best travel romance movies

Travelling Without a Passport

Our Favourite Romantic Travel Movies

There’s something so romantic about travelling to an unfamiliar place that the experience is practically made for the big screen. Watching movie characters navigate new places means you can live vicariously through them and experience double the escapism without having to get off the couch. 

If your next holiday feels far away, watch these romantic travel movies and get ready to be transported to a world filled with swoon-worthy romance and scenic destinations. These films are guaranteed to satisfy your wanderlust — at least for the time being. 

• Before Sunrise
• Letters to Juliet
• The Proposal
• Eat, Pray, Love
• The Holiday
• Crazy Rich Asians
• Roman Holiday
• Call Me By Your Name
• The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

See Also: Romantic Tours & Trips

1. Before Sunrise

For those who have ever dreamed of making an unexpected connection with a stranger while abroad, this movie is for you. Before Sunrise is a 1995 indie film that tells the story of Jesse and Céline, who meet on a train and decide to explore Vienna together on a whim. 

They walk the streets of Vienna at night, talking the whole time about their views on life and love while knowing that when the night is over, they will part ways and likely never see each other again. The movie makes Austria’s capital the perfectly enchanting backdrop to Jesse and Céline’s growing connection, and the soft glow of the evening streets lend a sense of melancholy to their short time together. 

You can watch Before Sunrise on its own, or follow the rest of Jesse and Céline’s story in the sequels, Before Sunset and Before Midnight.

2. Letters to Juliet

On a trip to Verona with her fiancé, Sophie visits Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House), where it’s customary for lovelorn visitors to leave letters and messages for the Shakespearean heroine (or in this version of Verona anyway). 

When Sophie discovers an unanswered letter from decades ago, she writes back with the help of the Secretaries of Juliet. Her response brings Claire, the author of the letter, to Verona with her grandson Charlie, and the trio embark on a journey through Tuscany in hopes of finding Claire’s long-lost love. 

The movie features gorgeous shots of the Italian countryside, and it’s a celebration of love that will melt even the coldest of hearts. After you watch it, you might just want to hop on a plane to Verona yourself and leave your own letter to Juliet!

See Also: 7 of the Best Movies to Watch on a Plane

3. The Proposal

When Margaret Tate, a high-powered publishing executive, finds out that she might be deported back to her home country of Canada, she enlists the help of her assistant Andrew to act as her fiancé. To convince the immigration agent of their relationship, the two travel to Andrew’s hometown of Sitka, Alaska to meet his family where, spoiler alert: they fall in love. 

While the movie was not actually filmed in Alaska , seeing the contrast between the towering skyscrapers that Margaret is accustomed to and snow-capped mountains that Andrew calls home will make you feel like you’ve taken a quick getaway. This formulaic rom-com hits all the right spots: a fake relationship turned real against a scenic backdrop, with no shortage of charming hijinks.

4. Eat, Pray, Love

In all its forms, Eat, Pray, Love is a travel classic. Follow Liz Gilbert as she embarks on a year-long travel journey around the world after a difficult divorce to regain balance in her life. This movie is a visual dream, featuring sweeping panoramic views of Italy , India , and Indonesia , along with close-up shots of glorious, mouth-watering food. 

The storyline is dreamy and inspirational, and while not everyone can take a year off from their lives to wander the world, hopefully savouring a delicious margherita pizza in Naples is in your future. 

5. The Holiday

Separated by the Atlantic Ocean, Iris and Amanda are two women who exchange houses for the holidays in an effort to escape their respective romantic troubles. New romances spark for both of them in this holiday favourite, and what starts as a spontaneous getaway ends up being much more. 

Amanda’s modern California mansion could not be more different from Iris’ cosy English cottage, and it’s incredibly entertaining to watch them get accustomed to their new settings. This movie is a win for anyone whose favourite part of travelling is being spontaneous and opening your heart to something new. 

See Also: 7 Movies That Will Inspire You to Travel

6. Crazy Rich Asians

The glitz and glamour of Singapore’s luxurious side is on full display in this vibrant movie where Rachel Chu, a young Manhattanite, travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick to meet his family.

Unbeknownst to her, his family is part of the ultra-wealthy Singaporean elite, and they’re experts at throwing lavish and extravagant parties. Unfortunately, there’s trouble in paradise for the pair when Rachel realises Nick’s family disapproves of their relationship. 

This movie is a glittering guide to Singapore’s best sights, from sweeping nighttime shots of Gardens by the Bay to glimmering aerial views of Marina Bay Sands with fireworks exploding overhead. The movie also features glamour shots of Newton Food Center — where you can go to get a taste of authentic Singapore — and Sentosa, a prime Singaporean weekend getaway destination.

No wonder travel searches skyrocketed following the movie’s release — after watching this movie, you’ll want to add Singapore to your travel list, too. 

7. Roman Holiday

In this classic tale of mistaken identity, a crown princess falls in love with an American reporter when she decides to explore Rome on her own on a state visit. Audrey Hepburn’s first film doubles as a scenic romp, hitting quintessential Roman spots like the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain. 

Princess Ann’s zeal for exploring Rome on her own terms speaks to the souls of intrepid travellers everywhere, and you’ll love watching her careen through the streets of Rome on a vespa, eat gelato on the Spanish Steps, dine al fresco, and fall in love on her Roman holiday. 

8. Call Me By Your Name

Set in Northern Italy in 1983, Call Me By Your Name tells the story of the love that blossoms between Elio, the young son of an archaeology professor, and Oliver, a visiting American graduate student. 

Filming for the movie took place in Lombardy, and the province is rendered beautifully, with its ornate architecture, sunlit piazzas, and lush countryside, making for the perfect setting for this melancholy love story.

See Also: Romantic Getaways to Rekindle Your Marriage

9. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

On the night before they’re slated to go their separate ways, a group of lifelong friends devise a plan to say connected during their first summer apart: by sharing a pair of thrift-shop jeans that inexplicably fit each of their figures perfectly. 

This coming-of-age story follows the four girls — and the magical jeans — to Greece , South Carolina, Mexico , and Maryland, as they journey through a summer of first loves, losses, and heartbreak. 

Being away from the people you love is one of the hardest parts of travelling, and this movie serves as a great reminder that nothing can come between best friends — including time and distance.

What are your favourite romantic travel movies? Let us know in the comments!

Melanie Cheng

Melanie is a Toronto-based writer and editor who loves experiencing new things in new places. In between adventures, you can find her with her nose in a book, re-watching episodes of Friends, or on the lookout for her next favourite brunch spot.

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Top Romantic Travel Movies to watch with your loved one

Posted by Anna | Mar 23, 2020 | Books&Movies , Romantic Travel | 32

True love stories never go out of style, especially when you add to them a travel spin. Love is a universal language, but there´s nothing more absorbing and intriguing than to follow a romance on the other side of the world. Any usual storyline becomes unique when you add new landscapes, cultures, and traditions to the plot. Let´s check my favorite romantic travel movies that will make you live adventures from home.

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As much as I love watching travel documentaries , sometimes we all want something heart-melting – a movie with a beautiful storyline to escape the ordinary without having to get off the couch.

If you think of it, traveling is quite a romantic experience itself: navigating a new place gives you unlimited possibilities to fall in love with cities, architecture, nature, food, museums, street art, and people. Most of my personal romantic travel experiences were connected to traveling.

Therefore, every time my next holiday feels too far away, I just pick a few romantic travel movies and secretly disappear from the rest of the world. Check this list of Charming International Romance Movies Around the World and Spanish TV Series to Binge-Watch .

Table of Contents

The best romantic travel movies

1. out of africa (1985).

Let´s start this list of the most romantic travel movies with a few iconic oldies. Out of Africa (1985) is based on the autobiographical novel and tells the story of the Danish author Karen Blixen, who moved to Africa to establish her new life there.

There´s something breathtaking about this movie – the wild African scenery, the romance between leading actors, the music on the background … Besides the engaging storyline in Out of Africa (1985), the photography director has definitely done a wonderful job bringing Africa´s wild natural beauty to the screen.

2. Roman Holiday (1953)

Roman Holiday (1953) is a timeless classic with Audrey Hepburn´s charming performance. It´s the story of a bored princess who escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome. It absolutely inspires to visit Rome, Italy or simply watch all of Audrey Hepburn´s iconic movies in a row .

3. The English Patient (1997)

The English Patient (1997) is one of my personal all-time favorites. This movie has it all – love, romance, tragedy, secret, drama, and journey.

A nurse from Canada is caring for a pilot, horribly burned in a plane wreck. He cannot remember his name, so he’s known simply as “the English Patient,” thanks to his accent. However, once the nurse begins to piece together her patient’s story, the spectators time-travel to Italy and Egypt (although the dessert scenes were actually filmed in Tunisia) where the love story took place.

You literally gravitate to the screen from the first minute of The English Patient (1997). It has won 9 Oscars for a reason.

4. Painted veil (2006)

Painted veil (2006) is another absolute favorite of mine. The movie is based on the classic novel by W. Somerset Maugham. The storyline takes us back to the 1920s. A middle-class doctor marries an upper-class woman, but she never really appreciates him and falls in love with someone else. Once the doctor discovers the infidelity, he accepts a job in a remote Chinese village (suffering deadly epidemic) as an act of vengeance.

But this journey together changes everything between the couple and makes the unfaithful wife see her husband in a different light. Life in a Chinese village brings meaning to their relationship and makes them fall in love with each other all over again. I adore this movie and never get tired of watching it.

5. Anna and the King (1999)

Anna and the King (1999) takes you to the magical kingdom of Siam . The widowed British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens, travels to the other side of the world to educate the king´s heirs in the ways of the West. First, the strict Siamese protocol seems unfair to her. But once she and the king get to know each other and make an attempt to understand their cultural differences, their relationship evolves into a beautiful love story.

6. Tourist (2010)

If there´s one movie to inspire everyone to visit the Italian city of Venice – it´s Tourist (2010). The storyline might not be as deep or dramatic as in the other romantic travel movies from this list. But Tourist (2010) is one of the most visually pleasing movies ever – literally everything you see on the screen is beyond aesthetic: filming locations, leading actors, Angelina´s outfits, the splendid canals of Venice…

The plot seems simple at a first glimpse: an American tourist Frank meets a mysterious beauty who drags him into a dangerous world of espionage and adventure. But did their paths really cross by a pure accident and how will the romance between the two of them evolve?

7. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

One of Woody Allen´s must-see works is Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008). The plot takes place in the picturesque city of Barcelona , where two American girls get their travel plans turned upside down by a bohemian artist Juan and his psychotic ex-wife. Besides the great performances of the main actors, what I loved about this movie is how it really shows the beauty of Barcelona and this unique love for life the Spanish people have.

8. The Holiday (2006)

Have you ever thought of having a spontaneous vacation somewhere far away by simply swapping homes with someone? The Holiday (2006) tells a story of two women tired of guy-problems who decide to swap homes. From California glamour to a reclusive British cottage , and all the way around, both of them unexpectedly meet a local guy and fall in love. It´s just a sweet movie to cozy yourself at home and enjoy the two different love stories in the States and UK.

9. A Good Year (2006)

A Good Year (2006) will take you to the c harming region of Luberon in the French Provence . Max Skinner is a highly successful investment expert who inherits the vineyard in France where he grew up as a child. Max travels to France with an intention to sell the vineyard as quickly as possible, but after spending some time in Provence, he discovers a part of himself that he had lost, as well as falls in love with a beautiful French woman.

10. Eat Pray Love (2010)

Almost every list of romantic travel movies and books starts with Eat Pray Love (2010). The movie is based on Elizabeth Gilbert´s post-divorce journey around the world.

In pursuit of worldly pleasure, she visits Italy, India, Indonesia and finds friends, spiritual devotion, and love. Many call this movie (or book) “too cutesy” or “superficial”. But I really enjoyed both. The path of spiritual growth and enlightenment is different for everyone, this movie is just a personal journey of Elizabeth Gilbert. It might inspire you or it might not. But you can definitely get some aesthetic pleasure from watching Eat Pray Love (2010). It´s all about life and food passion in Italy, devotion in India, and inner balance on the Indonesian island of Bali .

11. Lost in Translation (2003)

Directed by Sofia Coppola and set under the bustling city life and lights of Tokyo, Lost in Translation (2003) is one of the romantic travel classics. The two main characters from different generations build a surprising bond simply because both feel lonely and have anything to do while they are in Japan. The film is a slow and dreamy story full of funny cultural clashes. It also shows how big cities can bring together people while keeping them apart at the same time…

12. The Terminal (2004)

Every frequent traveler will find the story of being stuck in airports very much relatable. But Viktor Navorski, an Eastern European tourist, is caught up in international politics and forced to live at JFK in New York indefinitely. However, he becomes improbably adored by all the people who work there.

It´s mostly a funny story of how life goes on at any place – people can still make friends and fall in love even without full freedom of move. While living at the airport, Viktor falls for a flight attendant, so the whole feeling-good comedy gets a romantic twist.

13. A perfect plan (2012)

It´s one of the on-the-road favorites we often watch with my husband. It is warm, funny and literally takes you around the world from France and Belgium to Kenya and Russia . In Isabelle´s family first marriages never work out. So she decides to marry the first guy on her way, just to divorce him and go back to her long-time boyfriend Pierre to live happily ever after. But as always things just don´t go as planned…

14. Mama Mia (2008)

If you need an ultimate inspiration to fall in love with Greece , just check Mamma Mia. Despite being a popular tribute to the Greek islands , it was not filmed on the touristy Mykonos or Santorini . Instead, the cast and crew headed to the lesser-known Skopelos and Skiathos. The film is built around ABBA hit songs and tells the story of a daughter inviting 3 of her mother´s boyfriends to figure out who´s her real father.

You know that after my last visit to Crete , I´ve confessed that I´m ready to go back to explore new Greek islands every summer. So every time I feel like I need a dose of Greece, Mamma Mia helps to fuel this Wanderlust.

15. Midnight in Paris (2011)

No list of romantic travel movies can be complete without something set in Paris, the universal city of love . Woody Allen brings to us an intriguing story of an engaged American couple falling under the magic of the city of Paris. Only one midnight walk in the city changes everything for both of them.

Besides spotlighting many famous actors like Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, and Carla Bruni, Midnight in Paris (2011) is full of beautiful cityscapes that will make you want to grab your partner’s hand and take him/her to Paris right away.

16. Letters to Juliet (2010)

Letters to Juliet (2010) is a romantic movie where the whole story takes place in the Italian city of Verona . Sophie travels to Italy with her husband, but one day she decides to explore the streets of Verona alone. Once she walks up to Juliet´s courtyard, she discovers hundreds of notes stuck in the wall, all from the lovers seeking advice. Sophie answers one of the letters and the story begins…

Verona is one of a few Italian cities still missing on my travel bucket list, so I personally enjoyed time-traveling to Shakespeare´s novel and seeing the beautiful cityscapes of Verona.

17. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) is your ultimate Wanderlust ticket to Toscana, Italy . The movie tells us a story of a San Francisco writer Frances Mayes who gets a trip to Tuscany as a gift from a friend. However, once she arrives in Italy she falls under the local charm of Tuscany and impulsively buys an aging, but very charming, villa. New friends, local experiences, and lots of unexpected surprises – Frances Mayes finds herself immersed in an adventure of a lifetime.

18. Beyond Borders (2003)

Beyond Borders (2003) is a story of the turbulent romance with the backdrop of the world’s most dangerous hot spots. This movie brings our attention to the global humanitarian challenges of aid workers and refugees crisis. Many critics claim that Beyond Borders (2003) is neither a beautiful melodrama (because it shows its viewers not the prettiest side of this world) nor a serious documentary (because you have the romance in the foreground).

Although, you can feel that many of the experiences are partially autobiographical for the leading actress Angelina Jolie (who´s also a UN ambassador for refugees). You can find lots of things in common with her “Notes from My Travels”, where the actress describes her visits with Refugees in Africa, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Ecuador. So, this movie makes you reflect on the world´s situation and our possible personal input.

19. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Based on the bestseller book, Crazy Rich Asians (2018) is the story of Rachel Chu who accompanies her longtime boyfriend to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore . Excitement about visiting Asia mixes in her heart with a fear of meeting Nick’s family, one of the country’s wealthiest dynasties. It is a funny and romantic story of how a family is actually crazier than love itself.

20. Cairo Time (2009)

Juliette, a fashion magazine editor in her 50s, travels to Cairo to meet her husband, a UN official working in Gaza. She arrives in Egypt for a three-week vacation, but her husband is constantly delayed with work. Therefore he sends one of his friends, who had been his security officer for many years, to escort Juliette throughout the beautiful and exotic city of Cairo. The last thing anyone expects is that they will fall in love.

Cairo Time (2009), aside from its beautiful romance story, is also a love letter to the city of Cairo from its writer/director Ruba Nadda, inspired by her personal experiences. Throughout history, Egypt has played host to the Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, the Ottomans, Napoleon, and the British, so there´s so much life and history beautifully captured on screen. A journey through Cairo feels like a journey through time…

For more couples travel ideas check my Pinterest board Romantic Travel . If you´re looking to fuel your Wanderlust from home check the Travel Books and Movies , Bookish Inspiration , and What to Watch boards.

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Traveling in Spain non-stop is my biggest obsession. Looking for Spanish hidden gems and local travel tips? - You are in the right place! Let me be your insider guide to Spain!

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32 Comments

I love Roman Holiday!

Jennifer Effortlessly Sophisticated

My husband and I visited Italy last year so Tourist would be a great movie choice for us. The fact that it stars Johnny Depp is a total bonus!

What a unique list! I hope to try some of these movies out and hope you stay safe and healthy during this time!

– Avalon from http://www.simplyavalon.com

What a great list! I LOVE Eat, Pray, Love. I loved the book and the movie. I think I need to watch that again soon. 🙂

I love Eat Pray Love and P.S. I live you. They are great travel love movies.

What a great list of top romantic travel movies. Gonna check this list out over the weekend with my other half.

Loving these suggestions! Definitely happy to have more ideas while we self-isolate. Thank you 🙂

No, I don’t have one. I enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians, though.

Hey thanks for all these suggestions! I am always looking for something to watch. I love Roman Holiday. And there are a number of movies here I have not seen. Thanks again!

Allie of http://www.allienyc.com

These looks like some wonderful movies and somehow I’ve only seen couple of them… Thank you for all the great suggestions!

Eat, Pray, Love will forever hold a special place in my heart. I watched it when I was a young adult and it helped me through a tough time in life.

Ok, I’ve only seen 5 of these. I’m putting the others on my must watch list.

Lovely! This list is definitely what I need for this weekend!

These are great movies! We were looking for a movie to watch together tonight.. thanks for the ideas!

there are some really great movies you’ve got listed. i’d add valley of decision if you are a gregory peck fan.

Oooh so many goodies & also some films that I haven’t seen! I was obsessed with Vicky Cristina Barcelona when it first came out, which feels like a longgg time ago. :]

Great movie round-up! You reminded me of some of my favs that I haven’t seen in ages

Good pick! – and I think the holiday and eat. pray. love. are simply classic and influential to many cultures. The English Patient is really good too, I just came back from Tunisia where the film was shot. – Knycx Journeying

A wonderful list of romantic travel movies, I’d love to watch them soon. I’ve already seen some of those like Letters to Juliet and MamaMia but the other not yet.

This is quite a cool list dear! Thanks!

Jessica | notjessfashion.com

I love Crazy Rich Asians. I need to watch that and Eat, Pay and Love again too.

Oh wow that is a great list. I’m saving this. I love romantic movies and I already see some movies I’m gonna watch this weekend.

My wife had been complaining for quite some time now that we were not watching movies together at home and relaxing. This is the perfect time. I have made a quick note of these movies that you suggest and would watch some of these romantic ones.

I’m so happy the holiday is on there! One of my favourite movies! Thanks for the other recommendations, will definitely watch some of these!

Love this list! This is the movie inspo my partner and I need while we’re stuck at home social distancing

Love all these recommendations. I’ve decided I need to finally watch Out of Africa.

I haven’t watched practically all of these haha! I know what I’ll be forcing my boyfriend to do with me this weekend! Thanks for the recommendations.

Oh thanks you for sharing this amazing list of romantics travel movies. I love Roman Holiday and Crazy rich asians. Now I really want to watch all theses movies with my husband to make us travel from our couch haha. xx Margot https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com

It’s crazy how movies can inspire you to travel. Adding the romance bit just makes every second a wonderful moment to remember. There are times I watch time travel movies and get lose in the overlapping moments. Do you think we enjoy travel movies just as much as time travel movies?

I personally love both! any movie that involves traveling and new places and beautiful locations is my kind of movie lol

Great list, also there are a lot of italian and frech romantic films, thanks!!

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Home » Blog » 25 Best Travel Movies On Netflix

25 Best Travel Movies On Netflix

I think every wanderlust lover enjoys a great travel movie! These films can make you travel the world in a little under two hours and can be super inspiring. Though finding the right movies to watch when traveling can be time-consuming and even complicated if you’re on an international trip. That’s why Netflix is life-saving for all travel lovers wanting to watch movies on the road! 

For me, one of the best gifts for travel lovers is a streaming subscription! This allows us to download movies and watch them whenever suits us better while on a trip. It’s practical and stress-free! Plus, Netflix has an impressive movie catalog that includes some of the most beloved travel films out there. That’s why I decided to create this roundup. Keep reading to find out what are the best travel movies on Netflix! 

1. Eat, Pray, Love (2010)

This movie is an absolute classic! Not only is this story filled with beautiful landscapes, but it’s also quite moving. It’s based on a true story, so you’re for sure getting the real deal here. The plot follows a freshly divorced woman, Liz, as she embarks on a 9 month-long trip to find herself. The story kicks off in New York but Liz travels to Italy, India, and Bali on this self-discovery journey. It’s fast-paced (only about an hour and a half long) and filled with travel motivation. As you can probably tell, this movie is as inspiring as it gets! 

2. Lion (2016)

This is another touching film based on true events. It’s the story of Brierley, who got lost and separated from his parents at only 5 years old. He ended up on the other side of his home country, India, and never saw them again, getting adopted later and moving to Australia. But the story kicks off when Brierley decides to go on a journey to find them! The movie will take you on a heart-wrenching journey across India and Australia. It lasts almost two hours, so get cozy! 

3. Chasing Liberty (2004)

For anyone longing for a 2000’s rom-com after two emotional films, I’ve got you! This is such a feel-good type of movie that it’s perfect for anyone stuck at a boarding gate, bus terminal, or rainy day when camping ! The story follows the daughter of the President of The United States as she steps off on a European adventure to rebel against the constant security imposed on her. It’s got European travel destinations, 2000’s nostalgia, and romance! 

4. Expedition Happiness (2017)

If you want to check out some of the best United States road trip destinations , then this film is for you!  Expedition Happiness follows a German couple as they set off on a road trip across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. They explore all of North America with their dog and a converted school bus. The views are spectacular and will definitely inspire you to travel!  It lasts 96 minutes and will convince you to pack your bags before you even get to watch half of it! 

5. Mamma Mia (2008)

Another outstanding classic! I couldn’t leave Mamma Mia out of this list, especially when it’s such an uplifting and comforting film. The story takes place on a Greek island ( anyone else longing for some sun right now?) and follows a young woman named Sophie who’s about to get married. She wants her father to be there but doesn’t know who she is. So Sophie invites all three of her potential dads to the wedding! It’s a true rollercoaster of a film. Plus, it’s a musical, so there’s even more to love about it! 

6. Ibiza (2018)

Okay, so this movie is pretty much a rulebook for what NOT to do on a business trip. Which makes it all that much more fun and enjoyable! The plot follows Harper, a 30-year-old woman from NYC who travels to Barcelona for work. But (of course) everything goes off track when she meets a handsome DJ! It’s only an hour and a half long, so you can definitely squeeze it in the middle of any busy day! 

7. The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)

Alright, we’re back to the moving travel movies category. For real now, this is the ultimate road trip movie! It follows the story of Ben, a writer turned caregiver in charge of a teenager with muscular dystrophy, Trevor. As the boy loves American roadside attractions, Ben convinces his mother to go on a road trip across the country. It’s an emotional film packed with views of the open road! 

8. The Terminal (2004)

Pretty much everyone and their mother knows this is a great movie. This commercial success follows the ordeal of an Eastern European man stranded inside of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport because his passport is no longer valid. But the same reason why they won’t let him in is the same reason why he can’t leave: his country suffered a military coup and his life would be in danger. So he stays there, making a terminal his new home as he waits for asylum. This is a classic and you should not miss it! 

9. Casino Royale (2006)

James Bond films are always quite the show! They’re bound to make you have fun while traveling. This one follows Bond as he is earning his license to kill and is involved in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale, Montenegro. The movie was shot in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy, and the United Kingdom. So you’ll see lots of different places! 

10. Amelie (2001)

If you’ve ever longed for a trip to Paris, then this movie is for you! The story follows Amelie, a girl whose childhood was conditioned by her mistakenly diagnosed heart condition. As she barely got any real-life interactions with people, she resorted to her own fantasy world that resulted in a vivid imagination even as an adult. Her life changes when she moves to Paris and that’s where this story begins. It’s a cinematic masterpiece and a very acclaimed film! 

11. Into the Wild (2007)

This great movie will take you deep into the wilderness of Alaska. It’s the story of Christopher McCandless, as he sells all of his possessions after graduating from university and departs to Alaska. He even donates all of his savings to give it all up and live in the wild. Along the way, he’ll encounter people that will forever make an impact on his life. It’s quite a long film (almost two and a half hours long) but definitely worth your time! 

12. Adrift (2018)

This moving film is based on an inspiring true story and will leave you shaken. It follows the adventures of two sailors who embark on a trip across the seas only to find themselves in the eye of one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in history. After the storm, their boat is shredded to pieces and one of them is badly injured. Now all they have to do is try to survive. It’s a gripping story, that’s for sure! 

13. Crystal Fairy and the Magical Cactus (2013)

This movie is for those who want a bit of fun when they’re away or daydreaming of being on the road! Meet Jamie, a let-loose American who’s traveling in Chile. There, he joins a woman keen to discover the benefits of a local South American hallucinogen: the San Pedro cactus. You’re bound to have a good laugh with this one. It’s short (1:40 hours) and hilarious!

14. Forrest Gump (1994)

This American classic is one you’ve probably seen dozens of times before. But we never get tired of this movie! This story follows the beloved character, Forrest Gump, across a tale of his eventful life while he waits at a bus stop. His memoirs also depict a series of key events in American history, so it’s quite the emotional ride. It’s a longer movie, almost two and a half hours long, but certainly an unskippable one! 

1 5. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

This Netflix documentary follows the life of 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono and his work at his renowned sushi restaurant. It also touches upon his relationship with his son as he is under the pressure of taking over the restaurant. Meanwhile, Jiro sets out on his lifelong quest to create the perfect piece of sushi. It all happens in Tokyo, so it’s a great movie for those longing to visit Japan! 

16. Faces places (2017)

This documentary is the perfect road trip film! The French protagonists, 89-year-old New Wave director Agnés Varda and 33-year-old photographer JR, embark on an artistic journey that’s caught on camera. They travel around the small villages of rural France, as they create portraits of the people they come across on their trip. It’s simple, subtle, and comforting! It’s a great movie for a road trip, so head over to our Road Trip section to start planning your next one.  

17. In Search Of Fellini (2017)

This story is both dreamy and relatable in certain ways! The protagonist is a small-town girl from Ohio who isn’t too keen on reality but adores movies. When she discovers the artistic and bizarre films of Federico Fellini, she takes off on a passionate trip across Italy just to find him. It’s a coming-of-age memoir mixed with a heavy dose of wanderlust. And if you like Italy’s landscapes, you can’t skip it! 

18. The Mummy (1999)

This one is another classic! If you’re in the mood for an adventure comedy, this is what you need to watch. Out of all these travel movies, The Mummy has a very distinct vibe. Is a mix of romance, adventure, comedy, and terror that just ticks all the right boxes! It tells the story of an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers in the Sahara Desert. When they uncover an ancient tomb, they set free a  3,000-year-old mummy by accident. And I’ll let you find out the rest from there! Get ready to visit Egypt! 

19. The Way (2010)

The Way is visually stunning and emotionally touching. It tells the story of a man who goes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to gather the remains of his deceased adult son. His son died in a storm while attempting to complete the Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James trail). There, he decides to embark on the pilgrimage himself to honor his son’s desires. It’s an emotional ride but a beautiful one! 

20. The Bucket List (2007)

A travel movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman is a film worth watching! This comedy-drama follows two men suffering from a terminal illness as they set out on a once-in-a-lifetime kind of road trip. On their journey, they will check off everything they need to from their bucket lists before actually “kicking the bucket”. It’s funny, it features lots of cool places and activities, and it’ll sure keep you company while on the open road! 

21. On The Road (2012)

On The Road is the compelling take of a road trip fuelled by grief and a need for inspiration. Writer Sal Paradise embarks on a trip across the open road to regain clarity and motivation. On his journey, he encounters the free-spirited Dean Moriarty and his charismatic girlfriend. Together they travel the American Southwest in search of the unknown. The landscapes present in this movie are stunning and it’s always great to get to see more of the US! 

22. Wild Oats (2012)

This film is for those who want to watch movies that are a ton of fun! Wild Oats is a great movie capable of getting a laugh out of most of us. The story kicks off when a retired high school teacher receives a $5,000,000 check for her deceased husband’s $50,000 life insurance policy. Influenced by her friends, she decides to make the most out of the mistake and embark on a wild trip to the Canary Islands. The location of this film is beautiful and the storyline is hilarious! 

23. The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Everyone knows The Da Vinci Code in one way or another, right? Whether you’ve read the book or seen the film, this is a travel movie worth watching. The story follows symbologist Robert and cryptologist Sophie as they find themselves in the middle of a political and religious battle amid different believers. I don’t want to spoil anything else but this one is a must-watch!

24. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) 

This is one of the best comedies/rom-coms of all time! Not only does it make everyone laugh and cringe a little, it’s also set in beautiful Hawaii. The plot follows Peter, who was dumped by his girlfriend (actress Sarah Marshall) and decided to take off to Hawaii. He hopes to relax but, as he’s checking in, he spots Sarah and her new boyfriend. The events that follow are bizarre, hilarious, and worth watching! 

25. Cairo Time (2009)

Finishing off this roundup of travel movies on Netflix with Cairo Time seems like the right move. This movie is poetic to its core and has some really strong performances. It’s a romantic drama that focuses on an unexpected affair in Cairo. Of course, it features the best views of the city and a few of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks. For those of you who love the Pyramids, this one’s for you! 

What are your favorite travel movies and shows on Netflix?

Those are the 25 best travel movies on Netflix! Each and every one of these films is perfect for sparking that wanderlust flame or preparing for an upcoming trip. Even more, you can watch them while traveling on a road trip or at the hotel! So just download them and get ready to be entertained for a while. What is your favorite travel movie? Let me know in the comments. Now go enjoy those wanderlust-packed films! 

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Hello and warm regards from sunny Singapore!

Been following your IG and now subscribed to your blog. Thanks for this travel list. Cant wait to watch them. Thanks for your recommendations.

Ms Shan Lim

This is such a great list!! I am such an Egypt fanatic, how I have never heard of Cairo Time? Totally going to watch that tonight, thanks for the recommendations!

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11 Best Romantic Travel Movies to Watch on Date Night

By: Author MC Miller

Posted on Last updated: October 1, 2020

Categories Date Ideas , Romance

Looking for a great romantic travel movies to watch on date night at home ?

Look no further, we have you covered with 15 of our absolute favourite travel romance movies.

11 Best Romantic Travel Movies to Watch on Date Night at Home

2 days in paris.

• Starring: Julie Delpy , Adam Goldberg , Daniel Bruhl and Marie Pillet
• Directed by: Julie Delpy

About:  Marion and Jack try to rekindle their love with a trip to Paris, home of Marion’s parents. Oh, and her ex bfs live there.

Eat Pray Love

• Director: Ryan Murphy
• Starring: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Richard Jenkins

About: Liz played by  Julia Roberts is a modern woman on a quest to travel the world and rediscover herself after a divorce. Taking a year-long sabbatical from her job she uncharacteristically out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life.

Blended 

• Director Frank Coraci
• Starring Drew Barrymore, Kevin Nealon, Terry Crews

About: Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore are single parents who get stuck together on a blended family vacation in the African Savanna. Will they find love together?

Sleepless in Seattle

A good movie if you want to be inspired to visit Seattle sometime in the future! 

• Director: Nora Ephron
• Starring: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Bill Pullman

About: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is about a widower whose son convinces him to seek new love and the woman that he finds.  

Not exactly about traditional travel, but this movie about time travel will be sure to melt even the iciest of hearts.

• Director: Richard Curtis
• Starring: Domnhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

About: This movie features the ordinary life of 2 people. Can they make their life perfect through the use of time travel?

The Holiday

Traditionally a Christmas movie, this is definitely one of my favorite travel movies ever.

• Director Nancy Meyers
• Starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law

About: Two women opposite sides of the world swap houses to only discover the love of their lives may be waiting on the other side.

P.S. I love you

This is quite possibly my favorite romantic movie ever and if you have ever dreamt of visiting Ireland you definitely have to watch it.

• Director Richard LaGravenese
• Starring Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow

About: When her husband dies, she receives 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life. Will she find love again?

The Tourist

• Director: Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck
• Starring: Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany

About: A mysterious woman (Angelina Jolie) and a mild-mannered American (Johnny Depp) get involved in a web of action and romance in the city of Venice.

Crazy Rich Asians

If you are interested in traveling to Malaysia or Singapore you definitely need to watch Crazy Rich Asians, a love story showcasing the best of these countries.

Director: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan

About: New Yorker Rachel Chu goes with her boyfriend to his friend’s wedding in Singapore and meets his crazy rich family. 

Under the Tuscan Sun

• Director: Audrey Wells
• Starring: Diane Lane, Raoul Bova, Lindsay Duncan

About: A divorcee decided to buy a villa in Italy while on vacation. Does she find love again? As a side note, if you love awesome villas and are thinking to travel to Italy, check out our round up of the prettiest towns in Lake Como

Midnight in Paris

• Director Woody Allen
• Starring Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni

About: A couple go on vacation in Paris. Will they stay together or will he get distracted?

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MC Miller is a travel blogger and writer who has travelled America extensively and abroad to over 80 countries. He founded Couple Travel The World in 2017. Since then, he has spent over 6 years on the road as a full time travel couple. When he not traveling he likes to spend quality time with his partner Bett, planning our their next date or romantic getaway!

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60 Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

Written By: The Planet D

Travel Movies

Updated On: February 14, 2024

What makes for great travel movies? We feel it is when the destination becomes the star. A movie that showcases beautiful cities , landscapes, and culture is a movie that inspires us to visit a destination or relive our time there when we get home. Dave and I love movies. We worked in the film business in our previous careers and lived for the cinema. So when we chose our list of the best travel movies, we took it seriously. 

Table of Contents

The Best Travel Movies

Our choices for the best travel movies are probably very different than yours, so leave a comment and let us know what you think the best travel movies are. We are always looking for new travel films to ignite our wanderlust. To rent or buy one of these travel films to inspire wanderlust right now, check out Amazon Instant Video

The Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

1. in bruges.

This is by far the best travel movie. One of the characters actually carries around a guidebook! If you love a good caper set in an exotic location, you’ll love In Bruges. Collin Farrel and Brendan Gleeson star as two hit men who are sent to Bruges, Belgium to hide out after a job goes bad.

The more Colin Farrell’s character complained of hating Bruges (in Belgium), the more you took in the surroundings of Bruges and noticed just how picturesque the city is. While the film is primarily a crime drama and dark comedy it intertwines the city’s picturesque locations and cultural aspects with the narrative seamlessly.

Rent or Buy In Bruges on Amazon

2. banshees of inisherin trailer

I was so excited to see Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson reunite and this time, they share screen time in one of the newest travel films on our list, the Banshees of Inisherin. The movie takes place on the Aran Islands of Ireland and showcases the beauty of that destination as two friends go through some very dark times.

Gleessan’s character Colm decides he has wasted his life and cuts ties with his lifelong best friend Pádraic (Farrell) and all kinds of darkness begins. It had some of the best acting I’ve seen in years, and every one of the four main cast was nominated for Acadamy Awards.

3. One Week

One of our favorite travel movies of all time. And not because it is set in Canada. One Week follows a young man driving a motorcycle on a cross-country road trip across Canada after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. No movie has made me want to explore a country more than One Week. It showcases Canada beautifully.

I didn’t want to see this movie because of its morbid subject, but it ended up being an uplifting and enlightening film of self-discovery. It truly is the ultimate Canadian road trip movie. Rent One Week Here on Amazon

4. Secret Life of Walter Mitty

I had to watch this most popular of all travel films twice before deciding I liked The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and I can understand why it is at the top of most lists of best travel movies. This movie takes you from New York, to Iceland, Greenland and the Himalayas.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty shows how taking a risk and getting out of your comfort zone can lead to great things. The ending was my favorite, but I won’t spoil it for you. Rent it now .

5. Before Sunrise Trilogy

We have three of our favorite travel movies in one package! And each showcases the destination they are in. The Before Sunrise movies are about love but they are also very much travel films. They were filmed 10 years apart and they take place in three different locations around Europe – Vienna , Paris , and Greece .

The Before Sunrise trilogies capture the essence of each destination. And here’s a cool fact – Dave and I stayed at  Costa Navarino  in Greece where After Midnight took place!

It is probably the best of all romantic travel movies out there that literally spans three decades. (They film a movie every 10 years). Watch Before Sunrise and Sunset on Amazon Prime

6. Planes Trains and Automobiles

John Candy and Steve Martin take an unexpected cross country road trip from New York City to Chicago. This is Dave’s pick for the best travel movie.

This is considered one of the great comedy travel movies, but I look at it as a drama. John Candy’s character breaks my heart. You may think of it as a holiday film but it is also one of the funniest travel films out there. If you’re in the mood for a good heartfelt comedy,  rent it today.

7. Julie & Julia

Not only does Julie and Julia star the great Meryl Streep but this travel movie is based on blogging. It’s like it was made for us! I was surprised by how much I loved this movie based on the true story of Julia Child and I didn’t go in expecting much.

Julie & Julia follows the life of Julia Child during her time in Paris and cuts throughout to the present day in New York . It makes you crave French cuisine and a life of decadence in France. When it comes to choosing a  favorite travel movie this one is right up there. Rent it now

8. The Big Year

The Big Year follows Jack Black (who doesn’t love Jack Black?), Owen Wilson, and Steve Martin traveling around the United States with hopes of becoming the number 1 bird watcher in the world. It ended up being one of the most surprising travel films I’ve seen.

They are obsessed with spotting more species of birds than any other person in 365 days. I related to this movie because it is more about the journey and how having a great adventure can change a life. Rent it Now

Best Travel Movies for Adventure Lovers

9. into the wild.

The real-life true story chronicles the journey of  Christopher McCandless who went on a cross country road trip through the US and ended up in Alaska .

I read Into the Wild years ago and was mesmerized trying to figure out how someone could give up everything to go and live off the grid. John Krakauer dug into the psyche of McCandless and what motivates people to take risks.

Things don’t turn out as he hoped, and it is a lesson learned for would-be adventurers. Enjoy it now !

Wild is an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s travel memoir, From Lost To Found On The Pacific Crest Trail. Based on a true story, it follows her journey about putting a life back together after it all falls apart.

Pushing the limits physically on the Pacific Crest Trail and stepping out of her comfort zone take her on a journey of self-discovery. A struggle and journey can change a life and Reese Witherspoon is excellant as usual. Check it out on Amazon

11. Everest

Everest by John Krakauer is the true story of the catastrophe that happened on Everest in 1996. It’s a first-hand account by Krakauer who was on Everest at the time. While the movie focuses on the events, it does showcase the psyche of why people climb mountains and it shows the culture and beauty of the Everest Region.

As far as travel movies go, even though it is based on a dark subject, it does make me want to go to Everest. So we did! Plus, it stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Josh Brolin, so how can you go wrong?

• You can rent this movie made in Hollywood
• You can also check out the documentary.

Tracks is another travel movie base on a true story and I really enjoyed it. It’s a film about a young woman who walks across Australia from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean with four camels and her pet dog.

What I really liked is how the lead character Robyn Davidson learns the skills needed to survive. She is visited by a photographer from National Geographic who shared her story and was led through the sacred lands of the Outback by an Aboriginal elder. Watch this Amazing true story on Amazon ! 

13. World’s Fastest Indian 

From New Zealand to America, Anthony Hopkins takes his Indian Motorcycle to the salt flats to see how far he can go. The World’s Fastest Indian is one of my favorite performances by Hopkins and it is one of the great underrated travel movies.

He is vulnerable, lovable, and inspiring. This true story takes you on a fun road trip along the way until he reaches the Salt Flats of California and that is when you really start rooting for him to win! Rent it on Amazon Prime

14. Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert

Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert follows a group of drag queens taking a cross country road trip in a van named “Pricilla” from Sydney to Alice Springs where they are going to perform their drag show.

They meet a lot of characters along the way and this film introduced us to superstars Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce who joined the already-established Terrence Stamp.

15. Motorcycle Diaries

Ever since watching one of the best travel movies about South America, (you guessed it, the Motorcycle Diaries) wanted to do a road trip through South America. (PS. I’m still dreaming of that road trip through South America one day)

Gael García Bernal stars as Che Guevera and it follows his journey on a motorcycle trip through South America before he became a part of the revolution. This movie is based on a true story where Che traveled through the continent and I believe it was traveling through South America that Che saw what people were going through and that is what sparked him to take action in his own way.

• Check it out for yourself
• Rent it on Amazon

16. The Way

Dave and I have always wanted to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This movie is a bittersweet tribute to the epic hike. Acting legend Martin Sheen walks the trail to honor his son Emilio Estevez (also director) who died on the walk. This movie explores themes of grief, regret, and understanding.

Sheen’s character finishes what his son started helping him connect and understand his son while examining his own life and is one of the most moving travel movies on our list. You can watch it on Amazon

Best Classic Travel Movies

17. lawrence of arabia.

Lawrence of Arabia made us dream of the Arabian Desert and that is what travel films are meant to do. I would say that this is often considered one of the best travel movies of all time. It’s the original travel movie for sure and it really does capture the majesty of the Arabian Desert.

When we got the chance to visit Jordan and walk in the footsteps of the real Lawrence of Arabia, we couldn’t believe we were living our own travel movie. This will make you want to go on an adventure and spend the night in a Bedouin tent. Rent it on Amazon Prime Now

18. Out of Africa

If you want another Meryl Streep vehicle that is often considered one of the best travel movies, you should try  Out of Africa. Out of Africa takes place in a different time, but it captures the heart of Africa beautifully.

Based on a true story, Meryl Streep stars as a married baroness in love with big game hunter Robert Redford. Their chemistry is unmistakable. She falls in love with Africa and you will fall in love with it too.

The cinematography is outstanding. It won 7 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Cinematography. Rent Out of Africa

19. Romancing the Stone

Who didn’t fantasize about an adventure in Colombia after watching Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas in Romancing the Stone? As a kid I always thought about the line “ I need to get to Cartagena ” and while I had no idea where Cartagena was,(It’s in South America by the way) I knew it was exciting.

In the most romanticly fun of travel movies, Kathleen Turner transformed from a scared writer who merely writes about adventure, to a woman encountering an adventure and meeting a rugged mysterious man in exotic Columbia. Watch Romancing the Stone today

20. The Bucket List

With two of my favorite actors and a message to live life to the fullest, the Bucket List is one amazing movie and one of the best travel movies. I think it actually invented the term, The Bucket List. The phrase has been overused in recent years, but the message never gets old. The Bucket List is the original “live your dreams now” travel movie.

It’s beautifully acted, heartfelt, and showcases how life should be lived to the fullest. Rent or buy it here!

Most people say that Amelie is one of the best travel movies of all time. So this list wouldn’t be complete without it. I did love the views of Paris and the everyday life showcased in Montmartre.

I also enjoyed the uplifting message of a quiet young woman named, Amelie helping the people around her in the lovely district of Montmartre in Paris. If you want to watch sweeping scenes through Paris streets and if you love Paris, you can’t help but like Amelie. So check it out !

22. Roman Holiday

This did not age well in our opinion. We watched it recently and it is just downright bad. Many people will probably disagree. But as far as travel movies go, it is fun to see a princess posing as a regular young Woman zipping around Rome.

They should remake Roman Holiday, it would be fun. Rent it on Prime

23. Sideways

I admit it. After this movie came out, I didn’t drink Merlot for years! Sideways takes us on a road trip through California wine country and it really is filled with amazing performances by Paul Giamatti, Sandra Oh, Virginia Madsen, and Thomas Hayden Church.

We have been to Santa Maria, California, and this movie captures the feel of wine country perfectly. Rent or buy on Amazon Prime 

24. Up in the Air

Up in the Air makes you love the idea of travel but it shows the emptiness that the life of a vagabond can lead to if you don’t stay grounded with your family and friends. It’s not in the genre of typical travel films out there, but travel is the main theme.

I cannot go through airport security anymore without thinking of George Clooney as his character has the art of travel down to a science.

This movie also has a great message that Dave and I can relate to. We all become so consumed with our careers and our lives that we forget about what is important. Get it on Amazon Instant Video

Best Travel Movies Highlighting Destinations

25. ticket to paradise.

Our newest addition to our travel movies is from two legends, George Clooney and Julia Roberts who take us to Bali for their daughter’s wedding. The two divorced years ago, but agree that their daughter is too young to get married and decide to sabotage the wedding.

This movie showcases the culture and beauty of Bali while showing us once again how travel can be transformational and can change your life.

I love these two together, George and Julia, and great friends in real life and have amazing on-screen chemistry.

26. The Beach – Thailand

The Beach is the original backpacker slacker travel film. The Beach captures what Thailand was like before tourists started flocking to it en-masse. At one time, it was an off-the-beaten-path backpacker destination. We enjoyed the book more, but you can never go wrong with Leo.

If you want to get a sense of what it was like to travel to Thailand before mass tourism, this is a good movie for you. Plus it is beautiful and as far as travel movies go, it will make you want to go to Thailand. Not only are the people beautiful, but the scenery of southern Thailand is also out of this world.

Take in the journey as they search for a hidden beach that is pure perfection.

27. Lost in Translation – Tokyo

Tokyo is a bit strange. It is unlike anywhere else on earth, and Lost in Translation showcases the culture shock that one feels when staying in a different city.

There are different customs in Japan and the culture is much different than anywhere else and this movie captures that odd feeling you get when traveling there. Lost in Translation highlights some of the best spots in Tokyo.

The hotel where the movie takes place still has one of the best views in the city! And who doesn’t love Bill Murray? He is priceless and it’s one of Scarlett Johanson’s best performances. Check it Out

28. Slumdog Millionaire – India

We traveled to India in 2010 and Slumdog Millionaire seemed to capture the true slums of India while showcasing the heart of the people. Many of the rich cities are modern, but when traveling through rural India and the poorer areas, this is what it’s like.

Dev Patel stars as a young Indian boy who gets on a game show that could change his life. It’s heartbreaking, raw, and sometimes uncomfortable which is exactly what travel can be too hence why it made the list of our favorite travel movies. Download it here on Amazon

If you are a fan of Dev Patel (as we are) you will love him in another of our favorite travel films, Lion. Lion is based on a true story and is an emotional journey that takes audiences across India and Australia spanning cultures, and decades.

Patel plays Saroo Brierley, a young Indian boy who gets lost on a train in India at the age of five. After surviving several challenges on the streets of Kolkata and eventually being adopted by an Australian family, Saroo, as an adult, uses Google Earth to find his birth mother and the journey begins. The movie also stars Nicol Kidman.

30. Vicky, Cristina Barcelona – Spain

Admit it, we all want to go to Spain and run into beautiful people like Penelope Cruz and Javier Barden. I think this movie did so well because it inspired everyone to go to Barcelona. (That’s our criteria for choosing the best travel movies, how they inspired travel)

Vicky Cristina Barcelona makes us dream of the cities in Spain , the passion of the Spanish people and getting away for a summer in Spain.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona definitely is an inspiring travel movie and one of the best travel films out there. It really captures the energy and passion of Spain in Barcelona . Rent Vicky Christina Barcelona on Amazon

31. Under the Tuscan Sun – Italy

For the romantics out there, Under the Tuscan Sun is one of the best travel movies. Wouldn’t you just love to buy a villa in Tuscany and fall in love with a stranger?

This is one of my favorite romantic travel films and Under the Tuscan Sun based on a true story. After a bad divorce, her character takes a trip to Italy courtesy of her best friend, (The incredible Sandra Oh!) and buys a house!

This travel movie is based on a true story where our star shares the trials and tribulations of renovating a Tuscan villa. You can rent Under the Tuscan Sun on Amazon

32. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – India

We always preach that you are never too old to try something new and you are never too old to travel and that is the premise of one of the most beloved travel movies, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It’s chock full of great legendary actors including Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, and Maggie Smith.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of retirees who travel to India to live out their days at a crumbling retirement hotel. All mayhem and madness ensue as things can only in India. There’s romance, tragedy, and hope. Rent it now

33. A Good Year – Provence France

A Good Year made me want to go to Provence and live a simple life…on a multi-million dollar vineyard estate. That’s reasonable, right? And that’s what travel movies make you want to do…Pick up and go somewhere.

A Good Year makes life in Provence look like the Garden of Eden and I want a piece of it. Everyone is beautiful, everyone is a wine connoisseur, and everyone is pure and good. Who wouldn’t want to go to the south of France after seeing A Good Year? Rent it now.

34. Midnight in Paris – Paris

Looking for travel movies that combine time travel this movie night? Midnight in Paris captures the golden years of Paris as Owen Wilson walks through the streets at night in search of that romantic nostalgia of the city.

Blending time travel with traditional travel, this film showcases Paris’s rich history and examines how different eras appeal to different people.

He ends up meeting the famous patrons of the 1920s including Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and more! This travel movie makes me want to hop on a flight to Paris every time! Watch it on Amazon Prime or get it on DVD

35. Australia – Australia

This movie was crucified by the critics, but I loved it and its one of the best travel movies showcasing the beauty of Australia’s landscape. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman take her cattle across the Outback.

It also touches on the injustices of how Australia treated the Aboriginal People, reminding me of what Canada did with residential schools to our own indigenous communities.

It’s beautifully shot and is a love letter to Australia while highlighting the true story of the Aboriginal struggles. I think it deserved more love than it got. Check it out on Amazon

36. The Impossible

It took me forever to finally watch the impossible because it is based on the true story of surviving the devastating Tsunami in Southeast Asia. It follows a family from England who are vacationing in Thailand and are impacted by the Tsunami.

It showcases the huge hearts that the Thai people have. Even while going through their own trauma, they play a huge role in helping this family get back together and survive.

The movie stars Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland and it is one of the best performances I think Naomi Watts has ever done.

Lighthearted Travel Movies

37. eurovision.

This is one of the funniest travel movies out there. The movie kicks off (after a brief flashback) in Iceland showcasing its beautiful landscapes and waterfalls with sweeping drone shots of the stars performing.

It has all the stereotypes and cliches of Iceland, but it is done with heart and fun. It really is a love letter to Iceland. Follow Lars and Sigrit as they try to fulfill their dream of competing in Eurovision in Edinburgh. The movie gives a nice showcase of that city too making it two travel movies in one. Rent it on Amazon

38. Darjeeling Limited

This quirkiest of travel movies takes Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, and Adrian Brody across India one year after their father’s death starting on the Darjeeling Express train. It’s strange, heartbreaking, hilarious, and pure Wes Anderson.

When they visit their mother in an Ashram, it makes me think of the strange people that run away to India to find themselves. Oh yeah, he gets it. Check it out on Amazon Prime

39. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Set in the very real Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu this pick on our travel movies list stars Jason Seigel as a Hollywood Writer who goes to Hawaii to heal his wounds after getting dumped by his girlfriend Kristen Bell. It turns out, she is there on vacation with her new boyfriend and shenanigans ensue.

This movie makes you want to book a plane to Hawaii and have your own stay at Turtle Bay which has now become very popular. Rent it on Prime

40. Last Holiday

If you are searching for comedy travel movies, this should be at the top of your list. This is the ultimate fairytale on how travel can change a life. And how we should all strive to live a better life. It’s too short to wait.

Queen Latifa is priceless as a woman who is diagnosed with a terminal disease, so she takes her life savings to enjoy her final holiday at a luxurious resort. She does everything from base jumping to snowboarding and indulging in decadent French cuisine.

If everyone took a holiday like this, we’d all live happier lives. Rent, Buy or Watch on Amazon Prime

41. The Holiday

It may be a Christmas movie, but The Holiday is one of the best travel movies out there. We watch it every year and it shows how travel is transformational. Starring Kate Winslett, Jack Black, Jude Law and Cameron Diaz, The Holiday flips back and forth between Los Angeles and England.

The two female stars have very different vacations as they house swap, but both have their lives changed through travel.

42. French Kiss

Meg Ryan plays a woman named Kate who is afraid to travel. When her fiance falls for another woman in France, she vows to win him back and travels there despite being terrified. Hilarity ensues when she meets con man Kevin Kline and they venture across the country together following the formula of travel movies galore.

My favorite scene is when she is indulging in cheese on the train. It’s that French moment that made me daydream about traveling by train across the French countryside. Watch French Kiss for yourself

43. My Life in Ruins

While not as good as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, My Life in Ruins is a nice comeback for Nia Vardalos in a fun-loving travel film.

She plays a tour leader taking stereotypical tourists through the sites of Greece. It’s fun, it’s romantic and the setting is beautiful. It’s not going to win any Academy Awards, but for a fun Saturday afternoon movie, this will transport you to Greece. Rent it or buy it on Amazon

44. The Hangover 2

The First Hangover was far better and it too is a travel movie taking you to Vegas. But when choosing travel movies from this trilogy, I had to choose the setting of Bangkok. It captures the crazy energy of the city.

My favorite scene is when Bradly Cooper has to go to the hospital and comes out with an absurdly low hospital bill. Dave and I have been to the hospital in Thailand and can attest, it is cheap. Rent it now! 

Blockbuster Travel Movies

45. star wars: the rise of skywalker & the last jedi.

One wouldn’t think of a movie based in outer space to be a travel movie that inspires wanderlust, but the last Star Wars Trilogy featured one of our favorite destinations on Earth, Skellig M ichael

This 6th-century monastery was a star unto itself as Luke trained Rey in the ways of the Force. It has now inspired many travelers and film buffs to take the hair-raising boat ride out to these rocky islands 12 km off the coast of Ireland. Check it out

46. Mama Mia

We actually learned where Mama Mia takes place while visiting the location where it was filmed, Pelion, Greece. The Greek islands are paradise, and Mama Mia follows the story of Meryl Streep who runs a hotel on the coast. We thought it was filmed somewhere like Santorini or Mykonos.

When her daughter becomes engaged, she invites three men who might be her father. It’s a rip-roaring good time of music, fun and beautiful scenery.

The Santorini blue and white houses, the crystal clear blue sea, and the music of Abba become those who watch to travel to Greece! Watch it on Prime today

47. Once Upon a Time in Mexico Trilogy

How sexy are Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayak together? You must watch the entire trilogy to really appreciate this series by Robert Rodrigues. Once Upon A Time In Mexico ends the trilogy with Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, and Cheech Marin. El Mariachi started it all starring Carlos Gallardo. My favorite of the 3 is Desperado , but they are all entertaining.

Once Upon A Time In Mexico is a fantasy and it is a stereotype of Mexico, but it makes you want to go to Mexico and have a great adventure. The scenery is gorgeous, the film is filled with cool style, and the music is fabulous. Watch the Trilogy today!

48. The Legend of Tarzan

The $180 million dollar budget makes sure to showcase the beauty of the African Savannah, the dense jungles, and the majestic wildlife. You feel as if you have entered the heart of Africa. Seriously, rent it, you’re going to like it a lot more than you think! Rent it on Amazon

49. The Tourist

It’s a little indulgent, and Angelina Jolie is a bit annoying to watch with how amazing she thinks she is in this, but it does capture taking an international trip to Europe beautifully.

It makes you want to have a romantic tryst in Venice . It makes you want to ride a train and have a mysterious encounter. It gives you a glimpse into how the rich live and travel the world.

50. The Thing

Recently we had someone write to us with a list of their favorite movies about travel. He mentioned the first Alien vs. Predator took place in Antarctica and I remember that being a pretty entertaining film. Then I thought about the classic Kurt Russel movie, The Thing .

This thriller takes place at a scientific base camp in the Antarctic and really lets you feel how claustrophobic and isolated researchers must feel when spending the winter at the bottom of the world. Watch it now!

51. Thelma and Louise

Who would have thought that Thelma and Louise would be heralded as one of the best travel films of all time, but it has. When researching this article, I saw that everyone had it on their list, so I had to include it. Besides, I love this film. I saw it at the theatre when it came out and it blew me away.

Brad Pitt makes his debut in this dark road trip adventure. Susan Sarandon and Geena Dave about female empowerment, friendship, and the transformative power of travel.

52. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Yes, this was a blockbuster film for teenagers. I remember working at YTV and this movie was going mad in the teen realm so I had to add it to my best travel movies list. The premise of the story revolves around four friends—Lena, Tibby, Bridget, and Carmen—who find a pair of jeans that, despite their differing body types, fits each of them perfectly. They decide to share these “magical” pants as they embark on their separate summer adventures, thus maintaining their connection with each other.

Where does the traveling come in? Well, Lena travels to Greece , Bridget goes to Mexico , Carmen visits her father in South Carolina, and Tibby stays in Maryland.

While not a “travel movie” in the traditional sense—where the main characters are often journeying together or the narrative revolves solely around their travel experiences—”Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” embodies elements of travel movies by incorporating different cultures, locations, and the concept of journeying (both physical and emotional) into its narrative.

53. Bourne Movies, James Bonds, Mission Impossible & Indiana Jones Movies

The Bourne movies, James Bond, Indian Jones, and Mission Impossible take us around the world with each movie and really are the best travel films to showcase the globe. These epic travel movies take audiences to a whole new level of taking an international trip with decadence, wealth, espionage, and romance.

I wanted to include them because if you are looking for some beautiful scenes from Europe and the Middle East, these travel films fit the bill. They are so good at taking you away to exotic places .

Our Favorites of These Epic Travel Movies are

54. the bourne identity.

The original takes us on an international trip from Switzerland through Paris. It’s the car scene in Paris that really captures the city but the entire movie is one big travel movie.

55. Casino Royal – James Bond

This makes us dream of living with the high rollers in Montenegro the beautiful people in the Bahamas. It’s as epic as epic travel movies get riding on trains, planes and yachts and it’s the best James Bond with Daniel Craig.

56. Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol

It’s not often that sequels are better than the original, but when it comes to the Mission Impossible series, each one out does the other. Tom Cruise loves to travel and push the limits creating the most epic travel movies on the planet. I chose Ghost Protocol because of its setting in Dubai and Cruise scaling the walls of the Burj Khalifa. (The tallest structure in the world)

Best Travel Movies in Fictional Settings

57. grand budapest hotel.

I can’t help it, I love Wes Anderson movies. He is offbeat and quirky. Grand Budapest Hotel is one of the best travel movies that isn’t set in any real place. This is all in a fictional setting.

I like this for a travel movie because it reminds me of the grand old hotels from another era. Well, it should because it is set in another era. The hotel is fictional, but it does take you away to another world. Rent it on Prime

58. Black Panther

Wakanda may be a fictional place in Africa, but this movie captures the spirit of East and South Africa. It embraces the African culture and many of the movie’s scenes were filmed in Africa.

We have been to Africa numerous times and this movie transported us there again. It may be fictional, but Black Panther is one fo the best travel movies to make you want to discover the culture and beauty of Africa. watch it now!

59. Lord of the Rings and Hobbit

They may be set in Middle Earth, but the Lord of the Rings movies are a love letter to New Zealand. As far as setting go, the trilogy makes for epic travel movies! Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Movies make us want to go to New Zealand and these films capture its beauty perfectly.

Rent the trilogy on Amazon today

60. Eat Pray Love

And let us end with the mother of all travel movies, Eat Pray Love. Who doesn’t love Julia Roberts? However, Eat Pray Love wasn’t my favorite travel movie at all. But The book was okay but the movie starring Julia Roberts is dreadful. If you liked it, let me know. Maybe I’ll give it another watch in case I missed something. Rent it on Amazon

We’ll be updating this list regularly and we love finding new travel movies to watch. So, if you have suggestions for your favorite travel movies, leave them in the comments below and we’ll be sure to give them a watch!

Tell me what you think are the best travel movies and we will compare notes.

You May Enjoy these other inspiring posts:

• 44 of the Best Road Trip Songs
• Best Travel Songs Playlist
• Best Travel Books to Inspire Travel
• 60 of the Best Road Trip Songs to Rock the Long Drive
• 101 Best Travel Quotes in the World with Pictures

Disclosure:  The links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We receive affiliate commissions, but it’s no extra cost to you!

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Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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107 thoughts on “60 Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust”

Very interesting and thought-provoking list. Another film I think belongs in this company is “A Month by the Lake,” a 1995 work starring Vanessa Redgrave, Edward Fox, and Uma Thurman. Its setting, at the Villa del Balbianello on a peninsula in Lake Como, was used in scenes from a number of other movies, but here it gets starring role.

one of my favorite travel movies is “If it is Tuesday it must be Belgium”. it captures the travels and travails of some very uninformed American tourists on a guided tour. One of the wives, tired of the endless strings of cheese shops they visit heads back to their tour bus. The problem is it is the wrong tour bus. Hilarity ensues …

Thanks for the thoughtful list. Might I add a few more wanderlust-inducing movie recommendations/destinations that I have a hunch you will love?

Enchanted April (Italy) Shirley Valentine (Greece/Mykonos) Everything is Illuminated (Russia/Ukraine) Summer Lovers (Gene Siskel’s ‘guilty pleasure) (Greek Islands/Santorini) The Hundred Foot Journey (India/France) Local Hero (Scotland — and perfectly depicts how an enchanting location can change your view of what’s important in life) Anne of Green Gables — Kevin Sullivan version (Price Edward Island) Outsourced (India) Jean de Florette/Manon of the Spring (Provence France) The Quiet Man (Ireland) A Passage to India (India)

These are fantastic suggestions, thank sfor sharing! I’ve been wanting to see The Hundred Foot Journey. I think that will be my weekend watching!

Hi , thanks for sharing the best travel movies.

I love to watch 72 hours is my best travel movie all time.

Brilliant! Some of my teal favourites and now a list to watch. …many, many thanks. Allison

Great movies list all movies are best and all movies have a good rating on IMDb actually my favorite movie is LORD OF THE RINGS AND HOBBIT. and next, I would like to watch Star wars series.

Great choices of movies you have given a big list a great work

Great article! I will definitely choose a few movies that I haven’t seen yet. I could add a movie called “The Hundred-Foot Journey”. This film is about a Hindu family who moves to France, where they open a restaurant.

I’ve been meaning to watch that one. I think I will have to check it out this weekend and add it to the list! Thanks for the reminder.

Very comprehensive list! lots of great movies, and some of my favourites such as Seven Years inTibet and Walter Mitty.

I have to disagree with you about The Darjeeling Limited though: “When they visit their mother in an Ashram, it makes me think of the strange people that run away to India to find themselves. Oh yeah, he gets it.”

I felt the most important scene in the movie is when the guys rescue the boys in the river, and one doesn’t make it. They take part ion the family grieving and funeral, and have a very life-changing, profound experience. I felt the movie actually validates people “running away to India.”

In these difficult times especially, finding a sense of purpose, or meaning, or spirituality, or whatever you want to call it, is more important than ever. I think we will see a lot more people “running away to find themselves” and in fact, I am working on offering spiritual itineraries.

How about Red Eye and Flight Plan? I think they both portrait (fear of) commercial flying experience pretty good!

We have already watched quite a few of these ? gotta love a great movie night! Thanks for a great list, that we will start to work our way through ?

Great choices for movies! Others that come to mind are “Before Sunrise” and “Into the Wild.”

LORD OF THE RINGS AND HOBBIT is my favourite. i had watch so many times but always loved

This list couldn’t have come at a better time as we currently shelter in place and travel only through our TVs! Thank you.

All movies are great and my fav <3

great films..i watched some movie

OOH Julie and Julia is one of my all time favorites! And Eat Pray Love…It’s a good time for movies at home for sure!

Love the list. Thank you for sharing. As a classic movie buff, however, you are so wrong about Roman Holiday. This movie is a classic. I recently saw it on the big screen for the millionth time and it was amazing. How can you not love Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn?! His voice alone is worth a listen! And the old scenes of Rome are wonderful. Have to truly disagree about this one. LOVE this movie.

Anyway, thanks again!

SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY movie motivates people to dare to make a decision.

I love this list!! You hit some of my favorite movies. I’ve watched a lot of these but I have a feeling I’ll be rewatching some of them in the coming weeks. Thanks for remind me!

GREAT list, thank you! I’ve seen some Bollywood films and loved them, and would love a best of list of them!

Great site for everything

Great list, guys — you really dug deep. If you love The Sounds of Music, you have to visit Salzburg, where you can see the actual places where they shot many of the scenes, including the palace in the middle of town. You can even stay in the Von Trapps’ house. And I may have missed it in your list, but The Year of Living Dangerously absolutely captures the exotic atmosphere and the beauty of Southeast Asia — the gamelan music stays in your head for days. Also, Gandhi for a virtual trip to India.

Very well collections, Really some of the names are not heard. This type of movies are oxygen for any traveler.

Great list of movie i like slumdog millionaire once upon a time in mexico

Secret Life of Walter Mitty for sure, this movie made me so pumped to travel while ‘into the wild’ made me a little depressed and not wishing to become a mentally ill person who goes eating dead animals and rejecting society

Lovely idea, great movies! Love your blog!

I really love this movies.

Each movie is an exciting adventure, felt from the film, emotions, as well as an impressive moment. Thanks for your collection!

Thank you for your list! Lawrence of Arabia for certain, but almost any film by Werner Herzog, especially Aguirre:The Wrath of God. But I am partial to “art” or “foreign” films over Hollywood.

I loved a movie I watched and I can’t remember the name and I can’t find it. It was about a woman, maybe in her 40’s maybe 50’s that traveled to India to meet up with her husband. Her husband was detained by work and sent his male Indian assistant to meet her. While waiting for her husband to arrive, the assistant showed her the sites of India. A romance developed with the assistant over many days, but never crossed the line. Would love to watch this again….

Maybe you’re thinking of the movie ‘Cairo Time’. It’s set in Egypt, not India, but has the exact plot you’re referring to.

All are attractive and I will watch each movie

I shared the movies I shared. The movie content is very interesting and interesting, I like it very much.

This is also a very good post which I really enjoy reading

For me Motorcycle diaries is best.Thanks for list. I will check other movies too.

Nice list, you got almost all of my favorite travel films! A couple additions I would make are “The Sheltering Sky”, and “Voyager”.

The Painted Veil – gorgeous!

I hope it will be show at CGV

Definitely a great list of movies that gets us thinking about travel. Everest was one that really took our breath away and told an amazing story. In Bruges is still one of my favorite. Thanks for sharing!

Loved the post and the films. I still didn’t see 9 films and already want see. Will try found they for this weekend. But the best is to see Indiana Jones in the list.. it’s my prefer film of life <3

the beauty of this movie list is that this in includes movies in Malayalam, Hindi English and believe me these movies are the very best travel movies I have seen . kudos?

Great Choices !

Always on the lookout for movies to watch on the plane!!! Thanks for the recos!!!!

Great choices for movies

I hate you after watching only 2 of these movies from your list i feel like travelling but unfortunately my my academics. By the way best list of travel movies I have seen on internet. Good going brother. wish to see more content in future.

Mr. Bean’s Holiday. A very ridiculous movie, but the cinematography is amazing, and it’s very inspiring.

Great article and awesome collection of movies. Red balloon is my favorite movie and it’s amazing storey

Film is called Before Midnight. Not after.

Thanks for the correction. I mixed up the Trilogy in my head, thinking “the one after Before Sunset.” – There is Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight.

Great article, many good informations

I love watching movies ahead of travelling and often find them inspirational. For Western Australia I found ‘Rabbitproof Fence’ a very good movie. You’ve chosen some good ones!

Great collection of movies to watch. I absolutely loved The Bucket List. As usual Morgan Freeman was awesome. Great movies about travel and for when traveling.

Can you believe that I never saw Stealing Beauty? Now I am going to have to check it out. I agree with Sideways too. Loved that show. It made me want to drink Pinot Noir.

Wild is a great book and the movie is pretty true to the book. Reece Witherspoon is really good in it. Based on true story of a troubled woman who decides to hike one of Americas longest trails with little money and not enough experience. Humbling and left me feeling the wanderlust pretty hard.

The Bucket List and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are the best travel movies in my opinion. Iceland is on my travel bucket list, hope I can visit that place.

Best Movie Collection. my favorite movies also include in these. love to see the collection of movies thanks to sharing this information with us.

Nice article! inspiring people for Traveling

Thanks for compiling this list. It’s interesting to know the place where the movie was shot. I absolutely agree on what you said about James Bond movies.

Thanks for the post. Some I have seen and some I haven’t, and looking forward to (Especially ONE WEEK)

I’d like to add LOCAL HERO. There are some melancholic moments in the film accompanied by Mark Knopfler’s beautiful soundtrack. Would make anyone jump off the couch, dump all the COMFORTS OF CITY and visit rural Scotland and walk the beaches and witness the Aurora Borealis. One of my favourites alongwith The Motorcycle Diaries and Into the Wild.

Great choices

Excellent list, but Indiana Jones really is a wonderful trip. Note 1000.

Under a Tuscan sun is my favorite!!!! Been to Tuscany because of that movie!! 🙂 Jotted down a few to watch from your list! Thanks!

thank you guys. Into the wild is my favourite one on the list.

You named quite a few of my favorites but the two I’d like to recommend are Hector and the Pursuit of Happiness starring Simon Pegg, and The Way starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez.

The Way inspired me to walk the Camino de Santiago which turned into an incredible trip.

Great list of best all time travel movies. I must admit that there are still so many movies I have not yet seen. I need to work on that sooner rather than later!

Great list but would certainly add :

– The way (with Martin Sheen) , very inspiring movie about Camino de Santiago – Motorcycle diaries, simply a great movie about travel and life

Fantastic films, thanks for making this kind of film! Many people should watch it! Thanks for sharing this list.

Wow! This list is great! I will surely add these in my playlist. Hopefully, I will be able to watch most of these travel movies. I plan to travel soon, I’m juts looking for more inspiration and travel tips. Glad I came by your blog!

Whoa! You gave me a completely new set of movies to add to my list here! Into the Wild is one of my favorites and the Everest is a spine-chilling movie. A great list Dave & Deb!

Check out Maindentrip, the story of the youngest girl to sail around the world, Laura Dekker. I think my wife finally believed we could do it if a 13 year old can.

Thanks for the recommendation!

These ultimate travel tips for when they have a desired of lust.

What about “Blue Hawaii” and any of the Jurassic Park videos for Hawaii?

Thank you for your list – I am constantly looking for good travel movies.

Till the date bucket list is one of my favourite movie 🙂 Thank you for the information about other movies too

Thank you for this great list. I see some old favorites on the list but also a number of movies I need to see. I’ve added them my list. You’re right about movies inspiring travel. After seeing, Under the Tuscan Sun, I’ve always wanted to visit Tuscany. I’m finally making it there soon.

What a fantastic list full of excellent movies! There’s no doubt that these titles can help to light the spark of wanderlust in anyone. I was actually lucky enough to stumble upon the making of Ridley Scott’s upcoming Alien Covenant movie in New Zealand’s Milford Sound. I’m very much looking forward to its release so I can see the spectacular panning shots of that breathtaking landscape. Movies are a great medium to translate the beauty of travel.

No way! That is so cool. I’m such a fan of Alien, it would be amazing to see them filming it. I love seeing landscapes of places I’ve been in movies.

Slumdog Millionaire and Secret Life of Walter Mitty are Good Movies

Nice list – a few of my favourites there: Everest, Into The Wild, Slumdog Millionaire, The Bucket List, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Nothing like a good movie for inspiring travel.

A few others to consider: The Beach, Midnight Express, Kundun, Seven Years in Tibet…

“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one’s lifetime.” – Mark Twain

Hi, Oh wow I really love this list, seriously is so right! Holidays is another good one that invites you to discover surrey :), I enjoyed so much Amelie, unfortunately I cannot say the same of Paris, Je t’aime, which is other of the “must seen movies”, honestly… overrated… anyways, nice list I really enjoy it.

Great list… something a lot of people leave off the list is Julia and Julia. That movie is HUGE to foodies, chefs, etc… Makes me want to hop on a flight every time I see it! Julia Child was a machine, so glad you guys included that movie on this list!

I am a movie addict person, and I loved to travel. I enjoyed all of these films. Very Inspirational lists. Thank you, Dave, for this excellent Article. Loved it:)

A lots of movies that needed to add here. I watched a few of then not all and find very inspirational and heart touching. Slumdog millionaire is one of my favourite and very heart touching.

I love this list, but I’d add almost any movie filmed in San Francisco, even if they weren’t that good (like “The Wedding Planner” or the “The Rock”). They’d actually have to be filmed there and not just set there, like the last “Godzilla” movie 😉

Thanks for the additions. I loved the wedding planner. Although I just watched it again recently and realized what a schmuck Matthew Macoughnay’s character is. He totally led Jennifer Lopez’s character on and was a jerk to his fiancé. haha. But it’s a good lighthearted romantic comdey. They don’t make enough of those anymore..

I came to this article to ensure you had Romancing the Stone..and you didnt let me down. I used to love that movie growing up. I am totally with you, on thinking about Cartagena as some exotic far away place that I had to visit. I eventually found out the movie wasn’t actually filmed in Cartagena or Colombia because of the dire security situation at that time…but when i finally visited Cartagena, i found it even more magical and exotic than the film…love the film, and love the city even more now.

I am so glad we didn’t let you down! I am also so glad that you felt the same way about Cartagena. I always envision Kathleen Turner saying “come to Cartagena with me” It was such a grand adventure. We need more movies like that!

Cool list! I would add:

– Before Sunrise (Vienna) – Waking Ned Devine (Ireland, though filmed in the Isle of Man) – Lost in Translation (Tokyo)

Great additions. I loved Before Sunrise, I can’t believe I forgot about that one. I saw it in the 90s and then watched the whole trilogy. I haven’t seen Waking Ned Devine, I’m going to check that out and yes, Lost in Translation is a good one for Tokyo. I have to watch that again. I barely remember it, but I do remember loving Bill Murray

Just what I needed, thank you guys. Into the wild is my favourite one on the list.

I don’t think any movie has made us want to travel more than Amelie.

2 Days In Paris, on the other hand, was kind of a turn off.

Amelie celebrated Paris, but 2 Days kinda made fun of it. .-= The Jetpacker´s last blog .. UFO Hotspots — 11 Best Places To See UFOs In The World =-.

I don’t need a movie to inspire me to travel. I always want to travel, but some movies make me want to travel more I guess is how to put it. BTW. I thought Up in the Air stunk and don’t get why it was so popular. I loved In Burges which many people have never seen. Guess I’m just weird. .-= Gwen´s last blog ..Kids Grease Costumes =-.

You’re not weird at all! That is what makes watching movies so great. Everyone has different opinions on them all. We didn’t love Amelie and I have never met another person that didn’t like it. We were more into the quirkiness of Two Days in Paris and nobody liked that one:-)

Great choice, I never really fancied visiting Bruges until watching the hilarious In Bruges (and I agree the film also did Colin Farrell a huge favour). Tuscany is still on my must see list after the gorgeous ‘Stealing Beauty’ and being from the UK, Sideways and Swingers always made me want to go to California.

OK, I obviously need to get myself to the nearest pirated DVD place since I’ve only seen 3 of these movies! Thanks for the advice. .-= Audrey´s last blog ..Couch Surfing with KGB Agents =-.

Fantastic post, though most of these movies I haven’t seen (yet) but Vicky Christina Barcelona has really made me want to see Barcelona. I’m really bad for being easily suggestible when it comes to travel. If a place is featured on a movie or tv have a sudden desire to go there. Like I watch a John Waters movie and I wanna go to Baltimore, or the way Shirley Valentine made me really want to go to Greece. Even places that were never really on my travel to do list, like watching Dexter has made me want to visit Miami (even though most of the show is filmed around LA). .-= Alouise´s last blog ..List 9 – How To Have A Cheesy Time At West Edmonton Mall =-.

Wonderful list! I’ve seen a few of these and just loved them (Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Julie & Julia, In Bruges, Up in the Air, and Romancing the Stone)…..and I still dream of someday going to Cartagena, Columbia because of that movie! There are so many great movies that inspire travel that I’m sure it must have been hard to winnow it down to just eight. The rest of your list I’ll have to add to my Netflix queue! .-= Trisha´s last blog .. PR-Blogger Relations Manifesto =-.

I love that you think of Cartagena because of Romancing the stone. There were so many movies that I had on a list. I could have just listed about 50 and that could have been good enough. Maybe I will do that for a post one day when I am out of ideas:) It was very difficult to narrow it down to eight, we were trying to be a little unique in our choices, but then again, it is hard to be unique when it comes to choosing great travel movies. I guess, it was more of a reminder post. Everyone thinks of the choices like The Beach, The James Bond Movies and the Bourne Movies, but we haven’t thought about Romancing the Stone or Once Upon a Time in Mexico in a while.

Great list! We think movies and books add so much to travel that we brought a bunch with us on our open ended world tour. We’re in France now, so tend to watch French ones here and ones that are family friendly since we travel with a kid. 😉 I think we love the Red Balloon and Chocolate best for France.

Two that really stick out on our trip were Troy ( watched again and again through out Greece while reading Homer, including also while we were in Troy in Turkey) and “The Medici, Godfathers of the Renaissance” a thrilling PBS special series that we watched in Florence before we toured. .-= soultravelers3´s last blog .. Captivating Colliore- France on Bastille Day =-.

Thanks for the additions. I forgot about Chocolate. I loved that movie and Johnny Depp and Juliet Binoche were both so charming. I haven’t seen Red Balloon, I will check it out. It is wonderful to watch movies for inspiration before, after and while you are at that place.

Great choices for movies! Others that come to mind are “Before Sunrise” and “Into the Wild.”

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34 Movies That Will Make You Want to Get Off the Couch and See the World

From "The Holiday" to "Romancing the Stone" to "Eat Pray Love," these travel movies will inspire some serious wanderlust.

There's nothing like an epic on-screen adventure to get you acquainted with some place new and dreaming up an enviable vacation itinerary. For me (and basically all my childhood friends), this first happened following a viewing of Disney's "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" back in 2003, when Hilary Duff's character traveled to Rome to live out every teen's parent-free European fantasy. Though I've graduated to more mature travel movies over the last 18 years, one thing hasn't changed: films with gorgeous backdrops give me an unruly case of wanderlust.

From classics like "Around the World in 80 Days" and "Roman Holiday" to modern masterpieces such as "Wild" and "Crazy Rich Asians," travel films tend to ignite a longing for freedom and excitement. Maybe it's the sight of beaches on your screen triggering a phenomenon known as Blue Mind , or maybe watching a couple of pals take to the open road for a life changing road trip just makes you want to feel unconfined. Whatever it is, sometimes a travel film is all you need to provoke that feeling. That's why we've rounded up, in no particular order, 34 of the best travel movies that inspire wanderlust. Maybe they'll be cause for a change of scenery — or maybe they'll incite the adventure of a lifetime.

'Thelma & Louise' (1991)

Widely regarded as one of the best road trip movies of all time, this buddy film follows best friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) as they drive through the American Southwest after Louise kills a man in Arkansas.

'The Holiday' (2006)

A Hollywood movie trailer producer (Cameron Diaz) and a London reporter (Kate Winslet) decide to switch homes for a few weeks after finding out their respective boyfriends have been cheating on them. The results offer enough glamor shots of Los Angeles and cozy footage of England's countryside to make you want to pack up and head to either city immediately.

'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018)

Though this movie revolves around the conflict between New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and her boyfriend's wealthy family, "Crazy Rich Asians" could pass as a tourism film for Singapore . If the Southeast Asian country wasn't on your bucket list before, this film's dazzling shots of Singapore, specifically the acclaimed Marina Bay Sands Hotel , may convince you.

'Wild' (2014)

Based on a true story, "Wild" sees Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) hike more than a thousand miles from California to Washington on the Pacific Crest Trail following her divorce and the death of her mother. On her journey, Cheryl treks through the Mojave Desert , the Sierra Nevada, and Mount Hood National Forest while reflecting on her life.

'Eat Pray Love' (2010)

After her divorce, Elizabeth (Julia Roberts) sets off to explore the world with hopes of finding herself in the process. Elizabeth's inspiring and uplifting journey takes her — and viewers — to Italy , India , and Indonesia where she discovers the pleasure of nourishment, prayer, and romance.

'La La Land' (2016)

Admittedly, this musical doesn't feature much traveling (save for a brief road trip to Mia's hometown in Nevada), but the dreamy, oversaturated shots of Los Angeles in nearly every scene are enough to make anyone want to book a flight to the City of Angels.

'Before Sunrise' (1995)

Two strangers meet aboard a train from Budapest. Jesse (Ethan Hawke) is hoping to catch a flight home to the United States while Céline (Julie Delpy) is en route to Paris . Instead of sticking to their plans, the two disembark in Vienna and spend the entire night exploring the city and falling in love. A viewing of this movie will leave you longing for an epic adventure in the picturesque Austrian capital .

'National Lampoon’s Vacation' (1983)

National Lampoon 's classic comedy series is now six films strong, but it was 1983's "Vacation" that started it all. Unlike the franchise's most famous film, "Christmas Vacation," the original movie sees the Griswolds actually hit the road for a trip to Walley World, an amusement park several states away. After you watch Chevy Chase's hilarious hijinks unfold in this film, let sequels "European Vacation" and "Vegas Vacation" inspire further travels.

'The Darjeeling Limited' (2007)

After the death of their father, three estranged brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) decide to hop aboard a train in India called The Darjeeling Limited to reconnect and experience spiritual self-discovery. Viewers catch glimpses of the Indian countryside, Hindu temples, and eventually the Himalayas — but not without a few jokes along the way.

'Up' (2009)

Arguably the most heart-wrenching animated film of all time, "Up" earns a spot on our list thanks to adorably grumpy widower Carl Fredricksen's determination to fulfill his own wanderlust. With the help of thousands of balloons and a young sidekick named Russell, Carl and his house soar across the world on an incredible journey that culminates at Paradise Falls (based on Angel Falls in Venezuela).

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

"Raiders" kicks off the iconic Indiana Jones series with a quest to find the fabled Ark of the Covenant. On his journey, Indy (Harrison Ford) makes stops in Nepal , Egypt , and the Aegean Sea , and, of course, famously runs from a giant rolling boulder in a temple in Peru . Follow up this film with its sequels, "Temple of Doom" (1984), "Last Crusade" (1989), and "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2008), to see Indy travel to Jordan , the Amazon jungle, and beyond.

'Mamma Mia!' (2008)

Few movies offer the kind of gorgeously colorful beach imagery "Mamma Mia!" and its 2018 sequel, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" provide. If you haven't seen the films, you likely know them as "the movies with all the ABBA songs." But if you have seen them, you know they're actually about three men who travel to the impossibly beautiful, albeit fictional, Greek island of Kalokairi, each believing they're the father of a young bride-to-be.

'Nomadland' (2020)

After losing her job in the town of Empire, Nevada, Fern (Frances McDormand) decides to sell her belongings, buy a van, and drive across the country working odd jobs. Fern travels through deserts, small towns, and nomad communes where she works, makes new friends, and learns about life. If you've ever fantasized about dropping everything and taking to the open road, "Nomadland" will probably either convince or deter you.

'Romancing the Stone' (1984)

When New York City-based romance novelist Joan Wilder's sister is kidnapped in Cartagena , Joan (Kathleen Turner) ends up on a rescue-mission-turned-treasure-hunt with adventure-seeking Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas). Don't be surprised if a viewing of this movie makes you want to trade in your annual beach vacation for a wild ride through the Colombian jungle .

'Paris, Je T’aime' (2006)

Paris, Je T'aime is different from the other films on this list in that it's not one film — it's 18 short films that all feature Paris as a central theme. Because the project is made up of 18 different stories in 18 different arrondissements around the city, viewers get a true, unfiltered sense of Paris, and may even find themselves inspired to visit lesser-known locales in the City of Light.

'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' (1994)

If you've ever longed to take a laughter-fueled road trip with your best friends, this film is worth a watch. In the flick, pals Tick (Hugo Weaving), Adam (Guy Pearce), and Bernadette (Terence Stamp) head out on a cross-country road trip through the Australian outback to perform their successful drag act in a new town. The trio takes up residence in an oversized tour bus called Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in this fun, ahead-of-its-time dramedy.

'RV' (2006)

While plenty of road trip movies have been made over the years, "RV" might be the only one that takes place in, well, an RV . Though the main characters in this movie face more bad luck than fun, family bonding, the film does feature generous desert , mountain , and wilderness scenery, as well as an all-star cast (Robin Williams, Kristin Chenoweth, Cheryl Hines, and Josh Hutcherson are just a few that appear).

'Point Break' (2015)

Yes, we're talking about the "Point Break" remake rather than the original film from 1991, but hear us out: the imagery in this movie inspires some serious wanderlust. The story takes viewers to several of the wildest places on Earth (Mexico's Cave of Swallows, Venezuela's Angel Falls, etc.) and though the plot is slightly different from the original (think eco-terrorism rather than bank robberies), it is quiet possibly the most visually stimulating travel movie ever made.

'Girls Trip' (2017)

When was the last time you took a trip with just your core group of girlfriends? A quick watch of this comedy will have you planning your next gal pal getaway faster than you can say "PTO." In the film, a group of friends (Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, and Jada Pinkett Smith) head to New Orleans , but you'll be ready to travel anywhere with your best buds after watching "Girls Trip" — even if it's just to the next town over.

'The Way' (2010)

After his son is killed walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to Galicia, Spain, Tom Avery (Martin Sheen) sets out on the trail himself to retrieve his son's body. Along the way, Tom meets several other travelers who are walking the trail in hopes of changing their own lives for one reason or another. This inspiring film may just persuade you to make the famed pilgrimage yourself, or to book a similarly reflective trip.

'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' (2005)

If you were a teen or pre-teen in 2005, you have likely seen this movie and its 2008 sequel, and can attest that both inspire major wanderlust. The first film follows best friends Carmen, Lena, Bridget, and Tibby (who share a magical pair of jeans that fits them all perfectly) as they spend a summer in different parts of the world. Lena (Alexis Bledel) travels to Santorini, Greece , which makes for some seriously dreamy backdrops. In the sequel, the whole gang heads to Greece, but not before Bridget (Blake Lively) spends some time in Turkey .

'Up in the Air' (2009)

This George Clooney-led comedy-drama makes business travel and airports look glamorous — hospitable, even. Boasting just as many cityscape shots as it does plane scenes, "Up in the Air" will have you longing to be in the skies, jet setting off to some place new. Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga also star in this critically-acclaimed film about a man who lives out of a suitcase.

'Around the World in 80 Days' (1956)

If this classic adventure film doesn't inspire daydreams of traveling somewhere new, we're not sure what will. In 1872, Englishman Phileas Fogg makes a bet with several members of his gentleman's club that he can travel around the globe in just 80 days. On his journey, he and sidekick Jean Passepartout bring viewers along as they travel by gas balloon to France , Spain , Italy , India, Hong Kong , the United States , and more.

'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' (1992)

The Home Alone movies usually fall under the comedy or holiday categories, but if you think about it, the second installment in the series is totally a travel movie. The film does a fantastic job of showing off the glamorous side of New York City , the place young Kevin McCallister accidentally ends up while the rest of his family vacations in Florida. From shots of the Rockefeller Christmas tree to the Manhattan skyline , this film is sure to inspire a trip to the Big Apple.

'Under the Tuscan Sun' (2003)

You won't find shots of northern Italy as serene as the ones in this feel-good film about independence, love, and friendship. After losing everything in her divorce, American writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) suddenly finds herself beginning a new life in the small Tuscan town of Cortona. And if you're anything like us, Googling "Tuscan villas for sale" will become a regular part of your life after watching this film.

'Angels & Demons' (2009)

Though "Angels & Demons" is classified as a thriller, it'll definitely make you want to head to Rome and dig up some history, both figuratively and literally. Based on the Dan Brown novel of the same name, the story follows Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) as he discovers secrets of the Vatican and faces off against the supposed Illuminati. If you're a fan, check out other Dan Brown adventure travel films, "The Da Vinci Code" (2006) and "Inferno" (2016).

'Easy Rider' (1969)

Our list features travel by plane, train , RV, and even hot air balloon , but "Easy Rider" is the only movie that follows a journey via motorcycle. In the film, drug smugglers Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) ride from Los Angeles to New Orleans in hopes of reveling at Mardi Gras to celebrate their latest score. On their journey, they stop in several small towns, make a few friends, and unsuccessfully try to evade trouble.

'Out of Africa' (1985)

If Africa doesn't currently have a spot on your bucket list, this film might make you rethink that. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star in this true story about Karen Blixen, a Danish woman who moves to Nairobi with her new husband, and builds a life there despite their many marital issues. "Out of Africa" features sweeping panoramic shots of Nairobi in nearly every scene, leaving it no wonder the drama won seven Academy Awards, including one for Best Cinematography.

'Johnson Family Vacation' (2004)

This family comedy starring Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, and Solange Knowles follows the mildly dysfunctional Johnsons as they road trip to their family reunion in Missouri. On the drive, the family hilariously encounters just about every road trip cliché, from picking up a problematic hitchhiker to running out of gas, before making it to the reunion and performing a musical number to nab the coveted Family of the Year trophy.

'Midnight in Paris' (2011)

Set in present-day Paris , this Oscar-winning film is typically a favorite among art and literature lovers. At midnight each night, screenwriter Gil (Owen Wilson) is transported back in time through different eras of Paris, where he befriends Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Pablo Picasso, and even strikes up a romance with a 1920s woman named Adriana. The film offers plenty of inspiration for a culturally rich trip to France.

'The Parent Trap' (1998)

"The Parent Trap" is another film that may not immediately stand out as a travel flick, but once you take into account the film's many settings ( London , San Francisco, Napa Valley , and the northeastern U.S.), it's easy to see that this family classic has been a travel film all along. Plus, the main characters spend lots of time on planes, boats, and camping trips throughout the movie.

'The Talented Mr. Ripley' (1999)

Carefully spliced between disturbing revelations and suspenseful plot twists are luxurious shots of Italian beaches in this Matt Damon-led film. When Tom Ripley (Damon) is paid to travel to Italy and bring Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) back to the States by Dickie's father, Tom ends up befriending — and later becoming obsessed with — Dickie. Despite the plot quickly darkening, viewers are treated to bright, colorful scenes in Rome and glamorous seaside villages .

'Roman Holiday' (1953)

Romance? Check. Stunning visuals of Rome ? Check. Audrey Hepburn? Check. This classic travel comedy lands at the top of many movie buffs' all-time favorite lists, and for good reason. Bored with her mundane life as a European princess while on a trip to Rome, Ann (Hepburn) ditches her duties and hits the town with journalist Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). The two take viewers on a tour of the Eternal City and fall in love in the process.

'Pee-wee’s Big Adventure' (1985)

Before you roll your eyes, take a moment to acknowledge that this film essentially sends happy-go-lucky Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) on the great American road trip in search of his stolen bicycle. In this comedy for adults and children alike, Pee-wee stops at the Alamo, the Cabazon Dinosaur park in California , and Hollywood . Traveling by car, truck, and train, Pee-wee befriends a biker gang, competes in a rodeo, and of course, famously dances to "Tequila" before his journey is through.

Hillary Maglin is a digital editor who splits most of her time between New York City and Pittsburgh. You can find her on Instagram @hillarymaglin , where her DMs are always open to discuss travel gear, wine bars, and Taylor Swift's latest record.

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The 40 best travel movies

Hit the trail with some of cinema’s most magical destination films

There’s loads to be said for the transportive power of cinema – that magical ability to whisk us off to places we’d never otherwise go – but we’re often glad of its power to bring us back again. It’s fun to pay a visit to Mos Eisley or Twin Peaks but you probably wouldn’t want to linger too long. Occasionally, though, a movie will leave you with itchy feet and an urge to hit the trail (or at least, low-cost airline website) for real. Here are 40 films that’ll have you reaching for your passport.

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Sideways (2004)

Destination: Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA

They may be insufferable wine bores cursed in perpetuity by merlot producers the world over, but it’s hard not to kinda love pent-up Miles (Paul Giamatti) and laconic Jack (Thomas Haden Church) in Alexander Payne’s Oscar-winning comedy-drama. For one thing, the hapless roadtrippers are never dull; for another, they introduced the moviegoing world to California’s lush Santa Ynez Valley and its array of sun-kissed valleys, bountiful vineyards and roadside staging posts. If you’re ever following in their footsteps, be sure to stop in at Miles’s favourite restaurant, The Hitching Post II . PDS  

Into the Wild (2007)

• Action and adventure

Destination :  Denali National Park, Alaska, USA

Things go south when Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) heads north in Sean Penn’s moving biopic of the young hiker’s journey from comfortable middle-class life to the vast Alaskan wilderness. This true-life adventure may have a heartbreaking ending but the journey there is pretty special, backdropped by unforgettable American landscapes and life-changing encounters in the spirit of all great road-trip movies. The vast solitude of Alaska’s Denali National Park, five hours’ drive from Anchorage and overshadowed by North America’s highest peak, Mount Denali (aka Mount McKinley), leaves a haunting impression. PDS

Wild (2014)

Destination: The Pacific Crest Trail, USA

There was a reason thousands of solo hikers set off on the Pacific Crest Trail IRL after seeing this movie. Based on Cheryl Strayed’s bestselling memoir of the same name and starring Reese Witherspoon, ‘Wild’ paints a vivid picture of life off-grid and on-foot on the PCT, an equal parts gruelling and stunning hiking route which weaves through the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges on America’s west coast. The urge to pack up your water purifier and your emotional baggage and hit the trail as the credits roll is hard to ignore. EWA

The Sheltering Sky (1990)

Destination: Aït Benhaddou, Morocco

Paul Bowles’s bohemian account of post-war life in north Africa is hardly the greatest advertisement for tourism – the jaded American couple at its heart aren’t the most open-minded pair – but Bernardo Bertolucci’s visually rich adaptation makes it all seem well worth the trip anyway. It has Debra Winger and John Malkovich as the pair of slightly insufferable roamers (‘We’re travellers,’ they’re at pains to point out, ‘not tourists’) but the real stars of the show are the Saharan landscapes, Tangier souks and dusty villages. One of those villages, the ancient fort of Aït Benhaddou, is a film star in its own right, having appeared in ‘Gladiator’, ‘Babel’, ‘Kundun’ and ‘The Mummy’, among others. PDS  

Lost in Translation (2003)

Destination: Tokyo, Japan Sofia Coppola’s classic is one of the quintessential travel movies, not just for its Japanese locations, both postcard-famous and off-the-beaten-track, but in perfectly capturing that unmistakable sense of dislocation that can come with hitting the trail. Here, it’s magnified by deeper life crises for Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray’s two lonely travellers, but their existential woes spark a powerful connection – and we’ve all been there. As far as the travelling goes, they’re doing it the luxe way, staying in the now-very-famous and expensive Park Hyatt Tokyo and taking day trips to Kyoto soundtracked by Air. Other hotels (and Spotify) are available. PDS

A United Kingdom (2016)

Destination: Serowe, Botswana

This true-life love story between Bechuanaland royal heir Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) and Londoner Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) plays like a cross between a Disney fairy tale and a bracing slug of social realism. The couple are subjected to prejudice and disapproval in all its guises – straight-up racism in post-war Britain and prescriptive protocols in Africa – but coolly face it down to make history. The story is inspiring and the backdrops scarcely less so. Director Amma Asante filmed on location in Seretse’s home village of Serowe, so head there for a two-in-one cinematic and historical pilgrimage (and check out the rhinos while you’re there). PDS

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Destination: Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

This comedy-drama is at once an Aussie classic, a road trip gem and a glorious celebration of difference – all crammed on to a bus called Priscilla and driven across Australia’s Outback to a gig in Alice Springs. The movie’s spiritual home – as its website proudly points out – is The Palace Hotel in hardscrabble Broken Hill, where a night in the tacky-flamboyant Priscilla Suite will set you back around A$200. It’s here that Bernadette Bassenger (Terence Stamp), Mitzi Del Bra (Hugo Weaving) and Felicia Jollygoodfellow (Guy Pearce) stay over en route to the Northern Territory. Or if you want to keep things strictly underground, head for the subterranean White Cliffs motel in the bizarre town of Coober Pedy– another port of call for the trio. PDS

A Room with a View (1985)

Destination: Florence, Italy

What’s most charming about this 1980s Merchant Ivory classic, which follows the  first visit to Italy of the young Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter)? It’s a tough call between the sun-soaked streets of Florence and all those becoming Edwardian ruffles. Though it does a very good job of capturing England’s bucolic countryside too, it’s the first half of the film, full of glorious views of the languid Arno river, the city’s terracotta rooftops and ochre-coloured landmarks that lingers in the memory. EWA

A Walk in the Woods (2015)

Destination: The Appalachian Trail, USA

According to the Bill Bryson memoir from which this warm-hearted outdoorsy adventure is adapted, 2,000 people attempt the 2,200-mile-long Appalachian Trail every year, but only 10 percent make it. Attempting to beat the stats are Robert Redford and Nick Nolte’s old-timers. The trail – the longest hiking-only path in the world – runs from Maine to Georgia, with glorious, Ansel Adams-esque scenery and killer hills all the way. Will our grizzled heroes make it? Do bears shit in the woods? Finally, a movie that can answer both questions. PDS

Monos (2019)

Destination: Chingaza National Natural Park, Colombia

The brilliant ‘Monos’ sometimes feels like a war film, sometimes like a sci-fi and sometimes like some new genre we’ve never encountered before. Its high-altitude locations are guaranteed to have intrepid types reaching for their passports. Rising to more than four kilometres above sea level, Colombia’s Chingaza National Natural Park, where it is filmed, feels like the roof of the world and director Alejandro Landes gives its cloud forests, waterfalls and rocky outcrops the full widescreen treatment. Within range of Bogotá, it’s catapulted straight on to our bucket list. PDS  

Journey to Italy (1954)

Destination: Naples, Italy

This influential Roberto Rossellini film follows discontented marrieds Katherine (Ingrid Bergman) and Alex Joyce (George Sanders) as they drive to Naples and bicker their way towards something that looks likely to involve eye-watering legal costs and a painful conversation about who gets to keep the Frank Sinatra LPs. Watching these sophisticated travellers slugging it out can be an emotionally arduous ride, but they find calm and beauty amid the city’s archaeological treasures. For her, it’s the volcanic Phlegraean Fields and the ancient artefacts of the Naples Museum; for him, a ferry ride to Capri. For us? A trip to the EasyJet website.  PDS

The Way (2010)

Destination: El Camino de Santiago, Spain 

Whether it’s to the football, the pub or just to Homebase for something to de-grease the barbecue, a father-and-son pilgrimage is a special thing. It’s arguably even more special when there’s an actual pilgrimage involved, as is the case in this touching 2010 drama directed by Emilio Estevez and starring his dad, Martin Sheen. The movie follows the path of Galicia’s Camino de Santiago, a UNESCO listed network of hiking trails that leads pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. With its stunning landscapes and moments of footsore camaraderie, it’ll have you itching to follow in its footsteps. PDS

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Destination: Oahu, Hawaii, USA Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy tracks down girl in far-flung corner of Hawaii. Boy discovers girl is now having mindblowing sex with a rockstar (Russell Brand). Major bummer. Still, on the upside for Jason Segel’s lovelorn musician – and everyone else in the film – this lol-some romantic-comedy unfolds on Oahu’s stunning north shore. Specifically, the Turtle Bay Resort , a honeymooners’ paradise that comes equal first with Bora Bora from ‘Couple’s Retreat’ in a list of dream destinations Kristen Bell has managed to visit for work . PDS

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Destination: Paris, France

Americans swooning over the City of Light is nothing new. But rarely are their chansons d’amour so persuasive as Woody Allen’s ‘Midnight in Paris’. Gil (Owen Wilson) is a jobbing Hollywood screenwriter on vacation in gay Paree with fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams) and her parents. Each night he wanders off alone, and on midnight’s chime, is transported into a magical-realist time warp: first the 1920s (hello, Ernest, Zelda and Scott), then the Belle Époque of Degas, Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec. From Rodin’s hôtel particulier to abandoned fairground the Musée des Arts Forains , Gil is swept up by the city’s charms, and as he falls deeper in love, so do we. HO

The Passenger (1975)

Destination: Vera, Spain

From the nocturnal streets of Milan to the Aeolian Islands and even south-east  London, Michaelangelo Antonioni’s locations often got as much screen time as his actors. Even larger-than-life Jack Nicholson feels swallowed up by the epic sweep of southern Spain, the last stop for his journalist-gone-rogue David Locke after an almost 007-worthy itinerary (Algeria, London, Munich, Barcelona). The dusty Andalusian hilltop town of Vera, with its dilapidated bullring and now-demolished Hotel de la Gloria, is the filming location for the famous six-minute tracking shot in which Locke’s fate is sealed – in typically cryptic Antonioni style, naturalmente . JM

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Destination:  Seyðisfjörður,  Iceland Timid Life magazine staffer Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) heads off to track down grizzled photojournalist Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn) and finds himself along the way. It’s basically a mega-budget version of that gap year your mate Charlie still goes on about. But if Walter’s fantastical daydreams of superpowered adventure and heart-stopping romance are eclipsed by the rugged Icelandic landscapes, what landscapes to be eclipsed by. If you want to recreate his high-speed longboard ride , just head for Seyðisfjörður on the eastern edge of Iceland. Just be sure to check the terms of your travel insurance first. PDS

Leap Year (2010)

Destination: Aran Islands, Ireland It may not be a great advertisement for filmmaking but this romcom is an excellent billboard for the Irish counties of Wicklow, Mayo and Galway. Matthew Goode plays Irish innkeeper Declan O’Callaghan and Amy Adams is Anna Brady, the American visitor looking to exploit an arcane tradition whereby a man proposed to on a Leap Day must accept (because no marriage is more likely to last than one you’ve been forced into by an ancient form of blackmail). Forget the plot contortions and focus instead on the glorious Irish vistas, especially those of the rocky Aran Islands where much of the movie was filmed. PDS

L'Avventura (1960)

Destination: Aeolian Islands, Italy In Michelangelo Antonioni’s languid classic, a young woman (Lea Massari) vanishes during a yachting trip to the rocky, mysterious Aeolian Islands and her boyfriend Sandro (Gabriele Ferzetti) and BFF Claudia (Monica Vitti) make a slightly half-hearted attempt to find her (think Tommy Lee Jones in ‘The Fugitive’, only on Xanax). The disappearance itself takes place on the tiny volcanic outcrop of Lisca Bianca, which can be visited only by private boat, but Sandro and Claudia’s ensuing wanderings will have you adding Sicily to your holiday wishlist too. Even in black and white, the Tyrrhenian Sea sparkles enticingly. PDS

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Destination: Skopelos, Greece Abba-inspired ‘Mamma Mia!’ is movie Marmite, but it’s impossible to watch the film, or it’s more recent sequel ‘Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again’, and not be left pining for Greece’s many paradise-like islands. And if you’re into tales of friendship, motherhood, a secret search to find a father figure and a dungare ed Meryl Streep singing ’70s hits, they are pure joy. Oh, to be skipping through a Greek orange grove, falling in love in an intimate taverna or diving off a boat into the clear waters that surround sunny Skopelos right now…  EWA

Tracks (2013)

Destination: Western Australia

Australia’s dusty town of Alice Springs is the jump-off point for an outback adventure that’s based on a true story. Mia Wasikowska plays Robyn Davidson who, in 1977, trekked 1,700 miles across the continent with only her dog, Diggity, and four dromedaries for company. At least, until National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan (Adam Driver) pitches up to cover her incredible undertaking. It’s a pure travel movie: a celebration of the dangers and majesty of the great outdoors that captures the spirituality of Aboriginal lands, the vastness of ever-shifting deserts and the spellbinding starscapes of the Australian night sky. PDS

The Two Faces of January (2014)

Destination: Crete, Greece Like ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’, this underrated thriller has everything you could possibly want from a Patricia Highsmith adaptation: gorgeous costumes, slippery characters and exotic European settings. Oh, and foul deeds – let’s not forget about them. Here the double-dealing and betrayals take place in Greece rather than Italy, but the soft Mediterranean light and shimmering seaside backdrops are equally to die for as Viggo Mortensen and Oscar Isaac’s vying tricksters, and Kirsten Dunst’s beautiful sorta-moll, journey from the tourist traps of Athens to Crete’s sun-baked hills and its Minoan ruins. PDS

Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

Destination: Zion National Park, Utah, USA In movie terms, Utah is most famous as home to Monument Valley, a landmark in all those great John Ford westerns. Head a few hours west, though, and you’ll find the even more remote dream destination for the hardcore western lover-cum-outdoors type: Utah’s mountainous Zion National Park, where Robert Redford western and handy gif generator ‘Jeremiah Johnson’ was partly filmed. The real-life Johnson was the nineteenth century’s answer to Bear Grylls and probably smelled badly of bison liver and fetid beard, but needless to say, Redford makes him a total thirst trap(per). PDS

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Destination :  Ventura, California, USA It may not be Big Sur or Malibu but Ventura is famous for a few things: its sandy beaches, long pier, surfing and – surely the topper – hosting the climactic moments of ‘Little Miss Sunshine’. It’s in this sun-kissed corner of California that the dysfunctional Hoover clan pull up in their yellow VW microbus and unleash comedy mayhem. In the film, the setting is actually Redondo Beach, 70-odd miles south, but Ventura was the real-life stand-in for the pier scene . If you really want to get close to the action, check in to the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ventura Beach where Olive Hoover (Abigail Breslin) unleashes her superbly inappropriate ‘Super Freak’ on that unsuspecting beauty pageant. PDS

The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

Destination: Machu Picchu, Peru Before becoming a doctor, rebranding as ‘Che’ and becoming the last word in revolutionary chic, Ernesto Guevara (Gael García Bernal) embarked on a roadtrip across South America with his old friend Alberto Granado that is faithfully recorded in Walter Salles’s excellent 2004 biopic. The pair visit the spectacular Incan citadel of Machu Picchu without once referring to ‘Lonely Planet’ and set about exchanging revolutionary ideas and posing for snapshots. If they’d had Instagram back in 1952, @Che would have been lapping up the likes. PDS

Local Hero (1983)

Destination: Pennan, Scotland

Home, as they say, is where the heart is, and in this enduring delight that means Scotland’s unspoiled east coast, with its tiny fishing villages, crystal-clear skies and mystical vibes. It’s here – the fictional seaside village of Ferness, specifically – that oil company exec (Peter Riegert) is sent with a brief to buy the place so it can be turned into a refinery. Unexpectedly, the villagers like the idea because, well, fishing is hard work. It’s a lovely comic twist that throws the whole film winningly off its axis. Any ‘Local Hero’ pilgrims should head for the village of Pennan in Aberdeenshire, Ferness’s real-life stand-in, and grab a selfie by that famous phonebox. PDS

Patagonia (2010)

Destination: Trelew, Patagonia, Argentina This gentle travelogue has Welsh photographer Rhys and his partner Gwen discovering the charms of Patagonia, where their guide (Matthew Rhys) introduces them to the region’s Welsh heritage and the chapels built by Welsh settlers. If you’re intrepid – or Welsh and fancy undertaking a similar pilgrimage – head for the Welsh town of Trelew in Argentina and saddle up for a horse ride into the dusty desert. Bizarrely, it’s exactly what Rhys was doing when he bumped into ‘Patagonia’ director Marc Evans location-scouting the film. PDS

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter… and Spring (2003)

Destination: Juwangsan National Park , South Korea This lushly located Korean masterpiece exudes seriously serene vibes as it charts a young Buddhist monk’s rocky spiritual journey under the tutelage of his master across 40 or so years. Since the film came out in 2003, its location – a purpose-built floating monastery on Jusanji Lake in Juwangsan National Park – has gone from hidden secret to national treasure, with visitors making the trek to sit in the shade of its willow trees and get zen by its tranquil waters. It’s a tricky trek to get there, though: Juwangsan is one of Korea’s most inaccessible national parks and the hike to the lake is a real glute-burner. PDS

Roman Holiday (1953)

Destination: Rome, Italy Sly but chivalrous American journo Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) shows Audrey Hepburn’s royal fugitive, Princess Ann, around the Eternal City in a classic romance that’s fizzier than a flute of prosecco. He takes her on a whirlwind Vespa tour of Rome’s famous tourist attractions – Joe isn’t one for the hipster haunts – taking in the Spanish Steps, the Mouth of Truth and the Colosseum. Other films have majored on the city’s jaded hedonism (‘La Dolce Vita’, ‘The Great Beauty’) and social ills (‘Bicycle Thieves’); this one just makes Rome feel like a dream. PDS

Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

Destination: Lhasa, Tibet

A Sun-In blond Brad Pitt plays Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountaineer who sets out to climb the Himalayan peak of Nanga Parbat in 1939 only to end up in a POW camp. He escapes, crosses the border into Tibet and becomes tutor to the Dalai Lama in Lhasa – then the Chinese plan an invasion and things get complicated. The film faced a couple of problems: Harrer turned out to be a Nazi IRL and Tibet itself was off-limits to the production. Scorsese had the same issue on ‘Kundun’ and recreated it in Morocco; here, it is Argentina and the Canadian Rockies. But director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s time in Tibet recce-ing the country pays off and he does a fine job capturing its rugged beauty on screen. PDS

The Piano (1993)

Destination: Karekare Beach, New Zealand If you’re looking for a beach holiday with a movie pilgrimage thrown in, head for New Zealand’s west coast where Jane Campion’s period drama is set. The gripping emotional journeys of Holly Hunter’s mute immigrant and her young daughter (Anna Paquin) as they deal with the harshness of nineteenth-century life steered the film to eight Oscar nominations. It was all filmed on the black sands of Karekare Beach, only 30 minutes’ drive from Auckland but stretched out at the foot of rugged cliffs in splendid isolation. If there was an Oscar for beaches, it’d be a shoo-in. PDS

Australia (2008)

Destination: East Kimberley, Western Australia

With its glorious shots of the outback and Hugh Jackman taking his kit off, Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Australia’ celebrates the continent’s rugged natural phenomena in all its forms. Sure, the film – an homage to the old westerns of John Ford – is a mite corny, but it showcases the scenery of Western Australia so beautifully, you’d think the tourist board funded it. And sure enough, they did: to the tune of $1 million. Luhrmann also filmed in Sydney and Queensland, but if you want the proper ‘Australia’ experience, head for Kununurra and from there the Kimberley, approximately a bazillion square miles of canyons, cattle stations and beaches. Saddle up. PDS

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Destination: Barcelona, Spain

Set in a world full of beautiful people doing impossibly bohemian things at extreme short notice, ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ is the life we’d all lead if we weren’t at home worrying about loo roll. It’s a seductive love letter to Catalonia and, in particular, a billboard for the beauties of Barcelona: as the title implies, the city itself shares top billing with Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), two friends who fall under the spell of Javier Bardem’s artist while visiting. Needless to say, the movie is full of Barca landmarks, including Park Güell, the Miró Museum, Parc de la Ciutadella and the Sagrada Família, and they all look utterly dreamy. PDS

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

Destination: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA

This feelgood yarn has rough-around-the-edges Kiwi biker Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) travelling from New Zealand to Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, aiming to beat the land speed record (just north of 200mph) on his trusty 1920 Indian Scout motorbike. A true story, it was filmed on location on an expansive salt pan in northwestern Utah that attracts petrolhead pilgrims to the annual Bonneville Speedway every summer. It also pops up in ‘Mad Men’, when a sweat-mottled Don Draper manages to blag a drive in a 1970 Chevelle SS, and ‘Independence Day’ . It’s another reason why anyone embarking on a movie-themed road trip should head straight for Utah. PDS

The Lost City Of Z (2016)

Destination: Tayrona National Park, Colombia Colombia has been South America’s go-to country for big-screen adventure since the days of ‘ Romancing the Stone’ and ‘The Mission’ in the ’80s. It offers a suitably mysterious landscape in James Grey’s dazzling epic about a British explorer (Charlie Hunnam) trying to find an undiscovered civilisation in the early twentieth century. Robert Pattinson joins him as a fellow military man with Ray Mears-like knowledge of the Amazon jungle. Grey and his crew used the Colombian Caribbean town of Santa Marta as a base, but you’ll need to head into the Tayrona National Park – the film’s Amazon scenes were filmed on the nearby Don Diego River – to follow in R-Patz’s and co’s boot prints. PDS  

Skyfall (2012)

Destination: Istanbul, Turkey There’s not many desirable locations that 007 hasn’t passed through over his 25 film outings. The Caribbean has been a popular pitstop, right from his first film outing in ‘Dr No’, while he’s ticked off more European capitals than a 19-year-old Interrailer. One of them, Istanbul, has hosted the big man three times and just about emerged unscathed. In ‘Skyfall’, Daniel Craig’s Bond takes us on a high-speed tour of the city’s vast and labyrinthine Grand Bazaar in pursuit of a mercenary with a vital hard drive. One day, he’ll go back and just have a nice browse instead. PDS

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)

Destination: Lech, Austria Beyond James Bond, ski resorts are a rare sight in movies. After all, there’s only so much drama to be juiced from fondue evenings and teenagers necking pints, right? Wrong! Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), who could ring drama from an empty packet of ready salted, delivers her own inimitable brand when Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) whisks her off to the Austrian Alps, hurricaning down the slopes and into a pharmacy to request a pregnancy test in strangled German, worried that she is ‘mitt baby’. Hosting the mayhem is Lech, a resort that promises ‘200km of high alpine powder’ and at least one skiable chemist. PDS

Unrelated (2007)

Destination: Tuscany, Italy  A spiritual cousin to ‘The Green Ray’, another movie that sets a woman’s personal crisis against a woozy summer holiday backdrop, Joanna Hogg’s debut film has fortysomething Anna (Kathryn Worth) joining some friends at their villa in Tuscany where she finds herself gravitating towards their young public school-y offspring – led by Tom Hiddleston in his first film role. It’s all surprisingly edgy stuff and culminates in a barney for the ages but the setting is to die for: the holidaying families staying in villa on the San Fabiano Estate just outside Siena, a world of rolling hills and olive groves. It’s a real B&B so you can check in any time; you just might not want to leave. PDS

Out of Africa (1985)

Destination:   Chyulu Hills, Kenya

Your grandma’s favourite film has Danish farmer Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) and Tiger Moth-flying big-game hunter Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford) falling in love on the Kenyan savannah, despite the presence of hungry lions and (irksomely) an actual Mr Blixen (the astonishing  Klaus Maria Brandauer). It all goes on for ages which allows for plenty of time to take in the sweeping African landscapes, replete with watering holes, green hills and the vast, sunbaked expanse of the Great Rift Valley. If you’re looking for the ‘Out of Africa’ experience, head for Kenya’s Chyulu Hills where the film was shot. PDS

The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003)

Destination: New Zealand 

The action is plentiful in the big-screen adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s magical ’Lord of the Rings’ epic, but the setting is jaw-dropping enough to still be a distraction. While Frodo and his fellowship battle their way across Middle-earth to return the One Ring to Mordor, the only place where it can be destroyed, New Zealand’s sweeping plains, lush forests and snowcapped mountains are in the background like an 11-hour advert for Tourism New Zealand. A one-way ticket to Rivendell via Auckland International, please. EWA

The Green Ray (1986)

Destination: St Jean-de-Luz, France

Sometimes a holiday isn’t enough. Secretary Delphine (played by director Éric Rohmer’s muse Marie Rivière) finds herself dumped and facing the prospect of being stuck in sweltering Paris for the summer ( quelle horreur! ). But trips to Cherbourg, the Alps and Biarritz only serve to make her feel more alienated – from smug couples, flirtatious singles, clueless tourists and the whole seething mass of humanity. Then, she finds a transcendent sunset in the Basque beach town of St Jean-de-Luz. Rohmer’s classic is not only a funny, magical exploration of human connection but a snapshot of a French summer – complete with dodgy holiday fashion. JM  

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The Travel Sisters

Best travel movies that inspire wanderlust.

by The Travel Sisters | Nov 16, 2020 | Travel Inspiration | 23 comments

And if you are looking for more travel inspired things to do at home, here is a list of best travel shows to watch on TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime and other streaming services and fun ways to travel the world from home .

Related:  Best Credit Cards for Streaming Services

Best Travel Movies of All Time to Inspire Wanderlust

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a movie that wowed me. The story of a really boring guy that had always daydreamed about adventure (almost too much) gets the opportunity to take the adventure of a lifetime – and it changes him forever. The story, the imagery, the adventure, will make you quit your job, buy a ticket, get a tan, fall in love and never return.  – Megsy Collins, Travel Freedom Network

I love Wild for the stunning scenery. From the deserts to the mountains, watching it made me want to visit the regions featured in the film. It also has a powerful message. How Strayed dealt with fear and the perceptions made about women made me feel inspired. It can be summed up best in this quote from the movie – “I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent is born of a story we tell ourselves, and I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe, I was strong, I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me”.  – Jen, The Trusted Traveller

Along the way, he faces challenges and meets other walkers with different backgrounds from all around the world. I highly recommend The Way as for me it promotes the Camino de Santiago but also the story is very inspirational with a powerful message that shows the difference between “the life we live and the life we choose”. – Dominic Down, Flashpacking Duo

I love this movie, as it is like a moving postcard on Italy. From the rolling hills of Tuscany, to the pretty seaside town of Positano, the visuals fill me with wanderlust and the heart-warming stories in the movie compliment the stunning scenery. We love Italy and often dream of moving there, buying a villa and doing it up, so until our dreams come true, it’s nice to live vicariously through this movie! – Kim-Ling,  Travel-Ling

This film resonates with me because, whether physically or mentally, we have all taken, or will take, a journey to discover what makes us happy. My favorite quote about travel : “Happiness is not a destination. It’s a state of being.” – Colby Holiday, World of a Wanderer

The movie is centered around an Eastern European tourist, Navorski, who was visiting New York City but was denied entry because of a sudden outbreak of civil war in his home nation of Krakozhia. As a result, the Department of Homeland Security didn’t recognize this as a ‘valid’ nation so refused him entry and made him stay inside the airport terminal.

The movie continues to highlight the struggles that Navorski faces, while at the same time offers a very relatable experience to anyone that has spent a considerable amount of time in an airport. I personally enjoy the experience of waiting around in the terminal, whether I am catching up on work or simply people watching, there is always something to do. If I had a similar experience to Navorski, well perhaps I wouldn’t be saying the same thing!  – Chris Boothman,  A Brit & A Southerner

The North Shore of Oahu Island in Hawaii is prominently featured and the cinematography shows off the island’s beauty. Many scenes were filmed at Turtle Bay Resort, which is gorgeous. The surfing scenes were filmed at Hale’iwa beach in Waialua Bay. Perhaps most stunning, are the cliffs where Rachel dares Peter to jump in after her. This was filmed at Laie Point, a dramatic coastline with 30 foot cliffs. With the stunning scenery, this movie gets my wanderlust focused on Hawaii!  – Natalie, Blissmersion

Roman Holiday is a 1953 Audrey Hepburn classic. This romantic comedy follows the adventures of a crown princess who escapes from the restrictions of her scheduled tour of Europe to explore Rome alone and incognito. She meets an American reporter and during various adventures around Rome, they inevitably fall in love.

Although most people think of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s , Roman Holiday was in fact her first major role – and won her the Academy Award for Best Actress . Although Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck are the Hollywood stars of the movie, the real star of the show is the city of Rome. The city provides the perfect backdrop to a very stylish Audrey Hepburn, with all major sights featured, such as the Spanish Steps and the Bocca Della Verita. A gorgeous feel good fairytale! – Marianne,  Mum on the Move

One scene says it all – On a deserted beach in France, a young Joanna muses, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just clap our hands and a drink would appear.’ She claps her hands and the scene cuts to the same beach years later, now a crowded construction site for condominiums being built by Mark. As a waiter hands a jaded and unhappily married Joanna a drink she says ‘ Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just clap our hands and make all these people disappear.’ – Lyn Lindfield,  The Travelling Lindfields

I love this movie because it is not just about friendship but also about travelling to find that special place in your life. A coming of age story. There is a great deal of escapism here, and absolution is not necessarily what you will find at the end of the journey. Even though I don’t like snow and winter, the remote landscapes of northern Sweden and Finland are just beautiful, the people are tough and full of warmth, and the contrast to the grey Irish hometown couldn’t be more striking. A beautiful film throughout and not just your usual Hollywood fare. – Silke Elzner,  Happiness & Things

Watching Crazy Rich Asians would inspire anyone to visit Singapore as it showcases the wonderful and lush lifestyle and the wondrous places in the country. The movie shows the grand Changi Airport about which Rachel comments “looks like an upscale tropical resort”. It then shows popular attractions from the hawker centers to the top of the Marina Bay Sands . Instagrammable places in Singapore like Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Botanic Garden, and also the beautiful Sentosa Island are a part of the Crazy Rich Asians movie. – Sarah,  Hungryoungwoman

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.”  – Paula McInerney,  Contented Traveller

Do you agree that these are the best movies about travel ? Did your favorite travel movies make the list?

23 Comments

Excellent list and some inspiration just before the big holidays start!

Thanks! We were looking for some inspiration before the holidays too!

Thanks for publishing this great list. Some of the movies are very close to heart and some other I had not even heard of. 🙂

Now time to watch some.

Same here, excited to check them all out!

So much choice! Excellent idea, thanks for featuring our Scottish contribution (subtitles may be advised!)

Thank you for your contribution! And will take your advice on the subtitles:)

Great list! I will definitely use it next time when looking for some more inspiration to travel. “Eat, Pray, Love” would be my next choice. I watched it once but I liked it so much I could gladly watch it once again. Thank you for including us here and greetings from China :)x

Yes, some movies you can just watch over and over again!

Such a lovely list! Now I have some major movie inspiration to go watch. Thanks for including me 🙂

Thank you! We can’t wait to watch all the awesome contributions too:)

Great list, perfect for a snowy weekend. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve also submitted your article to StumbleUpon.

Of course we don’t mind! Thank you!

That’s a great list, thanks for the inspiration, ladies! There are many movies in it that I love, like the Walter Mitty one!

Woow.. That is an amazing list. Just the thing I needed before the holiday season for some binge watching sessions 🙂 Few of my own favorites to which are worth adding: The leap year, The Holiday. Under the tuscan sun, Life of Pi and Cast away are my favorites too.

Great it’s! Walter Mitty made me put Iceland almost at the top of my bucket list.

Love this list. I have some serious winter watching here! 🙂

Awesome list!!! I have seen a lot of these, but have immediately started downloading a few of the new ones!

Can I also add the African Queen?

Great list of movies! Not so sure about the Revenant inspires travel. I mean yea, great scenery though look out for the bears. 🙂

Great list! Some of them are worth watching several time. I’d suggest watching and adding A Good Year (Russell Crowe). You will be packing your bags for Provence before it is over.

There are some great suggestions here. One of my favorites is the 100 Foot Journey. Also with the Holidays almost here it is almost time to watch Love Actually!

I’m amazed how many of these I haven’t seen. The beach is the one I remember that first triggered wanderlust in a way back a long time ago. (i just realized how old that movie actually is). As for other comments the Revenant did inspire travel for me since i’m fascinated in exploring history and the “wild west”

Great list!

Definitely check out LE WEEK-END.

A few other travel recommendations: – The RED BALLOON – short film, beautiful views of Paris through eyes of a sweet little boy. – WHITE MANE – short film, capturing the wild horses of Camargue, France. (Same director as Red Balloon.) – AMELIE! – BLOW UP – 1960s London.

Thank you so much for all these inspirations!! Now we´re ready for the next rainy day!

Happy Thursday Girls!

Lots of love from Germany

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32 of the Best Travel Movies on Netflix to Watch

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Since you all loved my post about movies set in Europe so much, I figured I’d follow it up with a post about the best travel movies on Netflix! These streamable movies are from all over the Earth, and some of them even inspired sequels! Some are in the adventure travel movie genre, while others are more dramatic historical films. Most of these Netflix travel movies are for the PG-13+ crowd, and they are all currently available to stream.

Update 2024: As this post was published in 2019, I have updated it with links to other platforms if the movie is no longer available on Netflix. Newer films are added to the bottom.

The Best Travel Movies on Netflix

1. Chasing Liberty

Chasing Liberty is an early 2000s romantic comedy film I absolutely adore! Starring Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode, the film is about the 18-year-old daughter of the President of the United States. Rebelling against the constant presence of the Secret Service agents in her life, she galavants around Europe and, of course, winds up in an unexpected romance. As  Chasing Liberty was filmed on location in Prague, Venice , Berlin, London , and Washington, D.C., it is one of my favorite adventure travel movies on Netflix.

2. A Little Chaos

King Louis XIV of France requested the  Gardens of Versailles  be built and tasked André Le Nôtre with this project. Le Nôtre interviewed several gardeners who had submitted designs for the project, including one lone woman, Sabine de Barra. After her interview, André surprised Sabine and asked her to design an outdoor ballroom surrounded by a fountain and landscaping.

As she is a commoner, Sabine stands out in court, which leads to difficulty when trying to complete the project. Even though she is the outsider, she winds up befriending Nôtre, the King’s brother, Duc Philippe d’Orleans, and his wife, Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine.

3. Julie and Julia

In Manhattan, Julie Powell is stuck at a job she hates and is disheartened at watching her friends succeed. To spark some joy, she decides to cook every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking  by Julia Child with a one-year deadline. She also sets out to write a blog to motivate herself and document her progress. 

In flashbacks, we get the 1950s Julia Child—an enthusiastic and unabashed woman who lives in Paris with her diplomat husband, Paul Child. She attends Le Cordon Bleu to learn French cooking and is initially met with skepticism as she is the only woman in the class. Though we don’t see the characters travel much themselves, it’s one of the best travel movies on Netflix with its flashbacks to 50s Paris.

4-5. Mamma Mia & Mamma Mia Here We Go Again

Based on the 1999 musical of the same name and the songs of ABBA. The film follows a young bride-to-be who invites three men to her upcoming wedding. She found these men’s names in her Mother’s diary around the time she was conceived. They all agree to attend, and unbeknownst to them, one of them is her father. This is also quite a shock for her mother, who doesn’t know they were invited to the wedding. It is one of my favorite musicals! I absolutely adored the sequel, Mamma Mia Here We Go Again , but it is not yet on Netflix!

6. In Search of Fellini

A small-town Ohio girl who’s lived a rather sheltered life loves movies but dislikes reality. Upon discovering the delightfully bizarre films of Federico Fellini , she sets off on an adventure. This propels her on a strange and beautiful journey across Italy to find him.

7. Wild Oats

When a retired high school teacher loses her husband, she mistakenly receives a $5,000,000 check on her deceased husband’s $50,000 life insurance policy. Her friend Maddie, whose husband has just left her for a younger woman, convinces her to keep the money. They decide to live it up at a resort in the Canary Islands.

8. The Duchess

Based on a biography of the late 18th-century English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish , Duchess of Devonshire. Set to marry William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire, she is expected to produce a male heir. When Georgiana gives birth to a girl, William is displeased. Georgiana then befriends Lady Bess Foster and invites her to live with them since Bess has nowhere else to go. Soon after, William has an affair with Bess, causing Georgiana to feel betrayed by her only friend.

After starting her own affair, the whole of London society comes to know of it. William then threatens to end her lover’s political career and forbids Georgiana from seeing her children again if she does not end the relationship.

The film follows Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley over 18 years, on the same day—15 July, St. Swithun’s Day. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Dexter and Emma spend a platonic night together and agree to “just be friends.” The years pass, and the audience gets to see how they intertwine over those 18 years.

10. The Other Boleyn Girl

Having no living male heir to the throne, Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, and his brother-in-law Thomas Boleyn plan to install Boleyn’s eldest daughter, Anne Boleyn , as the King’s mistress. The film is a fictionalized account of the lives of Mary Boleyn, the one-time mistress of King Henry VIII , and her sister, Anne, who became the King’s ill-fated second wife.

11. Viking Destiny

A Viking princess is forced to flee her kingdom when she is framed for her father’s murder. With the help of the god Odin, she travels to gather support to win back her throne.

12. Outlaw King

Following Robert the Bruce , the 14th-century Scottish King who launched a war against the indomitable English army over a 3-year historical period, this film focuses on when Bruce decided to rebel against the rule of Edward I over Scotland, thus becoming an “outlaw,” up to the 1307 Battle of Loudoun Hill.

13. Becoming Jane

Jane Austen’s financially strapped parents expect her to marry the nephew of wealthy Lady Gresham.  However, she knows that this will destroy her creativity and sense of self-worth. Instead, she becomes involved with Tom Lefroy, a charming but penniless apprentice lawyer. He bolsters her, which is exactly what she needs for her future career as a novelist.

14. The Man in the Iron Mask

The former musketeer Athos swears vengeance after King Louis XIV causes the death of his son. Gathering his old friends, Porthos and Aramis, he hatches a plan to liberate a shackled prisoner who is rumored to be the King’s twin brother and then install him on the throne. But they are also faced with their old friend D’Artagnan, who has remained in the King’s service.

If you have not yet seen this, see it ASAP, as it’s one of my favorite travel movies on Netflix! You can also visit the Pierrefonds Castle they shot at!

15-17. The Da Vinci Code

Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre as a murder in the museum has taken place. Cryptic clues in some of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings lead in this adventure travel movie. For 2,000 years, a secret society has closely guarded information that could shake the very foundations of Christianity. Its sequels,  Angels and Demons and Inferno , are also on Netflix.

18-20. The Mummy

One of my favorite adventure travel movies on Netflix is The Mummy ! An epic about an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers in the Sahara Desert in 1925. As they stumble upon an ancient tomb , the hunters accidentally set loose a 3,000-year-old mummy. The mummy is the vengeful reincarnation of an Egyptian priest who had been sentenced to an eternity as one of the living dead. It was followed by two sequels, The Mummy Returns and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor which are also found on Netflix.

21. Into the Blue

Divers Sam and Jared love living in the Bahamas. But when friends Bryce and Amanda visit, the couple takes them on a treasure-hunting trip. They find a downed airplane full of cocaine alongside a famous shi pwreck. Making a fatal mistake, they decide to sell the cocaine, which angers a group of drug dealers.

22. Dangerous Beauty

Veronica loves a handsome aristocrat, Marco Venier, but he cannot marry her because she is penniless and of a questionable family. So Veronica’s mother, Paola, teaches her to become a courtesan, which is a  companion favored by the richest and most powerful of Venetian men . Using this new turn of events, she changes her destiny. It’s a lovely film if you’re a fan of Venice as its story is based there and appears to be filmed there.

23-24. National Treasure 1 & 2

Historian Ben Gates has been searching his whole life for a treasure dating back to the birth of the United States. After joining an expedition led by a fellow treasure hunter, Gates finds an ice-locked Colonial ship in the Arctic Circle. It c ontains a clue linking the treasure to the Declaration of Independence. But when the fellow treasure hunter betrays him, Gates has to race to get to the document ahead of his former friend. I wish they also had the sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets , on Netflix, as it’s one of the best recent travel films.

25-28. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

My favorite adventure travel movie hero is Indiana Jones ! As an archaeologist, he tries to beat a band of Nazis to a religious relic. Battling against the Nazi’s plan for world domination, a snake phobia, and accompanied by his ex-girlfriend, Indiana Jones is in constant peril. All the sequels are also on Netflix.

29. A Tourist’s Guide to Love

After an unexpected breakup, a travel executive accepts an assignment to go undercover and learn about the Vietnamese tourist industry. Along the way, she finds adventure and romance with her Vietnamese expat tour guide.

A Tourist’s Guide to Love is one of the recent best travel movies on Netflix. I really enjoyed it, even though it was cliche in parts, it was a wholesome traveler movie we don’t get to see very often.

30. Irish Wish

When the love of her life gets engaged to her friend, Maddie puts her feelings aside to be a bridesmaid at their wedding in Ireland. Days before the wedding, Maddie makes a spontaneous wish for true love, only to wake up as the bride-to-be.

Above, you see them at the Cliffs of Moher , which Lindsay Lohan luckily didn’t get electrocuted at, like myself, to my knowledge.

31-32. Murder Mystery 1 & 2

Murder Mystery is about a New York cop and his wife going on a European vacation to reinvigorate the spark in their marriage. A chance encounter leads to them being framed for the murder of an elderly billionaire.

Murder Mystery 2 is about the now private detectives launching their own agency; Nick and Audrey Spitz, land at the center of an international investigation when a friend is abducted.

Above you can see them at the Pont des Arts , Paris’ love lock bridge.

Did I miss one of your favorite travel movies on Netflix? Let me know in the comments.

* Please note, at no additional cost to you , I may get a commission off links in this post. They help fund this blog .*

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Michelle is a nerdy wanderluster with a love of history. A thirty-something occasional female solo traveler who you’ll find road-tripping across the United States or hostel-hopping in Europe. Currently residing in Southern California with a day job in marketing.

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10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I’ll Love You to the End of Time

These are some of the best time travel romance movies!

Time travel as a genre is always fascinating in any medium, whether a book, movie, TV show or comic. The possibility of meeting anyone in existence, going to places long forgotten, and uncovering secrets of well-loved icons of the past and maybe even the future gives a special allure to time travel romance movies.

The fantastical direction this genre takes adds elements of magic, naivete, and touches of illusion, appealing to older and younger viewers alike. Add into this the sprinkle of romance, and you have me hooked.

If I get the chance to watch Shakespeare wooing a girl from the 21st century using poems that have become cult classics, I’m grabbing the popcorn and switching my phone off.

RELATED: 80 OF THE BEST ENTERTAINING TIME TRAVEL TV SHOWS YOU NEED TO WATCH

Like most people, I grew up watching time travel movies. Consequently, they have become my favorites. For example, we can all appreciate Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure or watching Hermione travel back in time to see herself punch Draco in the face. (Not only a win for Harry Potter fans but for girls all around.)

Meanwhile, Doctor Who (2005) is my first exposure to real romance and time travel. With the Doctor’s companions all falling for him, he initially only falls for Rose (Nine and Ten).

RELATED: 7 FUN AND ROMANTIC TIME TRAVEL ASIAN DRAMAS

As a result, it had millions of us hoping he would appear in our living rooms, ready to take us on our own adventure. Since then, there was no going back. There are just so many romantic time travel movies calling out to be binged.

Here is a list of my personal favorite romantic time travel movies that have thus far survived the test of time. However, I will admit this list is not exhaustive (limiting the films to 10 was difficult).

10 ROMANTIC TIME TRAVEL MOVIES TO BINGE WATCH

(In No Particular Order)

#1: ABOUT TIME (2013)

Without a doubt, this is a humorous and engaging retelling of a classic boy trying to win over a girl story. Tim wishes to change his life and get a girlfriend. With this intention, enter Mary.

Tom falls for her and is relentless and tenacious in his pursuit, all thanks to a family secret. The men in his family can travel through time! What a secret to have, and at 21, your options are endless.

About Time beautifully captures the fun-loving side of romance. And, as viewers, we see the benefits of having such a gift and just how painful the gift can be.

For this reason, we see the love between a man and woman and the close relationship between Tim and his father, played by the talented Bill Nighy . Have tissues ready, as poignant scenes will get you teary-eyed.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK for mild profanity, nudity, violence, and moderate love scenes. For the same reason, About Time is a mild rated R in the United States.

#2: THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE (2009)

This falls quite high on my list of must-watch romance films in general as it has sweeping romance and not to mention swoon-worthy Eric Bana as the protagonist. The film beautifully interweaves through different phases of time, keeping the viewer enthralled.

It follows the life of Clare (Rachel McAdams) and how she meets Henry (Eric Bana), or rather how he encounters her. Clare and Henry ‘meet’ in a library. Soon, they both know what Henry is and what he can do, which is being involuntarily thrown through time, forwards or backward.

The movie’s most interesting aspect is that, despite Henry being the traveler, Clare knows more about him. She’s even aware of their relationship during their ‘first meeting’.

You can assume this is not their first meeting without giving too much away. The story follows them through their life together, how his continued absence becomes a toll on Clare, and over time, it delves into the life of living with a time traveler.

Could you live with someone who knows your future? They will know exactly where your life together could end up. Instead of going for the fated lovers’ angle, this looks at how fate may have brought them together, but should they have walked away?

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK for mild sensuality, nudity, and profanity. In the US, the film is rated PG-13.

#3: SOMEWHERE IN TIME (1980)

If you prefer sweet innocent love stories with classic romance, Somewhere in Time will be perfect for you.

Set in 1972, Christopher Reeve stars as student Richard Collier who travels to Mackinac Island to stay at the Grand Hotel, where he sees a portrait of a woman who he becomes enamored with.

He finds out she was a famous stage actress who has passed away. In this obsession with the picture, he finds a way to go back in time to meet her.

Using methods of self-hypnosis, he is able to get back to 1900 and meet Elise McKenna, but what fate is in store for two people with such a big ‘time’ difference? Get ready to fall in love with the characters, cinematography, music, and love stories all over again.

Fun tidbit: Somewhere in Time was nominated for an Oscar for best costume design.

Content Note : This film is rated PG for mild profanity and sensuality.

#4: THE LAKE HOUSE (2006) AND IL MARE (2002)

The Lake House is a somber story, showing love with a facet of yearning, similar to Somewhere in Time . Both have protagonists who are trapped in different times.

Kate Forrester (Sandra Bullock) moves to a new house, leaving behind a letter for the next tenant. The person who reads the letter, Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves), realizes some unusual things are happening.

Events mentioned in the letter have yet to occur. They come to the realization that they are exactly two years apart, writing from different times.

This charming movie weaves a beautiful story that will appeal to anyone in a long-distance relationship. You will be able to relate to the dates they attempt to go on and how they try and share experiences with each other.

It will make you appreciate that you are at least a phone call away. The ending of the movie will have you on the edge of your seats, and the revelations revealed will make you want to believe in fate and kismet take your pick.

Special mention to the original movie Il Mare (2002), a Korean production and equally a must-watch if you don’t mind subtitles.

Content Note: This film is rated PG with mild profanity, alcohol, and drugs.

#5: BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (1990)

If you are not familiar with this series, what are you doing? Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and the iconic DeLorean made a generation of kids dream about hoverboards and Nike trainers.

This is the third installment of the series, giving more focus to the ‘Doc’ Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd).

Set against the backdrop of the 1885 old west (and true to the name), we get standoffs, brawls, and romance. Meanwhile, Marty travels to 1885 and is stuck because his car breaks down.

Of course, he has a run-in with ‘Mad Dog’ Biff Tannen and his unruly gang. (Trying to send Marty back with their limited resources makes you appreciate a lot of amenities we take for granted.)

In this process, Emmett meets a school teacher, Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen), who is a science geek just like him, and soon a romance blossoms.

It is surreal and sweet to see Doc so enamored and unable to figure out how to act. Furthermore, the romance breathes new life into his character and shows an angle we never thought we needed.

In the climax of the movie, there is a race against time to get the DeLorean fixed and Marty back to the present day. Ultimately, even as a sequel, Back to the Future Part III is brilliant.

Content Note: This film is rated PG with moderate profanity, mild sensuality, nudity, and violence.

#6: MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011)

‘ You’re in love with a fantasy.’ ‘I’m in love with you.’

Woody Allen does it again, giving us a spellbinding movie with sophisticated and witty characters. He portrays Paris in a way that will make you want to go there and explore.

Winner of an Oscar, Midnight in Paris follows Gil (Owen Wilson) and Inez (Rachel McAdams) on vacation in Paris, where he wishes to move after they marry.

However, his wife-to-be doesn’t see the magic of the city, hoping to settle in America instead. In the meantime, Gil struggles to write his first novel and takes a strange late-night stroll through Paris, getting an invite to a party that includes guests such as Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Gertrude, and many others who frequented the famous salon of Stein.

It is up to the audience to decide if this is time travel or just the fantasy of a desperate writer who is in love with the golden era of the ’20s. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie because it gave a glimpse of how some of my favorite writers would interact.

This is what other genres cannot do, transport and introduce characters and figures who we would love to meet. This charming film will have you falling in love with the characters and the dialogue.

The superb acting by Wilson portrays an awe-struck, enthusiastic writer who meets his heroes. There is no real story to follow, but rather more events that unfold and how the characters react to them. But life is like this sometimes: we don’t know where things are going until later on.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A  in the UK and PG-13 in the U.S. for mild profanity, sensuality, and nudity.

#7: 13 GOING ON 30 (2004)

13 Going on 30 is a reverse-coming-of-age time travel romantic comedy. Jenna (Jennifer Garner) makes a wish on her thirteenth birthday, wanting to be older after going through an embarrassing ordeal.

Jenna wishes to make her older, and it is fulfilled magically. She wakes up the next day to find she is weeks from her thirtieth birthday, has a dream job as a magazine editor, a car, and a very attractive boyfriend.

Everything that anyone could want, but she is still not happy, which pushes the story toward what she truly desires.

This approach is always fun to watch, including hilarious scenes where the protagonist tries to understand the new circumstances and her new body. I admit it’s nothing new in terms of what we can expect, but Garner portrays the character’s innocence and naivete so well.

We see beautiful shots of New York City, which will make you want to book your flight and get over there. However, the surprise in this movie is Mark Ruffalo, who plays Matt, the high school best friend.

Seeing him in this role will be new and a fresh take for fans of the Marvel world. One of the best moments in the movie is the Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ dance which will leave you astounded and get you on your feet.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK and PG-13 in the U.S. for mild profanity and suggestive content.

#8: WINTER’S TALE (2014)

Winter’s Tale is set in 1895 on the streets of New York and is based on the novel of the same name. Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) is a seasoned thief who enters the home of Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay). Beverly catches him in the act.

They both fall in love, and she tells Peter a story about how everyone is born with a miracle inside them. This is the theme for the whole movie so keep this in mind while watching.

The movie boasts a lot of big stars: Russell Crowe, Will Smith, and William Hurt, who all play fantastical characters brilliantly. The story jumps to modern times showing us Peter again. But he has amnesia, setting the story for the rest of the movie. The search for his memories and lost story.

Romance like this is always beautiful to watch, even though the audience and characters know it will not be the happy ending we all hope for.

Fans of Downton Abbey will recognize Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley, carrying off the character of Beverly competently, with a timeless beauty that is only enhanced because we know the fate of the character.

Farrell is exquisite as always, playing his role as an Irish thief so convincingly. There are many twists and turns to keep you entertained during the second half, which is worth the effort.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK and PG-13 in the U.S. for violence and sensuality.

#9: IF ONLY (2004)

If Only uses the winning formula that led Groundhog Day (1993) to success, where the day is on repeat. We have Samantha (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ian (Paul Nichols), who are a typical couple, showing the relationship and fights.

Tragedy strikes when Samantha has a car accident leaving a heartbroken and grief-stricken Ian. But fate gives him another chance to back in time to try and change events. He lives the same day again and, like any sensible hero, tries to alter the events leading up to her accident.

It’s a sweet story showing the importance of cherishing the people close to you. The film further makes you wonder about how you would react in this situation. Would you be able to change anything?

The story moves at a good pace, keeping audiences on edge as to whether Ian will succeed. Very beautiful moments occur between the two as Ian knows what will come.

He tries his hardest to make everything perfect (and take notes, guys – ahem, ahem). Tissues may be needed; you have been warned.

Content Note: This film is rated PG-13 for some sensual material.

#10: KATE & LEOPOLD (2001)

‘I’m not very good with men.’ ‘ Perhaps you haven’t found the right one.’

This time travel romance movie captures everyone’s heart because Leopold (Hugh Jackman) comes from 1876 and has a romantic, classic approach to love.

He has purity dripping from every glance and every word he speaks. It would make any girl fall head over heels for the chivalrous Leopold.

So, what chance does Kate (Meg Ryan) have? Leopold needs to marry someone for wealth, with a dwindling purse and big dreams to pursue. He enters a portal transporting him to modern times. This blows him away to see the sights and progress.

He meets Kate, a market researcher who is cynical but ambitious. They get close but inevitable differences arise, and he returns back to his time.

Kate & Leopold also provides well-written comedic scenes with Kate’s brother, an actor assuming Leopold is deep in character. For fans of epic romantic movies from the ’90s, this 2001 film is equally awesome. Plus, any fan of Jackman will enjoy seeing him in this swoony role.

Content Note: Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

Did you find one of your favorite movies about time travel and love? If you had the chance to have one of these romances, which one would it be?

Top Photo Credit: Somewhere in Time (Universal Pictures)

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MORE PERIOD DRAMAS:

PERIOD DRAMA REVIEWS: A COLLECTION SORTED BY TIME PERIOD

Book lover – reader and writer. Being a bookworm from an early age introduced me to all wonderful worlds, travelling from Narnia to Hogwarts. This became my hobby and passion leading me to pursue avenues where I can write not just for my enjoyment but also to progress my career. Some of my current obsessions include K-dramas, all things period - any BBC original adaptation. I am currently reading Dan Brown's new novel as well as "All men are Mortal" and re-reading "North and South" because you can never read enough about Mr.Thornton and Margaret!

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12 thoughts on “10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I’ll Love You to the End of Time”

Found some new ones for my list, so thanks! I love Hugh Jackson in Kate and Leopold – he plays it so straight it makes the whole thing so much funnier.

Though I haven’t seen it in a while now, I remember that I liked “Lake House,” and I just started to watch “About Time” last night. It’s nothing like I expected, but so far I quite like it! 🙂

Man, Rachel McAdams is all about that time travel life!

Oh, I hoped I’d find a new romantic time travel movie to add to my watched list, but I’m afraid I’ve already seen them all. Lovely curated list, tho!

A long time ago there lived a scientist who would hardly ever venture outside. His life was a lonely one, with long days of research and experiments. It was his ambition to create a potion to see into the future. He had over years collected hundreds of herbs and combined them in various ways until eventually, he was on the brink of a breakthrough…

Where am I able to find the remainder of this story? One mustn’t dangle a carrot expecting no one to bite! Rachel

All these are lovely —- another good one is “1994 Timecop” with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Mia Sara — thriller & romance

I can’t seem to find the movie which was based on a short story “ Christopher Frame “ a photo restorer who time travels ,.falls in love and stays there , tried to lookup but there is no information about it ,I can’t remember the name of the movie or episode either for the love of God ,If anyone knows about it please let me know ,thanks

Another outstanding time travel movie is the 1998 Hallmark Hall of Fame production “The Love Letter”, starring Campbell Scott and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Aired in the late 90s, it’s about an engaged civil war buff who finds hidden letters in an old desk which were written by an unmarried woman in 1863. He is compelled to respond to her and even though he lives in the late 20th century she receives his letters and they begin a correspondence through time. This obviously causes a big problem for his life with his fiance. It’s an excellent movie based on a short story by Jack Finney. Finney is the author of two great time travel novels, Time And Again and From Time to Time.

Hi Everybody, I read through the candidates for best time travel romance, all of which I have seen. I agree with your choices, but not exactly in that order. Although they were all great movies, it is “Somewhere in Time” that takes the number one spot. I was happy to see that at least you gave them the 3rd spot, but, in reality, it was the one movie that expressed so beautifully the concept that love transcends time and in the end, true love brings them together as they slip off into eternity.

There is one more movie to which I would give honorable mention. That is the 1979 movie “Time After Time” where the prolific writer HG Wells pursues Jack the Ripper into the future where Hubert (Malcolm Mcdowell) meets Mary Steenburgen and falls in love. This is another great movie. Thanks, DAD

Hi Dad! I agree with you that Somewhere in Time is the best time-travel romance movie. 🙂 Such a beautiful film!

Comments are closed.

Travel romance movies

In the top there are new films of 2020, a plot description and trailers for films that have already been released.

Two university students gain insight into life and love as they get to know each other during a road trip across Europe.

Broke and alone on New Year's Eve, Wilson just wants to spend the rest of a very bad year in bed. But, when his best friend convinces him to post a personal ad, he meets a woman bent on finding the right guy to be with at midnight.

Tom, greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic, is caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer, suddenly dumps him. He reflects on their 500 days together to try to figure out where their love affair went sour, and in doing so, Tom rediscovers his true passions in life.

The adventures of the young Rémi, an orphan, collected by the gentle Madam Barberin. At the age of 10 years, he is snatched from his adoptive mother and entrusted to the signor Vitalis, a mysterious itinerant musician. Has its sides, he will learn the harsh life of acrobat and sing to win his bread. Accompanied by the faithful dog capi and of the small monkey Joli-Coeur, his long trip through France, made for meetings, friendships and mutual assistance, leads him to the secret of its origins.

Two young people arrive in New York to spend a weekend; once they arrive they are met with bad weather and a series of adventures.

A Dog’s Way Home chronicles the heartwarming adventure of Bella, a dog who embarks on an epic 400-mile journey home after she is separated from her beloved human.

College student Beca knows she does not want to be part of a clique, but that's exactly where she finds herself after arriving at her new school. Thrust in among mean gals, nice gals and just plain weird gals, Beca finds that the only thing they have in common is how well they sing together. She takes the women of the group out of their comfort zone of traditional arrangements and into a world of amazing harmonic combinations in a fight to the top of college music competitions.

Zander Raines, a dazzling and tempestuous young choreographer, gives the break of a lifetime to two hopeful artists when he casts a stunning contemporary dancer, Barlow, and innovative pianist, Charlie, in New York’s most-anticipated new Broadway show: Free Dance. But the move throws off the show’s delicate creative balance when Charlie falls hard for Barlow, while Zander embraces her as his muse.

When the pets accidentally get separated from their vacationing owners, Chance, Shadow, and Sassy navigate the mean streets of San Francisco, trying to find their home across the Golden Gate Bridge. But the road is blocked by a series of hazards, both man and beast.

When yet another anniversary passes without a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Anna decides to take action. Aware of a Celtic tradition that allows women to pop the question on Feb. 29, she plans to follow her lover to Dublin and ask him to marry her. Fate has other plans, however, and Anna winds up on the other side of the Emerald Isle with handsome, but surly, Declan -- an Irishman who may just lead Anna down the road to true love.

Millie is a brilliant young fund manager who decides to leave her unfulfilling job and long-term boyfriend behind to chase her lifelong dream of becoming an opera singer…in the Scottish Highlands! She begins intense vocal training lessons with renowned but fearsome singing teacher and former opera diva Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop. It is there she meets Max, another of Meghan’s students who is also training for the upcoming “Singer of Renown” contest. What begins as a brutal competition between Millie and Max slowly turns into something more…

A plastic surgeon, romancing a much younger schoolteacher, enlists his loyal assistant to pretend to be his soon to be ex-wife, in order to cover up a careless lie. When more lies backfire, the assistant's kids become involved, and everyone heads off for a weekend in Hawaii that will change all their lives.

84 years later, a 101-year-old woman named Rose DeWitt Bukater tells the story to her granddaughter Lizzy Calvert, Brock Lovett, Lewis Bodine, Bobby Buell and Anatoly Mikailavich on the Keldysh about her life set in April 10th 1912, on a ship called Titanic when young Rose boards the departing ship with the upper-class passengers and her mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater, and her fiancé, Caledon Hockley. Meanwhile, a drifter and artist named Jack Dawson and his best friend Fabrizio De Rossi win third-class tickets to the ship in a game. And she explains the whole story from departure until the death of Titanic on its first and last voyage April 15th, 1912 at 2:20 in the morning.

Ethan, a magician rendered paralyzed in an accident, sets off a furor when he makes a petition to the court to end his own life.

Alex and his sister run a business designed to break up relationships. They are hired by a rich man to break up the wedding of his daughter. The only problem is that they only have one week to do so.

Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers — and falls in love with — struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer — until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

In the not so distant future, Theodore, a lonely writer purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user's every needs. To Theodore's surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system. This unconventional love story blends science fiction and romance in a sweet tale that explores the nature of love and the ways that technology isolates and connects us all.

A young boy who tries to set his dad up on a date after the death of his mother. He calls into a radio station to talk about his dad’s loneliness which soon leads the dad into meeting a Journalist Annie who flies to Seattle to write a story about the boy and his dad. Yet Annie ends up with more than just a story in this popular romantic comedy.

The story follows a married couple, apart for a night while the husband takes a business trip with a colleague to whom he's attracted. While he's resisting temptation, his wife encounters her past love.

Molly Gunn, the freewheeling daughter of a deceased rock legend, is forced to get a job when her manager steals her money. As nanny for precocious Ray, the oft ignored daughter of a music executive she learns what it means to be an adult while teaching Ray how to be a child.

Diagnosed with a mental illness halfway through his senior year of high school, a witty, introspective teen struggles to keep it a secret while falling in love with a brilliant classmate who inspires him to open his heart and not be defined by his condition.

If they missed Beatles' first appearance in the U.S.A. they would hate themselves for the rest of their lives! So six young girls from New Jersey set off even though they don't have tickets for the show! The journey is full of surprises and misfortunes but the young ladies are determined to reach their idols.

A teenage girls deals with her parents forgetting her birthday and a crush on her high school's heartthrob.

Raised by wild animals since childhood, Mowgli is drawn away from the jungle by the beautiful Kitty. But Mowgli must eventually face corrupt Capt. Boone, who wants both Kitty's hand and the treasures of Monkey City – a place only Mowgli can find.

Jerry Welbach, a reluctant bagman, has been given two ultimatums: The first is from his mob boss to travel to Mexico and retrieve a priceless antique pistol, known as "the Mexican"... or suffer the consequences. The second is from his girlfriend Samantha to end his association with the mob. Jerry figures alive and in trouble with Samantha is better than the more permanent alternative, so he heads south of the border.

Ten-year-old Gabe was just a normal kid growing up in Manhattan until Rosemary Telesco walked into his life, actually into his karate class. But before Gabe can tell Rosemary how he feels, she tells him she will not be going to public school any more. Gabe has a lot more to learn about life, love, and girls.

70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin.

Just when George Banks has recovered from his daughter's wedding, he receives the news that she's pregnant ... and that George's wife, Nina, is expecting too. He was planning on selling their home, but that's a plan that -- like George -- will have to change with the arrival of both a grandchild and a kid of his own.

When bachelor Walter Davis is set up with his sister-in-law's pretty cousin, Nadia Gates, a seemingly average blind date turns into a chaotic night on the town. Walter's brother, Ted, tells him not to let Nadia drink alcohol, but he dismisses the warning and her behaviour gets increasingly wild. Walter and Nadia's numerous incidents are made even worse as her former lover David relentlessly follows them around town.

Two musicians witness a mob hit and struggle to find a way out of the city before they are found by the gangsters. Their only opportunity is to join an all-girl band as they leave on a tour. To make their getaway they must first disguise themselves as women, then keep their identities secret and deal with the problems this brings - such as an attractive bandmate and a very determined suitor.

Sir Robert Chiltern is a successful Government minister, well-off and with a loving wife. All this is threatened when Mrs Cheveley appears in London with damning evidence of a past misdeed. Sir Robert turns for help to his friend Lord Goring, an apparently idle philanderer and the despair of his father. Goring knows the lady of old, and, for him, takes the whole thing pretty seriously.

Hard-to-crack ex-CIA man, Jack Byrnes and his wife, Dina head for the warmer climes of Florida to meet son-in-law-to-be, Greg Focker's parents. Unlike their happily matched offspring, the future in-laws find themselves in a situation of opposites that definitely do not attract.

Jamie is a New York-based executive recruiter who entices Dylan, an art director from Los Angeles, to take a job at the New York office of GQ magazine. Finding that they have much in common, the two become fast friends. Feeling jaded by a number of broken romances, Dylan and Jamie decide that they are ready to quit looking for true love and focus on having fun. However, complications unfold when the two best pals add sex to their relationship.

A stern Russian woman sent to Paris on official business finds herself attracted to a man who represents everything she is supposed to detest.

Exceptionally ambitious high schooler Matthew has aspirations for a career in politics when he falls in love with his gorgeous 19-year-old neighbor, Danielle. But Matthew's bright future is jeopardized when he finds Danielle was once a porn star. As Danielle's past catches up with her, Matthew's love for her forces him to re-evaluate his goals.

A sweet-natured Temp Agency operator and amateur Presidential look-alike is recruited by the Secret Service to become a temporary stand-in for the President of the United States.

Brantley Foster, a well-educated kid from Kansas, has always dreamed of making it big in New York, but once in New York, he learns that jobs - and girls - are hard to get. When Brantley visits his uncle, Howard Prescott, who runs a multi-million-dollar company, he is given a job in the company's mail room.

Amidst a sea of litigation, two New York City divorce lawyers find love.

Professional daredevil and white-suited hero, The Great Leslie, convinces turn-of-the-century auto makers that a race from New York to Paris (westward across America, the Bering Straight and Russia) will help to promote automobile sales. Leslie's arch-rival, the mustached and black-attired Professor Fate vows to beat Leslie to the finish line in a car of Fate's own invention.

CW Briggs is a veteran insurance investigator, with many successes. Betty Ann Fitzgerald is a new employee in the company he works for, with the task of reorganizing the office. They don't like each other - or at least that's what they think. During a night out with the rest of the office employees, they go to watch Voltan, a magician who secretly hypnotizes both of them.

A saucy American showgirl in London is wooed by a roving-eyed Duke, but his estranged son, the young King, interrupts their late supper with politics and angry accusations.

An advice columnist, Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson), tries pushing the boundaries of what she can write about in her new piece about how to get a man to leave you in 10 days. Her editor, Lana (Bebe Neuwirth), loves it, and Andie goes off to find a man she can use for the experiment. Enter executive Ben Berry (Matthew McConaughey), who is so confident in his romantic prowess that he thinks he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days. When Andie and Ben meet, their plans backfire.

Advertising executive Nick Marshall is as cocky as they come, but what happens to a chauvinistic guy when he can suddenly hear what women are thinking? Nick gets passed over for a promotion, but after an accident enables him to hear women's thoughts, he puts his newfound talent to work against Darcy, his new boss, who seems to be infatuated with him.

Four tales unfold in the Eternal City: While vacationing in Rome, architect John encounters a young man whose romantic woes remind him of a painful incident from his own youth; retired opera director Jerry discovers a mortician with an amazing voice, and he seizes the opportunity to rejuvenate his own flagging career; a young couple have separate romantic interludes; a spotlight shines on an ordinary man.

An orphan boy of mixed race finds family with the newly arrived white village doctor in Hawaii. The boy can run like the wind, and begins bringing Doc's medicine to coffee pickers throughout the mountainous region. On an errand, the medicine runner meets the daughter of the plantation owner and a forbidden, young love blossoms like the white "Kona Snow" of the surrounding coffee trees.

Joel Barish, heartbroken that his girlfriend underwent a procedure to erase him from her memory, decides to do the same. However, as he watches his memories of her fade away, he realises that he still loves her, and may be too late to correct his mistake.

A romantically challenged morning show producer is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.

In the city of New York, comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditsy Annie Hall.

Johnny Case, a freethinking financier, has finally found the girl of his dreams — Julia Seton, the spoiled daughter of a socially prominent millionaire — and she's agreed to marry him. But when Johnny plans a holiday for the two to enjoy life while they are still young, his fiancée has other plans & that is for Johnny to work in her father's bank!

Hollywood producer Alexander Meyerheimer has hired drunken writer Richard Benson to write his latest movie. Benson has been holed up in a Paris apartment supposedly working on the script for months, but instead has spent the time living it up. Benson now has just two days to the deadline and thus hires a temporary secretary, Gabrielle Simpson, to help him complete it in time.

The 50 All-Time Best Time-Travel Films

1. The Time Machine

2. Back to the Future

3. The Terminator

4. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

5. Time After Time

6. Donnie Darko

7. Planet of the Apes

8. Groundhog Day

9. Run Lola Run

10. Safety Not Guaranteed

11. Doctor Strange

12. Arrival

14. Interstellar

15. 12 Monkeys

16. La Jetée

17. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

18. Frequency

19. Timecrimes

20. Deja Vu

21. X-Men: Days of Future Past

22. Pleasantville

23. Edge of Tomorrow

24. The Philadelphia Experiment

25. About Time

26. The Time Traveler's Wife

27. Somewhere in Time

28. Happy Accidents

29. Time Bandits

31. Sleeper

32. Midnight in Paris

34. Hot Tub Time Machine

35. 13 Going on 30

36. The Time Machine

37. Peggy Sue Got Married

39. Predestination

40. The Lake House

41. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

42. Source Code

43. The Jacket

44. The Final Countdown

45. Frankenstein Unbound

46. Freejack

47. The Butterfly Effect

48. Idiocracy

49. Army of Darkness

50. Timecop

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30 Best Time-Travel Movies to Watch If You’re Ready to Leave 2020 Behind

Does 2020 have you googling “best time-travel movies” as a last-resort attempt to try and transport yourself to a different version of reality? No, just us? Well, it's certainly understandable. Who wouldn't want to get out of this year, if only for a couple hours? The idea that you could potentially jump into a machine and change the past à la Back to the Future or stumble upon an infinite time loop like in Palm Springs is an interesting thought experiment, to say the least.

Or maybe you're just out of things to watch. Whatever the case, the best time-travel movies cover every genre. Looking for a tug-at-your-heartstrings romance? Try About Time or The Time Traveler's Wife (both of which star Rachel McAdams , who must have a thing for time travel). If a sci-fi action flick sounds more appealing, the Terminator films still hold up. For a goofy comedy, watch Hot Tub Time Machine or Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Like we said, there's something for everyone. 

Palm Springs (2020)

So Palm Springs is not technically a time-travel movie, but it's definitely time-travel adjacent. The film follows Sarah (Cristin Milioti) and Nyles (Andy Samberg), two acquaintances who find themselves perpetually repeating Sarah's sister's wedding day. Frankly, this rom-com might remind you of your own quarantine time loop (in the best way possible, of course).  

Available to stream on Hulu

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

A group of buddies (John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Rob Corddry) wake up after a night of partying in a ski resort hot tub to find themselves back in 1986. They even look like versions of their younger selves to the others they meet along the way. But can they actually fix the messes their lives have become? 

Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video

The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

The Time Traveler's Wife is a 2009 science fiction drama film based on Audrey Niffenegger's novel of the same name. The story follows Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana), a man who happens to have the ability to time-travel but has no control over when or where he goes in time. While that's complicated enough, things become even more complex for DeTamble once he starts building a romantic relationship with Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams).

Available to stream on Netflix  

The Butterfly Effect (2004)

The Butterfly Effect is a 2004 science fiction thriller film starring Ashton Kutcher as 20-year-old Evan Treborn and Amy Smart as Kayleigh Miller, Treborn's college sweetheart. In the film, Evan finds he can travel back in time to inhabit his former self and attempts to change the present by changing his past. But, as any good time-travel fan can tell you, changing the past means there will be unintended consequences in the future. 

By Selene Oliva

By Elizabeth Logan

By Danielle Sinay

Idiocracy (2006)

Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson) is a super-average dude in 2005 who agrees to take part in an experiment (alongside Maya Rudolph ) that puts him into hibernation until 2505. The thing is, when he wakes up, he discovers that humans have become so unintelligent that he's now the smartest person in the whole wide world. It's both hysterical and a cutting satire that draws some parallels to our current state of affairs. 

Available to buy on iTunes

A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

Ava DuVernay directed an all-star cast in this Disney adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's beloved 1962 novel of the same name. Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling play three immortal beings who help a young girl (Storm Reid) search for her missing father across space and time.

Click (2006)

Adam Sandler plays a man whose wife (Kate Beckinsale) is frustrated by how much time he spends at work and away from his family. He thinks all his problems are solved when he comes into possession of a magical remote that allows him to fast-forward through the mundane parts of life. But, of course, nothing's quite that simple. 

About Time (2013)

No, you're not seeing things—Rachel McAdams has, in fact, starred in multiple films in which she has a time-traveling partner. In this case, her love is played by Domhnall Gleeson, who is actively trying to change his past in order to have a better future. Prepare to possibly shed a tear or two with this one. 

Available to stream on Netflix

Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

Yeah, baby! In the second installment of the Mike Myers series, Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, and the whole crew find themselves back in the ’60s. Dr. Evil is trying to steal Austin’s “mojo,” and along with Heather Graham's Felicity Shagwell, the international man of mystery tries to thwart the bad guys. 

Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

After conquering the late ’60s in the second film, the Austin Powers trilogy is completed with a trip back to 1975. Austin teams up with Beyoncé, a.k.a. Foxxy Cleopatra, when Dr. Evil plans to bring back a notorious villain called Johan van der Smut, the titular Goldmember. It is as ridiculous and amusing as the first two films, naturally. 

Back to the Future (1985)

Great Scott! Doc Brown's (Christopher Lloyd) DeLorean time machine sends Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) back to his parents' high school days in 1955, and things get very awkward when his mom (Lea Thompson) develops a crush on him. He has to work hard to make sure his future existence isn't totally erased. 

Back to the Future Part II (1989)

In the second film of the Back to the Future franchise, Marty and Doc find themselves in yet another time-space conundrum. This time they have to travel to 2015 (a world that people in the ’80s imagined would have us all on hoverboards!) to try to make sure the evil Biff doesn’t take over the town. 

Back to the Future Part III (2000)

The third installment of the Back to the Future trilogy may not be its strongest, but if you're a completist, you're going to want to see Marty's journey through. This time around he and Doc Brown find themselves in the Wild Wild West. Actually, is this the movie that eventually led us to Westworld ?!?

Deja Vu (2006)

Technology allows a team of federal agents, including Denzel Washington, to go back in time four days to try to stop a massive ferry bombing set off by a terrorist (Jim Caviezel, who also time-traveled in Frequency ). But will Washington's character also use the tech to stop other crimes, thereby messing with the future? You'll have to watch and see. 

Happy Death Day 2U (2019)

In the sequel to Happy Death Day , Tree (Jessica Rothe) finds herself in yet another time-loop situation—and this time she seemingly moves through different dimensions. While her life is still very much in danger, this sequel adds some very emotional scenes that happen when an important figure from Tree's past makes her way into the present. 

Looper (2012)

In Looper 's version of the future, which was directed by Rian Johnson, time travel totally exists—if you can afford to pay for it on the black market. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a time-traveling hit man who finds himself in quite the predicament when a future version of himself (Bruce Willis) is sent back to eliminate him . 

See You Yesterday (2019)

Teen science prodigies experimenting in making time-travel backpacks? Um, we're already all the way in. But everything takes a dramatic turn when one of their brothers is killed and the two try to put their work into action to change the past. Did we mention this was also produced by Spike Lee? 

The Terminator (1984)

In this James Cameron action classic from the ’80s, a cyborg assassin who is disguising himself as a human (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) because of the threat her future son will one day become—and a blockbuster franchise was born. 

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Set 11 years after the original film, this James Cameron–helmed sequel finds Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator in the role of protector of Linda Hamilton's son, played by Edward Furlong, because a shape-shifting T-1000 (Robert Patrick) is out to kill him, naturally. Also, Hamilton's fitness routine must have been incredible prefilming because she is a very strong badass . 

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Ted “Theodore” Logan (Keanu Reeves) and Bill S. Preston, Esq. (Alex Winter), go on quite the excellent adventure indeed, dudes. The best friends use a phone booth time machine to ensure they both pass their history class—and keep Ted from being shipped off to military school. Their interactions with historical figures are very righteous, and you'll want to watch the original film in preparation for the upcoming reboot . 

Kate & Leopold (2001)

Rom-com meets fantasy in this Meg Ryan–Hugh Jackman film in which Liev Schreiber plays a physicist who opens a portal through which his great-great-grandfather Leopold travels from 19th-century New York to modern times and falls in love with his ex-girlfriend (Ryan). Talk about complicated family dynamics, right? 

Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

Peggy Sue is an unhappy woman on the verge of divorce attending her 25-year high school reunion after leaving her cheating husband (Nicolas Cage). Magically, she finds herself reliving her senior year and she's faced with whether or not to change some of the choices she grew to regret as an adult. 

Star Trek (2009)

Directed by science fiction king J.J. Abrams, this reboot of the beloved Star Trek franchise had a unique plot for James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the staff aboard the USS Enterprise: All the action takes place in an alternate reality, because of time travel, which allowed the movie to operate free from any continuity restraints from the original Star Trek series. 

Frequency (2000)

A New York police officer (Jim Caviezel) in 1999 somehow crosses radio frequencies (get it?!) with the past and soon begins to communicate with his father, a firefighter who died in the line of duty when he was a kid. But will he be able to change what transpired on that tragic day in 1969?

12 Monkeys (1995)

Maybe don't watch this one until you're ready for the too-real plot: A deadly virus has wiped out most of humanity, so a prisoner (Bruce Willis) is trained to be sent back in time to find the original virus and help establish a cure. Brad Pitt was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film. 

Available to stream on HBO.

Men in Black III (2012)

Set 15 years after the events of the original Men in Black , this third installment in the franchise was a hit with critics and at the box office for its action-packed plot in which Agent J (Will Smith) must travel back to the 1960s to save a young Agent K (Josh Brolin, in the role originated by Tommy Lee Jones) from a murderous, time-hopping alien. 

Clockstoppers (2002)

If you're feeling an early-aughts teen comedy with a side of time travel, Clockstoppers is, well, your only option. Jesse Bradford plays Zak, the son of a scientist who accidentally finds a watch that can essentially stop time. So, of course, the first thing he does is use it to impress his crush Francesca (Paula Garcés) and best friend Meeker (Garikayi Mutambirwa). 

Available to stream on HBO

Somewhere in Time (1980)

Christopher Reeve stars as a playwright who becomes obsessed with the photograph of a woman from 1912 (Jane Seymour), to the point that he magically finds himself transported back in time to find her. Fun fact: Visit Michigan's Mackinac Island, where this was filmed, and you'll feel like you're in another era yourself. The island famously has a ban on motor vehicles. 

The Lake House (2006)

Keanu Reeves plays a hot architect, Alex, who renovates a lake house in Wisconsin and sometimes writes romantic love letters to Sandra Bullock's character, Kate. How is that a time-travel movie, you ask? Turns out Alex is living in 2004, while Kate is in 2006—somehow the mailbox at the lake house is a mysterious time portal. 

Deadpool 2 (2018)

In this superhero sequel, Wade Wilson a.k.a. Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) reluctantly teams up with the X-Men—including the incredible Zazie Beetz as Domino, a mutant with the ability to manipulate luck—to fight a time-traveling soldier known as Cable (Josh Brolin). Because this is a Deadpool movie, expect a lot of R-rated language and violence. 

By Gabrielle Porcaro

By Jake Henry Smith

By Andrea Navarro

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29 of the Best Romantic Movies on Netflix to Fall in Love With Right Now

By Samantha Vincenty

If you’re pining for the best romantic movies on Netflix, you’ve come to the right place. Maybe you’re looking for a sweet and predictable tale, some seriously steamy scenes, or a  love story that’s slightly unhinged but honestly still relatable. (Or perhaps you just want something on-brand to watch for inspiration as you simultaneously scroll through  dating apps for someone to play the love interest in  your story.)  Listen, we’re not here to judge your taste in streamable rom-coms; we’re just here to help you decide what to watch next, so that an hour from now you can be deeply engrossed in one of the best romantic comedy movies on Netflix instead of still scrolling through titles and watching a dozen trailers.

We scoured Netflix for the top romantic movies and settled on these 29 films—from classics like  She’s Gotta Have It to more recent romance movies like  Love in the Villa . There are some familiar favorites and a few you may have never heard of before. And yes, there’s a feel-good holiday love story or two, because how could we not? Obviously this isn’t an exhaustive list of every sappy movie on the platform, but we’re pretty confident that our choices for the best romantic movies on Netflix won’t disappoint. You might laugh, you may cry, and you’ll probably swoon over some of the lead characters.

So whether you’re gearing up for a movie night with your friends, your partner, or yourself, grab your  favorite snacks and get in your  comfiest loungewear , because it’s time for a marathon of the best romantic comedies on Netflix (plus some romantic dramas thrown in for good measure). If you’ve already worked your way through this list (impressive!) and you’re still looking for more romance to stream, check out our recommendations for  the sexiest movies on Hulu and  cute Christmas movies on Hulu .

1.   Lady Chatterley’s Lover (2022)

Emma Corrin shines as an aristocratic newlywed woman who enters an affair with a gamekeeper (Jack O’Connell) after her war-traumatized husband urges her to seek a sperm donor. Netflix’s spin on D.H. Lawrence’s steamy novel delivers big time on the “ hot sex scenes ” front as we watch the two grow closer—and get more and more naked—onscreen, and the gorgeous English countryside setting is romantic in and of itself. 

2.   Last Letter from Your Lover (2021)

Not sure whether you’re in the mood for a period drama or more of a modern rom-com vibe? You’ll get both in this adaption of a Jojo Moyes novel. Jennifer (Shailene Woodley) is a woman in the 1960s with an awful husband (Joe Alwyn). She ends up falling in love with a reporter (Callum Turner), and, decades later, present-day journalist Ellie (Felicity Jones) tracks the mystery of the lovebirds’ torrid letters with help from her cute coworker (Nabhaan Rizwan).

3.   Love in the Villa   (2022)

By Julia Sullivan

By Jenna Ryu

By Audrey Bruno

When a freshly-dumped Minneapolis woman (Kat Graham) goes on the Italian vacation she’d planned with her ex, she finds that her lodging was also rented to a gruff British lad (Tom Hopper). Does  Love in the Villa follow the typical beats of a Lifetime-esque movie? Sure, but watching these two extremely hot, charismatic people develop crushes on each other—in Verona, no less!—goes down smoother than a fine glass of Barolo if you’re in the mood for a comfort watch.

4.   Single All the Way (2021)  

Peter (Michael Urie) can’t wait to finally bring someone home to meet his family for Christmas, and then he finds out the guy he’s been dating has a wife. Ugh. So he brings home his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) instead. His mom is set on setting him up with a local trainer, but the rest of his family has their eyes on Nick. It’s a lot of festive family meddling with an ensemble cast (um, hello, Jennifer Coolidge and Kathy Najimy), plus a fantastic musical number. In other words, we think this is one of the best rom-coms on Netflix. 

5.   Really Love (2020)

If  Really Love was just a 90-minute excuse to stare at Kofi Siriboe, that would be completely fine. But this story of a DC painter (Siriboe) and Georgetown law student (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing), who fall in love as their careers pull them in different directions, is reminiscent of ’90s indie romantic dramas in the best way. The movie is also something of a valentine to Black Washington, DC—from kisses outside of Ben’s Chili Bowl to a DC go-go performance. 

6.   A Secret Love   (2020)

This documentary might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to romantic movies, but trust us: Terry and Pat’s story is a testament to the power of true, lasting love. The lesbian couple stayed in closet for more than 60 years until they felt people and—most important—their family would finally support their relationship. Unflinchingly honest interviews with their loved ones, and the film’s reminders of how oppressive anti-LGBTQ viewpoints can be, keep Terry and Pat’s sweet tale very, very real. 

7.   Love Hard   (2021)

Dating columnist Natalie (Nina Dobrev) flies to Lake Placid to surprise a guy she met on an app—only to learn she’s been catfished by Josh (Jimmy O. Yang). She eventually agrees to pose as his girlfriend for Christmas with his family if he sets her up with the hot guy from the dating-app photos (Darren Barnet), and a love triangle ensues. If it weren’t for Josh’s sweet, normal parents (whom he lives with) or his kind face and insecure demeanor, this story would be more creepy than endearing. But if you can suspend your disbelief (we assume you can if you’re reading this list), the holiday rom-com is a cut above many in the genre: Yang’s comic timing and charm sell Josh’s appeal, and the reimagined, less problematic version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is an instant-classic scene. 

8.   Rumor Has It (2005)

If you thought your family had drama, just wait. When Sarah (Jennifer Aniston) and her boyfriend Jeff (Mark Ruffalo) go home for her younger sister’s wedding, Sarah picks up on a rumor that her family was the inspiration for  The Graduate —specifically, that her late mom had a fling with a man named Beau Burroughs (Kevin Costner), who  also had an affair with her grandmother (Shirley MacLaine). Sarah goes searching for answers and ends up tempted by Beau herself, making her realize just how supremely messed up her family is and how hard it is to know what you really want in a relationship. 

9.   Desperados (2020)  

Wesley (Nasim Pedrad) is justifiably pissed after she’s ghosted by Jared (Robbie Amell), a seemingly perfect guy she’s been dating. So she sends a truly unhinged email telling him off—and then gets a call that he’s actually in a hospital in Mexico. Naturally, Wesley drags her friends with her to Mexico to try to delete the email before he gets out of the hospital (as one does). It’s a funny, ridiculous, and at times even touching look at what we’ll do when we’re very  very ready for love.

10.   Holidate (2020)  

Yup, we got another holiday romance movie on the list. In this one, Sloane (Emma Roberts) meets the similarly not-interested-in-dating-at-the-moment Jackson (Luke Bracey) and they agree to be each other’s non-sexual plus-ones for the holidays. But as the year goes on, it gets predictably messier to find the line between fake date and real date. Also, Kristin Chenoweth stars as the awesomely single aunt, which is reason enough to tune in. 

11.   The Half of It (2020)

Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) lives with her widowed father in a remote town. She’s approached by Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer), a typical high school jock, to write love letters to his crush, Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire)—whom Ellie is secretly in love with. Friendships are tested and love triangles are formed in this LGBTQ coming-of-age story.

12.   To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

In this Netflix original, Lara Jean Covey ( Lana Condor) writes secret love letters—which she never sends—to her most major past and present loves. One night her younger sister discovers them and mails them out. Lara Jean’s life goes haywire as she’s suddenly confronted by her crushes. Unexpectedly, Lara Jean gets closer to one—Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo)—and it might actually work out. This is the first of three movies, so you may want to prepare for a full movie marathon.

13.   Someone Great (2019)

Jenny Young (Gina Rodriguez) and Nate Davis (Lakeith Stanfield) have been in a relationship for nine years. But when Jenny gets a job in San Francisco, they break up. Jenny  deals with her heartbreak by surrounding herself with her friends for one final girls’ night out in New York City.

14.   Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) are childhood  best friends who date in their teens. Sixteen years after their breakup, Sasha is a successful chef and engaged, while Marcus is in an amateur band and still living with his dad. But when Sasha breaks up with her fiancé, she finds herself growing closer to Marcus. (There’s also an LOL-funny cameo by Keanu Reeves, in which he plays a ridiculous version of himself.)

15.   The Lovebirds (2020)

Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) and Leilani ( Issa Rae ) are on the brink of breaking up. And to make the situation worse, they’re suddenly thrown into a chaotic murder mystery. As they figure out the case, they have to also figure out how they—and their relationship—can survive. It’s equal parts funny, heartwarming, and action-packed.

16.   All the Bright Places (2020)

This coming-of-age film follows Theodore Finch (Justice Smith), who is dealing with mental illness, and Violet Markey (Elle Fanning), who is coping with her sister’s death . The two must learn how to make their relationship work without letting the scars of their past get in the way of their love.

17.   Set It Up (2018)

Harper Moore (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie Young (Glen Powell) are two assistants with  workaholic bosses (played by Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs). In an attempt to get their bosses off their backs, Harper and Charlie set them up. And wouldn’t you know, the assistants start to fall in love with each other too.

18.   She’s Gotta Have It (1986)

Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) can’t decide what kind of man to date, so she does what any sensible person would do and  dates three men at the same time. But what happens when the three men find out about each other? This Spike Lee–directed film, which feels apt for the online dating generation, was certainly ahead of its time. (After you’ve streamed the film, watch the 2017 Netflix series for an updated version of the classic.)

19.   Marriage Story (2019)

This Academy Award–nominated film involves theater director Charlie Barber (Adam Driver) and his wife, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), who’s an actress. The movie depicts their divorce and accompanying emotions such as  anger , denial, and grief. You might think it a strange choice to be on our list of best romantic movies on Netflix, but its realistic portrayal of  long-term love , divorce, and tender moments makes it a satisfying film.

20.   Irreplaceable You (2018)  

Abbie (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Sam (Michiel Huisman) are childhood friends who grew up to fall in love and get engaged. But when Abbie is diagnosed with cancer, she sets out to find a new love for Sam. She also forms friendships with other patients who teach her how to focus on living, even in the midst of a  terminal illness .

21.   The Incredible Jessica James (2017)

Jessica James (Jessica Williams) is a fiercely independent struggling playwright in New York City  trying to get over her ex in the age of social media. She’s set up on a blind date with Boone (Chris O’Dowd), who is also struggling after a breakup. The two hit it off and attempt to figure out what love looks like after heartbreak.

22.   The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

In post-WWII London, novelist Juliet Ashton (Lily James) receives a fan letter from a book club based in Guernsey, an island located off the Normandy coast. Juliet leaves the city (and her fiancé) to meet Dawsey Adams (Michiel Huisman), the main letter writer, and the rest of the book club. Once there, Juliet becomes close with the island’s quirky residents and grows particularly fond of Dawsey (if you know what we mean).

23.   Juanita (2019)

Juanita (Alfre Woodard) feels mentally exhausted from life. Between the long days at work, babysitting her granddaughter at night, and visiting her son in prison, Juanita has  no time for herself. So she leaves Ohio to spend some alone time in Butte, Montana. There, Juanita is finally free to focus on her needs, make new friends, and even find romance.

24.   Work It (2020)

High schooler Quinn Ackerman (Sabrina Carpenter) really wants to go to Duke University. In an attempt to diversify her college application, Quinn creates a new dance team at school. There is one big problem with her plan: Quinn just isn’t a great dancer. She seeks out former high school dance champion Jake Taylor (Jordan Fisher) for extra lessons, and sparks fly between the two.

25.   Love, Guaranteed (2020)

Despite going on nearly 1,000 dates using the Love, Guaranteed dating service, Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.) is still single. Disgruntled by what he perceives as false advertising, Nick sues the company, but his claim becomes shaky as he grows closer to his lawyer (Rachel Leigh Cook). You can expect plenty of witty banter and a predictably sweet ending in this feel-good movie.

26.   Feel the Beat (2020)

April (Sofia Carson) is an aspiring New York City dancer who returns to her small hometown after having a very embarrassing Broadway audition. She starts  teaching ballet at her old studio in an attempt to coach her students into a dance competition that will hopefully revive her career. April isn’t always the most likable person, but you can’t help but hope that her dreams of Broadway and her budding romance with Nick (Wolfgang Novogratz) work out.

27.   Lingua Franca (2019)

Olivia (Isabel Sandoval) is a transgender Filipina who hopes to get married and get her green card so she can stay in America. She works as a live-in caregiver for an older woman in Brooklyn and soon finds love with the woman’s grandson, Alex (Eamon Farren). The two develop a sweet relationship, which they try to make work amid their own personal challenges with immigration, alcoholism, and  anxiety .

28.   Mr. Right (2015)

Reeling from a breakup, Martha McKay (Anna Kendrick) reluctantly agrees to go on a date with Francis (Sam Rockwell), who picks her up at a convenience store. Their first date goes pretty well, until Francis confesses that he’s actually a hitman who targets the people who hire him. Predictably, Martha gets swept up in Francis’s drama and has to determine whether their relationship is worth the danger.

29.   Love Wedding Repeat (2020)

When visiting his sister Hayley (Eleanor Tomlinson) in Italy, Jack (Sam Claflin) nearly kisses Dina (Olivia Munn). The moment is interrupted, but the two reconnect several years later at Hayley’s  wedding , where they admit they’ve harbored a crush on each other the whole time. The film shows different scenarios about how things could play out, and you’ll have to watch to see if Dina and Jack ultimately end up together.

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The 25 Best Time Travel Movies to Whisk You Away from Reality

Who wouldn't love a time machine right about now?

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Meet Cute (2022)

Kaley Cuoco and Pete Davidson co-star in Peacock's Meet Cute , a delightful and often dark rom-com based around time travel. Feeling suicidal, Sheila (Cuoco) finds a time machine in a nail salon and decides to go back in time 24 hours. While re-living her first date with Gary (Davidson) again and again, Sheila loses touch with reality and might have destroyed any chance she had with him.

A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

High schooler Meg Murry travels through time and space in search of her missing astrophysicist father (Chris Pine). On her journey, Meg meets Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), as well as a whole host of dangerous beings.

The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

Based on Audrey Niffenegger's 2003 novel of the same name, The Time Traveler's Wife tells the story of Henry (Eric Bana), a librarian who is able to randomly travel through time. After meeting Clare (Rachel McAdams) as a child, Henry later develops a romantic relationship with her. HBO's recent adaptation starring Theo James and Rose Leslie has reignited the debate regarding whether or not the story promotes grooming , or if it's a timeless romance.

Back to the Future (1985)

'80s classic Back to the Future has stood the test of time, and spawned two equally entertaining sequels. In the first film, Marty McFly is sent to the 1950s in his friend Doc Brown's time machine, a super cool DeLorean. Marty meets his parents as teenagers, and his presence risks changing history forever.

See You Yesterday (2019)

Netflix's See You Yesterday follows science prodigy C.J. (Eden Duncan-Smith), who invents time traveling backpacks. Along with her best friend Sebastian, C.J. uses her invention to go back in time to stop her brother from being murdered by a racist police officer. However, she's also forced to face up to the limitations and consequences of time travel.

About Time (2013)

Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) inherits the ability to time travel from his father, and decides to use the gift to find love. After a failed attempt at romance, Tim meets Mary (Rachel McAdams), but due to several time travel-related mishaps, romance isn't instantaneous for the pair. Written and directed by rom-com aficionado Richard Curtis.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

James Cameron's follow-up to 1984's The Terminator was a smash-hit that cemented the franchise's popularity. In the sequel, a killer T-1000 Terminator is sent back in time by Skynet to kill the future leader of the resistance, the son of Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), John (Edward Furlong). At the same time, the resistance sends a reprogrammed T-800 Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back to protect Connor.

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

Four miserable friends reunite after one of them nearly dies. To cheer themselves up, they decide to spend some time together at a ski resort. Unfortunately, the resort's hot tub isn't what it seems, and they accidentally end up traveling back to 1986. The four friends scramble to find a way back to present day. Starring John Cusack and Craig Robinson.

12 Monkeys (1995)

After a deadly virus destroys humanity in 1996, survivors are forced underground. Decades later, prisoner James (Bruce Willis) agrees to go back in time to find the original virus, so that scientists can work on a cure. However, he arrives too early in 1990, and is promptly institutionalized, where he meets Jeffrey (Brad Pitt), an anti-corporate environmentalist. From there, the mystery only gets more intriguing.

Looper (2012)

In the future, time travel is used by the mob to assassinate people, who are sent back in time and killed by assassins known as "loopers." Joe's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) older self (Bruce Willis) is sent back to be eliminated, but manages to escape before he is killed. Thus begins a twisty time travel epic, that also stars Emily Blunt.

Tenet (2020)

The Protagonist ( John David Washington ), a former CIA agent, is tasked with stopping World War III. Learning to bend time, he attempts to prevent the destruction of the world. Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki co-star.

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Aspiring fashion designer Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie) manages to travel back to the 1960s, where she meets singer "Sandie" ( Anya Taylor-Joy ). What starts as a glamorous encounter with the past soon becomings a horrifying nightmare. Co-starring Matt Smith.

Déjà Vu (2006)

A top secret organization has developed the ability to see four days into the past, in order to catch criminals. While hunting a terrorist, ATF agent Doug (Denzel Washington) realizes that this new technology might allow him to stop crimes from happening altogether.

Source Code (2011)

An unusual riff on the time travel movie, Source Code stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Army Captain Colter, who is trying to identify the person responsible for bombing a commuter train. Re-living an eight minute re-creation of the moments leading up to the explosion, Colter is stuck in a terrifying loop, until he can solve the mystery.

Mirai (2018)

A young boy called Kun runs away from home, as he feels neglected by his family after the arrival of his little sister, Mirai. Kun accidentally discovers a time travel portal in a magic garden, and is transported into the past, where he meets his mother as a child. Later, he travels to the future, where he finds his sister as an adult, and completely changes his outlook in the process.

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

Aubrey Plaza stars as an aspiring journalist whose latest assignment involves a mysterious classified ad about time travel. "You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED," the ad reads. Mark Duplass co-stars.

Groundhog Day (1993)

Although Groundhog Day is technically a "time loop" movie, it wouldn't feel right to leave it off the list. Phil (Bill Murray) is a disgruntled weatherman sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. When he wakes up the next day, he realizes that he's re-living February 2, which happens again and again, until he figures out how to stop it.

Needle in a Timestack (2021)

The wonderful Cynthia Erivo stars alongside Orlando Bloom, Leslie Odom Jr., and Freida Pinto in this romantic sci-fi flick. In the future, the wealthy are able to partake in "time jaunting," but the ripples from these changes often cause timelines to warp and change. Needle in a Timestack focuses on a happily married couple whose relationship is jeopardized by an ex intent on changing history.

The Lake House (2006)

Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves star in this completely cheesy but endlessly loveable rom-com that defies time. Architect Alex (Reeves) and doctor Kate (Bullock) write letters to one another via a mailbox at a lake house where they both live at separate times. Despite the time difference, they're able to communicate with one another and forge a relationship via this magical postal system that transcends time.

Predestination (2015)

Ethan Hawke stars as an agent tasked with stopping a deadly attack before it happens, via time travel. Traveling back to 1975, he attempts to find and stop a bomber in New York, but his mission is far from simple. When he returns to the future, his life only gets more complicated.

Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness , and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.

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Discover the 20 Best Romance Movies of All Time!

Posted: November 22, 2023 | Last updated: November 22, 2023

The magic of romance movies is that they energetically transport you to another place. They make it easier to imagine what romantic love feels like, even if it’s something you’ve never actually experienced. There’s nothing wrong with labeling yourself a “hopeless romantic” who enjoys binge-watching romance movies every time you get the chance.

These films are full of grand gestures, sweet affection, and blissful examples of how two people can show their love and devotion to each other in the real world. The Hollywood industry has always done a fabulous job encompassing the true essence of romance on the silver screen. Here are 50 of the greatest love story movies of all time.

To determine the best romance movies of all time, 24/7 Tempo developed an index using average ratings on IMDb , an online movie database owned by Amazon, and a combination of audience scores and Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes , an online movie and TV review aggregator, as of October 2023, weighting all ratings equally. We considered only movies with at least 5,000 audience votes on either IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes. Directorial credits are from IMDb.

Charade (1963)

• IMDb user rating: 7.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (42,943 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (50 reviews)
• Directed by: Stanley Donen

“Charade” is a 1963 romantic comedy about a woman named Regina who goes on vacation in the French alps to clear her mind. While enjoying her holiday, she reveals a secret she’s been keeping to one of her close friends. She’s in the process of divorcing her husband. After one too many discouraging experiences, she’s ready to spread her wings to give herself a new chance at finding happiness.

She then crosses paths with a handsome man named Peter whose stays by her side as she goes through the highs and lows of a major criminal investigation. Dealing with a murdered ex-husband who sold off all of her personal belongings before his death is just the beginning of this convoluted love story.

Ninotchka (1939)

• IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (20,101 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: (6,837 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (36 reviews)
• Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch

“Ninotchka” premiered in 1939 as a romantic comedy about three agents traveling to Paris from the Russian Board of trade. As they work together handling a pile of illegal jewels that was stolen and seized, an unlikely romantic connection begins to form. A man named Leon finds himself so attracted to Ninotchka that he follows her to the Eiffel tower.

It’s his way of expressing interest, despite how bored and unimpressed by him she is. Unfortunately for him, she isn’t an easy woman to crack! It takes some additional effort from his end to convince her to start looking at him through a more romantic lens.

Manhattan (1979)

• IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (136,504 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (51,871 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (69 reviews)
• Directed by: Woody Allen

The messy and complicated love story of “Manhattan” is what makes it such an iconic romance movie to reflect on. It might not be a new romance movie since it premiered in 1979, but it’s still a great tale. It’s about a twice-divorced writer named Isaac who’s pushing boundaries in an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

He then finds himself involved in inappropriate relationship when he falls in love with his best friend’s mistress. Isaac does everything he can to escape a life of stagnancy and boredom, which is why his romantic connections are always so edgy and over-the-top.

Holiday (1938)

• IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (15,539 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (6,665 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (26 reviews)
• Directed by: George Cukor

“Holiday” premiered in 1938. The classic romantic comedy is a remake of a 1930 film of the same exact name. It’s about a man who must come to terms with the way his lifestyle is about to change when he marries into a wealthy family. His free-spirited way of life is far from controlled or a stuffy.

Marrying the woman he’s engaged to means he’ll have to sacrifice much of his freedom in exchange for structure and order. Things get even more complicated when he starts developing feelings for his fiancé’s older sister. She happens to be a woman he can relate to since they’re both slightly rebellious.

My Man Godfrey (1936)

• IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (22,597 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (7,668 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (37 reviews)
• Directed by: Gregory La Cava

“My Man Godfrey” is a 1936 romantic comedy about unexpected love and societal differences. The story takes place during the Great Depression focused on a man named Godfrey “Smith Park.” He’s a fellow who has fallen on hard times. He’s homeless and doesn’t have much to offer society.

When he meets two sisters named Cornelia and Irene, he gets wrapped up in one of their spiteful sisterly games. His connection with Irene starts off as something silly and playful, but later develops into something far more serious as they spend more time together.

Notorious (1946)

• IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (97,303 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (35,835 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (48 reviews)
• Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

“Notorious” is a 1946 movie that fits into both the mystery and romance categories. A woman named Alicia falls in love with a United States government agent named T.R. during World War II. The reason their love story is so wildly complicated is because she’s the daughter of a war criminal from Germany.

Instead of simply focusing on their blossoming love for one another at the start of the new relationship, they also have to worry about everything falling apart in the world around them. This includes the ongoing war, chats about politics, and judgment from other people.

Before Sunset (2004)

• IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (248,039 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (71,186 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (177 reviews)
• Directed by: Richard Linklater

“Before Sunset” is a 2004 romance about a couple who reconnects after spending a magical night together nine years prior. It’s a sequel to the movie “Before Sunrise,” which premiered in 1995. Jesse penned an entire novel about the evening he was able to spend with Celine in Vienna.

His novel became a bestseller and provided him the opportunity to go on a book tour. During his book tour in Europe, he crosses paths with Celine again. This time, they have an hour to spare before they must part ways. They spend their time rehashing all of their deepest thoughts and emotions.

His Girl Friday (1940)

• IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (56,106 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (24,333 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 99% (67 reviews)
• Directed by: Howard Hawks

“His Girl Friday” is a 1940 romantic comedy about a newspaper editor named Walter. The most talented reporter he has on staff also happens to be his ex-wife, Hildy. Walter knows he’s about to lose Hildy for good in a professional sense and a romantic sense since she’s now engaged to marry someone else.

Annie Hall (1977)

• IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (258,110 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (153,824 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (84 reviews)

Is love supposed to be thought of as something neurotic and painful? That’s one of the heavy-hitting questions asked in “Annie Hall" from 1977. The movie is about a man named Alvy as he tries to overcome the heartache of a failed relationship. Annie treated him differently than any other woman he ever interacted with.

Although he genuinely enjoyed his relationship with her, their breakup was inevitable. The destruction of their love sets him down the path of trying to discover the meaning of his existence before ultimately trying to reconcile. Along the way, he does his best to rebound with other women who simply don’t satisfy him as much as Annie once did.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

• IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (948,653 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (571,910 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (250 reviews)
• Directed by: Michel Gondry

How would you react if you found out the person you used to love was having every memory of you wiped from their brain? That’s what a character named Joel is faced with in the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." The movie premiered in 2004 starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in the leading roles.

In an attempt to forget each other and move on beyond their heartbreak, they pay for surgical procedures to have their memories wiped. Soon enough, they realize it makes more sense to remember the relationship they once shared instead of pretending it never happened at all. Although both of their memories end up successfully wiped, they allow themselves the opportunity to fall back in love with each other by using their situation as a fresh slate.

Roman Holiday (1953)

• IMDb user rating: 8.0/10
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (63,537 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (60 reviews)
• Directed by: William Wyler

"Roman Holiday" is a romance from 1953 starring none other than Audrey Hepburn. She plays the role of a princess vacationing in Rome to take in the sights and admire the scenery. Her schedule is supposed to be super controlled to the very last detail, but everything goes awry after she gets an injection from a doctor.

The shot leaves her feeling loopy and strange. When a reporter named Joe finds her laying out on a stone bench, he immediately assumes she’s under the influence! This is just the beginning of their romantic love story, full of precious moments and wild adventures.

The Apartment (1960)

• IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (172,183 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (38,259 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (72 reviews)
• Directed by: Billy Wilder

“The Apartment" is a dramatic romance from 1960 that tells a story of an insurance clerk named Budd who's living a dreadfully lonely existence. He works for an upscale corporation in New York City surrounded by people who leave him feeling lonelier than ever. Whenever his boss needs alone time with one of his mistresses, Budd offers up his apartment as a safe place to go.

Things take a turn when Budd finds out that one of the women his boss is hooking up with is someone he's actually attracted to. The situation makes him rethink his morals. After realizing that he’s falling in love with a woman who has been invited up to his apartment with his boss before, he decides he needs to make some changes regarding his involvement in such illicit affairs.

Some Like It Hot (1959)

• IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (254,537 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (82,393 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (65 reviews)

Marilyn Monroe starred in her fair share of romantic movie during her incredible career, but “Some Like it Hot" is definitely one of the most talked about. It premiered in 1959 telling the story of two men named Joe and Jerry on the run from trouble. As a way of staying under the radar, they disguise themselves as women by taking on female personas.

While pretending to be Josephine and Daphne, they befriend Marilyn’s character, Sugar. Even though they’re dressed up as women, they go out of their way to compete for attention and affection from Sugar. She remains blissfully unaware of their true genders until later on.

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

• IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (66,253 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (47,240 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (101 reviews)

“The Philadelphia Story" is a 1940 romance based on a Broadway play from 1939 of the same name. A woman named Tracy is excited about moving on with her life now that she is engaged to marry someone who makes her happy. Unfortunately for her, wedding planning isn’t rainbows and butterflies thanks to the arrival of her ex-husband.

Having her ex-husband around while she’s trying to plan a wedding with her new partner makes everything confusing and complicated for her. Ultimately, her ex-husband reveals slick plans to weasel his way back into her life – and into her heart.

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

• IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (30,166 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (11,972 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (37 reviews)

“The Shop Around the Corner” is another romance from 1940 filled with loads of comedic moments. It’s about two people who work together at a shop selling leather products during World War II. In their day to day life, they absolutely despise being around each other. They don’t get along at all!

Little do they know that they’re also in communication with each other through anonymous love letters. With each handwritten letter, their feelings for each other continue blossoming. They don’t realize they’ve been writing letters back-and-forth to each other until a big reveal towards the end of the film.

It Happened One Night (1934)

• IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (98,815 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (33,748 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 99% (97 reviews)
• Directed by: Frank Capra

“It Happened One Night” is a 1934 romance about a woman doing everything she can to rebel against her father. Her dad has been telling her what to do for her entire life and she’s finally ready to break free of his control and go her own way. She falls in love with a reporter who doesn’t get the seal of approval from her dad.

She starts off in a complicated marriage to a man who’s potentially only using her for her wealth. She ends up exploring a new romantic connection with the hard-working reporter who genuinely has her best interest at heart. As her father sets his sights on ending her marriage to her fortune hunter husband, he’s unaware that she’s already drifting into the arms of someone else.

Rebecca (1940)

• IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (131,069 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (39,605 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (94 reviews)

“Rebecca” is a movie from 1940 that falls into the romance genre. It also happens to be a psychological thriller. It’s about a widower named Maxim and the young woman who agrees to become his second wife. His first wife, Rebecca, died after drowning in the ocean.

When Maxim and his new wife go to his estate, she’s constantly reminded about his past marriage with Rebecca since a lot of her little details are left everywhere in sight. Although Maxim’s new wife does her best to compete with the ghost of Rebecca, their love story is still filled with an abundance of challenges.

Before Sunrise (1995)

• IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (286,974 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (73,661 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (46 reviews)

“Before Sunrise” is a 1995 love story that premiered years before “Before Sunset” in 2004. “Before Sunrise” showcases the very start of Jesse and Celine’s romance. They bump into each other on a train from Budapest and instantly hit it off because their conversation is intense and thought-provoking. They quickly realize how much they have in common and how much time they want to spend together.

After learning that Jesse has a flight to catch the next morning, Celine makes it her mission to grow as close to him as she possibly can within the limited timeframe. This movie serves as proof that you don’t need to spend multiple years in a row with someone to realize how you feel. It’s possible to fall in love in an evening. This movie paints the picture that it’s possible to fall in love in an hour.

The Heiress (1949)

• IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (14,956 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (3,056 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (14 reviews)

“The Heiress” is a 1949 romance about a naïve young woman who finds herself falling for someone her father doesn’t approve of. Catherine’s father is convinced that Morris is nothing more than a fortune hunter pursuing her for her wealth. It’s difficult for Catherine to take advice from her parents since they’re always judging her for minor things.

They even judge her over her level of etiquette. Her parents opinions seemingly push her deeper into Morris’s arms since she’s so eager and excited to become an independent woman who isn’t controlled by her father. You won’t find this movie on Netflix since it’s on the older side, but it’s still worth tracking down for a watch.

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

• IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (228,668 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 95% (138,714 reviews)
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (67 reviews)
• Directed by: Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly

“Singin’ in the Rain” is a 1952 romance with enough funny moments to classify it as a comedy as well. Although it was released in 1952, the film is set in 1927. he tells the story of two actors learning to branch out from the silent movie genre into a world that requires them to memorize dialogue and speak out loud.

Their producers want them to pretend they’re dating whenever they attend red carpet events together, but they aren’t actually attracted to each other at all. Along the way, they start developing lovey-dovey feelings for each other in the most unexpected manner. “Singin’ in the Rain” is the type of movie viewers hope to see a modern sequel from. Find out more about these 25 sequels that were more beloved than their originals.

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20 Best Romantic Movies On Amazon Prime [December 2023]

An Amazon Prime membership is a beautiful thing. Movie-lovers everywhere appreciate Prime Video's vast library of titles, which includes everything from terrifying thrillers to warm-hearted family films. However, Romance fans are especially spoiled by Prime's offerings. Love stories of every stripe are available — from feel-good stories to heart-breaking tear-jerkers, from indie tales to mesmerizing epics — and they've got amorous offerings from all corners of the globe. We've searched through Amazon Prime's enormous collection of films and gathered the 20 best romantic movies on this list. Whether you're a fan of far-fetched rom-coms or prefer your romance with a side of drama, there's a title for everyone. Happy watching!

Updated on November 30, 2023 : Amazon Prime offers an ever-changing array of movies, with new love stories constantly being added and subtracted. Make sure to check back every month, as we update this list to reflect the streaming service's current library of romantic movies.

An American in Paris

A vivacious, colorful, optimistic movie about life after war, "An American in Paris" follows Jerry (Gene Kelly), an American soldier who stays in Paris after World War II concludes to try his hand at painting. Struggling mightily, he arouses the interest of wealthy American heiress Milo (Nina Foch), who agrees to be his benefactor. She's falling hard for Jerry, but at the same time, he's taken with a captivating French lady named Lise (Leslie Caron). But Jerry's friend Henri (Georges Guétary), who supported Lise during the war, is in love with her and wants to whisk her away to America. "An American in Paris" deftly combines dance, music, romance, and a look at the economic and social realities of post-war Europe.

• Starring: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant
• Director: Vincente Minnelli
• Runtime: 113 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Anything's Possible

Love and romance just seem to hit hardest when they come as a surprise, when one isn't looking — or at least that's the magical notion that fuels plenty of romantic comedy movies. It's also one of the big ideas behind "Anything's Possible," a cute and affecting rom-com about two teenagers who delicately fall for each other during an already chaotic senior year and when one of them is in the middle of a profound and important identity transformation. Cool teen guy Khal develops a crush on the charming and self-assured Kelsa, who has just transitioned. They decide to go for it, despite the potential hardships of young love and the scandal their relationship may create at their school.

• Starring: Eva Reign, Abubakr Ali, Renee Elise Goldsberry
• Director: Billy Porter
• Runtime: 96 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

The Big Sick

Kumail, an up-and-coming comedian struggling to make a name for himself, embarks upon a relationship with Emily Gardner, a psychology student. Things get complicated when Emily ends up in a coma, due to an increasingly serious infection. When Kumail's parents learn about their relationship, the situation becomes even more snarled. Loosely based on a true story, "The Big Sick" is sad, funny, and dramatic. This all adds up to a refreshing take on the genre.

• Starring: Kumail Nanjiani , Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter
• Director: Michael Showalter
• Runtime: 119 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

"Bros" reinvents the romantic comedy while lovingly embodying those films' tropes, injecting new life into the genre and not just because it's one of the first major studio rom-coms to feature a same-sex couple. "Bros" features emotionally complicated characters who are a little afraid of relationships and not necessarily looking for true love. Screenwriter Billy Eichner plays a podcaster happy with a series of meaningless flings until he meets Aaron, a lawyer with a similar mindset about commitment. Before long, however, they like each other so much they just can't help but let their guards down and inadvertently let love just happen.

• Starring: Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane, Monica Raymund
• Director: Nicholas Stoller
• Runtime: 115 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

"Charade" is part romance, part comedy, and part suspense, and sticks the landing in all three genres. We follow Regina Lampert and Peter Joshua, who spark a romantic relationship on an Alpine vacation. Yet when Regina returns from her ski trip, she discovers her husband has been murdered. She and Joshua must unravel the mystery, which grows more and more intense. If you like your romance films infused with mystique, then this is, without a doubt, the movie for you.

• Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Walter Matthau
• Director: Stanley Donen
• Rating: Not Rated
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

A low-key romantic comedy, "Forev" explores the pros and cons of marriage through a very unique lens. Sophie and Pete are new neighbors and quick friends. When he embarks on a long drive to pick up his sister from college, she tags along. As a joke, they decide to get engaged, as marriage offers tax breaks, better insurance, and companionship. They really don't see much of a downside — until they get stranded in the desert. This awkward situation forces them to look inward to determine if they even want to be in such a permanent arrangement, and what they want out of life itself.

• Starring: Noel Wells, Matt Mider, Amanda Bauer
• Directors: Molly Green, James Leffler
• Runtime: 88 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71% (Audience Score)

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Wedding season is a beautiful time when love and celebration fill the air. "Four Weddings and a Funeral" portrays things a little differently, however.  Like the title suggests, it revolves around a man named Charles who goes to four weddings and a funeral. The kicker? At each event, he encounters a woman named Carrie, who he comes to love. If you're a fan of nuptials, or romance films with a plethora of comedic elements, then "Four Weddings and a Funeral" is an ideal option.

• Starring: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, James Fleet
• Director: Mike Newell
• Runtime: 117 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

The Handmaiden

As an erotic psychological thriller, this movie throws a lot at its audience — but it's always delivered in exactly the right way. Sook-hee is the titular handmaiden, in service to a Japanese heiress named Lady Hideko. In truth, Sook-hee is after Hideko's fortune, and is operating with the help of a con man. Yet Hideko is hiding complex secrets of her own. Things become even more complicated when Sook-hee and Hideko develop feelings for each other. This isn't your typical romance film, and that's what makes it so exceptional.

• Starring: Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong
• Director: Park Chan-wook
• Runtime: 144 minutes

"Heathers" follows teen queen Veronica and her boyfriend J.D. as they team up to take down the popular kids. This is somewhat ironic, as she's also part of the top clique. But Veronica and J.D., and "Heathers" as a whole, are all about digging into the rot at the center of the high school hierarchy — a process that quickly turns deadly. Though cynical, "Heathers" glides over its darkest moments with smart, pitch-black comedy. It might have a cult following, but fans of mainstream romance won't be disappointed.

• Starring: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty
• Director: Michael Lehmann
• Runtime: 103 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

I Want You Back

"I Want You Back" follows two strangers, Peter and Emma, who meet in a rather unique way: Peter hears Emma crying. They discover that they've both recently been broken up with, so they devise a plan to reach out to each other when they're feeling down. But they also take it a step further by attempting to break up their exes, who have both entered new relationships with separate people. "I Want You Back" explores the eternal fact that love will make people do wild things –– and that it arrives when you least expect it.

• Starring: Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Scott Eastwood
• Director: Jason Orley
• Runtime: 111 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

The Lost City

The story becomes reality for novelist Loretta Sage in "The Lost City," a romantic adventure that unfolds over a treasure hunt deep within the jungle, complete with a wacky but evil villain in pursuit. Loretta is a popular adventure novelist who keeps to herself, turning her deceased husband's travel stories into novels adorned with images of a hunky cover model named Alan. While Loretta and Alan are out promoting their latest work on a book tour, weird billionaire Abigail Fairfax kidnaps them in hopes that they can lead him to the fabled Lost City of D. Loretta is brainy and cranky; Alan is goofy, sweet, and dumb, and they just might fall in love if they can get out of the jungle alive.

• Starring: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe
• Director: Adam Nee and Aaron Nee
• Runtime: 112 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%

Love and Friendship

"Love and Friendship" follows Lady Susan, a recent widow with little money of her own. As it's the 1790s and she has a so-so reputation, she has few options. Nevertheless, she draws up a plan to revive her fortunes: She and her daughter will both marry up. Does love conquer all? You'll have to watch to find out. Anyone who loves comedy, romance, and period pieces is bound to enjoy this unique Jane Austen adaptation.

• Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel
• Director: Whit Stillman
• Runtime: 93 minutes

Notting Hill

Two titans of the light and frothy rom-com genre — Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant — combine forces in "Notting Hill," a gentle movie about how love conquers all. William, a bored London bookshop owner, falls in love virtually at first sight with Anna, an American movie star who pops into his store. They're inevitably drawn to each other, particularly after a magical kiss. Though they endeavor to keep their romance secret or at least take things slow, they encounter resistance from their various associates who don't think true love can happen between a lowly shopkeeper and a jet-set celebrity.

• Starring: Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville
• Director: Roger Michell
• Runtime: 123 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%

Red, White & Royal Blue

An Amazon Prime original, "Red, White & Royal Blue" brings Casey McQuiston's top-selling romance novel to the small screen. Mixing international politics and royal intrigue with the slow build of an unlikely love story, this film shows how romance can quell an international incident. Alex Claremont-Diaz is the son of U.S. president Ellen Claremont. Prince Henry is an heir to the English throne. They absolutely loathe each other, to the point where their respective parents force them to call off their feud. But the time they spend together makes them realize their strong feelings for each other might skew more towards love than hate.

• Starring: Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Uma Thurman
• Director: Matthew Lopez
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%

The Shape of Water - Frevee

Monster-movie maverick Guillermo del Toro expressed his sensitive and romantic side with "The Shape of Water" and wound up winning the Academy Award for best picture . It's a play on the "Romeo and Juliet" formula of two characters from opposite backgrounds who find true love in the face of much opposition, although the romantics in this movie are Elisa — a lonely, mute cleaner who works in a secret government laboratory in the early 1960s — and a scaly amphibious sea monster who resides in the facility. The duo forges a powerful and profound connection that will change both of their lives, should they be able to work around nasty federal operatives.

• Starring: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins
• Director: Guillermo del Toro
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

Sylvie's Love

"Sylvie's Love" is a romance fan's romance movie. It follows a saxophonist named Robert and a woman named Sylvie, who develops a burning passion for her career in television — something not everyone is happy about, given the fact that it's 1962. The two fall head-over-heels for each other, but commitments, work, and a remarkable offer to play in Paris get in the way. Sylvie and Robert's story splits, reconnects, and branches in a number of fascinating ways. Love is complicated here, but it is also enduring.

• Starring: Tessa Thompson , Nnamdi Asomugha, Eva Longoria
• Director: Eugene Ashe
• Runtime: 114 minutes

Three Thousand Years of Longing

An epic romance that spans millennia, "Three Thousand Years of Longing" takes as realistic and empathetic an approach as possible to the idea of a genie in a magic lamp. The agony and loneliness he feels at being trapped for so long are very real, but the exterior world exacts its own toll. He reveals his many heartbreaking experiences to narrative scholar Alithea, who discovers his ancient vessel in Turkey. Could he find a happy, if touchingly imperfect, ending this time?

• Starring:   Idris Elba , Tilda Swinton, Aamito Lagum
• Director:  George Miller
• Year:  2022
• Runtime:  108 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score:  71%

To Catch a Thief

John Robie is a retired jewel thief living out his days on the French Riviera. When crimes that have his name written all over them start occurring, police come knocking. John isn't to blame, however, and attempts to clear his name by solving the mystery. Along the way, he starts a relationship with Frances, an American tourist. When her high-priced jewelry is stolen, their burgeoning bond takes a hit — yet that doesn't stop John from, as the title suggests, continuing on his quest to catch the thief.

• Starring: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis
• Director: Alfred Hitchcock
• Runtime: 106 minutes

Untamed Heart - Freevee

"Untamed Heart" explores to its fullest extent the metaphorical idea that the blood-pumping organ is also the place where feelings of love reside. The result is a heart-swelling and heartbreaking romance. 

After a string of unfaithful and unreliable boyfriends, diner worker Caroline doesn't even notice busboy Adam gazing adoringly at her until he rescues her from a street assault. He's severely injured in the melee, and while hospitalized, he learns that he has a likely fatal and rare heart condition. But when approached about a transplant, Adam refuses, swearing that his doomed heart is where his love for Caroline resides. A quick but profound romance ensues, from which no one will emerge without some kind of heart damage.

• Starring: Christian Slater , Marisa Tomei, Rosie Perez
• Director: Tony Bill
• Runtime: 102 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%

Who You Think I Am

"Who You Think I Am" follows a woman who connects with a man on a social media platform. Sounds normal enough, right? The problem is, she's a middle-aged adult who portrays herself online as a 20-something. This quickly go from bad to worse as her secret unravels. This French film has a bit of everything, from thriller-esque twists to stirring passion. It's a romance unlike any other, and a drama you'll never forget.

• Starring: Juliette Binoche, François Civil, Nicole Garcia
• Director: Safy Nebbou
• Runtime: 101 minutes

The 10 Best Love Triangle Movies

By Owen Gleiberman

Owen Gleiberman

Chief Film Critic

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“Challengers,” Luca Guadagnino’s enthralling sports opera about three great-looking tennis stars who trade partners, is the latest movie to feature that time-honored configuration, the love triangle. And make no mistake: This one is complicated. It’s no mere either/or thing. But then, that’s always been true of the best movie love triangles. There’s an equality to them, a kind of symbiotic harmony. “Titanic” is a love triangle (and a timeless film), but it’s not like there’s much suspense about who Kate Winslet loves more, Leonardo DiCaprio or Billy Zane. You could say something similar of “Gone With the Wind.” But in the most haunting movie triangles, the triangle has an isosceles aspect; the angles exist in tantalizing balance. With that in mind, here are our picks for the 10 best love-triangle movies.

Bull Durham (1988)

You might call Ron Shelton’s Minor League Baseball romance the “Challengers” of its day, as scripted by a cornball macho Preston Sturges. Tim Robbins, as a pitcher who’s gifted but wild (on the mound and in the sack), hooks up with hyper-literate baseball groupie Susan Sarandon. But it’s Kevin Costner, as the surly veteran brought in to show Robbins the ropes, who’s revealed to be the master of everything, from the Zen of baseball to the right angles of love.

Unfaithful (2002)

Diane Lane plays a suburbanite who sneaks away from her Hudson Valley dream home, and the husband and family she loves, to indulge in a cathartic affair with a weaselly French hunk (Olivier Martinez). That the fuddy-duddy husband is played by former heartthrob Richard Gere is the film’s first curveball. The second one is that the marriage winds up being held together by the very adultery that tears it apart.

Casablanca (1942)

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman seem as made for each other as any couple in screen history. Yet they’re not   a couple — they’re an ex-couple who will always have Paris. And Bergman’s husband, a WWII resistance fighter (Paul Henreid), needs her because she’s “the thing that keeps him going.” The deep meaning of this triangle is the way it crystallizes the place where love meets morality.

She’s Gotta Have It (1986)

It’s not technically a triangle — more like a quadrangle. But Spike Lee’s puckish first feature gives you that triangular tingle. It’s built around Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), a Brooklyn graphic artist who juggles three ardent suitors. Will she choose one, or will she choose the impulse to be free? 

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

How’s this for a heady triangle? Katharine Hepburn, as the divorced daughter of a socialite family, is on the verge of getting remarried — and her fiancé isn’t even one of the suitors who matter. They would be Cary Grant, as her ex-husband, and James Stewart, as the gossip journalist who shows up to cover the wedding. Have there ever been two dreamier options? George Cukor’s classic is the perfect sophisticated romantic comedy, in part because the rivalry keeps us in suspense.

The Mother and the Whore (1973)

At this point you may be wondering: Where’s “Jules and Jim”? Sorry, but we think it’s a turgidly whimsical, overpraised movie. When it comes to French ménage dramas, we prefer Jean Eustache’s 3-hour-40-minute New Wave-meets-New Realism epic about three café bohemians (Bernadette Lafont, Jean-Pierre Léaud and Françoise Lebrun) who think that the freedom of connection they long for was promised to them by the hangover of the counterculture.

Reality Bites (1994)

Ever since the 1980s of “Pretty in Pink,” youth movies have been rife with love triangles (the “Twilight” films, “Wild Things,” “The Kissing Booth 2”). But Ben Stiller’s Gen-X landmark set the standard. Should Winona Ryder, as a budding filmmaker, go with the sweet nerdish music-channel executive (Stiller) or the slacker (Ethan Hawke) who’s a serious louse? The answer is obvious … until it isn’t.

Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971)

In John Schlesinger’s decades-ahead-of-its-time classic, Murray Head plays a bisexual sculptor carrying on two affairs at once: one with a brittle recruitment agent (Glenda Jackson), one with a Jewish physician played by Peter Finch with an ordinary-bloke melancholy that made him a groundbreaking figure in queer cinema. This triangle is no movie sculpture — on the contrary, it’s as complex as life.

My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

Julia Roberts plays a food critic who decides to sabotage the wedding of her best friend (Dermot Mulroney) — to yupscale princess Cameron Diaz — when she realizes she’s in love with him. Her destructiveness puts the audience in an exquisitely amused, jaw-droppingly squirmy position. Do we want to see her succeed? The triangular resolution is nothing less than transporting.

The Apartment (1960)

In Billy Wilder’s sublime office drama, insurance clerk Jack Lemmon loans out his Upper West Side apartment to his executive overseers, who use it for their adulterous trysts. When Lemon himself tries to court an elevator operator (Shirley MacLaine), only to learn she’s having a fling with his boss (Fred MacMurray), their triangle becomes a lightning rod channeling love, power, corporate dehumanization and the rise of women.

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The 20 Best Time Travel K-Dramas, Ranked

Lee do-hyun & go min-si’s sweet home roles are a reminder to watch this historical k-drama from 2021, ju ji-hoon ponders the philosophical questions posed by disney+ k-drama blood free.

• Kim Go-eun's versatility shines through in her diverse roles, from bubbly Eun-tak in Goblin to the sinister In-joo in Little Women.
• Despite tonal inconsistencies in Monster, Kim Go-eun's portrayal of Bok-soon is both heart-warming and intense, showcasing her acting skills.
• In Yumi's Cells, Kim Go-eun's performance as Yu-mi balances humor and sincerity, making the K-drama a joy to watch with its relatable nature.

Since her on-screen debut in 2012, Kim Go-eun has continued to show her versatility as an actor through incredible and varied performances in both K-dramas and in movies. Born in South Korea in 1991, Kim Go-eun stumbled into the world of acting by chance, yet has not looked back since. Now over a decade into her career, Kim Go-eun has been involved in some of the best K-dramas and South Korean movies to date and does not show any signs of slowing down .

Kim Go-eun's commitment to her roles throughout the years has made her one of the hottest names in the South Korean entertainment industry as she continues to improve and challenge herself with every new project. From fan-favorite fantasy K-drama Goblin to the latest South Korean horror phenomenon Exhuma , Kim Go-eun's filmography is full of breathtaking performances that always seem to show a new side of the now veteran actress. Though with an impressive filmography to her name, here are just some of Kim Go-eun's best works to date that truly show Kim Go-eun's prowess as an actress.

Time travel is a common trope used in K-dramas to solve mysteries, add intrigue and propel love stories. Here are the best time travel K-dramas.

10 Monster (2014)

After stepping away from acting for some time to finish her studies, Kim Go-eun's second movie, Monster is a stark contrast from her first and proves just how versatile Kim Go-eun's acting skills really are. Monster sees Kim Go-eun toying the line between thriller and comedy as the quick-tempered Bok-soon, who will do anything for her younger sister, including killing the man who kidnapped her.

Despite tonal inconsistencies and the overuse of gore in Monster , Kim Go-eun anchors the film with her heart-warming yet violent portrayal of Bok-soon. Kim Go-eun makes Bok-soon a vibrant character by truly committing to each moment, and shows a deft mastery of both comic timing and intense emotion as the movie's leading character. Though still early in her career, Kim Go-eun's performance is an impressive shift from her debut while also showing the foundations of the acting skills she would soon build upon in the later works of her career.

Monster is currently not available on streaming services.

9 Cheese in the Trap (2016)

Following success on the big screen, Cheese in the Trap is Kim Go-eun's first K-drama, which would see her win her first Baeksang award for Best New Actress. Based on a webtoon of the same name, Cheese in the Trap follows university student Hong Seol (Kim Go-eun) and her relationship with senior Yoo Jung (Park Hae-jin), who is both wealthy and manipulative, yet has an interest in her. Kim Go-eun navigates Seol's difficult situations with ease to bring an iconic performance that helms this drama.

Cheese in the Trap is full of big characters and actors who would soon become big names in the K-drama world, such as Lee Sung-kyung and Nam Joo-hyuk, yet Kim Go-eun holds her own on screen. Hong Seol acts as a glue for the drama, and Kim Go-eun's performance of the university student is deeply relatable . However, compared to other works in her career, Cheese in the Trap showcases less of Kim Go-eun's outstanding abilities than other works do.

Cheese in the Trap is available to stream on Netflix.

8 Tune In For Love (2019)

Tune In For Love is a movie full of subtleties, and Kim Go-eun excels in expressing the smaller moments in Mi-soo's love affair with Jung Hae-in's Hyun-woo. Tune In For Love takes a slower pace than some of Kim Go-eun's other works, but this allows her to take her time and craft each of Mi-soo's emotions carefully, making each moment more impactful than the last . Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Jung Hae-in also flourishes in Tune In For Love , allowing the natural rise and fall of Mi-soo and Hyun-woo's relationship to soar.

Mi-soo's character progression in Tune In For Love is a further testament to Kim Go-eun's abilities as an actor, as Hyun-woo and Mi-soo continually cross paths throughout their lifetimes. The youthful energy Mi-soo once possessed slowly disappears as she yearns for more from life, with Kim Go-eun expressing the changes in Mi-soo's personality perfectly. Unlike some of Kim Go-eun's other works, there aren’t many significant events that occur in Tune In For Love . However, Kim Go-eun expresses the subtle progression of Mi-soo's life with ease .

Tune in For Love is available to stream on Netflix

Those looking for more of Lee Do-hyun and Go Min-si before Sweet Home season 3 premiers on Netflix have this period K-drama as the perfect option.

7 Coin Locker Girl (2015)

Kim Go-eun never tackles the same role twice, and her venture into the world of violent crime in 2015 thriller Coin Locker Girl is no exception. Kim Go-eun's Il-young is thrust into the world of gangs after being abandoned in a coin locker as a baby and carries out missions for her loan shark mother as she gets older. Much like many of her other roles, Coin Locker Girl sees Kim Go-eun balances many powerful emotions at the same time to concoct a performance that is a highlight of the movie.

Alongside Kim Hye-su, who plays Il-young's adoptive mother, Kim Go-eun keeps an impeccable poise that allows her to run shoulder-to-shoulder with the leading actress. The chemistry and performances by Kim Go-eun and Kim Hye-su are the best part of Coin Locker Girl , with Kim Go-eun flawlessly echoing the veteran actor in every movement. However, an overuse of violence and a lackluster second half dulls the otherwise outstanding performances in Coin Locker Girl , making it less of a standout hit than Kim Go-eun's other works .

Coin Locker Girl is currently not available on streaming services.

6 Eungyo (2011)

Han eun-gyo.

Kim Go-eun's debut performance in Jung Ji-woo's Eungyo (also known as A Muse ) saw her beat out 300 hundred actresses for the titular role of 17-year-old student Han Eun-gyo. Based on Park Bum-shin's novel of the same name, Eungyo follows the story of 70-year-old poet Lee Jeok-yo (Jung Hae-il) and the relationship he builds with the innocent yet spontaneous Eun-gyo, who becomes a muse for his latest novel before it is stolen by his assistant Seo Ji-woo (Kim Mu-yeol).

Despite a controversial premise that can be hard to watch, Kim Go-eun makes Eun-gyo bounce off the screen in a performance that depicts the carefree nature of youth, whilst delving into darker undertones that force Eun-gyo to mature and gain her own self-worth. To date, Kim Go-eun's performance in Eungyo remains her most awarded role with 8 awards and 3 nominations, with her even winning Best New Actress at the coveted Blue Dragon Awards in 2012.

Eun-gyo is currently not available on any streaming services.

5 The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

Jeong tae-eul/luna.

2020 saw Kim Go-eun return to the small screen alongside K-drama veteran Lee Min-ho for one of the year's most highly anticipated K-dramas , The King: Eternal Monarch , written by Goblin and Descendants of the Sun writer, Kim Eun-sook. In The King: Eternal Monarch , Kim Go-eun plays a high-ranking police officer named Jeong Tae-eul and becomes embroiled with Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho), a King claiming to be from a parallel universe. Together, they navigate alternate realities.

One of the highlights of Kim Go-eun's performance in this fantasy K-drama is her ability to make Tae-eul's reactions to adverse situations seem natural. Multiple times throughout The King: Eternal Monarch Kim Go-eun showcases her superb crying skills, which ground Tae-eul's crazy circumstances firmly in reality as every tear is incredibly believable. However, despite a strong start, The King: Eternal Monarch cannot maintain its momentum, making Tae-eul's circumstances feel too repetitive and blunting Kim Go-eun's performance from shining further.

The King: Eternal Monarch is available to stream on Netflix

Blood Free star Ju Ji-hoon discusses stepping into the role of Chae-woon, working with Han Hyo-joo, and what he took away from Netflix's Kingdom.

4 Yumi’s Cells (2021-2022)

Kim Go-eun's performance in Yumi's Cells is a fresh comparison to some of her other works, but it is still just as impactful. Kim Go-eun takes the role of the titular Kim Yu-mi and returns back into the world of dating and love, hoping that her love cell will return. Yumi's Cells is a K-drama based on a webtoon of the same name that balances humor with sincerity as Yu-mi navigates the world of love and heartbreak. As the heart of the show, Kim Go-eun excels, making Yu-mi's cells' work pay off in her every expression .

Yumi's Cells isn't a complicated premise, but Kim Go-eun's performance is fraught with detail. Yumi's shy nature yet yearning for a life of love is deeply relatable and makes her forays into the world of love even more entertaining. Though Yumi's Cells mixes both live action and animation, the melodramatics of Yu-mi's cells' are never present in Kim Go-eun's performance, keeping the K-drama firmly rooted in reality and making it such a joy to watch.

Yumi's Cells is available to stream on Rakuten Viki.

3 Exhuma (2024)

Lee hwa-rim.

Once again, Kim Go-eun's character-driven performances have found her in the spotlight, as her performance as the shaman Lee Hwa-rim in South Korean horror Exhuma has gripped audiences globally, and become South Korea's biggest movie of the year so far. It has also seen Kim Go-eun win Best Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards this year, with her fierce commitment to her role creating an incredible on-screen performance that echoes her years of experience in the acting world .

Kim Go-eun is at her best in Exhuma when Lee Hwa-rim is performing shamanic rituals. The first ritual in particular is an incredible highlight, as Kim Go-eun deftly dances around the screen with a commanding presence that is hard to look away from as the intensity builds to a final climax. However, although Exhuma is a great horror that allows Kim Go-eun to demonstrate a new side to her acting skills , as a movie led by narrative rather than character, Lee Hwa-rim's character feels more underexplored.

Exhuma is currently showing in selected cinemas.

2 Goblin (2016-2017)

Goblin (also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God ) is a K-drama classic that is not to be missed, and Kim Go-eun is a key reason why. Kim Go-eun's portrayal of the optimistic and bubbly Ji Eun-tak is infectious, making every moment she is on-screen a delight to watch, and her chemistry with her fellow co-stars Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook seem effortless. Kim Go-eun's comedic talents also shine throughout Goblin , as some of the most awkward moments between Eun-tak and Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) are easily the funniest thanks to Kim Go-eun's expressive performance.

Ji Eun-tak's darkest moments are just as vibrant as her brightest thanks to Kim Go-eun's detailed performances. Eun-tak's youthful energy never ceases, but peppered through tears, her unceasing optimism makes Goblin 's most emotional moments hit even harder. Kim Go-eun never shies away from any scene , and allows Ji Eun-tak's true nature to flourish under any circumstances, making Goblin such an incredible piece of work to watch.

Goblin is available to stream on Netflix.

1 Little Women (2022)

Throughout her career, Kim Go-eun has proven that she is a master at character acting, and can easily blend into any environment and excel. However, her performance in Little Women , South Korea’s twist on the Louisa May Alcott novel of the same name, showcases Kim Go-eun’s acting ability at its best and demonstrates how much her abilities have grown since her debut .

From Oh In-joo’s bumbling beginnings to her explosive downfall, Kim Go-eun’s portrayal of the oldest and most morally ambiguous Oh sister is breathtaking. One glance is all that is needed to read a multitude of emotions, and Kim Go-eun’s ability to switch between emotions feels so natural that Oh In-joo feels like an integral yet sinister part of the mystery that encapsulates Little Women . Even Oh In-joo’s smallest moments are incredibly captivating , and the build to In-joo’s biggest outbursts feels natural, solidifying Little Women as Kim Go-eun ’s best work to date.

Little Women is available to stream on Netflix.

The 20 Best Time Travel K-Dramas

Among the many K-drama genres, time travel is particularly exciting because it seamlessly blends science fiction, crime, history, and romance into it.

Snuggling up on the couch for a late night binge session of your favorite Korean drama is only the best feeling ever. And when those dramas involve an unique time travel premise combined with adventure, heartfelt romance, or mysteries spanning eras, it makes for the perfect escape.

Korean dramas are no longer a novel experience for the global audience. The medium's capacity to engage a wider audience with its compelling storytelling and gripping character drama is enormous, and the more genres it dives into, the more it stands out.

Among the many exciting tales told over decades, those surrounding time travel are particularly exhilarating thanks to how the subject seamlessly blends science fiction, history, and romance , and generates high re-watch value. Imagining what it might be like to travel back in time or see the future is endlessly entertaining, and the possibilities are endless.

While it's impossible for humans to time travel ( sort of ), you can live vicariously through these incredible stories. We've brought together an intriguing list of 20 Korean dramas that incorporate time travel into their alluring stories about star-crossed lovers and brave protagonists willing to right historical wrongs — or just puzzled individuals displaced through time. Whatever time travel tale you're in the mood for, this list has it.

20 Queen and I (2012)

When a time-traveling scholar named Kim Boong Do finds a magic talisman and travels from Joseon dynasty to modern-day Seoul, 300 years into the future, he has one goal — to find Queen In Hyun.

Apparently, when she was being deposed by the council, Boong Do was her only supporter. But upon arriving in the future, he realizes that she’s a mere character being played in a drama by up-and-coming actress Choi Hee Jin.

A Time-Traveling Scholar’s Accidental Love Story

Queen and I perfectly blends history, comedy and romance through the fish-out-of-water scenario where Boong Do has to not only adapt to the traditions of the modern world, but also find a way to travel back to the Joseon era.

Starring Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo In Na, the drama features an unconventional partnership and blossoming romance against the backdrop of royal intrigue. Yoo In Na also won massive acclaim for her performance, making Queen and I a huge hit.

19 Splash Splash Love (2015)

The main protagonist of Splash Splash Love is Dan Bi, a high school student who hates math. On the day of her KSAT exam, she decides to run away and ends up on a playground in the middle of a freak rain which transports her to the Joseon kingdom.

She arrives hundreds of years in the past, in the middle of a drought. Dan Bi then meets King Lee Do, a man who yearns to be intellectual. Since Dan Bi’s high school level mathematics is still way ahead of Joseon’s teachings, she schools Lee Do and inspires him to bring change to the kingdom.

A Charming Tale of Transformation

The K-drama won hearts for its charming take on time travel and feel-good romance . For the most part, the episodes are heavy with emotion, balancing the more serious tone of the era with subtle glances and earnest dialogue. The leads, Kim Seul-gi and Yoon Doo-joon are extremely likable. Paired with the beautiful songs, the two-episode miniseries seems as breezy as it is breathtaking.

Stream Splash Splash Love on Kocowa

18 Rooftop Prince (2012)

In Rooftop Prince , Crown Prince Lee Gak finds himself mysteriously transported to modern-day Seoul along with his three retainers. There, he meets Hong Se Na, who is the spitting image of his beloved wife, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances.

It does not help that Lee Gak bears a striking resemblance to the grandson of the CEO of Se Na’s company. He tries to get close to her with the hopes that he’ll learn clues about the murder of the Crown Princess.

Related: 20 K-Dramas With No Boring Episodes

Crown Prince Finds Himself Out Of Place And Time

With Park Yoo-chun and Han Ji-min taking up the lead roles, it’s impossible for the drama to go wrong. What’s better is that Rooftop Prince has a multi-layered storyline that intertwines to reveal a greater plot, making the series more engaging episode after episode.

Seeing historical royals experience 21st century culture shock provides comic relief, and the time slip romance between Lee Gak and Se Na is simply marvelous.

Stream Rooftop Prince on Kocowa

17 Times (2021)

Times has a premise Hollywood has played with a number of times. Lee Jin Woo is an exceptionally talented reporter who will stop at nothing to uncover the truth about a case. When a mysterious phone call connects him to another hard-as-nails reporter named Seo Jung In, he’s shocked to discover that she’s speaking to him from five years in the future.

Jung In warns Jin Woo about the threat against her father, South Korea’s President, and together they work to find the culprit and break free of the strange time warp.

A Reporter’s Race Against Time

The drama is both a political thriller and a mind-bending time travel mystery. What makes it stand out is the intense performances from the lead actors, Lee Seo-jin and Lee Joo-young. Their chemistry with one another, especially when developed just over the phone, makes the show more endearing, and the suspenseful plot adds a gripping urgency to each episode.

Moreover, by charting away from a traditional time travel storyline, which often turns to be about romance, this innovative crime-solving drama subverts expectations.

Stream Times on Rakuten Viki

16 Hit the Top (2017)

As a member of a popular K-pop idol group, Yoo Hyun-Jae is nothing short of a star. Especially if you consider the ‘90s, when the group was at the height of its fame. However, when Hyun-Jae travels from 1993 to 2017, he finds out that he goes missing in the year 1994 and is presumed dead shortly after.

Determined to uncover the truth about his disappearance, he befriends Lee Ji Hoon and Choi Woo Seung, two aspiring young musicians.

Lighthearted, Feel-Good, But Complicated

We’re currently witnessing an evolution in the K-pop industry, with new talents emerging from the ground to become massive superstars. But it all started a bunch of years ago, and Hit the Top brings back the nostalgia and humor of the time.

Moreover, its predictable storyline never feels dull because of the upbeat soundtrack and dazzling performances. Definitely an underrated gem, Hit the Top is a must-watch in the genre.

15 Tomorrow, with You (2017)

Instead of going back centuries or traveling to the present day, Tomorrow, with You takes an innovative approach towards time travel and introduces us to Yoo So Joon, the CEO of a real estate company, who holds the power to decide when he wants to travel back in time.

Once, on a subway, he sees a future in which he’s unhappy and dissatisfied with life. To avoid facing it, he marries Song Ma Rin, a free-spirited photographer, unaware of her personal struggles.

A Bittersweet Romance

Taking the road less traveled, this brilliant Korean drama explores the complexities and sorrows of a loveless marriage through a time-travel premise.

Helped by outstanding performances from lead actors Shin Min-a (who you may know from Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha ) and Lee Je-hoon, this poignant melodrama tugs at the heartstrings with its slow-burn romance. Overall, the touching story reminds us to cherish the present and appreciate the little things in life.

14 Signal (2016)

Much like Times , Signal features a mysterious time-travel phenomenon involving walkie-talkies and an unidentified serial killer. Park Hae Yeong, a criminal profiler and police officer, stumbles upon a walkie-talkie and connects with a detective from the past, Lee Jae Han.

He reminds Hae Yeong of a crime he witnessed as a child and encourages him to solve cold cases with him. Together, they work on several investigations and solve decades-old crimes.

A Detective Duo Communicating Across Time

What’s interesting about the drama is that it is inspired by real-life crime stories and a murder case. The way it blends procedural thrills and heartfelt character drama is immensely terrific.

Concept-wise, Signal is truly unique and consistently full of suspense, making it hard not to binge. The pacing is beautiful, the actors, including Cho Jin-woong and Lee Je-hoon, as well as the young cast, are phenomenal in their roles.

Stream Signal on Paramount+

13 Familiar Wife (2018)

Going back in time and changing certain regretful events always has consequences. Playing with the same idea, Familiar Wife introduces us to Cha Joo Hyuk, who has been married to his college sweetheart Seo Woo Jin. But he is dissatisfied with the decisions he’s made and the life he’s living.

When a car accident sends him into the past, he experiences a drastic shift in his destiny by doing tiny things differently. Joo Hyuk ends up causing more trouble than before, including with his first love, Lee Hee Won.

Related: Movies Where Time Travel Actually Made Sense

Underrated and Unforgettable

Familiar Wife probably has one of the most unique executions on time travel ever seen in Korean dramas. Even though the premise seems unoriginal, it is the series’ ability to reflect on relationships, provide meaningful lessons on self-growth, and deliver a truckload of emotions that makes it stand out from the rest. Not heavy on drama but still pretty intense on chemistry, the series leaves an indelible mark on viewers.

12 Go Back Couple (2017)

Adapted from the webtoon Do it One More Time , Go Back Couple is a fun, 12-episode drama that follows an unhappily married couple. Choi Ban Do and Ma Jin Joo were adorable sweethearts when they married, but growing up together took a toll on them and how they simply cannot stand each other.

When they find themselves traveling back to their college days, away from career responsibilities and their young son, the two vow to make different choices and rekindle the lost romance.

Second Chances and First Loves

Instead of throwing one person back in time, Go Back Couple sends two people back to when they weren’t dating. It also combines moving insights on relationships, the complications and pitfalls of marrying young, and the beauty of being in love, with an enormous amount of humor and top-notch writing. Son Ho Jun and Jang Na Ra are truly exceptional as a couple, sharing swoon-worthy moments with an effortless and natural dynamic.

Stream Go Back Couple on Rakuten Viki

11 The Light in Your Eyes (2019)

With a melancholic start and an all-consuming end, The Light in Your Eyes is a beautiful, albeit heartbreaking drama. It follows 25-year-old Kim Hye Ja, who is in possession of a mysterious watch that can turn back time. In a desperate attempt to save her father, Hye Ja turns the watch several times and ends up aging herself to seventy years old.

Grappling with her situation, and realizing everybody she knew no longer recognizes her, she finds solace in the company of Lee Joon Ha, the man she once loved.

A Tragic Time-Travel Romance

The 2019 drama soars high because of its heartbreaking portrayal of romance between two souls torn apart by tragedy. Starring One Spring Night’s Han Ji Min and Start-Up’s Nam Joo Hyuk , The Light in Your Eyes is filled with stunning cinematography and emotionally moving storytelling.

The contrast between decades as well as the parting lessons towards the finale leave few dry eyes. That said, the series has remained among the more underappreciated gems.

Stream The Light in Your Eyes on Netflix

10 My Perfect Stranger (2023)

Among the few recent time travel Korean dramas on this list is My Perfect Stranger . Just as the title promises, the series follows two strangers who end up traveling back to the same year, 1987, and discover the poignant bond they share.

On one hand, there is Yoon Hae Joon, a kindhearted journalist who wants to get to the bottom of a serial murder case. And on the other hand, Baek Yoon Young wants to stop her parents from marrying because her mother dies in the future.

Keeps You Guessing Till The Very End

Featuring a smooth genre blend, this compelling time travel story finds a spot among the best K-dramas because of its ability to absorb the viewers’ attention. The series explores heavy themes like grief, hope, and trauma, as well as the extraordinary lengths one is willing to go for the truth. Kim Dong-wook and Jin Ki-joo are absolutely stunning as two souls grappling with their realities.

Stream My Perfect Stranger on Rakuten Viki

9 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

Despite being a flop in South Korea, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo has found a devoted fan base in the West for its storyline, which sees IU as an unassuming young girl named Go Ha Jin.

On the day of a total eclipse, she travels back to Goryeo-era Korea, where she wakes up in the body of the 16-year-old Hae Soo. Now entangled in kingdom politics, tragic losses, and power struggles, Ha Jin must rise above being a mere pawn and take control of the throne.

Sweeping Romance Set In An Ancient Land

With its epic production values and breathtaking costume design , Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo captured the hearts of many viewers. Beyond the visual appeal, however, the drama also has a brilliant pacing and an intense aesthetic that keeps you hooked from start to finish. By moonlighting as a passionate romance, the series shocks you with its emotional depth and un-fairytale-like ending. However, the characters played by IU and Lee Joon-Gi resonate the most.

8 Tunnel (2017)

First set in 1986, Tunnel introduces us to a highly skilled and enthusiastic crime detective named Park Gwang Ho. Hot on the tail of a serial killer, he chases him through a tunnel which turns out to be a time portal. Gwang Ho is transported to present day, the year 2016, where the same serial killer is on a murder spree. Enter another elite detective, Kim Sun Jae. The two detectives form a partnership like no other, navigating uncharted territory of the criminal underground.

Related: 10 K-Dramas with the Best Plot Twists, Ranked

An Epic Crime-Solving Korean Fantasy Drama

Featuring a healthy dose of heart-pounding action and a gripping mystery, Tunnel is one of the most engaging thriller series out there. It breaks boundaries with the innovative plotlines and stunning cinematography. Addictive from start to finish, it also lets you revel in the feel-good bromance between Choi Jin-hyuk and Yoon Hyun-min.

Stream Tunnel on The Roku Channel

7 Chicago Typewriter (2017)

More of a fantasy than a drama, Chicago Typewriter is about three resistance fighters across two timelines, with one being set in the 1930s, the time of the Japanese occupation of Korea, and the second in the 21st century. As they work undercover, disguised as a book enthusiast, a ghostwriter, and a bestselling author respectively, dark secrets from their past continue to haunt them.

Reincarnated Friendships Haunted By A Past

At its core, Chicago Typewriter is a story about three people’s friendships across time. From failing to protect those they loved dearly to cherishing what’s left in a liberated, dreamlike modern world, their journey endures as a memorable work of art. Yoo Ah-in, Im Soo-jung, and Go Kyung-pyo are phenomenal as star-crossed souls anchoring the poignant and multi-layered drama.

6 A Time Called You (2023)

Adapted from the Taiwanese television series Someday or One Day , this recent Korean drama deserves a spot on the list for its charming leads and refreshing premise. It’s been a year, and Han Jun Hee is still devastated about losing her boyfriend.

When she’s mysteriously transported to the year 1998 and takes on the identity of a high school student named Kwon Min Joo, things begin falling into place. She meets Nam Si Heon, who bears a striking resemblance to her late boyfriend.

Absolute Delight For Ahn Hyo-Seop Fans

Released on Netflix in September 2023, A Time Called You charmed viewers with its fresh take on a time-crossed love story. For those who have already watched the original, the portrayal of timelines as well as character drama is equally soulful and moving. Along with its beautiful soundtrack and fantastic performances from Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, and Kang Hoon, the series sends you on a rollercoaster of emotions.

Stream A Time Called You on Netflix

5 Mr. Queen (2020)

Mr. Queen is an extremely intriguing and twisted historical Korean drama based on the Chinese web series Go Princess Go . In it, ambitious chef Jang Bong Hwan serves South Korea’s most elite residents and politicians.

When he gets into a freak accident, he finds himself waking up in the body of Kim So Yong in the Joseon dynasty . As he navigates the treacherous court politics, he uncovers dark secrets about the supposedly meek King Cheol Jong.

Fascinating Body-Swap Romance In A Monarchy

Offering endless emotions as the story explores a commoner experiencing a sudden royal life, Mr. Queen was nothing short of a masterpiece. With their career-best performances, Shin Hye-sun and Kim Jung-hyun became overnight stars and one of the major reasons for the show’s success. The sharp writing, jarring plot twists, comedic timing, and satisfying ending make the drama capture the essence of an era long gone.

Stream Mr. Queen on Netflix

4 The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

In his quest to create a balance between two worlds and escape the wound inflicted upon him as a child, the Emperor of the Kingdom of Corea, Lee Gun, accidentally gets propelled into another universe. He's surprised to learn that the strange new world — modern day Seoul — operates under the Republic of Korea, and not a Kingdom. Lee Gon teams up with Jeong Tae Eul, a detective, and together they work to stop an evil that plagues both worlds.

An Epic Combination of Fantasy and Romance

Back in 2020, The King: Eternal Monarch became the most popular Korean drama across the globe. It featured lavish production values, sweeping action, and spectacular performances from stars like Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun. But beyond the obvious reasons for its success, it was the series’ ambitious parallel universe premise and the epic combination of fantasy and romance that had an astonishing effect on the audience.

Stream The King: Eternal Monarch on Netflix

3 Live Up to Your Name (2017)

When a Joseon era doctor named Heo Im finds himself in modern-day Korea, almost 400 years into the future, he is stunned by the medical practices being followed currently. His unmatched traditional knowledge is suddenly dated.

Soon, he clashes with modern doctor Yeon Gyung and she mocks his invaluable medical know-how. Despite their differences, Yeon Gyung travels back with him to the Joseon era and realizes just how challenging ancient techniques can be.

Related: 10 Medical Drama TV Shows That Are Absolute Tearjerkers

Medical Drama Meets Time Travel

Finding its charm in the delicate examination of traditional Eastern medicine and Western practices, Live Up to Your Name is a humorous period drama. The development of clashes and eventual admiration between both protagonists makes the heart of the show, with the entertaining cast consisting of Kim Nam-gil and Kim Ah-joong. Every episode feels rich in Korean history and character development — no wonder it became such a fan favorite.

2 Life on Mars (2018)

Known to be the best in his profession, with the reputation of having solved the hardest of cases, detective Han Tae Joo is very close to rising up the ranks. However, while chasing a serial killer, he gets into an accident and finds himself transported back to 1988. Appointed as a rookie detective in a small city, Tae Joo must navigate the retro world of payphones and tape recorders. He soon realizes that he must solve a case of the past to get back to the future.

One Detective's Surreal Journey To The Past

Life on Mars drew a lot of praise and applause for its creative blend of crime thriller, mystery, and comedy. The drama is based on the 2006 British series of the same name , and suffice it to say, it does not disappoint. Whether it is the nostalgia of its late-80s setting or the impressive production design, there are elements that keep you engaged and guessing till the very end. Plus, Jung Kyung-ho, who you may know from Netflix's Crash Course in Romance , delivers a charming performance.

1 Marry My Husband (2024)

Despite only having four episodes premiered so far, Marry My Husband has shown great potential for becoming one of the best K-dramas of the year. The series starts off strong, with Kang Ji Won experiencing a troubled married life with her neglectful husband and abusive mother-in-law.

Things only get worse when she's diagnosed with cancer. And then on a fateful afternoon, Ji Won witnesses her husband Park Min Hwan in bed with her best friend Jung Soo Min. The two end up murdering her, and Ji Won surprisingly wakes up 10 years into the past, determined to exact revenge on them.

Modern Woman's Chaotic Attempts At Redoing The Past

Marry My Husband is based on the web novel of the same name written by Sung So-jak, and much like the source material, the series does a fantastic job at setting up the intrigue and tone by making us root for the protagonist.

Starring Park Min-young in an unabashedly endearing role, the series puts a more poignant spin on time travel tropes. Watching the protagonist moving past manipulation for genuine love and self-realized narrative has audiences eagerly waiting for another episode.

Stream Marry My Husband on Prime Video

The 20 Best Tennis Movies to Watch Now

From documentaries to romantic comedies, here are our favorite movies that feature tennis.

King Richard

This biopic follows Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, and both Williams sisters were involved in the making of the film. "People have gotten the story wrong, or media have portrayed my dad in an untruthful light. We want to get this story right," Serena told Forbes . Will Smith portrayed Richard, in a role that won him an Oscar.

Battle of the Sexes

On September 20, 1973, Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King played in what is now known as the "Battle of the Sexes." This film portays what happened leading up to the match, and the aftermath, starring Emma Stone as King and Steve Carrell as Riggs.

Borg vs. McEnroe

One of the most famous rivalries in tennis in the last few decades was between Björn Borg and John McEnroe. This film, starring Sverrir Gundason as Borg and Shia LaBeouf as McEnroe, focuses in on the 1980 Wimbledon finals.

Wimbledon , a 2004 romantic comedy, stars Paul Bettany as a Peter, a fading tennis star, and Kirsten Dunst as Lizzie, a young up-and-coming player. It's a charming, heartwarming tennis romance.

Citizen Ashe

Arthur Ashe was more than just a tennis player—and Citizen Ashe follows his personal evolution from history-making athlete to global activist.

Strangers on a Train

Alfred Hitchcock's 1951 film isn't exactly a tennis film, but one of the main characters is a tennis player, so we're counting it. Two strangers—Guy, a tennis player, and Bruno, a psychopath—meet on a train and "swap murders." Plus, a tennis match features in the movie !

Strokes of Genius

Strokes of Genius follows the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and centers on the 2008 Wimbledon championships. (It was released on the 10th anniversary of the match.)

The Garden of the Finzi-Continis

Released in Italian as Il giardino dei Finzi Contini, this historical drama follows the Finzi-Continis, an Italian Jewish family in the 1930s. After Jews are banned from the local tennis club, the family allows their friends to use their courts. It's not really about tennis, and more about antisemitism in Italy during the fascist era—but a moving, powerful movie. It won Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars in 1972.

Seven Days in Hell

Seven Days in Hell is a silly sports mockumentary, a parody of the John Isner/Nicolas Mahut match at Wimbledon in 2010 (which lasted for 11 hours and five minutes over three days). Starring Andy Samberg and Kit Harrington, it traces "the longest match in history." It's filled with cameos of real tennis players and honestly, it's a blast.

Match Point

This thriller is less about tennis and more about infidelity but the main character, Chris (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is a retired tennis pro who marries into a wealthy family and has an affair with his brother-in-law's fiancée, Nola (Scarlett Johansson).

The Royal Tenenbaums

Another tennis-adjacent film is Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums , where Luke Wilson plays Richie Tenenbaum, a tennis prodigy who loves his adopted sister Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow).

Final Set , a 2020 French sports drama, follows the story of Thomas (Alex Lutz), a former tennis prodigy, who decides to compete at the qualifying rounds of the French Open one last time.

Break Point

Break Point , a 2014 comedy, features Jeremy Sisto and David Walton as estranged brothers and doubles partners who try to play at a grand slam one more time.

Love Means Zero

Tennis coach Nick Bollettieri is the subject of Love Means Zero , a fascinating documentary about the price of winning. As Showtime notes, "No other coach has matched his success, his dominance or his fame. His greatness, though, came at a terrible price - broken marriages, financial ruin and a fractured relationship with his surrogate son and most cherished student, Andre Agassi."

The Witches of Eastwick

When you think "tennis movie," we doubt you think Witches of Eastwick , but hear us out, because the tennis scene from the 1987 film is so iconic and pivotal it had to be included.

Andy Murray: Resurfacing

This documentary follows Andy Murray's journey through his injuries and chronic pain and attempts to play tennis again. It's really all-access to Murray, and follows him in hospitals and rehab and training.

Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday

Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot , released as Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday in the U.S., is a 1953 French film that features the bumbling adventures of Monsieur Hulot (Jacques Tati), who vacations at a French beachside hotel, causing chaos in his wake. The tennis scene is a classic.

The Squid and the Whale

Director Noah Baumbach's breakout film follows two boys dealing with their parents' divorce. The very first scene features the family playing tennis, and their mom, Joan, begins dating their tennis instructor. While ultimately more family drama than tennis movie, still worth a watch.

John McEnroe's career is traced in this 2022 documentary, which features interviews with Patty Smyth, Keith Richards, Billie Jean King, Bj örn Borg, and more. McEnroe was also filmed and interviewed for the documentary, where he wrestles with his "bad boy" legacy.

Challengers

Or maybe just go watch Challengers again in theaters. (It's not streaming yet , but when it does, it'll be on Prime Video!)

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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