If you’re anything like me, then you’ve probably been at loose ends since the quarantine started and locked down all “non-essential” travel. How is it fair that prices are lower than ever and we can’t go anywhere right? Luckily things are starting to open back up and we’ll all be back on the move soon, but until then how can we satisfy our itch to be out exploring the world? Well since we’re mostly stuck at home what better way than with movies? A lot of travel movies marvel in the travel fails of others but many also have the fair share of romance wrapped in as well. Grab some popcorn and let’s virtually travel the world.
Vacation (2015)
Although the original Chevy Chase version is a classic, something about the pure comedy and ridiculousness of this “remake” is so much fun. If you’re missing a family road trip this is the movie to watch. Similar to the original, Rusty (Ed Helms) decides to follow in his father’s footsteps and take his family on a trip to Wally World to ride the new rollercoaster. As in the original, everything goes wrong leading to comedic outcomes. This movie captures the tension yet perfect family bonding of all family vacations. If you love the original but haven’t seen this it’s very worth checking out, as Rusty says “the new Vacation will stand on it’s own”.
We’re the Millers (2013)
“This is NOT A VACATION”. This is shouted very clearly by David Clark (Jason Sudaekis) in the RV on the way to Mexico as the “family” - made up of a stripper (Jennifer Aniston), an abandoned dork (Will Poulter), and a homeless girl (Emma Roberts) complain about the details of the trip. The movie follows the four as they fake a family vacation in order to smuggle drugs across the Mexican border. Easily one of the most quoted movies in our house and my personal favorite, if you’ve never seen it check it out. You’ll have no RAGRETS (not even a single letter).
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
I saw this movie far later than I should have. While trying to get over a failed relationship, Peter (Jason Segel) takes a stress relief trip Hawaii only to find his ex-girlfriend (Kristin Bell) and her new man (Russell Brand). Extremely funny with a fair share of romance, it’s everything you’d want your Hawaiian vacation to be (minus the cheating ex-girlfriend). If the plotline or beautiful Hawaii scenes don’t sell you at least check it out for that full frontal of Jason Segel (amiright?).
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)
Yeah, yeah, another Hawaii one. But this one is different. It follows Mike and Dave (Adam Devine and Zac Efron), two brothers forced to bring dates to their sister’s destination wedding. Their dates (Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick), meant to calm the boys down, end up causing more issues. The best thing about this from a travel angle is that it focuses on a different side of Hawaii than just the beaches. And if you tell me that that Jurassic Park ATV tour doesn’t make your bucket list afterwords then you’re definitely lying.
Blended (2014)
Africa is somewhere I never really thought a whole lot about going…until I saw how cool this movie made it look. Of course, Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler can make anything look interesting right? Starting with a blind date gone wrong between a newly divorced woman and mom of 2 boys and a recently widowed man and dad of 3 girls, they wind up as mortal enemies who end up purchasing half of the same vacation from a mutual friend and heading to Africa together. It’s a classic Sandler/Barrymore rom-com, and that’s enough to check it out in itself.
Monte Carlo (2011)
Doesn’t every small town girl dream of quitting their job and jetting off to Paris on a whim with their best friend for the summer? Oh, and while we’re there let’s just skip out on our tour and head off to Monte Carlo on a yacht with cute guys. Okay? Sound realistic yet? Maybe not but still it makes for a fun fantasy, and with Selena Gomez and Leighton Meester where can it go wrong?
Home Alone and Home Alone 2 (1990, 1992)
Okay so maybe calling the first Home Alone a “travel movie” is a stretch…but there are planes involved and a trip to Paris. Not to mention it’s probably my favorite movie of all time (I can’t be the only one who could watch Home Alone all year round right?). You already know the plot. Family leaves kid at Christmas, kid fights burglars off…didn’t all your vacations go that way? Home Alone 2 falls more into our category since Kevin actually makes in on a plane this time. He jets off to NYC and has everyone's dream vacation with a fancy Plaza stay, pizza in a limo, and sightseeing galore. Even though it’s summer these are still two of the best to watch. Christmas in May anyone?
The Proposal (2009)
If I told you I’ve seen this movie 300 times I’d probably be underestimating. When monster manager Margaret (Sandra Bullock) is about to get deported, she forces her assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) to pretend to be her fiancé. As part of the scheme they travel to Alaska together to celebrate his grandmother’s 90th birthday and attempt to uphold the charade. If the sheer comedic awkwardness doesn’t attract you, at least watch it for that 2 minute scene where Sandra Bullock has Betty White dancing in the woods to Flo Rida's Get Low.
Sex and the City 1 and 2 (2008, 2010)
Everyone secretly envies Carrie Bradshaw’s fabulous life and perfect friends. Of course, she takes amazing vacations too. Granted in the first movie is was supposed to be her honeymoon but c’est la vie. She still gets a killer trip to Mexico with her girlfriends complete with margaritas and a lot of pudding (if you know, you know). Then there’s the 2nd one where they all go on a luxury trip to Abu Dhabi together. We could talk about that hotel penthouse for days but my ultimate envy was that private airplane cubicle. Who travels like that?! If we’re going to travel vicariously through film let’s at least do it in some style right?
Maybe you’ve seen a few of these or even all of these already, but what better time for a re-watch? If we can’t travel ourselves what better way than to live vicariously through others? Maybe you already have some travel movie favorites of your own. Regardless I hope this list introduces you to something you might not have watched before and helps you feel like you’re not just stuck in your house for at least a minute. Do you have a favorite travel movie? Let me know in the comment section so I can check it out!!
Note: This is a list of my personal favorites and my opinions of these movies. These are not official descriptions or reviews. The movies vary in appropriateness ratings and you should check the ratings before playing for an entire family. Some of the movies have a bit of raunchy themes and if you’re easily offended they might not be for you or your family. This is all for fun and I don’t want anyone offended by my favorites.
Commentaires