asian travel movie

7 Absolutely Fun Time Travel Asian Dramas You Should Watch

Time travel stories are universally loved around the world! Hollywood is overflowing with them: the famed Back to the Future series, sci-fi films like Star Trek and X-Men , or rom-coms such as Hugh Jackman’s Kate & Leopold . Time travel Asian dramas have also grown popular.

My favorite aspect of these time-bending tales is the fish-out-of-water fun ensuing when a person deals with the inevitable time-shock from visiting the past or the future.

RELATED: The Scribe of Siena – Outlander Fans Will Enjoy this Time Travel Romance

Time travel stories are especially perfect for the romance genre. After all, it brings out the angsty and heart-rending idea that time is literally opposing two people from being together. Over the years I’ve seen many Korean/Chinese variations of time-travel romances – so now I can share seven exciting, crazy and fun time travel Asian dramas!

Update: We updated streaming availability in July 2019.

7 Fun and Romantic Time Travel Asian Dramas

(in alphabetical order), 1. bu bu jing xin.

Other Titles: Scarlet Heart, Startling by Each Step

Country: China

Synopsis: Zhang Xiao didn’t ask to be transported back to the Xing Dynasty. But after a terrible accident, she awakens in the body of a girl named Ruo Xi.

Set during the 18 th century of Emperor Kangxi’s reign, Ruo Xi becomes entangled in a battle for the throne amongst Kangxi’s many sons. Will Ruo Xi fall for the kind, quiet 8 th prince destined to die early or the enigmatic, intense 4 th Prince who will take his father’s throne no matter the cost?

Why You Should Check It Out: This extremely popular Chinese time travel drama is gorgeously filmed, subtly acted, and epically dramatic.

Ruo Xi is a likable heroine and her struggles feel relatable as she strives to fit in the harsh royal palace. This is definitely more of an angsty drama with a gray storyline that refuses to define any characters as merely good or bad.

The rain scene with Ruo Xi kneeling outside and 4 th prince covering her with his cloak is one of many striking scenes in the drama and my favorite. What’s not to love in this reverse harem drama?

Where You Can Find It: Viki, DVD.

Other Titles: The Great Doctor

Country: Korea

Synopsis: When Queen Noguk is gravely wounded, King Gongmin sends his best warrior, Choi Young, through a mysterious portal into what they believe is “heaven” in search of a heavenly doctor.

Choi Young finds Dr. Yoo Eun-Soo a plastic surgeon and takes her back to the past. Yoo Eun-Soo becomes trapped in the past until the portal opens again. But with a hunky warrior love interest and deadly political enemies after her, will she be able to return?

Why You Should Check It Out: Faith is a super fun, exciting romp set during the 14 th century of Korea with sword fights, intense political intrigue, poisoning baddies, and more.

I loved both of the romantic love stories with spunky Eun-Soo and stoic Choi Young and between the arranged marriage of Queen Noguk and King Gongmin.

I love the acting choices and feel like each actor suited his/her role. My biggest fault with this drama was the baddies could’ve been more menacing. And a few anticlimactic fight scenes left me wanting more.

However, I love the characters and romance in this drama and have re-watched my favorite scenes more times than I will admit!

Where You Can Find It: Viki. You can also buy on Amazon Video or DVD.

3. Jade Palace Lock Heart

Synopsis: Luo Qingchuan is a sweet, history-loving girl who accidentally gets transported in time to the 18 th century during Emperor Kangxi’s reign. She gets caught in a love triangle between the 4 th and 8 th prince. Will she choose the man with all the power or the prince who won’t survive for long?

Why You Should Check It Out: Okay, so yes this is almost the exact same story as Bu Bu Jing Xin. Only Palace feels like night and day difference as it’s a much zanier, light-hearted fare.

This version, though, is pretty manic and exaggerated. And worse there aren’t as many princes who fall for Quingchan! Honestly, I watched this drama for Feng Shaofeng who is adorable even as he plays the often self-centered 8 th Prince.

This one definitely has more laughs and cheerful moments than Bu Bu Jing Xin . And amazingly enough, it does end happily. Now, how did they pull that off?

Where You Can Find It : Currently Unavailable

4. Queen In-Hyun’s Man

Synopsis: Kim Boong-Do is a young nobleman in the 17th century, protecting the deposed Queen In-Hyun. A friend gives Boong-Do a protection charm and Boong-Do is magically transported to modern Korea anytime he’s in life-threatening danger.

There he meets Choi Hee-Jin, a struggling actress, and a relationship starts to blossom. Can they truly be together, though? Or will fate intervene?

Why You Should Check It Out: Oh my goodness, this is probably my number one choice for an entertaining, romantic time travel drama!!

Queen In-Hyun’s Man is a wonderful blend of intense historical drama and light, breezy rom-com. The story bounces back and forth between the 17 th century with the scholar Kim Boong-Do and in modern times with adorable, spunky actress Choi Hee-Jin, yet never feels unbalanced.

The romantic chemistry is absolutely crackling in this drama and leaves us with a PERFECT couple.

Where You Can Find It: DVD

5. Rooftop Prince

Synopsis: The Crown Prince of Joseon desperately searches for his wife’s killer along with three loyal servants and gets transported into the future. He meets Park Ha and ends up staying at her apartment with his three servants.

Things complicate when the Crown Prince is mistaken for a rich business heir and he finds a girl who may be the reincarnation of his wife. Will he be able to untangle this mystery? And before he falls in love with Park Ha?

Why You Should Check It Out: This is a hilarious, off-beat time travel drama that totally won me over with its cute and crazy fish-out-of-water story.

The Crown Prince and his three buddies are absolutely golden, reacting to modern-day wonders such as zippers on jackets and TV.

Sadly, the show turned more melodramatic in the second half almost transforming into an office drama. The super-cute romance between Park Ha and the Crown Prince kept me around even with all the reincarnations going on which left viewers with some ambiguous moments near the end.

I’ve re-watched Episode Two a handful of times and it doesn’t fail to put a smile on my face.

Where You Can Find It: Viki, DVD

6. Splash Splash Love

Other Titles: Splish Splash Love

Synopsis: Dan Bi has been prepping for her college aptitude test but stress forces her to not show up for the test. She ends up slipping through time to the 15 th century where a young King Sejong rules.

She helps the king who has an unquestionable thirst for science and it’s not long before serious romantic feelings start brewing. But Dan Bi has to return to her home and her mom who’s waiting for her…

Why You Should Check It Out: With only two episodes, Splash Splash Love is more like a delightful 2-hour movie. Hilarious, emotional and unabashedly romantic, this drama blew past my expectations and left me with a lot of happy feels.

Dan Bi and the king bring together a fun if not adorable romance. Everything came together perfectly, including the secondary characters. This is a K-drama at its sweetest and finest.

Where You Can Find It: Viki

7. Time Slip Dr. Jin

Other Titles: Dr. Jin

Synopsis: Jin Hyuk is an extremely skilled doctor with a pretty girlfriend. But life takes a turn when his girlfriend gets in an accident and Jin Hyuk gets transported to the 19 th century.

There he associates with a nobleman who turns out to be the future Royal Prince Regent and an idealist girl who might be the reincarnation of his girlfriend. This doctor has his hands full of plagues, sicknesses, rudimentary medical tools and war brewing in the air.

Why You Should Check It Out: The pros of this time travel drama – a look at a fascinating time during the Joseon dynasty in the late 1800s with the 1871 Battle of Ganghwa with American forces, early persecution of Catholics, and the rise of the Prince Regent Heungseon into power.

However, the drama itself is manic and confusing with really no resolution by the end. The main leads are boring and difficult to empathize with. But the supporting cast fascinates with the clever, multi-layered Prince Regent, the charming lady Gisaeng (similar to a geisha), the angsty, tortured police captain and his best friend who’s secretly a rebellion leader.

Sadly, the ridiculous and unbelievable overshadows much of the good in this drama. But overall, it’s still a fun watch.

Where You Can Find It : Tubi

Do any of these Asian time travel dramas interest you? Have you seen another time travel drama you loved or hated? I’d love to hear about it!

ARE YOU A ROMANCE FAN? FOLLOW THE SILVER PETTICOAT REVIEW:

MORE TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE:

Go Back Spouses K-drama Review – A Fun Heartfelt Time Travel Story

Faith has always enjoyed movies and TV shows from swoon-worthy period dramas to heart-stopping action-adventure flicks. Her love of Korean dramas started a few years ago when she binge-watched a 62 episode period K-drama and fell in love. She also has a passion for writing stories. Even as a young teenager she entertained her sisters with episodic superhero adventures. Now she spends her time working, blogging, sewing, juggling several novels, and watching her favorite shows, mainly K-dramas. You can visit her blog at: www.justwaytooboss.blogspot.com

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12 thoughts on “7 Absolutely Fun Time Travel Asian Dramas You Should Watch”

Thanks for this lovely list! I’m watching Bu Bu Jing Xin, even though I’m not good at handling unhappy endings, because my friend told me it doesn’t end there. Apparently in the sequel, Bu Bu Jing Qing (scarlet heart 2), things look up for our main couple. It’s also cute that the leads are a couple in real life (Nicky Wu and Cecilia Liu)! I plan to watch Queen In-Hyun’s Man soon! And one day, Rooftop Prince too.

You’re welcome! Yes, that’s true – I’d forgotten about that but Scarlet Heart 2 came out in 2014 so there is hope for the main couple! And it is adorable that they became a real life couple after doing two dramas together. 😀 I’m certain you’ll love Queen In-Hyun’s Man and Rooftop Prince is super funny!

The unnecessary unhappy ending of Rooftop Prince spoiled it for me

Can you give me a recommendation about historical drama?

Absolutely! For period dramas, my personal favorite is A Tree With Deep Roots . The story is riveting with assassins of a secret organization trying to stop the king from creating a Korean alphabet (and thus changing society by allowing everyone a chance to read). The main hero is out for revenge against the king as well. This drama is intense and addictive from beginning to the end. It’s only 24 episodes, so not too long.

Queen Seondeok would be my second favorite. This one is 62 episodes, so its extremely long, but its an epic story of a girl becoming a queen without a husband. Plus she’s surrounded by handsome loyal bodyguards (who make up the supporting characters). 😀

Other recommendations: Arang and the Magistrate (fantasy/historical. It really feels like a fairy tale.) The Princess’ Man (fantastic quality, super intense but great acting) Three Musketeers (wonderful balance of drama, humor, adventure and danger) Empress Ki (51 episodes but Ha Ji-Won is a wonderful actress and really sells the story of a young woman who becomes the queen of a foreign country) I’m also currently watching Jackpot (also known as Daebak) which is a beautifully shot drama. I’m loving the bromance between the main hero and the young prince.

These sound fun, especially Splash, Splash Love 🙂

Splash Splash Love is definitely a favorite of mine!

The list is incomplete without the KDrama “Nine: Nine Times Time Travel”. Please do not miss out on it ^^

I was looking for that!

Thank you :))

This list seriously needs the drama Go Princess Go I recommend it to everyone who <3 comedy romance time travel period dramas

I saw a Chinese tv series but only what could catch in episodes. female thief tries on empress dress and female bounty hunter shows tries capture her and they fight over a jade headrest go back in time . thief disguises herself as guy and bounty is mistaken for some rebels dead wife. I do not the name of the show.. but odd dramedy. spoiler alert , thief and her male lover return present time , he on top tourist bus and she at forbidden city . bounty hunter remains back in time with her love .

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You need to watch the most thrilling South Korean time-travel movie on Netflix ASAP

If you’re tired of simple causality loops, this time travel show will up the difficulty — and the drama.

If you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to time travel paradoxes, the South Korean drama Sisyphus will change your tune. It stands out against the zombie-oriented roster of South Korean sci-fi with intricate time loops that follow a figure crucial to the creation of time travel. It’s a thought-provoking and emotional journey that involves a tangle of relationships crisscrossing through time.

Set in a dystopian near future after a nuclear apocalypse, people can transport themselves back in time at a steep price. Gang Seo-hae (Park Shin-Hye) goes back to save Han Tae-sul (Cho Sueng-Woo), the engineer who would invent time travel and make this whole process possible to begin with.

THE RULES OF TIME TRAVEL is an Inverse special issue exploring the evolution of science fiction's most imaginative sub-genre. From Marty McFly to Avengers: Endgame .

While the technology isn’t fully explained, it’s a departure from the typical wormhole or quantum nonsense that most sci-fi movies use to handwave away their time shenanigans. Here, in the tough post-apocalyptic world Seo-hae comes from, people “download” themselves into the past via a process that relies on the FOS protein, which governs the body’s biometric clock.

If the download fails — and it often does — it causes a messy error. Because of the danger, most people who take the risk are fueled by the desire to fix something they regret. This emotional drive is one of the main threads of the series, and it creates a time loop that unravels as the story progresses. That raises a question: Does time travel uphold the timeline, or is time susceptible to changes based on our whims?

The former is like Terminator, the latter is like the branching paths of Marvel’s multiverse. Sisyphus takes a different approach, where the future is an echo of a mutable past. There are no parallel universes, and every moment is constantly in flux. This results in time loops overwriting each other, and it’s thrilling to figure out which loop the current story rests on.

While the setting of the series gives the characters more freedom to change their fate, this only works if they can outwit the enemy. Seo-hae and Tae-sul are up against Sigma, a mysterious man who monopolizes the time travel business in the present and future through his vast wealth and knowledge of the past.

But the most intriguing aspect of this time travel technology is that the downloaded future version of a person is considered a copy. The copy can’t get too close to the original, because two files can’t exist in the same space at the same time. This leads to the paradox of one copy being erased and adds an extra level of danger for all time travelers.

The name of the series might seem disconnected, but the Greek myth of Sisyphus, who cheated dying twice and was sentenced by Zeus to roll a boulder up the same hill every day, ties to the core of the plot. It’s a reflection of the Möbius strip the characters are trapped in, trying to use time travel to break the cycle even as time travel is what got them stuck in the first place.

The series makes for a good binge, even if the ending doesn’t quite live up to the twists and turns that it takes to arrive there. But what’s more important are the surprisingly thought-provoking questions it raises about how we see ourselves and how we try to change the world we occupy.

Sisyphus is streaming on Netflix .

This article was originally published on May 13, 2022

• Science Fiction

The 15 Best Korean Sci-Fi Movies Of All Time

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Korean cinema has been a formidable force in the film industry for decades, offering a unique perspective on the art of storytelling. From heart-wrenching dramas to thought-provoking thrillers, Korean filmmakers have a talent for captivating audiences and pushing the boundaries of traditional cinema. In recent years, however, a new genre has emerged in Korean cinema: science fiction. These films take the creativity and innovation that Korean cinema is known for and elevate it to new heights, exploring the limitless possibilities of the future and showcasing the incredible talent of Korean filmmakers.

Science fiction has always been a genre that challenges our imagination and forces us to confront complex ideas and concepts. In the hands of Korean filmmakers, this genre takes on an entirely new dimension. With an eye for detail and a commitment to telling stories that are both thought-provoking and entertaining, Korean sci-fi movies offer a fresh take on the genre that will leave you on the edge of your seat. These films are not just about futuristic technology and special effects; they delve into deep philosophical and existential questions about humanity and the future of our world.

Related: Best South Korean Fantasy Movies, Ranked

The themes explored in Korean sci-fi films range from the impact of technology on society to the consequences of environmental degradation and the ethics of scientific discovery. These movies often challenge our preconceived notions about the world, making us question the limits of what is possible and inspiring us to think critically about the future.

Korean cinema has made a name for itself as a leader in the world of science fiction. With its unique blend of creativity, innovation, and thought-provoking themes, Korean sci-fi movies offer something for everyone. Whether you're a fan of the genre or just looking for a great movie, this is a list you won't want to miss. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to explore the limitless possibilities of Korean sci-fi.

Describe the following movies as entries on the same list in 200 words each. Talk about the movie, the storyline, the sci-fi elements, what makes it one of the best. Keep the tone engaging. Do not be repetitive with each description. Use a different and unique start and structure with each description. Be creative. Be detailed.

15 2009: Lost Memories (2002)

2009: Lost Memories is a powerful and captivating film that tells the story of a world divided by time. In a future where time travel is possible, two versions of the same city exist: one in the present and one in the past . The film follows a detective as he travels between the two cities in a desperate attempt to uncover the truth about a mysterious group with the power to control time. The sci-fi elements in this film are expertly woven into the narrative, creating a world that is both believable and fantastical. The film's themes of time, memory, and identity make it a thought-provoking journey that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

14 Save The Green Planet! (2003)

Save The Green Planet! is a hilarious and unique take on the classic sci-fi trope of alien invasion. The film follows a young man who is convinced that aliens are behind the world's problems and sets out to save the planet. The film's unique blend of humor and sci-fi creates a wild ride that will have you laughing one moment and on the edge of your seat the next. The film's clever commentary on the human condition, combined with its imaginative world-building, makes it one of the best sci-fi comedies of all time.

13 The Host (2006)

The Host is a heart-wrenching and suspenseful film about a family's fight for survival in a world under attack . When a mysterious monster begins to wreak havoc in Seoul, a family must band together to rescue their daughter from its clutches. The film's expertly crafted suspense, combined with its touching portrayal of family dynamics, make it a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of love, sacrifice, and the importance of family are universal and will resonate with audiences long after the credits have rolled.

12 Aachi & Ssipak (2006)

Aachi & Ssipak is a wild and wacky film that takes place in a futuristic world where people are powered by sugar. The film follows two unlikely heroes as they navigate a world filled with danger and adventure in their quest for the ultimate sugar high. The film's imaginative world-building, combined with its over-the-top humor, make it a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of friendship and the importance of following your dreams make it a fun and uplifting adventure that will leave you feeling inspired.

11 Young Gun in the Time (2012)

Young Gun in the Time is a thrilling adventure that takes audiences on a journey through time. The film follows a young man as he travels back in time to save his girlfriend and prevent a catastrophic event that threatens the future. The film's imaginative take on time travel, combined with its high-stakes action, make it a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of love, sacrifice, and the importance of making the right choices make it a thought-provoking and emotionally charged journey that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

Related: 9 South Korean Movies That Will Disturb You For Days

10 Doomsday Book (2012)

Doomsday Book is a thought-provoking film that explores the possible consequences of humanity's actions in a future world. The film tells three interconnected stories, each set in a different future, that paint a picture of a world on the brink of disaster. The film's expertly crafted storytelling, combined with its thought-provoking themes, make it a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of the impact of technology on society, environmental degradation, and the ethics of scientific discovery make it a film that will challenge your perceptions of the world and inspire you to think critically about the future.

9 Flu (2013)

Flu is a suspenseful and action-packed film that takes place in a world under attack from a deadly virus. The film follows a group of survivors as they navigate the dangers of a world on the brink of collapse in their quest for a cure. The film's expertly crafted suspense, combined with its thought-provoking themes, make it a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of the importance of teamwork and the dangers of fear and prejudice make it a film that will leave you on the edge of your seat and inspire you to reflect on the world around you.

8 SORI: Voice from the Heart (2016)

SORI: Voice from the Heart is a moving and emotionally charged film that tells the story of a world in which machines have replaced humans as the dominant species. The film follows a father as he searches for his daughter in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction. The film's touching portrayal of love and loss, combined with its imaginative world-building, make it a must-see for fans of the genre . The film's themes of the importance of family and the dangers of technology make it a film that will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the world around you.

7 Okja (2017)

Okja is a heartwarming film that takes audiences on a journey of adventure, friendship, and activism. The film follows a young girl named Mija as she sets out on a mission to rescue her best friend, a genetically engineered "super pig" named Okja, from the clutches of a powerful corporation. With its compelling storyline and captivating characters, this film is a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of animal rights, environmental activism, and the power of friendship make it a film that will warm your heart and inspire you to fight for what's right. With its breathtaking cinematography, awe-inspiring action sequences, and touching moments of friendship , Okja is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

Related: Netflix Original Movie Review: Okja Is the Must See Film of the Summer

6 The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion (2018)

The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion is a captivating film that tells the story of a young woman who sets out on a journey to uncover the truth about her past and the mysterious organization that holds the key to her memories. With its intriguing storyline, imaginative world-building, and spellbinding performances, this film is a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of identity, memory, and the dangers of power make it a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you with more questions than answers.

5 The Call (2020)

The Call is a thrilling film that explores the consequences of time travel and the power of fate. The film follows a young woman as she journeys back in time to prevent a catastrophic event that threatens the future. With its fast-paced action and thought-provoking themes, this film is a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of sacrifice, destiny, and the importance of making the right choices make it a film that will leave you on the edge of your seat and inspire you to think critically.

4 Seobok: Project Clone (2021)

Seobok: Project Clone is a heartwarming film that tells the story of a former intelligence agent who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. The movie sees him living in isolation, but as the story progresses, he meets Seo Bok, a human clone. The two form a unique bond, thus changing the dynamics of their lives altogether. With its touching portrayal of friendship and its imaginative world-building, this film is a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of family, friendship, and the importance of hope make it a film that will warm your heart and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the world around you.

3 Space Sweepers

Space Sweepers is a thrilling adventure that takes audiences on a journey through the final frontier. The film follows a rag-tag crew of space junk collectors as they stumble upon a dangerous and valuable discovery that could change the fate of the universe. With its action-packed storytelling and imaginative world-building, this film is a must-see for fans of the genre. The film's themes of teamwork, courage, and the importance of hope make it a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat and inspire you to look up at the stars.

Related: The Best Korean Thriller Series on Netflix, Ranked

2 Alienoid (2022)

Alienoid is a chilling film that tells the story of a world under siege by an alien invasion . The film follows a small group of survivors as they fight to stay alive and uncover the truth behind the alien attack. With its suspenseful storytelling and imaginative world-building, this film is a must-see for fans who love a good alien movie. the visuals are absolutely stunning, and the depiction of otherworldly creatures makes it a great entry into the sci-fi genre. The film's themes of survival, bravery, and the power of the human spirit make it a film that will leave you on the edge of your seat and inspire you to never give up.

1 The Witch: Part 2 The Other One (2022)

The Witch: Part 2 The Other One is a spellbinding film that continues the story of the young woman from The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion . While the first film in the series left many questions unanswered, the second installment does a fantastic job and diving straight into the intrigue. The film delves deeper into the mysterious organization and the power that holds the key to her memories. With its imaginative storytelling and thought-provoking themes, this film is a must-see for fans of the genre. Kim Dal-Mi delivers an outstanding performance as the titular character, exploring her range of acting with immense skill. The film's themes of magic, mystery, and the importance of uncovering the truth make it a film that will leave you spellbound and eager for more.

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The 20 best time travel k-dramas, ranked.

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• Time travel in K-dramas elevates romantic stories, solving crimes or creating epic romances separated by centuries.
• The best time travel K-dramas cleverly use the trope to tell captivating stories with unique twists and engaging narratives.
• From romantic to historical to political intrigue, time travel shows in Korean television offer diverse and compelling storylines.

The idea of traveling through time is a powerful storytelling tool popularized by Hollywood movies, anime series, and the best time travel K-dramas . For K-dramas, the past often involves the Joseon era, riddled with political distress, turmoil, and drama. In some cases, K-dramas get creative and use time travel to solve crimes, like a heinous murder from the past, or with clues unraveling through time. In others, time travel is the narrative catalyst for an epic romance story of lovers separated by centuries.

Not surprisingly, many of the best K-dramas involving time travel use the concept to elevate romantic stories with a sci-fi or fantasy twist. In fact, this happens so much that K-drama audiences largely agree that it's become an overused plot device. That said, whether they are mainly romantic, detective, or historical K-dramas , there are dozens that cleverly use time travel to continue telling captivating stories, and the best time travel K-dramas use the trope to tell some of the most unique stories on the small screen.

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20 My Perfect Stranger

Released in 2023, my perfect stranger (2023).

• Available to stream on KOCOWA

When the two cross paths, they find that maybe their time traveling, and their lives, are actually linked to one another.

While most Korean dramas involving time traveling only see one character do the actual time traveling, My Perfect Stranger takes a risk in making both of its main characters time travelers . One does so on purpose though, while the other does not, which is where much of the intrigue comes from.

Hae Jun (Kim Dong Wook) is a journalist investigating a serial murder case who discovers a time machine and uses it to follow his own investigation. Yoon Young (Jin Ki Joo) discovers her mother dead and is then struck by a car, waking up in the same time that Hae Jun traveled to. As is true for many time travelers, they become trapped instead of able to travel between times. When the two cross paths, they find that maybe their time traveling, and their lives, are actually linked to one another.

Released In 2017

Tunnel (2017).

• Available to stream on Roku

Instead of traveling to the past, Tunnel is a time travel K-drama that takes the audience to the future - in a manner of speaking. The present-day of the story is actually 1985 in which a string of murders are being investigated. When the detective (Choi Jin Hyuk) pursuing a lead runs after a suspect through a tunnel, he’s hit in the head and ends up 30 years in the future.

The murder mystery element of the series is inspired by a real string of serial killings in Korea, but the story is very much fictional. While the show presents itself as a murder mystery with a time-travel element, there’s also a romantic subplot and a family at the center of the story that makes it a drama that really shines. Incredibly popular outside of South Korea as well, Tunnel has been adapted for Thai television and an Indonesian remake is in development.

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18 Familiar Wife

Released in 2018, familiar wife (2018).

A married man (Ji-Sung) with two kids is unhappy in his life. He’s depressed, hates his wife, and is unsatisfied at work. If he had only made different choices in his youth, he might have had a happier life. After traveling through a toll booth and losing control of his car, he winds up in the past and is able to change some of those decisions.

This is one time travel series that doesn't confine the protagonist to one time. Able to travel back and forth between the past and the present, he’s able to see how his different decisions have big outcomes later in life. It’s a similar concept to something like Sliding Doors but with many small changes to help someone understand their path in life. The music truly helps set the stage in the series as well with the soundtrack being nominated at the Korea Drama Awards.

Released In 2021

Times (2021).

• Available to stream on Rakuten Viki

Times isn’t a traditional time travel K-drama in which one character is transported to another time period completely. Instead, the time travel is a result of a phone line that is able to traverse timelines. Several series have used similar ideas, often with the use of radios instead of phones, with varying degrees of success.

Two journalists, one in 2015 and one in 2020, connect over the use of the same phone line. Initially, they work together to prevent the death of one of their fathers, but while investigating, they uncover a conspiracy that involves time travel and corrupt politicians. The series is definitely a unique take among the time travel shows created for Korean television, which usually focus on history and a romantic subplot instead of political intrigue. While the series didn't reach widespread acclaim, star Lee Joo-young was nominated for Best New Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

16 Tomorrow With You

Tomorrow with you (2017).

While Tomorrow With You does use romance like most time travel K-dramas do, it also has a unique idea for the time travel itself. While most Korean time travel shows involve time traveling by accident, the main character in Tomorrow With You can decide to travel in time. It’s also done so while traveling the subway instead of falling through a portal or suffering a life-threatening injury in order to do it.

Yoo So-Joon (Lee Je-Hoon) takes on time-traveling adventures when he discovers that Ma-Rin (Shin Min-A) and he are linked by a tragic accident in the future. Intrigued by her, he decides to save both her and himself. He believes that he can change their fates thanks to his ability, but he has to figure out just how they are connected. He resolves to marry her in order to make sure, and they become truly linked as he falls in love.

15 The Best Hit

The best hit (2017).

In The Best Hit, 1993 K-pop idol Yoo Hyun-Jae (Yoon Shi-yoon) gets accidentally transported to 2017, discovers that he is presumed dead after he disappeared in 1994, and investigates why he traveled through time. He does all this while struggling with living in the future, of course. Meanwhile, Hyun-Jae's biological son, Lee Ji-Hoon (Kim Min-jae), is secretly training to become an idol himself and is even enrolled in Star Punch Entertainment's program - while making his parents believe that he's studying for the civil service exams.

Also known as Hit the Top , and Best Punch , The Best Hit is an underrated gem in the world of the best time travel K-dramas. It's also an interesting way for the audience to get a look at what it takes to become a pop idol. Some of the stars of the series are also popular musicians. Kim Min-jae, for example, is also a rap artist and was nominated for the Best New Actor award at the Seoul Awards following the debut of the show.

14 Sisyphus: The Myth

Sisyphus: the myth (2021).

• Available to stream on Netflix

The storyline introduces a character who travels from the future to his current time.

This 2021 Netflix K-drama has some serious Terminator vibes to it, but it's full of good laughs, color, and drama. Han Tae-Sul (Cho Seung-woo) is a talented engineer who is determined to uncover the real reason behind his older brother's murder. If that wasn't enough, the storyline introduces a character who travels from the future to his current time. In the future, the world is dominated by gangs and military cliques. Survival entails having serious combat skills, and Gang Seo-Hae (Park Shin-Hye) is just the right warrior.

She travels back in time to help Tae-Sul on his dangerous journey after learning key evidence about his brother's death. What's interesting is that the series doesn't focus solely on the one-way time travel trip, but insists that the two main characters are responsible for breaking a time loop. Some critics disliked that Sisyphus: The Myth breaks its own established rules about time traveling, but it certainly keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

13 Splash Splash Love

Released in 2015, splash splash love (2015).

Splash Splash Love is one of those K-dramas that combine time travel with romance . In the television series, a high-school student gets transported to 15th-century Korea. She soon meets the young king of the kingdom who wants to learn more about mathematics. Thankfully, the heroine of the show is a patient teacher who is more than willing to tutor the King.

Splash Splash Love is a quick and easy watch as it is one of the shortest K-dramas out there, with only two episodes. This is part of why the show has near-perfect pacing and ranks among the best time travel K-dramas. It was originally broadcast as a 10-part webseries on Naver TV Cast. Its popularity led to it being edited into two hour-long episodes, so binging it is really like watching a movie.

12 Rooftop Prince

Released in 2012, rooftop prince (2012).

Rooftop Prince has a lot of storylines to process, but they're well worth it. The titular protagonist is a prince who wakes up in present-day 2012, even though he's actually from the Korean Joseon dynasty/era . The crown prince and his two confidants find themselves on the rooftop of Park-ha's (Han Ji-min) home. After the prince realizes he's time-traveled 300 years into the future, he also sees the long-lost sister of Park-ha - who is the spitting image of his late wife who drowned.

The prince is convinced he will find the answers to his past in 2012 and poses as the grandson of a powerful CEO, who in reality was killed by another family member. Both the characters of the past and the characters of the present have intense backstories and the series leans into the soap-opera-like aspects of those. It works in the show's favor, as the series has become even more popular outside of Korea than in its home. It is most popular in Japan and China.

K-dramas like Love & Leashes are full of passion and romance, but what are some other similarly hot and steamy K-drama series?

11 The King: Eternal Monarch

Released in 2020, the king: eternal monarch (2020).

Not only does The King: Eternal Monarch have a phenomenal female lead in Jeong Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun), but it's also full of riveting action, features a unique story of parallel worlds, and is also one of the unique time travel K-Dramas available on Netflix. In the show, there are two co-existing realities: present-day South Korea and the Kingdom of Corea.

The current king of Corea witnessed his father's murder as a child at the hands of his uncle. When he discovers a doorway to the parallel world and present-day South Korea, he also discovers that his uncle has been traveling between the two worlds and trying to raise his own army. The king must stop his uncle, but along the way, he learns the truth about the mysterious figure who once saved his life and finds he must travel to a moment in the past. The series explores the idea of a single moment in time altering someone's whole reality.

10 Queen In-Hyun's Man

Queen in-hyun's man (2012).

A Joseon Dynasty scholar meets an aspiring actress in the year 2012 in the political and romantic Korean drama , Queen In-Hyun's Man, one of the best time travel K-dramas. In 1694, a noble-born scholar is the only survivor after his family was murdered, but there's a bigger story at play while he supports the reinstatement of the deposed queen and there's a conspiracy involving a royal concubine. Due to a magical talisman, he time travels 300 years into the future and meets an actress who he has a connection with.

What makes the rom-com elements of the scholar from the past meeting the actress from the future is that the actress, so far, is not a household name. instead, her big break is about to be playing Queen In-Hyun, the very woman the scholar is a supporter of.

Faith (2012)

The time travel K-drama Faith follows the story of a plastic surgeon who gets transported to 14th-century Goryeo. She soon learns that a royal guard warrior was the reason why she was brought back more than 600 years into the past. The royal guard begs the plastic surgeon to help their injured queen. However, the plastic surgeon has actually caught feelings for her kidnapper.

Faith is considered one of the better time travel and fantasy-themed romance K-dramas thanks to the stellar performances of the actors, as well as the detailed story that shines a light on Korean history and mythology. It's also got a multi-layered title. While the literal translation of the title is "faith" as in "belief in justice," the Hanja lettering (Chinese letters used to write Korean) actually means "divine doctor," allowing the audience to understand that both terms are important to the long-term storyline of the show.

8 Nine: Nine Time Travels

Released in 2013, nine: nine time travels (2013).

In the time travel K-drama Nine: Nine Time Travels , Park Sun-woo (Lee Jin-wook) discovers nine incense sticks that could take him back 20 years in time. He uses his time in the past to save his family, who have been victims of a terrible tragedy. However, he needs to be extra careful when he goes back in time, as he can only do it nine times - the twist that makes Nine: Nine one of the best time travel K-dramas. Park soon finds out that whatever he changes in the past also resonates and affects his present life.

The K-drama was nominated for several awards across Korea for its great cast and romantic storyline, including snagging nominations at the Korean Drama Awards and the Baeksang Arts Awards. It also became popular outside of Korea, broadcast on television in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The Smile will definitely Leave Your Eyes with these shocking and heartbreaking K-Drama plot twists.

7 Go Back Couple

Go back couple (2017).

Inspired by a webtoon called Do It One More Time , Go Back Couple (also simply called Go Back in some regions) is a Korean miniseries where a couple wishes that they never met each other. They have both become unhappy and exhausted with their marriage and wish they could have changed their unhappiness at the seeming source of all of their problems - meeting each other. The couple soon finds that they've reverted to their 20-year-old selves, faced with trying to make decisions that will make their future selves happy and satisfied.

The show features plenty of funny and heartwarming moments that will make viewers swoon — and an ending that will surely tug at the heartstrings of every long-time K-drama viewer. After its broadcast, the series was nominated for a slew of KBS Drama Awards, picking up two, one for Best Couple for the lead actors in Son Ho-jun and Jang Na-ra, and Excellence Award for Actress in a Miniseries for Jan Na-ra.

6 Chicago Typewriter

Chicago typewriter (2017).

• Currently unavailable to stream

Out of the most compelling and best time travel K-dramas (as well as general fantasy K-Dramas ), Chicago Typewriter is the only one that's about reincarnation rather than strictly about traveling through time. Three resistance fighters from the 1930s Japanese occupation of Korea find themselves in a new time period, but not because of mysterious scientific machines or magical objects. Instead, the three are reincarnated as a writer, a fan, and a ghostwriter.

Switching between the 1930s and the 21st century, these three characters start to see parallels between both time periods. As they start to uncover the truth behind their pasts, they worry about how it might affect their present. K-drama fans tired of the same old romantic comedy fare will love the truly unique story elements of Chicago Typewriter. The series was also filmed on location around Seoul, South Korea, so fans will enjoy picking out the real sites.

Released In 2016

Signal (2016).

• Available to stream on Paramount+

Signal has a storyline that not many shows have explored, but it works wonders in enthralling its audience. The outstanding police procedural K-drama is also a thriller, as it was inspired by real-life crime stories and a murder case, and the show interweaves two different timelines. The series pulls inspiration from the time travel aspect of the movie Frequency and the real-life Hwaseong serial murders in Korea.

While investigating a case, a cold case profiler discovers a walkie-talkie from the year 1989. He deduces that the walkie-talkie transcends time and allows him to communicate with a detective from 1989 for a short period of time. Together, they use their knowledge to stop heinous crimes from ever occurring — a unique concept that cements Signal 's status among the best time travel K-dramas.

4 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Moon lovers: scarlet heart ryeo (2016).

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is inarguably one of the most talked-about time travel K-dramas (as well as being a remake) . It has everything from time travel and romance to drama and political intrigue, not to mention some of the most heart-wrenching scenes.

Be wary of total solar eclipses, as that is what is responsible for a 25-year-old woman (IU) living in the 21st century being transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty. Waking up in a new identity, she is among the royal princes of the Wang family. While she initially finds herself falling for a kind-hearted prince, she is soon pulled in by the brooding and dark fourth prince, and the dynasty's political bickering. She ends up right in the middle of the power struggle of the different princes.

K-dramas are full of strong female lead characters who go against tropes and fight for justice. These are the best times they were total bosses.

3 Life on Mars

Life on mars (2018).

It's evident that among the best time travel K-dramas, the use of time anomalies is a common trope for crime stories, but the detective drama Life on Mars stands out for being truly unpredictable. Adapted from a British drama, Life on Mars follows the cop Han Tae-Joo (Jung Kyoung-Ho), who is investigating what seems to be an ordinary murder case in 2018 — until he wakes up in 1987. In order to get back to 2018, he needs to solve a murder in 1987 first.

Life on Mars ' premise is simple enough, but its hilarious script, fast-paced mysteries, and astounding reveals make it a well-rounded series that's equally enjoyable for both first-time and long-time K-drama viewers. The series also won for Best Adaptation Of An Existing Format at the Asian Academy Creative Awards in 2018.

2 Live Up To Your Name

Live up to your name (2017).

True to its title, Live Up To Your Name leverages its romance and fantasy elements.

Some of the best K-dramas don't really offer anything new to the genre - but instead build on traditional tropes to arrive at a truly compelling, inspiring, and relatable story. This is the case with Live Up To Your Name , in which the greatest male acupuncturist of the Joseon era travels 400 years into the future , striking a tense and sometimes clashing romance with a brilliant and gorgeous female doctor from 2017. True to its title, Live Up To Your Name leverages its romance and fantasy elements to craft the ultimate comedic time travel medical K-drama about destiny.

While the series wasn't a major award-winner, it did manage a surprising feat. The series finale more than doubled the viewership of the series premiere in South Korea (according to Nielsen). Interest in the series actually increased and ratings went up instead of leveling out as the series aired. While that's the opposite of what happens for most series broadcast on television, it's even more impressive because the show aired on a cable network rather than a free broadcast network.

1 Mr. Queen

Mr. queen (2020).

Inspired by the Chinese web series Go Princess Go , Mr. Queen , features a hotshot male chef who finds himself transported to the Joseon era — not as himself, but in the body of the Queen Cheorin (Shin Hye-sun) — inadvertently unraveling the mystery behind the queen's supposed attempt at taking her own life. While trying to conform to the Joseon era as a woman, he gets caught in the political turmoil of the kingdom, and the king isn't the goofy and undermined ruler everyone assumes. He's cunning, mysterious, and seeking the truth behind those who wish to dethrone him.

The series remains one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable television history. Shin Hye-sun's performance as Queen Cheorin is largely why Mr. Queen is regarded by many as the best time travel K-dramas of all time.

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There's a multiverse of roads not taken in 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'

Justin Chang

Michelle Yeoh stars as a woman who suddenly develops the power to leap between parallel universes in the action-adventure-fantasy Everything Everywhere All at Once. A24 hide caption

Michelle Yeoh stars as a woman who suddenly develops the power to leap between parallel universes in the action-adventure-fantasy Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Multiverses are having something of a moment, popping up in recent movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home and upcoming ones like Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness . It's refreshing, then, to get a new multiverse movie this week that doesn't spring from the world of comic-book superheroes. It's called Everything Everywhere All at Once — an apt title for a movie that imagines the existence of thousands of alternate timelines, featuring thousands of alternate versions of ourselves. It was written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as Daniels, who seem intent on topping the anything-goes audacity of Swiss Army Man , their 2016 comedy featuring Daniel Radcliffe as a flatulent corpse.

That strain of juvenile humor pops up frequently here: At one point, characters have to make inventive use of a trophy in order to jump from one universe to the next. But for all its gross sight gags and bizarre supernatural conceits, the movie has one pretty coherent purpose: to provide a dazzling actor's showcase for Michelle Yeoh .

In theaters this spring: multiverses, Bat-men, action stars and more

Yeoh plays Evelyn Wang, a Chinese American immigrant who lives in a cramped apartment with her husband, Waymond, played by Ke Huy Quan. It's a stressful time for the Wangs: Evelyn has her hands full bickering with their teenage daughter, Joy — a terrific Stephanie Hsu — and planning a birthday party for her ailing father, played by the great 93-year-old veteran James Hong. On top of that, the family business, a laundromat, is being audited by the IRS. The action really begins at the IRS office where Evelyn meets with their auditor, well played by Jamie Lee Curtis, who urges the Wangs to get their paperwork in order.

Evelyn might think she knows the story of her life, but she doesn't know the half of it. Through an extremely bizarre series of events, she learns about the existence of all those other universes, each with its own version of Evelyn. She also learns that she's the only person who can save the whole multiverse from destruction by some powerful force that has taken hold of her daughter, Joy. (As a story of conflict and reconciliation between an Asian mother and daughter, Everything Everywhere All at Once would make a nifty double bill with the current Pixar fantasy Turning Red .)

'Turning Red' confronts the messiness of adolescence with refreshing honesty

In order to defeat evil, Evelyn must repeatedly jump between her universe and others, sort of like a video-game avatar, and absorb crucial knowledge from those other Evelyns, all of whom represent different paths she could have taken through life. There's Evelyn the Hong Kong movie star, Evelyn the Peking opera singer and Evelyn the teppanyaki chef. Imagine a very long, unusually surreal Choose Your Own Adventure novel in which all the pages have been torn out and glued back together at random, and you'll have some sense of how this movie plays.

All this Matrix -style interdimensional hopping, plus the nonstop martial-arts action and in-your-face slapstick, makes Everything Everywhere All at Once an often frenetic viewing experience, and I checked out more than once the first time I saw it. But there are playful ideas beneath that busy surface. Notably, all those other Evelyns seem to be leading more fulfilling lives than Evelyn the unhappy wife, mom and laundromat owner. This is very much a movie about regret and disappointment, about the frustration of feeling that life's best opportunities have passed you by. It's no wonder that one of Evelyn's timelines pays homage to Wong Kar-wai 's In the Mood for Love , one of the greatest movies ever made about the road not taken.

Adding to that subtext is the casting of Michelle Yeoh, who's one of Asia's top stars but, despite some recent supporting roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings , has never had the spectacular Hollywood career she's deserved. Directors Kwan and Scheinert are clearly trying to rectify that. This movie is as passionate and exhaustive a love letter to an actor as I've ever seen, and Yeoh's performance combines action, comedy, drama and emotion in ways she's never done before. Ke Huy Quan is working just as hard here as a neglected husband whose reserves of quiet strength Evelyn takes for granted. This is a big comeback role for Quan, whom you may remember as the '80s child star from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies.

For all its cosmic craziness, Everything Everywhere All at Once has a simple emotional message: It's about how the members of this immigrant family learn to cherish each other again. It's also about making peace with the life you've lived — and the ones you haven't. And that sort of sums up how I feel about this funny, messy, moving and often exasperating movie: There may be a better, more focused version of it in some other universe, but I'm still grateful for the one we've got.

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91+ Best Travel Movies of All Time: An Ultimate List | 2022 Updated

Great travel movies are priceless.  They can keep you motivated during those days of the cubicle cage and mundane routine. Unfortunately Googling, “Best Travel Movies” always churns out the same 10. Lucky for you, I’ve kept an ongoing list of the best travel movies that will inspire your next adventure and found a few you likely haven’t seen…yet.

Contents of this Best Travel Movies List

• The 11 Best Travel Movies That No One Mentions!!
• The Best Pure Travel Movies
• Best Destination Movies
• Adventure Travel
• Action and Spy Movies
• Romance And “Chick Flicks” (That Anyone Can Love)
• Nature And Documentaries
• Comedy And Pure Fun
• Classic Travel Movies
• Travel Tv Shows
• Food Travel Tv Shows
• Nature Travel Tv Shows

The 11 Best Travel Movies that No One Mentions

• Bella Vita (2014) 
• Life in a Day
• Alamar (2011)
• Happy People: A Year in the Taiga
• Point Break (2014) 
• The Before Trilogy: Before Sunrise
• The Before Trilogy: Before Sunset
• The Before Trilogy: Before Midnight
• Mile… Mile and Half

Each movie on this quick list of my 11 favorite movies for a travel and adventure mood captures the feeling of simply wandering the world, from South America to Asia, and creating and experiencing your own true story. Whether you’re romantic, adventurous, or a little of both, one of these 11 movies will scratch that travel itch.

If you don’t find a movie that perfectly satisfies your travel palet, keep scrolling our click here to jump to our full list of the 91+ best travel movies .

1.      Bella Vita

In the travel documentary Bela Vita, pro surfer Chris del Moror travels through Italy exploring the artisanal culture that fills the country in every way from culinary artists to the high skilled craftsmen, and even the surfers of the budding Italian surf scene. 

Watch the Bella Vita Trailer

This film simultaneously combines the high life experiences of travel with the calming adventure of outdoors sports accented by the loving warmth of Italian culture explored through a cross country road trip -making for a great vicarious experience whenever you’re in a travel mood.

Greatfor: When you’re feeling adventurous yet chill – perfect for a rainy day

Ratings: No rating on Rotten Tomatoes (which means we’ve found an unsung hero)

Where to watch it: Watch Bella Vita (2014) on Amazon

2.      Life in a Day

Why Watch: A pure view of cultures across the world and how we’re all connected by documenting the true story of millions of people’s life in a day

Watch the Life In A Day trailer

On July 24, 2010, thousands of people from every continent uploaded footage of a normal day in their lives as part of a project by Ridley Scott and Youtube.  The result is an astounding masterpiece, beautifully patched together into a very engaging story…of Life on earth, in a single day.

…or watch the entire Life In A Day movie

Why I love this movie: Some of my most adventurous and rewarding travels have been far from risky – more often just making my way into a very foreign place, like Laos, or Vietnam, or Egypt, or Iraq, and then experiencing the culture by simply observing how they live. You would be surprised how rich an experience like this could be, and Life in a Day captures that experience perfectly.  There is no narration, no spin, and no analysis, just normal people and average cultures presenting themselves.  Its beautiful.

If you come away from watching this without feeling like the world is smaller, I’d be surprised.

• Great for: The feeling exploring the world and other cultures, all from your couch
• Rating: 80% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Where to Watch it: WatchLife in a Day free on Youtube

Don’t forget to follow up this movie with Life in a Day (2020) which was recorded exactly 10 years later. The updated sequel movie explores themes all travelers can relate to, life across cultures, and feelings across the world during the confusing times of the pandemic.

3.      180 South

In 1968, Yvon Chouinard (founder of the clothing brand Patagonia) and Doug Tompkins drove a van, some surfboards, and some climbing gear from Ventura, California to the southernmost regions of Patagonia, in Chile and Argentina – and they recorded the entire journey. Present day adventurer, wanderer, surfer, and climber Jeff Johnson found the footage and decided to remake the journey in pursuit of a quintessential Patagonia experience and self discovery.

The movie 180 South follows Jeff Johnson as retraces the footsteps while creating a new adventure, sailing south, hitchhiking, exploring, climbing, and picking up friends along the way.  At points, Jeff even connects with Yvon Chouinard to talk about travel and the outdoors in a way that could enliven even the most downtrodden wanderluster. 

watch the 180 South trailer

If your brand of travels includes time spent outdoors, as far as possible from civilization, 180 South will be like having a nice conversation about the adventures you live for.

• Great for: Wanderers, trekkers, and travelers of all breeds
• Rating: 83% on RottenTomatoes
• Whereto Watch: Watch 180 South onAmazon or on Netflix

4.      Alamar (“To the Sea”)

Why Watch: To recreate that feeling of discovery

A documentary and true story of how a small boy is about to make the move to the big city of Rome with his Italian mother, but first takes one last “adventure” with his father “alamar” (“To the Sea”). The boy, his father, and his grandfather spend time connecting and living as traditional fishermen and divers so that the boy always remembers his roots and his heritage of the sea.

watch the trailer for Alamar

Why I love this movie: Though the film isn’t in English, you don’t need to understand a word.  You can feel the adventure that the boy is going through, under the loving watch of his father, and how he grows to feel his connection to the ocean.  The experience of watching is partlyentertaining, with the beautiful views, and partly reminiscent of the feeling of discovery that comes when you go into the vast unknown (the world or the sea) and learn to know you had more in common with the “unknown” than you thought – all with the rift of the occasional Spanish guitar in the backdrop

• Great for: Water lovers and ocean views
• Rating& Awards: 91% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Whereto Watch it: Watch Alamar  on Amazon

Why Watch: The feeling of travels started by loss, but ending in gain

Many travelers’ ventures started with a loss, a searching, or a desire for experience that would provide answers or guidance.  That  is exactly what The Way is about – father who lost his son and decides to fulfill his son’s last standing wish, to walk the Camino de Santiago through Spain.

The Way is often recommended as an excellent travel movie because of its feel. There is no big budget, the big name actor in the movie (Martin Sheen) doesn’t take himself seriously, and the characters are remarkably human, flawed, and charming – just like the characters you would likely meet on the road.

The Way, and the journey along the Camino de Santiago within, perfectly captures the blend of emotions and the ultimately positive feel that backpacking the world brings.

• Great for: Just great for the feeling of travel
• Rating: 83% on Rotten TomatoesWatch The Way onAmazon or on Netflix

6.      Happy People: A Year in the Taiga

Why watch: Transports you to a different place as a welcomed observer of a very different way of life

Though Happy People isn’t exactly about travelers, the epic adventure of following those who live in the “Taiga” of Siberia is such a journey that it feels as though you’ve traveled to Russia and followed them thousands of miles between home and the frozen frontier where they live for months on end.

watch the trailer for Happy People

If you have travel experiences on your bucket list like “go to Mongolia” or “visit a tribe in the Amazon”, Happy People is a documentary for you.  The filmmaker follows the tough people of the Taiga region, in Siberian Russia, for an entire year.  The result is an interesting portrayal of a tough yet balanced people living in, thriving in, and enjoying one of the harshest environments in the world.

• Great for: Recreating the immersive cultural education that comes with adventurous travel
• Rating: 87% on RottenTomatoes
• Whereto Watch: Watch Happy People: AYear in the Taiga on Amazon or on Netflix

The “Before” Trilogy

(Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight)

Why Watch: Sums up the romantic experiences of travel – which is a one of a kind adventure

No, I didn’t trick you with the title of this article.  At the risk of being misunderstood, I’ll go all in on this one – the experience of love, regardless of how shallow or deep, is an adventure in its own right. 

You have the chance to gain something undefined yet priceless or lose everything (including your sanity). Even more, romance on the road has higher stakes – you know there’s a looming end date, too many unspoken thoughts, and as much pleasure as you’re willing to let yourself have.

Though this kind of pressure could create unimaginable chaos, given how complicated humans are, it usually results in a nothing to lose and “bare all” situation that is refreshing, irreplaceable, and addictive.  If that’s not a risky adventure, I don’t know what is – and the Before Trilogy captures this sentiment perfectly.

7.      Before Sunrise (1995)

In the first chapter, a young Celine and Jesse meet on a train from eastern European to western Europe, where Celine lives and Jesse is supposed to take aplane home, back to the US.  As theteasing sparks and smiles are exchanged, Jesse has to decide whether to stay,or go…Before Sunrise

Rating:100% on Rotten Tomatoes

8.      Before Sunset (2004)

In the second movie, 10 years after initially meeting, Celine and Jesse are presented to the audience again in the familiar (to most) state of unfinished love, divided by continents.  Through clarified miscommunications and trickled honesty the two finally get to the thing that really connects them…all with Jesse’s depart looming as he flies out at sunset.

Rating: 95% on Rotten Tomatoes

9. Before Midnight (2013)

In the conclusion to the trilogy, like all natural things, love goes through seasons and shades.  20 years after the start (in the storyline and after the release of the actual movies), Celine and Jesse are forced to explore this idea – all against the backdrop of wanderlust and travel

An interesting and artful film project about travel and love that now spans 3 decades in a way that makes you question love, culture, what matters, and (more importantly) what doesn’t matter in just enjoying and being happy.  Each movie takes place at a casual place, using dialogue and though as its hook.  Each movie also takes place 10 years after the preceding movie, and was released 10 years after the preceding movie.

Rating: 98% on Rotten Tomatoes

Great for:  Re-experiencing the rich conversations and interactions that happen while traveling…with your guard down

Where to Watch the Before Trilogy:

• Watch Before Sunrise on Amazon or Netflix
• Watch Before Sunset on Amazon or Netflix
• Watch Before Midnight on Amazon or Netflix

10.      Point Break (2015)

Why Watch: The Feeling of Adventure and a Tribe Culture

A remake on the old 1980’s Point Break, but with a touch of adrenaline and travel that makes it more reminiscent of Redbull TV with a story line.

A group of extremely  adventurous travelers and criminals chain a string of heists into a”game” to honor the forces of nature, and an undercover FBI agent is sent in to investigate.  The story that ensues is a showcase of extreme sports underlined with that hard to replace tribal  feeling that happens when you travel with a likeminded and equally adventurous group.

Though this movie has low ratings and a storyline most will deem illogical, I love it for the adrenaline infused experiences it recreates, focus on the tribe culture that happens on the road, and the idea of finding your “line”.  The “ Ozaki 8 ” extreme sports feats seem like a nice bucket list to recreate as well.  If you like Redbull TV and wandering then this remake is right up your alley.

• Great for: Adrenaline chasers and adventurous travelers
• Rotten Tomatoes: 9% (Meaning this is a love it or hate it movie – don’t worry, I’m prepared for the sneers)
• Whereto Watch: Watch Point Break 2015 on Amazon or on Netflix

11. Mile, Mile and a Half

Why watch : For hikers and trekkers to appreciate a beautiful view from the couch

If you love to hike but can’t get outside, this is the documentary for you.  “Mile, Mile and a Half” is a project by photographers, videographers, artists, and hikers to capture the experience of hiking 219 miles of the John Muir Trail.  The result is a visually pleasing and peaceful movie that takes you outside when you can’t be.

• Great for: Hikers and trekkers that are stuck inside
• Rating: 80% on Rotten Tomatoes (rated by audience)
• Where to Watch: Watch Mile, Mile and a Half on Amazon or on Netflix

More of my favorite Best Travel Movies

The secret life of walter mitty.

A daydreaming, introverted, and endearing office worker, played by Ben Stiller, spends part of his days doing what he is told, and most of his days daydreaming about…the secret life of Walter Mitty, the lives inside his mind.

As all wanderlusters do, he daydreams, day in and day out, about the adventures he could have, until one day he’s pushed over the edge to take on that adventure of a lifetime,

• Wild (2014)

Inspired by a novel and true story, Wild follows the journey of a young woman as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail and along the way climbs a mountain of self discovery, eventually using the wild to understand the wild in her

FULL LIST OF THE 91 BEST TRAVEL MOVIES OF ALL TIME

Beyond my 11 favorites, there are hundreds of other travel movie options that inspire wanderlust, trigger that desire for self-discovery and exploration that comes with a good travel film.

In this section, we’ll go even further, sharing the the 91 best movies and TV shows for travel lovers by genre. Whether you’re in the mood for a Rom Com, an action adventure flick, beautiful scenery provided courtesy of nature, a timeless classic, we’ll share great movies from every genre to fill your needs.

Click to jump to your genre of choice

THE BEST PURE TRAVEL MOVIES

• The Beach (2000)
• The Way (2010)
• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
• Life in a Day (2010)
• Life in a Day (2020)
• The Motorcycle Diaries
• The Bucket List (2007)
• Into The Wild (2007)
• 180 South (2010)
• Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
• Endless Summer (1966)
• Expedition Happiness (2017)
• The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
• Catch Me If You Can (2002)

BEST DESTINATION MOVIES

• The Beach – Thailand (2000)
• Slumdog Millionaire – India (2008)
• Vicky, Cristina Barcelona – Spain (2008)
• Under the Tuscan Sun – Italy (2003)
• Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – India (2011)
• Grand Budapest Hotel
• A Good Year – France (2006)
• The Last Samurai – Japan (2003)
• Memoirs of a Geisha – Japan (2005)

ADVENTURE TRAVEL

• 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible (2021)
• Point Break (2015)
• The Way Back (2010)
• Wild (2014) (88% on Rotten Tomatoes)
• Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001 – 2003)

ACTION AND SPY MOVIES

• Skyfall (2012)
• Casino Royale (2006)
• The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
• The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
• Indiana Jones Movies
• Captain America – Civil War (2016)
• Black Panther (2018)
• Fast Five (2011)
• The Tourist (2010)

ROMANCE AND “CHICK FLICKS” (THAT ANYONE CAN LOVE)

• Under The Tuscan Sun (2003)
• A Good Year (2006)
• Before Sunrise (1995)
• Before Sunset (2004)
• Before Midnight (2013)
• Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008)
• Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
• Eat Pray Love (2010)
• Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
• ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ (2005) 

NATURE AND DOCUMENTARIES

• Chasing Ice (2012)
• Mission Blue (2014)
• Chasing Coral (2017)
• Captain Fantastic (2016)
• Encounters at the End Of The World (2007)
• A Walk in the Woods (2015)
• Mile… Mile and a Half (2013)

COMEDY AND PURE FUN

• Eurotrip (2004)
• Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
• The Hangover Part II (2011)
• National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
• ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’ (1985)
• Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (2022)
• All is Lost (2013)
• Adrift (2018)
• Maiden Voyage (2004)
• Ratatouille (2007)

CLASSIC TRAVEL MOVIES

• Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
• Casablanca (1942)
• Roman Holiday (1953)

TRAVEL TV SHOWS

• Parts Unknown (12 Seasons, 2001-2013)
• No Reservations (9 Seasons)
• A Cook’s Tour (2 Seasons, 2002-2004)
• Departures (3 Seasons, 2008-2011)
• Long Way Up (1 Season, 2020)
• Long Way Down (1 Season, 2007)
• Long Way Round (1 Season, 2004)

FOOD TRAVEL TV SHOWS

• Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix) (5 Seasons, 2018)
• Street Food – Asia (Netflix) (1 Season, 2019)
• Street Food – Latin America (Netflix) (1 Season, 2020)
• Eat the World with Emeril Lagasse (Amazon Prime) (1 Season, 2016)

NATURE TRAVEL TV SHOWS

• Planet Earth (2 Seasons, 2006)
• Planet Earth II (1 Season, 2016)
• Human Planet (1 Season, 2011)
• Win the Wilderness (1 Season, 2020)
• Our Greatest National Parks (Narrated by Barack Obama) (1 Season, 2022)

BONUS!!! My personal list of 95 MORE well rated travel movies to watch (and rate)

• 2 Days In Paris (2007)
• 7 Days in Havana (2012)
• A Map For Saturday
• Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert
• Amélie
• Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
• Away We Go (2009)
• Baraka (1992)
• Black Mountain Poets (2015)
• Brooklyn (2015)
• Call Me By Your Name (2017)
• Carol (2015)
• City of God (2002)
• Doctor Zhivago (1965)
• Duma (2005)
• Easy Rider (1969)
• Eight Below (2008)
• Encounters at the End of the World (2007)
• Fitzcarraldo (1982)
• French Kiss
• Girls Trip (2017)
• Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
• Hector and The Search for Happiness (2014)
• Hit the Road: India
• Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
• In Bruges (2008)
• Into the Cold (2013)
• Julie & Julia
• Kundun (1997)
• L’Auberge Espagnole (2002)
• La La Land (2016)
• Last Holiday
• Lion (2016)
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
• Lost in Translation – Tokyo
• Meek’s Cutoff (2010)
• Midnight in Paris
• Midsommar (2019)
• Monsoon Wedding
• Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
• My Life in Ruins
• Nomadland’ (2020)
• Not Without My Daughter (1991)
• Nowhere in Africa
• On the Road (2012)
• One Week (2008)
• Out of Africa (1985)
• Paris, Je T’aime (2006)
• Patagonia (2010)
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
• Queen of Katwe (2016)
• Riding Solo to the Top of the World
• Roma (2018)
• Romancing the Stone
• Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012)
• The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
• The Art of Travel (2008)
• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
• The Big Year
• The Endurance (2000)
• The English Patient (1996)
• The Farewell (2019)
• The Good Lie (2014)
• The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
• The Kite Runner (2007)
• The Lost City of Z (2017)
• The Road Within
• The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
• The Terminal (2004)
• The Tourist
• The Trip (2010)
• The Trip to Italy
• Thelma & Louise (1991)
• Tracks (2013)
• Tracks (2014)
• Up in the Air
• Wadjda (2013)
• Whale Rider
• Withnail & I (1987)
• World’s Fastest Indian 
• Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

Like the thoughts you’ve seen here?  Then share them with friends..

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carlos is a nomad, slow traveler, and writer dedicated to helping others live abroad and travel better by using his 7+ years of experience living abroad and background as a management consultant and financial advisor to help other nomad and expats plot better paths for an international lifestyle. Click here to learn more about Carlos's story.

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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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6 Movies from the Asian Film Canon That Will Make You Want to Travel

This story about Asian and Asian American films is part of Home, Made , a collection of stories honoring Asian diasporas creating vibrant communities by weaving their heritages with their American hometowns. Read more here .

As Nicole Kidman famously says in that viral ad for AMC Theatres, the movies let us "go somewhere we've never been before." But some very special films activate in us the deep-seated desire to actually visit those places and see them with our own eyes, so we can experience everything we see onscreen for ourselves—or, at least, something close to it.

To celebrate the transportive power of cinema and the stories they tell, I'm sharing excerpts from my book The Golden Screen: The Movies That Made Asian America , which honors the past, present, and future of Asian and Asian American films, as well as movie-making in the hands of Asian creativity, to highlight six films that'll make you want to book a ticket directly to the beautiful, awe-inspiring, and atmospheric backdrops of some of the most iconic stories in the Asian and Asian American film canon. From the back alleys of neon-bright Hong Kong and the luxe corridors of the Lion City that is Singapore , to the lush prairies of the American heartland to the let-it-all-hang-out parties of New York's queer summer camp, Fire Island , these landscapes offer just as much narrative and drama as the memorable characters of these now-classic films.

I hope these movies—and The Golden Screen —remind you of the expansive nature of the Asian diaspora and how, wherever we go, we can carve out spaces to tell our own stories, our own way. — Jeff Yang

A Great Wall  (1986)

The destination : Beijing , China

Why you'll want to visit : It's right there in the title: Scenes in the film will make you want to see for yourself the unbelievably immense 13,171 mile-long Great Wall of China in all of its glory—breathtaking, tragic in its cost in coin and lives, and ultimately useless as a means of keeping out outsiders. If anything, it actually brings in more tourists.

From The Golden Screen :  "Billed as the first American movie to be shot (with permission!) in mainland China, A Great Wall is a modest comedy of cultural contrasts, featuring its director Peter Wang as Leo Fang, a Chinese American tech exec who, after smashing his head against Silicon Valley’s glass ceiling, decides to take his first trip to his nation of birth since childhood, bringing his very Asian American family—wife, Grace (Sharon Iwai), and son, Paul (Kelvin Han Yee)—on an extended visit to his sister’s family in Beijing."

Chungking Express  (1994)

The destination : Hong Kong

Why you'll want to visit : It's a cliche to say that some movies use the locations in which they're shot as characters, but that's undeniably the case for Wong Kar Wai's brilliantly quirky romantic dram-com, where the city of Hong Kong isn't just a character in the narrative, but arguably its protagonist. And now, after yet another evolution , Hong Kong is worth a far-flung visit.

From The Golden Screen :  " Chungking Express  is both a love letter to Hong Kong and a love letter to love; an elaborate neon journey around some of the island’s most unique locations (including the densely packed enclave of Chungking Mansions, a single building housing thousands of low-income and mostly immigrant individuals and their ad hoc businesses, and the endless outdoor escalators that connect the wealthier private domains of the Mid Levels with the raucous streets of Central)."

Lost in Translation  (2003)

The destination : Tokyo , Japan

Why you'll want to visit : To see for yourself if Sofia Coppola's bizarre caricature of Japan 's biggest and most richly eclectic metropolis has any truth to it. (Spoiler: Sure, the weirdness is there if you go looking for it, but you'll find so much that moves and inspires you along the way.)

From The Golden Screen :  “For white critics and audiences, Lost in Translation is a gentle, moving exploration of disconnection and loneliness, of psychological miasma created by the passage of time, the shock of the unfamiliar, and the sense of being an outsider even in one’s own life. But for many Asians, Sofia Coppola’s critically beloved sophomore feature hits differently. Set in a cartoonishly exaggerated Tokyo, the film turns Japan and Japanese people into a luridly exotic backdrop and comic foil for its white main cast.”

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

The destination : Singapore

Why you'll want to visit: Ten minutes into the movie, the couple at the center of this blockbuster romantic comedy travel from New York to Singapore, and every beat of their journey—from the luxe platinum-class airplane suite to the way the camera soars toward the city's unforgettable skyline to the way the movie then hauls us off to a hawker center for an incredible street-food feast —couldn't have been staged better by the Singapore Tourism Board. A year after the movie's release, Singapore registered a record five million inbound tourists, and watching this film, it's easy to see why.

From The Golden Screen :  "No single movie has changed the metrics of how Asian Americans are seen in Hollywood more than  Crazy Rich Asians , Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the book by Singaporean author Kevin Kwan. Crazy Rich Asians  ended up rallying unprecedented support from the Asian American community, who bought out theaters; saw the movie two, three, or more times; evangelized it to parents and grandparents; and kept the film buzzing on social media via endless layers of discourse, from the film’s food and fashion to the intricate symbolism of a single game of mahjong."

Minari  (2020)

The destination : Northwest Arkansas, but really Sand Springs, Oklahoma , United States

Why you'll want to visit:   Minari  is a family story that might feel tiny and intimate if it weren't for the rolling vistas of lush and expansive prairie—topped with a boundless blue sky—that frame virtually every outdoor sequence. Yes, the movie is set in the farmland around director Lee Isaac Chung's childhood home of Lincoln, Arkansas, but the actual scenery belongs to Meadow Lake Ranch in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, the dude ranch bed-and-breakfast where much of the movie was shot.

From The Golden Screen :  "This deeply evocative film from director Lee Isaac Chung, loosely based on his own childhood memories, stops just short of being an elegy. Nevertheless, it delivers a remarkable payload of broken dreams and bitter resilience in the tale of a Korean immigrant family moving from California to deep-country Arkansas in the early eighties."

Fire Island  (2022)

The destination : Fire Island , New York, United States

Why you'll want to visit: This movie— Pride and Prejudice , but with more pride and less prejudice—showcases the sweaty, ecstatic charms of New York 's slightly notorious summertime queer mecca. It'll make you want to visit Fire Island for yourself, even if you're straight; the non-gay parts are fun too (and family-friendly), though you'll never stop wondering what's on the other end of the thumping disco beats faintly audible in the distance over in Cherry Grove and The Pines.

From The Golden Screen :  “The film, a loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic  Pride and Prejudice  set in the gay hot spots of New York’s Fire Island, works precisely because of its ability to luxuriate in creating its characters rather than clipping them into brief stereotypes.”

Jeff Yang is the author of Eastern Standard Time: A Guide to Asian Influence on American Culture and The Golden Screen: The Movies That Made Asian America ; and is the co-author of   RISE: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now . In 1989, Yang launched one of the first Asian American national magazines,  A. Magazine, and now writes frequently for CNN, the  New York Times, and elsewhere. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

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Best Travel Movies To Watch Before A Southeast Asian Adventure

Grab some popcorn (half sweet & half salty of course), we’re about to unload the best travel movies ever created for the Southeast Asian travelers… First things first, it’s always a good thing to cram your overexcited brain full of information before heading out on the adventure of a lifetime around Southeast Asia. Some people turn to guide books, some travelers choose to trawl through blogs, some people absolutely wing it!

Grab some popcorn (half sweet & half salty of course), we’re about to unload the best travel movies ever created for the Southeast Asian travelers… First things first, it’s always a good thing to cram your overexcited brain full of information before heading out on the adventure of a lifetime around Southeast Asia. Some people turn to guide books, some travelers choose to trawl through blogs, some people absolutely wing it! Regardless of which category you fall into, it’s always a good supplement for your travel bug to check out a few films that are set in Southeast Asia before you go.

A) It’s an opportunity to have a glimpse at some incredible footage of the sights, sounds, and other sensory sensations that you’ll be experiencing when you touch down. B) You can pick up on some cultural taboos, and when the credits are rolling you may well have a more vivid idea of what you should and shouldn’t be doing. C) It’s Hollywood at the end of the day, so of course the story line can sometimes be a bit farfetched, but hey, these films are darn entertaining anyway. Okay, so today we’ll giving you a hit list of 10 films that we believe are worth watching before you head off into the Southeast Asian abyss. Some of them will give you an idea of the rich culture and heritage of this part of the world, some are absolutely inspiring, a few will make you laugh your pants off, and all of them are a great window into Southeast Asian lifestyle and scenery. Without further ado, let’s get this show on the road. Please take the time now to go to the toilet and make sure your phone is on silent. We don’t want you missing a single moment.

Best Travel Movies #1: The Beach (1999)

If you haven’t seen this one yet, we are absolutely astonished, but you are in for one hell of a treat. This flick is one of Leonardo’s earliest and greatest movies. The story is centred around an American backpacker who arrives in Thailand and is given a map to a secret beach, and sets off with a French couple for an adventure that it will be almost impossible to turn his back on. If you’re more of a book worm than a movie maniac, ‘The Beach’ is also an incredible read.

Best Travel Movies #2: The Impossible (2012)

While The Beach is a fictional tale that will leave you wanting the live the exact same fantasy, The Impossible paints the picture of a true and horrific story that scarred the coastline of Southeast Asia. This film is based on the experiences of María Belón and her family during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It’s an emotional yet inspiring watch, as the family attempts to defy all the odds.

Best Travel Movies #3: Eat Pray Love (2010)

Eat Pray Love is the story of Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts), whose life reaches a turning point after she gets a divorce and she turns to travel in order to redefine and find herself. Another inspirational story of someone who dares to step out of their comfort zone and adventure into the unknown. In this blockbuster, she’ll go on an adventure around Italy, Indonesia, India and beyond.

Best Travel Movies #4: Good Morning Vietnam (1987)

An absolute classic from the 1980s. This film is set in Saigon in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The legendary Robin Williams plays a comedian who is sent over to Vietnam to bring a little slice of comedy back into the soldier’s lives. This film is well worth a watch, not only because it’s a slice of comedy class as always from Robin Williams, but also as it gives an insight into the trauma that was cast upon the Vietnamese people during the war.

Best Travel Movies #5: Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten (2014)

This is the first of two films that we’re recommending that are focused on the cultural nightmare for Cambodia that was the arrival of the Khmer Rouge. Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten is a documentary brought to life by serial Southeast Asian movie director, Jonh Pirozzi. The documentary looks at the rejuvenation of the the underground and largely unknown Cambodian rock & roll scene of the 1960s / 1970s. It’s an incredible film and an amazing tribute to the many musicians who were killed during the Khmer Rouge. Also – it’s one of the few films to receive 100% from the harsh critics from Rotten Tomatoes.

Best Travel Movies #6: Metro Manila (2013)

Metro Manila is a British, independently-produced crime drama that focuses on the harsh realities of poverty in The Philippines. The story is centred around a rice farmer named Oscar Ramirez who must relocate his family to Manila after the profitability of the rice farming industry plummets. Oscar is then forced to take a job with an armored truck courier company and soon learns the intensity and danger that comes with the job.

Best Travel Movies #7: The Hangover, Part 2 (2011)

The second and arguably the best of The Hangover trilogy, this film brings to life the hilarity and unforeseen circumstances that can come with having one two many drinks in Thailand! Straight out of Hollywood, this film of course exaggerates the outcomes of these occasions. However, that’s not to say that you won’t be waking up one morning with a crisp new face tattoo… Must watch.

Best Travel Movies #8: Tomb Raider (2001)

The first of two Angelina Jolie films to make the top 10. Tomb Raider plays on from the classic video game. The plot for the film itself may be a bit farfetched. However, some of the most intense scenes are filmed throughout Cambodia’s amazing Angkor Archeological Park.

Best Travel Movies #9: City Of Ghosts (2002)

City Of Ghosts is a thriller set through the hustling and bustling streets of Southeast Asia. This flick follows the story of a conman, Jimmy, who has to flee the United States after an insurance scam goes tits up. Jimmy flees to Bangkok and into Cambodia as he goes on the hunt for his cut of the deal.

Best Travel Movies #10: First They Killed My Father (2017)

The final and most recent movie from this Top 10 Hit List, is biographical deep dive into the harsh realities of the Khmer Rouge Regime. The Netflix drama follows the story of 5 year old Luong Un who’s 6 siblings are sent to labor camps, whilst she is forced to train as a child soldier. This film is a heart wrenching journey through the 4 year reign of genocide and terror that plagued Cambodia in the 1970s.

More Articles on Best Travel Movies

If this piece has really got you set up for some real movie mania… Check out these other pieces on Best Travel Movies! We only recommend bloggers we read often and love:

• 10 Movies You’ve Got To See Before Going To Southeast Asia   by Smiling Albino
• 10 Films You Must Watch Before Going To Southeast Asia by Noob Voyage
• Great Modern Southeast Asian Films by BFI

Best Travel Movies – How Did We Do?

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Mad Monkey is Southeast Asia’s leading hostel operator — born in Cambodia with more properties in Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Laos, and the Philippines. We pride ourselves in creating meaningful and sustainable travel experiences for our guests, whilst promoting socially responsible tourism.

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The 40 Best Travel Movies to Inspire Armchair Wanderlust

From an early age I have loved watching travel movies set in far-flung places. One of the best travel movies from my childhood was Anne of Green Gables. I loved the story but I was more drawn to the beautiful scenery of Prince Edward Island.

When I started thinking about writing a post about the best travel films , I realised that I have watched more movies about travel than any other genre, and that a lot of travel movies feature among the best movies of all times .

There are so many movies about travel but here are the best films about travel that should both inspire your wanderlust and provide a lovely watch even if you’re unable to travel there in person.

Whilst some of these movies may not be about travel per se, we have included them because of the beautiful cinematography and on-location filming which give dramatic views of the landscape a swell as a glimpse of the culture of a country.

Some are classics, some are comedies, some are true stories and some are docufilms so there’s a big mix. Because there’s such a genre mix, I’ve ordered them based on the main geographical location in the movie.

Here are our all-time favourite travel movies.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through these links, we may earn a small commission but at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Best travel movies set in North America

Into the wild – 2007.

He aims to get away from it all and survive off the land.

He meets several people hitchhiking his way to Alaska, before heading off on his own into the Alaskan wilds.

Thelma and Louise – 1991

A combination of genres,  but most certainly a US road trip classic, Thelma and Louise tells the story of two female friends from Arkansas who set off for a weekend away together.

Wild – 2014

Having gone off the rails after her mother’s death,  Cheryl Strayed set off on her journey of self-discovery by hiking the 2000km Pacific Crest Trail solo, with no real hiking experience.

Free Solo – 2018

Free Solo is the story of how professional free climber Alex Honnold prepares for and attempts to climb El Capitan’s 900-metre vertical rock face in Yosemite National Park in California.

You may not be tempted to try free climbing yourself after seeing this, but the incredible scenery in this docu-film will definitely make you want to get out and explore the beauty of Yosemite.

Sideways – 2004

Sideways is a wonderfully written, excellently accomplished film about two men who embark on a road trip across California’s wine region. Although friends for a long time, the pair evidently have little in common these days.

Each has their own life-issues that they are knowingly, or unknowingly trying to solve through this trip. A thought-provoking mixture of humor, sadness, bonding and wine.

Sideways is expertly directed to elicit emotion from anyone who watches it… and leave you dreaming of a Californian winery road trip.

Best travel movies set in South America

The motorcycle diaries – 2004.

The dramatization of a motorcycle road trip taken by Ernesto Guevara in his youth (played by Gael Gabriel Garcia) with best friend Alberto Granado.

The Motorcycle Diaries is a coming of age story that showed Che his life’s calling as the pair take a 8,000km road trip from Buenos Aires to the Guajira Peninsula in Venezuela.

Many stretches of the movie are just the two of them and the beautiful South American scenery.

City of God – 2002

Set in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the seventies, City of God is the true story of two friends growing up and following very different paths, one becoming a photographer and the other a drug dealer.

Best travel movies set in Europe

The big blue (or le grand bleu) – 1988.

A tale of a solitary free diver, Jacques, who has a deep affinity with the ocean and who’s only friend is also his freediving rival, Enzo.

The Big Blue takes you to beautiful locations. There’s a lot of underwater photography filmed in the Virgin Islands National Park and also lovely scenes from Amorgos island in Greece.

Midnight in Paris – 2011

On a trip to Paris with his fiancée’s family, a screenwriter finds himself transported to 1920s Paris each night, taking long walks around the city to soak up the ambience.

Midnight in Paris feels like a love letter to a Paris of a distant era, but has enough action in the modern day to satisfy current travellers.

Under the Tuscan Sun – 2003

Based on Frances Mayes’ 1996 memoir, Under the Tuscan Sun tells the story of a US divorcee who buys a Tuscan villa in the hopes of starting a new life.

Cue plenty of gorgeous scenery, with filming on location across Tuscany and the neighbouring Italian regions.

A Good Year – 2006

A heartwarming tale of a jaded city banker (played by Russell Crowe) who inherits his uncle’s wine farm in France where he spent a lot of his youth. He wants to sell it all off and get back to the rat race as soon as possible.

Events keep him there and he slowly re-discovers what he loved about the place. The real star of A Good Year is the Provencal countryside in all of its golden sun-blessed glory.

A Room with a View – 1985

Young English rose, Lucy, is chaperoned on a trip to Florence by an elderly spinster cousin.

A Room with a View, set in Edwardian times, captures the story of how Lucy meets a British father and his son (George) at their pensions, after they offer to swap rooms so that the ladies can have the room with a view.

A connection develops but upon returning to England, Lucy gets engaged to someone else. Circumstances bring them together again and the connection develops into a romance.

The views of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside are spectacular.

National Lampoon’s European Vacation – 1985

An all-time classic comedy following the Griswolds on a European holiday they win participating in a game show.

Not the most cultured of travel films, it nonetheless gives great glimpses of famous sights around Europe as the family chaotically visit England, France, Germany and Italy.

If you’re looking for light-hearted travel comedy movies, look no further than National Lampoon’s European Vacation .

Best travel movies set in Africa

Out of africa – 1985.

Out of Africa is the true story of Karen von Blixen who, bored of life in her native Denmark, married friend Baron Bror von Blixen as a means of escaping Denmark. They used her family money to set up a coffee plantation which subsequently failed.

After her husband was repeatedly unfaithful to her she fell for local hunter, Denys Finch Hatton (played by Robert Redford). You can’t help but fall for the beauty of Kenya and dream of taking a Masai Mara safari .

I’ve been in love with this film for as long as I can remember and had a bucket list moment in 2005 when I stayed in the Muthaiga Country Club in Nairobi which was one of the filming locations.

The Lion King – 1994 and 2019

Some may say that The Lion King is a child’s movie, but we think that this moving animated tale of the ‘Circle of Life’ in Africa is suitable for all ages – and may well inspire you to do an African safari with kids .

The computer graphics in the 2019 version are outstanding and you really feel like you’re in Africa on safari (if it weren’t for the talking animals!)

Death on the Nile – 1978

Based on Agatha Christie’s novel, Death on the Nile is a murder mystery set on a steam boat cruising down the Nile.

Belgian detective Hercule Poirot has to solve the murder of the rich heiress and other members on board before they reach port.

You get to see iconic sights such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the temples at Abu Simbel and Karnak.

Hotel Rwanda – 2004

Hotel Rwanda is set during the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 during which an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were murdered.

It is the true story of how the heroic manager of Hôtel des Milles Collines shielded more than one thousand refugees.

Watching it helped prepare us for our visit to Rwanda like no other history book had been able to, and will have you completely gripped.

Last King of Scotland – 2006

The Last King of Scotland is a historical drama based on the life of the brutal Ugandan dictator, Idi Armin.

The story from the point of view of his personal physician follows his rise to power after a coup and the spiralling atrocities he commits during his reign.

An extremely harrowing coverage of these events in Uganda. Much like Hotel Rwanda, it helped prepare us for our visit to Uganda.

Best travel movies set in Asia

The darjeeling limited – 2007.

A year after their father’s death three brothers who haven’t spoken for a year take a train journey together across India on The Darjeeling Limited .

They all suffer from depression and start the journey bickering, but after some crazy experiences they come together and heal their rift. The cinematography is genius and the soundtrack is brilliant.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – 2011

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a loveable comedy-drama about a group of British retirees who head out to India to live in a luxury retirement home… but what is in store for them is less than luxurious.

What the hotel lacks in luxury is made up for in the character of the hotel manager (Dev Patel). After an initial bumpy start, the retirees grow into their new life in more ways than one.

Slumdog Millionaire – 2008

Slumdog Millionaire is a beautiful tale of perseverance in the face of adversity. Two brothers growing up in the slums of Mumbai are separated at a young age and experience very different childhoods. Hopelessly romantic and tragic at the same time with a fairytale ending.

The Beach – 2000

The Beach is based on the book by Alex Garland in which protagonist Richard, on his backpacking trip in Thailand, comes into possession of a mysterious map that leads him to a secret beach location.

This is the ultimate backpacker adventure, and a film that put Thai beaches firmly on the map – particularly Maya Beach on Phi Phi Leh island, so much so that the authorities had to close it to tourists in 2018. They plan to open it again in mid-2021.

Eat Pray Love – 2010

Disillusioned with achieving the ‘dream’ of having a successful marriage and career, Elizabeth Gilbert sets off on a world adventure to try to find herself.

Eat Pray Love is based on the biography of Elizabeth Gilbert and depicts a journey of self-discovery – eating great food in Italy, prayer at an ashram in India and finally finding love in Indonesia.

Lost in Translation – 2003

Lost in Translation gives you a great view of modern life in Tokyo through the eyes of a middle-aged actor in Tokyo to film a commercial and a young college student abandoned for long periods by her husband.

During bouts of insomnia, the pair meet in the hotel bar and chat. They form a great friendship through a shared loneliness, and bond further on a night out with her friends, working through the sights of Tokyo. It’s not a traditional love story, and instead of a cliché ending there’s intrigue.

Seven Years in Tibet – 1997

Seven Years in Tibet tells the true story of Heinrich Harrer who was mountaineering in British India when the Second World War broke out.

He was imprisoned in a British POW camp but escaped and undertook a treacherous journey on foot across the border to Tibet.

Finding himself in Lhasa he ended up teaching the Dalai Lama, with the two becoming close friends.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – 1994

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a heart-warming story of two drag queens and a transgender woman journeying through the Australian outback in a giant Winnebago.

The trip takes them all the way from Sydney to Alice Springs, as they travel the remote lands bordering the Simpson Desert. As the film was refused permission to film on Uluru, the (relatively!) nearby Kings Canyon was used instead.

Rabbit Proof Fence – 2002

A harrowing true story of how aboriginal children were taken from their families in 1931 and made to work as domestic staff.

Rabbit Proof Fence is the story of how three little girls escaped captivity and set off on a 1000 mile trek through the outback to get back to their families.

Tracks – 2013

Tracks is based on the memoirs of a woman who leaves everything behind and sets off alone on a 9-month journey across 2000 miles of outback.

She is accompanied only with her faithful dog and four camels, meeting some fascinating characters along the way and learning remarkable survival skills.

When she is asked ‘why?’, she answers ‘why not?’ She shows incredible strength and determination and proves that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Best travel movies set in Antarctica

March of the penguins – 2005.

March of the Penguins is a documentary showing a year in the life of the Emperor penguins in the Antarctic. We see the many obstacles they overcome to find their mate, protect their eggs and raise their young.

All of this in the most incredibly beautiful but inhospitable place in the world.

Encounters at the End of the World – 2007

Encounters at the End of the World is a documentary by Werner Herzog on the life of the inhabitants at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. As you would expect, the scenery is desolate but breathtaking.

World travel

The bucket list – 2007.

In The Bucket List two terminally ill men meet in a hospital ward and make a pact to tick as much off their bucket list as they can before they die, with their adventures taking them around the world.

Jack Nicholson’s character has the means to fund the adventures and just wants a companion to share the adventures with.

We see them visit the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and an African safari . A truly heartwarming drama and a reminder to us all to do the things we want to do as life is short.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – 2013

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is an adventure drama in which Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) works in the photo negatives department for Life Magazine.

One day he is sent some negatives and a gift of a wallet by a photojournalist but discovers one of the negatives is missing.

Mitty decides to set off to track down the photojournalist to retrieve it. He narrowly misses finding him in Greenland and Iceland and is called back to New York and fired for losing the negative.

Later he learns that the photojournalist is in the Himalayas where he finally catches up with him. Through these adventures, he realizes the life he has always dreamed of.

If you don’t have Amazon Prime, you can start a 30-day free trial here .

Don’t even get us started on the wealth of documentaries out there about our amazing planet. If you’ve worked your way through this list of our best travel movies, we highly recommend checking out anything by a true legend, Sir David Attenborough.

Have any travel movies to recommend that aren’t on the above list? Drop us a line in the comments section below telling us what your best travel movies are!

If you liked this post, how about sharing it with friends or pinning it for later?

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I really have to catch up on my travel movies! I’ve only seen a handful of these.

P.S. Also love Anne of Green Gables, such a childhood favourite of mine :)

I was worried that I was going to strike out with the number of movies that I’d seen on this list. But I’ve seen 10 of them, and I’m pretty happy with that. I recently re-watched Priscilla Queen of the Desert and it still holds up. Love that movie! I don’t think that I’ve seen Tracks though, so that is now on my list. Thank you!

This is a great list! I loved Wild, it’s such a moving and uplifting film. I really want to read the book now!

What a great and extensive list you put together here! It also includes some of my favourite films, like Lost in Translation :-) Keep enjoying your fictional travels for now and fingers crossed we can go explore the real world soon again! x

What a great list! Although I´m a fan of travel movies it appears I still haven´t seen it all! Would love to watch Thelma and Louise and Hotel Rwanda! Thanks for the inspiration!

I like travel movies very much thank you i will definitely watch this movies

I’m glad you found it helpful.

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Russia and China Carry Out First Joint Bomber Patrol Near Alaska

Two Russian and two Chinese bombers patrolled the airspace near American territory and were intercepted by U.S. and Canadian jets.

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By Paul Sonne

Russia and China flew strategic bombers in a joint patrol exercise near Alaska, the first time they had conducted air drills together in that area, a pointed signal to Washington of their deepening military ties.

Two Russian Tu-95 bombers and two Chinese Xian H-6 planes flew over the waters of the Chukchi and Bering seas, with Russian fighter jets guiding them, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday in a statement. The joint flight lasted longer than five hours, the ministry added. It took place on Wednesday.

“During the flight, Russian and Chinese crews worked through issues of cooperation at all stages of the air patrol in a new area of joint operations,” the Russian Defense Ministry said. The ministry said the drill was “not directed against third countries.”

The exercise prompted the United States and Canada to scramble their fighter jets to carry out what is known as an “intercept” in military parlance, or when a country flies its jets alongside foreign aircraft as a show of defense.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a Pentagon news conference that the aircraft were “closely monitored” and “didn’t enter our airspace. I think the closest point of approach was about 200 miles off of our coast.”

The joint air drills near Alaska, involving bombers capable of delivering nuclear missiles, come as President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia deepens his military’s ties with China, in part as a signal to the West that he will not remain isolated over his invasion of Ukraine. In addition to other joint drills and sales of Russian arms to China, Mr. Putin has grown to rely on a flow of dual-use goods from China to sustain his war effort.

Though Moscow and Beijing carried out their first joint patrol of strategic bombers in 2019, military exercises have increased in frequency since then. They are designed in part to send a message of defiance to Washington and its allies, but also to give the two militaries practice in operating together, should they one day need to fight jointly in a war.

For Russia, the display of Chinese support is part of a broader effort to end American dominance on the world stage and respond to Washington’s regular schedule of exercises with its own allies.

“It’s still in the signaling stage,” Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said of Russia’s actions. “And the signaling is, ‘Hey, U.S., we are not alone. We are having a partner that has a huge nuclear arsenal.’”

The Chinese and Russian bombers didn’t cross into American or Canadian airspace during Wednesday’s joint patrol, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, a joint military operation between the United States and Canada that defends the continent’s airspace.

NORAD said the Russian and Chinese aircraft were not seen as a threat.

The Russian and Chinese bombers were flying in an area known as the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ. It is just outside U.S. airspace around the Alaskan coast, where the United States and Canada require the identification of aircraft for national security reasons.

The U.S. and Canadian militaries have intercepted six to seven Russian war planes a year on average since 2007 within the zone, NORAD said in a statement last year. But the area is far afield for Chinese war planes.

The first joint bomber patrol between Russia and China in 2019 took place between South Korea and Japan. Moscow and Beijing have conducted seven more since then, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China’s Defense Ministry, said, according to The Associated Press.

The last such patrol took place in Asia in December.

Helene Cooper contributed reporting from Washington.

Paul Sonne is an international correspondent, focusing on Russia and the varied impacts of President Vladimir V. Putin’s domestic and foreign policies, with a focus on the war against Ukraine. More about Paul Sonne

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Ukraine’s top diplomat met with China’s foreign minister in talks that signaled Kyiv’s increased willingness to pursue  a diplomatic solution to the war with Russia and to have China play a more central role in the effort.

Ukraine said that it had struck a preliminary deal with a group of international private creditors to restructure more than $20 billion of the debt it owes them, a step that would save the war-torn country billions  and preserve funds to support its battered armed forces.

President Biden’s stance on Ukraine was shaped by a deep commitment to America’s trans-Atlantic alliance. Some Europeans fear he may be among the last of his kind. What happens now  that Biden has decided to step aside?

Russia at the Olympics: Only 15 athletes from Russia will compete  at the Paris Games, under a “neutral” designation. The Kremlin is framing the ban as part of its showdown with Western adversaries.

The Decathlete With a Gun: About 500 top-level Ukrainian athletes and coaches have died in the war. Volodymyr Androshchuk promised his loved ones  he would make it back.

Ukraine’s Literary Revival: To keep it from Russian forces, a writer hid his last manuscript  under a cherry tree. Its rediscovery became part of a flowering of interest in Ukrainian literature.

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .

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12. Arrival

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24. The Philadelphia Experiment

25. About Time

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Thailand expands visa-free travel for 93 countries, including Australia

Thailand has expanded its visa-free travel for Australians from 30 days to 60 days as part of a new tourism scheme.  

The visa can be extended up to 30 days more through the Thai immigration bureau. 

Ninety-three countries and territories are eligible for the new scheme, up from 57 previously. 

On Monday, Thailand also announced relaxed rules for several other visa categories.

The validity of "digital nomad" visas for self-employed, remote workers will increase to five years from 60 days, with each stay limited to 180 days.

The country will also allow visiting students, who earn a bachelor's degree or higher in Thailand, to stay for one year after graduation to find a job or travel.

The changes, which came into effect on Monday, are part of the South-East Asian nation's latest efforts to boost travel and tourism.

Tourism is a key driver of Thailand's economy and a big source of employment, but it has struggled since the pandemic. 

Thailand recorded 17.5 million foreign tourists in the first six months of 2024, the tourism ministry said, up 35 per cent from the same period a year earlier.

Foreign arrivals generated revenue of 825 billion baht ($34 billion), data showed.

In pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand welcomed a record 39.9 million arrivals, generating 1.91 trillion baht ($79 billion).

ABC/Reuters

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Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis

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Spot work startup Timee shares pop 30% in Tokyo debut

Shares in startup Timee , which operates a platform connecting workers seeking side gigs with labour-strapped businesses, rose roughly 30% on Friday in their Tokyo stock market debut.