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More than any other work of popular culture, the films on this list possess an extraordinary power: they take you on a journey across Europe (Before Dawn), across the sun-drenched, sandy African desert (Far from Africa), or even on an adventure to the uncharted Paradise Falls (Up). These 50 classic films are 50 brilliantly told, captivating stories, filled with wonders (or even harsh realities) of travel and exploration, with breathtakingly beautiful cinematography that overwhelms all the senses.
1. A Roman holiday (1953)
How could one not love these classic black-and-white films? Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, and the setting in Rome—all combine to create a quirky yet hilarious love story. Hepburn plays the elegant Princess Ann on a European tour, while Peck plays a journalist for an American news agency. One night, the journalist encounters a young woman, elegantly dressed and refined, lying in the street drunk and penniless. He offers her shelter in his apartment, only to realize the truth the next morning when the newspaper reports that the princess's schedule has been cancelled due to illness—she's not sick, she's in his house! And so, Joe, the journalist played by Peck, comes up with an idea: he's willing to take Ann on a tour of Rome and volunteer as her tour guide. Princess Ann, weary of her constrained life and longing to escape royal duties and enjoy some freedom, readily accepted the proposal. And a romantic relationship blossomed during that unexpected trip to Rome.
2. To Catch a Thief (1955)
Cary Grant plays a retired thief, while Grace Kelly portrays a wealthy young woman. Under the masterful direction of Alfred Hitchcock, "Catch the Thief" not only tells the story of a notorious thief's quest for the truth and his exoneration, but also tells an unexpected love story. This romantic mystery film, with its stunning cinematography shot in Cannes and Nice (France), perfectly captures the golden age of tourism we still dream of, a time when wearing a gold cape to the beach was considered inappropriate.
3. Doctor Zhivago (Doctor Zhivago - 1965)
Traveling to Russia during the Soviet Revolution might not sound like a great idea, but director David Lean's films perfectly capture the haunting beauty of this stunning country during a romantic epic era. Some even mistakenly believe the film was actually shot in Spain. From the opulent grandeur of the Russian Empire to the flower-filled fields of the Urals and the windswept Siberian tundra, Lean's camera captures breathtaking scenes that are beyond words.
4. The Endless Summer (1966)
This surfing documentary by director Bruce Brown is reminiscent of the classic line from The Beach Boys: "Catch the wave and you'll be on top of the world." "The Endless Summer" follows two friends, Mike Hynson and Robert August, on a surfing trip around the world, taking viewers to the sandy shores of Hawaii, and the pristine beaches of New Zealand and South Africa. The film has had a significant impact on surfing culture and tourism, thanks in no small part to Bruce Brown's skillful cinematography and the talent of the surfers.
5. Two for the Road (1967)
Travel is the central theme of this romantic comedy, about a married couple played by Albert Finney and Aubrey Hepburn. The film begins simply with a trip to Saint-Tropez, but this journey to Southern France rekindles the couple's emotions, evoking numerous conflicts and unresolved issues.
6. Easy Rider (1969)
1969, the year of Woodstock – considered the biggest event of the counterculture movement in the 1960s – perhaps made it the perfect time to release "Easy Rider." The film's story follows Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) on a motorcycle trip from Mexico through Los Angeles to New Orleans. Filmed on a tight budget, the footage in "Easy Rider" features dusty desert landscapes and rural towns, depicting a dark and unsettling side of America.
7. Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Although the 2017 remake boasts significantly better visuals, it must be acknowledged that the original 1974 film was the true success. First and foremost, the film features an outstanding and irreplaceable cast. Albert Finney plays the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot – a classic character from the renowned crime novelist Agatha Christie. Poirot agrees to investigate a midnight murder in the first-class compartment of a train, surrounded by a host of characters, from a Russian princess to a beautiful young countess. And in those same scenes, the view from the train window of the snow-covered Yugoslavian countryside is more captivating than ever.
8. Indiana Jones and the Ark of the Covenant (Raiders of the Lost Ark - 1981)
"Raiders of the Lost Ark" was a massive collaboration between two of the world's biggest blockbuster directors at the time: Steven Spielberg (of Jaws), who directed, and George Lucas (of Star Wars), who served as executive producer. The film follows the adventure of Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) as he travels around the world in search of the legendary Ark of the Covenant. Filmed in France and Tunisia (representing Egypt), it is considered one of the films with the most visually stunning natural scenes in blockbuster history.
9. Christmas Holiday (National Lampoon's Vacation - 1983)
This is a 1983 American road trip comedy directed by Harold Ramis, starring Chevy Chase (as the father, Clark). Following the Griswold family's road trip, viewers will visit real-life locations in the US such as Death Valley and the Grand Canyon, as well as fictional places like Walley World amusement park. With a performance by Christie Brinkley and the famous theme song "Holiday Road," this is definitely a film that any travel enthusiast should see at least once in their lifetime.
10. The Story of the Emerald (Romancing the Stone - 1984)
The 1980s were a heyday for action films, but "The Emerald Tale" seems to have outshone all others, comfortably occupying one of the most prominent positions of the era. It's a smooth blend of Indiana Jones and a lighthearted romantic novel. The story begins when Joan Wilder (played by Turner), a shy novelist, is forced to travel to Colombia to rescue her kidnapped sister… The film captivated audiences with its pristine and mysterious locations in Mexico, Zion National Park, and the city of Jalapa…
11. Out of Africa (1985)
Two film stars, Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, star in this tragic love story, where a baron's widow falls in love with a skilled hunter. Adapted from Isak Dinesen's autobiography, this film became one of the rare adaptations that succeeded both commercially and artistically. "Far From Africa" is also special for its majestic African landscapes and stunning depictions of colonial East Africa.
12. The Unfortunate Couple (Planes, Trains and Automobiles - 1987)
Set during Thanksgiving, the film recreates the travel frenzy of the busy holiday season. In the film, Steve Martin plays Neal Page, a man facing nightmares as he travels constantly from New York to Chicago leading up to the holiday.
13. Withnail and I (Withnail & I - 1987)
“This trip was a mistake!”, Withnail’s (Richard E. Grant) desperate lament became the comedic highlight of this British comedy. The film tells the story of two unemployed, alcoholic actors trying to escape the horrors of poverty in London with a trip to the countryside. But the countryside turns out to be even worse. The cinematography of “Withnail and Me” beautifully portrays the desolate beauty of the windswept Cumbria region. The northern English landscape is the perfect backdrop for the tumultuous and frustrating lives of the two main characters.
14. The Story of Thelma and Louise (Thelma & Louise - 1991)
"Thelma and Louise" is perhaps the film that started the idea of making films about best friends, with two women as the main characters and their own adventures, breaking away from the cliché of films needing a male lead. For the first time, women became the center of the screen, marking the first era of feminist films.
15. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
In this unique film, Stephan Elliott chose interesting fates for his characters: drag queens (men dressed as women), transgender people… starring Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving, and Terence Stamp. The three embarked on a four-week tour in a large bus named Priscilla. The film's satirical and emotionally charged blend of joy and rawness helped introduce Australian cinema to a global audience, becoming a particular hit for the LGBT community. The song "I Will Survive" also became immortal alongside the film.
16. Before Sunrise (1995)
Richard Linklater transformed simple strolls and conversations into works of art with this classic film, the opening of his trilogy of slow-paced movies. The charming, peaceful style, successfully portrayed by actors Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, is complemented by a gentle, dreamy story. "Before Dawn" is simply a chance encounter between the two main characters, a wandering stroll along a cobblestone street in the city. Vienna seems to become a third character in a romantic tale, as does Paris nine years later in "Before Sunset," or Messenia and Greece nine years after that in "Before Midnight." All three works of art are clear evidence that sometimes travel is an opportunity to rearrange one's life and rediscover oneself.
17. The English Patient (1996)
"The English Patient" is an epic American romantic war film based on the Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name by Michael Ondaatje. With a storyline divided between two settings: pre-war Egypt and post-war Italy, director Anthony Minghella offers us a skillfully crafted artistic vision of both locations. Love, in all its beauty and pain, set against the backdrop of war and devastation, evokes intense emotions in millions of viewers.
18. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
This is one of the films with the most beautiful shots of Italy ever captured on film. Set in the 1950s, the film tells the story of a group of young people enjoying an incredibly luxurious vacation, from the pristine beaches of Lazio to the opulent hotels of Lazio-Venice. The film has a simple plot with quiet moments depicting breathtaking scenery.
19. The Beach (2000)
In the film, Richard (played by a young Leonardo DiCaprio) travels to Thailand seeking a new experience, leaving behind the stressful and suffocating modern life. During his trip, Richard stumbles upon a mysterious story about a true paradise island. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island in Thailand is the "paradise" island in "The Beach," with its crystal-clear waters, fine white sand, and a night sky sparkling with millions of stars – a stunning place that any viewer of the film would long to visit. Unfortunately, the place became too famous after the film's release, leading to overcrowding and the beautiful beach quickly becoming littered with trash, ultimately forcing Maya Bay to close.
20. Entering Life (Y Tu Mamá También - 2001)
"Into Life" is the journey of two close friends and a captivating adult woman. They travel across Mexico in search of a magical beach called the Mouth of Paradise. Director Alfonso Cuarón captures the beautiful, vibrant natural scenery of Oaxaca, while also offering a glimpse into the poverty of Mexico at that time.
