10 inspirational travel films

The little escapes from everyday life can take many forms, and new destinations, cultures and adventures can be discovered and experienced in many different ways.

How about virtual sightseeing in New York or London, or a seat in the first (sofa) row of a world-class performance? But today we’re going to take you on a cinematic journey; these films transport you to another world. Just make popcorn quickly, then the journey can begin.

Darjeeling Limited

A form of self-discovery is presented to us in Eat, Pray, Love, but there is another way of transformative travel. For example, you could hop on a moving train with three intrepid brothers.

As we know it from Wes Anderson, Darjeeling Limited is a curious, eclectic and at times hilarious film. He takes us on a train journey through India’s diverse landscapes, through mountains, red sandy deserts and past bustling markets. We get insights into religious customs, spiritual rituals and colorful temples that leave a lasting impression on the main characters, and maybe on us too.

Midnight in Paris

If you’ve ever dreamed of suddenly finding yourself in the city of love, the movie Midnight in Paris is just what you need. Woody Allen’s classic captures the bustling streets, charming cafés and distinctive cityscape of Paris perfectly.

Gil, one of the main characters, is in Paris for a few days with his fiancé’s family. One evening he decides to go for a walk. When the clock strikes midnight, something suddenly changes. He has jumped back in time to the 1920s and there he meets Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Salvador Dalí and Ernest Hemingway.

In addition to the charming story, we can also admire the city’s landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe as well as the dazzling nightlife of the golden twenties in the film.

Into the Wild

If you’re craving some nature (and maybe some adventure too), Into the Wild is the perfect movie for you. At the sight of the breathtaking landscapes you can leave everyday life behind you. The autobiographical adaptation of the novel is based on the life of Christopher McCandless, who breaks away from civilization under the pseudonym Alexander Supertramp and defies social norms. His journey into the unknown by car, hitchhike and kayak takes him from Virginia via South Dakota and Northern California to Alaska.

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia! takes you to the Greek islands where you can throw all your worries overboard for at least 1 hour and 49 minutes.

The heartwarming romantic comedy is about Sophie, a young woman who always dreamed of her father walking her down the aisle on her wedding day. The problem? She doesn’t know who her father is. After coming across her mother’s old diary, she decides to invite three men mentioned in it, potential candidates, to her wedding.

The action takes place on the fictional island of Kalokairi, but the film was shot on the real and gorgeous Greek islands of Skiathos and Skopelos. The mix of tears of joy, tears of sadness, lots of ABBA songs, turquoise waters, rocky coves and charming white houses is really hard to resist.

crazy rich

Crazy Rich is also a great travel film based on a novel. The film gives insights into the life of an extremely wealthy Singaporean family. But when Rachel Chu flies to Singapore to meet her new boyfriend’s family, she has no idea what to expect.

While there’s family expectations to be met, designer fashions and attractions like the infinity pool at the Marina Bay Sands hotel, the iconic Merlion figure, the city’s great street food scene and the spectacular Gardens by the Bay are all included Not too short. Fortunately, this cinematic journey to Singapore is offered on several streaming portals.

The Journey of Young Che

If you have succumbed to the allure of Latin America but don’t want to get on the plane yourself (yet), this film is perfect for you. Based on the memoirs of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, Young Che’s Journey reveals the people, places and experiences that shaped the future revolutionary, but also the undeniable beauty of Latin America.

The film may be a bit more serious than some of the other films on our list, but it’s still downright wanderlust-worthy. Join Che and his friend Alberto Granado on a motorcycle journey through Argentina, Chile and Peru, among others, and admire fascinating places like the Andes, Machu Picchu and the Amazon.

Sense

Perhaps it’s a sense of fear, admiration or love for the Australian outback that lingers on viewers after watching the film. Maybe it’s a bit of everything. The inspirational story is about Robyn Davidson, who, accompanied only by a few camels and a dog, embarks on a 1700-mile trek from Alice Springs to Australia’s west coast. The camera accompanies her step by step as she traverses areas where not many people dare to venture in the relentless heat. The film not only teaches viewers a lot about the Outback itself, but also about the life of the Australian Aborigines who live here.

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Are you dreaming of a trip to another time? The movie Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood takes you straight back to a time of bell bottoms, tie-dyes and go-go boots.

The story follows Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth, an actor-stuntman duo in late ’60s Hollywood. Of course, how could it be otherwise with Quentin Tarantino, there are slight modifications of historical events and the usual level of violence. If you’re unfamiliar with the Manson Family murders, do some research before watching the film to be sure.

The film may be demanding of the viewer, but at the same time gives a realistic impression of Los Angeles and Hollywood, especially in 1969. The plot takes you to classic film sets, Hollywood Boulevard, the pretty Westwood Village and other exciting locations.

The Amazing Life of Walter Mitty

The more difficult travel is, whether due to restrictions or other reasons, the more adventurous many people grow. If you recognize yourself in this, there is a good chance that you can identify with Walter Mitty. His situation may be a little different – he’s been stuck in a monotonous job for years – but his wanderlust grows bigger by the day until at some point he can’t ignore it anymore.

When Mitty is tasked with finding a negative for the cover of the magazine he works for, he has to leave his safe desk and fly from New York to Greenland. The Amazing Life of Walter Mitty is the story of a true and fictional journey to frozen waterfalls, shark teeming waters and the Himalayas.

The Farewell

Most of the films on our list focus on location, but The Farewell gives us a glimpse into the life of a Chinese-American family. The story follows Billi (played by Awkwafina, who received a Golden Globe for her performance) and her family as they travel from the United States to China. The trip takes place under the pretense of a wedding celebration, but in fact the family comes together to say goodbye to the grandmother. Complicated relationships, cultural norms and expectations run like a thread through this incredibly heartfelt and moving film, which shows parallels to the life of the director.