Travel mirrors life in many ways.
There are ups and downs, epiphanies and perils (both real and imagined), and opportunities to expand your mind.
There have been so many great travel movies made throughout the years. For me, the best of the best not only entertain, but also speak to a higher truth.
These movies have an effect on the mind in much the same way that traveling to a distant land does. They allow you to break free from conformity and discover new ways of thinking, and challenge you in areas you never even knew existed.
With that in mind, here are my top 10 best travel movies ever made.
10. "Before Sunrise"
Featuring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, the movie is as much a love story as it is a testament to living life in the moment.
A young man (Jesse, played by Hawke) meets a woman (Celine, played by Delpy) on a train in Europe. They end up spending one night in Vienna together, knowing it may be the last time they see each other.
What transpires is a testament to seizing each moment in life, no matter how brief it may be. It's a reminder that all that matters is now, because one moment can last a lifetime.
9. "Y Tu Mama También"
Unrated and unflinching, "Y Tu Mama Tambien" tracks two teenage boys and an older woman as they go on a road trip looking to let loose and forget about their present lives. Things get steamy, people get jealous, arguments break out…yet, somehow, by the end of it, you can't believe how beautiful it all was.
This movie will hit you over the head at times and it's not for the faint of heart, but if you are looking for a real film overflowing with emotion, you've come to the right place.
8. "The Darjeeling Limited"
OK, so, not everything has to be so serious.
Directed by Wes Anderson, "The Darjeeling Limited" is absurd, random and downright confusing at times, but-beneath all of the off-kilter hilarity-it never loses sight of the central premise: that, sometimes, no matter how many differences people may have, there is a force out there that refuses to allow them to grow apart.
After the accidental death of their father, three brothers-played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman-set out on a train ride through India. The cinematography is magnificent, and the message follows suit.
7. "A Map for Saturday"
Emmy-winning producer Brook Silva-Braga leaves his cushy, comfortable job at HBO in this documentary, opting to travel the world with five pounds of clothing and 30 pounds of video equipment.
Along the way, he encounters dozens of travelers-all with revealing stories to tell-while experiencing the vast range of emotions traveling can bring forth. From moments of extreme loneliness to periods of revelation, this documentary captures so much of what solo travel entails.
Silva-Braga learns about new places and fresh viewpoints, but comes to understand that it's not necessarily about where you go; rather, it's about who you meet along the way.
6. "Lost in Translation"
Bill Murray is in it ... so there's that. But this is much more than a movie driven solely by star power.
A washed-up American actor (played by Murray) meets a young woman bored with her life (played by Scarlett Johansson) in Tokyo, and an unlikely bond develops.
As the two struggle with their own emotions, they also struggle with the language barrier between themselves and the Japanese, creating a chaotic (and oftentimes hilarious) setting. But, somehow, these new experiences in a foreign land bring them closer together.
5. "The Beach"
It's fitting that a film as polarizing as "The Beach" would get plopped right in the middle of the list at No. 5.
The acting may not be great, there may be a few drug references, there may be some unnecessary violence, but, boy, this movie not only encapsulates a lot of the feelings travelers experience, it hits you over the head with them.
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this film is about a group of wanderers who discover an island paradise and make a home there. But, just like travel, it's not all a joy ride.
One thing's for sure: After watching this movie, you won't forget it.
4. "Into the Wild"
Based on the spectacular book by Jon Krakauer, the movie may not be as good, but it's pretty close.
Directed by Sean Penn, this is a story of a top student and athlete who gives it all up for the great unknown. It revolves around how new experiences shape a traveler, but also cautions that there is a line you can't cross when it comes to Mother Nature.
3. "Back to the Future"
Back to the Future is a true classic, featuring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. While travelers face enough new experiences in present time, "Back to the Future" questions what it would be like to time-travel back 30 years.
Loaded with action, drama and comedy, this 1985 production tackles issues such as discovering the unknown, feeling out of place and carving out your own destiny.
2. "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark"
The Indiana Jones trilogy was built on adventure, and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" started it all.
All Indiana Jones is tasked with doing in this film is finding The Ark of the Covenant, which, you know, may hold the key to our existence. No big deal.
Jones' travels take him from Nepal to Egypt. As the story unravels, common feelings most travelers experience emerge such as fear, excitement, determination, laughter and doubt.
The fact that Jones must face his greatest fear (snakes) is just the icing on the cake. Jones shows that even the bravest and most journeyed of travelers have moments of paralysis in the great unknown.
1. "Motorcycle Diaries"
A regular favorite among travelers, "Motorcycle Diaries" chronicles the expedition to South America the tremendously-influential Che Guevara took with a friend in 1952.
There's nothing like a true story to highlight the impact travel can have on the soul. Ripe with contention, isolation and revelation, this film is perhaps the greatest teacher of what being on the road can really do to you…and for you.
From the thrill of a motorcycle ride to chance encounters that change the destinies of both men, "Motorcycle Diaries" makes you want to hit the trail and never look back.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
