Bidish Movies have the power to influence us. To inspire, to share joy, to offer help, and some days to get out in search of that surreal travel emotion. How many times have you felt that urge to book the next vacation immediately after watching a movie? I feel you! There are many movies, from classic to modern, that have the power to bug us with immense wanderlust. Here is my list of 14 best travel movies that will inspire you to pack your bags, get out and experience the world for yourself.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The movie follows Walter Mitty as he finds himself in the middle of a transition hiatus of the magazine he is working for. Walter Mitty would often “zone out” into daydreaming fantasies but a sudden twist of fate makes him go into an unexpected adventure himself. As the movie and his adventure progresses, we can see how his character matures into a more braver personality. It teaches us that if we just hustle up the courage and go, life will handle the course of events itself and it greatly influences our growth as a person.
Hector and the Search for Happiness
This movie I found while searching for “movies like ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’” and it was totally worth it. In the movie, a discontented psychiatrist Hector decides to go on an adventure around the world to find happiness. His travels take him to China, Africa, Tibet, and Canada where he finds people with varying perspectives and learns different meanings of happiness along the way. Throughout his adventure, he creates a list of lessons he learnt about happiness which might be a great source of inspiration for us.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
As Kabir is about to get married, he invites his college friends Imran and Arjun on a trip to Spain. What was only supposed to be a fun escape from life turns out to make them realize the beauty of being alive, realizing and dealing with issues of their own lives, and combating fears. With beautiful stories and nicely portrayed characters, the movie emphasizes on how travel can make us realize things about ourselves and help us improve in the course of our lives.
Lord of The Rings Series
A brilliant cinematic ride and an epic fantasy masterpiece, Lord of The Rings will take you to the lands of Middle-Earth that promises adventure, thrill, war, and magic. Shot entirely in New Zealand, it beautifully showcases New Zealand’s natural beauty that surged the tourism industry of the country in the following years.
Roman Holiday
Roman Holiday follows an account of an European princess who is bored by her strict royal duties and hates being confined. During her visit to Rome, she wanted to experience the outside world, and so she escaped to explore Rome by herself. She would then stumble upon an English reporter and the movie follows a nice rom-com drama between these two characters as she experiences the eternal city of Rome.
Into The Wild
Christopher McCandles, as he kept getting older would only realize how his ideals do not align at all to the society’s practicalities. His character is an epitome of a true wanderer, who seeks life outside the limits of civilization and would like to stay true to real life and nature. When he graduates from college, he donates all his savings and leaves for a road trip through the USA and then to Alaska. The movie is gripping from the start and constantly reminds us how simple it is to just live our life and truly enjoy it. Anybody who is looking for an adventure travel movie, this is it.
The Motorcycle Diaries
The Motorcycle Diaries is adapted from the revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara’s travel diary based on the trip he and his friend made across all of South America. Utilizing the break before his last semester of medical school, Che Guevara sets out to satisfy his youthful quest but it quickly becomes the reason for a radical change in his personality. During the trip, he witnesses great disparities within South America which he finds hard to let go. The movie wonderfully showcases a beautiful trip within South America and also within Che Guevara himself.
In Bruges
Dark comedy at its best, In Bruges follows the story of two hitmen who are sent to Bruges, Belgium after a job gone wrong. Set in the picturesque city of Bruges, the movie shows drama, moral dilemmas and an awkwardly beautiful relationship between the two hitmen who are awaiting further instructions from their boss. I have been wanting to visit Bruges since I watched the movie in 2020 and the plan is still in motion. Here’s hoping I will, and you will too visit Bruges soon. (Update: I visited Bruges on 2023 and I absolutely loved it.)
The Bucket List
One of the best travel movies, The Bucket List, is a heartwarming comedy that will teach you to seize the moment and live your dreams. The Bucket List features two terminally ill men, played by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, who meet at a hospital and decide to embark on an adventure to cross off their bucket lists and discover the meaning of life and friendship. The characters’ attitude to go out on an adventure before they die teaches us a lot about living in the present and always pursuing our dreams.
Last Holiday
Heartwarming story of a young woman who lives a life full of unfulfilled desires is shocked to realize that she has a terminal illness. She had a list of things she wanted to do before she died but when she realizes that she doesn’t have much time, she gathers all her savings to set off for a luxurious trip to Europe. Her attitude and passion towards life make this an emotional watch as it takes you through an emotional roller coaster.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Extroverted and charming Kabir meets a rather introverted and geek Naina in a trekking trip where Naina builds some love interest towards Kabir. As the movie unfolds, it is clear that they are completely opposite to each other as Naina wants a stable life but Kabir is always out seeking for more travels. The movie is a brilliant depiction of friendship, adulthood, guilt, and relationships. The hit song “Ilahi” is almost like a travel anthem for many travelers who understand and relate to the song.
Before Sunrise
Before Sunrise is a romantic drama that follows the story of Jesse and Céline, two strangers who meet on a train and decide to spend the night together while exploring Vienna. Their subtle hints at flirting and deep conversations about life and relationships can quickly grab your attention. This movie beautifully captures the essence of finding love during one’s travels and in that moment, how everything feels like a lifetime.
Midnight in Paris
Owen Wilson, a disillusioned screenwriter who is on a vacation in Paris with his wife and her family, bumps into 1920s Paris during his midnight walks. There he meets great personalities like Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and engages in profound conversations with them. The movie is able to keep the audience engaged through its unique plot, engaging conversations, and writer’s disillusionment towards his life and his midnight wanderings. The movie is also able to show Paris beautifully which will make you dream about your visit to the city of love.
Indiana Jones Series
I found the Indiana Jones series when I was 20 and I immediately fell in love with it. Going for adventures and overcoming challenges along the way, Indiana is a character we all wanted to become. The movie can surely teach us something about the ancient cultures and the world and make us curious for more.
Travel movies are a great source for travel inspiration and build some wanderlust. These are my favorites in the travel department. What are your favorites?
