co-starring Matt Smith.

Déjà Vu (2006)

A top secret organization has developed the ability to see four days into the past, in order to catch criminals. While hunting a terrorist, ATF agent Doug (Denzel Washington) realizes that this new technology might allow him to stop crimes from happening altogether.

Source Code (2011)

An unusual riff on the time travel movie, Source Code stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Army Captain Colter, who is trying to identify the person responsible for bombing a commuter train. Re-living an eight minute re-creation of the moments leading up to the explosion, Colter is stuck in a terrifying loop, until he can solve the mystery.

Mirai (2018)

A young boy called Kun runs away from home, as he feels neglected by his family after the arrival of his little sister, Mirai. Kun accidentally discovers a time travel portal in a magic garden, and is transported into the past, where he meets his mother as a child. Later, he travels to the future, where he finds his sister as an adult, and completely changes his outlook in the process.

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

Aubrey Plaza stars as an aspiring journalist whose latest assignment involves a mysterious classified ad about time travel. "You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED," the ad reads. Mark Duplass co-stars.

Groundhog Day (1993)

Although Groundhog Day is technically a "time loop" movie, it wouldn't feel right to leave it off the list. Phil (Bill Murray) is a disgruntled weatherman sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. When he wakes up the next day, he realizes that he's re-living February 2, which happens again and again, until he figures out how to stop it.

Needle in a Timestack (2021)

The wonderful Cynthia Erivo stars alongside Orlando Bloom, Leslie Odom Jr., and Freida Pinto in this romantic sci-fi flick. In the future, the wealthy are able to partake in "time jaunting," but the ripples from these changes often cause timelines to warp and change. Needle in a Timestack focuses on a happily married couple whose relationship is jeopardized by an ex intent on changing history.

The Lake House (2006)

Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves star in this completely cheesy but endlessly loveable rom-com that defies time. Architect Alex (Reeves) and doctor Kate (Bullock) write letters to one another via a mailbox at a lake house where they both live at separate times. Despite the time difference, they're able to communicate with one another and forge a relationship via this magical postal system that transcends time.

Predestination (2015)

Ethan Hawke stars as an agent tasked with stopping a deadly attack before it happens, via time travel. Traveling back to 1975, he attempts to find and stop a bomber in New York, but his mission is far from simple. When he returns to the future, his life only gets more complicated.

Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness , and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.

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The 60 Best Romantic Movies

Empire counts down the best romantic movies of all time.

Nothing is as swoon-worthy as a movie romance – beautiful people, saying beautiful things to each other, often in beautiful locations, all wrapped up in a happy ending. It’s almost impossible not to fall head-over-heels for a film that perfectly captures what it feels like to fall head-over-heels for another person – whether it’s the high-stakes drama of The Notebook , the kinetic rush of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World , or the musical outpourings of The Wedding Singer . We’ve channelled our inner romantics to present Empire ’s list of the 60 Best Romantic Movies – one filled with grand gestures , heart-swelling forbidden romances, the cutest of meet-cutes, and dreamy dates . Dig in.

60. Happiest Season

Clea Duvall’s Christmas-set comedy follows couple Harper (Mackenzie Davis) and Abby (Kristen Stewart) as they visit Harper’s family home for the holidays. The only problem? Harper’s family don’t know she’s gay, and definitely don’t know that her and Abby are dating. Stewart is magnetic, putting her jumpy energy to perfect use in the romcom setting, and an excellent supporting cast including Daniel Levy as Abby’s friend John, Alison Brie as Harper’s sister and Aubrey Plaza as an ex-girlfriend mean every plot strand is engaging and entertaining.

59. Love Actually

What, exactly, was Richard Curtis trying to say with Love Actually ? It’s alright to deliver secret love messages to your newly-wed best mate’s wife? Husbands will eventually cheat on you with younger mistresses? It’s somehow okay to keep calling Martine McCutcheon fat even though she categorically isn’t? Who cares: it’s (mostly) good fun, it’s the only decent Christmas film for the last 15 years, and the airport-dash finale smooths over all the sour bits. Plus the final scene with Bill Nighy and his manager is guaranteed to thaw a frozen heart!

Can you make pottery sexy? Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore can. Jerry Zucker, better known as one third of the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker comedy trio, mixes laughter with just the right amount of tears, and Swayze is the ideal romantic hero, who comes back after he’s murdered to check on his grieving ex. Much more than a trivia question answer (‘for which film did Whoopi Goldberg win an Oscar?’), Ghost wins at life, and life after death.

57. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

99.percent of romance films would be better off with a few kung fu fights and bass guitar battles, and Edgar Wright ’s hyper-stylised graphic novel adaptation is packed with them. The titular Canadian slacker literally fights off the past lovers of new beau Ramona Flowers, facing her seven evil exes in Street Fighter -inspired brawls where the ultimate special moves are the powers of love and self-respect.

56. Love, Simon

Director Greg Berlanti is better known right now as the big boss of the Arrowverse on US TV (and approximately 736 other shows), but his second film is a subtle, funny exploration of a young man's romantic journey. Simon ( Nick Robinson ) has been hiding being gay from his classmates and family (even though they're understanding and loving), but when his secret is discovered and he's threatened with exposure, he decides to embrace the love of another young guy who reaches out clandestinely.

55. Bridget Jones’s Diary

Renee Zellweger ’s heroine was way ahead of her time on the big pants and novelty Christmas jumper front, but elsewhere this loose adaptation of Helen Fielding’s novel-in-diary-entries is a time portal to the early 00s: Hugh Grant and Colin Firth at peak dreaminess, gags about 'Saddam Hussein’s arse', and the pre-internet concept of actually keeping a physical diary.

54. The Wedding Singer

More discerning cineastes might choose Punch-Drunk Love as Adam Sandler ’s best romance film — but the rest of us will stick with The Wedding Singer , Billy Idol cameo and all. Sandler and Drew Barrymore make a charming will-they-won’t-they couple, and it goes one step further than the typical catch-them-at-the-airport climax by getting all parties onto the plane for a big ol’ singalong.

53. Cyrano De Bergerac

“Mon nez! C’est enorme!” Gerard Depardieu ’s casting as the unrequited romantic of Edmond Rostand’ classic play is (ahem) right on the nose, and director Jean-Paul Rappeneau just lets him rip: chewing the scenery one moment and tugging the heartstrings the next. His tour-de-force performance is larger than life: much like the facial proboscis that keeps him from his great love Roxane. Until it doesn’t after all, and everyone lives happily ever after. The definitive version of the story, but Steve Martin ’s Americanised Roxanne , released three years earlier, gives it a run for its money.

52. Sliding Doors

Peter Howitt’s high concept romantic comedy might hinge on how much you’re wanting double the Gwyneth Paltrow , but she still manages to make you root for her (and at no point tries to to sell you magic vagina eggs). She’s Helen, who catches a tube train – or doesn’t – and the film follows the romantic misadventures across parallel storylines. It refuses to rely on the gimmick, and both Paltrow and John Hannah make respectably adorable leads.

51. The Notebook

The high-water mark of Nicholas Sparks adaptations, this sweeping weepie aims firmly for the tear-ducts. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are the young lovers separated through the years by prejudice, World War II, and eventually dementia in a film meticulously designed to leave viewers drowning in a pool of their own tears.

50. A Star Is Born

It might be the third remake of this story – after Janet Gaynor and Fredric March in 1937, Judy Garland and James Mason in 1954 and Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in 1976 – but the love still feels brand new. Bradley Cooper marks his directorial debut and also stars as leading man Jackson Maine here, a hardened, alcoholic country musician who mentors and very quickly falls in love with a rising star of a singer, Ally, played by Lady Gaga in a major dramatic turn. There’s heaps of chemistry between the two, as much in music and lyrics as through whispered sweet nothings. As with many great loves, there’s also great sorrow – but that only makes the romance all the more affecting.

49. Titanic

Yes, yes, we all know that Jack could’ve easily fit on the floating door. Geometric frustrations aside, James Cameron ’s spectacular disaster movie is anchored by a cheesy but gripping class-busting love affair that gives a human scale to the catastrophe. Bonus points for quite literally the steamiest sex scene ever committed to film.

48. William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet

Shakespeare: the dead English guy with the massive ruff knew how to write a good romance, even if he over-did it on the downer endings. Baz Luhrmann brought his explosive visual pizzazz to the original star-crossed lovers, decking the Montagues and Capulets out with Hawaiian shirts, pistols, and a colour scheme that even most nineties pop groups would describe as 'a bit garish’.

47. Palm Springs

Sarah (Cristin Milioti) and Nyles (Andy Samberg) end up stuck in “one of those infinite time-loop situations” on Sarah’s sister’s nightmarish wedding day in this inventive, hilarious take on the Groundhog Day concept. The pair uncover each other’s secrets, attempt to escape the loop, try to avoid a mysterious assassin that always tracks them down by the end of the night, and find that even endlessly experiencing the same day over and over can be pretty enjoyable when you’re doing it with the right person.

46. The 40 Year-Old Virgin

Judd Apatow ’s cinematic debut tore a new patch in the Hollywood landscape like a wax strip off Steve Carell ’s exceedingly hairy chest. The 40-Year-Old-Virgin defined the next decade of mainstream American comedy (crude, largely improvised, ultimately sweet), an era perfectly characterised by Andy's charming search for true love, peppered with eye-wateringly sharp gags.

45. Sleepless in Seattle

These days far-flung romances between people who have never met result in dramatic Catfish confrontations on MTV. But in 1993, Nora Ephron spun it into an exceedingly wholesome rom-com where the grieving Sam ( Tom Hanks , 'sleepless in Seattle') and unsatisfied Annie ( Meg Ryan , 'bored in Baltimore') form a bond through radio broadcasts and typewritten letters. It’s somewhat less heartwarming for poor Walter, whose fiancée ditches him for someone she’s never laid eyes on.

44. Truly, Madly, Deeply

Think Ghost , but British. And without the pottery. It’s the heartbreaking story of Nina ( Juliet Stevenson ), grieving the loss of boyfriend Jamie ( Alan Rickman ) when he returns to her life in supernatural form. [Anthony Minghella]( [https://www.empireonline.com/people/anthony-minghella/{href='https://www.empireonline.com/people/anthony-minghella/(' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'} carefully navigates the conflicted feelings and romantic interludes, and uses the tale to explore the truth behind the pair’s prior relationship. It’s not often we see Rickman in particular in a purely romantic role (and even here, he has shades), but the pair burn with chemistry.

Pixar quietly delivers emotional devastation in the opening five minutes of Up , a mini-masterpiece of an ordinary, extraordinary love-filled lifetime between soulmates Carl and Ellie. But the rest of Carl’s South American adventure as a pensioner is also shot through with a sense of romance. Don’t even bring up the scrapbook scene, which offers the animation studio’s most profound meditation on what true love really looks like.

42. The African Queen

A Hollywood classic with one foot in Britain and the Ealing Comedy tradition, The African Queen manages to make a romance out of a WWI suicide mission. Katharine Hepburn is the Methodist missionary who convinces rough-and-ready captain Humphrey Bogart to refit his steamboat for a dangerous journey down the Ulanga River for a torpedo attack against the Germans. And who wouldn’t be seduced by a line like that? John Huston directed when he could be distracted from shooting the local fauna – if Clint Eastwood ’s biopic White Hunter, Black Heart is to be believed.

Todd Haynes never lets the lush period setting get in the way of the story for this one, which sees Phyllis Nagy adapt a Patricia Highsmith novel in which – surprise! – no one is murdered. It’s soulful and settled, while never denying the churning emotions between young photographer Therese ( Rooney Mara ) and the glamorous, tragic Carol ( Cate Blanchett ).

40. The Big Sick

Undoubtedly the best screen romance where half of the couple spends most of the runtime in a coma. Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon adapted the rocky, illness-stricken beginnings of their own real-life relationship into a contemporary culture-clash rom-com with life-or-death stakes. Less crude than most Judd Apatow-poduced films, while still boasting a belter 9/11 gag.

39. Say Anything

Cameron Crowe made his directorial debut with the film after proving he had a keen ear for realistic and memorable dialogue in previous work. John Cusack is the instantly iconic Lloyd Dobler, while Ione Skye is more than a capable romantic foyle. John Mahoney (who recently died) is the secret weapon as the father of Skye’s Diane Court. It’s clear-eyed about the torturous path that love can take and features moments that linger longer than most, including the much-referenced boombox scene.

38. Supernova

Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci play Sam and Tusker, a couple on a road trip to visit family and friends, in Harry Macqueen’s beautifully shot, extraordinarily moving romantic drama Supernova . Firth and Tucci’s real-life friendship translates into a quiet, tender, utterly convincing chemistry as their journey progresses, and as Tusker’s struggle with early onset dementia worsens. With the pair’s shared history that Macqueen so impeccably weaves through the script beginning to fade from his memory, they must make a devastating decision.

37. Dirty Dancing

Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze's sizzling chemistry steams up the screen in this eighties banger-laden ode to summer flings, pissing off your parents, and doing whatever it takes to end up in the ludicrously buff arms of a fit dance instructor. Warning: don’t attempt the famous climactic lift unless you’re ripped like Swayze.

36. Shaun of the Dead

Edgar Wright’s big-screen debut still has heart and brains like any other rom-com, but smears it across the faces of hundreds of zombie extras. A film about choosing to commit to your girlfriend, growing out of your twenties and ditching the dregs of your record collection (“The Batman soundtrack? Throw it!”), Shaun of the Dead is Richard Curtis put through a mincer.

35. (500) Days Of Summer

Though it occasionally leans a little too heavily on the guy's side of a relationship, Summer remains a fantastic exploration of human connection. Stand-out moments include Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Tom in a giant post-coital dance number, and great work from Zooey Deschanel as his titular paramour.

34. Manhattan

Currently undergoing a process of being critically downgraded thanks to its protagonist’s far from comfortable fixation on a much younger woman, Manhattan still has loads to offer. As much as it’s about off-kilter interpersonal relationships, it’s also, famously and arguably much more successfully, Woody Allen’s most passionate love letter to the city of New York and the music of George Gershwin. "New York was his town, and it always would be," is the line he lands on at the beginning, as Rhapsody in Blue explodes into life and fireworks illuminate the skyline. And it’s a hard heart that resists being swept along.

33. Paterson

Some would think to write off Paterson as simply That Film Where Adam Driver Drives A Bus And Writes Poetry. But some would be wrong. At its core is the deep, if sometimes troubled relationship between Driver's Paterson and Golshifteh Farahani Laura. This is love, Jim Jarmusch-style.

32. La La Land

There are two romances going on here: the one between Ryan Gosling ’s ivory-tinkling musician Sebastian and Emma Stone ’s wide-eyed actress Mia, and the one between director Damien Chazelle and his beloved city of Los Angeles. Beyond the jazz-splaining is a charming, toe-tapping (and yes, swooningly romantic) musical — just beware its heart-shattering encore.

31. Roxanne

Not many romantic comedies starring Steve Martin can claim to be based on an 1897 verse play…. In fact, this is the one, which adapts and updates Cyrano de Bergerac for an eighties audience. Martin is CD “Charlie” Bales, who pines for Daryl Hannah ’s Roxanne, but despite an abundance of charisma, is held back by his large nose. When he helps a fireman friend woo her, complications arise… There is much mistaken identity and frustrations on the path to true love, but even though you know where the story is headed, the light touch and sheer charm of the cast carries it.

30. Secretary

Long before Fifty Shades whipped audiences into a frenzy, there was Steven Shainberg's odd indie romance. James Spader (because of cause it's him, and he's even called Mr. Grey!) is the boss who hires the troubled Lee Holloway (a bedraggled Maggie Gyllenhaal, who slowly blossoms into luminosity) and discovers a kindred spirit in kink. But it's more than cheap S&M titillation, showing two damaged people finding deep, comforting love with each other.

Musician-turned-director John Carney brings a lyrical reality to this story of a street busker/hoover repairman (Glen Hansard) and a flower-flogging immigrant (Markéta Irglová), who meet on the street and end up making beautiful music together. The soundtrack became a huge hit, and the romance is grounded in detail.

28. The Philadelphia Story

A triumphant comeback for Katharine Hepburn after a string of disappointments. The original Broadway play was written specifically for her, and she oversaw its adaptation with the support of Howard Hughes. The film sees her torn between accepting the affections of Cary Grant or James Stewart – and if the idea of that love triangle wasn’t already tantalising enough, it’s actually a square (quadrangle?) since John Howard is in there too. George Cukor’s breezy direction captures the immense fun that all involved were apparently enjoying in real life.

27. The Shape Of Water

Only Guillermo del Toro could propose a romance between a human woman and the Creature from the Black Lagoon and elevate it beyond something you’d find on Pornhub. Sally Hawkins is endlessly charming as Elisa, effortlessly selling her wide-eyed attraction to Doug Jones ’ scaly, egg-scoffing leading ‘man’. It’s so heart-floodingly romantic, you’ll forget about the cat corpses left in its wake.

Joaquin Phoenix falling for an Alex-alike operating system in the near future? You could scoff, but Spike Jonze and his cast (including Scarlett Johansson as the phone-based crush) make it work with real emotion. It's the Black Mirror movie you never knew your heart desired.

25. Notting Hill

Richard Curtis’ Four Weddings follow-up is pure fantasy: its romance between an everyman and a Hollywood star is only slightly more believable than the concept of affording a flat in Notting Hill from the profits of a second-hand book shop. But the film’s charms are irresistible — Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts at career peaks, a Curtis script packed with classic lines (“I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her”), and some stonking product placement for Horse & Hound magazine.

24. Cold War

Polish auteur Pawel Pawlikowski returns with a sophisticated, devastating love affair that spans countries and decades in Cold War . Zula (Joanna Kulig) sings, Winter (Tomasz Kot) listens, they connect. The attraction is instant, but the unstable political landscape tears their relationship apart time and time over. In jazz clubs and work camps, they cross crowds to find each other in a glorious black and white romantic portrait of a lifetime – that somehow is still under 90 minutes.

23. God’s Own Country

Johnny (Josh O’Connor), the twentysomething son of an ailing sheep farmer (Ian Hart), doesn’t expect much from his life in rural Yorkshire beyond several pints and an anonymous bunk-up. But his perfunctory existence is turned upside-down when Romanian farmhand Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu) arrives for lambing season. A dig into the nature of humanity from Francis Lee, a director already fluent in the language of brutality and tenderness. A stunning love story that in its finest moments is pure poetry.

22. Long Shot

Playing off the idea of the unlikely couple, Long Shot delivers more laughs and more authentic emotion than you might think. It's thanks to some sparky, easy chemistry between Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen as the central pair. Director Jonathan Levine has a history of finding joy in odd places, while the script from Liz Hannah and Dan Sterling is sharp. This is one that deserved a better reception at the box office.

21. Call Me By Your Name

First real love on one side, unexpected feelings on the other. Luca Guadagnino ’s look at love has rightfully been showered with praise and Oscar nominations. Teenager Elio ( Timothée Chalamet ), juggling at least one girlfriend, finds himself developing a deeper relationship with Oliver ( Armie Hammer ), who has arrived at the family’s summer home to become his father’s research assistant. Theirs is a carefully drawn connection, shot in sun-dappled, beautiful countryside locales. See it also for Michael Stuhlbarg ’s wonderful performance as Elio’s father, acting the hell out of a relatively small role. It’s a peach.

20. Gone With The Wind

Strap in for an extended romp through the tumult of the American Civil War and beyond via the tale of Scarlett O’Hara, a Southern Belle who’ll do whatever she needs and marry whoever she likes to get what she wants. A true Hollywood epic, with iconic performances from Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable — just prepare yourself for the shockingly crude language (“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn ”) and bum-numbing four-hour runtime.

19. 10 Things I Hate About You

The film that raised the bar for teenage romantic gestures everywhere: hijack a marching band or don’t even bother. Julia Stiles delivers maximum snark and Heath Ledger is his bad-boy best alongside a cherubic Joseph Gordon-Levitt in this high school Shakespeare adaptation, featuring angsty adolescent poetry, pop-punk perfection on the soundtrack, and the ugliest prom dress ever.

18. An Affair To Remember

A classic romance with a valuable lesson: look both ways before crossing the road. Cary Grant’s Nickie and Deborah Kerr ’s Terry are conflicted lovers who fall for each other on a cruise. There’s one problem – they both have partners back at home to return to. The pair make a pact to meet at the top of the Empire State Building after six months if they still like each other, but Terry misses the reunion after being hit by a car. Like a Green Cross Code video, but with way more emotional impact.

17. Crazy, Stupid, Love.

It was a love affair for the ages – the world, and Ryan Gosling's abs. Okay, so it also marks the beginning of a double act (Gosling and Emma Stone) that would go on to Oscar-winning musical effect with La La Land . Frank and honest, it's also warm and witty, showcasing Steve Carell's separated dad searching for new love (or lust) even as his daughter (Stone) kicks off her own relationship with the very player (Gosling) he's taking advice from.

16. Pretty Woman

Julia Roberts became instant rom-com royalty playing Vivian, the hooker with a heart of gold who enters a different kind of transaction with Richard Gere ’s uptight businessman Edward. She gets a makeover and a white knight fairytale ending, he discovers true love and a new perspective on relationships. Just don’t think too hard about the sexual politics.

15. The Apartment

Billy Wilder at the height of his powers guides Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine through a film that explores not just burgeoning attraction, but also loneliness, despair and finding yourself in a world that thinks nothing of you. The result was five Oscars (including Best Picture) from 10 nominations, all of them well-earned. Lemmon is CC Baxter, currying favour with his bosses by letting use his pad as their spot for liaisons. But upon meeting elevator operator Fran Kubelik and saving her life, complicated love blossoms. It’ll win over the hardest heart.

14. Groundhog Day

Sarcastic weatherman Phil Connors gets stuck in a time loop where he’s forced to become his best self in order to be worthy of wooing co-worker Rita, while also managing to sleep with half of Punxsutawney along the way. Sarcastic weatherman Phil Connors gets stuck in a time loop where he’s forced to become his best self in order to be worthy of wooing co-worker Rita, while also managing to sleep with half of Punxsutawney along the way.

13. Brokeback Mountain

“I wish I knew how to quit you…” Searing performances from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal and sensitive direction by Ang Lee (who won an Oscar for his work) combine to create an instant, memorable classic that hinges on tender talk and taboo (for the time it's set, at least) longing. The tale of two cowboys who slowly fall for each other is powerful because it’s so perfectly performed by an impressive ensemble that also includes Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway .

12. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Leaving aside some of the more problematic elements that emerge when the film is viewed with a modern eye, Tiffany’s is powered by Audrey Hepburn ’s nuclear-level charm as Holly Golightly, the socialite with an eye for a new neighbour and a dark past. Hepburn has commented about how tricky she found it to play Holly, but you’d never know it from the film, which grabs your attention and rarely lets go.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet ’s ultra-quirky, hyper-stylised romance couldn’t be more Gallic if it whacked you with a baguette and draped a string of garlic around your neck. For the whimsy-tolerant it’s rich and bold, with a fruity finish in Audrey Tautou ’s charming lead performance. For others, it may be Simply Too French.

10. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

With a Charlie Kaufman script and Michel Gondry behind the camera, Eternal Sunshine dispenses with romantic conventions for ponderous ruminations on love, memory, and painful emotion. The non-linear narrative front-loads the break-up scenes, later offering a warmer look at the happy days of the relationship between Joel ( Jim Carrey ) and Clementine ( Kate Winslet ), who make the drastic decision to forget each other entirely through a memory-erasing procedure.

9. Jerry Maguire

Cameron Crowe’s genre mash-up combines the pure joy of falling head over heels in love with the thrills of, erm, sports management deals. It’s more romantic than it sounds, delivering two of cinema’s greatest ever declarations of love within fifteen seconds: Tom Cruise ’s “you complete me” dovetailing neatly into Renee Zellweger’s “you had me at hello”.

8. Before Sunset

Leave it to Richard Linklater to experiment with the format and find something new to say about how love evolves across the years. A follow-up to 1995’s Before Sunrise , it catches up with Ethan Hawke ’s Jesse and Julie Delpy ’s Celine nine years later for more walking, talking and romance. Written by the cast with their director, it feels like it emerged organically instead of being forced into existence. And it’s warm, witty and real when dealing with affairs of the heart, for good and ill.

7. Annie Hall

How far Woody Allen’s private life can be extricated from his work is still an ongoing conversation, but viewed in a cultural vacuum (if such a thing is possible or even advisable), Annie Hall stands as one of the finest rom-coms ever made. Diane Keaton is the titular Annie, the laid-back lover of neurotic stand-up comic Alvy. The film avoids emotional grandstanding and instead focuses on the minuscule everyday moments that bring flashes of muted joy and disappointment on a daily basis, topped with fourth-wall-breaking gags and wry asides. It’s unlikely to win new fans, but hard to forget for those who have already seen it.

6. True Romance

That title’s not ironic — underneath the cocaine, the murders, and Gary Oldman ’s dreadlocked Drexl, Tony Scott ’s Tarantino-penned crime saga has a raw, beating heart in Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette ’s ride-or-die lovers. The film that changed the meaning of ‘three little words’ from “I love you” to “you’re so cool… you’re so cool… you’re so cool…”

5. The Princess Bride

Rob Reiner ’s cult classic flings sickly fairytale tropes off the Cliffs of Insanity on its way to happily ever after. The swashbuckling romance between Princess Buttercup and her faithful farmhand-turned-pirate Westley is so witty, feisty, and engaging that even 10 year-old boys don’t mind the kissing bit. Relationship goals: find a partner that you’d hurl yourself down the world’s longest hill for.

4. Four Weddings and a Funeral

In one fell swoop Richard Curtis made the jump from Blackadder to the big-screen, propelled Hugh Grant and Mike Newell ’s careers, and defined a whole new era of British rom-coms. Four Weddings and a Funeral delivers on the bittersweet promise of its title, balancing foul-mouthed dialogue with chocolate box London locales, all topped off with a rain-soaked feel-good finale.

3. Brief Encounter

With its ‘a stable husband is better than a passionate lover’ message (hey, it was the 1940s), Brief Encounter is both achingly romantic and poignantly melancholic. Laura and Alec’s first grit-eyed conversation on the train platform is perhaps the original meet-cute, but the duo’s profound connection faces scrutiny from the social mores of the era. The end of the affair is enough to leave you with more than just a speck of dust in your eye.

2. Casablanca

Humphrey Bogart. Ingrid Bergman. One iconic gin joint. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story of emotionally bruised bar owner Rick and the return of Ilsa, the old flame who left him emotionally distant, is univeraslly regarded as one of the all-time greats. Its central love story is bittersweet, with a sacrificial pay-off that only bolsters its emotional impact. When you’ve seen it once, you’ll be desperate to play it again.

1. When Harry Met Sally

It can be hard to find something new to say about Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron ’s romantic classic, because it has topped lists and been so praised in the past. How it hits you in both the heart and the funny bone is just part of why this one works, putting together Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal ’s initially unlikely lovers. There are the endlessly quotable exchanges, Carrie Fisher stealing scenes like she’s wearing a mask and a striped jumper and the sort of lasting impact that so many movies in the genre have failed to match before or since.

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The 25 Greatest Time-Travel Movies Ever Made

It must say something, surely, about humans, how often time-travel movies are about returning to the past rather than jumping to the future. As Mark Duplass’s forlorn character says in Safety Not Guaranteed , “The mission has to do with regret.” With all the potential to explore the unknown world of the future, so often when our minds conspire to bend the rules of time it’s instead to rehash the old. It’s compelling to watch a character in a movie do what we cannot — right past wrongs or uncover the reason for or meaning behind the events in their lives, whether they be emotionally catastrophic or merely geopolitically motivated.

So absent is the future from the canon, in fact, that when it is involved, typically future dwellers are leaving their own time to come back to the present. Back to the Future Part II aside, it seems as if there’s something about going forward in time that just doesn’t track for humans. (Of course, you could argue that this is because the present-day concept of bidirectional time travel would infinitely multiply or change beyond recognition any future that may occur, but that’s a knot for another article.)

In any case, the time-travel stories deemed worthy of Hollywood budgets aren’t always straightforward in their mechanics. Some films on this list barely qualify as time-travel movies at all; others could hardly qualify as anything else. There are movies about trips through time but also ones about the bending and fracturing and muddying thereof; then there are those about, as Andy Samberg aptly puts it in Palm Springs , “one of those infinite time-loop situations you might have heard about.” There’s even a movie in which we get only 13 seconds’ worth of time travel, when it functions more like a joke whose punch line hits at the film’s climax.

What these films all do have in common is a fascination with changing the way time works. That being said, the list leaves out movies in larger, more extended franchises in which time meddling is a one-off dalliance thrown into a sequel with little by way of foreshadowing: think Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , Avengers: Endgame , and Men in Black III . (It also leaves off perhaps the Ur-time-travel movie, Primer , and the quite good Midnight in Paris because their directors don’t deserve the column inches.) We’re looking at self-contained stories using time mechanics from the start, with preference given to those that involve themselves more intently with the ins and outs of time travel; that ask questions about time, aging, memory and so forth; and that try to succeed at it in new and interesting ways. So let’s get to it.

25. Galaxy Quest (1999)

Does Galaxy Quest really count as a time-travel movie? Some compelling reasons argue that it doesn’t: Time travel isn’t a major factor in the plot, and the time traveling that does occur is, yes, only a 13-second jump. But its use of time travel is meaningful insofar as the movie itself is a loving spoof of Star Trek , which makes use of time travel in three films ( one of which made this list ), not to mention dozens of episodes across its various TV iterations. Tacking on time travel as a deus ex machina for the actors in a Star Trek– like show pressed into service as an actual space crew by an endangered alien race is the exact right amount of ribbing in a movie that’s as on point as it is hilarious.

Galaxy Quest is available to rent on Amazon .

24. Happy Death Day (2017)

Pick away at the surface of a time-loop movie and you find a horror movie. Most of the entries on this list are covered in enough feel-good spin to land as comedies, but Happy Death Day stares the horror of the time-loop phenomenon right in the face. (It’s also quite funny.) Reliving the same day over and over is an unimaginably potent form of psychological torture, and adding murder to the equation does little to dull that edge. The film follows a college-age protagonist struggling to escape from a masked slasher hell-bent on killing her again and again while she tries to solve the mystery of how she got stuck in a time loop.

Happy Death Day is available to rent on Amazon .

23. Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Seriously, this may be the only good movie in which the film’s whole focus is using a time machine to travel into the future. The fact that it’s a sequel is telling — the characters already traveled into the past in the first movie , and the filmmakers decided to save “traveling even further into the past“ for the third film in the trilogy. Still, Back to the Future Part II is a fun time that makes great use of sight gags and references, recasting scenes from the first film in the distant future year of 2015 with all its hoverboards and self-lacing Nikes.

Back to the Future Part II is available to rent on Amazon .

22. See You Yesterday (2019)

It’s a dirty little secret of time-travel movies that they tend to be, well, pretty white. Tenet ’s Protagonist aside, if Hollywood’s sending someone through time, they’re almost certainly not a Black person, and for obvious reasons: Most of post-contact North American history is deeply unfriendly to people of color, and the problems a person running around out of time and place is going to encounter are deeply compounded if they’ll likely be the target of racist abuse or violence — which makes See You Yesterday all the more compelling. Produced by Spike Lee and featuring one of filmdom’s most famous time travelers in a cameo role, it follows a Black teenage science prodigy who uses a time machine to try to save her brother from being killed by a police officer.

See You Yesterday is streaming on Netflix .

21. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

No offense to the Back to the Future franchise, but time travel never looks more fun on film than it does in the first Bill & Ted movie. It’s a concept that feels distinctly of a different era, so pure is its zaniness, that it’s hard to imagine anyone concocting it today. The titular duo, Californian high-school students in the ’80s, travel through the past looking for historical figures in order to ace a history project, then bring them all back to the present. High jinks ensue! We get Genghis Khan in a sporting-goods store and Mozart on an electric keyboard. What more could you want?

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is streaming on HBO Max .

20. Source Code (2011)

Time-travel-film aficionados know this won’t be Jake Gyllenhaal’s only stop on this list, but no matter. Source Code finds him repeating the same eight minutes over and over as he struggles to find the culprit in a train bombing — with each replay ending in his own death by explosion. For some reason, a romantic subplot is shoehorned into this, along with a bunch of frankly unnecessary technical mumbo-jumbo, but the core idea is a compelling mix of the time-loop movie and the train whodunit that Gyllenhaal is a perfect fit for.

Source Code is available to rent on Amazon .

19. 12 Monkeys (1995)

Some sort of law of nature dictates that every genuinely good idea and/or piece of true art has to at some point be turned into a Hollywood movie. Thank God La Jetée was adapted into something that can stand on its own feet artistically. 12 Monkeys may not retain its source material’s black-and-white look or stripped-down, static-image presentation, but it is a rollicking good time nonetheless. That’s in no small part due to director Terry Gilliam getting the best out of Bruce Willis and a young Brad Pitt, and recasting World War III as a planet-decimating virus. Which, like at least one other movie on this list , “speaks to the present moment,” or whatever.

12 Monkeys is available to rent on Amazon .

18. Run Lola Run (1998)

Unlike almost all of the other films on this list, the terms time travel and time machine don’t show up anywhere in Run Lola Run . Rather, it’s a sort of de facto time-loop scenario in which the protagonist tries repeatedly to pay a ransom to save her boyfriend’s life. In fact, if not for a few key details, it could easily be characterized (and often has been) as an alternate-endings movie rather than a time-travel film. But the fact that Lola seems to be learning from her past attempts with each successive one suggests that she is, indeed, using knowledge gained from previous loops to bring a satisfactory end to this situation.

Run Lola Run is available to rent on Amazon .

17. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

One of the most striking things about Groundhog Day is the mutability and replicability of its core conceit. Perhaps the best case in point is Edge of Tomorrow , sometimes known as Live. Die. Repeat. after its original tagline. It’s the kind of physically grueling movie only an actor as genuinely unhinged as Tom Cruise could pull off. A noncombatant thrust into a war against invading aliens, Cruise’s character finds himself reliving day one of combat over and over, slowly but surely refining his techniques in order to survive the extraterrestrial onslaught. Like the central twosome in the much less violent Palm Springs , he winds up with a partner in (war) crime, teaming up with the similarly time-trapped Emily Blunt, and the explanation for the replay glitch here is actually pretty satisfying.

Edge of Tomorrow is streaming on Fubo TV .

16. Star Trek (2009)

If you could create some sort of an advanced stat to measure controversy generated per unit of interesting filmmaking decisions, J.J. Abrams would have to be near the top in terms of his ability to rig up movie drama from almost nothing. This is a guy whose filmography is like Godzilla rip-off, Spielberg homage, safe reboot of cherished IP, repeat. Star Trek may be his best film, though, a sure-footed reinvention of a dorky sci-fi franchise that made it, well, cool. Somehow, the beauty of Spock and Kirk’s bromance being woven through chance encounters with future selves kind of … works?

Star Trek is available to rent on Amazon .

15. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

There’s a relative dearth of time travel in animated film, which perhaps is a function simply of the fact that it’s less impressive to stage in a world that’s already unreal. If you can Looney Tunes your way through physics, what’s so special about grabbing the flow of time and tying it into a bow? Still, the original Girl Who Leapt Through Time deserves mention here. It’s a beautiful story that interlaces the complexity of time leaping with the intensity of teenage emotion and the thorny process of growing up where the opportunity to redo things leads, over time, to growth — a less shitty Groundhog Day , in a way.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is available to rent on Amazon .

14. Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

She may not be the most famous, decorated, or emulated actress of her generation, but Aubrey Plaza is someone whose personality spoke to the irony-soaked 2010s in a way that simply could not be denied. Her character on Parks and Recreation , April Ludgate, was, by all accounts, created specifically to channel Plaza’s real-life personality to the screen, and she plays essentially the same character in Safety Not Guaranteed . Here, she’s a sarcastic intern at a magazine working on a story about a would-be time traveler and using her feminine wiles to slowly gain his trust. The chemistry between Plaza and Mark Duplass is probably the film’s high point; the subplot about the FBI feels like it was clipped out of a bad X-Files episode.

Safety Not Guaranteed is streaming on Tubi .

13. La Jetée (1962)

At only a 28-minute run time, La Jetée is arguably too short to merit inclusion on this list. However, what it lacks in content (and in, well, moving images; it’s almost exclusively a collection of static black-and-white shots set to voice-over), it more than makes up for in inventiveness and influence, and it would be a travesty to leave it out in favor of more recent by-the-book fare. Tracing the tale of a man held prisoner in post-WWIII Paris being used in time-travel experiments as his captors seek to remedy the postapocalyptic state of the world, he’s sent into both the future and the past and ends up unraveling a lifelong personal mystery while he’s at it.

La Jetée is streaming on the Criterion Channel .

12. Planet of the Apes (1968)

Unlike the worse but more straightforwardly time-traveling Tim Burton remake, the relationship between the original Planet of the Apes and time travel is inexact — technically, the astronaut crew that lands on the titular planet does travel forward 2,000 years, but it’s not done via a time machine. The travel isn’t instantaneous: It literally does take them 2,000 years to get there; they’re just unconscious and on life support. Still, the way the film’s ending handles the iconic reveal is exactly in line with the best of the time-travel canon, the telescoping, mise en abyme feeling of the world shifting in front of your very eyes without your moving an inch.

Planet of the Apes is available to rent on Amazon .

11. Groundhog Day (1993)

The famous Bill Murray vehicle essentially invented the infinite-time-loop genre (and it’s hardly a movie that succeeds on the strength of its concept alone), but the idea at its core is so steeped in the casual misogyny of late-’80s and early-’90s cinema that it’s hard to watch today without cringing. Murray’s character employing what amounts to PUA-style techniques over and over and over in a desperate bid to fuck his hapless co-worker just doesn’t hit the way it did back then. If the story arc didn’t present a guy detoxifying himself of the worst aspects of masculinity in order to be worthy of a woman’s love as the primary way for a 20th-century white man to achieve full personhood, this would be much higher on the list.

Groundhog Day is streaming on Starz .

10. Predestination (2014)

This is probably the most complicated film on the list. Following a “temporal agent” (played by Ethan Hawke) who’s trying to prevent a bombing in 1970s New York, it’s based on a Robert A. Heinlein short story and features Shiv Roy herself, Sarah Snook, in a star-making turn as someone with a complicated backstory and a secret. Like the best sci-fi, the film’s premise raises all kinds of fascinating questions about the titular concept and throws in some interesting musings on sex, gender, and the self in the process.

Predestination is streaming on Tubi .

9. Looper (2012)

Wes Anderson gets a lot of flak for his overwrought twee visuals, but Rian Johnson has a knack for making movies that feel and function like dioramas even if they don’t look it. Narratively speaking, everything here is constructed just so — and there’s a certain beauty in that — but who ever had a profound experience of art by looking at a diorama? Looper was probably Johnson’s least precious pre– Star Wars film, which is nice because the temptation to drastically overmaneuver the mechanics of a time-travel story can lead to disaster. The tech used to Bruce Willis–ify Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s face is distracting, and the third act’s retreat from the postapocalyptic city of the future to the postapocalyptic corn farm of the future is a brave choice that the film struggles to land. Still, Johnson’s vision of a future in which organized crime runs time travel is compelling and well worth a watch.

Looper is streaming on Netflix .

8. Donnie Darko (2001)

Donnie Darko is a bit of a genre mash-up. Part high-school movie, part sci-fi flick, part bleak meditation on the soullessness of late-’80s America, it’s nevertheless a weirdly successful piece of filmmaking that makes fantastic use of a young Jake Gyllenhaal, a great supporting cast (Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Jena Malone, and Patrick Swayze among others), and an absolutely iconic haunting cover of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World.” Watching high schoolers navigate parallel universes, wormholes, and time travel is a dicey proposition, but director Richard Kelly makes it work, somehow.

Donnie Darko is streaming on HBO Max .

7. Back to the Future (1984)

While it’s clearly superior to the sequel (and leagues ahead of the final film in the trilogy), the original Back to the Future is a bit of a mess (John Mulaney was right , to be honest). Its racial and gender politics are cringey, and the incest subplot is weird (“It’s your cousin Marvin. Marvin Pornhub . You know that new plot element you’ve been looking for?”), but there’s a clear interest in time travel beyond its shimmering surface: the very real addressing of the “grandfather problem” in time travel via the slow disappearance of Marty from his family photo, the accidental invention of rock music, and a genuine curiosity about the nuts-and-bolts mechanics of time machines. Ahh, what the hell. It’s a romp.

Back to the Future is available to rent on Amazon .

6. Palm Springs (2020)

No offense to Gen-Xers and boomers, but the best time-loop movie of all time is Palm Springs . The film isn’t without its missteps, but it’s much more curious about life than Groundhog Day was through the eyes of Murray’s misanthrope. Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg‘s characters, stuck in the loop together, are a perfect comedic match, and their shared humanity makes for a beautiful arc. The film raises questions about what’s worth doing in life when nothing lasts and how to stay sane when every day is the same. Of course, as a sort of polar opposite of Tenet , it benefited from coming out during the pandemic by speaking, as it does, to the experience of lockdown.

Palm Springs is streaming on Hulu .

5. Tenet (2020)

Interstellar wasn’t enough for Chris Nolan, apparently. Tenet ’s legacy may end up being little more than that of the COVID action movie no one saw — a bloated thriller that Nolan fought to get into theaters and bar from home viewing reportedly to swell the size of his own pockets. It really did suffer from bad timing, though, because this is genuinely a quintessential big-screen popcorn movie whose absurdity is all the more palatable when it’s given the audiovisual bombast it deserves. Ambitious in scope as it traces a war on the past by the future (yes, you read that right), Tenet is as enamored of action tropes as it is in bucking them, and its investment in rendering visible the brain-bendingly knotty mechanics of moving through time is laudable, even when the movie itself remains opaque — as impenetrable as the future, as hazy as the past.

Tenet is streaming on HBO Max .

4. The Terminator (1984)

A partner to Blade Runner in the mid-’80s invention of sci-fi noir, The Terminator is a stunning film in many ways, despite the third act’s now-iffy visual effects. While it’s not James Cameron’s debut, and it would go on to be bested by its sequel , it functions as an incredible showcase for an emerging young director who would exclusively make big stories for the rest of his career. Arnold Schwarzenegger is perfectly cast as the relentless, unemotional killer cyborg sent back from the future to terminate the mother of the eventual resistance leader, and the film’s romantic subplot has just the perfect amount of time-travel-induced cheesiness for it to work.

The Terminator is streaming on Amazon Prime Video .

3. Interstellar (2014)

It’s not inaccurate to say Christopher Nolan is a director who’s more interested in scale and scope than in expressing the minutiae of the human experience in its purest form. But in Interstellar, a Nolan movie in its titular ambitions, there’s a core element of time travel wrought not as sci-fi fireworks but as a paean to the sheer force and will of the power of love. It both does and doesn’t work, depending on your capacity for cheese in space, but even besides that, Nolan’s use of time as story arc — the way Miller’s planet functions, in particular — is conceptually masterful in the best kind of time-travel-movie way.

Interstellar is streaming on Paramount+ .

2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Whereas the franchise’s first movie spends more time on the question of time travel, in the second it takes a bit of a back seat to the action itself. It’s hard to fault director James Cameron for this decision; T2 remains one of the best action movies of the ’90s and — along with Jurassic Park and The Matrix — one of the decade’s best when for special effects. The groundbreaking T-1000 would honestly be enough to get this movie on the list; a tween John Connor grappling with questions of predestination and the fact that he is vicariously responsible for his own conception feel almost like icing on the time-travel cake. Much as in 12 Monkeys , time travel here is mistaken for delusion, as valiant Sarah Connor, in a Cassandra-esque nightmare, has to battle against the future only she knows is coming. Of course, Cassandra never had access to any firepower stored in underground desert arsenals.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is streaming on Netflix .

1. Arrival (2016)

It’s fair to wonder whether Arrival really is, in fact, a time-travel movie. The Ted Chiang short story it’s based on isn’t about time travel per se; rather, it’s an exploration of alternate forms of temporal understanding. The linguist protagonist, played by Amy Adams, doesn’t travel through time so much as come to experience it differently. Still, the plot ends up hinging on foreknowledge that she is granted not via visions but by actually experiencing her future simultaneously with her present and past. For our purposes, though, that’s time fuckery enough to merit inclusion, and boy howdy does the film deliver in overall quality. Partly, that’s simply a question of the source material. Chiang is arguably the most talented (and possibly the most decorated) American sci-fi writer of his generation. But the source story is not especially Hollywood friendly, and director Denis Villeneuve has adopted it lovingly, borrowing a plot device from another of Chiang’s stories, the more straightforwardly time-travel-based “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate,” in order to add some third-act blockbuster flavor. The result is a beautiful meditation on love, choice, and courage that packs art-film ethos into a genuine sci-fi blockbuster.

Arrival is streaming on Hulu and Paramount+ .

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The 15 Most Creative, Mind-Bending Time Travel Movies Ever Made

With Safety Not Guaranteed and About Time , these are the best movies about time travel you haven't seen yet.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Ever wish you could go back in time and handle a situation differently — or live through a historic event before your time? You're not the only one. Time travel has captured the imagination of countless creatives over the years, giving us some fascinating, morally challenging and even hilarious movies. We may not be able to talk a walk into the past — but as some of these films prove, that may be a good thing.

About Time (2013)

Instead of altering history and life as we know it, the protagonist in this charming British film uses his time-traveling abilities for something a little more relatable: finding love. The result is a surprisingly sweet and criminally underrated romantic comedy.

RELATED: The 60 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time to Stream Right Now

Predestination (2015)

Based on Robert Heinlein’s short story All You Zombies , this Ethan Hawke movie will leave you guessing (and second-guessing) the whole time. Without spoiling the ending, it's definitely worth watching again.

The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

Of the three movies where Rachel McAdams dates a time traveling man (girlfriend's got a type), the drama is definitely the most serious. Based on Audrey Niffenegger's 2003 novel of the same name, Clare tries to build a life with the man she loves — while dealing with the fact he has no control over where and when he will travel through time.

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

Excellent! You're going to want to revisit this goofy, fun time travel flick before Keanu Reeves returns for the upcoming sequel.

Groundhog Day (1993)

Does living the same day over-and-over again count as time travel? This Bill Murray film about a weather man trapped in the worst day of his life is a classic, so we're going to count it.

Doctor Strange (2016)

Marvel fans are probably already familiar with Benedict Cumberbatch's role as a neurosurgeon with the powers to access alternate dimensions, but even if you're not familiar with the Marvel Universe, you can still enjoy this superhero romp.

RELATED: How to Watch All 24 Marvel Movies in the Correct Order

Back to the Future (1985)

If you're looking for some good, old-fashioned nostalgia, this 80s classic holds up! Michael J. Fox stars as Marty McFly, a teen who accidentally who accidentally gets stuck in the 1950s thanks to his mad scientist friend — and must make sure his parents fall in love with each other so he can still exist!

Interstellar (2014)

Trippy, mind-bending, and everything you want out of a time-travel movie, Christopher Nolan's time-traveling space epic will stay with you long after you finish watching,

Donnie Darko (2001)

Though it initially flopped at the box office, this film gathered a cult-following when it was released on DVD, thanks to Jake Gyllenhaal's intense performance and the surrealist images and themes just waiting to be dissected and discussed. See if you can untangle this famously dense plot for yourself.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

One of the best Harry Potter films happens to also be a time-traveling tale. Hermione uses a "Time Turner" to take more classes at Hogwarts, but that's not all Harry and his friends use the device for.

Time Bandits (1981)

Terry Gilliam's endlessly imaginative film follows an 11-year-old boy who teams up with 6 dwarves for an adventure through time.

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

A classified ad from a mysterious man looking for a time-traveling companion intrigues three cynical Seattle journalists. An unexpected connection forms between the would-be scientist and one of the reporters in this low-key indie.

Primer (2004)

Two engineers create an invention that can alter time — and butt heads over how to handle the magnitude of their creation.

Time After Time (1971)

H.G. Wells pursues Jack the Ripper in 1970's San Fransisco — as outlandish as the premise is, it's a fascinating movie once you get on board with it.

The Terminator (1984)

Two time travelers from the future, an evil cyborg and a resistance fighter, fight over the life of modern woman Sarah Connor, after it's revealed her fate can save humanity.

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‘The Greatest Hits’: Save your time

A time-travel romance falls victim to generic characters and clunky dialogue.

You know how a pop song from a moment in your past can bring that moment back to life in colors, smells, memories and emotions? “The Greatest Hits” takes that idea and literalizes it right into the ground.

The film is one of those romantic fantasies that enlists time travel as the primary obstacle keeping two people from getting together. Make that one of the obstacles; the others in “The Greatest Hits” are the heroine’s growing collection of vinyl records and her habit of wearing noise-canceling headphones wherever she goes. The course of true love never did run smooth.

Harriet (Lucy Boynton) is mourning the loss of her boyfriend Max (David Corenswet) in a car crash that also delivered a bonk to her noggin that allows her to whoosh back in time — but only when she hears a song that triggers a moment the couple had together. Thus the headphones; otherwise, the tunes streaming from supermarket speakers and other people’s car radios would have her constantly yo-yoing back and forth between then and now. The records she’s obsessively collecting are an effort to find the one song that might give her a chance to alter events and keep Max alive.

Does any of this make sense? Of course not. Time-travel romantic fantasy movies never make sense, and when they’re done right, that’s the source of their idiot charm. 2006’s “The Lake House,” which involves Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and a magic mailbox, is a personal gold standard in this regard.

Complicating matters is that Harriet has met a cute guy at a grief counseling support group — that sentence alone announces we’re in Los Angeles — and is hesitant to open up and tell him about the whole trying-to-change-the-flow-of-history thing. David, who has lost both parents to either separate illnesses or just plain carelessness, is played by Justin H. Min, a likable actor who was the sensitive android of the little-seen “After Yang” (2022), a movie that you would be strongly advised to watch instead of this one.

What would it take to make “The Greatest Hits” work? For one thing, a music-rights budget that allowed for songs an average filmgoer might recognize, rather than tracks from the back 40 of Spotify or a disco remix of Roxy Music’s “To Turn You On.” For another, a script that avoids dialogue clunkers like “There’s a reason that in some languages, the word for love and the word for suffering is the same.” (I Googled it — didn’t find any.) Shopworn supporting stereotypes like the heroine’s sassy gay Black friend (Austin Crute) don’t help.

The prime offender, though, is writer-director Ned Benson’s inability to create three-dimensional characters, or even believable two-dimensional ones. Harriet is apparently a record producer, but we only know that from one dated reference to Alan Parsons and a brief scene of her telling singer Nelly Furtado to “add a little more compression on the drums”; otherwise, she’s an attractive blank space that Boynton strains too hard to fill in. The dead boyfriend, Max, is even more generic — a genial himbo with all the flavor of a catalogue model.

Benson made a stir with his debut, a three-film project called “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby” (2014) that looked at a relationship from his, her and their points of view. His belated follow-up, by contrast, has barely enough personality for one. But he gets points for including the dreadful Kars4Kids jingle as one of the audio jogs that sends Harriet tumbling back in time — for a brief moment, the rest of “The Greatest Hits” seems much less irritating in comparison.

PG-13. Streaming on Hulu. Drug use, strong language and suggestive material. 94 minutes.

Ty Burr is the author of the movie recommendation newsletter Ty Burr’s Watch List at tyburrswatchlist.com .

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29 of the Best Romantic Movies on Netflix to Fall in Love With Right Now

By Samantha Vincenty

If you’re pining for the best romantic movies on Netflix, you’ve come to the right place. Maybe you’re looking for a sweet and predictable tale, some seriously steamy scenes, or a  love story that’s slightly unhinged but honestly still relatable. (Or perhaps you just want something on-brand to watch for inspiration as you simultaneously scroll through  dating apps for someone to play the love interest in  your story.)  Listen, we’re not here to judge your taste in streamable rom-coms; we’re just here to help you decide what to watch next, so that an hour from now you can be deeply engrossed in one of the best romantic comedy movies on Netflix instead of still scrolling through titles and watching a dozen trailers.

We scoured Netflix for the top romantic movies and settled on these 29 films—from classics like  She’s Gotta Have It to more recent romance movies like  Love in the Villa . There are some familiar favorites and a few you may have never heard of before. And yes, there’s a feel-good holiday love story or two, because how could we not? Obviously this isn’t an exhaustive list of every sappy movie on the platform, but we’re pretty confident that our choices for the best romantic movies on Netflix won’t disappoint. You might laugh, you may cry, and you’ll probably swoon over some of the lead characters.

So whether you’re gearing up for a movie night with your friends, your partner, or yourself, grab your  favorite snacks and get in your  comfiest loungewear , because it’s time for a marathon of the best romantic comedies on Netflix (plus some romantic dramas thrown in for good measure). If you’ve already worked your way through this list (impressive!) and you’re still looking for more romance to stream, check out our recommendations for  the sexiest movies on Hulu and  cute Christmas movies on Hulu .

1.   Lady Chatterley’s Lover (2022)

Emma Corrin shines as an aristocratic newlywed woman who enters an affair with a gamekeeper (Jack O’Connell) after her war-traumatized husband urges her to seek a sperm donor. Netflix’s spin on D.H. Lawrence’s steamy novel delivers big time on the “ hot sex scenes ” front as we watch the two grow closer—and get more and more naked—onscreen, and the gorgeous English countryside setting is romantic in and of itself. 

2.   Last Letter from Your Lover (2021)

Not sure whether you’re in the mood for a period drama or more of a modern rom-com vibe? You’ll get both in this adaption of a Jojo Moyes novel. Jennifer (Shailene Woodley) is a woman in the 1960s with an awful husband (Joe Alwyn). She ends up falling in love with a reporter (Callum Turner), and, decades later, present-day journalist Ellie (Felicity Jones) tracks the mystery of the lovebirds’ torrid letters with help from her cute coworker (Nabhaan Rizwan).

3.   Love in the Villa   (2022)

By Alexis Berger

By Jessica Kasparian

By Jenny McCoy, C.P.T.

When a freshly-dumped Minneapolis woman (Kat Graham) goes on the Italian vacation she’d planned with her ex, she finds that her lodging was also rented to a gruff British lad (Tom Hopper). Does  Love in the Villa follow the typical beats of a Lifetime-esque movie? Sure, but watching these two extremely hot, charismatic people develop crushes on each other—in Verona, no less!—goes down smoother than a fine glass of Barolo if you’re in the mood for a comfort watch.

4.   Single All the Way (2021)  

Peter (Michael Urie) can’t wait to finally bring someone home to meet his family for Christmas, and then he finds out the guy he’s been dating has a wife. Ugh. So he brings home his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) instead. His mom is set on setting him up with a local trainer, but the rest of his family has their eyes on Nick. It’s a lot of festive family meddling with an ensemble cast (um, hello, Jennifer Coolidge and Kathy Najimy), plus a fantastic musical number. In other words, we think this is one of the best rom-coms on Netflix. 

5.   Really Love (2020)

If  Really Love was just a 90-minute excuse to stare at Kofi Siriboe, that would be completely fine. But this story of a DC painter (Siriboe) and Georgetown law student (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing), who fall in love as their careers pull them in different directions, is reminiscent of ’90s indie romantic dramas in the best way. The movie is also something of a valentine to Black Washington, DC—from kisses outside of Ben’s Chili Bowl to a DC go-go performance. 

6.   A Secret Love   (2020)

This documentary might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to romantic movies, but trust us: Terry and Pat’s story is a testament to the power of true, lasting love. The lesbian couple stayed in closet for more than 60 years until they felt people and—most important—their family would finally support their relationship. Unflinchingly honest interviews with their loved ones, and the film’s reminders of how oppressive anti-LGBTQ viewpoints can be, keep Terry and Pat’s sweet tale very, very real. 

7.   Love Hard   (2021)

Dating columnist Natalie (Nina Dobrev) flies to Lake Placid to surprise a guy she met on an app—only to learn she’s been catfished by Josh (Jimmy O. Yang). She eventually agrees to pose as his girlfriend for Christmas with his family if he sets her up with the hot guy from the dating-app photos (Darren Barnet), and a love triangle ensues. If it weren’t for Josh’s sweet, normal parents (whom he lives with) or his kind face and insecure demeanor, this story would be more creepy than endearing. But if you can suspend your disbelief (we assume you can if you’re reading this list), the holiday rom-com is a cut above many in the genre: Yang’s comic timing and charm sell Josh’s appeal, and the reimagined, less problematic version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is an instant-classic scene. 

8.   Rumor Has It (2005)

If you thought your family had drama, just wait. When Sarah (Jennifer Aniston) and her boyfriend Jeff (Mark Ruffalo) go home for her younger sister’s wedding, Sarah picks up on a rumor that her family was the inspiration for  The Graduate —specifically, that her late mom had a fling with a man named Beau Burroughs (Kevin Costner), who  also had an affair with her grandmother (Shirley MacLaine). Sarah goes searching for answers and ends up tempted by Beau herself, making her realize just how supremely messed up her family is and how hard it is to know what you really want in a relationship. 

9.   Desperados (2020)  

Wesley (Nasim Pedrad) is justifiably pissed after she’s ghosted by Jared (Robbie Amell), a seemingly perfect guy she’s been dating. So she sends a truly unhinged email telling him off—and then gets a call that he’s actually in a hospital in Mexico. Naturally, Wesley drags her friends with her to Mexico to try to delete the email before he gets out of the hospital (as one does). It’s a funny, ridiculous, and at times even touching look at what we’ll do when we’re very  very ready for love.

10.   Holidate (2020)  

Yup, we got another holiday romance movie on the list. In this one, Sloane (Emma Roberts) meets the similarly not-interested-in-dating-at-the-moment Jackson (Luke Bracey) and they agree to be each other’s non-sexual plus-ones for the holidays. But as the year goes on, it gets predictably messier to find the line between fake date and real date. Also, Kristin Chenoweth stars as the awesomely single aunt, which is reason enough to tune in. 

11.   The Half of It (2020)

Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) lives with her widowed father in a remote town. She’s approached by Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer), a typical high school jock, to write love letters to his crush, Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire)—whom Ellie is secretly in love with. Friendships are tested and love triangles are formed in this LGBTQ coming-of-age story.

12.   To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

In this Netflix original, Lara Jean Covey ( Lana Condor) writes secret love letters—which she never sends—to her most major past and present loves. One night her younger sister discovers them and mails them out. Lara Jean’s life goes haywire as she’s suddenly confronted by her crushes. Unexpectedly, Lara Jean gets closer to one—Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo)—and it might actually work out. This is the first of three movies, so you may want to prepare for a full movie marathon.

13.   Someone Great (2019)

Jenny Young (Gina Rodriguez) and Nate Davis (Lakeith Stanfield) have been in a relationship for nine years. But when Jenny gets a job in San Francisco, they break up. Jenny  deals with her heartbreak by surrounding herself with her friends for one final girls’ night out in New York City.

14.   Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) are childhood  best friends who date in their teens. Sixteen years after their breakup, Sasha is a successful chef and engaged, while Marcus is in an amateur band and still living with his dad. But when Sasha breaks up with her fiancé, she finds herself growing closer to Marcus. (There’s also an LOL-funny cameo by Keanu Reeves, in which he plays a ridiculous version of himself.)

15.   The Lovebirds (2020)

Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) and Leilani ( Issa Rae ) are on the brink of breaking up. And to make the situation worse, they’re suddenly thrown into a chaotic murder mystery. As they figure out the case, they have to also figure out how they—and their relationship—can survive. It’s equal parts funny, heartwarming, and action-packed.

16.   All the Bright Places (2020)

This coming-of-age film follows Theodore Finch (Justice Smith), who is dealing with mental illness, and Violet Markey (Elle Fanning), who is coping with her sister’s death . The two must learn how to make their relationship work without letting the scars of their past get in the way of their love.

17.   Set It Up (2018)

Harper Moore (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie Young (Glen Powell) are two assistants with  workaholic bosses (played by Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs). In an attempt to get their bosses off their backs, Harper and Charlie set them up. And wouldn’t you know, the assistants start to fall in love with each other too.

18.   She’s Gotta Have It (1986)

Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) can’t decide what kind of man to date, so she does what any sensible person would do and  dates three men at the same time. But what happens when the three men find out about each other? This Spike Lee–directed film, which feels apt for the online dating generation, was certainly ahead of its time. (After you’ve streamed the film, watch the 2017 Netflix series for an updated version of the classic.)

19.   Marriage Story (2019)

This Academy Award–nominated film involves theater director Charlie Barber (Adam Driver) and his wife, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), who’s an actress. The movie depicts their divorce and accompanying emotions such as  anger , denial, and grief. You might think it a strange choice to be on our list of best romantic movies on Netflix, but its realistic portrayal of  long-term love , divorce, and tender moments makes it a satisfying film.

20.   Irreplaceable You (2018)  

Abbie (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Sam (Michiel Huisman) are childhood friends who grew up to fall in love and get engaged. But when Abbie is diagnosed with cancer, she sets out to find a new love for Sam. She also forms friendships with other patients who teach her how to focus on living, even in the midst of a  terminal illness .

21.   The Incredible Jessica James (2017)

Jessica James (Jessica Williams) is a fiercely independent struggling playwright in New York City  trying to get over her ex in the age of social media. She’s set up on a blind date with Boone (Chris O’Dowd), who is also struggling after a breakup. The two hit it off and attempt to figure out what love looks like after heartbreak.

22.   The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

In post-WWII London, novelist Juliet Ashton (Lily James) receives a fan letter from a book club based in Guernsey, an island located off the Normandy coast. Juliet leaves the city (and her fiancé) to meet Dawsey Adams (Michiel Huisman), the main letter writer, and the rest of the book club. Once there, Juliet becomes close with the island’s quirky residents and grows particularly fond of Dawsey (if you know what we mean).

23.   Juanita (2019)

Juanita (Alfre Woodard) feels mentally exhausted from life. Between the long days at work, babysitting her granddaughter at night, and visiting her son in prison, Juanita has  no time for herself. So she leaves Ohio to spend some alone time in Butte, Montana. There, Juanita is finally free to focus on her needs, make new friends, and even find romance.

24.   Work It (2020)

High schooler Quinn Ackerman (Sabrina Carpenter) really wants to go to Duke University. In an attempt to diversify her college application, Quinn creates a new dance team at school. There is one big problem with her plan: Quinn just isn’t a great dancer. She seeks out former high school dance champion Jake Taylor (Jordan Fisher) for extra lessons, and sparks fly between the two.

25.   Love, Guaranteed (2020)

Despite going on nearly 1,000 dates using the Love, Guaranteed dating service, Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.) is still single. Disgruntled by what he perceives as false advertising, Nick sues the company, but his claim becomes shaky as he grows closer to his lawyer (Rachel Leigh Cook). You can expect plenty of witty banter and a predictably sweet ending in this feel-good movie.

26.   Feel the Beat (2020)

April (Sofia Carson) is an aspiring New York City dancer who returns to her small hometown after having a very embarrassing Broadway audition. She starts  teaching ballet at her old studio in an attempt to coach her students into a dance competition that will hopefully revive her career. April isn’t always the most likable person, but you can’t help but hope that her dreams of Broadway and her budding romance with Nick (Wolfgang Novogratz) work out.

27.   Lingua Franca (2019)

Olivia (Isabel Sandoval) is a transgender Filipina who hopes to get married and get her green card so she can stay in America. She works as a live-in caregiver for an older woman in Brooklyn and soon finds love with the woman’s grandson, Alex (Eamon Farren). The two develop a sweet relationship, which they try to make work amid their own personal challenges with immigration, alcoholism, and  anxiety .

28.   Mr. Right (2015)

Reeling from a breakup, Martha McKay (Anna Kendrick) reluctantly agrees to go on a date with Francis (Sam Rockwell), who picks her up at a convenience store. Their first date goes pretty well, until Francis confesses that he’s actually a hitman who targets the people who hire him. Predictably, Martha gets swept up in Francis’s drama and has to determine whether their relationship is worth the danger.

29.   Love Wedding Repeat (2020)

When visiting his sister Hayley (Eleanor Tomlinson) in Italy, Jack (Sam Claflin) nearly kisses Dina (Olivia Munn). The moment is interrupted, but the two reconnect several years later at Hayley’s  wedding , where they admit they’ve harbored a crush on each other the whole time. The film shows different scenarios about how things could play out, and you’ll have to watch to see if Dina and Jack ultimately end up together.

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SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

‘The Greatest Hits’ review: Time…

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‘the greatest hits’ review: time travel-by-song hook is catchy in fantasy-romance, through her character’s grief and excitement over a new love, lucy boynton grounds movie.

Ned Benson appreciates how music and memory can become intertwined — how music can bring you back to a certain place, time or — perhaps most importantly — person.

The idea for “The Greatest Hits” — a fairly melodic fantasy-romance film written and directed by Benson that had its premiere last month at the South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, saw a limited theatrical release last week and debuts this week on Hulu — dates to 2008, when Benson read neurologist Oliver Sacks’ “Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain.” According to the production notes for the Searchlight Pictures release, the first draft of the screenplay followed the next year, with Benson picking back up with the project during the pandemic.

In Benson’s occasionally magical tale, Harriet (Lucy Boynton) is still grieving the loss of her boyfriend two years after his death. However, Harriet regularly encounters Max (David Corenswet), briefly traveling back in time when she hears a song from their shared existence and being able to interact with him in a now-altered moment from the past.

We learn that Harriet has been attempting to use these time-bending moments to change what is to come.

“Hon,” she says after arriving back in the passenger seat of a car he’s driving, “I have seen what happens next, and I need you to listen to me: Please, please take the next right.”

“That’s right,” he says dismissively but at the same time lovingly, “you can see the future. I forgot who I was dealing with. You should have said something.”

“I have,” she says. “So many times.”

He keeps going straight and another vehicle slams into his side of the car.

This seemingly supernatural predicament — it is, of course, possible she’s suffering from a mental condition — not only is psychologically draining and keeping her from moving on, but it’s also downright physically dangerous. Lucy seizes and passes out whenever and wherever she hears one of these songs, so the one-time future music producer has taken a job at a library and wears big headphones everywhere she goes to block out outside noise in the name of safety.

Nonetheless, she also spends time at home, going through records — via the music-listening setup she’s inherited from Max, including a record player, hi-fi speakers and a coveted but ill-fated used chair — to find the song that may allow to give her the future she desperately desires.

Her life is further complicated when she meets David (Justin H. Min), who takes an immediate interest in Harriet upon meeting her in a grief support group, the former dealing with the loss of his parents. He, too, is a music lover, and soon the two are having a flirtatious argument about who gets to buy a rare Roxy Music vinyl at the endangered record store where her best friend, Morris (Austin Crute), is DJing on this night,

Morris loves Harriet but also is quite tired of her wallowing in the past, both figuratively and literally, and encourages her to try to have something with David.

David, meanwhile, is understandably perplexed when Harriet lets him into her world, gradually revealing what is going on with her.

Benson, who shares a story-by credit on 2021’s “Black Widow” and is the writer-director of 2014’s “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby,” walks a fine line with “The Greatest Hits,” encouraging the viewer to both want Harriet to be with the kind David while also not necessarily giving up on saving Max, who is never shown to be anything but a decent fellow himself.

And, at least for a while, it’s tough to envision how “The Greatest Hits” will end, even after Harriet concludes exactly how her particular brand of time travel works.

The film is anchored by the performance of Boyton (“Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Chevalier”), who makes us root for Harriet both when she’s sad and when she’s experiencing a mix of excitement and guilt as things develop with David. She has chemistry both with Min (“The Umbrella Academy”) and Corenswet, with whom she shared the screen in the TV series “The Politician.”

(If Corenswet’s name is ringing a bell, it’s likely because he’s been cast in writer-director James Gunn’s highly anticipated “Superman,” recently renamed from “Superman: Legacy” and planned for a 2025 release. We see nothing here to suggest he will prove to be at least a solid choice.)

The lone area where “The Greatest Hits” lets us down is its all-important music. Mileage will vary with this, of course, but, to our ears, so many of the songs chosen by Benson, music supervisor Mary Ramos and DJ Harvey, a music consultant, are relatively bland and uninteresting. Obviously, different folks adore different music, but it’s hard to imagine some of the songs featured would delight audiophiles Harriet and Morris, and you can’t help but wonder if the project’s budget for music were only so robust.

(For the record, we have no issue with the use of 2009 pop hit “I’m Like a Bird” by Nelly Furtado, who appears briefly in “The Greatest Hits.”)

Still, as a love letter to the power of music — as well as to Los Angeles, where the movie was shot entirely on location — “The Greatest Hits” is well worth a spin.

‘The Greatest Hits’

Where: Hulu.

When: April 12.

Rated: PG-13 for drug use, strong language and suggestive material.

Runtime: 1 hour, 34 minutes.

Stars (of four): 2.5.

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Lea Seydoux a time-traveling romantic in ‘The…

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Lea seydoux a time-traveling romantic in ‘the beast’.

France’s reigning star with international clout, Lea Seydoux showcases three women, all named Gabrielle, in three distinct time periods in the romantic, time-traveling “The Beast.”

Uniquely original, French writer-director Bertrand Bonello’s “The Beast” loosely adapts Henry James’ 1903 novella “The Beast in the Jungle.”

Bonello begins in 1910 Paris, skips to Los Angeles in 2014 and then leaps into a futuristic 2044.  As the time periods shuffle, each era sees Seydoux’s Gabrielle meet Louis (George MacKay of “1917”).

“The Beast” was initially conceived for Seydoux and Gaspard Ulliel, the French actor known best here as the face of Bleu de Chanel. His sudden death in a Swiss skiing accident in early 2022 threatened to derail the project.

“I felt that I had to do the film,” Seydoux, 38, said in French-accented English in a phone interview. “I had to do it because first of all they needed me” – as a bankable star.

“But also I was curious about this film. When asked, ‘What’s the subject of the film?’ it’s very difficult to answer. Because it’s about so many things but it’s very contemporary.”

In each setting Gabrielle is foreshadowed by a terrible event. We come to understand that each era links these two to their pasts and the future.

“For me it’s about loneliness,” Seydoux said. “This craving that we have to be able to communicate and the desire to love.

“Is it about destiny? Or evolving? Or shedding the scars of lessons of your past and trying to become a better person?

“I don’t think it’s a moral film,” she noted of the film which is in French and English. “It’s not like a lesson about life but it’s more philosophical. It’s also about questioning and experimentation.”

Seydoux’s star has risen in a series of Hollywood hits, from “Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds” (2009), Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” and the Tom Cruise 2011 “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” to Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and with Daniel Craig in his final Bond films, “Spectre” and “No Time to Die.” Her biggest French hit is “Blue is the Warmest Colour.”

“Where I see my career, it’s not like it’s controlled. I’m very instinctive. First of all, what I love the most is to work with the director and to collaborate.

“I work with the people that I admire and that have a view on things that I find interesting. I’m not thinking, ‘Yes! I’m going to have this career in France, this career in America.’ It’s just that I meet people and I’m like, ‘Let’s have this conversation together.’

“It’s a bit of, I think, thinking about my own pleasure.”

“The Beast” opens April 12

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29 Best Teen Romance Movies to Make You Feel All Your Feelings

No one knows love (and heartbreak) like the teenagers in teen romance movies. It’s a genre that never gets old because no matter the age, we can all remember and relate to those messy feelings of figuring yourself out  and   navigating romance .

These films have earned a bad reputation for being silly — and sometimes they are — but at their core, they  represent the variety of experiences of that age . Thankfully, as Hollywood changes for the better, there’s even more diversity to come from teen romance movies. Ideas around who is considered to be a leading lady or who gets to be a love interest are changing, and we feel safe enough to say that there’s a teen rom-com for everyone.

Below are some of our favorite and best teenage romance stories that have passed the test of time and cemented themselves in our hearts as classics.

1. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Arguably the best subgenre of teenage rom-coms is inspired by classics, and, as far as that goes,  10 Things I Hate About You has it all. Inspired by Shakespeare’s  Taming Of The Shrew , the plot follows bad boy Patrick Verona's attempt to win a bet by convincing undateable Kat Stratford to give him a chance. It has enemies-to-lovers, charming side characters, and most importantly, the line: “I guess in this society, being male and an asshole makes you worthy of our time.” It honestly still holds up.

Streaming on Disney+.

2. Easy A (2010)

Admittedly, a lot about this movie feels a little dated between the undertones of homophobia and performative feminism, but at the time of its release , it actually was pretty sexually liberating. A lot of people that needed to hear being slut-shamed in high school is, in fact, something you get over. Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson are so endearing as her parents, and if you’ve never seen the iconic Pocketful Of Sunshine scene, you should watch it for that alone. 

Streaming on Peacock.

3. Rye Lane (2023)

If you're a fan of classic rom-coms like  Notting Hill or  Love, Actually , then you have to watch  Rye Lane . It made our list of most  best Sundance premieres for good reason. It's a love story in all of this dreamy, messy, magnetic glory. Plus, the chemistry between leads David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah cannot be denied. 

4. Clueless (1995)

Anyone that grew up in the ‘90s with this movie will tell you that Cher’s outfit-building computer is something they probably still dream about to this day. It’s funny, it’s charming, the romance aspect is really cute , and as one reviewer on Letterboxd called it,  Clueless is “cinematic comfort food.”

By Angie Jaime

By Njera Perkins

By Liv McConnell

Streaming on Paramount+.

5. John Tucker Must Die (2006)

We support women’s rights, but more importantly, we support women’s wrongs — isn’t that how that meme goes? We’re not saying revenge is the best course of action in any given situation, but where this movie is concerned? Kind of. It’s got romance, but it also has  girls supporting girls , and that’s the real love of this movie.

Streaming on Starz.

6. She’s the Man (2006)

We wanted this to be gayer. You’ll probably want this to be gayer. Frankly, even the Shakespeare play it was based on is gayer. But this  movie is still an icon of the genre and definitely worth a watch. And if it doesn’t have you quoting “girls with asses like mine do not talk to boys with faces like yours” for the rest of time… are you okay?

7. Crush (2022)

Sure, it’s a bit cliche, but so what?  Crush has a WLW love triangle, awkward queer teen moments, and a lot of really cute scenes. It’s not reinventing the wheels of the genre by any means, but it’s worth a watch regardless, if for no other reason than because the gays deserve some silly, cliche romance movies too!

Streaming on Hulu.

8. But I’m A Cheerleader (1999)

Speaking of WLW romances,  But I’m A Cheerleader is definitely a classic and, frankly, probably a little ahead of its time despite the blatant stereotyping and internalized homophobia. If nothing else, the cast is incredible — starring Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Melanie Lysnkey and even RuPaul, so you know you’re in for a great time.

Streaming on Showtime.

9. She’s All That (1999)

This is  10 Things I Hate About You meets  A Walk To Remember :  a similar bet situation, except he’s the popular guy and she’s the nerdy girl, but the ending won't make you sad. It's  a fun time, and Matthew Lillard is a hidden gem–between Freddie, him and a Sarah Michelle Gellar cameo, it almost feels like a little  Scooby Doo reunion. (But if you want to cringe a whole lot more, watch the gender-bent remake  He’s All That on Netflix .)

Streaming on HBO Max.

10. Warm Bodies (2013)

So maybe a zombie movie isn’t exactly what you’d picture in a list of teen rom-coms, but that’s exactly why we’re including it. Not only does it breathe new life into both genres, it’s actually genuinely charming and funny to watch.

11. A Cinderella Story (2004)

As far as fairytale retellings go , this one is especially worth a watch. Sure, it has some “I’m not like other girls” vibes, but it also has Jennifer Coolidge being an absolute icon, so we think it evens out. That and Hilary Duff’s speech about waiting for rain in a drought make it worth the watch.

Streaming free on Tubi.

12. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

Diversity in film is so important, and  this movie (and the book series that inspired it) definitely has had a major impact on the industry in that regard. But  To All the Boys is also a vital addition to the teen romance movies canon — the story is extremely heartwarming, the relationships are all pretty healthy and no less compelling for it, and the sisterly bond between the Covey sisters alone is worth watching it for, romance aside. Make it a whole marathon with the full trilogy! 

Streaming on Netflix.

13. The Way He Looks (2014)

The Way He Looks is a Brazilian, queer teen rom-com with disability representation (one of the main characters is blind). It’s cute, it’s inclusive, and it has so many heartfelt moments — we loved it, and are certain you will too if you give it a chance. 

Streaming on Prime through a free trial.

14. The Prince & Me (2004)

Maybe these days being a princess isn’t exactly most people’s dreams, all things considered, but if you’d like to suspend disbelief for a couple of hours and enjoy the idea of the childhood fantasy, this is the movie for you. 

Streaming on Paramount+, or free with ads on YouTube.

15. Moonshot (2022)

Humans really have no business colonizing anything else, much less a whole different planet. Still, if you want to enjoy some teen romance that  isn’t  set in high school, definitely give  Moonshot a try. It has its cute moments and  Lana Candor is the rom-com queen!

Not currently streaming anywhere.

16. Isi & Ossi (2020)

We have two words for you: fake dating. This German rom-com is an underrated masterpiece of the trope in our opinion, and the leads have such fantastic chemistry you’ll feel it go by so fast. Title character and rich girl Isi pretends to date poor boxer Ossi as a way to piss off her parents — and in true rom-com spirit, will find she has a lot more in common with him than she thinks.

17. Grease (1978)

We can’t make a list of teen rom-coms and not include the  original blueprint ! Sure, none of the cast looks like teenagers (because they weren’t, but are we surprised), but there’s a reason this movie is still so widely known today. If you’ve never seen it, definitely put it on your watchlist. 

Streaming on Netflix and Paramount+.

18. Save The Last Dance (2001)

Watching this movie today,  it’s likely you’ll find some faults with it , especially when the subplot of racism is so deeply interwoven in the story. Still, you can’t deny that this was one of the first movies to represent an interracial relationship so openly onscreen, especially for younger audiences at the time. If nothing else, this is still a sweet story that was bringing in diversity long before that was expected or standard.

19. Love, Simon (2018)

Speaking of representation,  Love, Simon excels in telling a gay romance story that, while touching on some traumatic aspects of the LGBTQIA+ experience, never lets the trauma be the center of its story. Not only that, it is genuinely a romance and doesn’t end with the protagonist destroyed by circumstances at the end. Cute, cliche in the best way, and certainly worth watching!

20. Never Been Kissed (1999)

So maybe the context is problematic when you look at it through today’s lens, but even so,  Never Been Kissed is one of the first movies that people think of when asked about teen rom-coms and for good reason. Still, the main relationship is actually very sweet on the whole and Drew Barrymore is as endlessly charming as ever. 

Streaming on Apple TV, Disney+, Prime and free on Tubi.

21. The Duff (2015)

We won’t try to convince you this movie is actually good — it’s not — but it is a fun, guilty pleasure rom-com to throw on in the background when you feel like watching something where the leads actually have very good chemistry despite the script’s shortcomings. Still, let it be known that Mae Whitman is neither fat nor ugly, and even if she were, those aren’t bad things, and they don’t disqualify anyone from being deserving of love. If you can get past that, though, the main characters actually work really well together.

Streaming on Netflix or free on Tubi.

22. Saved! (2004)

There’s so much to unpack with this movie in terms of the problematic language used throughout — definitely a product of its time. Still, it has a lot of clever dialogue to go with it, too many iconic lines to quote, and a heartwarming found-family dynamic that may just be better than any of the romantic aspects.

Streaming on PlutoTV and Tubi.

23. Do Revenge (2022)

Everything about this movie was a little unhinged, but it was still  very fun to watch . Do we think the romance aspect of it was perhaps a bit misplaced? A little bit. But even then, the romance we do get is still cute, and a lot of the themes shown can spark a lot of meaningful conversation — definitely a sleepover movie night kind of watch.

24. The Princess Diaries (2001)

The thing about  The Princess Diaries is that it’s not outright a romance movie. Still, if you have ever watched it before, there’s no way you can convince us that Mia and Michael didn’t literally invent love. The foot pop? “Because you saw me when I was invisible?” Simply iconic.  And there might even be more, according to the princess herself!

25. The Half Of It (2020)

The Half Of It is definitely more coming-of-age than rom-com, but here’s the thing: it still delivers a lot of complex emotions, portrays a platonic relationship between people of opposite genders and, while the romance aspect could definitely have been more front and center,  it is still a beautiful story . 

26. Sierra Burgess Is A Loser (2018)

The good parts about this movie : a plus-sized woman getting to be a romantic lead, and the female friendship that ends up developing as part of the premise.  The bad part: centering your whole premise around catfishing someone . Nevertheless, it’s important to support movies that promote diversity, even if you can recognize where they might be flawed. Plus, it’s a fun one to watch when you don’t want something super serious. 

27. The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Again, we’d argue this movie falls more on the  coming-of-age aspect than rom-com , but what’s wrong with celebrating some platonic love, too? This is a genuinely compelling story about imperfect characters that still manage to love each other despite their personal struggles.

Streaming on Hulu with Live TV.

28. Wild Child (2008)

This is another of those movies that aren’t  good , but  sure are fun . The romance is cute, but most importantly we just love watching her find herself through unexpected connections to her mother. Plus, the line “I didn’t start it, it wasn’t my fault and if this were America, I would sue” is just incredible.  

29. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

We don’t know anyone that watched this when it came out who doesn’t agree this should’ve been a queer romance instead. It’s not, unfortunately, but still definitely worth a watch for the vibes alone and to enjoy  What Could Have Been . 

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From Friends to Lovers: 15 Films Spotlighting Romantic Shift

Posted: February 19, 2024 | Last updated: February 19, 2024

No Strings Attached (2011)

No Strings Attached, directed by Ivan Reitman, was released in 2011 and is a romantic comedy that follows the story of Emma Kurtzman (played by Natalie Portman) and Adam Franklin (played by Ashton Kutcher). The plot revolves around the idea of having a relationship without emotional commitments or romantic expectations, focusing on the dynamics of "friends with benefits".

The movie explores how Emma and Adam attempt to maintain a purely physical relationship without getting emotionally involved. As they navigate through this seemingly straightforward dynamic, they encounter unexpected challenges and discover that separating the physical aspect from the emotional one is not always as easy as it seems.

My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

Not all Friends-to-Lovers-style movies have fairy-tale endings; instead, many of them impart valuable lessons. Although My Best Friend's Wedding is a romantic classic, its appeal lies in how it addresses the complexities of friendship and unrequited love, offering a perspective different from typical romantic comedies. Julia Roberts and Dermot Mulroney bring the main characters to life, accompanied by Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett.

The plot focuses more on the protagonist, Julianne, who realizes she is in love with her best friend, Michael, when he announces he is marrying another woman, Kimmy. Instead of evolving into a romantic relationship between Julianne and Michael, the film explores the complicated dynamics between them after Michael has already decided to marry someone else.

Friends with Benefits (2011)

Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis joined forces in 2011 to bring to life Friends with Benefits, the romantic comedy of 2011 directed by Will Gluck that quickly became a classic in the genre. The narrative addresses modern themes of relationships in the digital age and offers a blend of humor and more reflective moments on the nature of love and friendship in contemporary life.

The plot follows Dylan Harper and Jamie Rellis, who decide to establish a purely physical relationship without emotional commitments. As they try to maintain a physical connection without involving romantic feelings, the line between friendship and romance becomes blurred. Throughout the movie, both characters explore the possibility of having a "no-strings-attached" relationship, but as often happens in romantic comedies, complications and unexpected feelings arise.

One Day (2011)

One Day is one of the many films that have been hugely successful and fall into the Friends-to-Lovers category. Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess star in the romantic drama directed by Lone Scherfig, based on a script developed by David Nicholls. The production isn't afraid to explore raw emotions and challenging moments in the characters' lives, adding layers of authenticity to the narrative and addressing universal themes related to love and friendship.

The story follows Dexter and Em, who, after spending a night together on their college graduation night, meet every year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. Sometimes they are together, and sometimes they are not, on that day. The film delves into the complexities of friendship between a man and a woman over time, showing how life's challenges and circumstances impact their relationship.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

With witty and memorable dialogues, When Harry Met Sally has become a landmark in the romantic comedy genre and has left a lasting impact on popular culture. It is an iconic romantic comedy, directed by Rob Reiner and released in 1989, featuring a screenplay by Nora Ephron and starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.

The story follows the relationship between Harry and Sally over more than a decade. It begins when they are college students and take a trip together from Chicago to New York. Over the years, their lives intersect on various occasions, exploring the dynamics between men and women, friendship, and romantic love.

When We First Met (2018)

When We First Met is considered a Friends-to-Lovers film because it explores the theme of a friend developing romantic feelings for another over time. The movie follows Noah, played by Adam Devine, who uses a magical time-traveling machine to try to change the outcome of a night when he met the woman of his dreams, Avery, portrayed by Alexandra Daddario. As Noah revisits the past on several occasions, the film plays with the dynamics of friendship and the possibility of it evolving into something more.

The production has been appreciated for its humorous and lighthearted approach to the genre. Additionally, the charismatic cast and the comedic situations the main character finds himself in have contributed to its appeal. While it may not be considered a masterpiece, the film has been praised for entertaining audiences with its fresh approach and its ability to find humor in the transition from friendship to romance.

Love, Rosie (2014)

Love, Rosie is considered a good Friends-to-Lovers-style film for several reasons. The plot follows Rosie and Alex, close friends since childhood, as they navigate the complexity of their relationships over the years. The story skillfully balances comedic moments with emotional situations, providing an authentic portrayal of the relationships and challenges that friends face when exploring romantic love.

Lily Collins and Sam Claflin, who portray Rosie and Alex, manage to convey authenticity and palpable chemistry on screen, engaging the audience emotionally in their story. The plot follows the duo, who have been best friends since they were 5 years old, so they might not be meant for each other... or could they be?

13 Going On 30 (2004)

13 Going On 30 is remembered as one of the most iconic films of 2004, featuring great leads, a standout soundtrack, impressive performances, and scenes that still remain relevant in pop culture. The Friends-to-Lovers-style romantic comedy, directed by Gary Winick, stars Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo in the roles of Jenna Rink and Matt Flamhaff.

The plot follows Jenna, a 13-year-old girl who, after making a wish at her birthday party, wakes up the next day in the body of her 30-year-old self. As Jenna navigates her new adult life, she realizes the choices she has made and how they impact her relationships, especially her friendship with Matt. The narrative explores themes of personal growth, second chances, and the importance of genuine relationships.

The F Word (2013)

The F Word, also known as What If, is a Canadian romantic comedy released in 2013. The film, directed by Michael Dowse, features Daniel Radcliffe as Wallace and Zoe Kazan as Chantry, the main characters. The chemistry between the two actors is undeniable, and the movie itself stands out for its fresh and humorous approach to romantic relationships and friendship, offering a charming and appealing perspective on the challenges of emotional connections.

The plot follows Wallace, who befriends Chantry but discovers that she has a boyfriend. Despite the situation, Wallace and Chantry decide to try to maintain their friendship, exploring whether it's possible to be friends of the opposite sex without romantic complications. The story addresses themes of friendship, romantic attraction, and the blurry line between these two elements.

The Duff (2015)

Although The Duff is a romantic comedy centered around self-discovery, many have considered it a Friends-to-Lovers-style story due to the main characters transitioning from a forced friendship to a romantic relationship. While it doesn't strictly follow the narrative arc of typical films, it has gained appreciation for its fresh and contemporary approach to teenage relationships.

The plot follows Bianca, a high school student who instigates a social revolution after discovering she has been labeled as "the designated ugly fat friend" by more popular students. Mae Whitman portrays the main character, with Robbie Amell as Wesley Rush, Bella Thorne as Madison Morgan, Allison Janney as Dottie and Bianca A. Santos along with Skyler Samuels playing Bianca Piper's friends.

Past Lives (2023)

Past Lives is one of the great romantic gems that 2023 brought, directed and written by Celine Song. Not only is it a fantastic choice for fans of love, friendship, and friends-to-lovers style movies, but it also doesn't lack humor and drama. The title was one of the most successful and even received nominations at various award ceremonies, such as the Critics Choice Awards.

The story follows Nora and Hae Sung (portrayed by Greta Lee and Teo Yoo), two childhood friends deeply connected, who are separated after Nora's family immigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later, they reunite during a fateful week to confront love and destiny.

Brown Sugar (2002)

Brown Sugar is one of the most well-known films in Taye Diggs' and Sanaa Lathan's filmography, and over time, it has become a success in the romantic genre. Directed by Rick Famuyiwa, the story depicts the lives of two childhood friends, Dre and Sidney, who share a deep connection due to their shared love for hip-hop music.

The plot unfolds over the years, exploring the changing dynamics of friendship and love as both pursue their professional careers. It addresses themes of passion, authenticity, and the influence of hip-hop culture on their lives, standing out for its focus on hip-hop culture and its impact on personal relationships. In addition to the central story of friendship and romance, the film features cameos from prominent figures in hip-hop music and offers a standout soundtrack.

Something Borrowed (2011)

Something Borrowed explores themes of unrequited love, complicated friendship, and making difficult decisions. The film, directed by Luke Greenfield in 2011, has been praised for realistically addressing the emotional nuances of relationships and for the compelling performances of its cast, which includes stars like Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield and John Krasinski.

The plot is based on the novel of the same name by Emily Giffin and revolves around the complexity of relationships and loyalty among friends. Rachel, a shy and loyal lawyer, celebrates her thirtieth birthday with her friend Darcy. However, things take an unexpected turn when Rachel realizes she has developed feelings for Darcy's fiancé, Dex. As the story unfolds, Rachel faces ethical dilemmas and the struggle between her own desires and loyalty to her friendship.

Made of Honor (2008)

Made of Honor plays with the traditional concept of gender roles in weddings and offers a unique perspective on romantic and friendship relationships. The comedy unfolds as Tom tries to understand his own feelings and grapple with the possibility of losing Hannah forever. With touches of humor and heartfelt moments, the film provides an entertaining blend of laughter and romance.

Directed by Paul Weiland and starring Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan, the story follows Tom and Hannah, two close friends since college. When Hannah goes to Scotland for work, Tom realizes he has romantic feelings for her. However, before he can express his feelings, Hannah returns engaged. Tom is invited to be the "maid of honor" at Hannah's wedding, and the film follows his attempts to sabotage the wedding while trying to discover his true feelings.

Just Friends (2005)

Ryan Reynolds has been a part of multiple romantic comedies, but one of the most popular is Just Friends, which qualifies as a typical friends-to-lovers story. The actor shared the spotlight with Amy Smart, Anna Faris, and Chris Klein in the film directed by Roger Kumble and released in 2005, quickly becoming a hit.

The plot follows Chris Brander, who, after being rejected in high school, transforms into a successful executive in the music industry. When he returns to his hometown during the holidays, he reunites with his old friend Jamie Palamino and realizes he still has feelings for her. However, his attempt to win her over is hindered by the presence of pop star Samantha James.

The title blends elements of comedy and romance with humorous situations and heartfelt moments. It addresses themes of friendship, second chances in love, and the true meaning of emotional connection. With its mix of humor and romance, the movie has gained a following among lovers of romantic comedies in this style.

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The Greatest Hits review – cutesy music romance plays a forgettable tune

Lucy Boynton plays a woman who can travel back in time with the power of a song in a high-concept, low-enjoyment fantasy

I n the often insufferably cutesy romance The Greatest Hits, our heroine travels back in time whenever a song from her past is played, nostalgia acting as a magical, transporting force. While watching the film, we too are pulled back but rather to all of the far superior films we’re inconveniently reminded of, from High Fidelity to Richard Curtis’s similarly high-concept About Time to the ’00s Sundance breakouts (500) Days of Summer and Garden State. It’s a film about the power that great music has in distracting us from the now that instead showcases the power that great films have in distracting us from the lesser ones they inspire.

But even without the many whiffs of familiarity, writer-director Ned Benson’s film would still be hitting a bum note. It’s all too self-consciously disheveled, every band T-shirt looking less like it was found at a gig and more like it was bought at an Urban Outfitters and it’s this slick cleanness that affects both style and story. Harriet (Lucy Boynton) is stuck in a grief spiral after her longtime boyfriend Max (new Superman David Corenswet) dies in a car accident. She’s shifted jobs, become withdrawn and walks around with ear plugs and a giant pair of headphones because it’s not just that certain songs take her mind back to certain moments with him, it’s that they take her entire body as well. If she hears a song that was playing at some point during their relationship, she’s thrown back to that exact moment. Her efforts to save him remain fruitless, though, and so her blessing becomes a curse.

Benson’s debut The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby – an ambitious trilogy of films following the dissolution of a marriage from different perspectives – offered up something tantalising in concept, but he never quite found enough truth or raw emotion to affect us in the way a film about something so difficult really should. We’re in glossier, more heightened territory here, but in a film about grief and how we struggle to course-correct after loss, and there’s also nothing wrenching within, everything too broad and stylised to get to us. The decision to only show Max either in Harriet’s brief journeys back or in fleeting montage means that we never really get to know him as anything but a handsome cipher, and so we’re told to mourn a relationship that means nothing. Her thankless gay bestie tells her “you lost yourself when you lost him,” which means very little when we don’t know who she or he ever was.

Harriet meets someone new – the charming Justin H Min – but their courtship is too twee and artificial as well as dated (at one moment, I said he’d better not be taking her to a silent disco, and he then takes her to a silent disco). It’s the kind of real-people-don’t-act-like-this romance that Min’s last film, Randall Park’s incisive comedy Shortcomings, would have ridiculed. Even the fantastical elements don’t make that much sense, magic with rules that are loose and undefined, leaving us with an eye-roll of an ending we can see from a mile away.

Premiering at SXSW, it moves more like a Sundance film from years prior or one a studio would craft to look like it belonged there, a calculated crowd-pleaser with a cold, synthetic feel. Despite that title, this one’s a miss.

The Greatest Hits is available on Hulu on 12 April in the US and on Disney+ elsewhere

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‘The Greatest Hits’ Ending Explained: What Is the Missing Song?

Where to stream:.

• The Greatest Hits
• lucy boynton

‘The Greatest Hits’ Proves How Difficult It Is to Make a Great Movie about Music Fandom

Stream it or skip it: ‘the greatest hits’ on hulu, a high-concept sci-fi romance starring lucy boynton as a very sad time traveler, when will ‘the greatest hits’ movie be on hulu how to stream the lucy boynton movie, is ‘chevalier’ based on a true story.

The Greatest Hits on Hulu—which began streaming today— is a movie with a fascinating concept. Many of us have experienced a pang of nostalgia or been reminded of a memory when we hear a certain song. The Greatest Hits takes that a step further. What if certain songs could literally pull you back into the past?

That’s the conundrum faced by the protagonist of The Greatest Hits , a woman who finds herself time-traveling into her past to visit her now-dead boyfriend. Written and directed by Ned Benson ( The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby ), the movie stars American-English actor Lucy Boynton, who you may know from her roles in 2016’s Sing Street and 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody .

But though the initial concept of The Greatest Hits is fascinating, the actual execution of the plot is a bit murky. Time travel plots are notoriously confusing, after all. If you got lost along the way, don’t worry: Decider is here to help. Read on for an analysis of The Greatest Hit s plot summary and The Greatest Hits ending explained, including what the missing song in The Greatest Hits movie is.

The Greatest Hits movie plot summary:

We meet Harriet (Lucy Boynton) on the two-year anniversary of the death of her boyfriend, Max (David Corenswet). Harriet loves music and worked as a music producer before Max died in a fatal car crash. Since Max’s death, Harriet has discovered that certain songs cause her to literally time travel back to a time in her relationship with Max when they first heard the song together. But no matter how many times Harriet puts on the song that was playing on the day of the car crash, and travels back to that moment, she can’t convince Max to pull over the car to prevent the crash.

Because Harriet can’t control when she might hear a song that pulls her into the past, she wears earplugs and headphones when she’s out in public. She’s also searching for a specific “missing song” that she can’t remember the name of, but she believes it will take her back to the exact right time to prevent the car crash and save Max. Her best friend Morris (Austin Crute) urges her to let go of the past and live in the present, but Harriet can’t… until she meets a new guy named David (Justin H. Min).

Harriet meets David at a grief support group. David recently lost both of his parents. Despite his sister’s pleas to sell, David is determined to keep running his parents’ antique shop as a way to keep their memory alive. When they meet, David is immediately enamored with Harriet and asks her out on a date. They have a nice time, even though David thinks it’s a little weird that Harriet keeps her headphones on the entire time for a “medical condition,” and that she runs out on him when she hears a song that pulls her into the past. Nevertheless, Harriet tries to make the new relationship work.

After David witnesses Harriet pass out from a time-travel spell, she tries to explain her situation. He doesn’t believe her. Later, when David brings Harriet to his parents’ antique shop, she realizes she’s been there before. She rifles through his parents’ old records until she finds an album cover she recognizes, and realizes it’s the “missing song.” She promises David she will be able to prove to him that the time travel is real, and asks him where the best hiding spot in the shop is. He tells her that it’s an old school desk.

What is the missing song in The Greatest Hits movie?

Harriet puts on the song—Mozart’s Fantasia in D Minor—and travels back to a day when she visited the antique shop with Max. It’s the day of the car crash, when Max bought a chair from the antique shop, and it’s the moment when Harriet believes she can save his life. But no matter what Harriet says to Max, she can’t convince him not to buy the chair. She gives up and decides to use her remaining time—the length of the song—writing a note to David. She leaves the note in the school desk, and returns to the present-day. Present-day David finds the note, and finally believes Harriet.

David and Harriet continue to try to have a normal relationship. But after Harriet is thrust into the past yet again—courtesy of that infamous earworm jingle for “Kars 4 Kids”—she realizes she can’t spend the rest of her life this way. So she comes up with a plan.

The Greatest Hits ending explained:

As Harriet explains to David, she can’t seem to change anyone else’s behavior when she time travels—but she can change her own behavior. She decided to travel back to the day she first met Max at a music festival, and make the decision that will cause her to never have a relationship with him. This also means that she might never meet David, too. Before she goes, she and David promise to look for each other in the new timeline.

Harriet travels back in time to the music festival where she first met Max, and this time, she declines to follow him into the crowd. As a result, she and Max never date. We flash forward to the present day in the new timeline, where it’s revealed that Harriet seems to remember nothing from her other life. She sees Max in a coffee shop with another woman but does not recognize him. In the final scene of the movie, Harriet ends up standing next to David at a concert. Although they don’t remember their other life together, both of them seem to experience a spark of recognition. Or maybe it’s just interest.

Either way, the movie ends with the implication that although it won’t be the same story, Harriet and David have found each other and will be together in this timeline. So there you have it! Everything that you watched on screen was undone in the last ten minutes of the film. It’s bittersweet, to say the least. It’s not explained whether David’s parents still die, and if they do, whether he is still able to let go of the antique shop and move on from their deaths—a realization that Harriet’s struggle with grief helped him achieve. It’s a teensy bit of a plot hole!

But at least Harriet won’t have to spend the rest of her life being literally yanked into the past by music. That’s good!

• Ending Explained

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The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

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• Trivia Marisa Abela did all the singing in this film herself. She trained extensively to mimic Amy Winehouse 's vocals.

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• Runtime 2 hours 2 minutes

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