Weeks ago, I embarked on a quest. A quest to give you, the wander-thirsting public, a comprehensive list of the best travel movies you’ve ever (and never) heard of.
In continuation of last week’s post, here are the next summaries in the line-up. For the full list, see the previous post.
Disfruten, mis amigos.
This Week’s Lineup:
Roman Holiday / Chasing Liberty / What a Girl Wants
Wild / On the Wandering Path / The Way
Without a Paddle / Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Into the Wild / A Walk in the Woods
7 Years in Tibet / The Other Side of Heaven
Leap Year / Finding You
Dumb & Dumber / Friendship!
The Beach / Americano
The Bucket List / Last Holiday
The Holiday / Belle Fille
Sleepless in Seattle / A NY Thing
On the Road / Open Road
Hostel / Brokedown Palace
The Impossible / No Escape
Midsommar / The Ritual / Speak No Evil
Roman Holiday (1953) / Chasing Liberty (2004) / What a Girl Wants (2003)
The next category is under the sub-genre of runaway girl chick flicks.
The first of the bunch is an Audrey Hepburn classic: a tale of a princess on the run from her stuffy life, so she takes to the streets. A handsome reporter (played by one Gregory Peck) finds her, and their escapades on the go make up one some site review as the most romantic film of all time.
Mandy Moore is the daughter of the president, and in her eyes, it’s done her no favors. Leaving her sheltered life under the constant watch of the secret service, a photojournalist crossing her path becomes her runaway companion. Little does she know her newfound friend is actually a secret servicemen assigned to tail her. This, for its rom-com-iness, weirdly depicts the backpacking life in an accurate way: the German alpinists hooking up with casual tourists, and oddball hippie sticker enthusiasts run a little close to home.
Amanda Bynes is Daphne, your atypical free-spirited American teenager. On the search for her biological father, she finds herself in the spotlight of an English lord running for Prime Minister. Soon she must decide if she wants to play the refined lady they expect her to be, or just be her unique self. Colin Firth also dazzles as the ex-hippie father turned-politician, with a hidden gem of a leather-clad dance solo.
Wild (2014) / On the Wandering Path (2023) / The Way (2010)
Cheryl Strayed is in the wake of personal tragedy. With nowhere else to go, she straps on her red-laced boots and heads up the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. But what she finds is so much more than she lost. Starring Reese Witherspoon in an Oscar nominating performance, with a cameo by Michiel Huisman.
Pierre had everything he could want–fame, women, and a promising life. After an accident leaving him hospitalized, he sets out across France alone in search of what he lost in himself. Starring Jean Dujardin of “The Artist,” co-starring Jonathan Zaccai.
Tom never could understand why his son did the things he did. After news of his son’s death hiking the Pyrenees, Tom promises to finish the journey in his honor, where he finds not only friends, but a new perspective. Martin Sheen stars in this soul-searching journey of a grieving father on the famous Camino de Santiago.
Without a Paddle (2004) / Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
When friends re-unite for a funeral, a camping trip in old times’ honor seems like a bright idea. But when one mistake after the other gets them lost in the woods and on the run from feral dealers, mishaps and laughs alike help them remember the power of friendship that brought them together years ago.
Hec and Ricky couldn’t be more different. With an untimely tragedy, they find themselves on the run in the New Zealand bush, where they’ll need more than their survival skills if they’re gonna make it through each other. Taika Waititi directs/writes/and makes a cameo appearance in this heartwarming comedy all about nature and family alike helping us find our path.
Into the Wild (2007) / A Walk in the Woods (2015)
From the seminal book based on the original Outdoor magazine article by Jon Krakauer, this film chronicles the travels leading up to the death of vagabond Chris McCandless. As a fellow aficionado of the book, I attest the film follows the biography quite well, and a performance from Emil Hirsch hits home in the story of a kid in search of one. Ranked one of the top travel films of all time by quite a few site users and commenters.
Based on the book by travel writer Bill Bryson, he and his good friend Stephen Katz are blazing one last trail, determined to outrace old age. Their true adventures on the Appalachian trail prove no one is too old for a romp in the woods, and if they can, anyone can, too. Starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. Fun fact: Though Nolte nails the role, the part was originally slated for Redford’s longtime friend Paul Newman. He passed away before filming.
7 Years in Tibet (2007) / The Other Side of Heaven (2001)
Based on the true story of Austrian alpinist and SS officer who lives in Tibet and befriends the Dalai Lama. His experiences with the people there change the course of his egocentric life.
Based on the memoirs of John Groberg, he recounts his days in the south pacific as a young Christian missionary, with experiences that lay the foundation for the rest of his adult life.
Leap Year (2010) / Finding You (2021)
Anna is ready for the next step, even is her boyfriend isn’t. But in order to make it to Dublin in time to propose to him by Leap Day, she enlists the help of a grouchy local, Declan, as her travel guide. This roadtrip romcom shows off the coast of Ireland with its odd couple comedy.
Finley’s life needs some new music. But studying the violin and re-connecting with her deceased brother’s experiences in Ireland are invaded by the presence of a famous actor–one who will do anything to both annoy and see her smile. Based on the young adult novel “There You’ll Find Me.”
Dumb & Dumber (1994) / Friendship! (2010)
Lloyd and Harry are best friends, and nothing can come between them. On a roadtrip for Lloyd’s dream girl, they must make it through assassins, rogue cops, and each other.
With a broken car and even worse English, two German best friends search for a long-lost father across America. Matthias Schweighofer stars in this buddy comedy. For more comedies from the man himself, check out “What a Man,” “The Manny,” “Hot Dog,” and his more recent Netflix directed film “Army of Thieves.”
The Beach (2000) / Americano (2005)
There’s no better way to describe this next sub-genre than a backpacker fanboy’s wet dream.
Richard is backpacking Asia when he finds both a hot girl and a map to a hidden beach. But the island’s paradise comes at a price. What with the secret drug ring and sex cult, it’s a dude’s fantasy adventure come true. Will he have sex with the cult leader? Or the girl of his dreams? Stay tuned for this wild ride starring Leonardo DiCaprio, co-starring Tilda Swinton and some Swedes.
Remember how Joshua Jackson was in Spanish backpacking movies like, right after the end of “Dawson’s Creek”? Yeah, me neither. Jackson stars as Chris McKinley, a graduate backpacking Spain with some hometown friends. After meeting a hot local and an odd American, he experiences the life ahead of him instead of the planned life he left behind. The film is a solid example of bros bro-ing out abroad, and it is indeed another accurate depiction in the life of backpacking Europe: From wishing beds were made for those over six feet, to the skeevy dive bars with jaded ex-pats, they sure nailed it. Co-starring Leonor Varela and Dennis Hopper. (Also, I can say with absolute non-sequitur fangirl certainty that this is the only film where the young Jackson sports a full-on beard. You’re welcome, world.)
The Bucket List (2008) / Last Holiday (2006)
Nothing quite makes you figure out what you want like cancer.
Edward and Carter have been through hell and back with their cancer treatments. Now in remission, they’re on journeys to cross those things off their lists before time runs out. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star in this inspiring tale of enjoying your life and going for what you want.
Georgia just found out she has an incurable tumor. Regretting all the things she never tried, she takes her book of possibilities and decides to do it all before time’s up. Set in a spa village in the Czech Republic, this film has a likewise inspiring message to live unafraid before the end.
The Holiday (2006) / Belle Fille (2020)
Done with men and ready to run away? So are these ladies.
Amanda and Iris are both done with the men in their lives. For the holidays they switch houses, and find love just might meet you where you are. Set in the juxtaposed English countryside and Beverly Hills, California.
With her cheating husband’s credit card, Louise lives it up one weekend in Corsica. But the holiday takes an unexpected turn when she finds her one night stand dead in bed the next morning. This charming comedy shows off the hidden gems of the French-owned island. Co-starring Jonathan Zaccai (of whom you haven’t heard the last).
Sleepless in Seattle (1993) / A NY Thing (2010)
Out of a long list of films featuring New York City, these two shine above the rest.
Listening to the radio one fateful night, Annie finds herself drawn to a man who recently lost his wife. A whole country away, it’s up to the magic of NYC to bring these star-crossed lovers face-to-face with fate. The OG romcom legends Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star in this love letter to the Big Apple.
No, that wasn’t your dyslexia acting up. A man from France, Antoine, chases his lover across the world to New York City. With a little John Lennon and a little city magic, maybe, just maybe things will work out after all. I gotta tell ya, this movie is freaking cute. With the offbeat humor and off-the-wall premise, you can’t help but root for Zaccai and his dream upon a dream. If you like this film, check out more from the Belgian director/writer/actor in “Belle Fille,” “Si tu meurs, je te tue,” and “Un Petit Miracle.”
On the Road (2012) / Open Road (2012)
There’s a lot to find on the open road, and these films prove just that.
Based on the seminal Jack Kerouac book of the same name, the film follows three friends living their life on the open road, and all the freedoms that come with it. Starring Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stewart.
Angie is a girl from two worlds, Brazilian and American. In search of herself, she hits the road, meeting others who will change her life for the better.
Taken (2009) / Hostel (2005) / Brokedown Palace (1999)
In these next films, teenagers beware: Going abroad proves some of your worst nightmares.
Kim is just another teenager exploring Europe with her best friend. When the girls fall prey to human trafficking, it’s up to Kim, and her highly skilled father, to get them out before the worst occurs.
When a bunch of vacationing boys hear of the Mecca of all Sex, they high tail it to Eastern Europe. But they soon get more than they bargained for, and must use their wits to escape a dire fate. Random fact: The writer/director Eli Roth worked abroad, and based the terrifying idea for this film on a real advertisement he found for human hunting grounds. If that doesn’t give you the heebie jeebies, I don’t know what will.
Alice and Darlene are best friends, excited to see the world for the first time after graduation. When a one night stand sets them up as drug traffickers, they must endure wrongful imprisonment in the unfamiliar territory of Thailand.
The Impossible (2012) / No Escape (2015)
Family vacations gone wrong would be an understatement.
When Maria and Henry take their family to a beautiful island getaway, the last thing they expect is a tsunami. Now they must beat the odds and find each other across impossible odds. Based on the book of the incredible true story. Starring Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, and a young yet talented Tom Holland.
Jack Dwyer and his family are ready for some R & R in Southeast Asia, but a political coup has other ideas. It’s a race for time as they seek safety before it’s too late. Starring Owen Wilson and Pierce Brosnan.
Midsommar (2019) / The Ritual (2017) / Speak No Evil (2022)
Some seriously sick Scandinavians in these Nordic-based horror films.
Dani and her friends are jazzed to celebrate the famous Nordic holiday with their friends. But the holiday soon becomes a nightmare as a cult chooses their new May Queen, with Dani in their sights. Starring the always-lovely Florence Pugh.
Luke and his college friends are ready to take on the Swedish wilderness. But the wilderness, and what’s lurking inside, has other plans for them. Starring Rafe Spall of “A Room with a View” and Robert James-Collier of “Downton Abbey.”
Bjorn and his family are your typical Danish family on vacation in Tuscany. When they meet a charming Dutch family, they later accept an invitation to visit their home. The visit goes from uncomfortable to dangerous, but by the time they realize their mistake, it’s too late.
Catch more summaries of the best summer travel flicks next week. See ya soon 😉