30 Amazing Travel Movies to Inspire

Motivation Through Travel Movies

When building motivation for adventure, it’s important to begin by becoming inspired.  It’s important to appreciate art which helps capture the travel spirit.  Enjoying travel movies is a perfect way to foster inspiration.

There are generally two kinds of travel movies: The first doesn’t focus on the journey so much as the wonders found at a destination.  These travel movies are focused on the place.  These travel movies hold true to cultural insights, fascinating revelations about the world and the beauty found at a single faraway place. 

The other type of travel movie leans towards the journey itself.  Characters spend time going from location to location discovering facets of life and themselves as their paths continue.  

The first type of movie allows for viewers to be inspired by the world, selecting destinations to pursue. The second types of travel movies are more introspective, showing what traveling and journeys can do to a person.

The following travel movies are some of the most inspirational and motivating travel movies on Earth.  

Disclaimer: Leftfade Trails is user supported. This page contains affiliate links, so using services or products through these links supports the website, at no cost to the user. All links are to services and products I’ve tested and benefited from while traveling.

Travel Movies and Films

Darjeeling Limited (2007) –

Three slightly estranged, dryly-humorous brothers go on a journey across India, all while failing to cope with the recent death of their father and absence of their mother.  The film showcases growth in journey while also showcasing some of India’s most poignant and powerful culture and scenery.  Wes Anderson’s ability to combine humor with emotional relevance creates a crystalline emotional space that offers a unique insight on journey and self-improvement culture. 

The Big Year (2011) –

This movie is an excellent example of goal-oriented, thematic travel on a highly comedic backdrop. The three characters of the film, played by Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin travel the United States to become the ultimate bird watchers. It’s a surprisingly excellent adventure and travel film with the character’s obsessions doing a great job of adding passion.

Chasing Bubbles (2016) –

This Youtube Documentary follows the extraordinary spirit of Alex Rust, who, through sheer will, set out to sail the Earth.  Without experience and abandoning a life of financial success, the young man’s journey is one of learning, fulfillment and grand adventure.  There is no better film for understanding the human’s capacity for practical growth and adventure simultaneously.

Motorcycle Diaries (2004) –

One of the greatest showcases of South America, the Motorcycle Diaries follows twenty-three year old medical student Ernesto “Che” Guevara de la Serna and his biochemist friend Alberto Granado on an extensive journey through their continent.  The travels are plagued with low finances, tricky social situations, vehicular struggles and strokes of pure inspiration.  The tale is a wondrously emotional tie-in to “Che Guevara’s” eventual historical influence as a revolutionary figure and the values he espoused.  The movie has both narrative and historical elements, making it a great inspiration as a movie to travel.

A Map for Saturday (2007) –

A splendid documentary which showcases the emotional extremes of long-term travelers and the enormously spiritual impact they can have on the world.  There is no other travel movies which so perfectly encapsulates the “why” of traveling.  

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) –

Loosely inspired by the utterly splendid short story by James Thurber, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a Ben Stiller daydream-to-adventure transition film.  Walter Mitty escapes the tedium of his daily life through vivid daydreaming before being summoned to a life of vibrant exploits.  There is no better movie for bridging the experience of imagination and true traveling.

The Way (2011) –

After the death of his estranged son, an American father goes to France on an extended and wrenchingly poignant pilgrimage to retrieve the son’s body.  The film takes place on the impossibly splendid Santiago de Compostela in Spain, with the journey providing insights on life, relationships and personal journeys.  This is a great movie to inspire travel as every aspect of the film is laden with poignancy and the effects a journey can have on someone.

A Walk in the Woods (2015) –

In the United States, the most famous and pseudo-legendary trek is the Appalachian Trail, snaking its way up the eastern portion of the States.  This travel movie follows two old friends attempting the trail in their sixties, pressing north along the 2,000 mile trek.  This movie remains a vibrant insight on trekking and travel cultures.

In Bruges (2008) –

This is by, no means, an actual travel film.  Instead, In Bruges follows the slightly bizarre aftermath of a challenging assassination job, where two hit men are sent to the city Bruges to lay low.  The experience gradually takes on surreal overtones, with the enchanting nature of Bruges lending a serene backdrop to an otherwise outlandish dichotomy.  While In Bruges does not focus on journeys, it does a wonderful job of embodying the effects a location can have on personal stories.  Bruges, in Northwest Belgium, is an extremely ornate canal-and-cathedral old town urban center which evokes captivating sensations.

Wild (2014) –

Following several life-shattering events, including the loss of her mother, Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) takes a life-altering trek along the Pacific Crest Trail.  The Pacific Crest Trail is a notoriously tough scenic hiking route going north-south through California, Oregon and Washington. It’s an extremely thoughtful film with spiritual and emotional overtones. This film captures the recovery, growth and insight long-distance travel offers.

Midnight in Paris (2011) –

This film is a dreamer-fantasy film set in Paris, centered around a vacationing novelist rapidly falling in love with the city and past creative giants.  The film emphasizes the human habit of believing in a past “golden-age” while also capturing the charms of Paris.  This film is especially skilled at demonstrating the beauty and culture of the city through the ages, tapping into the inspirational literature history alongside modern experiences.  

Tracks (2013) –

A vibrant solo-travel experience, this film follows the true journey of Robyn Davidson as she braves the Australian drylands.  She is only accompanied only by four camels and her faithful dog. This journey does extremely well when highlighting the traveler’s desire for solitude and the peace and appreciation it brings.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) –

A misadventure comedy-drama, this tale follows a young orphan and his foster-father. The pair avoid an enormous manhunt in the bush-country of New Zealand.  The wilderness-travel story manages to retain a lot of joy and humor, all while evading federal law enforcement.  While this isn’t exactly a travel-film, it does a great job showing the splendors of New Zealand. It also holds true to the comedy-adventure spirit all of life deserves more of.  

Touching the Void (2003) –

A compelling adventure-documentary, this film follows the journey of two climbers summiting the Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes.  The descent of the mountain is met with disaster. The duo is put in danger by a broken leg and extremely treacherous rope-and-climb attempt. But the entire ordeal hastened by a sense of doom alongside an incoming, lethal storm.  Part of the reality of travel is rooted in the risks and stakes of real adventures, alongside the triumphs of human spirit.  Touching the Void brilliantly encompasses this reality.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) –

There is no other high-fantasy literature more famous, infused with meaning, sacrifice and journey than Lord of the Rings.  Based on the epic books by J. R. R. Tolkien, director Peter Jackson brings the realm of Middle Earth alive in one of the greatest series of all time.  Though Lord of the Rings isn’t designed for travel inspiration, the quest motif is vital to the story’s central tenants.  Furthermore, many of the places which Tolkein wrote of are inspired by real locations in Finland, Iceland, Brittany, and Anglo-Saxon England.  Many are part of the National Trust. They remain worthy locations to inspire further adventure across the world.  

A Blank on the Map (1971) –

One of the greatest orators for Earth and her preservation, David Attenborough’s documentary into New Guinea seeks out a completely uncontacted tribe. He searched the untouched interior of New Guinea traversing a region of deadly terrain.  The documentary records the mysterious journey and immortalizes the triumphs and follies of the expedition.  There are extremely few corners of unexplored isolation left of Earth, and even fewer available to travelers.  A Blank on the Map manages to capture some of the haunting unknown which dominated the Age of Exploration.  

Baraka (1992) –

An unconventional documentary, Baraka has no narration. Instead, it explores a wildly diverse planet and human experience through videos of 24 countries in just 14 months.  Oscillating from chaotic urban environments to perfectly empty patches of land, the film highlights natural and technological spectacles from around the world.  In terms of capturing the originality of diversity in human spirituality, Baraka is peerless. Baraka is a polished expansion of the techniques and storytelling used in Chronos (1985).

Samsara (2011) –

No mention of Baraka would be complete without also considering Samsara.  This non-narrative documentary expands on the themes and style of Baraka. It displays the full range of Earth and her people with events both miraculous and mundane.

Ramen Shop (2018) –

Much of the world’s travel is rooted in going home, finding the source of where we come from. Ramen Shop is a phenomenal film about a young ramen chef returning to Japan following his personal history via his mother’s journal.  Ramen Shop is a wonderful film which provides honest insights on culture, Japan, and the human home-and-hearth reclamation experience.  

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) –

A British historical drama, Lawrence of Arabia follows the cunning adventures of British Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole) to collaborate with Arab military forces.  The film is a splendid travel movie for its portrayal of history, the grand harshness of the desert, the introduction of Arab society to wider popular culture and its spirit of daring.  

Roman Holiday (1953) –

There is forever an element of romance to all travel and exploration.  And this is forever apparent in Roman Holiday, one of the greatest and most compelling romance stories of all time.  Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck perform as star-crossed lovers while showcasing the most historically-potent city in all of Western civilization.   

Seven Years in Tibet (1997) –

Perhaps the most spiritually compelling movie in this entire list, Seven Years in Tibet follows an Austrian Mountaineer escaping a British internment camp during WWII by trekking across the Himalayas. In Tibet, he befriends the young Dalai Lama despite the tumultuous era they both live in.  The film is based on the autobiographical accounts of Heinrich Harrer.  Seven Years in Tibet does an extraordinary job of capturing both the concept of adventures and the discovery it brings.

L’Auberge Espagnole (2002) –

A coming-of-age story involving a young man named Xavier who enters a European Exchange Program, at which point he moves into an quirky apartment in Barcelona.  There, Xavier meets a melting pot of European cultures and has his straight-laced worldview pried open as the various culture characters interact and influence one another.  This film is an entertaining introduction to the strange interactions multiculturalism has on a developing youth.  

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) –

A strange buddy-drama road trip story following three lifelong friends.  After one of the group becomes engaged, the trio opts for a road-trip through Spain instead of the traditional bachelor party.  The Indian-Spanish culture concepts of the film are entertaining alongside a humorous cast complete with emotional moments of clarity.  

Whale Rider (2002) –

Based around the Māori culture indigenous to New Zealand, this story follows a young girl Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) as she subverts traditions to find a place within her tribe.  Much of her trials involve her beloved, but traditionalist grandfather as he clings to the strict heritage of his people with a focus on the chieftain’s major rite of passage, which includes riding a whale.  The story is a stunning homage to the resurgence and preservation of Māori culture with themes of the sea, whales, families and self-reclamation.  There are very few places in the world which have put so much effort into keeping traditions rooted, making the Māori people and this film a unique and poignant piece.  

Crocodile Dundee (1986) –

Likely the most quintessential Australian culture-icon to come out of the sun-baked nation, Mike Dundee (Paul Hogan) leaves his wilderness lifestyle to visit New York.  It’s difficult to overstate how much Crocodile Dundee’s impact on Australian pop-culture concepts, and the film remains an excellent nod to popular concepts regarding the outback. Both the setting of Australia and return to the States in the film make this a highly engaging movie to encourage travel.

Lost in Translation (2003) –

Set under the bright lights of Tokyo, this film follows the sense of disconnect followed by two travelers living in Japan and working through their own lives alongside culture barriers.  The bond the characters develop in the film is quaint, heartfelt and slightly unusual.  Lost in Translation does an amazing job of capturing the inherent loneliness felt abroad and the chance for different ways a person might change in a foreign land.   

Y Tu Mamá También (2001) –

Structured around a spontaneous road trip around Mexico, this film follows two youths on a sensual adventure with a gorgeous older woman to a secluded, semi-mythical beach on Mexico’s shores.  The film delves into interpersonal relationships and self-journeys in a unique and intense way.  Aside from showcasing the scenic wonders of Mexico, the movie also does a splendid job touching on major cultural components of the nation.  

Queen of Katwe (2016) –

Growing up in the slums of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, young Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) has her life dramatically altered after meeting a missionary who teaches her chess.  Her immense talent in the game opens up new opportunities for the future beyond the poverty in the slums.  The film is unique among travel movies for those who wish to see the deeper aspects of the world, including poorer urban environments and the courage and beauty they still contain. 

Porco Rosso (1992) –

A Studio Ghibli animated masterpiece, this film is centered around sky pirates who terrorize airplanes in the Adriatic.  Only the mysterious Porco Rosso (Shuichiro Moriyama) stands against them, flying a red plane in aerial defense.  The strange figure was an ace pilot during WWI who was magically transformed into a pig during the war.  This film shows a wonderful, magical way to view the world in a typical Studio Ghibli fashion while also portraying the beauties found in the serene Adriatic. 

Leftfade Trails

Want to read about other travel experiences? Check out blog posts describing adventures in different countries across Earth by visiting out blog page, Leftfade Trails Travel Blogs

Want to start on your own travel journey? Check out these resources to book your journey: