50 Movies That Will Make You Want to Travel More This Year

We all know the feeling: you’re watching someone step off a train in Florence or climb a jagged, glacier-cut mountain, and suddenly, your own living room shrinks. The screen stops being simple entertainment; it becomes a fierce, undeniable push of wanderlust.

If you’ve postponed that trip, canceled that booking, or just looked glumly at your savings, this list is your cure. Films are powerful prompts, offering a two-hour plan for self-discovery and a stunning travel guide you didn’t know you needed.

From the quiet contemplation of a solo walk to the high energy of an epic road trip, here are 50 films that will inspire you to switch off the screen, pack a bag, and book the adventure of a lifetime this year.

The Essential Twelve: Films That Demand a Trip

These movies are widely accepted as top-tier travel inspiration. Watch any of these, and your next flight search will begin immediately.

1. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Destinations: Iceland, Greenland, the Himalayas

This visually spectacular movie celebrates courage and a life lived differently. When a daydreaming photo editor (Ben Stiller) must take on a global mission, he finds himself skateboarding across Iceland’s Ring Road, hiking towering peaks, and truly engaging with the world. It’s the perfect relief from a tired daily routine.

2. Eat, Pray, Love (2010)

Destinations: Rome (Italy), Delhi (India), Bali (Indonesia)

This is the classic story of personal change through experience. Julia Roberts stars as a woman who leaves her settled life for a year of cultural discovery. Crave the simple taste of pasta in Italy, the spiritual intensity of an ashram in India, or quiet calm on the beaches of Bali? This movie makes traveling alone feel inviting and life-changing.

3. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

Destinations: Across South America (Argentina, Chile, Peru)

Before he was a famous figure, Ernesto “Che” Guevara was a medical student taking an intense, perspective-changing motorcycle journey across South America with a friend. The film is a raw, beautiful view of a continent and a reminder that deep personal growth comes from seeing the world not as a tourist, but as a temporary local.

4. Wild (2014)

Destination: The Pacific Crest Trail (USA)

Reese Witherspoon stars in this powerful performance based on the true story of Cheryl Strayed, who hiked the 1,100-mile Pacific Crest Trail by herself after tragedy. This movie is about facing pain, testing your limits, and discovering the profound strength of nature’s ability to heal.

5. Lost in Translation (2003)

Destination: Tokyo, Japan

Sofia Coppola’s great movie captures the beautiful, confusing, and exciting isolation of visiting a massive foreign city. It features Tokyo’s bright neon signs, calm temples, and busy karaoke spots, showing that real connections can happen unexpectedly when you step away from everything familiar.

6. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Destination: Across India

Only Wes Anderson could turn a train journey into a mission of self-discovery. Three American brothers, distant from one another, travel by rail across India to reconnect after loss. This film shows the lively, beautiful experience of Indian train travel and the deep, humorous ties of family, all set against rich colors.

7. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

Destination: Tuscany, Italy

A writer buys a run-down villa in the Tuscan countryside on a whim while on vacation. This film shows the perfect fantasy for anyone dreaming of quitting their job, moving to Europe, and restoring an old house. It’s a dedicated tribute to the Italian countryside, slow living, regional food, and unexpected romance.

8. The Beach (2000)

Destination: Ko Phi Phi Leh, Thailand

Although the movie becomes intense, the start inspired countless backpackers to search for their own perfect place. Leonardo DiCaprio plays an American traveler who gets a map to a hidden island community. The movie’s lush, white-sand setting in Thailand is pure, irresistible tropical travel inspiration.

9. Up (2009)

Destination: Paradise Falls (Venezuela)

Don’t ignore the animated section! This Pixar favorite is a simple, strong reminder that “Adventure is Out There!“ It follows a grieving older man who fulfills his dream of floating his home to a distant South American location. It’s a film that proves you’re never too old to pursue your greatest, wildest travel goal.

10. The Way (2010)

Destination: Camino de Santiago, Spain

A grieving father (Martin Sheen) travels to France to retrieve his son’s remains, then decides to walk the ancient route, the Camino de Santiago, that his son had started. This film is a quiet, thoughtful encouragement for anyone thinking about a long walk or a spiritual journey.

11. A Bigger Splash (2015)

Destination: Pantelleria, Italy

This stylish thriller is a celebration of the high-end Italian summer retreat. It captures the intoxicating beauty of the remote Mediterranean landscape, inspiring a luxurious, isolated, and sun-drenched coastal escape.

12. Into the Wild (2007)

Destination: Alaska, USA

A strong and warning tale based on the real story of Christopher McCandless, who abandoned his belongings and hiked into the Alaskan wild. While the end is sad, the film’s beginning is an epic song to freedom, simple living, and the great, untouched power of America’s national parks.

Action, Sci-Fi & Adventure Motivation

Sometimes, the strongest travel push comes from films that simply use amazing, worldwide locations for exciting scenes.

Road Trips & Self-Discovery

These 10 movies will have you fueling up the car, grabbing a co-pilot, and downloading maps for a journey across the land.

Romance, Culture & City Breaks

These 15 films are perfect for planning your next flight to a global city or a charming European area, whether you travel with a friend or just want a perfect view.

Stop Watching, Start Booking

That’s 50 great movies of life beyond your normal routine. Which is your favorite? Any particular places you want to go this year?

Each film is a powerful reminder that travel isn’t simply something you do for fun; it’s an action you take to learn, grow, and challenge yourself.

So if you feel like the sunny homes of Italy, the distant quiet of the Pacific Crest Trail, or the bright chaos of Tokyo are calling you, the only thing keeping you from that experience is making a decision.

Turn off the screen, start checking those flight prices, and make this the year you create your own epic travel story.